Cordycepin in the fruiting body of Cordyceps militaris cultured from 5 different materials in Vietnam: Analysis and comparison

Abstract

Cordyceps militaris is frequently employed in pharmacology and nutrition for its well-documented health benefits. The advancement of Cordyceps militaris farming technology has facilitated the establishment of a reliable supply source capable of effectively meeting the expanding market demand. This study aimed to analyze and compare cordycepin concentrations in the fruiting bodies of Cordyceps militaris cultivated from five raw material sources in Vietnam. The results revealed significant variations in cordycepin concentrations among the samples, with average concentrations (measured in mg/g) as follows: Sample 1 (0.8), Sample 2 (1.2), Sample 3 (0.6), Sample 4 (1.0), and Sample 5 (0.9). Notably, Cordyceps militaris from Sample 2 exhibited the highest cordycepin concentration, while Sample 3 had the lowest. Differences in cordycepin content between Cordyceps militaris samples from different raw material sources may be attributed to variations in manufacturing technology. The results of this study provided the necessary information to evaluate the quality of Cordyceps militaris products on the market and propose quality standards for raw materials in the food and pharmaceutical industries.