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Effect of Antibacterial Peptide Microsphere Coating on the Microbial and Physicochemical Characteristics of Tricholoma matsutake during Cold Storage

Summary

This research demonstrates that coating expensive wild matsutake mushrooms with special antimicrobial peptides wrapped in tiny polymer microspheres can keep them fresh for up to 20 days instead of just 1-3 days. The coating works by protecting mushrooms from water loss, microbial spoilage, and browning while preserving their texture and nutritional quality. This edible coating technology could help mushroom producers sell their products over longer distances and extend availability of these prized wild mushrooms.

Background

Tricholoma matsutake is a precious wild edible mushroom with bioactive compounds and medicinal properties, but it perishes rapidly with a limited shelf-life of 1-3 days at room temperature. Edible coatings have been used to extend shelf-life of agricultural products by functioning as barriers to moisture loss and microbial contamination. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) have shown potential as natural antibiotics, but their short half-life limits effectiveness unless embedded in polymer microspheres.

Objective

To investigate the effect of antimicrobial peptide microspheres (AMS) and antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) on the physicochemical and microbial quality of Tricholoma matsutake during cold storage. The study compared preservative effects of 1.0 g/L and 0.5 g/L AMS versus 1.0 g/L AMPs against controls during 20-day cold storage at 4±1°C.

Results

Mushrooms coated with AMS (1.0 g/L and 0.5 g/L) maintained better physicochemical and sensory qualities compared to AMPs and controls, with only 2.72-2.93% weight loss after 20 days. AMS treatment significantly reduced PPO and POD activities, maintained firmness, preserved total sugar content, and controlled microbial growth (mesophilic and psychrophilic bacteria). Sensory scores for appearance, spoilage, and odor remained significantly higher in AMS-treated samples throughout storage.

Conclusion

Antimicrobial peptide microspheres effectively preserved Tricholoma matsutake quality during cold storage and could extend postharvest shelf-life to 20 days compared to the natural 1-3 day shelf-life. The microsphere formulation proved superior to free antimicrobial peptides in maintaining texture, preventing browning, and controlling microbial spoilage. AMS coating represents a promising edible coating technology for commercial postharvest applications to extend storage life of wild mushrooms.
  • Published in:Polymers (Basel),
  • Study Type:Experimental Study,
  • Source: 10.3390/polym14010208, PMID: 35012230
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