Revealing the phytochemical diversity and bioactive potential of caterpillar mushroom (Cordyceps militaris L.) using analytical techniques

Cordyceps militaris is a cultivated mushroom of growing interest for obtaining nutritionally relevant and bioactive components. The nutritional composition, mineral profile, selected bioactive compounds, and antioxidant activity of commercially cultivated C. militaris sourced from the Islamabad Mushroom Spawn Production Lab in Pakistan were characterized. AOAC methods were used to analyze the proximate composition; mineral contents were quantified; HPLC measured selected bioactive compounds; and TPC, TFC, DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP measured antioxidant activity. The fruiting bodies (FB) contained 35.19 ± 2.91% protein, 43.14 ± 0.90% carbohydrates, 7.49 ± 0.87% crude fiber, and 3.52 ± 0.15% crude fat, with an energy value of 390.91 ± 15 kcal/100 g. Phosphorus (8776 ± 69.1 mg/kg), magnesium (5641 ± 24.5 mg/kg), sulfur (4971 ± 15.0 mg/kg), and potassium (2234 ± 13.4 mg/kg) were the predominant minerals. The HPLC analysis revealed various bioactive compounds such as cordycepin (4.25 ± 0.65 mg/g), ergothioneine, cordycepic acid, phenolic content, quercetin, and antioxidant vitamins. The extract exhibited measurable antioxidant activity, with TPC and TFC values of 21.48 ± 1.10 mg GAE/g and 6.91 ± 0.45 mg QE/g, correspondingly, and DPPH, FRAP, and ABTS values of 14.9 ± 0.85 mg GAE/mL, 8.5 ± 0.53 µM Fe²⁺/g, and 0.60 ± 0.01 mg/mL, respectively. In all, the analyzed C. militaris was rich in nutrients and had a wide range of quantified bioactive components. The results obtained here could be used as compositional data for commercially grown C. militaris in Pakistan and could help its further assessment as a functional food and nutraceutical raw material. The results, however, are only a compositional and in vitro antioxidant evaluation and cannot prove bioavailability or therapeutic efficacy.