أستاذ دكتور JOSEPH MWAFAIDA MGHALU
I am currently working on formulation of functional food products based on edible and medicinal indigenous mushrooms (IEM) collected from Chivara forest in Kilifi county of Kenya. We have so far domesticated and conserved eight (8) edible mushroom species that have for decades been used to supplement local diets and improve household incomes. Currently I am optimizing formulation protocols for four mushroom based functional food products. 1). SMART GITHERI is a ready to eat cereals/pulses/mushroom/spices mix. These are heat-pressure packed in jim-jars for long and safe storage. This balanced ready to eat product is good for mass feeding programs and for emergency/relief purposes. We are also formulating Instant Uji Mix, Instant Soups and Healthy crackers. The instant products are powders that can be reconstituted at an instant by adding hot water to the mix. A team of contracted mushroom out growers supply IEM through ventures supported by the project. The IEM are grown in open nursery under tree canopies. This system has increased the forest cover as growers plant suitable indigenous trees to nurture the mushroom breeding grounds. The restored forest cover has rejuvenated rivers and springs downstream that have revived agriculture and other forms of livelihoods to the communities.
Prof. Joseph Mwafaida Mghalu holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Horticulture from Egerton University, Kenya (1993), a Master of Science Degree in Plant protection (2004) and a PhD in Agricultural Sciences (2007) both from Gifu University, Japan. He has worked for Agricultural Extension Services (1993-1997) with irrigated and riverine farming communities of Tana Delta in Kenya. Prof. Mwafaida moved to Kilifi Institute of Agriculture (1997-2001) as a tutor in Agriculture and life sciences He has since worked for Pwani University as a Departmental Chair for Agricultural Sciences (2010-2018) and Biological Sciences (2013-2018) and is currently the Director of TVET-Center mentoring youth on livelihoods. Prof. Mwafaida is a plant scientist with particular interests in bioprospecting on microbes and plant interactions. His recent research focuses on indigenous edible and medicinal mushrooms with intent to develop functional food products. He is a partner to COVID-19 Drug Development and Trials Consortium funded by NRF-Kenya (2020-2023) to find local solutions to respiratory ailments. He is currently bioprospecting on indigenous edible mushrooms of the coastal rain forests and has developed protocols for four functional food products with immune boosting properties. Profesor Mwafaida is widely published and has supervised several graduate students. He is fluent in Kitaita, Kiswahili, English and has basic language skills in Japanese
أستاذ دكتور JOSEPH MWAFAIDA MGHALU
See the attached case study on food technologies.
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Regards,
Prof. Joseph Mwafaida Mghalu (PhD)
Department of Biological Sciences
Pwani University, Kenya.