Effects of superfine grinding on the properties and qualities of Cordyceps militaris and its spent substrate

Abstract

The main purpose of this study is to study the effect of superfine grinding (SG) technology on the physicochemical properties of Cordyceps militaris (CM) and its spent substrate (SS). The results showed that the particle size of the sample powder decreased significantly under the SG treatment and reached below 15 mu m finally. With the decrease in particle size, the surface tension of materials decreased and water-holding capacity (WHC) of aqueous solution of CM and its SS powder decreased by 58.72% and 48.36%, while the water soluble index (WSI) increased to 0.73 and 0.44 g/g, respectively, also the hygroscopic property, L* value and DPPH radical scavenging capacity increased significantly. In addition, the cordycepin yield of two materials increased by 9.49% and 14.61% for 4 hr SG treatment, respectively. The results showed that the SG technology could effectively improve the physicochemical properties of CM powder and the extraction of its effective components, in addition, a new idea was opened up for the effective utilization of waste materials such as edible and medicinal fungi culture medium. This study investigated the effect of superfine grinding treatments on the physicochemical properties of the powder of Cordyceps militaris (CM) and its spent substrate (SS). The results shows the advances of superfine grinding on the particle size, surface tension, water hydration capacity, color, antioxidant capacity, and the yield of active component. And it could realize the maximum utilization of resources like medical plants and the reutilization of the waste during herb culturing, when treatments like superfine grinding was applied. Practical applications