Comparative Study on Cultivated Cordyceps Militaris and Wild Cordyceps Sinensis

Objective:To provide scientific reference for development and utilization of cultivated Cordyceps militaris.Methods: Comparative studies were conducted on taxonomic status,resource,chemical composition and safety evaluation of cultivated Cordyceps militaris and Cordyceps sinensis.Results: Cordyceps militaris and Cordyceps sinensis come from the same genus.For Cordyceps militaris(L.) Link,the nutrition content was slightly higher,and the fat content was about half of that in Cordyceps sinensis.The content of biologically active substances with the exception of cordycepic acid were higher than that of Cordyceps sinensis,especially cordycepin content in Cordyceps militaris was much higher.Acute toxic experiments on mice showed that Cordyceps militaris was not toxic.Conclusion: Cultivated Cordyceps militaris can be used as a substitute for wild Cordyceps sinensis.