Edible fungi are widely cherished for their delicious flavor and crisp, tender texture, enjoying broad market prospects. In recent years, the production of edible fungi has developed rapidly, with cultivation volumes—particularly in rural areas—experiencing a dramatic surge. However, because edible fungi are prone to browning, cap-opening, and spoilage, they possess extremely poor tolerance for storage, transportation, and off-season supply, frequently resulting in economic losses for producers. In both domestic sales and export trade involving edible fungi, soft-packed canned products—specifically those packed in water—have emerged as key commodities for both domestic distribution and foreign currency generation; thanks to their extended shelf life, these products are increasingly favored by enterprises engaged in both domestic sales and export operations. Nevertheless, a major technical challenge currently facing the production of such items is the susceptibility of water-packed canned edible fungi to browning during storage; consequently, color-preserving and freshness-retaining technology has become a critical factor in the processing of these products.

Liu Kui invented a freshness-retaining agent for edible fungi, comprising the following components: 4-hexylresorcinol (as an antioxidant), sodium dehydroacetate (as a preservative), and chlorine dioxide (as a bleaching agent). Through a study investigating the impact of various component ratios on preservation efficacy, a novel, sulfur-free color-preserving and freshness-retaining agent was ultimately selected and developed. The optimal method for implementing this invention involves formulating the color-preserving agent into a liquid solution; specifically, based on weight percentage, 0.02% 4-hexylresorcinol, 0.02% sodium dehydroacetate, and 0.05% chlorine dioxide are added to water.

This color-preserving and freshness-retaining agent contains absolutely no sulfide components and offers a triple-action effect—preserving freshness, preventing spoilage, and maintaining color—thereby preserving the original flavor and nutritional value of the edible fungi. Characterized by stable quality and reliable performance, and being entirely free of sulfide compounds, this agent has garnered unanimous affirmation and widespread recognition from enterprises within the edible fungi processing industry. By completely eschewing traditional preservation methods—such as sulfur fumigation or bleaching with sulfites—this color-preserving agent eliminates the risk of excessive sulfide residues, thereby providing a robust safety guarantee that enables consumers to enjoy edible fungi products with complete peace of mind. The incorporated edible mushroom bleaching agent possesses advantages unmatched by other bleaching agents: it is fast-acting, safe, and does not generate carcinogenic substances; it resists color reversion, is non-toxic, sulfur-free, and leaves no residues; furthermore, it is low in cost, simple to use, does not compromise the quality of the mushrooms, preserves their original flavor, and also serves to eliminate off-odors. It is suitable for the bleaching, color preservation, freshness maintenance, and antioxidant treatment of various types of edible mushrooms, offering safety, non-toxicity, low dosage requirements, rapid action, and excellent overall safety credentials. After bleaching, food products exhibit lasting freshness and color stability—resisting yellowing even after prolonged storage—thereby extending the mushrooms' shelf life. The edible mushroom processing, color-preserving, and freshness-maintaining agent—formulated by blending the three aforementioned substances—yields products that are not only pristine white in appearance but also safe, reliable, and harmless to human health; as such, it meets export standards and is highly recommended for widespread adoption.