• Journal of Mushroom
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.1-7
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• 2024

Mushrooms play crucial roles as reservoirs of naturally occurring bioactive compounds. Among these, Cordyceps militaris is significant because of its well-established reputation for organoleptic excellence and positive health effects, which have led to its widespread commercialization. In contrast, the key properties of Paecilomyces variotii, an ectomycorrhizal symbiont, has received limited attention. In alignment with current research trends, the study of the mycelia and culture media of these mushrooms hold promise in identifying potential sources of valuable bioactive compounds. In the present study, we investigated C. militaris and P. variotii for their phenolic acids and sterols, assessing antioxidant capacity, anti-inflammatory effects, and anti-proliferative activity. Interestingly, P. variotii mycelia exhibited higher concentrations of ergosterol and phenolic compounds, with comparable levels observed in the fruiting bodies, along with superior antioxidant activity compared to that of C. militaris. In contrast, C. militaris mycelia demonstrated anti-inflammatory effects (which were absent in P. variotii mycelia) and cytotoxicity comparable to, and at times exceeding, that of its fruiting bodies (in contrast to P. variotii). In addition, the species analyzed in this study displayed variations in growth rates and mycelial production, which merit consideration for potential future applications and further study.

• Journal of Mushroom
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.81-86
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• 2024

Cordyceps militaris is widely used in China, Korea, and other Asian countries as both a traditional medicinal ingredient and an edible fungus. This study aimed to optimize the growth conditions and fruiting body production of C. militaris by investigating various culture media and physical parameters such as pH, aeration, illumination, temperature, spawn materials, and oat-sawdust-based substrate formulations. After a 7-day incubation period, oats with a pH of 6.0, under sealed and illuminated conditions at 32℃, demonstrated the most effective mycelial growth. Substrates consisting of 70% oat and 30% sawdust had the shortest incubation time of 30.5 days for fruiting body formation. The basidiospores showed a typical germination pattern where the sporidium produced a single germ tube that elongated, and branched to form monokaryotic primary mycelia. In conclusion, using oats as a substrate in the cultivation of C. militaris could reduce production costs and help protect the environment.

• Korean journal of applied entomology
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• v.47 no.4
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• pp.479-486
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• 2008

The cultural characteristics and antibacterial activities of Cordyceps militaris and Paecilomyces tenuipes were compared. The mycelial growth was the highest on MCM (Mushroom Complete Medium) for C. militaris and on YMA (Yeast Malt Agar) for P. tenuipes. But the mycelial density on MMM (Mushroom Minimal Medium) was lower than other on media. The optimum mycelial growth was observed at $25^{\circ}C$. C. militaris was low mycelial growth when it was transferred over 5 times generation. The carbon source for the optimum mycelial growth was fructose of monosaccharide, maltose of disaccharide and dextrin of polysaccharide. The calcium nitrate of organonitrogen was found the best mycelial growth on C. militaris, while the sodium nitrate observed to be well for mycelial growth on P. tenuipes. The ammonium tartrate was observed to be the best among the inorganonitrogen used for mycelial growth. Antibacterial activities were found out just C. militaris against Bacillus cereus of Gram (+).

• Journal of Mushroom
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.124-130
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• 2013

The effects of environmental and nutritional requirement such as temperature, pH, different media, carbon, nitrogen, and carbon-to-nitrogen ratio on the mycelial growth of Cordyceps militaris strain 'Yedang 3' were studied. The optimum temperature and pH for the growth of mycelium were $20-25^{\circ}C$ and pH 6-7, respectively. Out of ten media tested, mushroom complete media (MCM) was the best medium for fast mycelial growth, and Sabouraud's dextrose agar yeast extract (SDAY), malt extract yeast extract agar (YMA) also were favored. The color and shape of colonies varied in different media. The best carbon sources for mycelial growth were fructose, mannitol, and sucrose, whereas the best nitrogen sources were tryptone and peptone. However, mycelia grew slowly in inorganic nitrogen compounds such as $NH_4Cl$, $(NH_4)_2SO_4$, $NH_4NO_3$, and $NaNO_3$. The optimum C:N ratio observed on the culture media was 30-40 range. These results provided basic information on cultural characteristics of vegetative growth and might be useful for spawn production in Cordyceps militaris.

• Mycobiology
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.100-106
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• 2012

Interest in commercial cultivation and product development of Cordyceps species has shown a recent increase. Due to its biochemical and pharmacological effects, Cordyceps militaris, commonly known as orange caterpillar fungus, is being investigated with great interest. Cultivation of C. militaris has been practiced on a large scale in order to fulfill a demand for scientific investigation and product development. Isolates of C. militaris can be easily established from both spores and tissue. For isolation of spores, ascospores released from mature stromata are trapped in sterile medium. Multi-ascospore isolates, as well as combinations of single ascospore strains, are used for production of fruiting bodies. Progeny ascospore strains can be isolated from artificial fruiting bodies, thus, the cycle of fruiting body production can be continued for a long period of time. In this study, we examined fruiting body production from multi-ascospore isolates and their progeny strains for three generations. $F_1$ progeny strains generally produced a larger number of fruiting bodies, compared with their mother multi-ascospore isolates; however, $F_2$ and $F_3$ progeny strains produced fewer fruiting bodies. Optimum preservation conditions could help to increase the vitality of the progeny strains. In order to retain the fruiting ability of the strains, further testing of various methods of preservation and different methods for isolation should be performed.

• Journal of Mushroom
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.10-19
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• 2020

Light is an important factor for cordycepin production in Cordyceps militaris. We investigated the effects of different light-emitting diode (LED) conditions including various LED wavelengths and their combinations on cordycepin production in Cordyceps militaris cultivated in submerged culture. The results of our study showed that the combinations of LED wavelengths were more beneficial than single LED sources for cordycepin production. Among the three tested wavelength combinations, the greatest effects for cordycepin production were observed for the red:blue light combination at the wavelength ratio of 5:5 or 3:7. The optimal culture conditions were 19.2278 h/day of illumination time; 9.19497 g/50 mL of glucose content in the media; and 53.112 h of cultivation time. Our model predicted a maximum yield of 2860.01 ㎍/mL cordycepin. Finally, to verify the calculated maximum, we performed experiments in the culture media representing the obtained optimum combination and the cordycepin yield of 2412.5 ㎍/mL.

• Journal of Mushroom
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.13-21
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• 2022

Cordyceps militaris, a well-known traditional Chinese medicine, has multiple health-promoting effects. It is used as a herbal remedy and health food in Asian countries. Cultured mycelia are often used as a substitute for natural C. militaris. In the present study, the mycelia and fruiting bodies of artificially cultured C. militaris were analyzed using a metabolomics approach. The protein and crude fat contents of the mycelia were substantially higher than those of the fruiting bodies. The top three abundant amino acids in the mycelia were proline (3.9 g/100 g), aspartic acid (2.9 g/100 g), and glutamic acid (2.7 g/100 g). The carbohydrate content was similar in the fruiting bodies and mycelia. Analysis revealed that both the fruiting bodies and mycelia are rich in phenolic compounds and exhibit antioxidant activity. Further, six metabolites were significantly different between the mycelia and fruiting bodies. The levels of Ca, glucose, Mg, and Se were higher in the mycelia than in the fruiting bodies. In contrast, mannitol and Zn were more abundant in the fruiting bodies. The current study provides a comprehensive metabolic profile of the mycelia and fruiting bodies of artificially cultured C. militaris. Such an exercise is potentially important for understanding the metabolism of C. militaris and facilitating the use of cultured mycelia as a supplement to C. militaris fruiting bodies in traditional Chinese medicine.

• Journal of Mushroom
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.249-253
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• 2012

This study was carried out to investigate anti-inflammatory effects of mushroom, Cordyceps militaris. Anti-inflammatory effects analysis was followed by peroxynitrite inhibition activity. Cordyceps militaris mushrooms extracts were screened about inhibition effects of nitric oxide for Raw 264.7 cell treated by lipopolisaccharide(LPS) and inhibition of cyclooxygenase-2(COX-2) for inflammatory effects. In our result, Cordyceps militaris mushrooms were good resource for anti-inflammatory effects and to be followed more research about related anti-inflammatory effects.

• Journal of Mushroom
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.81-85
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• 2007

This study was carried out to investigate the conditions of liquid culture and fruiting body formation of Cordyceps militaris using grain mediacontained the brown rice and black purple rice. Liquid mycelial growth and density of Cordyceps militaris were the highest in the medium of malt extract 0.7% and pH 5.0~5.5. The optimal condition of formation the fruiting bodies were shown to be temperature of $17^{\circ}C$, light intensity of 600 lux, $C0_2$ of 500ppm and humidity intensity of 95% produced highest amount of fruit bodies.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.37 no.7
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• pp.1277-1288
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• 2024

Objective: This study was aimed to investigate the effect of fresh and dried hydrolyzed Cordyceps militaris (CM) mushroom with proteolytic enzymes; bromelain (CMB), flavorzyme (CMF), and mixture of bromelain: flavorzyme (CMBF) on quality properties of spent hen chicken. Methods: Mushroom extract (CME) were combined with three proteolytic enzyme mixtures that had different peptidase activities; stem bromelain (CMB), flavorzyme (CMF), and mixture of stem bromelain:flavorzyme (CMBF) at (1:1). The effect of these hydrolysates was investigated on spent hen breast meat via dipping marination. Results: Hydrolyzation positively alters functional properties of CM protease. in which bromelain hydrolyzed group (CMB) displayed the highest proteolytic activity at 4.57 unit/mL. The antioxidant activity had a significant increment from 5.32% in CME to 61.79% in CMB. A significantly higher emulsion stability index and emulsification activity index compared to CME were another result from hydrolyzation (p<0.05). Texture properties along with the shear force value and myofibrillar fragmentation index were notably improved under CMB and CMBF in fresh condition. Marination with CM mushroom protease that was previously hydrolyzed with enzymes was proven to also increase the nucleotide compounds, indicated by higher adenosine 5'-monophosphate (AMP) and inosine 5'-monophosphate (IMP) in hydrolysate groups (p<0.05). The concentration of both total and insoluble collagen remained unchanged, meaning less effect from CM protease. Conclusion: This study suggested the hydrolyzation of CM protease with bromelain or a mixture of bromelain:flavourzyme to significantly improve functional properties of protease and escalate the taste-related nucleotide compounds and texture profiles from spent hen breast meat.