Gamma-irradiation of mushrooms and its effect on active and latent forms of o-diphenol oxidase

Abstract

Gamma-irradiated mushrooms, held for 3 and 6 days at 10°C were evaluated for appearance and quality and for changes in active and latent (inactive) forms of o-diphenol oxidase (o-DPO). The appearance of samples treated with 50, 100, 200 and 300 krads was notably better than the controls after 3 days in storage. After 6 days, samples treated with dosages of 100 krads and higher were in fair condition, the 50 krads samples were poor to fair, and the controls were unsalable. The stalks of the fruiting body contained more active and latent forms of o-DPO than the caps. No significant change was noted in these forms immediately after irradiation. In all treatments the active form increased with storage time while the latent form increased slightly after 3 days then decreased after 6 days of storage.