In this study, a polyethylene (PE) packaging material that contained nano-Ag, nano-TiO2, nano-SiO2, and
attapulgite was prepared and its effect on storage stability of mushrooms (Flammulina velutipes) was investigated.
The results showed that the nanocomposite-based packaging material (Nano-PM) regulated oxygen and carbon
dioxide level, eliminated ethylene and inhibited the growth of microbes, which is a benefit on preservation
quality of mushrooms, compared to the normal PE material (Normal-PM). After 14 days of storage, mushroom
weight loss,mushroomcap opening, stipe elongation and respiration of Nano-PM stored mushroom were significantly
(P b 0.05) inhibited. Furthermore, treatment with the Nano-PM improved the retention of vitamin C, soluble
protein, and total soluble solids contents of F. velutipes. The results therefore are promising for the
preservation of F. velutipes in order to expand its shelf life and improve its preservation quality by use of this
Nano-PM.
Industrial relevance: Flammulina velutipes, also named as golden needlemushroom, is one of themost popular edible
mushrooms worldwide. Its production and consumption ranked the fourth place among all edible mushrooms
in the world. However, fresh golden needle mushrooms are highly perishable. Therefore, preserving
freshness of the mushrooms is the main objective of postharvest technology. In the present study,we developed
a newtype of effective and economic nanoparticle packagingmaterials and applied it tomushroompreservation.
A local company (Jiangsu Tianfeng Biological Technology Co., Ltd) producing mushrooms has started to use this
nano-preservation technology during the postharvest transportation and sales. In conjunctionwith the results of
present research,we suggests that nano-composite based packaging materials is a goodway for preserving fresh
mushrooms and has the potential to be commercialized.