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Optimization of Fermentation Process of Cordyceps Militaris and Antitumor Activities of Polysaccharides in Vitro

Summary

This research focused on improving the production of beneficial compounds from the medicinal mushroom Cordyceps militaris and testing their potential anti-cancer properties. The scientists optimized growing conditions to maximize the production of important molecules and found that extracts from the mushroom could effectively kill cancer cells in laboratory tests. Impacts on everyday life: • Provides a more efficient way to produce natural compounds that could be used in cancer treatments • Demonstrates the potential of traditional medicinal mushrooms in modern medicine • Could lead to more affordable and accessible natural therapeutic products • Advances our understanding of how to grow beneficial fungi for medical purposes • Shows promise for developing new anti-cancer treatments from natural sources

Background

Cordyceps militaris is a traditional Chinese medicinal mushroom that produces valuable bioactive compounds including adenosine, polysaccharides, and mannitol. These compounds have various pharmacological effects including cardioprotective, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antitumor and immunomodulatory properties. While solid culture takes longer to yield fruiting bodies, submerged cultivation is considered a promising alternative for obtaining useful substances for nutraceuticals and functional foods.

Objective

This study aimed to optimize the medium composition and cultural conditions for submerged culture of C. militaris CGMCC 2909 to maximize the simultaneous production of mycelia, polysaccharides, adenosine, and mannitol using statistical methods and desirability functions. Additionally, the study investigated the antitumor activities of the extracted polysaccharides against HeLa and HepG2 cancer cells in vitro.

Results

The optimal fermentation conditions were determined to be: yeast extract 10.33 g/L, sucrose 27.24 g/L, KH2PO4 5.60 g/L, initial pH 6, temperature 25°C, rotation speed 150 r/minute, inoculum size 4%, and medium capacity 40 mL/250 mL. Under these conditions, the yields were: mycelia 15.20 g/L, polysaccharide 0.60 g/L, adenosine 83.93 mg/L, and mannitol 0.92 g/L. The polysaccharides showed significant antitumor activities, with IC50 values of 70.91 μg/mL for HeLa cells and 97.63 μg/mL for HepG2 cells.

Conclusion

The study successfully demonstrated that desirability functions and RSM are effective tools for optimizing multiple objectives in C. militaris fermentation. The optimized process improved yields of all target compounds compared to baseline conditions. The extracted polysaccharides showed promising antitumor activities, particularly against HeLa cells, suggesting potential applications in cancer treatment.
  • Published in:Journal of Food and Drug Analysis,
  • Study Type:Laboratory Research,
  • Source: 10.1016/j.jfda.2014.01.028
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