Methods and compositions for improving the nutritional content of mushrooms and fungi
AssigneeThe Penn State Research Foundation
InventorsRobert Beelman, Michael Kalaras
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Abstract
An improved filamentous fungi is disclosed that has an enhanced nutritional profile by utilizing pulsed ultraviolet irradiation. According to the invention, the vitamin D component of mushrooms and other filamentous fungi may be drastically increased with no deleterious affects on appearance with the use of pulsed UV radiation. Mushrooms so treated had up to 1800% DV in one serving of fresh mushrooms.
Claims32
A pulsed UV irradiated, filamentous fungi, tissue, substrate, spent substrate or component thereof, with increased levels of Vitamin D, when compared with a non-irradiated pulsed UV filamentous fungi.
A nutritional food product comprising a UV irradiated, filamentous fungi, tissue, substrate or component thereof with higher levels of Vitamin D than a non-irradiated product.
An animal feed product comprising UV irradiated mushroom substrate or spent substrate with increased levels of Vitamin D2 when compared to a non-irradiated mushroom substrate or spent substrate.
A method of increasing the nutritional content of filamentous fungi, tissues, substrate, spent substrate or components thereof comprising:
- introducing to said fungi pulsed UV irradiation at a time and level sufficient to convert ergosterol to Vitamin D without deleterious effects on the appearance of the fungi.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.