asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if any experiments are in hand or proposed whereby microfungi might be used to produce protein from carbohydrates that would be acceptable for human consumption.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Use of Microfungi.
63.
I know that experiments of the kind referred to by the Deputy are being carried out in other countries but as far as I am aware no such experiments are in progress here.
I understand that An Foras Talúntais have done some work on the use of microfungi to produce protein from starch. The results are set out in their annual report for 1971-72.
Both the Institute for Research and Standards and An Foras Talúntais keep in touch with research of this kind with a view to seeing how the results can be applied to our problems.
The Minister, with his particular knowledge of protein and starch and the high cost of protein and its main protein substance, meat, will appreciate that there may be an urgent need to do this so that people might get some protein in this country.
I appreciate that this is an interesting and important area which may show major commercial developments in the not too distant future.