Determination of Polysaccharides and Mannitol in Cordyceps sinensis and Cordyceps militaris Using Colorimetric Methods

Three colorimetric assays (phenol-sulphate acid method, 3,5-dinitrosalicylic acid method and sodium metaperiodate hydrocarbonylation) were used to quantify the polysaccharide and mannitol contents of three samples of Cordyceps sinensis collected from the wild and six samples of artificially cultured Cordyceps militaris. The average polysaccharide and mannitol recovery rates were 94.7% (RSD:2.29%) and 98.8% (RSD:1.79%), respectively. Our data show that all three methods are reliable for the quality control of Cordyceps sinensis and artificially cultured substitutes.