Research Topic: Food security

Comprehensive review on oyster mushroom species (Agaricomycetes): Morphology, nutrition, cultivation and future aspects

Oyster mushrooms are increasingly popular edible fungi that can be grown on agricultural waste materials like rice and wheat straw. These nutritious mushrooms are rich in protein, vitamins, and minerals while containing compounds with health benefits including antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Their cultivation offers an environmentally friendly solution to waste management while producing highly nutritious food that could help address global food security challenges.

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Mycelium: A Nutrient-Dense Food To Help Address World Hunger, Promote Health, and Support a Regenerative Food System

Mycelium, the thread-like root structure of fungi, could help solve world hunger by providing nutritious, sustainable protein in just days. Unlike meat production which takes months to years, mycelium grows rapidly using minimal water and produces far less greenhouse gas. Early research suggests it may help lower cholesterol and improve blood sugar control while supporting a healthier planet.

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Advanced Fungal Biotechnologies in Accomplishing Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): What Do We Know and What Comes Next?

Fungi are remarkable organisms with tremendous untapped potential for solving global challenges. They can be engineered to produce life-saving medicines like antibiotics and cholesterol-lowering drugs, create nutritious food alternatives, clean up polluted environments, and help fight climate change. As we transition to more sustainable living practices, fungi represent a natural solution that has been used for centuries but is only now being fully appreciated through modern biotechnology.

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Maize Cultivation in Sun Mushroom Post-Harvest Areas: Yield, Soil Chemical Properties, and Economic Viability

This research shows that farmers can grow maize right after harvesting sun mushrooms, using the leftover mushroom material as natural fertilizer. This approach reduces the need for expensive chemical fertilizers while maintaining good crop yields. The system is particularly beneficial for small-scale farmers in Brazil, as it allows them to grow food year-round on the same land while saving money on fertilizer costs.

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Suitability of maize crop residue fermented by Pleurotus ostreatus as feed for edible crickets: growth performance, micronutrient content, and iron bioavailability

Researchers tested whether crickets could be raised on inexpensive mushroom-fermented corn stalks as an alternative to costly grain feeds. While the fermented stalks made iron more absorbable by the human body, the crickets actually grew worse on this feed compared to unfermented stalks. The study suggests that combining mushroom and cricket farming, while theoretically appealing for sustainability, may not work well in practice due to poor cricket survival and growth on spent mushroom substrate.

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One-Health Approach to Managing Aflatoxin-Producing Aspergillus flavus Using Spent Mushroom Substrate of Pleurotus spp

This study shows that leftover substrate from growing oyster and red mushrooms can work together with a common antifungal fungicide to better prevent harmful Aspergillus fungi from contaminating corn. The combination of mushroom waste and fungicide was more effective than using either alone, and could potentially reduce the amount of chemicals needed in agriculture while protecting the environment and preventing drug resistance.

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Co-existence of potentially sustainable indigenous food systems and poor nutritional status in Ho indigenous community, India: an exploratory study

This study found that the Ho indigenous people of India have access to hundreds of nutritious traditional foods but still experience widespread malnutrition. Even though their indigenous foods are rich in essential minerals and vitamins, factors like unpredictable rainfall, shift to growing only rice instead of diverse crops, and the availability of cheap processed foods in markets prevent people from using these nutritious foods. The research highlights the need to support traditional food systems and farming practices to improve both health and environmental sustainability in indigenous communities.

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Relationship between household food insecurity and minimum dietary diversity among pregnant women attending antenatal care at public health facilities in Fiche town, Oromia region, Central Ethiopia: A facility-based cross-sectional study

This study examined how food insecurity affects the variety of foods pregnant women eat in Ethiopia. Researchers found that only about one-third of pregnant women ate a diverse diet containing enough different food groups. The study showed that women from food-secure households and those who received nutritional counseling during prenatal care were much more likely to eat a varied diet. The findings suggest that helping pregnant women access diverse nutritious foods and providing proper nutrition education during healthcare visits could significantly improve their dietary quality.

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Research on Development and Challenges of Forest Food Resources from an Industrial Perspective—Alternative Protein Food Industry as an Example

This research examines how forests can provide alternative protein sources to help solve global hunger and food security issues. Scientists are developing new foods from insects, plants, fungi, and laboratory-grown meat, with markets growing rapidly and companies making significant investments. However, challenges remain including high production costs, consumer concerns about safety and taste, and varying regulations across countries that complicate bringing these products to market globally.

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Research on Development and Challenges of Forest Food Resources from an Industrial Perspective—Alternative Protein Food Industry as an Example

This research examines how forests can provide alternative protein sources including insects, plants, fungi, and lab-grown meat to help feed our growing global population. The market for these forest-based proteins is rapidly expanding, with insect protein reaching USD 3.2 billion in 2023 and plant-based alternatives growing even faster. However, challenges remain including high production costs, consumer skepticism, and varying regulations across countries that must be overcome for these innovations to reach mainstream markets.

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