Innovation: This is the first product of its kind because there is no mushroom juice powder in the Nigerian market

Sector/Industry Application: Agriculture and Health

Description: ABSTRACT Mushrooms represent one of nature’s greatest untapped resources of nutritious food though being consumed as a delicacy in part of the world. They are rich in carbohydrates, proteins, vitamin, fat and fibers. The high fiber in Pleurotus species makes them easily digestible. The objective of this study was to produce powdered juice from the Pleurotus sp, to determine the nutritional components of the powdered juice , and carried out the sensory evaluation. The mushroom was steam blanched after which it was dried at 60oC for 24 hours. The mineral content was determined using Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. Results showed that Potassium was high in the juice powder with 458.0mg/kg, with Zinc had the least value of 3.07mg/kg. Manganese detected in the juice powder was 40.15±39.39. The proximate composition was also determined. It was recorded that the powdered juice had low fat content 9.4888% and protein 11.654%. The moisture content was determined to be 14.51%, also vitamin C, B1 and B6. About 50 panelist tasted the juice and the result showed that 61% extremely liked the juice while 30% mildly liked it in overall acceptability of the juice powder. The study shows that Pleurotus species is a source of quality nutrients and has good commercial value

Problem: Nuritional deficiency is prevelent in most African diet including Nigeria due to high poverty level. This powdered juice is a healthy drink because it is organic and contains requaire minerals and other nutreint especially high protein . So it will contribute in solving the problem of nutritional deficiency in children and adults.