International Journal of Medicinal Mushrooms

ISSN for PRINT: 1521-9437

For Online Access

Best Paper Award Selection - Editorial Board Site

2001, Volume3

Issue 4

156 pages

Issue price - $128.00

Shu-Ting Chang
Department of Biology, Centre for International Services to Mushroom Biotechnology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong, China; and Department of Biological Sciences, University of Wollongong, Australia

This presentation covers investigations of early attempts to convert lignocellulosic materials, also identified as cellulosic biomass, containing hemicellulose, cellulose, and lignin, into primary components for producing edible and medicinal mushrooms. These range from the study of life cycles to the application of genetics and breeding, all directed toward the improvement of mushroom strains so as to use the lignocellulosic wastes more effectively. Also traced are attempts in recent decades to develop new disciplines—"mushroom biology" replacing "mushroomology," "mushroom products" distinguished from "mushroom production," and "nutriceutical" from "nutraceuticals." Mushroom production evolved from mushroom science and is concerned with mushroom cultivation and production (mushrooms themselves), whereas mushroom products are generated by mushroom biotechnology and are connected with mushroom derivatives (mushroom nutriceuticals/dietary supplements). These are the two legs of the modern mushroom-based industry. The status of the world marketing value of mushrooms and their products is also reviewed, with projection of potential contribution to human welfare in the 21st century: the "nongreen revolution." The "nongreen revolution" has had and will continue to have a positive global impact on long-term food nutrition, health care, environmental conservation and regeneration, and economic and social change. It should be emphasized that good quality and honest products of both mushroom crops and mushroom derivatives are of paramount importance in earning enduring public credibility and securing an expanding market in the world.

Download article, 12 pages

Article price - $35.00

<< Previous article   Next article >>