Characterization of Ophiocordyceps sinensis - the caterpillar fungus
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Date
2019-07
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G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar - 263145 (Uttarakhand)
Abstract
Ophiocordyceps sinensis (syn. Cordyceps sinensis) commonly known as caterpillar fungus which parasitizes the larvae Himalayan bat moth (Hepialis armoricanus). There are about 400 species of Ophiocordyceps. Some reported species of Ophiocordyceps are O. gansuensis, O.
crassispora, O. kangdingensis, O. nepalensis, O. multiaxialis, O. militaris and O. sinensis. O. sinensis is an entomophagous fungus which belongs to Division Ascomycota. It is found at an altitude of 3000 to 5000m, mostly at 3500 to 4500m in the cold and arid region. O. sinensis is reported as a reputed medicinal fungus which is used against the treatment of many diseases and disorders. In present study fruit body of caterpillar was collected from Bona village, Panchachuli Hills of Munsyari of District Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand. Fungus isolated from fruit body on two
media namely SDAY and PDA media. After isolation of fungus on media, anamorphic stage was observed under Scanning Electron Microscope in which conidia were appears in chain and having spine like outgrowth on the surface. DNA was isolated from fungus mycelium and DNA was
amplified with the help of PCR by using primers 5.8SR, ITS4, ITS1, NS7 and NS8. Among these primers, 5.8SR and ITS4 primers forms band in between 500 and 600 bp. Four different media were used to check the growth of the fungus from which maximum mycelium was harvested from SDAY media. Best temperature and pH for the growth of the fungus reported was 18º±2ºC and 6.0, respectively. O. sinensis mycelium can also harvested from cereal grains substrate if required in bulk amount and the best substrate observed was wheat cereal grains. Fungus mycelium was also inoculated on 3rd stage larvae of two insects Pod Borer and Bihar hairy caterpillar of Soybean crop but fungus was unable to induce infection. Demand of this mushroom is very high and market is growing very fast for this fungus worldwide. Due to its high demand and more consumption, mushroom from natural habitat is being harvested resulting in extinction of the mushroom, as a result of which it becomes very difficult to harvest wild O. sinensis. Now a day’s alternatives for its production are being searched and a good alternative for its production which came out is artificial production of mycelium of the fungus. For such studies present experiments were conducted and observed that fungus can be cultured under lab conditions also which could help in conservation of natural fruit body can artificially produced mycelium can be utilized for further medicine production.
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