High carbon dioxide and low oxygen storage effects on reactive oxygen species metabolism in Pleurotus eryngii

This study addressed the influence of high carbon dioxide and low oxygen levels on Pleurotus eryngii samples, stored at 20–25 °C and 90–95% RH for 5 d. Evaluations of sensory characteristics, malondialdehyde (MDA) content, superoxide anion (O₂⁻) production rate and the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), catalase (CAT), and cytochrome c oxidase (CCO) were made in the mushrooms in response to high carbon dioxide and low oxygen treatments. The results showed that 2% O₂ + 30% CO₂ significantly prolonged mushroom shelf-life when compared to the control. The 2% O₂ + 30% CO₂ mixture was better suited to maintaining mushroom sensory characteristics and delaying the MDA increase and O₂⁻ production rate during storage. The activities of SOD, POD, and CAT in 2% O₂ + 30% CO₂-treated mushrooms were significantly higher than those of the control. However, the CCO activity was not affected by the atmospheric treatment (2% O₂ + 30% CO₂). These results indicated that the 2% O₂ + 30% CO₂ treatment could alleviate lipid peroxidation and enhance antioxidant enzyme activities, but it exerted little influence on the CCO activity of Pleurotus eryngii.