Effect of PLA/PCL/cinnamaldehyde antimicrobial packaging on physicochemical and microbial quality of button mushroom (Agaricus bisporus)

The effect of biobased poly(lactic acid) (PLA)/poly(epsilon-caprolactone) (PCL) blend films with different cinnamaldehyde contents (0, 3, and 9 wt%) on the physicochemical and microbial quality of button mushrooms (Agaricus bisporus) stored at 4 +/- 1 degrees C for 16 days was investigated. The low-density polyethylene (LDPE) film was used as the control. The microbial levels and physicochemical properties such as weight loss, firmness, total soluble solids, O-2 and CO2 concentrations, microbiological quality, color, and sensory quality of mushrooms were measured. Although the highest weight loss (3.08%) was observed in the PLARCL/C9 treatment at the end of storage, it was still lower than 5%. Mushrooms packaged in the PLA/PCL/cinnamaldehyde blend films were significantly (p < 0.05) firmer than those packaged in the control and PLA/PCL film. The CO2 level inside the PLA/PCL film with cinnamaldehyde was lower than those inside the control and PLA/PCL film, but the O-2 level was similar in all packages. The PLA/PCL/C9 film was more effective in reducing microbial counts and preserving the color of mushrooms than the other three films. The overall acceptability of mushrooms packaged in the PLA/PCL/C9 film still remained good and within limit of marketability after 12 d of storage. The results suggested that the PLA/PCL/C9 film with higher water vapor permeability could be used to maintain the quality of fresh button mushroom and extend its postharvest life. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.