Cordyceps guangdongensis

Cordyceps guangdongensis is a species within the Cordyceps sensu lato complex, closely related to C. militaris and C. sinensis, primarily valued for its bioactive compounds rather than macronutrient content. Per 100 g of dried fruiting body (approximate values based on cultivated specimens and related species analyses): Protein: 18–25 g (contains all essential amino acids; notably rich in glutamic acid, aspartic acid, and arginine); Fat: 2–5 g (predominantly unsaturated fatty acids including linoleic acid and oleic acid); Carbohydrates: 45–55 g (primarily polysaccharides and dietary fiber); Dietary Fiber: 10–18 g (largely beta-glucans); Ash/Minerals: 4–8 g. Key Bioactive Compounds: Cordycepin (3'-deoxyadenosine): 0.1–0.8% dry weight (~100–800 mg/100 g), a nucleoside analog responsible for anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, and anti-tumor activities; bioavailability is moderate orally but subject to rapid deamination by adenosine deaminase in vivo. Adenosine: 0.05–0.3% dry weight (~50–300 mg/100 g), supports cardiovascular and neurological function. Polysaccharides (including beta-D-glucans and galactomannans): 3–8% dry weight (~3,000–8,000 mg/100 g), key immunomodulatory agents that stimulate macrophage activity and modulate cytokine production; bioavailability enhanced when hot-water extracted. Ergosterol (provitamin D2): 50–150 mg/100 g, convertible to vitamin D2 upon UV exposure. Mannitol (D-mannitol/cordycepic acid): 5–10% dry weight, acts as an osmotic agent and antioxidant. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase enzymes present, contributing to antioxidant capacity. Minerals: Potassium: 800–1,200 mg/100 g; Phosphorus: 400–700 mg/100 g; Magnesium: 100–200 mg/100 g; Calcium: 30–80 mg/100 g; Iron: 10–30 mg/100 g; Zinc: 5–15 mg/100 g; Selenium: 0.02–0.15 mg/100 g (variable depending on substrate). Vitamins: B-complex vitamins including B1 (thiamine): 0.1–0.3 mg/100 g, B2 (riboflavin): 1.0–3.0 mg/100 g, B3 (niacin): 5–15 mg/100 g, B12 traces reported but debated. Sterols and terpenoids: minor quantities of ergosterol peroxide and other oxygenated sterols with anti-inflammatory properties. Nucleosides beyond cordycepin: uridine, guanosine, and inosine present in small amounts (10–50 mg/100 g collectively). Bioavailability Notes: Hot-water extraction significantly increases polysaccharide bioavailability (up to 5-fold improvement over raw consumption). Cordycepin bioavailability is enhanced when co-administered with pentostatin or other adenosine deaminase inhibitors. Fat-soluble compounds (ergosterol, terpenoids) benefit from co-ingestion with dietary fats. Dual extraction (hot water + ethanol) yields the broadest spectrum of both water-soluble polysaccharides and alcohol-soluble terpenoids/sterols. Note: C. guangdongensis is less extensively characterized than C. sinensis or C. militaris; some values are extrapolated from closely related species and available literature on cultivated fruiting bodies. Exact concentrations vary significantly with cultivation substrate, growth conditions, and harvest timing.