Abstract: In this study, the effects of different irradiation doses on rehydration, texture characteristics and nutrient composition of black fungus were studied. The results showed that after rehydration, the upper and lower epidermis of irradiated Auricularia auricula were stratified, the mycelium was separated. The hardness and the protein content were decreased, and the decreasing presented positive correlation with irradiation doses. The water absorption capacity and the polysaccharide solubility showed increasing tendency at first, and then decreased when the irradiation doses increased. The viscosity of auricularia polysaccharide solution was decreased with the increasing irradiation doses. It suggested that the rehydration soft rot of irradiated Auricularia auricula might be related to the changes of protein and polysaccharide structure.

Key words: Auricularia auricula, irradiation, texture