Effect of UV-B Irradiation on Physiologically Active Substance Content and Antioxidant Properties of the Medicinal Caterpillar Fungus Cordyceps militaris (Ascomycetes)

Acoustic drying allows the utilization of lower temperatures than conventional methodology in the drying process. Vacuum drying is one of the most energy demanding processes. Water evaporation also takes place at lower temperatures under vacuum and hence the product processing temperature can be significantly lower, offering higher product quality. Cordyceps militaris is a well-known entamophagus fungus with wonderful health benefits such as adaptogenic, aphrodisiac, anti-oxidant, anti-aging, neuroprotective, nootropic, immunomodulatory, anti-cancer and hepatoprotective role by its phytochemical constituents. This study focused on the synergistic effects of acoustic and vacuum drying on antioxidant properties of Cordyceps militaris. We noticed that acoustic drying at power 800 W in frequency 40kHz combined with vacuum drying at pressure -0.8 bar were suitable for dehydration of this valuable material. From this approach, a combination of acoustic and vacuum drying created a synergistic effect consuming less energy than single drying method because it can be performed at low temperature while maintaining the product quality and wholesomeness. Moisture content is partly removed by acoustic drying and further dehydration in a vacuum dryer to reduce moisture to a stable level.

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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

Journal of Fungi ◽

10.3390/jof7110986 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 7 (11) ◽

pp. 986

Author(s):

Dimitrios Kontogiannatos ◽

Georgios Koutrotsios ◽

Savvina Xekalaki ◽

Georgios I. Zervakis

Keyword(s):

Large Scale ◽

Fruit Body ◽

Cordyceps Militaris ◽

Economic Losses ◽

Ophiocordyceps Sinensis ◽

Wide Range ◽

Significant Research ◽

Caterpillar Fungus ◽

Recent Trends ◽

Large Scale Cultivation

Cordyceps militaris is an entomopathogenic ascomycete with similar pharmacological importance to that of the wild caterpillar fungus Ophiocordyceps sinensis. C. militaris has attracted significant research and commercial interest due to its content in bioactive compounds beneficial to human health and the relative ease of cultivation under laboratory conditions. However, room for improvement exists in the commercial-scale cultivation of C. militaris and concerns issues principally related to appropriate strain selection, genetic degeneration of cultures, and substrate optimization. In particular, culture degeneration—usually expressed by abnormal fruit body formation and reduced sporulation—results in important economic losses and is holding back investors and potential growers (mainly in Western countries) from further developing this highly promising sector. In the present review, the main factors that influence the generation of biomass and metabolites (with emphasis on cordycepin biosynthesis) by C. militaris are presented and evaluated in conjunction with the use of a wide range of supplements or additives towards the enhancement of fungal productivity in large-scale cultivation processes. Moreover, physiological and genetic factors that increase or reduce the manifestation of strain degeneration in C. militaris are outlined. Finally, methodologies for developing protocols to be used in C. militaris functional biology studies are discussed.

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Process Optimization for Extraction of Carotenoids from Medicinal Caterpillar Fungus, Cordyceps militaris (Ascomycetes)

International Journal of Medicinal Mushrooms ◽

10.1615/intjmedmushr.v16.i2.30 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 16 (2) ◽

pp. 125-135 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

Tao Yang ◽

Junde Sun ◽

Tiantian Lian ◽

Wenzhao Wang ◽

Cai-Hong Dong

Keyword(s):

Process Optimization ◽

Cordyceps Militaris ◽

Caterpillar Fungus

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Pretreatment enhanced the physical and antioxidant stability of dried Cordyceps militaris by different drying conditions

E3S Web of Conferences ◽

10.1051/e3sconf/202130202005 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 302 ◽

pp. 02005

Author(s):

Dechapon Chaiya ◽

Chanthima Phungamngoen ◽

Sunee Eadmusik ◽

Wichien Sriwichai ◽

Ekkasit Subcharoen

Keyword(s):

Citric Acid ◽

Radical Scavenging Activity ◽

Antioxidant Properties ◽

Radical Scavenging ◽

Cordyceps Militaris ◽

Active Components ◽

Processing Efficiency ◽

Drying Time ◽

Drying Temperature ◽

Drying Technology

Cordyceps militaris has been treated as a functional food and supplementary food for several years. In recent studies, active components in Cordyceps militaris have received great attention and promoted health. Drying technology is a common method and it was applied to Cordyceps spp. many times for extending their shelf life and preserving their nutrients. A combination of pretreatment with drying technology could promote processing efficiency. The aim of this study is to study the effect of pretreatments (Soaking in 0.5% citric acid, boiling, steaming and desiccating) combined with drying method by vacuum dryer (VD) at 50, 60 and 70 °C on physical quality and antioxidant capacity in dried Cordyceps militaris. The result showed pretreatment by soaking in acid 0.5% citric acid, boiling and steaming took drying time more than those desiccating and untreated dried sample to desire the final moisture content (approximately 8% db.). Increasing of drying temperature in VD could reduce drying time. Desiccating prior to drying samples exhibited the highest L* value and the lowest of a* and b* values when compared with other pretreatments. High drying temperature tend to decrease L* value while a* and b* values are increasing. It was due to the occurring of browning reaction during drying process. Desiccating samples showed color value closest to fresh samples. These results were consistent with all photographs from digital camera. The glass transition temperature of all samples was about 39.43-45.82 °C and the highest value was found in the case of desiccating sample. Antioxidant properties, pretreatment by soaking in acid combined with drying at 70 °C by VD showed the highest content of phenolic compound, DPPH and superoxide radical scavenging activity. It was concluded that pretreatment could preserve important substances, for example, cordycepin and adenosine contents of Cordyceps militaris during drying.

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