Improvement of nucleotide content of Cordyceps tenuipes by Schisandra chinensis: fermentation process optimization and application prospects

Abstract

Nucleotides are important components and the main indicators for judging Cordyceps quality. To increase the nucleoside content of Cordyceps tenuipes for enhancing the efficacy activity. In this paper, the mixed fermentation process of Schisandra chinensis and C. tenuipes was systematically studied, and it was proposed that the fermentation products aqueous extract (S-ZAE) had antioxidant activity and anti-AChE ability. Herein, the results of a single factor showed that S. chinensis, yeast extract, inoculum amount, and pH had significant effects on nucleotide synthesis, and these four factors were used as the factor of response surface optimization. The results of response surface optimization were 3% glucose, 0.25% KH2PO4, 2.1% yeast extract, and S. chinensis 0.49% (m/v), the optimal fermentation conditions were 25℃, inoculum 5.8% (v/v), pH 3.8, 6 d. The yield of total nucleotides in the scale-up culture was 0.64 ± 0.027 mg/mL, which was 10.67 times that before optimization, and S-ZAE has good antioxidant and anti-AChE activities. This fermentation method has the advantage of industrialization, and its fermentation products have the potential to become good functional foods or natural therapeutic agents.