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Semi-defined Medium for in vitro Cultivation of the Fastidious Insect Pathogenic Fungus Cordyceps unilateralis

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Abstract

Cordyceps unilateralis is a fastidious fungal pathogen affecting ants. Up to now, only the complex and expensive Grace’s insect cell culture medium has been used for in vitro cultivation (as blastospores and mycelium) of this fungus. To obtain an inexpensive and less complicated medium, the effects of carbon and nitrogen sources, salt solution and carbon-to-nitrogen (C:N) ratio on the growth of this fungus were examined. Glucose was the most important factor for blastospore formation, and yeast extract could be used as a nitrogen source for blastospore formation and mycelial growth. A suitable C:N ratio (glucose: yeast extract) was 33.3:1. As a result, a new semi-defined medium was achieved, composed of 26.68 g L−1 glucose, 3.3 g L−1 yeast extract and salt solution. This medium supported blastospore formation and mycelial growth of all tested C. unilateralis isolates.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Fermentation and Biochemical Engineering Laboratory, National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (BIOTEC), National Science and Technology Development Agency, 113 Thailand Science Park, Phahonyothin Road, Klong 1, Klong Luang, Pathumthani, 12120, Thailand

    K. Kocharin & P. Wongsa

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  1. K. Kocharin
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  2. P. Wongsa
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Correspondence to P. Wongsa.

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Kocharin, K., Wongsa, P. Semi-defined Medium for in vitro Cultivation of the Fastidious Insect Pathogenic Fungus Cordyceps unilateralis. Mycopathologia 161, 255–260 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11046-005-0224-x

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