Abstract:

The effects of controlled atmosphere (CA, 30% CO2 + 2% O2) on Pleurotus eryngii quality during shelf-life at
20-25 ℃and 90%-95% relative humidity (RH) were analyzed by one-way analysis of variance, principal component
analysis (PCA), correlation analysis, partial least squares regression, and path analysis. An atmosphere of 21% O2 and 0.03%
CO2 was used as control (CK). The results showed that CA alleviated weight loss, inhibited the decrease of hardness, protein
and total sugar content, maintained the lower electrical conductivity and pH, and contributed to the higher brightness and
sensory score of Pleurotus eryngii. PCA indicated that CA exhibited a significant influence on Pleurotus eryngii color; total
sugar, hardness, protein, weight loss, electrical conductivity, and pH changed dramatically during storage. Partial least squares
regression and correlation analysis showed that the hardness, protein, total sugar, L*, and h displayed a significantly positive
correlation with sensory quality score (P < 0.05) and the weight loss, a*, b*, and electrical conductivity had a significantly
negative correlation with sensory quality score. Path analysis suggested that L* was the main factor affecting the quality of Pleurotus
eryngii by exerting the direct (L*) and indirect (by affecting a*, b*, and weight loss) influence. In conclusion, CA has effects on several
physicochemical indexes of Pleurotus eryngii and mainly exerts its influence on color indexes (L*, a* and b*).

Key words: Pleurotus eryngii, controlled atmosphere, quality, multivariate analysis