Optimization of Nutritional Necessities for in vitro culture of Ophiocordyceps sinensis

Ophiocordyceps sinensis has long been a core of traditional medicine which enhances the stamina and potency. Due to its less availability in nature and increasing demand, it needs attention for its in vitro culture to fulfill the future demand. This study revealed that in vitro culture using synthetic media along with various nutritional supplements gives promising mycelial yield. In the present work various nutritional supplements, including four carbohydrates sources, eight nitrogen sources, six vitamins, five macro minerals and four micro minerals were studied for in vitro mycelial culture of O.sinensis. This study also revealed the optimized quantity of nutitional suppliments for high yield. The study of this work revealed that mycelium yield was significantly higher on sucrose among the carbon sources. Beef extract and yeast extract showed significantly higher mycelial yield among nitrogen sources. Organic nitrogen sources were significantly more productive then inorganic nitrogen sources. Yield obtained with folic acid was significantly higher among vitamin sources used. In all micro nutrients and macro nutrients, calcium chloride and zinc chloride were significantly higher than other variables used. The nutritional requirements for mycelial growth of Ophiocordyceps sinensis in synthetic liquid media (PD broth) were investigated. The concentration of sucrose, beef extract, folic acid, calcium chloride and zinc chloride were optimized. The effects of this optimized medium composition were studied. Mycelial dry weight 12.08 g/L was obtained with this optimized medium which is significantly higher than PD broth (3.85g/L) medium. These results provide a basis for further physiological study and industrial fermentation of the fungus for their better future use in nutraceutical industry and medicinal field.