Extraction of cordycepic acid from the fruiting body of Cordyceps militaris (L.)

Cordycepic acid from the fruiting body of Cordyceps militaris (L.) Link has various beneficial biological properties. However, the extraction of cordycepic acid from the fruiting body of C. militaris is difficult with minimal output. This study is aimed at optimizing the extraction conditions in order to maximize the cordycepic acid content. In the present study, cordycepic acid from the fruiting body of C. militaris was extracted using different solvents (methanol, ethanol, acetone, or distilled water). Among the solvents tested, ethanol was identified as the most efficient solvent for the extraction, resulting in the highest cordycepic acid content. Response surface methodology was subsequently employed to optimize the extraction conditions and establish a reliable mathematical model for prediction. A maximum cordycepic acid content of 40.23 mg/g was obtained at an ethanol concentration of 26.4%, an extraction time of 69.8 min, and a ratio of ethanol to sample of 23.4: 1 ml/g. This study suggests that the obtained extraction conditions are the most effective for the extraction of cordycepic acid from the fruiting body of C. militaris.