Is it true that the higher the polysaccharide content in lion's mane mushroom extract, the better?
Is it true that the higher the polysaccharide content in lion's mane mushroom extract, the better? The answer is clearly no.
Release time：
2025-12-18
Source：
In the procurement and research and development of lion's mane mushroom extract, "polysaccharide content" is almost the primary indicator that all brands and buyers focus on.The market is full of promotional claims such as "90% high-polysaccharide lion's mane mushroom extract" and "the higher the polysaccharide content, the better the stomach-nourishing effect," leading many industry professionals into the misconception of focusing solely on polysaccharide content. This article aims to clarify: Is a higher polysaccharide content in lion's mane mushroom extract truly always better?
1. First, it's important to clarify that the core beneficial component of lion's mane mushroom is "active polysaccharides," not "total polysaccharides."
First, it's important to correct a fundamental misconception: the core functions of lion's mane mushroom extract, such as its stomach-soothing and immune-regulating effects, are determined by its "active polysaccharides," not the "total polysaccharide" content shown in the test report.
The difference between the two directly determines the actual value of the extract.
From a compositional perspective, total polysaccharides refer to the sum of all carbohydrate substances in the lion's mane mushroom extract, including active polysaccharides (such as glucans and heteropolysaccharides), inactive small-molecule sugars (such as glucose and fructose), and sugar chains in conjugated glycoproteins; while active polysaccharides are specific structural polysaccharides that have been experimentally verified to possess definite biological functions (such as repairing gastric mucosa, regulating gut microbiota, and enhancing immunity). Their core value lies in their "structural activity" rather than their "quantitative content."
二、Why does "high polysaccharide content" not equal "high value"?
1. High concentrations of polysaccharides may compromise both activity and safety.
The conventional polysaccharide extraction process for lion's mane mushroom extract mainly uses "hot water extraction + alcohol precipitation," resulting in an active polysaccharide retention rate of approximately 60-70%, with a total polysaccharide content typically ranging from 20-40% (meeting mainstream industry standards).
To increase the total polysaccharide content to over 60%, a "deep enzymatic hydrolysis + multiple purification" process is required. However, this process presents two core problems: firstly, the structure of the active polysaccharides is damaged; and secondly, the purification process may introduce organic solvent residues or lead to heavy metal accumulation, increasing product safety risks.
2. Scenario mismatch: Different application scenarios have different requirements for polysaccharide content.
Monkey head mushroom extract has a wide range of applications, including health supplements, functional foods, pet food, and animal feed. Different applications have distinct requirements for polysaccharide content; blindly pursuing high content can increase costs or negatively impact product performance.：
- Health supplement scenario: The core requirement is a high percentage of active polysaccharides, not the total polysaccharide content. Products with a total polysaccharide content of 30-50% are usually sufficient; the key is to focus on the molecular weight testing data of the active polysaccharides.
- Functional food applications: A balance between efficacy, taste, and cost is necessary. Products with a total polysaccharide content of 20-30% are generally sufficient to meet requirements; excessively high concentrations can lead to a sticky texture and significantly increased production costs.
- Pet food/feed scenario: The core need is "gentle digestive support." Products with a total polysaccharide content of 10-20% can achieve this effect; high-content products are extremely cost-ineffective and completely unnecessary.
三 、Avoiding pitfalls in purchasing: Three key factors to consider when evaluating lion's mane mushroom extract.
1. Prioritize looking at the "active polysaccharide index," rather than the total polysaccharide content.
When purchasing, you should request a "polysaccharide activity test report" from the manufacturer, focusing on two key data points: first, the molecular weight distribution of the active polysaccharides; and second, the purity of the active polysaccharides. Reputable manufacturers will use gel filtration chromatography to determine molecular weight and DEAE-52 column chromatography to determine the purity of the active polysaccharides. These data are the core basis for reflecting the product's efficacy.
2. Verify the "Comprehensive Quality Inspection Report" to ensure safety.
A complete test report should include: moisture content (≤7%), ash content (≤10%), heavy metals (lead ≤5mg/kg, arsenic ≤2mg/kg, mercury ≤0.2mg/kg), microorganisms (total bacterial count ≤1000cfu/g, mold and yeast ≤100cfu/g, no pathogenic bacteria), and organic solvent residues (not detectable). If the manufacturer cannot provide a complete test report, or if any test indicators are missing, even if the total polysaccharide content is high, caution should be exercised when choosing the product.
3. Match products to specific application scenarios, balancing effectiveness and cost.
Select the product with the appropriate polysaccharide content based on the application scenario.：
For health supplements, choose products with 30-50% total polysaccharides (focus on the active components); for food products, choose those with 20-30%; and for pet food/animal feed, choose those with 10-20%.
At the same time, manufacturers can be asked to provide "scenario-specific solutions," such as recommending a product with 25% total polysaccharides for functional beverage applications, and offering suggestions for improving taste (e.g., combining it with probiotics to mask off-flavors).
Is a higher polysaccharide content in lion's mane mushroom extract always better? The answer is clearly no. The total polysaccharide content is merely a "numerical reference," not the core criterion for judging the product's value.A truly high-quality lion's mane mushroom extract should possess three key characteristics: a high percentage of active polysaccharides, compliance with all safety standards, and suitability for specific application scenarios.
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