Key takeaways
- Triterpenes are a large family of natural 30-carbon compounds.
- Reishi is especially rich in triterpenes, including the bitter ganoderic acids.
- They dissolve in alcohol rather than water, making dual extraction important.
- Content varies with species, strain, growing conditions and part used.
Triterpenes are one of the major groups of compounds in certain mushrooms, most famously Reishi. This article explains what they are, where they are found and why they matter for extraction.
What are triterpenes?
Triterpenes are built from six five-carbon units, making a 30-carbon skeleton. They are widespread in nature, in plants as well as fungi. Sterols, including ergosterol, are closely related compounds.
Triterpenes in mushrooms
- Reishi contains a large and diverse group of triterpenes, including the ganoderic acids, responsible for much of its bitterness.
- Chaga contains triterpenes, including some related to compounds from its birch host.
- Other species contain them in varying amounts.
See Reishi Compounds Explained and Chaga Compounds Explained.
Why they matter for extraction
Triterpenes are relatively non-polar, so they dissolve poorly in water and much better in alcohol. A water-only extract of Reishi therefore captures relatively little of its triterpene content. This is one of the strongest reasons for dual extraction. See How Solvent Choice Changes What Is Extracted.
Variation
Triterpene content varies with species, strain, growing conditions and the part used. Fruiting bodies, mycelium and spores can differ considerably.
Our approach
Our Reishi and Chaga tinctures include an ethanol extraction stage alongside hot water, so that alcohol-soluble compounds such as triterpenes are part of the extract.