Why can't standard beta-glucan testing detect polydextrose in mushroom supplements?

The Megazyme beta-glucan assay measures total glucan-like polysaccharides. Polydextrose, a cheap synthetic fibre, inflates beta-glucan readings on this assay. This means a product with significant filler content can still show a high beta-glucan percentage. NMR metabolomic analysis or more targeted assays are needed to detect polydextrose and other adulterants.

What should I look for on a mushroom supplement Certificate of Analysis?

Look for a named, ISO 17025-accredited laboratory, beta-glucan content alongside species-specific bioactive compounds such as hericenones for Lion's Mane or cordycepin for Cordyceps, heavy metal and contaminant testing results, and confirmation that the product is fruiting body extract rather than mycelium-on-grain.

What is the difference between fruiting body extract and mycelium-on-grain?

Fruiting body extract is made from the actual mushroom and contains measurably higher concentrations of species-specific bioactive compounds. Mycelium-on-grain products are made from mycelium grown on a grain substrate such as oats or rice, resulting in a product that is mostly substrate with minimal mushroom content. Note: this does not include liquid culture mycelium, which for Lion's Mane and Cordyceps may offer genuine benefits.

How does polydextrose inflate beta-glucan results in mushroom supplements?

Polydextrose is a synthetic glucose polymer that artificially inflates beta-glucan readings on standard assays like the Megazyme method. When added to a mushroom extract, it causes the assay to report a higher beta-glucan percentage than the mushroom content alone would produce. Independent NMR analysis has found market samples claiming 10 to 20 percent filler that actually contained over 80 percent filler.

Does Mycogenius publish lab reports for every batch?

Yes. Every Mycogenius product ships with a QR code on the packaging that links directly to the batch-specific Certificate of Analysis from an independent, ISO 17025-accredited laboratory. All lab reports are also available at mycogenius.com/pages/coa.

What bioactive compounds should be tested beyond beta-glucans?

Each mushroom species has unique bioactive markers: Lion's Mane should be tested for hericenones and erinacines, Cordyceps for cordycepin and adenosine, Reishi for ganoderic acids and triterpenes, and Chaga for polyphenols and superoxide dismutase. Testing only for beta-glucans gives no indication whether these compounds are present.

Testing Transparency

Most mushroom supplement brands test for one thing: beta-glucan percentage. We go further. Here’s why that matters, and how we verify that every Mycogenius extract is exactly what the label says it is.

The Problem with Standard Testing

The functional mushroom industry relies heavily on the Megazyme beta-glucan assay as its primary quality benchmark. Brands optimise for it. Consumers shop by it. But recent NMR metabolomic analysis of anonymised market samples revealed a serious problem:

• Products claiming 10–20% filler content were found to contain over 80% filler (maltodextrin, polydextrose, rice flour)
• Polydextrose, a cheap synthetic fibre, is being deliberately added because it inflates beta-glucan readings on standard assays
• Products labelled as “pure extract” showed profiles consistent with mycelium-on-grain, not fruiting body

In other words: a product stuffed with cheap filler can show an impressive beta-glucan percentage on the label, not because it contains more mushroom, but because the filler artificially inflates the result.

Why Beta-Glucans Alone Aren’t Enough

Beta-glucan content is one quality marker, but it’s not the only one. Every mushroom species has its own unique set of bioactive compounds that should be tested for independently:

Lion’s Mane: Hericenones and erinacines — the compounds linked to nerve growth factor (NGF) support
Cordyceps: Cordycepin and adenosine — the compounds behind its energy and endurance benefits
Reishi: Ganoderic acids and triterpenes — responsible for natural balance and stress support
Chaga: Polyphenols and superoxide dismutase (SOD) — the quality markers

If a brand only tests for beta-glucans, you have no way of knowing whether these species-specific compounds are actually present, or present in meaningful amounts.

How Mycogenius Tests

We don’t rely on a single number. Every batch of Mycogenius extract goes through a multi-layered verification process:

1. Species Verification
Before anything else, we confirm the mushroom species is correct. Substitution, whether accidental or deliberate, is more common than most consumers realise. Our testing confirms you’re getting the exact species stated on the label.

2. Beta-Glucan & Bioactive Testing
We test for beta-glucan content alongside the species-specific markers that actually define the mushroom’s function. High beta-glucans with no hericenones in a Lion’s Mane extract? That’s a red flag, not a selling point.

3. Filler & Adulterant Screening
We screen for undisclosed fillers, flow agents, maltodextrin, polydextrose, and starch content. If it’s not supposed to be there, we test for it.

4. Contaminant Testing
Every batch is tested for heavy metals, pesticide residues, and microbial contamination. Clean mushrooms start with clean testing.

5. Independent, ISO 17025-Accredited Labs
All testing is conducted by independent, ISO 17025-accredited laboratories. We don’t use in-house testing. We don’t put our logo on the Certificate of Analysis. The results come from a reputable third-party lab with no commercial interest in the outcome.

What to Look for When Buying Mushroom Supplements

Whether you choose Mycogenius or another brand, here’s what genuine quality looks like:

Fruiting body extract, not mycelium-on-grain (MOG). MOG products are mostly substrate (oats, rice) with minimal mushroom content. Note: this does not include liquid culture mycelium, which for Lion’s Mane and Cordyceps may offer genuine benefits.

A named, ISO 17025-accredited lab on the COA. Not all labs are equal. Some “dry labs” produce whatever results a brand pays for. If the lab isn’t named and independently accredited, the results are meaningless.

Testing beyond beta-glucans. Each mushroom extract has unique quality markers. A credible brand tests for them and shares the results.

Transparency about what’s NOT in the product. Brands that test for contaminants, fillers, and starch content are doing more than the minimum.

No in-house testing or branded COAs. All testing should be done independently by a reputable lab. A Certificate of Analysis with a company logo is not independent verification.

Our Lab Reports

Every Mycogenius product ships with a QR code on the packaging that links directly to the batch-specific Certificate of Analysis. No hunting for it. No emailing customer service. Scan, read, verify.

You can also access our lab reports directly here:

View All Certificates of Analysis →

If you can’t find the report for your specific batch, reach out to us at info@mycogenius.com and we’ll send it within 24 hours.

Where This Data Comes From

The market sample analysis referenced on this page was conducted by Purity-IQ Labs in Vancouver, Canada, using NMR metabolomic spectroscopy on anonymised market samples of Reishi and Lion’s Mane extracts.

We share this data not to scare anyone, but because we believe transparency is the baseline, not the exception. If more brands tested beyond the standard, the entire industry would improve.