Vietnam can produce caterpillar fungus
15:43, 2014/11/12
The Institute of Plant Protection Research has recently announced its success in producing caterpillar fungus (Ophiocordyceps sinensis), a rare medicine with the potential to increase the capacity of the body against cancer.
After a visit to a center for cancer prevention in the United States where caterpillar fungus was produced in 2011, scientists at the Institute of Plant Protection Research began researching the mushroom and they have successfully produced this fungus.
Ophiocordyceps sinensis is a fungus that parasitizes larvae of ghost moths and produces a fruiting body valued as an herbal remedy. The fungus germinates in the living larva, kills it, and then the stalk-like fruiting body emerges from the corpse.
O. sinensis is known in the West as a medicinal mushroom, and its use has a long history in traditional Chinese medicine. The hand-collected fungus-caterpillar combination is valued by herbalists and as a status symbol; it is used as an aphrodisiac and treatment for ailments such as fatigue and cancer, although such use is mainly based on traditional Chinese medicine and anecdotal evidence.
In the world, caterpillar fungus exploited in the wild is extremely rare, mainly at an altitude of 3,200 meters of the Himalayas and Tibet. Each year the output is only 80kg so the price is very high, from $60,000 to $80,000 per kilo. This fungus is not yet cultivated commercially.
Dr. Pham Van Nha, a member of the research team, said this fungus contains high nutritional value, in which the team focused on the two main compounds - cordycepin with the function of fibroids and precancerous prevention, and adenosine which is used in the treatment of cardiovascular problems.
The researchers cultured the fungus by two methods: in an artificial environment and on the host, silkworms.
Dr. Nha said the market price for 1kg of the fungus is $50,000 but the Institute offers only VND100-200 million ($5,000-10,000) per kilo for the fungus cultured on silkworms and VND7 million ($350) for the fungus cultured in an artificial environment.
Experts warn that up to 70% of caterpillar fungus in the market is fake.
O. sinensis is known in the West as a medicinal mushroom, and its use has a long history in traditional Chinese medicine. The hand-collected fungus-caterpillar combination is valued by herbalists and as a status symbol; it is used as an aphrodisiac and treatment for ailments such as fatigue and cancer, although such use is mainly based on traditional Chinese medicine and anecdotal evidence.
In the world, caterpillar fungus exploited in the wild is extremely rare, mainly at an altitude of 3,200 meters of the Himalayas and Tibet. Each year the output is only 80kg so the price is very high, from $60,000 to $80,000 per kilo. This fungus is not yet cultivated commercially.
Dr. Pham Van Nha, a member of the research team, said this fungus contains high nutritional value, in which the team focused on the two main compounds - cordycepin with the function of fibroids and precancerous prevention, and adenosine which is used in the treatment of cardiovascular problems.
The researchers cultured the fungus by two methods: in an artificial environment and on the host, silkworms.
Dr. Nha said the market price for 1kg of the fungus is $50,000 but the Institute offers only VND100-200 million ($5,000-10,000) per kilo for the fungus cultured on silkworms and VND7 million ($350) for the fungus cultured in an artificial environment.
Experts warn that up to 70% of caterpillar fungus in the market is fake.
16:50, 2025/01/09
Hanoi aims to maintain its second-highest EBI ranking
Hanoi laid out a goal to expand consumer market through e-commerce channels and promote cross-border transactions to help businesses export.
18:41, 2024/12/05
Hanoi honors outstanding faces in innovation, digital transformation
The Final Round of the Capital's Innovation and Digital Transformation Products Competition 2024 aims to honor exemplary figures in innovation and digital transformation.
16:32, 2024/11/16
Land deed digitization accelerated in Hanoi
Hanoi's digital environment has been driven by a synchronized information technology infrastructure for management in the making.
18:33, 2024/10/30
Vietnam's capital boosts iHanoi usage by citizens
Hanoi will further improve the iHanoi app by adding more features to make it more user-friendly for citizens and businesses.
22:28, 2024/10/22
Technology, innovation identified as key drivers for Hanoi's growth
Hanoi is a hub for scientific and technological cooperation among many provinces and cities in Vietnam, as well as research institutions around the world.
19:10, 2024/10/17
Hanoi intensifies efforts to achieve its digital goals by 2025
In Hanoi, digital transformation is always a top priority to support management and resolution procedures for people and businesses.