Both crude exo-biopolymers and mycelial biomass, produced by liquid culture of `çêÇóÅÉéë species, are believed to possess several potential health benefits. As a result of its known biological activities, `çêÇóÅÉéë=ãáäáí~êáë has been extensively characterized in regards to potential medicinal applications. However, optimized liquid culture conditions for enhanced polysaccharide productivity have yet to be developed, which is a necessary step for industrial applications. Therefore, in this study, the liquid culture conditions were optimized for maximal production of mycelial biomass and exo-polysaccharide (EPS) by `K=ãáäáí~êáë. The effects of medium composition, environmental factors, and C/N ratio were investigated. Among these variables 80 g, glucose; 10 g, yeast extract; 0.5 g, MgSO 4 •7H 2 O; and 0.5 g, KH 2 PO 4 in 1 L distilled water were found to be the most suitable carbon, nitrogen, and mineral sources, respectively. The optimal temperature, initial pH, agitation, and aeration were determined to be 24 o C, uncontrolled pH, 200 rpm, and 1.5 vvm, respectively. Under these optimal conditions, mycelial growth in shake flask cultures and 5 L jar bioreactors was 29.43 and 40.60 g/L, respectively, and polysaccharide production in shake flask cultures and 5 L jar bioreactors was 2.53 and 6.74 g/L, respectively. © KSBB hÉóïçêÇëW=Cordyceps=militaris, ÉñçJéçäóë~ÅÅÜ~êáÇÉI=ãóÅÉäá~ä=ÖêçïíÜI=Å~êÄçåJíçJåáíêçÖÉå=ê~íáç= = = = =
