Comparative Analysis of the Antioxidant and Antibacterial Activity of Methanolic Mycelium Extract from Cordyceps militaris: A Comprehensive Study

Author: Niketan Deshmukh and Lakshmi Bhaskaran

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Abstract

Many synthetic molecules with antioxidant and antimicrobial potential have been designed and manufactured over the last several decades. However, the potential toxicity associated with these synthetic compounds remains a major concern. Some compounds that initially exhibit promising antioxidant or antimicrobial properties in vitro or animal studies may prove to be toxic or lead to unfavorable side effects when subjected to human trials. Additionally, the issue of antimicrobial resistance is a significant hurdle in developing effective synthetic antimicrobial agents. Over time, microorganisms can develop resistance mechanisms against synthetic compounds, rendering them less effective or completely ineffective. Due to such toxicity and resistance, it did not result in a beneficial therapeutic outcome. One alternate approach to this is the use of herbal remedies. Cordyceps was used as an ancient remedy to treat several diseases in the eastern part of Asia. This study examined the antioxidant and antimicrobial properties of the methanolic mycelium extract of Cordyceps militaris. The findings revealed that the extract of the mycelium has DPPH scavenging activity with an EC50 value of 2.33 mg/ml. The antimicrobial results also showed that the methanolic extract has broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity. It is most effective against Escherichia coli (15.96 ± 0.68) as well as Pseudomonas aeruginosa (14.08 ± 0.44). These findings suggested that the methanolic mycelium extract of Cordyceps militaris could serve as a valuable antioxidant and antimicrobial natural supplement, which would eventually reduce the dependency on synthetic molecules.

Keywords

Cordyceps militaris, Antioxidant, Antibacterial, MIC

Conclusion

In conclusion, the results of this study demonstrate the antioxidant potential and antimicrobial activity of the methanolic mycelium extract of Cordyceps militaris. The antioxidant activity was evaluated using the DPPH scavenging assay, and the extract exhibited concentration-dependent scavenging activity. The EC50 value of the extract was determined to be 2.33 mg/mL, indicating its antioxidant potential. The antimicrobial activity of the extract was assessed using the agar well diffusion method. The extract exhibited antimicrobial activity against both gram-positive and gram-negative microorganisms, although the effectiveness varied. Escherichia coli showed the highest susceptibility to the extract, while Bacillus subtilis exhibited the lowest susceptibility. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values further confirmed the antimicrobial activity of the extract, with Enterobacter aerogenes showing the lowest MIC value. The findings of this study highlight the potential applications of Cordyceps militaris as a natural antioxidant and antimicrobial agent.

References

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How to cite this article

Niketan Deshmukh and Lakshmi Bhaskaran (2023). Comparative Analysis of the Antioxidant and Antibacterial Activity of Methanolic Mycelium Extract from Cordyceps militaris: A Comprehensive Study. Biological Forum – An International Journal, 15(5): 1681-1686.