Influence of Culture Conditions on Bioactive Compounds in Cordyceps militaris: A Comprehensive Review

Author: mycolabadmin
10/1/2025
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Summary

Cordyceps militaris is a medicinal fungus used traditionally for treating fatigue, boosting immunity, and managing various health conditions. This comprehensive review explains how different growing methods, nutrients, light, temperature, and substrate materials affect the production of beneficial compounds in the fungus. The findings show that mixing grains with insect materials and using specific light conditions can significantly increase production of cordycepin, the most promising compound for cancer and immune health. The review identifies that more standardized growing methods and better understanding of the fungus’s metabolism are needed to make large-scale production practical and affordable.

Background

Cordyceps militaris is a medicinal fungus with diverse therapeutic properties attributed to bioactive compounds such as cordycepin, polysaccharides, adenosine, D-mannitol, carotenoids, and ergosterol. The production and composition of these metabolites are highly influenced by cultivation conditions. This review synthesizes findings on how nutritional factors and environmental parameters regulate C. militaris metabolite biosynthesis.

Objective

To integrate current insights into nutritional and environmental regulation of C. militaris metabolite biosynthesis, compare solid-state and liquid-state fermentation strategies, and evaluate substrate choices to outline practical pathways for cost-effective, sustainable, and scalable production while identifying critical knowledge gaps.

Results

Key findings show that cordycepin production peaks during stationary phase and is enhanced by optimal C/N ratios, trace metals (Fe, Zn), blue light, and specific amino acids. Mixed grain-insect substrates and light regulation are promising for enhancing cordycepin. Solid-state fermentation yields higher compound concentrations per gram of fruiting body, while liquid fermentation offers better scalability and reproducibility.

Conclusion

The review highlights that integrating multi-omics approaches with bioprocess engineering and standardized protocols is essential for advancing sustainable, scalable production of C. militaris bioactive compounds for pharmaceutical and nutraceutical applications. Future research must address metabolite regulatory networks, scale-up challenges, and oxygen transfer issues.

Published in:Foods,
Study Type:Review,
Source: PMID: 41097576, DOI: 10.3390/foods14193408