Cordy gold nanoparticles

Context: Bodoland University’s collaborative work on fungus-powered biosynthesised nanogold particles earns international patent.

About Cordy gold nanoparticles:

• Cordy gold nanoparticles (Cor-AuNPs), the outcome of a collaborative experiment by scientists from four Indian institutions, has earned an international patent from Germany.
• These nanoparticles, derived from the synthesis of the extracts of Cordyceps militaris and gold salts, could make drug delivery in the human body faster and surer.
• Cordyceps militaris is a high-value parasitic fungus.
• Gold salts are ionic chemical compounds of gold generally used in medicine.
• Penetration in the cells is more when the drug particles are smaller.
• Cordyceps militaris, called super mushroom for its tremendous medicinal properties, adds bioactive components to the synthesis of gold nanoparticles for better penetration.
• The wild Cordyceps mushroom is found in the eastern Himalayan belt.
• Biosynthesised nanogold particles indicate a new application of nanoparticles in the development of therapeutic drugs that can be delivered as ointments, tablets, capsules, and in other forms.

About Cordyceps militaris:

• Cordyceps militaris is a species of fungus in the family Cordycipitaceae, and the type species of the genus Cordyceps.
• It was originally described by Carl Linnaeus in 1753 as Clavaria militaris.
• Cordyceps militaris is entomopathogenic fungus, i.e., it parasitizes insects.
• It can be cultivated in a variety of media, including silkworm pupae, rice, and liquid nutrition.
• It is a potential harbourer of bio-metabolites for herbal drugs and there is evidence from ancient times for its applications for revitalization of various systems of the body.
• It contains a protein CMP18 which induces apoptosis in vitro via a mitochondrion-dependent pathway.

Source: The Hindu

Previous Year Question

Q.1) With reference to “Gucchi” sometimes mentioned in the news, consider the following statements:

1. It is a fungus.
2. It grows in some Himalayan Forest areas.
3. It is commercially cultivated in the Himalayan foothills of north-eastern India.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. 1 only
2. 3 only
3. 1 and 2
4. 2 and 3