Review of packaging for improving storage quality of fresh edible mushrooms

Abstract Edible mushrooms are favoured by people for their rich nutrition, medicinal value and unique flavour. The quality of postharvest mushroom decreased sharply because of its special tissue structure and physiological characteristics. Compared with other preservation technologies, packaging has been widely used in the preservation of mushrooms because of its strong preservation effect, green and convenient characteristic. This review discussed the quality deterioration of fresh mushrooms and its influencing factors, and summarised the research advances and preservation mechanism of modified atmosphere packaging (MAP), active packaging (ACP), biodegradable film packaging (BFP) and nanocomposite packaging (NCP) used to cope with the quality deterioration of fresh mushrooms. The packaging mainly maintains the quality of mushrooms and extends their shelf life by exerting antibacterial, antiviral and antioxidant, and by regulating respiration and energy metabolism, cell wall metabolism and membrane lipid metabolism. Currently, the combined packaging based on nano, active and biodegradable is getting more attention, but there is a lack of in‐depth genetic research on its preservation mechanism. Nanoemulsion‐based packaging was used in many foods; however, there is little research on the preservation of mushrooms. Based on the above packaging, the next step is to explore the intelligent packaging for edible mushrooms. This review can provide reference for further research and application of packaging preservation in mushrooms, to improve the quality of postharvest mushrooms.