Abstract
This study was aimed to find the storage potential of low temperature adapted shiitake mushroom under freezing temperature ($-3^{\circ}C$). Fresh shiitake mushroom was harvested at late Feb. and cooled to target temperature, $-3^{\circ}C$ in the cooling room for 24 hr. Cooled mushroom were then placed in plastic boxes, wrapped with plastic film ($30{\mu}m$), and stored at $-3^{\circ}C$ for 2 months. Weight loss of mushroom was ranged from 2.1 to 3.2%. Dry weight per unit fresh weight, however, was slightly increased because of moisture loss. Firmness of fruit body increased from $0.95kg/cm^{-2}$ (before storage) to $1.13kg/cm^{-2}$ (after 2 month storage). About half amount of starch was lost during 2 month storage. The amount of total and reducing sugars remained relatively constant. After storage, freshness of mushroom was recovered by thawing treatment. When recovered mushroom were packaged with styrofoam tray and PVC wrapping, and exposed to ambient and $10^{\circ}C$, respectively, brown spot on the gill of fruit body was found and slight decay symptom was also found at ambient temperature only but not at $10^{\circ}C$. Results indicated that low temperature adapted shiitake mushroom has a storage potential under freezing temperature ($-3^{\circ}C$). Freezing storage technology of fresh shiitake mushroom will contribute the increase of storability up to 2 months.