Phase-change materials and exogenous melatonin treatment alleviated postharvest senescence of Agaricus bisporus by inhibiting browning and maintaining cell membrane integrity

This study aimed to investigate the effects of phase change materials (PCMs) and exogenous melatonin (MLT) on delaying the senescence of postharvest Agaricus bisporus (button mushrooms) during eight days of storage at 22 ± 0.5 °C. The results indicated that the combined treatment of PCMs and MLT effectively inhibited browning and maintained the cell membrane integrity of mushrooms by regulating the relative expression of genes related endogenous MLT biosynthesis and antioxidant; affecting energy metabolism and enzyme of antioxidant; reducing the accumulation of O2 − and H2O2 content, and maintaining a higher endogenous MLT, total phenol content and antioxidant capacity. Moreover, PCMs and MLT treatment maintained high ATP and endogenous melatonin content, resulting in low malondialdehyde content and electron leakage, preserving the mushroom tissue microstructure. Treatment with either PCM or melatonin affected the postharvest quality of A. bisporus, but the combined treatment had the best effects. These findings suggest that combined PCMs and melatonin treatment is a promising method to improve the postharvest quality of mushrooms.