Five students of UGM has developed a burger made from oyster mushrooms (Pleurotus ostreatus). Aris Mishbah (Faculty of Agriculture), Ahmad Bayu Hartono (Faculty of Agricultural Technology), and three colleagues, Dyah Retna Wulandari, Endah Putri Hadia, and Endang Febrianti K.H (Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences), have offered a new choice of oyster mushrooms-based processed food that is labeled as 'Tirex Burger'.
"Oyster mushrooms are widely consumed by the public. However, these mushrooms are usually processed into satay, tongseng as well as chips. We try to diversify it by develop theming into meat substitute in burger, steak, and sausage, "said Anton, Ahmad Bayu Hartono's familiar nickname, on Wednesday (22/9), on the campus of UGM.
Tirex Burger is an alternative food that is low in cholesterol because it does not use meat as the content of a burger layer. "We use white oyster mushrooms. Oyster mushrooms contain only 0.17% of fat. In addition, it has low carbohydrate content. Thus, these products are safe for those who have high cholesterol and diabetes, "said the student of class 2008.
Anton said that they conducted several trials to produce a burger content layer such as those sold in the market. "When we first made the oyster mushrooms-based content layer, the results were not as desired. The texture was still soggy and tasteless," he said.
The business that started from Student Creativity Program produces up to 12 times' production within a month. A one-time production takes 6 kg of mushrooms that produces as many as 460 burgers. Aris Misbah added, to have raw materials supply, they construct a mushroom barn whose management is also commercialized. "We have our own mushroom barn located in the Cangkringan village, its can harvest up to 25 kg each day. The mushroom remainder not used for our burgers are processed into mushroom crisps and sold," Aris explained.
Tirex Burger business has indeed reached some success. Though only running for six months, the generated turnover has reached some 20 million per month. Up to this date, the oyster mushroom burger business has 4 outlets in Yogyakarta and 1 outlet in Solo. "In Jogja, we opened stores in Wirobrajan, Condongcatur, Seturan, and Parangtritis Street. While in Solo, we opened the store in the Lawean area. We plan later this month we will also open a store in Medan and 5 more outlets in October,” Aris said.
Aris mentioned, they also offer a Tirex Burger franchise. One booth made of stainless is sold for 15 million rupiah, while those made from wood is 8 million.
To be able to taste the medium size of Tirex Burger, the buyer has to pay Rp4,000. The buyer can enjoy the large size burger for Rp7,000. Meanwhile, steak mushroom costs Rp10,000.
Tirex Burger business has made them win a bronze medal in the National Student Scientific Week (PIMNAS) last July in Bali.