Production of three species of Pleurotus mushrooms and quality evaluation in modified atmosphere

Abstract

The use of substrates straw has been increasing importance in mushroom saprophytic species grown, especially of Pleurotus genus. They are considered very interesting from the commercial point of view, not only for its nutritional and organoleptic characteristics, but also for its easy adaptation, rapid growth and relatively low culture cost. Mushrooms have a short shelf life when compared to most vegetables at ambient temperatures mainly due to its composition and high respiration rate. After yield and to reduce losses and maintain quality, minimal processing is reported to be an economical and effective method of extending the mushrooms shelf life. The purpose of this study was tested three species of the Pleurotus genus yield cultivated in wheat straw, in order to determine the most productive one and also evaluate the combined effects of modified atmosphere packaging on quality and shelf life of these packaged fresh mushrooms. The results indicate that P. ostreatus was the most productive, followed by P. sajor-caju and P. eryngii and the studied storage conditions improved P. eryngii quality.