Vietnam is able to produce Cordyceps mushrooms.

The Institute of Plant Protection has just announced the successful research on Cordyceps sinensis, a rare medicinal herb with the ability to enhance the body's anti-cancer capabilities.

Many people believe that Cordyceps sinensis is a special organism, existing as an insect in winter and transforming into a plant in summer, hence its name. However, according to scientists, Cordyceps sinensis is a general term for a group of fungi that parasitize and cause disease in insects. In late autumn and early winter, they parasitize and cause disease in insects. In summer, when the temperature rises, the fungi develop fruiting bodies and grow into plant-like structures.

Cordyceps sinensis is cultivated on silkworm pupae as a host. Photo: Pham Nha.

Globally, naturally harvested cordyceps is extremely rare, mainly found at altitudes of 3,200 meters in the Himalayas and Tibet. The annual yield is only about 80 kg, resulting in a very high price of 1.2 to 1.6 billion VND per kilogram. In the Hanoi market, most cordyceps sold are cultivated.

The team of scientists at the Institute of Plant Protection imported mushroom strains at a cost of over $1,000 per sample for cultivation and research.

According to Dr. Pham Van Nha, a member of the research team, cordyceps contains many high nutritional values, with the team focusing on two main compounds: Cordycepin, which functions to prevent fibroids and precancerous conditions, and Adenosine, a medication used in cardiovascular treatment.

After importing the strain, the team focused on researching cultivation technology, delving into the composition of the nutrient medium; influencing factors such as ecology, weather, temperature, and light; thereby creating suitable laboratory conditions for mushroom growth.

Scientists cultivate cordyceps using two methods: in an artificial environment to increase biomass and directly on a host, the silkworm pupa. "With the silkworm pupa as the host, we can control the supply, and since it is an insect used as food for humans, it is not harmful," Mr. Nha said.

In an artificial environment, there are two main nutritional components: nutrients to nourish the growth of Cordyceps sinensis and a substrate, usually brown rice, to support it. Scientists sterilize all external microorganisms before inoculating the Cordyceps sinensis into the substrate. After 60-75 days of growth, the finished product is obtained.

Cordyceps is cultivated on a biomass culture medium. Photo: Pham Nha

In the host culture environment, the Institute of Plant Protection uses live silkworm pupae and places them in reputable facilities that do not use chemicals. After being inoculated inside the pupae, the Cordyceps will develop into a closed system inside the host and produce a fruiting body system consisting of tendrils protruding outwards, reaching a height of 4-5 cm. The bright red color of the fruiting body is an indicator of Cordycepin, a substance with anti-fibroid properties.

Dr. Nha stated that while external products are sold for one billion VND per kilogram, the Institute only sells the product from the host organism for 100-120 million VND/kg; and in artificial medium form, the equivalent is 7 million VND/kg.

Experts warn that up to 70% of cordyceps mushrooms on the market are currently counterfeit, and perpetrators are using increasingly sophisticated methods, making it difficult to distinguish between genuine and fake products.

According to VnExpress.