{"id":11838,"date":"2024-03-07T16:18:03","date_gmt":"2024-03-07T15:18:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/fei-online.com\/?p=11838"},"modified":"2024-03-07T19:35:57","modified_gmt":"2024-03-07T18:35:57","slug":"stepacppcs-new-sustainable-packaging-boosts-exotic-mushroom-longevity","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fei-online.com\/stepacppcs-new-sustainable-packaging-boosts-exotic-mushroom-longevity\/","title":{"rendered":"StePacPPC\u2019s new sustainable packaging boosts exotic mushroom longevity"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\r\n\r\n\"LUBRIPLATE\"<\/a>\r\n<\/p>\n<\/div><\/section><\/div>

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StePacPPC\u2019s new sustainable packaging boosts exotic mushroom longevity<\/h1>\/ in Product news<\/a> <\/span><\/span><\/header>\n<\/div><\/section>
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The fresh produce packaging company StePacPPC has customized its award-winning modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) films to preserve fresh whole and sliced white mushrooms, and whole exotic mushrooms, such as oyster, lion\u2019s mane, shiitake, portabella and more. The lean MAP system fulfils consumer demands for sustainable packaging that slows deterioration and dramatically reduces waste of this highly perishable item.<\/h3>\n

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The appetite for mushrooms has been growing rapidly based on their health halo and being a vegan source of meaty umami flavour and texture. Yet mushrooms also have a very short shelf life. Growers and shippers are constantly grappling with these challenges, striving to improve mushroom storage capabilities and curb waste.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/section>
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StePacPPC\u2019s latest advancement in its packaging formats is designed specifically to maintain the freshness of whole and sliced white mushrooms, and whole exotic mushrooms. The customized films significantly slow down decay and reduce weight loss of costly culinary delicacies, preserving texture, nutrition, and flavour thereby effectively diminishing a considerable amount of waste and cost.<\/p>\n

Over the past decade, consumer demand for mushrooms has surged, with more exotic species entering the mainstream. They are considered a culinary specialty, appreciated for their savoury qualities and nutritional benefits. According to data by Emergen Research, the global mushroom market size is valued at more than US$50 billion. This number is expected to more the double by 2030.<\/p>\n

Despite the increasing demand, the highly perishable nature of mushrooms, combined with the challenges of maintaining their shelf life has kept them from realizing their full market potential.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/section>
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\u201cMushrooms have high metabolic activity and respiration rates which gives them a short shelf life, typically just a few days,\u201d explains Gary Ward, Ph.D., CTO for StePacPPC. \u201cThey also generate a lot of moisture during the respiration process, which encourages bacterial decay. On the other hand, they are also prone to dehydration which causes them to shrivel, and they become disco-
\nloured due to oxidation. Sliced mushrooms are even more susceptible to a rapid decline in quality.\u201d<\/p>\n

The high water-vapor transmission rate of StePacPPC films, coupled with the customized modified atmosphere properties, have proven ideal for preserving the quality of both whole and sliced mushrooms, at once slowing respiration and aging, reducing dehydration, and expelling
\nexcess moisture from the packaging.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn post-harvest lab and field trials, our films have demonstrated abilities to maintain the freshness and wholesome appearance of mushrooms,\u201d says Ward. \u201cThis effectively stretches their shelf life from just a few days to more than two weeks, generating meaningful reductions in food waste.\u201d<\/p>\n

StePacPPC\u2019s packaging first demonstrated its potential for mushroom preservation during the Covid pandemic. Oyster mushroom farmers found themselves with backlogs of produce due to the logistical standstills. StePacPPC\u2019s Xtend bulk<\/p>\n

packaging solutions were instrumental in helping prolong storage in the cold storage, effectively mitigating waste.<\/p>\n

Since then, the company has developed Xtend bulk packaging solutions for lion\u2019s mane, shiitake and portabella.<\/p>\n

For more information, visit: www.stepacppc.com<\/a>
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