Light Wavelengths Regulate Growth and Active Components of Cordyceps militaris Fruit Bodies

Abstract

Cordyceps militaris is widely cultivated for functional food in China and Southeast Asia. Daylight was commonly used for development of C. militaris fruit bodies. In this study, effects of light wavelengths (pink light = 1/3,450–460 nm + 2/3,620–630 nm; red light = 620–630 nm; blue light = 450–460 nm) on fruit body's production and contents of bioactive components were investigated. The results are: pink light increased dried matter contents and bioefficiency of fruit bodies to the highest (40.06/6.77%) compared with blue light (24.44/4.86%), daylight (22.69/4.55%) and red light (22.06/4.17%), respectively. Pink light significantly enhanced accumulation of carotenoids. Red light obtained the highest contents of adenosine. Pink light is the most optimal for cordycepin accumulation. In order to get the highest production of adenosine, cordycepin, carotenoids and fruit body at the same time, pink light rather than only traditional daylight should be used in the fruit body development, or light wavelengths were regulated according to target compounds of the fruit bodies. Practical Applications This study indicated that different light wavelengths have significant influences on fruit body development and accumulation of the main active compounds as cordycepin, adenosine and carotenoids. Pink light (1/3,450–460 nm + 2/3,620–630 nm) was optimal for production of adenosine, cordycepin and carotenoids. While the traditionally used daylight proved not suitable for cultivation of Cordyceps militaris. These results provided technological basis for cultivation of C. militaris and a insight to light reaction study on light wavelengths regulating accumulation of secondary metabolites.

Effects of Light Quality on Growth and Phytonutrient Accumulation of Herbs under Controlled Environments

“…The combination of red and blue light provided better excitation of photoreceptors including phytochromes, cryptochromes, and phototropins, and resulted in higher photosynthetic activity than plants under either monochromatic red or blue light [36]. Dong et al [37] reported that combined red and blue light (1/3 blue light at 450−460 nm + 2/3 red light at 620−630 nm, at 400 lx and 12-h photoperiod for 60 days) increased the DW and bioefficiency of Cordyceps militaris mushroom compared with blue light alone, red light alone, and sunlight. For most species, combined light wavelengths with a large proportion of red light supplemented with blue light significantly increased plant yield [16].…”

Evaluation of different agricultural wastes for the production of fruiting bodies and bioactive compounds by medicinal mushroom Cordyceps militaris

“…Light and other factors also affected the contents of adenosine, cordycepin, d ‐mannitol and exopolysaccharide . Pink light proved to be optimal for cordycepin accumulation . There are many reports on improving cordycepin production by various factors.…”

Properties of the Silkworm (Bombyx mori) Dongchunghacho, a Newly Developed Korean Medicinal Insect-borne Mushroom: Mass-production and Pharmacological Actions

“…광원 중 pink light이 cordycepin 생산능을 증가시켰고 생산 목표 물질에 따라 광원을 선택해야 함도 확인되었다 [31]. CM 동충하초 균 사체 성분분석을 행한 바 핵산물질과 아미노산 함량이 높게 나타나 아마노산 함유 식품개발에 활용도가 기대된다 [88].…”