Lion’s Mane Mushroom (Hericium erinaceus)

Hericium erinaceus, commonly called Lion’s Mane mushroom, is an edible, white‑spined fungus native to temperate forests of North America, Europe, and East Asia. It is cultivated primarily for its fruiting bodies and mycelial extracts, which are marketed as dietary supplements aimed at supporting neurological health and overall well‑being.

• Key bioactive constituents include:
  • Erinacine A (C₃₈H₅₆O₉): a cyathane‑type diterpenoid (IUPAC: (3R,4S,6R‑3‑hydroxy‑5‑methyl‑8‑(2‑hydroxy‑3‑methyl‑but‑2‑enyl)‑2‑(1‑hydroxy‑2‑oxo‑2‑hydroxy‑3‑oxopropyl)‑4‑hydroxy‑2‑pyrone).
  • Hericenone C (C₁₈H₂₄O₆): a phenolic compound (IUPAC: (5‑hydroxy‑2‑methoxy‑6‑phenyl‑4‑methoxy‑3‑methyl‑2‑cyclohexen‑1‑yl)‑prop-2-yn-1-ol).
  • β‑Glucan (β‑1,3/1,6‑D-glucose polymer): high‑molecular‑weight polysaccharide (~1–2 × 10⁶ Da).
  • Other minor constituents: sterols (ergosterol, C₂₈H₄₄O), polysaccharide‑protein complexes, and minor flavonoids.
• These molecules are lipophilic (erinacines) or water‑soluble (β‑glucans), which dictates extraction (ethanol for diterpenoids; hot water for polysaccharides) and bioavailability.

• Commercial Lion’s Mane is cultivated in controlled, indoor substrate systems (hardwood sawdust, rice‑bran) in China, Japan, and North America, ensuring consistent strain (often H. erinaceus strain “Yun‑M1”).
• Fruit bodies are harvested, freeze‑dried, and milled to powder; mycelial cultures are grown in bioreactors and extracted with ethanol or supercritical CO₂ for high‑concentration extracts.
• Quality markers include:
  • ≥10 % total phenolics (hericenones/erinacines), verified by HPLC‑UV
  • ≥30 % β‑glucan (Megazyme assay)
• Third‑party testing for:
  • Heavy metals (Pb, Cd, Hg < 0.5 ppm)
  • Microbial load (≤10³ CFU/g)
  • Mycotoxins (aflatoxin B₁ < 2 µg/kg) is standard for reputable manufacturers.
• Non‑organic wild‑harvested material may contain variable contaminant levels and is less reliable for supplement use.