Records of pharmacologically valuable ascomycete fungus <i>Cordyceps militaris</i> (L) Fr. in the Kirov region

Abstract

Fungi of the genus Cordyceps Fr. (1818) (Ascomycota: Hypocreales: Cordycipitaceae) are widely distributed throughout the world, many species are cosmopolitan. Cordyceps are known as entomopathogenic fungi that infect caterpillars and pupae of insects. The fruit bodies of Chinese cordyceps Ophiocordyceps sinensis (synonym Cordyceps sinensis (Berk.) Sacc) are also well known for their pharmacological effects and are widely used in traditional Chinese medicine for the treatment of a wide range of diseases. This species has a limited distribution and, due to the huge demand, its resources are rapidly depleted in the wild due to uncontrolled fees. In addition, O. sinensis is difficult to cultivate artificially. Another entomopathogenic species of fungus, Cordyceps militaris, has a chemical composition and properties similar to those of O. sinensis, but, unlike O. sinensis, it is easier to be grown artificially in mycelial culture. In this regard, the study of the distribution and occurrence of the fungus Cordyceps militaris has now acquired exceptional relevance. The article presents data on the first sporadic records of Cordyceps militaris fungus, which has unique biological properties, in the Kirov region. The ecological strategy of the population of this species, the peculiarities of its distribution and population fluctuations in Russia are discussed. The question is considered why, with the wide distribution of this species, it is considered rare and even included in the Red Books of individual regions. C. militaris found in the northern part of the Kirov region was isolated into pure culture (strain T1) for artificial cultivation and study of physiological and biochemical properties. The expediency of including natural cordyceps isolates obtained by introduction into mycelial culture in mycological collection funds is substantiated, since artificial cultivation of the fungus is of obvious interest for the development of biotechnologies in medicine, veterinary medicine, crop production and plant protection.