Nutritional Enhancement of Cordyceps militaris Cultivated on Insect-Based Substrates Using Tenebrio molitor Larvae
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Cordyceps militaris has gained considerable attention owing to its diverse pharmacological properties, and the use of insect-derived substrates has emerged as a promising strategy for improving its nutritional quality. This study examined the effects of using an edible insect, Tenebrio molitor, as a cultivation substrate on the nutritional composition, amino acid profile, mineral content, and heavy metal levels of the fruiting bodies and mycelia of C. militaris. Three media types were used: a brown rice control (CTR), brown rice supplemented with T. molitor powder (TMP), and whole T. molitor larvae as the sole substrate (WTM), with samples classified into fruiting bodies (-f) and mycelia (-m). Insect-based media, particularly WTM, significantly enhanced protein contents in fruiting bodies and mycelia compared to those by CTR. Crude protein content increased from 24.8 ± 0.4% (CTR-f) to 40.6 ± 0.2% (WTM-f) in fruiting bodies, a 1.6-fold increase, and from 5.8 ± 0.2% to 71.5 ± 1.4% in mycelia, more than a 12-fold increase. In addition, essential amino acids were also elevated in WTM; lysine content increased from 0.43 ± 0.01% to 1.76 ± 0.03%, and leucine from 1.01 ± 0.01% to 2.12 ± 0.02% in WTM-f compared to those in CTR-f. Additionally, samples from the WTM group exhibited relatively high concentrations of key minerals, indicating a substantial improvement in overall nutritional quality. Furthermore, the heavy metal levels (Pb, Cd, and As) in all groups remained well below the regulatory limits, confirming the safety of insect-based cultivation. These findings suggest that the use of T. molitor larvae or their powder as a cultivation substrate can serve as a sustainable and nutritionally beneficial alternative to conventional grain-based media for C. militaris. This study provides a scientific foundation for the industrial application of insect-based cultivation methods in producing high-value functional and medicinal fungi.
Abstract
Cordyceps militaris has gained considerable attention owing to its diverse pharmacological properties, and the use of insect-derived substrates has emerged as a promising strategy for improving its nutritional quality. This study examined the effects of using an edible insect, Tenebrio molitor, as a cultivation substrate on the nutritional composition, amino acid profile, mineral content, and heavy metal levels of the fruiting bodies and mycelia of C. militaris. Three media types were used: a brown rice control (CTR), brown rice supplemented with T. molitor powder (TMP), and whole T. molitor larvae as the sole substrate (WTM), with samples classified into fruiting bodies (-f) and mycelia (-m). Insect-based media, particularly WTM, significantly enhanced protein contents in fruiting bodies and mycelia compared to those by CTR. Crude protein content increased from 24.8 ± 0.4% (CTR-f) to 40.6 ± 0.2% (WTM-f) in fruiting bodies, a 1.6-fold increase, and from 5.8 ± 0.2% to 71.5 ± 1.4% in mycelia, more than a 12-fold increase. In addition, essential amino acids were also elevated in WTM; lysine content increased from 0.43 ± 0.01% to 1.76 ± 0.03%, and leucine from 1.01 ± 0.01% to 2.12 ± 0.02% in WTM-f compared to those in CTR-f. Additionally, samples from the WTM group exhibited relatively high concentrations of key minerals, indicating a substantial improvement in overall nutritional quality. Furthermore, the heavy metal levels (Pb, Cd, and As) in all groups remained well below the regulatory limits, confirming the safety of insect-based cultivation. These findings suggest that the use of T. molitor larvae or their powder as a cultivation substrate can serve as a sustainable and nutritionally beneficial alternative to conventional grain-based media for C. militaris. This study provides a scientific foundation for the industrial application of insect-based cultivation methods in producing high-value functional and medicinal fungi.