Gutian county, China's "capital of edible fungi", has gone to great lengths to develop its namesake industry, so much so that it has even sent a new strain of white fungus into space to explore how radiation and microgravity might positively affect its characteristics.

When the fungus seedlings, developed by researchers from Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University in Gutian, Fujian province, returned to Earth after spending five months aboard the Shenzhou XVI, they surprised researchers.

"The new strain shows the medicinal potential of white fungus as it has antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties," said Sun Shujing, dean of the Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University's Gutian Edible Fungi Research Institute.

The university intends to cultivate improved varieties and new products, and promote the application of research outcomes in actual production.

Optimizing the breeding and development of white fungus is a testament to Gutian county's practice of an "all-encompassing approach" to food.

Gutian is China's largest producer of edible fungi, having cultivated 38 varieties with white fungus becoming a specialty and a pillar industry.

In recent years, the county has used modern agricultural technology and equipment to develop a rich variety of white fungi, extending the industry chain, enhancing the value chain and building out the supply chain to promote the high-quality development of the white fungus industry.

Gutian's cultivation of fungi has become a high-tech affair, with smart mushroom sheds that optimize growing conditions all year round.

Such sheds feature a mist system that uses ultrasonic waves to break water molecules into a mist. As a result, white fungi can better absorb moisture and humidity. Carbon dioxide and temperature levels can also be adjusted during the entire growth cycle.

On top of maximizing efficiencies at the growth stage, workers in the Gutian edible fungi industry are extending the product range with deep processing, as well as promoting their products via livestreaming.

Zhang Jiaqiao, a general manager of an agricultural company in Gutian, told media earlier that deep processing now accounts for the majority of the company's production, and has enhanced the added value of white fungus.

The enterprise has introduced more convenient and delicious ready-to-eat products such as instant freeze-dried white fungus soup, to meet market needs, she said.

Zhang is also using live broadcasts to promote white fungus products online. "I believe livestreaming can market products from factories to millions of households at the lowest cost and the fastest speed."

Official data shows Gutian has the largest white fungus deep processing production line in China, producing 200,000 packs of freeze-dried white fungus soup every day. Over 40 products, such as freeze-dried ultrafine powders, in 10 categories using edible fungi as raw materials have been developed.

According to statistics, the output value of the entire industry chain of Gutian edible fungi last year exceeded 25.5 billion yuan ($3.61 billion), with 70 percent of farmers' income coming from edible fungi. The output value of white fungus alone in Gutian last year reached 1.84 billion yuan, accounting for over 90 percent of total national production.

"The white fungus industry has increased farmers' incomes, stabilized employment and boosted rural vitalization," said Sun from Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University. "With government attention and scientific research support, the industry will have even greater development potential."

Contact the writers at zhaojia@chinadaily.com.cn