Enhanced production of fruiting bodies and bioactive compounds of Cordyceps militaris with grain substrates and cultivation patterns

Abstract Background Cordyceps militaris is a traditional medicinal mushroom containing some prominent bioactive compounds. This study aimed to investigate the effects of various grain substrates and cultivation patterns on the production of fruiting bodies, adenosine, cordycepin, and pentostatin of C. militaris by solid-state fermentation. Methods Seven grain substrates were prepared and inoculated with inoculum of C. militaris, then grown under four cultivation patterns. During the cultivation, the harvested samples were divided into fermented grains and fruiting bodies to dry, ground, extract, and determine the contents of bioactive compounds by high-performance liquid chromatography. Significant Findings The results showed that oats and Pattern I cultivation favored the fruiting body production. The content of adenosine and pentostatin in harvested fruiting bodies, irrespective of the grain type and cultivation patterns, was significantly higher than in the fermented grains. A higher content of adenosine and pentostatin in the fruiting bodies was observed for brown rice and buckwheat under Pattern I. Additionally, the coix seeds and the cultivation of control pattern favored the higher cordycepin production and revealed that the temperature treatment during the cultivation could increase the cordycepin content in fermented grains and fruiting bodies of C. militaris.