Functional mushrooms are expanding rapidly beyond traditional supplements into beverages, foods, snacks, pet nutrition, and other emerging applications.
However, as the industry grows, authenticity, transparency, traceability, and scientific credibility are becoming increasingly important.
During the interview, Wang highlighted a number of issues that deserve greater attention across the industry:
1. β-glucan is important—but it does not tell the whole story
β-glucan is an important quality indicator for many functional mushrooms, but one analytical value cannot fully define a mushroom ingredient.
Testing methodology, analytical limitations, potential interference, and adulteration all highlight the need for a broader approach to quality evaluation.
2. Species-specific bioactives matter
Different mushroom species have different characteristic compounds.
For example:
Reishi: ganoderic acids and other triterpenes
Cordyceps militaris: cordycepin and adenosine
Lion’s Mane: hericenones, hericenes, and erinacines
Understanding these species-specific markers can provide more meaningful information about identity, authenticity, and product quality.
3. Traceability matters from cultivation to extraction
Quality begins long before the final extract is produced.
Understanding the species, cultivation method, growing substrate, mushroom part, extraction process, and analytical profile provides a much clearer picture of the ingredient's authenticity and quality.
At Biosan, these principles are reflected in our approach to cultivation, extraction, analytical testing, and ingredient verification. From raw material sourcing and species identification to extraction processes and species-specific analytical markers, our goal is to provide customers with clearer and more verifiable information about the mushroom ingredients they source.
Authenticity First. Transparency Always.
Read the full article:
Read “Transparency Gaps Threaten Functional Mushroom Sector” in the July/August 2026 issue of Nutrition Insight. （Page 40-43）
https://www.nutritioninsight.com/theworldoffoodingredients/supplements-for-everyday-vitality/40.html