Effects of Edible Insects on the Mycelium Formation of Cordyceps militaris.

From the paper

Abstract

Background and Objective: Cordyceps militaris is a potential edible medicinal mushroom which containing various biological activity such as anti-inflammatory, anti-ageing, anti-protozoal and anti-microbial. The compositions of C. militaris media were composed of carbon source, nitrogen source and other additives. This research aimed to evaluate the effect of edible insects on the C. militaris mycelium formation. Materials and Methods: Seven edible insects including Bombyx mori L., Samia ricini D., Acheta domesticus L., Gryllus bimaculatus De Geer, Tenebrio molitor L., Rhynchophorus ferrugineus and Lethocerus indicus were used as nitrogen source supplemented in Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA) and the mycelium formation of each edible insects at day 7, 14 and 21 were recorded. Results: The results of nitrogen source from a boiled edible insect at day 21 indicated that the highest colony diameter at 88.00 mm was obtained when cultured with PDA+B. mori L. The results of nitrogen source from a dried edible insect at day 21 presented that the highest diameter at 84.33 mm was obtained from cultured using PDA+A. domesticus L. Conclusion: The suitable boiled and dried edible insects for the supplement in PDA were boiled B. mori L. and dried A. domesticus L. This is the first report about PDA supplemented with edible insects that can be increased the C. militaris mycelium formation which the initial stage that important for C. militaris cultivation.