Important Facts For Prelims
Fungal Powder to Boost Immunity
- 29 May 2020
- 1 min read
Why in News
The Bodoland University (BU) of Assam has developed a fungal powder to help people boost their immunity to Covid-19 disease.
Key Points
- The fungal powder is from a parasitic but rare “super mushroom” called Cordyceps militaris.
- The super mushroom was powdered through lyophilisation (freeze-drying) at –80°C. The outcome was a potent pinch of C. militaris.
- Lyophilisation, also known as freeze-drying, is a dehydration method applying low temperatures and reduced ambient pressure.
- Cordyceps is a genus of parasitic fungi that grows on the larvae of insects. There are more than 400 species of it present. C. militaris is one of them.
- Often referred to as a super mushroom, it is known for its anti-ageing, anti-viral, energy and immunity-boosting effect.
- Apart from the fungal powder, the team at BU has also developed a membrane mask that costs less than Rs. 4 per unit, herbal and alcohol-based sanitisers, laser and LED-assisted unmanned sanitisation tunnel, a low-cost physical-cum-chemical sanitisation box and a Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) kit with an aquarium aerator.
