Cordyceps Mushroom (Cordyceps sinensis/militaris)

Cordyceps sinensis (now classified as Ophiocordyceps sinensis) and its cultivated relative Cordyceps militaris are entomopathogenic fungi.

• Description: They parasitize insect larvae and produce a fruiting body rich in bioactive metabolites.
• Historical Use: Historically used in Tibetan and Chinese medicine.
• Modern Supplementation Goal: To harness these compounds for their potential to support energy metabolism, immune function, and exercise performance.

• Hallmark Bio-active: Cordycepin (3‑deoxy‑adenosine; C₁₀H₁₃N₅O₃, IUPAC: 9‑[2‑hydroxy‑3‑(hydroxymethyl)‑4‑(hydroxymethyl)‑5‑methyl‑1‑oxopyrrol-5‑yl]‑adenine).
  • It lacks the 3′‑hydroxyl group of adenosine, conferring resistance to adenosine deaminase and prolonging intracellular signaling.
• Other Major Constituents:
  • Cordycepic acid (D‑mannitol) – C₆H₁₄O₆
  • Polysaccharides (β‑1,3/1,6‑glucans) with molecular weights 10–200 kDa
  • Adenosine (C₁₀H₁₃N₅O₄) and uridine.
• Properties:
  • These compounds are water‑soluble, thermolabile, and exhibit moderate polarity (logP ~‑0.5 for cordycepin).
  • The presence of multiple hydroxyl groups confers high solubility in aqueous extracts, while the nucleobase core enables receptor binding.

• Wild O. sinensis:
  • Harvested from high‑altitude grasslands of the Tibetan plateau.
  • It parasitizes the larvae of Thitarodes moths.
• Cultivated C. militaris:
  • Most commercial products use cultivated C. militaris due to scarcity and high cost.
  • Grown on sterilized grain or rice substrate.
  • Controlled temperature (20‑25 °C) and humidity (70‑80 %).
• Extraction Methods:
  • Hot‑water extraction for polysaccharides.
  • Ethanol or methanol extraction for cordycepin.
  • Standardized extracts must meet ≥10 % polysaccharide or ≥30 % cordycepin content.
• Quality Assurance:
  • Species verification via DNA barcoding.
  • Heavy‑metal (Pb, As, Cd) limits (<5 ppm).
  • Microbial purity (<10³ CFU/g).
  • Absence of residual solvents.
• Recommendations: USDA‑GMP or ISO‑22000 certifications are recommended for reliable supplementation.