Study on the effect of pH and carbon source of the agar culture on the growth of mycelial biomass of Cordyceps militaris NBRC 9787

Abstract

Cordyceps militaris NBRC 9787 - Japan, has been and is being considered as a superior herb among herbs. In this study, the effect of pH (4.0 - 4.5; 6.5 - 7.0; 8.5 - 9.0), carbon source (Glucose and Sucrose) on mycelial biomass and ring diameter in agar medium culture of cordyceps was carried out. The results showed that the best pH for the growth of C. militaris was pH ~ 6.5 - 7.0. In environmental conditions with pH ~ 4.0 - 4.5, mycelium does not seem to grow, they can grow at pH ~ 8.5 - 9.0. When considering the carbon source, the results showed that there was no statistically significant difference in the size and biomass of the mycelium ring when grown in the medium supplemented with Glucose and Sucrose. However, when considering the popularity and cost of the two sugar sources, the glucose source is often used to grow cordyceps mushrooms.