Journal of Energy Bioscience 2025, Vol.16, No.2, 94-104 http://bioscipublisher.com/index.php/jeb 98 The proteins in Cordyceps are also very nutritious, especially the albumin, globulin and glutenin contained in Cordyceps militaris. These proteins provide the amino acids required by the human body and meet the recommended standards of FAO/WHO (Yu et al., 2021). They also help improve the processing properties of food, such as better foaming and emulsification effects. 4.2 Development space of health products With the increasing preference for natural products, the production of health foods using cordyceps residue has become a new direction. Polysaccharides, which regulate immunity and improve metabolism, are being used as health supplements and nutritional supplements (Zhang et al., 2019; Yang et al., 2020). Cordyceps polysaccharides exhibit complex structures, with diverse glycosidic bonds and molecular sizes enabling their potential for developing various products. These compounds can be utilized in anti-aging or immunity-enhancing formulations (Liu et al., 2016; Luo et al., 2017). As research progresses and deeper understanding of their components and mechanisms emerges, the market for such products is expected to continue expanding. 4.3 Functional validation study The polysaccharides in Cordyceps militaris have been found to promote lymphocyte proliferation and enhance the killing effect of natural killer cells, showing its ability in immune activation (Bi et al., 2018). These effects are related to the activation of signaling pathways such as TLR2, MAPK and NF-κB. Cordyceps polysaccharides also have strong antioxidant capacity and can effectively remove free radicals in the body and reduce oxidative stress. This is important for preventing chronic diseases (Zhang et al., 2019; 2020). They can also affect the structure of intestinal flora and help improve the digestive system (Lee et al., 2021). 5 Development of Feed and Food Additives Based on Cordyceps Residues 5.1 Animal feed additives Cordyceps residues are widely used to make animal feed additives, especially for poultry and livestock. It is usually processed by liquid or solid fermentation, which can better retain the active ingredients in cordyceps. Such additives can help animals grow faster, eat less, enhance resistance, and reduce the use of drugs (Chen et al., 2014; Zou et al., 2015). When the residues of mushroom stems such as Cordyceps militaris are added to broiler feed, the chickens gain weight significantly and have healthier intestines. These residues contain ingredients such as polysaccharides and phenols, which can activate antioxidant reactions and are beneficial to the animal body (Hsieh et al., 2020). This way of using feed not only improves the efficiency of breeding, but also gives agricultural waste a new value, which is helpful for the sustainable development of the breeding industry. 5.2 Food additives Cordyceps militaris residue contains numerous bioactive components, making it a promising candidate for food additive development. The remaining material exhibits lipid-lowering and hepatoprotective properties, effectively regulating lipid metabolism and reducing oxidative stress—a dual benefit with potential health benefits (Wang et al., 2015). These residues contain complex polysaccharide structures that serve as the primary source of antioxidant and immune-enhancing properties, making them ideal for functional food applications (Zhang et al., 2020). Although Cordyceps residue has certain applications in food, its safety still needs attention due to the potential risk of mycotoxins, so further toxicological tests must be carried out. Cordycepin has certain antioxidant and immune-regulating effects, but its safe range after human intake still needs to be defined (Chen et al., 2020). 5.3 Security and regulations Whether used in feed or food, the safety of cordyceps residues must be taken seriously. In particular, the mycotoxins and metabolites (such as adenosine analogs) that may be contained in them may have an impact on
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