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Enhanced production of cordycepin under solid-state fermentation of Cordyceps militaris by using combinations of grains/substrates

  • Biotechnology and Industrial Microbiology - Research Paper
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Abstract

This manuscript deals with cordycepin, an interesting secondary compound produced from entomopathogenic fungus, Cordyceps. It has attracted commercial interest due to its immense pharmacological importance beneficial to human health. In this study, the contents of cordycepin and its derivatives, like adenine and adenosine, were evaluated through solid-state fermentation using combinations of various grains as substrate. Treatment with grain combination numbers 2, 7, 8, and 9 exhibited higher cordycepin content (1.621, 1.929, 1.895, and 1.996 mg/g cordycepin, respectively) than control (rice). The grain combination number 7 exhibited significantly higher adenine content (700 mg/g) than the control and all other combinations. Treatments with grain combination numbers 2, 5, and 7 exhibited higher adenosine content (2.719, 2.938, and 3.392 mg/g, respectively); however, no significant increase in adenosine content was noted in any treatments. The biomass including fresh mycelium and fruit body was found higher in grain combination numbers 7 and 9, leading to enhanced cordycepin content. Overall, the increase in the fresh biomass significantly enhanced cordycepin accumulation. The level of cordycepin was recorded as higher than that of its derivatives, adenosine and adenine. The grain combination of rice, wheat, jowar, bajra, and sugarcane bagasse added to basal medium exhibited the highest cordycepin content and was found suitable for solid-state fermentation of Cordyceps militaris. To our understanding, the present study is the first to use combinations of cereals for the production of cordycepin from C. militaris.

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Acknowledgements

The authors thank SERB, New Delhi, for the financial support under the SERB-TAR, (TAR/2019/000051) authorities of Savitribai Phule Pune University, and the Director, MACS-Agharkar Research Institute, Pune, for providing all laboratory facilities.

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  1. Mahesh Borde and Sanjay K. Singh contributed equally.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Botany, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune, India

    Mahesh Borde

  2. National Fungal Culture Collection of India, Biodiversity and Palaeobiology Group, MACS-Agharkar Research Institute, Pune, 411004, India

    Sanjay K. Singh

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  1. Mahesh Borde
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  2. Sanjay K. Singh
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MB performed the experimental work. SS is responsible for the supervision, data monitoring, and data analysis.

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Correspondence to Mahesh Borde or Sanjay K. Singh.

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Borde, M., Singh, S.K. Enhanced production of cordycepin under solid-state fermentation of Cordyceps militaris by using combinations of grains/substrates. Braz J Microbiol 54, 2765–2772 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s42770-023-01169-x

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