Canning Mushrooms with Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus (Thunb.) Juice : Nutritional and Health Interest

Canning edible mushrooms using water bath is commonly applied for long-term storage. However, nutrients and bioactive substances can be leached out from mushrooms during the canning process. The objective of this study was to investigate the potential of watermelon juice as alternative to the boiling water bath and as a means of improving the nutritional value of canned mushrooms. Three samples of Pleurotus sajor-caju were canned as follows: the first (CKKwmj) with 150 ml of “Kaolack” watermelon juice, the second (CKLwmj) with 150 ml of “Koloss” watermelon juice and the third (Cwt) “control” with 150 ml of tap water. After sterilization, samples were brought to room temperature for 45 days. Carbohydrate content was increased (6.68 ± 0.03 g /100 g and 6.65 ± 0.05 g /100 g dry weight), respectively in samples from CKKwmj and CKLwmj cans compared with Cwt (6.50 ± 0.04 g /100 g dw). The filling mediums KKwmj and KLwmj were also a source of carbohydrates with respectively 7.05 ± 0.06 g /100 g and 7.22 ± 0.04 g /100g dw. The proteins levels of CKLwmj and CKKwmj were approximately equal to Cwt (3.35 ± 0.03 g/100 g dw). L-citrulline content from CKLwmj (66.34 ± 0.07 mg /100 g dw) was higher than CKKwmj (48.15 ± 0.05 mg/100 g dw) and Cwt (48.06 ± 0.08 mg/100 g dw). In addition, L-citrulline contents of cans filled with KLwmj and KKwmj were respectively 297.5 ± 0.08 mg/100 g dw and 258.5 ± 0.09 mg/100 g dw. Energy content of samples were low, the highest value was observed in mushrooms from CKLwmj (45.11 ± 0.15 Kcal/100 g dw) and was slightly above on the “control” (43.72 ± 0.15 Kcal/100 g dw). This study shows that canning mushrooms with watermelon juice could be a source of minerals (potassium, phosphorus, magnesium).