Selection of the Best Performing Media for the Growth and Development of Cordyceps militaris Mycelia

Since ages, the genus Cordyceps has been used as a medicinal fungus for augmenting endurance, longevity and vitality. This fungus commands a high commercial value due to scarcity in its availability and high global market demand. In the present investigations different defined media viz, agar, optimised nutrient broth, chitosan + malt extract agar, chitosan + agar + optimised nutrient broth, Kenknights and Munnaiers, malt extract agar, malt extract agar + optimised nutrient broth, oat meal agar, rice extract agar, rice extract agar + optimised nutrient broth and rose bengal agar have been used to identify the optimal media supporting the growth of Cordyceps militaris mycelia. After 14-days of culture, chitosan + agar + optimised nutrient broth, Kenknights and Munnaiers media, oat meal agar media and rice extract agar media recorded better mycelial growth, in comparison to agar, that was used as control. Maximal mycelial growth was recorded on Kenknights and Munnaiers media, with a 20% higher growth than the agar media. Even after 21 days of culture, Kenknights and Munnaiers media recorded best growth characteristics with a 25% higher mycelial growth. It was also recorded that the mycelial growth rate on Kenknights and Munnaiers media was highest on the 14th day, in comparison to 7th and 21st day after inoculation. Thus, our results provide valuable scientific information towards in-vitro culture of Cordyceps with optimal growth dynamics, for sustaining market demand of this important mushroom.