title: Mycelial fermentation characteristics and anti-fatigue activities of a Chinese caterpillar fungus, Ophiocordyceps sinensis strain Cs-HK1 (Ascomycetes).
abstract: Mycelial fermentation of an Ophiocordyceps sinensis strain Cs-HK1 was carried out in various volumes of stirred-tank fermenters from 1.6-L and 15-L laboratory scale to 2000-L industrial scale. The mycelial growth in most fermenters had a higher rate, due probably to more efficient oxygen supply, than in shake-flasks. The mycelial fermentation was successfully scaled up to 2000-L industrial fermenters, achieving 30 g/L maximum biomass in 5 days. The Cs-HK1 mycelia formed hairy and fluffy pellets in the fermentation medium and the mycelial broth exhibited pseudoplastic rheology following the power law, with the flow behavior index n decreasing from 0.5 to 0.3, and the flow consistency K and the apparent viscosity µα increasing with time and biomass concentration. The mycelial broth containing biomass and extracellular products harvested from 2000-L fermenters was tested for anti-fatigue activities in forced animal swimming experiments. The mycelium hot water extract showed the most significant effects, increasing the swimming endurance of mice up to 100%, and also increasing the glycogen levels and reducing the lactic acid and blood urea nitrogen levels significantly. The results demonstrated the feasibility of Cs-HK1 mycelial fermentation for large-scale production of bioactive and medicinal materials.
authors.affiliation: Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, State Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine and Molecular Pharmacology in Shenzhen, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China.
authors.forename: Jian-Yong
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.affiliation: Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, State Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine and Molecular Pharmacology in Shenzhen, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China.
authors.forename: Hong-Po
authors.initials: HP
authors.lastname: Leung
authors.affiliation: Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, State Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine and Molecular Pharmacology in Shenzhen, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China.
authors.forename: Wen-Qiang
authors.initials: WQ
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, State Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine and Molecular Pharmacology in Shenzhen, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China.
authors.forename: Chunping
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Xu
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001685:Biological Factors / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D019149:Bioreactors / Q000382:microbiology; D005221:Fatigue / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006003:Glycogen / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D006999:Hypocreales / Q000737:chemistry*; D019344:Lactic Acid / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D025282:Mycelium / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism; D013550:Swimming
chemical_list: D001685:Biological Factors; D019344:Lactic Acid; D006003:Glycogen