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Abstract: In atmospheric air, at –1 to ±3°C, CO2-production first decreases, later on it increases. Above 5°C the rate of respiration increases Cold treatment raises respiration intensity. Respiration depends on dry matter content. In an N2-atmosphere the C02- production is high in the first 24 hours, afterwards it decreases to 100-200 g/ton in 24 hours, not depending very much on the temperature. Trimming prior to storage had no important effect on storage stability. The main investigations concerned storage in mixtures of N2, O2 and CO2. High CO2-concentration, low 02-concentration and low temperatures, separately, prevented opening of the mushroom. The most suitable was N2 with a small amount of O2 and 5 vol % CO2 Oxygen has to be kept at approx 0.1%, 0% is harmful. Mushrooms require a certain amount of O2 per time unit, from 0 to 15°C the optimum is 300–600 ml/24 hours per kg mushrooms with 8% dry matter. At an O2-level of 10-20% the optimum CO2-concentration is about 50%, for 0.1% O2 it is about 5% CO2. Excess CO2 reduces the flavour CO2-stored mushrooms seem to keep longer in atmospheric air than those not pre-treated in this way. This was not so when previously stored in an N2 atmosphere. For storage in atmospheric air, the optimum temperature was 0°C, but the mushrooms were able to stand –1/2°C In an N2-atmosphere 0°C can be used, if kept very constant It is not recommended, however, to store below +3°C. Through low density 0.02-0.03 mm polythene gas diffusion is adequate for quantities of 500 g, with larger packing units, O2-diffusion is insufficient Within 24 28 hours a balance of 4.5% CO2 is created In cardboard boxes the harmful condensate of water is absorbed. Washing causes a severe loss in quality. The shelf life of mushrooms in the optimum gas compositions is 5 weeks at 0°, 4 weeks at 5°, 12 days at 15°C.
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