Edible Mushrooms: an Alternative Food Item

Nutrition is the main living reason for all of the societies of the world. Food supply should be both an economic and ecological subject. Health and nutrition involve balanced and sufficient functional food components. Sufficient daily calorie intake is the main problem of developing countries. The people cannot supply an adequate intake of essential food compounds such as proteins containing essential amino acids, vitamins, minerals and essential fatty acids. The developing countries need to provide essential food components for nutrition. Edible mushrooms have these essential compounds and functional substances for human health. Mushrooms also contain bioactive components including β-glucans and chitin. The amount of edible mushrooms produced in modern plants for public nutrition that need balanced foods has increased. The production plant can bring economical benefits to unemployed people in these countries. The nutritional value of mushrooms is reviewed together with biochemical aspects, mushroom production and economical aspects.