Synergistic effect of novel CS/N-TiO₂/NT coating and low temperature in prolonging the storage life of Stropharia rugosoannulata.

Postharvest Stropharia rugosoannulata deteriorates from fungal infection and active metabolism. A novel chitosan/nitrogen doped titanium dioxide/natamycin (CS/N TiO₂/NT) composite film was developedinhibiting Fusarium pseudoanthophilum and Talaromyces purpureogenus by 71.30% and 75.04%, with 132.20% higher tensile strength and 69.29% lower oxygen permeability. Preservation efficacy was markedly temperature dependent. At 25 °C, only marginal improvements were observed. At 10 °C, the coating significantly reduced total colony counts and modulated enzymatic activities, notably activating peroxidase, retarding the decline of superoxide dismutase (SOD), and inhibiting polyphenol oxidase. Optimal preservation was achieved at 4 °C, where respiratory intensity and microbial proliferation were suppressed while SOD activity was effectively sustained. Cox proportional hazards analysis further confirmed that coated samples stored at 4 °C exhibited a 33.33%-38.46% extension in storage life relative to uncoated controls. These findings establish a temperature responsive preservation strategy and provide a mechanistic framework for extending the shelf life of perishable mushrooms.