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Biomass and Cordycepin Production by the Medicinal Mushroom Cordyceps militaris—A Review of Various Aspects and Recent Trends Towards the Exploitation of a Valuable Fungus

Summary

This research reviews the cultivation and commercial potential of Cordyceps militaris, a medicinal mushroom that produces valuable compounds for human health. The fungus can be grown in laboratories to produce cordycepin, a compound with promising anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory properties. Impact on everyday life: – Provides a sustainable source of natural medicine compounds – Offers potential new treatments for cancer and inflammatory diseases – Creates opportunities for commercial mushroom cultivation – Contributes to the development of natural health supplements – Supports sustainable use of agricultural and insect industry by-products

Background

Cordyceps militaris is an entomopathogenic ascomycete fungus with similar pharmacological importance to the wild caterpillar fungus Ophiocordyceps sinensis. It has attracted significant research and commercial interest due to its bioactive compounds beneficial to human health and relative ease of cultivation under laboratory conditions. However, challenges exist in commercial-scale cultivation, particularly related to strain selection, genetic degeneration, and substrate optimization.

Objective

This review aims to evaluate and present the main factors influencing biomass and metabolite production (especially cordycepin biosynthesis) by C. militaris, along with examining supplements and additives that enhance fungal productivity in large-scale cultivation. Additionally, it seeks to outline physiological and genetic factors affecting strain degeneration and discuss methodologies for developing protocols for C. militaris functional biology studies.

Results

The review revealed that C. militaris productivity is significantly affected by culture degeneration, which can be influenced by mineral elements, oxidative stress, and continuous subculturing. Cordycepin production varies greatly depending on strain genetics, cultivation conditions, and substrate composition. The optimal C/N ratio for growth was found to be 12.7:1. Various genetic engineering approaches have been successfully used to improve strain characteristics and metabolite production.

Conclusion

While C. militaris can be cultivated on rice-based media, specific requirements related to its physiology and genetic makeup create obstacles for commercial applications. Strain degeneration can completely inhibit fruit body production at commercial scale, while improper cultivation techniques can reduce metabolite production. The use of insect-based substrates should be considered for large-scale cultivation, particularly in the context of circular economy approaches using insect industry by-products.
  • Published in:Journal of Fungi,
  • Study Type:Review,
  • Source: 10.3390/jof7110986
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