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VOL. 10, ISSUE 8 (2025)
Silkworm (Bombyx mori) pupae powder enriched cereal based media boosts Cordyceps militaris production: Insights from five native rice cultivars
Authors
Jumi Das, Rohit Aggarwal, Namram Sushindrajit Singh, Akalesh Kumar Verma
Abstract
Background: Cordyceps militaris,
an enotomopathogenic fungus is widely grown on grains, yet the combined
influence of distinct rice landraces and insect derived nutrients on biomass
and cordycepin yield remains unclear. Objective: To compare five
traditional Assam rice varieties Joha, Bora, black, red and
brown, fortified with silkworm (Bombyx mori) pupa powder (SPP) and
identify a high performance, low cost substrate. Methods: Polypropylene
jars were inoculated with liquid spawn and incubated under a two-stage solid
state protocol (20 d dark vegetative, 25 d 12 h photoperiod). Fresh and dry
stromatal mass, cordycepin concentration and biological efficiency (BE) were
quantified. Data (n = 3) were analysed by one-way ANOVA with Bonferroni post
hoc tests. Results: SPP supplementation boosted all performance metrics versus
the unsupplemented brown-rice control. Joha + SPP produced the highest fresh
(18.23 ± 0.20 g bottle⁻¹) and dry (1.58 ± 0.03 g) yields, a three-fold rise in
cordycepin (488.6 ± 2.8 mg 100 g⁻¹ DW), and the greatest BE (19.22 ± 0.60 %).
Black and brown rice blends ranked second and third, while Bora and red rice
were intermediate. Grain chemistry, high phenolics in Joha and pigment rich
black rice, waxy starch in Bora appeared to modulate oxidative balance and
carbon flux, synergising with the amino nitrogen and trace minerals supplied by
SPP. Conclusion: A modest (5 g bottle⁻¹) silkworm pupa supplement
transforms low cost Joha rice into a superior substrate, delivering better
results. The Joha + SPP matrix offers an immediately scalable upgrade for
functional food and nutraceutical manufacture, warranting pilot scale
validation and dose response optimisation.
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Pages:69-76
How to cite this article:
Jumi Das, Rohit Aggarwal, Namram Sushindrajit Singh, Akalesh Kumar Verma "Silkworm<i> (Bombyx mori)</i> pupae powder enriched cereal based media boosts <i>Cordyceps militaris </i>production: Insights from five native rice cultivars". International Journal of Entomology Research, Vol 10, Issue 8, 2025, Pages 69-76
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