Abstract
Mushrooms are a versatile source of food with various use and largely exploited for its’s bioactive compounds that has medicinal values. Research has been conducted to unveil the potential of mushrooms to be used as new functional food, nutraceuticals, cosmeceutical and cosmetic products. There is minimal downstream processing on locally cultivated mushrooms as well as lack of variety of mushroom based products. MARDI has successfully developed topical formulations containing bioactive extracts from Schizophyllum commune with anti-oxidative, anti-aging and anti-hyperpigmentation properties. The objectives of this study was to assess consumer’s acceptance of anti-aging and whitening topical products based on S. commune, as well as perceptions on mushroom-based products. A study was conducted with 213 participants from Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, Negeri Sembilan and Johor. 81.3% of respondents were consumers between the ages of 22 and 40. Findings show majority of respondents preferred whitening moisturising cream over anti-aging cream as their preferred topical product. Respondents positively rated the overall physical characteristics quality of the studied products, such as consistency and smoothening effect. It was discovered that the nutritional benefits and functional properties of the product, as well as its halal status, influenced respondents’ purchasing decision of topical products. A good applicability of the product is also an important criteria, as is the content of natural materials in the products. More than half of the respondents (77.4%) indicated that they would consider replacing their current moisturising creams with these products. Generally, S. commune based topical products were well accepted by consumers and has a high potential in the local market. More research into developing mushroom based topical products should be initiated so that functional ingredients of products are supported by scientific evidence. Marketing strategies must also be strengthened.
Abstrak
Cendawan merupakan sumber makanan yang mempunyai pelbagai kegunaan sama ada untuk pemakanan atau kandungan bioaktif yang terkandung didalamnya yang sesuai digunakan dalam bidang perubatan. Pelbagai kajian dijalankan dengan mengekspoitasi cendawan sebagai makanan fungsian baru, nutraseutikal, kosmaseutikal dan produk kosmetik. Namun kekurangan aktiviti pemprosesan produk hiliran daripada cendawan yang banyak ditanam menyebabkan kekurangan kepelbagaian produk di pasaran Malaysia. MARDI telah berjaya membangunkan formulasi topikal yang mengandungi bioaktif ekstrak daripada Schizophyllum commune. Objektif kajian ini adalah untuk menilai penerimaan dan persepsi pengguna terhadap produk daripada ekstrak cendawan Schizophyllum commune yang mengandungi ciri-ciri antioksidan, antipenuaan dan anti hiperpigmentasi. Satu kajian secara empirikal telah dijalankan di sekitar Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, Negeri Sembilan dan Johor melibatkan 213 responden. Sebanyak 81.3% daripada responden adalah pengguna berumur 22 – 40 tahun. Keputusan kajian menunjukkan majoriti daripada responden mengutamakan krim pelemba pemutihan berbanding dengan krim antipenuaan. Responden menilai ciri-ciri fizikal produk seperti konsistensi dan kesan melicinkan. Kajian juga mendapati bahawa kelebihan nutrisi dan sifat fungsian produk tersebut serta status halal produk mempengaruhi keputusan pembelian produk topikal. Selain dari kandungan penggunaan bahan semula jadi yang terdapat dalam produk, kriteria kebolehgunaan yang menyenangkan daripada produk juga penting kepada pengguna. Majoriti responden (77.4%) menunjukkan akan mempertimbangkan untuk menggantikan penggunaan krim pelembap sedia ada kepada krim pelembap produk ini. Pembangunan produk topikal berasaskan cendawan Schizophyllum commune diterima baik oleh pengguna dan mempunyai potensi yang tinggi dalam pasaran. Kesimpulannya, kajian pembangunan produk berasaskan cendawan topikal boleh diteruskan agar penggunaan bahan fungsian semula jadi sesuatu produk disokong dengan bukti saintifik. Strategi pemasaran juga perlu dipergiatkan.