The combined effect of exposure time to sodium chlorite (NaClO2) solution and packaging on postharvest quality of white button mushroom (Agaricus bisporus) stored at 4 °C

Abstract Agaricus bisporus was washed with 1 g/L sodium chlorite (NaClO2) (SC) solution for 30, 60 and 120 s, packed with a non-perforated polyvinyl chloride (PVC) film and stored at 4 °C for 12 days. Washing the mushrooms with the SC solution and packaging with the PVC film slowed down the change in colour and firmness of the mushrooms, but treating the mushrooms with the SC solution longer than 60 s adversely affected the mushroom texture. After 12 days of storage, the weight loss of the mushrooms packed with the PVC film was less than 10% compared to the control. Headspace O2 concentration...