Molecular Identification Technologies in Authentication of Chinese Caterpillar Mushroom Ophiocordyceps sinensis (Ascomycota) and Related Species: A Review

Ophiocordyceps sinensis fruit bodies, an insect-fungi complex, is a renowned ingredient in traditional Chinese medicine. Although numerous previous reviews have concentrated on the bioactive components and pharmacological properties of O. sinensis fruit bodies, there remains a notable lack of literature regarding the development of novel methods for authenticating these fruit bodies, particularly in the context of applying molecular identification techniques. The authentication of O. sinensis fruit bodies poses significant challenges due to the widespread contamination of these ingredients with counterfeit products. This article first provides an overview of the life cycle, biological characteristics, and habitat of O. sinensis. It then summarizes the importance of molecular identification techniques for O. sinensis and outlines the main techniques related to DNA molecular manipulation for the identification of medicinal plants, including Cordyceps and its related species. The article concludes by emphasizing the application of these identification techniques in the study of O. sinensis over the past decade. Additionally, the review suggests the potential of using molecular biology and multi-omics techniques to elucidate differences among biological individuals in complex environments and to construct microbial fingerprint maps for verifying the authenticity of Cordyceps and its related species. This review provides a scientific reference for the development of new detection methods for rapid and accurate authentication of O. sinensis and its related species.