Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction of Biologically Active Compounds from Cordyceps militaris

Objective: To optimize ultrasound-assisted extraction of carotenoids, polysaccharides, and flavonoids from Cordyceps militaris mycelium. Methods: Biomass was cultivated on grain substrates. Extraction used water-ethanol mixtures (20–80%) at 30–60°C with ultrasound (150 W, 28 kHz) for 10–40 min. Compound content was determined spectrophotometrically. Results and Discussion: Optimal parameters were 70% ethanol, 60°C, and 30 min. The highest yields of carotenoids (up to 3.22%), polysaccharides (up to 17.65%), and flavonoids (up to 30.56%) were obtained from mycelium grown on brown rice. Ultrasound extraction outperformed Soxhlet extraction, providing higher BAC yields in a significantly shorter time. Conclusions: Ultrasound-assisted extraction is an efficient method for obtaining Cordyceps militaris extracts rich in bioactive compounds. Brown rice is the preferred substrate, and the optimized process is suitable for producing ingredients for food and pharmaceutical industries.