Enhanced Antioxidant and Anti‐inflammatory Properties of Albino Cordyceps militaris: A Comparative Study With Wild‐type Strain

ABSTRACT Cordyceps militaris is a medicinal fungus known for its immunomodulatory effects. This study compared the antioxidant and anti‐inflammatory activities of an albino strain ( C. militaris SHBTQ) and its wild‐type counterpart (SHQ) using ethanol extracts from their fruiting bodies. The albino strain exhibited significantly higher bioactive compound levels, with cordycepin and pentostatin concentrations 2.37‐ and 1.74‐fold higher than in the wild type. Enhanced polyphenol and flavonoid content correlated with stronger 1,1‐diphenyl‐2‐picrylhydrazyl and azino‐bis‐(3‐ethylbenzothiazoline sulfonate) radical scavenging (2.67‐ and 1.91‐fold higher) and superior copper‐chelating ability (97.52% vs. 51.83% at 5 mg/L). It also demonstrated greater anti‐inflammatory effects, with a lower 50% inhibitory concentration in the bovine serum albumin denaturation assay (7.42 vs. 14.49 mg/mL) and reduced oxidative stress in zebrafish models. The superior bioactivity of SHBTQ, likely due to its high bioactive compound content, underscores its therapeutic potential against oxidative stress‐related diseases.