Effect of Cordyceps militaris on formation of short-chain fatty acids as postbiotic metabolites

The aim of the current study was to determine the growth-promoting-effect of Cordyceps militaris, known as a medicinal mushroom, on Lactobacillus casei and Lactobacillus acidophilus. To evaluate the best growth-promoting activity of the test substrates including glucose, inulin, and at different concentrations of C. militaris (0.5%, 1%, and 2%), the cell counts, optical density (OD), prebiotic activity scores, and postbiotics (lactic, acetic, butyric, and propionic acids) were determined. The highest cell count was found for L. casei in media containing 0.5% C. militaris and for L. acidophilus in media containing 1% C. militaris. In the case of both strains, the OD values of the medium with C. militaris (1%) and (2%) increased similar to those of glucose. The prebiotic activity scores for both strains were positive. The concentration of lactic acid ranged from 0.56 to 8.07 g L−1 for L. casei and 0.82 to 5.38 g L−1 for L. acidophilus. Moreover, propionic acid was the highest among short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) produced by both strains. According to the results of the present study, the tested Lactobacillus species can utilize C. militaris as carbon source and is able to form postbiotics in the media.