PASIGHAT, May 5: A “significantly worth” mushroom – Cordyceps has been discovered in East Siang district, thanks to a mushroom exploration programme led by Dr Senpon Ngomle, Asstt Professor, College of Agriculture (CoA), Central Agricultural University (CAU), Pasighat along with Dr Yengkhom Disco Singh and P Chattopadhyay, according to sources.
The finding is considered highly significant from medicinal and biogeographical perspectives. Species belonging to the genus Cordyceps are among the most economically and therapeutically important medicinal fungi worldwide, stated Prof Sanjay Swami, Dean CoA, CAU (Pasighat), adding, these fungus are recognized for producing wide spectrum of pharmacologically active secondary metabolites including cordycepin, adenosine, ergosterol, cordycepic acid, nucleosides, sterols, peptides and biologically active polysaccharides possessing potent immunomodulatory, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antiviral, antitumor, antidiabetic, hepatoprotective, nephroprotective and neuroprotective activities.
Extensive pharmacological and biomedical studies have demonstrated their therapeutic potential in cancer management, metabolic disorders, immune dysfunction, chronic inflammatory diseases, oxidative stress and tissue repair mechanisms.
Globally, Cordyceps are considered highly prized medicinal bioresources in traditional Himalayan ethnomedicine as well as modern nutraceutical and pharmaceutical industries. Wild Cordyceps species command extraordinarily high market prices and are often referred to as “Himalayan gold”. Taxonomically, Cordyceps are obligate entomopathogenic fungi that parasitize larvae and pupae of insects. The fungal mycelium invades and colonizes the host tissue internally and is generally restricted to high altitude of above 3000 - 4000 metres above mean sea level.
The occurrence of Cordyceps within a low-altitude ecosystem of East Siang represents an exceptionally unusual and scientifically valuable finding. Further investigation is underway to determine whether the specimen corresponds to an already reported species or novel taxon.
According to the research group, the discovery highlights the immense yet inadequately explored macrofungal diversity of Arunachal Pradesh and emphasizes the urgent need for systematic fungal biodiversity assessment, medicinal mushroom research, molecular documentation, conservation biology and sustainable bioprospecting initiatives in the State.
Efforts will also be initiated to develop suitable protocols for the cultivation of this species, which may open new avenues for livelihood generation and conservation through sustainable utilization.
The team has already initiated preliminary work on laboratory culturing and strain identification using the laboratory facilities available at the CoA and College of Horticulture and Forestry (CHF), Central Agricultural University, Pasighat.
Dr Senpon emphasized that this finding is particularly significant, as it represents one of the first documented occurrences of such fungal species in East Siang district at a relatively low altitude, indicating the immense and largely untapped bioresource potential of the region.
Dr Disco highlighted that Arunachal Pradesh, being a recognized biodiversity hotspot, holds vast opportunities for scientific exploration and discovery. The occurrence of Cordyceps species in East Siang district adds a valuable dimension to the region’s biological wealth and reinforces its ecological importance.