A Dayeh University team has developed a method of growing cicada fungus (Ophiocordyceps sobolifera), a parasite that kills cicadas that is used in traditional Chinese medicine, in a laboratory much faster than it grows in the wild.
Wu Jane-yi (吳建一) led a group of students at the Changhua-based school that grew the fungus in a laboratory and was able to harvest the crop in just two months, compared with a year in the wild.
Wu said the fungus had been found in small amounts in Hualien County and New Taipei City in recent years. It can be harvested from May to July each year.
However, Wu said that the fungus, which is believed by Chinese herbalists to relieve pain, fever and adjust immunological functions, was susceptible to pollution in the wild, which is why he decided to try and grow it in the laboratory.
“This will stabilize the quality and price of the fungus, and at the same time ensure its safety in a toxin-free environment,” Wu said.
University president Wuu Dong-sing (武東星) said that with the high price of the rare caterpillar fungus (Cordycaps sinensis), which has similar uses, cicada fungus was much cheaper and a “good replacement with great potential.”
He said that the Ministry of Health and Welfare had suggested using cicada fungus instead of caterpillar fungus, which can cost more than NT$400,000 per kilogram.
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