The effects of culture conditions on growth of Cordyceps militaris L. ex Fr. in submerged liquid medium

Abstract

Cordyceps Militaris, one of the most important medicinal mushrooms, contains many kinds of active components, such as cordycepine, adenosine, ergoterol and mannito. This study considers the influences of pH, carbon and nitrogen sources on the yield of mycelia, density and diameter of Cordyceps Militaris. The results demonstrate that in the liquid medium, the optimal pH value for growth of mycelia is 6. Glucose and sucrose are optimum carbon sources for Coryceps Militaris; the best nitrogen source comes from Silkworm; and the most suitable shaking speed for the growth of Cordyceps Militaris is 160 rpm.