Biomanufacturing the bioactive components of Ophiocordyceps sinensis: current status and future perspectives

Abstract

As a green production paradigm based on modern biotechnology, biomanufacturing offers an innovative pathway for sustainable utilization of the precious medicinal fungus Ophiocordyceps sinensis . This review systematically summarizes the origin and evolution of the name in the history of research on O. sinensis fungus, analyzes its core bioactive components, including nucleosides, polysaccharides, sterols, proteins and peptides, and the application potential of these active ingredients in immunomodulation and chronic disease prevention. Key biomanufacturing technologies are highlighted, encompassing strategies for microbial cell factory construction, the historical development of biotechnology applications, and the research and development of Cordyceps products. Subsequently, we review advances in fermentation-based biomanufacturing of O. sinensis mycelia and synthetic biomanufacturing of bioactive components, highlighting progress in liquid-and solid-state fermentation for mycelia production, optimization and control of fermentation engineering, and evaluation of product bioactivity. Strategies for synergistically enhancing yield and quality through metabolic engineering and process control are further discussed. The future trend suggests that, based on the current biomanufacturing paradigm of O. sinensis , synthetic biology will emerge as the predominant method for producing its core bioactive components. The application of artificial intelligence in biomanufacturing will further advance the development of producing O. sinensis mycelium production through fermentation-based biomanufacturing. This advancement is poised to propel synthetic biology toward rational design, with broad implications across diverse domains of the discipline.