Biodegradable PBAT/PLA packaging maintained the quality of postharvest shiitake mushroom by modified humidity and atmosphere

Packaging with plastic films is the most common preservation technique used to extend the shelf life of shiitake mushrooms. However, due to ‘white pollution’, it is essential to develop biodegradable films with efficient preservation properties. Here, the effects of biodegradable polybutylene adipate (PBAT)/poly(lactic acid) (PLA) blend films on the quality of shiitake mushrooms were investigated. The mushrooms were stored for 14 days at 4 ± 1 ℃. The results showed lower CO2 level inside the PBAT/PLA film, but the O2 level was comparable to that in low-density polyethylene (LDPE) package. PBAT/PLA treatment effectively prevented condensation of water vapor inside the package, and could significantly (p < 0.05) slow down the respiration rate, inhibit caps opening, improve phenolic contents and PAL activity, maintain firmness as well as delay senescence. In addition, due to the suitable relative humidity inside the PBAT/PLA film, it was more effective in reducing microbial counts and preserving the appearance of the shiitake mushrooms, thus extending more than 4–6 days of shelf life compared to the LDPE film. These results suggested that besides the in-package gas composition, it is also important to control the level of water vapor permeability to avoid condensation and decelerate degradation of packaged fresh shiitake mushroom. This environmental-friendly PBAT/PLA film exhibited high versatility in shiitake mushroom packaging.