Evaluation of biodegradable film packaging to improve the shelf-life of Boletus edulis wild edible mushrooms

• Boletus edulis wild edible mushroom was stored in different biodegradable packaging.
• PLA film containing 7.5 and 15 wt.% plasticizer provides better retention of quality.
• Minimal changes in texture, PPO activity, and total bacteria count
• Mushroom packaged by plasticized PLA film received higher sensory rating.
• Nisin in combination with plasticized PLA film extend mushroom postharvest life to 18 days.

The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of poly(lactic acid) (PLA) based biodegradable film packaging combining 0.5% nisin antimicrobial polypeptide on the physicochemical and microbial quality of Boletus edulis wild edible mushrooms stored at 4 ± 1 °C. The experiment was set up by packaging mushrooms with extruded PLA films containing 0, 7.5, and 15 wt.% triethyl citrate plasticizer. The low-density polyethylene (LDPE) film was used as the control. Mushrooms stored in PLA films containing 7.5 and 15 wt.% plasticizer provided better retention of quality characteristics and received higher sensory ratings compared to mushrooms stored in pure PLA film and LDPE film. Samples with these two treatments underwent minimal changes in texture, PPO activity, total bacteria count, and sensory attributes. Results suggest that nisin in combination with plasticized PLA film has the potential to maintain B. edulis wild edible mushroom quality and extend its postharvest life to 18 days.Industrial relevanceB. edulis is one of the most commercialized mushrooms worldwide. However, as with all fresh mushrooms, there are severe preservation problems. Extruded PLA films containing triethyl citrate plasticizer plus antimicrobial agent nisin proved to be a suitable technology for mushroom conservation. This material exhibits an environmental-friendliness potential and a high versatility in food packaging.