Growth of Gold Cordyceps (<I>Cordyceps militaris<I>) on Pupae of Nanglai Thai Native Silkworm and Eri Silkworm

Abstract

Growth and infection ability of Golden Cordyceps militaris on 2 varieties of silkworm pupae, Thai native silkworm (Bombyx mori) and Eri silkworm (Samia ricini) were tested with two strains of Cordyceps militaris; CMRU-1 and CM Saraburi, by injection, soaking, and stabbing and soaking pupae methods. The mycelial suspension injection was the best method of inoculation. The injection of CMRU-1 strain of C. militaris with mycelial suspension on Nanglai silkworm pupae has shown the highest infection rate with 72.50 percent and 85.50 percent of fruiting body formation and the highest fresh weight of fruiting body with 42.70 g, followed by CM Saraburi strain of C. militaris on Nanglai silkworm pupae that showed the infection rate with 53.00 percent and 88.70 percent of fruiting body formation.  In addition, the injection of C. militaris strain CM Saraburi on Eri silkworm pupae has shown the highest infection rate with 26.00 percent, 94.20 percent of fruiting body formation and the fresh weight of fruiting body with 24.13 g. The content of bioactive components, cordycepin and adenosine, in C. militaris between the fruiting body and the pupae were different. The highest cordycepin amount was found in CM Saraburi in fruiting body of Eri silkworm pupae was 445.65 mg/100 g and in Eri silkworm pupae (insect body) was found 306.41 mg/100 g. The amount in CMRU-1 in Nanglai silkworm pupae (insect body) was 233.80 mg/100 g. Adenosine contents has shown the highest on fruiting body of CMRU-1 in Eri silkworm pupae was 13.79 mg/100 g followed by CM Saraburi in fruiting body of Eri silkworm pupae was 5.93 mg/100 g.