Early+Research


 * Content as of 24/11/2010**

Subject: Comparison of artificially cultured and naturally occurring //Cordyceps Sinensis//

Things needed: UV Spectrometer Mortar + Pestle High Performance Liquid Chromatography Petri Dishes, Agar jelly, bacteria etc. (things required to create bacterial culture) Microscope???

Methodology- 1: Researching on available literature on artificially cultured and natural grown cordyceps 2-4: Find chemical composition 4-8: Test and compare antibacterial effectiveness 9-10: Results (compare, etc.)

As a bonus i suggest we try to artificially culture the Cordyceps ourselves, with reference to Kian Guang's excellent source of how the cordyceps can be artificially grown using substrates it looks feasible, and rather interesting (as well as something to display at science fairs :p)
 * 1) Research (includes interviews with people who grow natural, and those who grow artificial cordyceps)
 * 2) Procure both wild and lab grown cordyceps of the **same species** (preferably cordyceps sinensis, the most well-known)
 * 3) Grind 15g cordyceps using mortar and pestle (addition of water may be necessary)
 * 4) Use UV spectrometer and HPLC to analyse chemical composition
 * 5) Extract chemicals from cordyceps such as cordycepin
 * 6) Culture 30 plates of beneficial bacteria from cordyceps(unsure of what, but appears that cordyceps can fight respiratory diseases)
 * 7) 10 plates wild cordyceps extract, 10 plates lab grown cordyceps extract, 10 plates control
 * 8) Can be tested by culturing harmful bacteria on agar plates, then placing thin sheets of material coated with cordycep bacteria on plates, then analysing the radius where there is no bacteria. Can also be tested by injecting into plants, or animals which have similar immune systems.
 * 9) Compare with the background research, conducted further research if necessary
 * 10) Write report

This is with reference to my previous email, and the attached excerpts. The first highlighted part is in fact explaining about the chemical composition of the cordyceps sinensis. It contains an active agent called Cordycepic acid, 7%, probably what we should be observing, as well as the agent Cordycepin, in the form of pale yellow crystals. Other than that, it is 10.84% water, 8.4% lipids (of which is comprised of 13.00% fatty acids), 25.32% protein, 18.53% fibre, 28.90% carbohydrates, and 4.10% gray powder??? Can someone help clarify that last point? On the book it says 灰分, which should translate to 'gray powder', but I have no idea what that is.Our 'experts' also cannot find a plausible explanation, so I assume it is some unidentified grey powder. Can someone help to figure out what that is?


 * THE RE IS AN IMPORTANT DECISION WE HAVE TO MAKE HERE. ARE WE GOING TO DO THE PROJECT FROM AN TCM VIEWPOINT, OR NOT?THIS MEANS WHETHER WE ARE GONG TO TEST THE HERB AS IT IS PREPARED IN TCM, AND FOR THE PURPOSESII USED IN TCM? OR ARE WE GOING TO TEST IT FROM A NEUTRAL STANDPOINT, OR FROM THAT OF WESTERN MEDICINE? THIS IS AN IMPORTANT JUNCTURE, AND WILL DETERMINE THE REST OF THE ROAD FOR OUR PROJECT. **

Okay well at least I managed to solve this stupid text problem. Anyway, the last highlights actually say that co

rdyceps is used to treat asthma and cardiovascular disease, but its main uses are as a tonic, 'general remedy' for '

general illnesses. It's prepared by boiling, or 'stewing' it in a special

way. Don't worry, we can recreate this. Well that's all for now. Feel free to edit anything, or email me. Let's DO THIS, man!!!