§16§From a long time, mushrooms have been in the consideration of human beings as a food, nutritionally and therapeutically. Currently it is a leading food component. It is a significant food item regarding health, human nutrition and disease prevention. It is rich source of various components but mainly protein and dietary fiber. It can be incorporated in various products due to high nutritional value. Important therapeutic properties attributed to mushrooms include antiviral, antibiotic, anticancer activities, blood lipid lowering effects and immunity. Being the perishable commodity mushrooms have short shelf life so these should be converted in to suitable form for long storage
