Influence of Strain Preservation Methods on Fruiting Body Growth and Metabolite Production by the Medicinal Mushroom Cordyceps militaris (Ascomycetes)

Cordyceps militaris is a highly valued edible and medicinal fungus because of its production of various metabolites including adenosine, cordycepin, and N6-(2-hydroxyethyl)-adenosine. Fruiting bodies of this fungus have been used successfully in industrial production and widely as a substitute for Ophiocordyceps sinensis (syn. C. sinensis) in traditional Chinese medicine and health supplements. Strain degeneration occurs with high frequency...