Yongji Tussah Pupae Cordyceps

Yongji Tussah Pupae Cordyceps

Yongji Tussah Pupae Cordyceps is a product with a geographical indication for agricultural products.

　　Wild cordyceps (Cordyceps militaris, also known as Northern Cordyceps) is a first-class protected plant across Jilin Province. County records indicate that Yongji County began raising tussah silkworms in 1826 (the sixth year of the Daoguang reign during the Qing Dynasty). Over nearly 200 years of history, generations of silkworm farmers have cultivated a rich sericulture culture. The Jilin Sericultural Science Research Institute is the earliest institution in China to artificially cultivate cordyceps. In 1986, it applied for a national invention patent, and this spurred the rapid development of cordyceps tussah pupae cultivation by private enterprises and individuals within Yongji County, gradually forming a sizable industry. The protein content in cordyceps is similar in structure and quantity to that of the human body, making it easily absorbable. Its immunoglobulins and abundant lysine help combat fatigue and enhance the body’s immunity. Currently, deep-processed cordyceps products such as cordyceps wine, cordyceps tea, cordyceps rice, and cordyceps corn flour have also entered the market.

　　Tussah pupae cordyceps is a fruiting body grown by inoculating the Cordyceps militaris fungus onto tussah pupae. Its pharmacological effects are similar to those of natural cordyceps.

　　Geographical Scope

　　The Yongji County Rare Plants Protection Association in Jilin Province applied for the geographical indication product name "Yongji Tussah Pupae Cordyceps." The geographical indication area covers ten administrative villages under Kouqian Town in Yongji County, located between longitude 125°48′9″ to 126°40′1″ and latitude 43°18′7″ to 43°35′00″ — the production region of Yongji Tussah Pupae Cordyceps.

　　Product Quality Characteristics

　　1. External Sensory Characteristics: Yongji Tussah Pupae Cordyceps fruiting bodies grow upright without bending, with each pupa producing at least five mushrooms. The fresh mushrooms average a length of 4–6 cm or more, displaying an orange-red or orange-yellow color. The fresh mushrooms emit a fragrant aroma typical of edible fungi, with a slight fishy taste when chewed. Upon contact with water, the liquid immediately turns yellow. The fruiting bodies are sold together with the attached sclerotium.  2. Internal Quality Indicators:   2.1 Fruiting Bodies of Tussah Pupae Cordyceps: 100.0% fruiting bodies, Adenosine ≥ 0.055%, Polysaccharides ≥ 2.5%, Cordycepin 0.026%–0.053%, Cordycepic Acid 7.10%–11.23%, Ergosterol 0.74 mg/g–1.68 mg/g.   2.2 Whole Plant of Tussah Pupae Cordyceps: 100.0% fruiting bodies, Adenosine ≥ 0.035%–0.045%, Polysaccharides 1.0%–1.5%, Cordycepin 0.015%–0.025%, Cordycepic Acid 5.10%–8.23%, Ergosterol 0.74 mg/g–1.15 mg/g.   2.3 Amino Acid Content in Yongji Tussah Pupae Cordyceps Fruiting Bodies: Cordycepin 7.10%–11.23%, Cordyceps Polysaccharides 1.0%–1.5%, Cordycepic Acid 7.10%–11.23%, Aspartic Acid (Asp) 1819–2619, Threonine (Thr) 1200–1753, Serine (Ser) 1100–1322, Glutamic Acid (Glu) 3500–5251, Glycine (Gly) 850–1203, Alanine (Ala) 1200–1573, Cystine (Cys) 500–763, and others.  3. Safety Requirements: Yongji Tussah Pupae Cordyceps complies with the latest national food safety standards for edible fungi, corresponding to the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC) standard Codex Stan 38-1981 “General Standard for Edible Fungi and Fungus Products.” This standard was proposed and administered by the Ministry of Health of the People’s Republic of China.  Physical and Chemical Indicators:   Moisture a/(g/100g) ≤ 12   Total Arsenic (as As) / (mg/kg) ≤ 1.0–0.5   Lead (Pb) / (mg/kg) ≤ 2.0–1.0   Total Mercury (Hg) / (mg/kg) ≤ 0.2–0.1   Hexachlorocyclohexane / (mg/kg) ≤ 0.2–0.1  Microbiological Indicators:   Total Plate Count (CFU/g) ≤ 1000   Coliform Bacteria (MPN/g) ≤ 0.3   Mold Count (CFU/g) ≤ 300