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Cordyceps Industry in China

Summary

This research reviews China’s cordyceps fungus industry, which produces medicines and health supplements from various fungal species that grow on insects. These fungi have been used in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries and are now a multi-billion dollar industry. The most valuable species is the natural Chinese cordyceps, which can cost up to $60,000 per kilogram. Impacts on everyday life: • Provides alternative treatment options for various conditions like asthma, kidney problems and fatigue • Creates significant income opportunities for local communities in Tibet and surrounding regions who collect wild cordyceps • Makes traditional Chinese medicine more accessible through mass-produced fungal supplements • Drives scientific research into new pharmaceutical compounds from fungal sources • Contributes to conservation efforts due to the high value and endangered status of wild cordyceps

Background

Cordyceps describes a group of ascomycetous fungi that grow on arthropods and other related fungi. Some cordyceps have been used in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries and cordyceps-derived products are currently a major industry in China. The lack of a defined classification system for medicinal cordyceps fungi has caused confusion in the industry, public, and pharmaceutical community.

Objective

This review aims to summarize the cordyceps fungi currently used in the industry in China with special reference to clarify Chinese cordyceps and associated fungi.

Results

The review identified several key commercialized cordyceps fungi including Cordyceps militaris, Cordyceps guangdongensis and Isaria cicadae. The natural Chinese cordyceps (Ophiocordyceps sinensis) and its anamorph Hirsutella sinensis remain the most valuable. Associated fungi like Paecilomyces hepiali, Mortierella hepiali, Cephalosporium sinensis and Clonostachys rosea have also been developed into pharmaceutical products. The annual value of natural Chinese cordyceps exceeded 10 billion RMB in 2004, with prices reaching up to 400,000 RMB/kg for top quality specimens.

Conclusion

The exploitation of cordyceps fungi resources and their quality control in the industry should be major topics for future studies. Cooperation between industry and research communities will enhance the whole cordyceps industry. There is a critical need for rigorous validation of therapeutic claims through chemistry, biology, pharmacology, safety assessment and clinical trials.
  • Published in:Mycology,
  • Study Type:Review,
  • Source: 10.1080/21501203.2015.1043967
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