An entomopathogenic fungus Cordyceps militaris as bio fuctional food source and its bioactive compounds being medicinal valued

Abstract

Mushrooms have been used as food, medicine, poison, and in spiritual mushroom practices in religious rituals across the world since at least 5000 BC. Cordyceps, a popular Chinese medication, is made by drying caterpillar-borne Cordyceps fungus. The parasite needs an insect host or larvae host to survive. To strengthen those who were lacking in vitality, it was administered in tonic form. The biological effects of Cordyceps species are well documented. Its medicinal properties are because of the chemical constituents present in the mushroom namely cordycepin, antioxidant and adenosine content. Some of the biological activities of C. militaris are anti-cancer, anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-aging, immunomodulatory, antimicrobials, immunosuppressive, hypolipidemic, hypoglycemic, neuroprotective, and fertility enhancer. Because of their bioactive compounds, edible fungus like C. militaris is a multifunctional food supplement. Many mushroom species can be grown on domestic refuse, popularizing the mushroom industry in sustainable economies worldwide. Conclusion: C. militaris extract can improve health when added to the diet. Further, the complexity of clinical investigations and the challenges of developing therapies using mushroom extracts are both exacerbated by the abundance of bioactive chemicals present in mushrooms. Cordycepin has the most therapeutic potential of all the bioactive compounds described in the studies.