Storage of mushrooms ( Agaricus bisporus , [Lange] Sing.) in 0% O 2 reduced discoloration and o-diphenol oxidase (o-DPO) activity for up to 7 days. Levels of O 2 above 0% had little or no effect in reducing discoloration and o–DPO activity compared to air controls. Concentrations of CO 2 above 5% appeared to increase surface discoloration while markedly inhibiting o-DPO activity. After transfer to air, the effectiveness of the increased CO 2 treatments in reducing o-DPO activity in mushrooms depended on storage time in CO 2 . In vitro CO 2 markedly inhibited o-DPO activity, with 50% inhibition at 25% CO 2 . Complete inhibition was never attained. The inhibition by CO 2 was found to be competitive with respect to catechol and could not be overcome by increasing the O 2 concentration above 20%. The action of CO 2 in vivo in reducing o-DPO activity could be through a direct competitive inhibition or through the inhibitory effect of CO 2 on mushroom maturation.
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Murr et al. (1974) studied this question.