Development of a novel modified atmosphere container with a cycle‐time‐controlled perforation for enoki mushroom preservation

From the paper

Abstract

A novel container system with a time‐controlled perforation device was designed to create a modified atmosphere (MA) beneficial for preserving 1.5 kg of enoki mushrooms at 10 °C. Periodic cycles of meeting and eclipse of the block‐arc‐shaped perforations on the rotor and the fixed container cover in the device provided the repeated time‐controlled opening/closing of the perforation to control the gas transfer. A mathematical model describing the container atmospheric change was used to determine an optimal design, which is specified with circular opening ratios of 7% for the rotor and 10% for the fixed cover for a 4‐h cycle. The design could create an MA of 1.8% O₂ and 19.4% CO₂ to preserve the quality in terms of weight loss, mushroom development, colour change, texture and overall appearance. The cycled time control of the perforation was found as an effective means to have MA condition keeping enoki mushrooms fresh.