Preliminary comparison of preservation effect of fresh Lentinus edodes by ⁶⁰Co-γ ray and electron beam irradiation

In order to investigate the effects of different doses of gamma ray and electron beam irradiation technique on the postharvest quality of fresh Lentinus edodes, changes in firmness, respiration, conductivity, sensory characteristics and cell structure and morphology of fresh Lentinus edodes after irradiation were measured. The results showed that with a 2 kGy ⁶⁰Co gamma ray irradiation treatment, a high level of firmness (37% reduction) was maintained, lower respiration (10.81 mg · kg^-1 · h^-1) and relative conductivity (0.268%), compared to the other groups by ⁶⁰Co gamma ray irradiation after storage for 16 d; while 38% reduction in firmness, 10.39 mg · kg^-1 · h^-1 respiration and relative conductivity with a value of 0.241% than other electron bean groups were observed with 3 kGy electron bean irradiation treatment. Sensory analysis showed that the electron beam using 3 kGy, ⁶⁰Co gamma ray with 2 kGy retards mushroom sensory deterioration and therefore has better preservation effect on fresh Lentinus edodes. Microscopic analysis showed that compared with 2 kGy ⁶⁰Co gamma ray, 3 kGy electron beam irradiation could keep the morphology of fresh Lentinus edodes well, delay its further degradation and prolong its storage period effectively. This paper explored the feasibility of irradiation in the preservation of fresh mushrooms, indicating that gamma-irradiation and electron-beam, might be a useful mushroom conservation technology. (authors)