• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.40 no.5
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• pp.772-784
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• 2020

This study was performed to investigate the effects of taste-related compounds and antioxidatve profiles of retorted samgyetang made from fresh and dried Cordyceps militaris (C. militaris) mushrooms. A total of 48 carcasses were prepared from commercial broilers (CB; Ross, 4 weeks old) and randomly distributed into eight different treatments. Each treatment group consisted of 6 chicken carcasses made with the addition of broth in different condition and concentration of C. militaris mushrooms. The addition concentration was based on the broth volume (v/w) under either fresh or dried conditions ranging from 0% as a control to 1%, 2%, and 3% of C. militaris mushrooms. C. militaris mushrooms contributed to an improvement of meat tenderness and the antioxidative profile that led to a greater suppression of lipid oxidation. The addition of C. militaris mushrooms at 2% could also enrich the flavor and taste-related compounds, particularly the increase in 5'-AMP and umami-related free amino acid compounds, L-aspartic acid and L-glutamic acid. Different addition forms of C. militaris mushrooms, particularly fresh or dried mushrooms, had only small effects on bioactive compounds, where the dried addition could possibly enrich samgyetang broth with higher cordycepin and adenosine contents than the fresh addition. Besides, the addition of C. militaris mushrooms in the dried form could also contribute to a higher antioxidative profile. Eventually, the addition of C. militaris mushrooms with a minimum addition of 2% contributed to an improvement of meat quality, antioxidative profile and flavor improvement of samgyetang.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.228-232
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• 2000

The hypolipidemic effects of soybeam paste containing mycelia of Phellinus linteus, Cordyceps militaris, Ganoderma lucidum were evaluated in hyperlipidemic rats. Body weight of the rats fed with soybean paste containing mycelia of Ganoderma lucidum (ESG) were significantly lower than control group whereas, there was no significant difference in body weight in order diet groups. Food intake, food efficiency ratio, and liver and kidney weights were not significantly different among the diet groups examined. However, the spleen weight of ESG group was markedly lower than other groups. Significant decreases in serum total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and liver total cholesterol were also observed in all diet groups tested. All groups fed with soybean paste containing mycelia of mushroom were also observed in all diet groups tested. All groups fed with soybean paste containing mycelia of mushroom were almost equally effective in increasing plasma HDL level and decreasing the atherogenic index, whereas the ratio of HDL to total cholesterol was significantly increased in all experimental diet groups.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.27 no.7
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• pp.1223-1232
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• 2017

Cordyceps militaris, a member of Ascomycota, a mushroom referred to as caterpillar Dong-chung-ha-cho, is commercially valuable because of its high content of bioactive substances, including cordycepin, and its potential for artificial cultivation. Cordycepin (3'-deoxyadenosine) is highly associated with the pharmacological effects of C. militaris. C. militaris is heterothallic in that two mating-type loci, idiomorph MAT1-1 and MAT1-2, exist discretely in two different spores. In this study, nine C. militaris strains were mated with each other to prepare newly bred strains that produced a larger amount of cordycepin than the parent strains. Nine strains of C. militaris were identified by comparing the internal transcribed spacer sequence, and a total of 12 single spores were isolated from the nine strains of C. militaris. After the MAT idiomorph was confirmed by PCR, 36 mating combinations were performed with six single spores with MAT1-1 and the others with MAT1-2. Eight mating combinations were successfully mated, producing stroma with perithecia. Cordycepin content analysis of all strains by high-performance liquid chromatography revealed that the KASP4-bred strain produced the maximum cordycepin among all strains, regardless of the medium and stroma parts. Finally, universal rice primer-PCR was performed to demonstrate that the bred strains were genetically different from the parental strains and new C. militaris strains. These results may be related to the recombination of genes during mating. The newly produced strains can be used to meet the industrial demand for cordycepin. In addition, breeding through mating suggests the possibility of producing numerous cordycepin-producing C. militaris strains.

• The Korean Journal of Mycology
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.161-166
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• 2009

The purpose of the present study is to develop a simple, fast and sensitive LC/MS method for simultaneous separation and the determination of an active component in the oriental medicinal mushroom Cordyceps militaris. Based on this work, the contents of cordycepin in Cordyceps militaris fruiting cultivated on various media were determined and compared. And also, the nutritional components such as minerals and vitamins were determined in order to provide useful information to consumer as a food material. The analysis methods of nutritional components were chosen on the basis of AOAC. The optimum separation for cordycepin was achieved using a solvent gradient consisting of the mixture of 0.1% formic acid in methanol (solvent B) in a background of 0.1% formic acid in water (solvent A) as a mobile phase and a 3.0${\times}$150 Waters XTera column. Selective ion monitoring (SIR) mode ([M+H]+ at m/z 252) was used for quantitative analysis of cordycepin. The cultivated Cordyceps militaris on various media contained 1~14 /g of cordycepin, 0.65~1.08% of thiamine, 0.86~7.17% of riboflavin, and 3.01~5.26% of niacin. The content of mineral components varied on categories, especially contained 500~3500% of potassium as a major mineral. Cordycepin, niacin and potassium were found much higher in the fruiting cultivated with soy power media (gold 10) than other media.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.18 no.12
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• pp.1997-2003
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• 2008

Cordyceps militaris is well known as a traditional medicinal mushroom and has been shown to exhibit immunostimulatory and anticancer activities. In this study, we investigated the apoptosis induced by an aqueous extract of C. militaris (AECM) via the activation of caspases and altered mitochondrial membrane permeability in human breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cells. Exposure to AECM induced apoptosis, as demonstrated by a quantitative analysis of nuclear morphological change and a flow cytometric analysis. AECM increased hyperpolarization of mitochondrial membrane potential and promoted the activation of caspases. Both the cytotoxic effect and apoptotic characteristics induced by AECM treatment were significantly inhibited by z-DEVD-fmk, a caspase-3 inhibitor, which demonstrates the important role of caspase-3 in the observed cytotoxic effect. AECM-induced apoptosis was associated with the inhibition of Akt activation in a time-dependent manner, and pretreatment with LY294002, a PI3K/Akt inhibitor, significantly increased AECM-induced apoptosis. The results indicated that AECM-induced apoptosis may relate to the activation of caspase-3 and mitochondria dysfunctions that correlate with the inactivation of Akt.

• Journal of Mushroom
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.111-117
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• 2017

The mushroom species Cordyceps militaris has been studied and cultivated as a medicinal mushroom due to its multiple valuable biological and pharmaceutical activities. For breeding new strains of C. militaris, multiplex PCR assays were performed using primers specific for its mating type genes, MAT1-1 and MAT1-2. Mating types and mating status were confirmed, as evidenced by DNA bands at 233-bp and 191-bp for MAT1-1 and MAT1-2 respectively. The novel 'Dowonhongcho 2ho' was developed through mating; they were found to possess high-quality fruiting bodies when grown in artificial media. The stromata of the new strain were club-shaped, with a bright orange-red color, and measured 7.1 cm in length. They had an average cordycepin content of 0.33%. Compared to 'Dowonhongcho,' the new strain had a 7% higher yield, as well as firm fruiting bodies. The optimum temperature for mycelial growth was $20{\sim}25^{\circ}C$, and the optimum temperature for stroma development was $18{\sim}22^{\circ}C$. The fruiting bodies developed after 49.1 days from inoculation. The use of mating type molecular markers improved the breeding efficiency of the new strain 'Dowonhongcho 2ho.' Thus, they may be valuable for artificial cultivation and industrial-scale production of C. militaris with excellent characteristics.

• Journal of Mushroom
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.151-156
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• 2015

Cordyceps militaris is being studied and cultivated as a medicinal mushroom having many valuable biological and pharmaceutical activities. In the breeding of new C. militaris mushroom, single ascospores were isolated and examined their mycelial growth, mycelial density, and production of stroma and perithecia. Among them selected isolates were crossed and hybrids were produced showing high quality fruiting bodies on artificial media. Mycelial growth rate of new strain 'Dowonhongcho' was higher than that of better on 'Yedang 3' on SDAY at $10-25^{\circ}C$. The stromata of new strain were club-shaped and bright orange-red. Its height was 6.1 cm and the cordycepin content was 0.34% on average. The new strain showed 9% higher yield than 'Yedang 3' with producing firmer fruit bodies. The optimum temperature for mycelial growth was $22{\sim}25^{\circ}C$ and the optimum temperature for stroma development was $18{\sim}22^{\circ}C$. Fruiting bodies were began to produce 45 days later after inoculation. This new cultivar may serve as a valuable one for artificial cultivation and industrial-scale production of C. militaris.

• Journal of Mushroom
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.182-186
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• 2009

Single ascospores was isolated in Yesan-gun, Chungnam in 2006 with Cordyceps militaris. This study was carried out to select the superior isolates which produce more fruiting body and contain more cordycepin contents. Five single ascospore isolates were cultured on brown rice pupae medium and they formed fruiting bodies. To select better isolates, each isolates was hybridized and then the characteristics and cordycepin contents were investigated. After biological efficiency and codycepin contents were examined, finally C0601S05 was selected. Top-cross test of isolate C0601S05 was carried with 29 single ascospores. From this test, isolate C0601S05${\times}$C0601S33 and isolate C0601S05${\times}$C0601S43 containing highest cordycepin contents were selected. Codycepin contents of C0601S05 was 246mg% and those of C0601S05${\times}$C0601S33 and C0601S05${\times}$C0601S43 were 325mg% and 280mg%, respectively. C0601S05${\times}$C0601S33 was registered as Yedang 3 at the Korea seed & variety service.

• Journal of Mushroom
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.126-133
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• 2021

In this study, we investigated the effect of solid culture medium on the production of cordycepin in Cordyceps militaris. The regression equation was expressed as follows: Y₁ = 755.3-58.6625X₁+4.79432E-14X₂-46.6625X₃-5.66269E-14X₁X₂-0.025X₁X₃+1.62475E-14X₂X₃-160.6625X₁²+0.0125X₂²-206.9625X₃², where, Y represents the value of cordycepin content (㎍/g), X₁ corresponds to the weight of M. alternatus in solid culture medium (g/bottle), X₂ to the water content of the solid culture medium (%), and X₃ to the culture period (day). The solid culture medium was optimized using the response surface methodology, and the optimal medium composition was as follows: the weight of M. alternatus in solid culture medium and water content were 16.2% and 100.7% (20.14 mL water/20 g solid culture medium), respectively, with a culture period of 39 days. Under these conditions, the cordycepin content of the fruiting bodies reached 150.0 ㎍/g (actual value). The supplementation of M. alternatus in solid culture for improved cordycepin content of C. militaris seems to be a promising alternative to wild and solid cultivation.

• Mycobiology
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• v.42 no.2
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• pp.93-99
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• 2014

The earliest pre-Linnaean fungal genera are briefly discussed here with special emphasis on the nomenclatural connection with the genus Cordyceps Fr. Since its valid publication under the basidiomycetous genus Clavaria Vaill. ex L. (Clavaria militaris L. Sp. Pl. 2:1182, 1753), the genus Cordyceps has undergone nomenclatural changes in the post-Linnaean era, but has stood firmly for approximately 200 years. Synonyms of Cordyceps were collected from different literature sources and analyzed based on the species they represent. True synonyms of Cordyceps Fr. were defined as genera that represented species of Cordyceps Fr. emend. G. H. Sung, J. M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora. The most common synonyms of Cordyceps observed were Clavaria and Sphaeria Hall, reported in the 18th and in the first half of the 19th century, respectively. Cordyceps, the oldest genus in the Cordyceps s. s. clade of Cordycipitaceae, is the most preferred name under the "One Fungus = One Name" principle on priority bases.