Molecular analysis and biochemical characteristics of degenerated strains of Cordyceps militaris.
Cordyceps militaris has commercially been cultivated, but its degenerated subcultures have gradually resulted in the reduced production. In this study, the biological characteristics and DNA change of degenerated strains of C. militaris were analyzed in detail. The results showed that the degenerated strains exhibited the lower growth rate, and the deficiency in fruit body formation and pigment production. The degradation of strains was not attributable to DNA changes identified by RAPD and SRAP. Compared to normal strains, the biochemical indexes of degradation strains and normal strains showed that the carotenoid content of degradation strains was significantly lower, the activities of cellulase and amylase of degradation strains were slight lower, and the EPS content was lower, but the IPS was higher. All these results suggested that the degradation of C. militaris may be caused by the inhibition or in harmony of metabolite synthesis involved in the metabolic regulation, which should be further verified.
College of Life Sciences, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350002, People's Republic of China.|Gutian Edible Fungi Research Institute, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Gutian, 352200, People's Republic of China.
Shu-Jing
SJ
Sun
College of Life Sciences, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350002, People's Republic of China.
Chang-Huan
CH
Deng
College of Life Sciences, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350002, People's Republic of China.
Liao-Yuan
LY
Zhang
College of Life Sciences, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350002, People's Republic of China. hukaihui62@126.com.
Kai-Hui
KH
Hu
D000681:Amylases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D002338:Carotenoids / Q000378:metabolism; D002480:Cellulase / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D032661:Cordyceps / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D004249:DNA Damage; D005656:Fungal Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D019105:Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA Technique
D005656:Fungal Proteins; D002338:Carotenoids; D000681:Amylases; D002480:Cellulase
Biochemical characteristics; Cordyceps militaris; Molecular identification; Strain degeneration