The benefits of usage of timed and gradually released 1-MCP Vidre+™ stickers included:
Mushrooms are a healthy and delicious food that can be enjoyed in a variety of ways. They are a good source of fiber, protein, and vitamins A, B2, B6, C, and D. They also contain potassium and selenium. Mushrooms are so versatile that they can be incorporated into many different dishes, adding a desired "umami" flavour to many vegetarian and vegan dishes.
Since 2018, in the U.S., a National Mushroom Month has been celebrated throughout September. This special time presents an opportunity for the U.S. Department of Agriculture to enlighten individuals about the incredible versatility and health advantages offered by this food.
The aim of the research conducted by prof. Dorota Wichrowska and her team at Bydgoszcz University of Science and Technology was to assess the impact of different doses of 1-MCP in Vidre+™ technology on the commercial value and shelf life of whole and sliced champignons (Agaricus bisporus).
Four groups of whole and sliced mushrooms were used for the experiment.
The first group, with no stickers, served as the control. The mushrooms in this group remained untreated during the 20-day study.
The other three groups were treated with 1-MCP in the form of Vidre+™ stickers with different concentrations of 1-MCP.
Freshly harvested whole mushrooms or sliced mushrooms were placed in clamshells with or without Vidre+™ and placed into a plastic bag for the first 24 hours. After 24 hours all clamshells were then placed in a storage chamber at 2-3C and 90-95% relative humidity for the remainder of the test.
The mushrooms were monitored for 20 days during the experiment for weight loss, firmness, browning of the cap and of the stem. Additionally laboratory analysis was undertaken to measure concentration for vitamin C and polyphenols.
There are three distinct benefits associated with the application of Vidre+™ in protecting mushroom quality. The level of the benefit was related to the different doses of 1-MCP.
Image below: Sliced mushrooms after 7 Days untreated with 1-MCP
Image below: Sliced mushrooms after 7 Days treated with 1 ppm 1-MCP
The research shows that the samples of whole mushrooms treated with Vidre+™ stickers had the least weight loss compared to the control group over the 20 days evaluation period. Weight loss of untreated mushrooms was 2-4% higher than all samples treated by Vidre+™, regardless of the concentration of 1-MCP.
As for the weight loss of sliced mushrooms, the ones treated with 1-MCP lost their weight much slower than a control group (without Vidre+™ stickers) showing 3% less weight loss on Day 3 and 4% on Day 7. Only after 14 days of storage did Vidre+™ begin to lose weight rapidly.
Image below: Mushrooms after 7 Days (untreated with 1-MCP)
Image below: Mushrooms after 7 Days treated with Vidre+™
As the experiment shows, the best firmness during the 20 days storage was achieved for the whole mushrooms treated with Vidre+™ stickers. The mushroom's firmness was worse in the control group.
The brown spots and overall browning increased the most in untreated samples. The percentage of changes reached 80% of the sample after 14 days of storage. The smallest browning was in the samples treated with 2 ppm of 1-MCP, affecting 40% of the sample.
In addition to observations of above-mentioned changes, mushrooms were also analyzed in the laboratory for the presence of vitamin C. As it occurred, the concentration in the untreated mushrooms ranged from 5.3 mg/100 gram in the beginning to 2.0 by Day 20, while the Vidre+ mushrooms had 35% more Vitamin C at Day 14 and 48% more by Day 20.
Mushrooms like fruits or vegetables are rich in polyphenols. Polyphenols work by acting as antioxidants to protect cells from damage caused by free radicals. That's why fruits, vegetables and mushrooms have many health benefits.
The total polyphenols concentration increased during the study but showed little difference between untreated and those treated with Vidre+.
The research have shown the positive effect of using Vidre+™ technology on protecting mushrooms quality. The sliced mushrooms treated with 1-MCP retained their commercial value for 14 days, while whole mushrooms for 20 days after harvest. The use of Vidre+™ stickers has had a positive impact on retention of firmness, smaller weight loss, smaller changes of vitamin C in comparison to untreated whole and sliced mushrooms.
Images below: The whole and sliced mushrooms treated with 1-MCP after 20 days of storage
During the storage of whole and sliced mushrooms, there were differences in fresh weight losses between the treated samples and the control, in favor of the mushrooms treated with 1-MCP. Storage conditions can also affect the quality of mushrooms, and those that are stored properly will stay fresh and flavorful for longer.
*Source: Research report: Assessment of the impact of using different doses of 1-MCP in Vidre + technology on the commercial value and quality characteristics of whole and sliced mushrooms (Agaricus bisporus) by Dorota Wichrowska, Ph.D. from the Bydgoszcz University of Science and Technology, Date: January 2023
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