Effect of PLA/PCL/cinnamaldehyde antimicrobial packaging on physicochemical and microbial quality of button mushroom (Agaricus bisporus)

• Antimicrobial packaging was prepared by PLA, PCL, and cinnamaldehyde (CNMA).
• Mushrooms packaged in the PLA/PCL/CNMA blend films were firmer.
• PLA/PCL film with 9% CNMA was effective in reducing microbial counts.
• Overall acceptability in the PLA/PCL film with 9% CNMA remained good on day 12.
• PLA/PCL/CNMA blend films could maintain the quality of button mushroom.

The effect of biobased poly(lactic acid) (PLA)/poly(ɛ-caprolactone) (PCL) blend films with different cinnamaldehyde contents (0, 3, and 9 wt%) on the physicochemical and microbial quality of button mushrooms (Agaricus bisporus) stored at 4 ± 1 °C for 16 days was investigated. The low-density polyethylene (LDPE) film was used as the control. The microbial levels and physicochemical properties such as weight loss, firmness, total soluble solids, O2 and CO2 concentrations, microbiological quality, color, and sensory quality of mushrooms were measured. Although the highest weight loss (3.08%) was observed in the PLA/PCL/C9 treatment at the end of storage, it was still lower than 5%. Mushrooms packaged in the PLA/PCL/cinnamaldehyde blend films were significantly (p < 0.05) firmer than those packaged in the control and PLA/PCL film. The CO2 level inside the PLA/PCL film with cinnamaldehyde was lower than those inside the control and PLA/PCL film, but the O2 level was similar in all packages. The PLA/PCL/C9 film was more effective in reducing microbial counts and preserving the color of mushrooms than the other three films. The overall acceptability of mushrooms packaged in the PLA/PCL/C9 film still remained good and within limit of marketability after 12 d of storage. The results suggested that the PLA/PCL/C9 film with higher water vapor permeability could be used to maintain the quality of fresh button mushroom and extend its postharvest life.