Co-Culture with Two Soil Fungal Strains Enhances Growth and Secondary Metabolite Biosynthesis in Cordyceps takaomontana.

ABSTRACT: Cordyceps takaomontana is a medicinal fungus with significant pharmacological value, but how soil microbes promote its growth remains unclear. We established a solid-state co-culture system involving C. takaomontana synnemata and its native soil fungi of Fusarium paeoniae and Bjerkandera minispora. Both F. paeoniae and B. minispora significantly promoted synnematal growth and enhanced antioxidant enzyme activities. Total triterpenoid content increased substantially. F. paeoniae markedly elevated levels of ergosterol peroxide, whereas B. minispora boosted accumulation of L-arabinose, ergotamine, and euphol. Metabolomics revealed that both fungi activated key metabolic pathways (including ABC transporters, mineral absorption, and protein digestion/absorption). F. paeoniae uniquely upregulate

SUBMITTER: Chen J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12387924 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature