Ultrasound extraction of mushrooms

Mushrooms have been used for centuries for their health benefits, and it's essential to extract their bioactive compounds effectively in order to deliver their benefits into our systems.

 

Until somewhat recently, mushrooms have been considered to be biological plants, we now know that this is not at all the case. This results in the vast majority of mushroom extracts on the market to be made using the same traditional methods to extract bioactive compounds from Plant Based Cell Walls. Fungi Based Cell Walls are fundamentally different in that they poses a very tough outer membrane made of chitin. This means that alternative methods of extraction should be used to effectively extract from Fungi Based Cell Walls.

 

Why are Solvents Used in Mushroom Extracts?

Traditional methods rely on solvents like alcohol, ethanol and sometimes even methanol. These solvents can remain in the final product , denature polysaccharides(polar) and cause more highly volatile compounds(non-polar) to precipitate from the solution. These solvents easily penetrate soft Plant Based Cell Walls and extract non-polar compounds with high efficiency, due to plants primarily being used for their non-polar compounds. Even when delivered in dual extract form using water and alcohol extraction, the water solution is denatured and polysaccharides drop from solution once the two extracts are mixed.

 

 

Solvent Free Extraction = Higher Concentration and Bio-Availability 

Ultrasound Extraction is used to extract using pure water as a solvent for the solution, increasing the overall yield potential. Standard Water based extraction normally can only dissolve and host the polar compounds found in plants and fungi. These compounds are normally polysaccharides, proteins, peptides and such. Ultrasound extraction enables the non-polar compounds, such as terpenes, to also be extracted with high efficiency and effectively suspended in the water based solution due to Nano-Emulsion.

 

Nano-emulsion occurs from the soundwaves reducing the size of the bioactive compounds into a Colloidal State.

Colloidal means that compounds that normally do not dissolve in water are so small, they are able to be effectively suspended, like Colloidal Gold or Silver. Colloidal compounds are able to pass the blood-brain barrier easier are are more readily up taken by the body.

Understanding Mushroom Extracts

Mushroom extracts are concentrated forms of functional mushrooms that provide a potent dose of their beneficial compounds. There are several types of mushroom extracts, including powders, dual extracts, and as we do on our farm, ultrasound extracts. Each extraction method has its advantages and disadvantages, but the goal is always to maximize the bioavailability and effectiveness of the mushroom's active ingredients.

Mushroom Powders, Dual Extracts, and Ultrasound Extracts

 

Extraction Method	Advantages	Disadvantages	Flavor
Mushroom Powder	Easy to produce, widely available, affordable	Less potent, lower bioavailability	Neutral
Dual Extract	Combines water and alcohol extraction methods, more potent than powders	Can damage sensitive compounds, may not fully extract all beneficial compounds	Harsh, alcohol
Ultrasound Extract	Preserves and enhances compound potency, reduces molecular weight for increased absorption, cutting-edge technology	More expensive to produce, less widely available	Sweet & Savory, Glycerin

The Power of Ultrasound Extraction

Ultrasound extraction is a modern extraction method that utilizes ultrasonic soundwaves to break down the cell walls of mushrooms, releasing their bioactive compounds without damaging them. This technique has been shown to preserve and enhance the potency of these compounds while reducing their molecular weight, allowing for increased absorption and effectiveness in the body (1).

In contrast, dual-extraction methods can sometimes harm the sensitive compounds found in functional mushrooms. By utilizing both water and alcohol extraction, dual-extraction methods can indeed yield a potent product, but they may also subject the mushroom's beneficial compounds to harsh conditions that can damage or degrade them (2).

One of the key advantages of ultrasound extraction is its ability to preserve the integrity of these delicate compounds while maximizing their bioavailability. This means that when you choose an ultrasound extract, you're getting the most potent and effective functional mushroom supplement possible (3).

What are advantages of Ultrasound based extraction?

When it comes to choosing a functional mushroom supplement, there's more to consider than just potency. Ultrasound extracts offer a range of benefits that set them apart from traditional dual extracts and powders:

1. Enhanced Bioavailability: Ultrasound extraction reduces the molecular weight of the mushroom's active compounds, allowing for increased absorption and utilization by the body (4).

2. Preservation of Sensitive Compounds: Unlike dual-extraction methods, which can damage or degrade some of the mushroom's beneficial compounds, ultrasound extraction helps preserve these delicate substances, ensuring their effectiveness (5).

3. Increased Extraction Efficiency: Ultrasound extraction has been shown to achieve higher extraction yields compared to conventional methods, meaning you get more of the mushroom's beneficial compounds in each serving (6).

4. Environmentally Friendly: Ultrasound extraction requires less energy and produces less waste than traditional extraction methods, making it a more sustainable choice for both the environment and the mushroom supplement industry (7).

References:

1. Vinatoru, M. (2001). An overview of the ultrasonically assisted extraction of bioactive principles from herbs. Ultrasonics Sonochemistry, 8(3), 303-313.

2. Barreira, J. C., et al. (2012). Dual extraction of polysaccharides and lipids from the medicinal mushroom Agaricus blazei Murill. Food Research International, 50(2), 696-700.

3. Wang, J., et al. (2011). Optimization of ultrasonic-assisted extraction of bioactive compounds from Ganoderma lucidum and evaluation of their antioxidant and anticancer activities. Journal of Food Science and Technology, 48(3), 342-348.

4. Wu, J., et al. (2017). Effects of ultrasound-assisted extraction on antioxidant activity and extraction yield of polysaccharides from Ganoderma lucidum spores. Food Science and Technology International, 23(6), 527-536.

5. O'Neill, K. J., et al. (2017). Optimization and characterization of ultrasound assisted extraction of bioactive components from brown seaweed Ascophyllum nodosum. Journal of Applied Phycology, 29(2), 861-874.

6. Chemat, F., et al. (2017). Ultrasound assisted extraction of food and natural products. Mechanisms, techniques, combinations, protocols and applications. A review. Ultrasonics Sonochemistry, 34, 540-560.

7. Vilkhu, K., et al. (2008). Applications and opportunities for ultrasound assisted extraction in the food industry. Innovative Food Science & Emerging Technologies, 9(2), 161-169.