Effect of Pulsed Light Irradiation on Bioactive, Nonvolatile Components and Antioxidant Properties of Caterpillar Medicinal Mushroom Cordyceps militaris (Ascomycetes)

The caterpillar medicinal mushroom Cordyceps militaris contains many bioactive components, such as adenosine, cordycepin, and polysaccharides. In this study, C. militaris was exposed to 0, 3, 6, or 9 pulses of light irradiation to estimate changes in vitamin D 2, bioactive compounds, nonvolatile taste components, and antioxidant properties. In addition, we compared the components and properties of C. militaris mycelia and solid waste medium that had been treated with pulsed light (PL) irradiation. Overall, PL irradiation of C. militaris increased the vitamin D-2 content and increased the total amino acid levels 9-48%; the antioxidant properties of the mycelia treated with 0 pulses and of the solid waste medium treated with 3 pulses all exhibited lower half-maximal effective concentrations. Therefore, PL irradiation affected the amounts of bioactive compounds, but the irradiated samples still contained intense umami taste and a sufficient amount of antioxidant components.