Cordyceps militaris: A Microbial Cell Factory for the Production of Cordycepin

Cordycepin is the key bioactive compound produced by Cordyceps spp., mainly by C. militaris. In the past 20 years, the advancement of gene technology has revealed the biosynthesis pathway for cordycepin production and identified the gene cluster Cns1–4, which responds to adenosine and cordycepin production in this fungal species. Environmental factors, such as light wavelength, can induce fruiting body formation and cordycepin production. Exogenous elicitors, such as amino acids, salts, vitamins, and other supplements, can enhance the production of cordycepin via various biosynthesis pathways. This book chapter explores using C. militaris as a microbial cell factory for cordycepin production via metabolic networks and gene technology. The chapter also explains how chemical elicitors can affect metabolic flux and enhance cordycepin production.