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Determination of Adenosine and Cordycepin Concentrations in Cordyceps militaris Fruiting Bodies Using Near-Infrared Spectroscopy

Summary

This research developed a faster way to measure important medicinal compounds in Cordyceps mushrooms using light-based analysis instead of traditional chemical methods. This advancement has several practical implications: • Enables more efficient quality control for Cordyceps products • Makes testing more affordable and accessible for producers and manufacturers • Reduces chemical waste from traditional testing methods • Allows for rapid on-site testing of mushroom quality • Helps ensure consumers receive properly standardized medicinal mushroom products

Background

Cordyceps militaris is an entomopathogenic fungus traditionally used as a tonic and folk medicine in East Asia. It contains bioactive compounds including adenosine and cordycepin which have various therapeutic properties. Current methods for determining these compounds involve time-consuming extraction and chromatographic techniques. A faster, more efficient method is needed for quality control.

Objective

To investigate the feasibility of using near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) coupled with partial least squares regression to rapidly determine adenosine and cordycepin concentrations in either intact or minimally processed C. militaris fruiting bodies.

Results

The best prediction model for adenosine was obtained from fresh chopped fruiting bodies without preprocessing spectra, with R2=0.95 and SEP=27.50 mg/kg. For cordycepin, the best model used fresh chopped samples with constant offset elimination preprocessing, achieving R2=0.98 and SEP=283.69 mg/kg. Both models passed ISO 12099:2017(E) performance criteria with 95% confidence.

Conclusion

NIR spectroscopy coupled with chemometrics can be used as a rapid and powerful method for determining adenosine and cordycepin concentrations in C. militaris fruiting bodies, particularly using fresh chopped samples which require minimal preparation. The technique shows promise for quality control applications.
  • Published in:ACS Omega,
  • Study Type:Analytical Method Development,
  • Source: 10.1021/acsomega.0c03403
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