In vitro Isolation and Influence of Nutritional Conditions on the Mycelial Growth of the Entomopathogenic and Medicinal Fungus Cordyceps militaris

摘要

Cordyceps militaris is an entomopathogenic and medicinal fungus. Therefore in vitro isolation and influence of nutritional conditions on the mycelial growth of this fungus was carried out in this study. A small bit of tissue from stipe and stroma was used as starting material for in vitro isolation. The present study revealed that this fungus showed optimum growth in Yeastal Potato Dextrose Agar Medium and Glucose Asparagine Solution. The maximum mycelial growth was observed at 25°C and pH 7.5 and 5.5 in solid and liquid medium, respectively. Among 12 carbon and 9 nitrogen sources tested, the best growth was supported by Sucrose and Ammonium phosphate, respectively. All the four mineral sources supported good growth of the fungus, however 2 ppm calcium chloride and manganese sulphate, ppm ferrous sulphate and 5 ppm ammonium molybdate proved superior as compared to higher or lower concentrations of the same mineral source tried. Among the 4 growth regulators, Gibberellic acid supported the maximum mycelial growth at 100 ppm concentration.