Key takeaways
- Reishi contains over a hundred triterpenes, including the bitter ganoderic acids.
- Its polysaccharides include beta-glucans and protein-bound polysaccharides.
- Triterpenes need alcohol and polysaccharides need hot water.
- Fruiting body, mycelium and spores differ in composition.
Reishi is one of the most chemically studied mushrooms. Its two headline groups of compounds, triterpenes and polysaccharides, behave very differently. This article introduces both.
Triterpenes
Reishi contains more than a hundred different triterpenes, including the ganoderic acids. They give Reishi its strong bitterness. Levels vary with species, strain, growing conditions and part used. See Triterpenes in Mushrooms Explained.
Polysaccharides
Reishi’s cell walls contain polysaccharides, including beta-glucans and protein-bound polysaccharides. These are extracted mainly with hot water.
Other compounds
- Sterols, including ergosterol.
- Proteins, including some that have been studied individually.
- Nucleosides and minerals.
Why the two groups matter for extraction
Because triterpenes need alcohol and polysaccharides need hot water, Reishi is the clearest case for dual extraction. See How Reishi Is Extracted.
Fruiting body, mycelium and spores
These three materials differ in composition. Spores, for example, are sometimes processed to release oil rich in certain compounds. Products should state which they use.