Characteristics of Metacordyceps yongmunensis, a New Species from Korea

• Published in: Mycobiology 2010, 38(3), , pp.171-175
• Main Authors: Sung, G.H., National Institute of Horticultural and Herbal Science, RDA, Suwon, Republic of Korea, Shrestha, Bhushan, Green Energy Mission/Nepal, Anam Nagar, Kathmandu, Nepal, Sung, J.M., Cordyceps Institute of Mushtech, Chuncheon, Republic of Korea
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Carbon source; CORDYCEPS; Metacordyceps yongmunensis; Nitrogen source; Optimum medium; Optimum temperature; 생물학
• ISSN: 1229-8093; 2092-9323
• DOI: 10.4489/MYCO.2010.38.3.171

Metacordyceps yongmunensis is a newly reported species from Korea, which is very similar to Cordyceps species in morphological characters. It grows on large lepidopteran pupa, and numerous white stromata grow on a single host. Mycelial growth characteristics of M. yongmunensis isolates were studied in different media and at different temperatures. Also, different carbon sources, nitrogen sources, and mineral salts were tested for mycelial growth of M. yongmunensis. Schizophyllum (mushroom) genetics complete medium plus yeast extract, Schizophyllum (mushroom) genetics minimal medium, and Martin's peptone dextrose agar produced longer colony diameters and more compact mycelial density than other media. The optimum temperature for mycelial growth was 25℃. Carbon sources such as sucrose, soluble starch, dextrose, glucose, dextrin, maltose, and fructose showed better mycelial growth, whereas peptone, yeast extract and tryptone resulted in the best mycelial growth of all of the nitrogen sources tested. All of the mineral salts tested showed similar growth as the control, except K₂HPO₄ which showed longer colony diameter and more compact mycelial density. The compact colonies were white and cottony with a greenish margin. The results showed that M. yongmunensis is an easy fungus to growas it grew from 30 to more than 50 mm in 2 wk.