Shiitake mushroom powder is milled from dried Lentinula edodes caps and carries the mushroom's native 1,3/1,6-beta-glucan — the marker polysaccharide quantified by enzymatic assay. Bionutricia Extract supplies it in bulk to B2B and OEM formulators from a JAKIM Halal, FSSC 22000, US FDA-registered, GMP, HACCP and MeSTI facility in Malaysia, with a Certificate of Analysis on every lot.
Quick facts for formulators
- Botanical / part:Lentinula edodes, cap
- Type: whole-mushroom powder (milled from dried caps)
- Marker compound: 1,3/1,6-beta-glucan (enzymatic / Megazyme-type assay)
- Form / colour / odour: light-brown powder, characteristic
- Moisture: <10% · pH: 5-7 · Dosage: 500-2000 mg
- Particle size: > 95% through 60 mesh
- Pack sizes: 1 kg · 5 kg · 20 kg
- Certifications: JAKIM Halal facility · FSSC 22000 · US FDA registered · GMP · HACCP · MeSTI · COA per lot
- Clean label: vegan, non-GMO, gluten-free (<20 ppm), not irradiated
- Shelf life: 24 months sealed, cool & dry · Origin: Malaysia
What is shiitake mushroom powder?
Shiitake (Lentinula edodes) is an edible mushroom cultivated across East Asia and prized both as food and in traditional wellness. Bionutricia's shiitake powder is milled from dried caps into a fine, free-flowing powder, retaining the mushroom's native fibre and its characteristic beta-glucan polysaccharides. Because it is a whole-mushroom powder rather than a concentrated extract, it delivers the intact cell-wall matrix and a savoury umami profile useful in both supplement and culinary systems.
Active compound & standardisation
The marker constituents of shiitake are its 1,3/1,6-beta-glucans — branched cell-wall polysaccharides of which lentinan is the best-known purified fraction. Shiitake also contains eritadenine, a purine alkaloid unique to the species. Beta-glucan is the value marker for mushroom ingredients and is quantified by an enzymatic method (Megazyme mushroom & yeast beta-glucan / AOAC 995.16 lineage), which distinguishes true beta-glucan from other polysaccharides — the figure is reported on the batch Certificate of Analysis.
How shiitake works in the body (mechanism)
Fungal beta-(1,3)(1,6)-glucans are classic "biological response modifiers." They are recognised by pattern-recognition receptors — Dectin-1, complement receptor 3 (CR3) and TLR2/6 — on innate immune cells such as macrophages, dendritic cells and natural-killer cells, which is the mechanistic basis for the immune-modulating interest in mushroom beta-glucans. Shiitake's eritadenine is separately studied for its effect on hepatic lipid and homocysteine metabolism (via S-adenosyl-homocysteine hydrolase). Mechanism is provided as scientific background on the mushroom; it is not a claim that this ingredient treats, cures or prevents any condition.
Clinical evidence on shiitake
The most relevant human study for a food ingredient is one conducted in healthy adults rather than patients. The evidence below is attributed to the cited study and provided as scientific context for formulators — not as a performance claim for this ingredient.
| Study | Design | Result (attributed to the study) |
|---|---|---|
| Dai et al. 2015, J Am Coll Nutr | RCT, n=52 healthy adults, 5 or 10 g/day dried shiitake, 4 weeks | Increased proliferation of γδ-T and NK-T cells and higher secretory IgA (gut immunity); reduced serum CRP and IL-6 |
| Lentinan (purified 1,3-beta-glucan) | Injectable pharmaceutical adjunct (oncology) | Out of scope — an intravenous drug, not a food ingredient; noted here only for transparency |
A single healthy-population trial is a modest evidence base; larger confirmatory trials are limited. Beta-glucan content on the CoA is the objective quality metric; the trial above describes the mushroom, not a Bionutricia finished product.
Typical specification
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Botanical source / part | Lentinula edodes, cap |
| Type | Whole-mushroom powder (milled from dried caps) |
| Appearance / colour | Powder, light brown |
| Marker compound | 1,3/1,6-beta-glucan (enzymatic assay; figure on CoA) |
| Moisture | < 10% |
| pH | 5-7 |
| Particle size / mesh | > 95% through 60 mesh |
| Dosage | 500-2000 mg |
| Heavy metals (As, Pb, Cd, Hg) | As ≤ 5 ppm, Pb ≤ 10 ppm, Cd ≤ 0.3 ppm, Hg ≤ 0.5 ppm |
| Microbial (TPC, Y&M, E. coli) | TPC ≤ 10⁵ cfu/g, Y&M ≤ 10⁴ cfu/g, E. coli absent |
| Certifications | JAKIM Halal facility, FSSC 22000, US FDA registered, GMP, HACCP, MeSTI |
| Shelf life | 24 months sealed, cool & dry |
| Pack sizes | 1 kg, 5 kg, 20 kg |
| Country of origin | Malaysia |
Full specification and a batch Certificate of Analysis are provided on request. Figures are typical values; confirm the current lot CoA for release data and beta-glucan content.
Applications
Bionutricia supplies the bulk ingredient for B2B formulation; brand owners and manufacturers formulate it into their chosen finished format — capsules, tablets and sachets, mushroom-blend supplements, instant broths and soups, savoury seasonings and umami bases, and functional beverages. Its savoury profile and native beta-glucan make it a versatile whole-food mushroom base.
Why source shiitake powder from Bionutricia?
Bionutricia Extract has manufactured Malaysian botanical and mushroom ingredients since 2006 under a full halal and international food-safety stack (JAKIM Halal facility, FSSC 22000, US FDA registration, GMP, HACCP, MeSTI), issuing a Certificate of Analysis — including beta-glucan content — on every lot. Bulk OEM, custom milling and packing are available. See the live shiitake mushroom powder product page for ordering.
Frequently asked questions
Standardised on what / is a COA available? Milled from dried Lentinula edodes caps; native 1,3/1,6-beta-glucan quantified by enzymatic assay; batch CoA per lot.
Extract or whole-mushroom powder? A whole-mushroom powder milled from dried caps, retaining the native fibre and beta-glucan matrix.
Is it halal? Produced in a JAKIM Halal-certified facility, also FSSC 22000, US FDA-registered, GMP, HACCP and MeSTI; documentation with each shipment.
What formats can I make? Capsules, tablets, sachets, broths, seasonings and beverages — we supply the bulk ingredient; you formulate.
Dosage? Typically 500-2000 mg on a quantum satis basis.
MOQ & lead time? Pack sizes 1 kg, 5 kg, 20 kg; pre-order packing ~1-2 weeks. MOQ & pricing on quotation.
Samples? Paid samples for serious B2B enquiries.
Storage & shelf life? Sealed, cool & dry, away from pests; 24 months when properly stored.
