Full spectrum, biomass, dual extraction: understanding mushroom supplement labels

Reishi, Lion's Mane, Chaga, Cordyceps… Mushroom supplements are more popular than ever, but their labels are full of terms that are not always explained. Here is a quick guide to help you read them.

'Full spectrum'

Strictly, a 'full-spectrum' extract should include both water-soluble compounds (extracted with hot water) and fat-soluble compounds (extracted with alcohol). However, the term is sometimes used for mixtures of mycelium, substrate and fruiting body, which can dilute the mushroom content. Always check what the product actually contains.

'Biomass'

'Biomass' usually means everything produced during the growth cycle – which, for mushrooms grown on grain, often includes undigested substrate. A significant part of the product may then be cereal starch, which is also a polysaccharide and can inflate 'polysaccharide' figures.

'Mycelium'

Mycelium is the network of filaments from which the mushroom grows. Mycelium grown on grain (MOG) often contains large amounts of grain residue. Mycelium grown in liquid culture in bioreactors – as we do for our Cordyceps – is free of grain substrate.

'Fruiting body' (sporophore)

The fruiting body is the visible mushroom, where characteristic compounds such as Reishi's triterpenes are found. Most of our extracts are made from fruiting bodies; Cordyceps is the exception, which we produce as mycelium.

Extraction methods

1. Single extraction – hot water (for water-soluble compounds such as beta-glucans) or alcohol (for fat-soluble compounds such as triterpenes).
2. Dual extraction – water and alcohol combined, to obtain a wider range of compounds.
3. Ultrasonic extraction – sound waves help break the cell walls; fast and gentle on heat-sensitive compounds.
4. Fermentation – can increase the production of certain compounds before extraction.
5. Maceration – traditional, gentle soaking in water or alcohol.

What to look for

• The species and the part used.
• The growing medium and the extraction method.
• Quantified content of characteristic compounds (for example, β-(1,3)(1,6)-D-glucans), not just 'total polysaccharides'.
• Batch analysis and traceability.
• A permitted species: Cordyceps militaris, for example, is not currently authorised in Great Britain without novel food approval.

An Italian study found that around 68% of mushroom supplements analysed did not meet the quality or identity criteria on their labels – which is why transparent labelling and analysis matter.