Carbohydrate metabolism and respiration after harvest of the cultivated mushroom, Agaricus bisporus

The carbohydrate metabolism of the mushroom and the respiration of the sporophore after harvest at different stages of growth have been studied. Mannitol and trehalose were found to be the major soluble carbohydrates in the sporophore and mycelium respectively. Mannitol and trehalose levels fall during sporophore storage, and feeding experiments with¹⁴C-labelled sugars indicate that they are metabolised. The results were discussed in relation to the post-harvest development of the sporophore.