Learn More About Mushroom Products
Where do your mushrooms come from?
Our Mushrooms from the remote mountainous regions of China, where these areas boast a uniquely advantageous natural environment, far from industrial pollution. The soil and water quality in these regions are exceptionally pure, providing ideal conditions for mushroom growth.
Each batch of raw materials undergoes rigorous dual quality testing, including checks for heavy metals, pesticide residues, and microbial contamination, ensuring compliance with all dietary supplement standards. All our extracts are made using certified organic mushrooms (fruiting bodies) that are either organically cultivated in the depths of China’s mountainous regions or wild-harvested.
China has a long history of mushroom cultivation, dating back to the 1200s. Not only does China possess abundant resources of edible and medicinal mushrooms, but it also leads the way in organic cultivation. Consequently, China is the largest supplier of mushrooms globally, accounting for over 85% of the world’s mushroom supply.
In contrast, most mushroom supplements produced in other countries are actually made from mycelium, which typically grow on grains. Since grains cannot be completely separated from the mycelium, these products contain significant amounts of grain components. Independent analyses have shown that these products contain extremely low levels of active compounds, particularly β-glucan, which is far less abundant than in fruiting body extracts.
In traditional Chinese medicine, genuine medicinal materials refer to those grown in specific geographical areas and possessing optimal medicinal effects. Our mushroom extracts adhere to this concept, selecting genuine mushrooms from the remote mountainous regions of China to ensure their medicinal efficacy and quality.
How do we grow good mushrooms?
We employ wild-simulated techniques to cultivate proprietary strains, selecting the most superior varieties from over 200 samples.
We use solid wood as the culture medium instead of debris such as wood chips, and regularly replace the soil for cultivation to provide sufficient nutrients for mushroom growth. The same type of mushroom grown in different geographical areas can vary greatly, which is also one of the key factors in cultivating high-quality mushrooms. Therefore, we grow different types of mushrooms in distinct geographical regions to ensure their authenticity.
What are fruiting bodies, and how do they differ from mycelium?
Fruiting bodies are the reproductive organs of mushrooms, typically the portion of mushrooms we see, including the cap and stalk. They are responsible for producing and releasing spores for reproduction. In medicinal and edible mushrooms, fruiting bodies contain high levels of biologically active components such as polysaccharides, proteins, vitamins, and minerals.
Mycelium represents the vegetative growth stage of mushrooms, composed of elongated, filamentous structures (hyphae) that usually grow in culture media or soil. Mycelium is responsible for absorbing and converting nutrients, providing the necessary energy and material foundation for the formation of fruiting bodies. Mycelium can also produce some biologically active substances in certain circumstances, but their content and variety are generally less abundant than in fruiting bodies.
Fruiting bodies contain high levels of biologically active components such as β-glucans, polysaccharides, triterpenes, proteins, vitamins, and minerals. These components have various pharmacological effects such as immune regulation, anti-tumor, antioxidant, and hypoglycemic activities. Although mycelium can also produce some biologically active substances, their content and variety are generally less abundant than in fruiting bodies.
Some components in mycelium may differ from those in fruiting bodies, and their pharmacological effects may not be as significant.
The production of fruiting bodies usually requires a longer time and more complex environmental control to ensure quality and yield. The preparation of fruiting body extracts typically includes steps such as extraction, filtration, concentration, and drying. The production of mycelium is relatively simple, usually involving fermentation in liquid or solid culture media. The preparation of mycelium extracts includes steps such as fermentation, filtration, concentration, and drying.
Mycelium grown on grains has low β-glucan content and high starch content. It also has little to no ability to produce secondary metabolites such as triterpenes.
Studies have shown that the concentration of biologically active compounds is higher in fruiting bodies, such as β-glucans and triterpenes. On average, the fungal β-glucan found in fruiting bodies is more than 10 times greater than that found in mycelium grown in substrate[1].
The β-glucan content of mycelium is very low because they must be thinner and more porous to absorb water and nutrients from the substrate. They themselves do not contain many nutrients because any excess nutrients collected by mycelium are directly used for growing more hyphae or, if conditions are suitable, forming mushrooms.
Why Are Mushroom Extracts Usually Made from Fruiting Bodies?
Extracts are typically made solely from fruiting bodies because heat is required to unbind and concentrate certain compounds from their thick cell walls. If mycelium is added together with the fruiting body, the benefits are minimal because heat has a greater impact on mycelium due to its thinner, porous walls, potentially damaging or destroying most of the compounds it contains. This is why if an extract is made from mycelium, it is usually labeled very specifically, as the manufacturer of the extract attempts to concentrate compounds that may only exist in mycelium and will perform cold extraction rather than using ethanol or water mixed with other liquids that have low evaporation temperatures. Mycelium extracts also tend to lack all nutrients, although extracts made from fungal fruiting bodies also tend to be nutritionally insufficient due to heat processing; only mushroom powder can retain most nutrients intact.
Fruiting Body
- The thicker supporting wall of the fruiting body contains prebiotic fibers that support gut health.
- Fruiting bodies contain varying amounts of essential nutrients (proteins, fibers, vitamins, and minerals) depending on the species and growth conditions.
- The fruiting bodies of various mushroom species may contain bioactive compounds (polysaccharides, indoles, polyphenols, and carotenoids) with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
- Fruiting bodies are good sources of a range of minerals: potassium, calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium, as well as trace minerals including copper, iron, selenium, and zinc. They are low in sodium.
- The fruiting bodies of some species contain active ingredients that are not found in mycelium.
- Fruiting bodies lack the powerful extracellular components of mycelium.
Mycelium
- Mycelium possesses thin and permeable cell walls, allowing enzymes to be excreted and nutrients to be absorbed. Therefore, mycelium is more easily digested by humans.
- Mycelium performs most of the functions in the mushroom’s lifecycle, including producing enzymes to digest nutrients in the environment, protecting against competitive or destructive organisms, and generating fruiting bodies. It persists even after the fruiting bodies have faded.
- The use of solid-state fermentation supports the cultivation of mycelium by mimicking its growth in natural environments. This controlled system makes it easier to eliminate contaminants that require high-temperature processing, which may inactivate nutrients.
- Some mycelium contains beneficial nutritional compounds not found in their fruiting bodies.
- Organic matter (also known as mycelial biomass) consists of mycelium and its supporting substrate, which contain extracellular compounds, including enzymes, polysaccharides, and protective secondary metabolites. These compounds may offer therapeutic benefits.
- Mushroom mycelium is harvested for use as dietary supplements and health additives.
Are yours extracts or mushroom ground powder?
Our products use mushroom extract powder, which is equivalent to a concentrate of ground powder. Therefore, they do not have the taste of fresh mushrooms, and this is normal. Although grinded powder may have a better taste, the beneficial components it contains are far inferior to those in extracts. These are two completely different products.
Are there tests for heavy metals and microorganisms?
Firstly, we conduct various tests on soil and water, including tests for heavy metals and microorganisms. Then, for each batch of products, we will conduct multiple final tests on the finished products again to ensure compliance with standards such as GB, USP, AHPA, etc.
Mushroom extract production technology.
The manufacturing process we adopt for our mushroom extracts is spray drying.
Spray drying is a technology that converts a fluid into a dry powder by atomizing it in a hot drying airflow, typically air. This method rapidly transforms a liquid solution into a dry powder, preserving the integrity and biological activity of the active ingredients.
The mushroom raw materials undergo slicing, crushing, and other pretreatments before extraction, which is carried out using three methods:
Water Extraction Method: Pre-treated mushroom raw materials are added to water and heated for extraction. Hot water extraction is commonly used, with temperatures generally ranging from 60-100°C. The extraction time varies based on the type of raw material and target components, typically lasting 1-3 hours.
Alcohol Extraction Method: Ethanol or other organic solvents are used for extraction, suitable for extracting lipid-soluble components. The extraction temperature and time depend on the solvent type and target components.
Ultrasonic Extraction: Utilizing the cavitation effect of ultrasound to accelerate the extraction process and improve extraction efficiency. It is suitable for extracting heat-sensitive components.
After filtration, clarification, and evaporation concentration, the concentrated extract is fed into the spray dryer’s feed system. The extract is atomized into fine droplets through nozzles or centrifugal disks. The atomized droplets come into contact with hot air, causing the water to evaporate quickly. The temperature of the hot air usually ranges from 150-200°C, with the specific temperature determined by the heat sensitivity of the extract. The dried powder is collected through a cyclone separator or bag filter. The collected powder should be cooled and sealed for packaging to maintain its stability and activity.
Advantages of Spray Drying:
Rapid Drying: Spray drying completes the drying process within seconds, effectively avoiding damage to active ingredients caused by long-term high-temperature treatment.
Excellent Uniformity: The fine droplets formed by atomization can be heated uniformly, ensuring that the dried powder has a uniform particle size, which facilitates subsequent processing and use.
Do Medicinal Mushrooms Have Side Effects?
Like anything else, side effects do exist. However, studies to date indicate that these adverse reactions are rare and far between. Mild side effects may be more common in consumers with pre-existing conditions. As a result, medicinal mushrooms such as Lion’s Mane, Turkey Tail, Cordyceps, Chaga, and Reishi are considered safe for consumption.
Below are some mushrooms that may potentially interact with other medications:
Chaga
Studies suggest that while Chaga has no side effects for general consumers, it may pose risks to individuals with other health deficiencies. One of the primary health benefits of Chaga is its ability to lower blood sugar, which may pose issues for individuals on insulin or with diabetes. Chaga also contains a protein that aids in blood circulation and prevents blood clotting. However, if you are taking blood-thinning medications or have bleeding disorders, Chaga may pose health risks.
Reishi
Reishi has anticoagulant properties and may increase the risk of bleeding when used in conjunction with blood-thinning medications.
Cordyceps
Cordyceps has immune-regulating properties, but for individuals with autoimmune diseases, it may cause overactivation of the immune system, worsening their condition. Cordyceps may also affect blood pressure, and those with hypertension should monitor their blood pressure changes when using it.
Maitake
Maitake helps lower blood sugar and may synergize with insulin or other hypoglycemic drugs, leading to hypoglycemia (low blood sugar).
While medicinal mushrooms offer various health benefits, they may also carry some side effects, especially for individuals with specific health conditions. Before using medicinal mushrooms, it is advisable to consult a doctor or professional to ensure safe and effective utilization of these natural resources. This is particularly important for individuals taking medications or with specific health issues, as they should exercise caution to avoid unnecessary health risks.
What is the beta-glucans?[2]
β-Glucan is a non-starch polysaccharide widely found in yeast, mushrooms, bacteria, algae, barley, and oats. As a natural molecule, β-glucan holds tremendous therapeutic potential due to its diverse pharmacological effects, including immunomodulation, anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-allergic, cholesterol-lowering, hypoglycemic, antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral properties.
β-Glucan typically forms a linear backbone with 1-3 β-glycosidic linkages, but it varies in molecular weight, solubility, viscosity, branching structure, and gel properties, thereby eliciting different physiological effects in animals. Compared to β-glucan from other sources, β-glucan from mushrooms exhibits unique structural characteristics, primarily as β-1,3-glucan with short β-1,6-side chains. This structure can be recognized by receptors on the surface of immune cells. Therefore, mushroom β-glucan possesses specific immunomodulatory properties and has gained status as a bioresponse modifier (BRM).
Studies have shown that high-molecular-weight β-glucan molecules with β-1-3 linkages exhibit optimal anticancer properties. The β-glucan content in mushrooms varies depending on the species, growth environment, and maturity of the fungal body, ranging from 3.1% to 46.5%.
Mushroom β-glucan offers significant advantages in health and medical fields due to its unique structure and high bioactivity. Compared to β-glucan from cereals, mushroom β-glucan has a higher molecular weight and a more complex branching structure, making it perform better in immunomodulation and anticancer effects.
Although β-glucan is also present in cereals such as barley and oats, its content is relatively low, and it is primarily α-glucan. The starch in cereals contains a large amount of polysaccharides, but the β-glucan content in these polysaccharides is very limited. Therefore, even if some cereal varieties have high polysaccharide content, it does not necessarily mean that their β-glucan bioactivity and pharmacological effects are equally outstanding. In contrast, β-glucan in mushrooms not only has a higher content but also a more complex structure, exhibiting stronger bioactivity and therapeutic potential.
Pharmacological Effects
Immunomodulatory Effects
Enhancement of the Immune System: β-glucan can activate immune cells such as macrophages, lymphocytes, and natural killer (NK) cells, thereby augmenting the host’s immune response. Macrophages engulf and eliminate pathogens, lymphocytes regulate immune reactions by secreting cytokines, and NK cells can directly kill tumor cells and infected cells.
Anti-inflammatory Effects: β-glucan can mitigate inflammatory responses by modulating the production of inflammatory mediators, exhibiting a positive effect in combating chronic inflammatory diseases.
Antitumor Effects
Suppression of Tumor Cell Proliferation: β-glucan significantly inhibits the proliferation of various tumor cells by interfering with cell cycle progression and suppressing DNA synthesis and cell division.
Induction of Tumor Cell Apoptosis: β-glucan can induce mitochondrial dysfunction within tumor cells, leading to the release of cytochrome c, activation of the caspase cascade, and ultimately cell apoptosis.
Enhancement of Chemotherapy and Radiotherapy Effects: β-glucan can potentiate the effects of chemotherapy and radiotherapy, reduce side effects, and improve treatment success rates.
Antioxidant Effects
Free Radical Scavenging: β-glucan possesses potent antioxidant capabilities, capable of scavenging free radicals in the body, protecting cells from oxidative damage, and delaying the aging process.
Cellular Protection: Through its antioxidant action, β-glucan safeguards cell membranes and DNA, preventing cellular damage and mutations.
Cholesterol-Lowering Effects
Reduction of Blood Cholesterol: β-glucan can lower total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels in the blood while increasing high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels, thereby reducing the risk of cardiovascular diseases.
Improvement of Lipid Metabolism: β-glucan regulates lipid metabolism, reduces fat absorption and synthesis, and improves lipid profiles.
Hypoglycemic Effects
Improvement of Insulin Sensitivity: β-glucan enhances insulin sensitivity, promotes glucose uptake and utilization, and lowers blood glucose levels.
Delay of Carbohydrate Absorption: β-glucan delays the digestion and absorption of carbohydrates, reducing postprandial blood glucose spikes, which aids in controlling blood glucose levels in diabetics.
Anti-allergic Effects
Suppression of Allergic Reactions: β-glucan can regulate the function of the immune system to inhibit allergic reactions and alleviate allergic symptoms.
Reduction of Inflammatory Mediators: β-glucan reduces the production of inflammatory mediators such as histamine and interleukins, thereby mitigating allergic reactions.
Antibacterial, Antifungal, and Antiviral Effects
Enhancement of Immune Defense: β-glucan activates immune cells, strengthening the host’s immune defense against bacterial, fungal, and viral infections.
Direct Bactericidal Effects: Certain β-glucans possess direct bactericidal activity, capable of disrupting the cell walls of pathogens and inhibiting their growth and reproduction.
Which mushrooms are rich in β-glucan?
Interesting data reveals that although the stems of mushrooms are often overlooked due to their typically firm texture, the stems of most mushrooms are richer in β-glucan than their caps. As shown in Table 1.[3]
Most medicinal mushrooms contain β-glucan, such as Ganoderma lucidum, Hericium erinaceus, Chaga, Shiitake, Trametes versicolor, and Maitake. Notably, Trametes versicolor contains the highest amount of β-glucan, up to 60.79%. As shown in Table 2.[3]
Does production comply with GMP standards?
At Fungipure, we ensure that all of our mushroom production processes are fully compliant with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) standards. Our facilities are meticulously designed and maintained to uphold stringent hygiene and safety protocols, minimizing the risk of contamination and ensuring the highest product quality. We conduct regular internal audits and adhere to continuous improvement practices to meet and exceed GMP regulations. Additionally, our staff undergo rigorous training to stay updated with the latest industry standards and best practices. This commitment to GMP compliance reflects our dedication to providing safe, high-quality mushroom products to our customers.
Whether it is suitable for long-term use?
Yes, FungiPure’s mushroom products are suitable for extended use. Our supplements are crafted with high-quality ingredients and advanced extraction techniques to ensure their safety and effectiveness. Regular long-term use of our products can significantly enhance your overall health, providing benefits such as boosting the immune system, improving sleep quality, and offering sustained energy.
Long-term consumption of our mushroom products can help you achieve a more balanced and resilient state of health. Many of our customers have reported sustained improvements in their well-being, including enhanced cognitive function, better stress management, and improved digestion over prolonged use.
Most mushrooms are safe to consume and do not typically have side effects. However, if there are any underlying medical conditions, it’s crucial to consult with your doctor or healthcare professional before starting long-term use to ensure it’s appropriate for your specific health needs. Should you experience any discomfort during use, please discontinue immediately and consult a healthcare professional.
We are committed to maintaining the highest production standards, regularly testing our products to ensure they meet industry standards. Our team of experts continues to research and develop formulations that support overall health and well-being, allowing you to confidently integrate our supplements into your daily routine for long-term health benefits.
If you have any further questions or need more information, please feel free to contact us.
[1]Mccleary, B. V., & Draga, A. (2016). Measurement of β-Glucan in Mushrooms and Mycelial Products. Journal of AOAC INTERNATIONAL, 99(2), 364-373. doi:10.5740/jaoacint.15-0289
[2]Mirończuk-Chodakowska I, Kujawowicz K, Witkowska AM. Beta-Glucans from Fungi: Biological and Health-Promoting Potential in the COVID-19 Pandemic Era. Nutrients. 2021 Nov 6;13(11):3960. doi: 10.3390/nu13113960. PMID: 34836215; PMCID: PMC8623785.
[3]Cerletti C, Esposito S, Iacoviello L. Edible Mushrooms and Beta-Glucans: Impact on Human Health. Nutrients. 2021 Jun 25;13(7):2195. doi: 10.3390/nu13072195. PMID: 34202377; PMCID: PMC8308413.