ZIF-67@thymol enhances physicochemical properties of hydroxypropylated potato starch films and brown rot resistance in Agaricus bisporus

This study synthesized cobalt-based zeolite imidazolium frameworks loaded with thymol (ZIF-67@THY) and investigated the impact of different ZIF-67@THY concentrations on the properties of ZIF-67@THY/hydroxypropylated potato starch (HPS) composite films. It also assessed the efficacy of these films at combating the brown blotch disease of Agaricus bisporus , which is exacerbated by pathogenic Trichoderma and Mucor sp. FJ09 . The results showed that incorporating an adequate dosage of ZIF-67@THY into the HPS film diminished the incidence of fungal decay. When 0.3% of ZIF-67@THY was added, the oxygen transmission rate of the film reached 5.77 g/m 2 ·d, the tensile strength reached 9.49 MPa, and the water vapor transmission rate reached 1.34 × 10 −8 g·m −1 ·h −1 ·Pa −1 . The antioxidant capacity reached 86.93% at 0.5% ZIF-67@THY. The ZIF-67@THY/HPS film packaging increased the accumulation of related disease-resistant substances in the phenylpropanoid metabolic pathway of mushrooms. Compared with the control, the peak C4H, 4CL, and CAD activities of mushrooms encapsulated with ZIF-67@THY/HPS coatings were 1.77, 1.96, and 2.82 times higher 4–6 d after inoculation. These results show that the ZIF-67@THY/HPS film has the potential to serve as a food packaging material that provides antioxidant and disease protection. • ZIF-67 loaded with thymol added to hydroxypropylated potato starch film. • ZIF-67 nanocarriers effectively realized the sustained release of thymol. • Films had excellent water resistance, mechanical and antioxidant properties. • Film resists the Mucor of the Agaricus bisporus and delays of brown rot.