Abstract: The preparation of a proteinaceous substance suitable for use in a foodstuff is described which comprises fungal fells of the order Mucorales. The cells are grown in a fermentor vessel in a liquid which is mixed during fermentation, after which the RNA content of the fungal cells is reduced to below 4% the fungal cells processed into an edible substance. This substance is then mechanically texturized into edible textured product for inclusion into foodstuffs, for example in the form of chunks as a meat substitute.

Abstract: The preparation of an edible substance for use in a foodstuff is described which comprises fungal cells of the order Mucorales. The cells are grown in a fermentor vessel in an aqueous liquid which is mixed during fermentation, and fermentation allowed to finish. The fungal cells are kept in the vessel and allowed to ripen, the cells' own RNAses reducing the intracellular RNA content. Fungi of this order may thus have a low RNA content and therefore no heating step, to reduce their RNA content, is necessary. The fungal cells are removed and processed into the edible substance. This substance is then processed into a foodstuff. This avoidance of heat has also resulted in better tasting foodstuffs.