Location	Funding	Institution	Principal Investigator(s)
Hawaii	$49,891	University of Hawaii, Manoa	Samir Khanal, Ph.D.

Overall Project Goal

The overarching goal of this project is to develop a fungal-based protein substitute for imported aquatic feed by using the locally available, low-cost feedstock molasses, damaged papaya and taro waste, and to conduct feeding trials with the new formulations.

Objectives

Year 1
1. Maximize the yield of edible fungus, R. oligosporus, on molasses, damaged papaya and taro wastes, and develop a cost effective fungal biomass production process.
2. Characterize the nutritional quality of fungal biomass and develop test feed formulations with fungal protein for tilapia or shrimp.

Year 2
3. Conduct feeding trials of newly formulated fish or shrimp feeds by an 8-week growth trial compared to commercial and control diets at Oceanic Institute.
4. Conduct an economic analysis of fungal-based protein as a fishmeal substitute.
5. Technology transfer.