Effect of nutrition factors on the synthesis of superoxide dismutase, catalase, and membrane lipid peroxide levels in Cordyceps militaris mycelium.

Effect of carbon, nitrogen, and metal ion sources on superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) activities, and lipid perioxide (LPO) levels in Cordyceps militaris mycelium were investigated at stationary growth phase by step supplementing with these nutrition factors in shake-flask cultures. Mycelium was cultivated in several growth media containing different carbon sources. The observed highest SOD and CAT activities were 44.3 U/mg protein in the presence of 20% potato broth plus 2% glucose medium and 93.7 U/mg protein in presence of 20% potato broth plus 1% glucose medium, respectively. By supplementing with either yeast extract or tryptone in 0.1-0.5% concentration range, the highest SOD and CAT activities were 21.1 U/mg protein in medium supplemented with 0.1% yeast extract and 20.7 U/mg protein in medium supplemented with 0.1% tryptone, respectively. Supplementing with Cu(2+), Zn(2+), and Mn(2+) caused a stimulation of SOD synthesis. The minimum LPO level was observed at media presented Zn(2+). The time course of SOD and CAT biosynthesis showed two maxima, which correspond to the maximum of biomass. High SOD levels and low LPO levels in the medium described above indicated that the appropriate metal ions could provide a suitable protection for cells against oxygen radical damage.