Postharvest Innovations in Mushroom Shelf life Enhancement

Mushrooms are highly perishable commodities due to their high moisture content and enzymatic activity, necessitating efficient postharvest preservation strategies. This study comprehensively evaluates traditional methods such as drying, canning, and refrigeration alongside contemporary technologies, including ultrasound-assisted immersion freezing, non-thermal plasma treatment, antimicrobial surface decontamination, and advanced packaging systems. Additionally, the antioxidant ergothioneine (EGT) was explored for its cytoprotective and anti-browning properties. Button mushrooms (Agaricus bisporus) were subjected to ultrasound treatments at different power intensities and stored under modified atmosphere packaging (MAP). Quality metrics such as weight loss, texture, pH, soluble solids, and color changes were analyzed. Application of EGT significantly reduced browning and improved postharvest stability. Integrating multiple preservation technologies demonstrated synergistic effects in prolonging mushroom shelf life under commercial conditions.