Food Biotechnology research has various aspects, including the following:

• Growth and nutritional properties of edible exotic mushrooms
• Medicinal mushrooms for improved human health
• Mushrooms applied as animal fodder

Gourmet mushrooms

Grown on agricultural waste under controlled environmental conditions to achieve the tastiest edible mushrooms possible – this group of mushrooms comprises the king, pink, golden, grey, blue, and brown oysters. Besides the research results obtained, this part is mainly governed by the postgraduate students who are running it as a business to share in the profit from excess mushrooms, because they lack research bursaries. The mushrooms are sold to restaurants and food markets on weekends.

Medicinal mushrooms

Throughout history, mushrooms have been used as a natural alternative for various ailments. Macrofungi are known to be a source of bioactive compounds of medicinal value. These include the prevention or alleviation of heart disease, inhibition of platelet aggregation, reduction of blood glucose levels, reduction of blood cholesterol, and the prevention or alleviation of infections caused by bacterial, viral, fungal, and parasitic pathogens. These properties can be enjoyed by the capsulation of liquid concentrates or dried powdered mushrooms, as we have recently confirmed through trial efforts defined as mushroom nutriceuticals. The research focuses on several medicinal genera, each with specific medicinal attributes.