How to know if the mushroom products on the market are of good quality and effective
A large number of scientific studies have shown that medicinal mushrooms are effective in supporting overall health and regulating physiological functions. The health benefits of medicinal mushrooms are highly dependent on the product quality. Only 100% pure mushroom powders & extracts, processed using methods that preserve bioactive compounds, can deliver meaningful health benefits. However, many mushroom products currently available on the international markets contain fillers, use low-quality mushroom raw materials, or are produced through chemical processing methods. Consuming such low-quality mushroom products may be ineffective and could even potentially pose health risks. Zhejiang Biosan Biotech Co., Ltd is internationally recognized for its high-quality medicinal mushroom products. To help customers choose high-quality medicinal mushroom products, we are sharing common market issues and how to identify them.
- Relying solely on polysaccharides content cannot serve as a quality standard for medicinal mushroom products
Polysaccharides come from a wide range of sources; for example, starch and dietary fiber are also polysaccharides. Current polysaccharides testing methods (such as the phenol-sulfuric acid method) are unable to distinguish their origin. Some suppliers claim their mushroom products with very high polysaccharides content while still claiming they are 100% pure. This is misleading to consumers. Based on our laboratory measurements of polysaccharide content in mushroom extracts using the phenol sulfuric acid method, the ranges of polysaccharide content observed in currently popular pure mushroom extracts on the market are as follows:
No | Species | Polysaccharides（%）* |
1 | Reishi Extract | 30-50 |
2 | Lion’s mane Extract | 15-40 |
3 | Maitake Extract | 30-45 |
4 | Chaga Extract | 15-25 |
5 | Cordyceps militaris Extract | 40-55 |
6 | Turkey tail Extract | 40-70 |
7 | Shiitake Extract | 30-40 |
8 | Tremella Extract | 40-70 |
*The above data were provided by Biosan’s in-house laboratory and are based on tests conducted on Biosan’s 100% pure mushroom extracts.
- The link between β-Glucan levels and product quality
β-Glucan is one of the key active compounds in mushrooms, playing an important role in supporting the human immune system. Currently, it is commonly determined using the YBGL assay kit developed by Megazyme, an Irish company. This method can be used to detect β glucan in both mushroom and yeast, but its limitation is that it cannot distinguish whether the β glucans originate from mushroom or yeast. Please refer to our another article (link attached) for the limitations and shortcomings of the Megazyme YBGL kit in measuring β-glucans in mushroom products.
β-Glucans exist in both water-soluble and insoluble forms. Mushroom powders contain mostly water-insoluble β-glucans, and the data often show higher β-glucan levels compared to mushroom extracts. However, this does not indicate higher quality, as most β-glucans in mushroom powders are insoluble and poorly absorbed. In contrast, the β-glucans in mushroom extracts are water-soluble and easily absorbed by the human body.
Our laboratory measured the β glucans content of relevant pure mushroom powders and extracts using the Megazyme YBGL assay kit, and the observed content of β-glucans were usually within the following range.
No | Species | Types | β-glucans（%）* |
1 | Reishi | Powder | 45-55 |
Extract | 15-25 | ||
2 | Lion’s mane | Powder | 25-35 |
Extract | 15-35 | ||
3 | Maitake | Powder | 25-35（18-25）** |
Extract | 20-30（ND）** | ||
4 | Chaga | Powder | 8-15 |
Extract | 0-5 | ||
5 | Cordyceps militaris | Powder | 25-35（6-12）** |
Extract | 20-30（ND）** | ||
6 | Turkey tail | Powder | 45-60 |
Extract | 20-45 | ||
7 | Shiitake | Powder | 25-35（20-30）** |
Extract | 15-30（10-20）** | ||
8 | Tremella | Powder | 10-15（6-10）** |
Extract | 2-10 |
*The above data were provided by Biosan’s in-house laboratory and are based on tests conducted on Biosan’s 100% pure mushroom extracts.
**The data in parentheses are the test results obtained using the updated Megazyme YBGL kit (trehalase added). Using the updated YBGL kit, no β-glucans were detected in the extracts of Cordyceps militaris and Maitake.
- Testing methods for 100% pure mushroom products
At present, most adulterated mushroom products on the market contain fillers or carriers, such as maltodextrin, starch, or polydextrose, with the aim of increasing the reported polysaccharides or β glucans content. Different methods can be used to identify these adulterations. If starch or maltodextrin has been added, the sample can be identified by observing the color change when reacted with iodine solution. Purity-IQ, a Canadian company, has developed a method based on NMR metabolic profiling to verify the authenticity and purity of mushroom products, and it is capable of detecting the addition of fillers such as maltodextrin. This method relies on comparison with a proprietary database, so it cannot directly identify types of added fillers that are not yet included in the database. For example, polydextrose added to some mushroom extract products on the market could not be accurately identified. To address this limitation, we collaborated with Purity-IQ to optimize the method, and the improved method can now detect polydextrose in certain mushroom extracts. In addition, the high performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC) method developed by Alkemist Labs in the United States can also be used to test the authenticity of mushroom products.
- Practical ways to assess product quality
Besides laboratory testing, traditional sensory evaluation methods can still provide useful guidance. Pure mushroom extracts and powders usually have characteristic tastes and colors. For example, Reishi is naturally bitter and Cordyceps militaris tends to have a savory flavor. They should not taste sweet, astringent, or grassy. Extracts usually have a stronger taste than powders and show better water solubility. Price can also be an indicator of mushroom product quality. If a mushroom product is priced significantly lower than comparable products on the market, it is very likely to be adulterated or of inferior quality. Some products are made from leftover mushroom materials, which are cheaper and may contain harmful components.
- Quality standards for medicinal mushroom products
Scientifically and reasonably evaluating the quality of medicinal mushroom products is essential for the sustainable development of the industry and the protection of consumers' rights and interests. Biosan is a professional manufacturer specializing in the processing of medicinal mushrooms, and conducted extensive researches in this area. Biosan is the constitutor of industry standards for Maitake extract and Reishi spore powder, as well as group standards for Lion’s Mane powder and extract.
For specific mushroom products, additional quality standards can be established beyond polysaccharides and β-glucans content, and the ratio between polysaccharides and these standards should stay within a reasonable range. A significant imbalance in this ratio may indicate potential issues with product purity. Based on the main functional characteristics of different mushroom products, we have established reference quality standards for these products, as outlined below.
No | Species | Quality Reference Standard |
1 | Lion’s mane | Polysaccharides, β Glucans, Hericenones, Hericenes, Ergosterol |
2 | Reishi | Polysaccharides, β Glucans, Triterpenes, Ganoderic Acid A |
3 | Maitake | Polysaccharides, β Glucans, Ergosterol, Protein |
4 | Shiitake | Polysaccharides, β Glucans, Ergosterol, Protein |
5 | Turkey tail | Polysaccharides, β Glucans, Protein |
6 | Cordyceps militaris | Polysaccharides, Cordycepin, Adenosine, Mannitol, Protein |
7 | Tremella | Polysaccharides, β Glucans |
8 | Chaga | Polysaccharides, Betulin
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