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 veggie
Registered: 07/26/04
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 Generating Cordyceps sinensis in the lab 
#8649645 - 07/18/08 03:44 AM (4 years, 9 months ago) |
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Generating Yartsa Goenbub in the lab
July 18, 2008 - kuenselonline.com
 Highlanders in Bhutan need not set out on wild cordyceps expeditions if the research on domesticating Cordyceps sinensis, locally known as Yartsa Goenbub, proves successful, say researchers.
Researchers at the renewable natural resources research centre (RNR-RC) in Bumthang are trying to see if cordyceps can be cultivated in laboratories. Principal research officer, Dorji Wangchuk, said that he was expecting a promising output as mycelium in two of the 38 test tubes on trial in the lab had already started showing positive results.
“I’m waiting for the other 36 cultures to come up,” he said. “The mycelium could be mass propagated for domesticating cordyceps using potential host insects.”
In order to observe and study the manner in which cordyceps spores spread in t6he natural environment, fresh samples were brought and studied in the mushroom laboratory at Bumthang.
Researchers said that the tip of the fruiting body, carpophores, started becoming white and gradually the green grass was covered with cottony mycelium, indicating that it hibernates through stem and roots of this particular grass species. “Subsequently, when larvae feed on the grass in early spring, the caterpillars got infected with mycelium, forming fruiting bodies of Cordyceps sinensis,” said the researcher.
Dorji Wangchuk said that, although the research is extremely challenging, cordyceps could be grown under controlled conditions. “Once the mycelia are ready, it could be used to infect potential host insects and synchronize seasonal harvesting of this mushroom.”
The fungus is parasitic to larvae of the moth lepidoptera and forms fruiting bodies after killing its host insect, which is dark brown with shiny red eyes.
In the wild, cordyceps are found in different locations of Haa, Lingshi, Laya, Lunana, Bumdeling and Bumthang. An average dried cordyceps weighs 0.19 g and 0.47 g when fresh.
According to a veteran collector in Bumthang, about 1,350 collectors were out for a month collecting cordyceps from Chhokhor geog alone during harvest season. They collect the expensive fungus from Diruphu, Ganchu, Sejeyphu, Chachen, Namtatheng, Kingkhorphu, Djegarphu, and Yangdrok. Cordyceps grow at altitudes 3,900-5,004 m above sea level at Kerab and Phugonma in Chhokhor.
Dubbed as the world’s most expensive mushroom, Cordyceps sinensis was sold for between US$ 6,126 and 10,450 a kg in 2007 from Dodena, Thimphu. After its collection was legalized in 2004, the highest production was recorded at 423.88 kg in 2006 and the lowest was 128.16 kg last year.
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 akb112211
Stranger
Registered: 09/10/07
Posts: 852
Loc: UKUSANetherlands
Last seen: 1 year, 6 months
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Re: Generating Cordyceps sinensis in the lab [Re: veggie]
#8649756 - 07/18/08 05:03 AM (4 years, 9 months ago) |
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Survival of the Fittest
Great, the people who do the back breaking work to find and harvest these things are potentially in danger.
If it takes an entire season for a family to collect a kilo of cordyceps, and a lab can produce the same on a grand scale, who loses?
(keep in mind, they receive a fraction of $6,126 per kilo. to begin with)
The value of the fungi will undoubtedly drop. But will balance with a rise in demand. Of course this demand can only be satisfied by commercial producers. In the wild, the fungus is limited and relatively unpredectable. (423kg in 2006, and the lowest @ 128kg last year)
This is similar to truffle production. Part of what makes them such a delicacy is, yes their amazing flavor and aroma, but also their limited existence in the wild and traditional means of harvesting.
So, what do we do? increase the market for them, and create 'truffle farms'. Sounds great, but its just a fad, and kills the essence and historic value of the Tuber. And, by the way, most truffle oil, even the expensive stuff is synthetic.
Are cordyceps are being produced "to save the world" and cure all of mankind's ailments? hmmm...jury's out, but not for long.
Someone needs to get a return on the investment they made by funding the research. thats why they mention their record breaking prices at the end. Gain more of the publics' interest.
Now, of course I cannot argue with the idea of a free market and progress. Its an inevitability of mankind. "We" are always progressing, but at the same time someone always has to pay the price. We then feel obligated to help those who have been neglected. But, didn't we just miss the point from the beginning?
"Freedom is our gift; it is the chief gift as well as the chief instrument of our own power to love and care for our neighbor."
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"There never was and never will be,
Nor is there now,
The wholly criticized
Or the wholly approved"
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Alan Rockefeller
Mycologist
Registered: 03/10/07
Posts: 31,171
Last seen: 16 minutes, 32 seconds
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Re: Generating Cordyceps sinensis in the lab [Re: akb112211]
#8650845 - 07/18/08 02:09 PM (4 years, 9 months ago) |
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I wonder if you could make good money going to china and buying a kilo from one of those families for 6000, and selling them on ebay or on a website. Here are some Cordyceps sinensis on ebay, looks like its just under $700 for six mushrooms.
http://cgi.ebay.com/Noevir-Cordyceps-Sinensis_W0QQitemZ200069084100QQihZ010QQcategoryZ67589QQrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD1VQQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp1638Q2em118Q2el1247
And here is Cordyceps powder for $40 / lb. They never say what species of cordyceps though
http://cgi.ebay.com/CORDYCEPS-MUSHROOM-POWDER-One-Pound-Bulk_W0QQitemZ350066948717QQihZ022QQcategoryZ19260QQrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD1VQQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp1638Q2em118Q2el1247
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