Effect of the nutritional medium and environment on artificial fruiting body formation of Cordyceps militaris

Abstract

Stromatal fruiting bodies of Cordyceps militaris were successfully produced in rice. Brown rice increases fresh fruit weight by 17.4-31.1% and was thus used for the rest of the experiments. Glucose influenced the number of shoots, length, and body weight; 30 g glucose/bottle was the optimum content. Supplementation of pupa at 2 g/bottle to the medium resulted in a slightly enhanced production of fruiting bodies. C. militaris can grow in the pH range from 4 to 8, and the suitable pH for the culture medium was 6 to 7. At high temperatures above 300C, fruiting bodies can not form; the optimum temperature was 20-250C. The most suitable light intensity was 500-700 lux. Low light intensity reduces the growth of C. militaris. The best harvest time was 65 days after transplanting. Long harvest time will reduce cordycepin and adenosine levels.