Matsutake is a kind of natural rare and valuable edible fungi, known as “the king of fungi”, its rich flavor, tender taste, high nutritional value, is the world’s rare and valuable natural medicinal fungi, China’s second-class endangered species, so matsutake in autumn from early August to mid-October, popular among the public.
Modified Atmosphere Packaging(MAP) is a technology that extends the shelf life and freshness of food by adjusting the concentration and proportion of gas components in the packaging box.
For the MAP of matsutake, the following schemes can be adopted:
•First, the selection of packaging materials:
The packaging materials used for matsutake MAP should have good sealing, barrier property and high temperature resistance. Commonly used packaging materials include PP, PE, aluminum foil, etc.
•Second, fresh-keeping gas composition:
The MAP of matsutake mainly regulates the composition ratio of oxygen, carbon dioxide and nitrogen. In different growth stages of matsutake, the proportion of gas composition is also different.
(1)Early after picking, matsutake is still breathing, so the box should contain a small amount of oxygen (5%-8%) and a high concentration of carbon dioxide (10%-15%).
(2)In the mature stage, the respiration of matsutake is weakened, so the oxygen concentration in the box can be reduced (2%-5%), while the carbon dioxide concentration can be moderately increased (5%-10%);
(3)When matsutake begins to soften, air conditioning packaging with high carbon dioxide concentration (5%-10%) and low oxygen concentration should be used to slow down the softening rate of matsutake.
•Third, the choice of packaging:
(1)Single product packaging:
The fine single matsutake package in the fruit and vegetable air conditioning packaging box, more suitable for high-end products;