Hericium erinaceus, as a precious medicinal and edible mushroom, has a long history of being used as food and medicine in my country. It belongs to the genus Hericium of the family Odontaceae. The fruiting body is blocky, flat, hemispherical or head-shaped, tender and tender, and the diameter is usually between 5 and 15 cm.
Hericium erinaceus is rich in various nutrients, such as protein, unsaturated fatty acids, minerals and vitamins, which are of great benefit to human health. At the same time, it also contains polysaccharides, polypeptides and fat substances, which can inhibit the synthesis of genetic material in cancer cells and play a certain role in the prevention and treatment of digestive tract cancer and other malignant tumors.
And the glucan in Hericium erinaceus extract has been the focus of scientific research and health in recent years. As a polysaccharide, glucan is widely found in microorganisms, plants and animals. In Hericium erinaceus, it has a unique structure and function, which adds a strong touch to the health and medicinal value of Hericium erinaceus. Next, let us explore the mystery of Hericium erinaceus extract – glucan.
The Structural Code of Glucan
The secrets of molecular composition
The molecular structure of Hericium erinaceus glucan is like a carefully constructed microscopic building, and its basic unit is glucose. Through advanced chemical analysis technology, researchers found that Hericium erinaceus glucan is completely composed of glucose and is a homogeneous glucan.
The connection between these glucose units, that is, the type and position of glycosidic bonds, determines the main chain and branch chain structure of glucan. This unique main and branch chain structure, like steel beams with different directions and connection methods in a building, gives Hericium erinaceus glucan unique physical and chemical properties.
Unique triple helix structure
Hericium erinaceus glucan is not only unique in its primary structure, but also has amazing features in its advanced structure. Through the Congo red experiment, researchers discovered the unique triple helix structure of Hericium erinaceus glucan.
Compared with other mushroom glucans, the triple helix structure of Hericium erinaceus glucan has both similarities and unique differences in stability and functional performance.
The triple helix structure of Hericium erinaceus glucan may have different mechanisms of action in maintaining its biological activity. This triple helix structure may exert its biological activities, such as immunomodulation and anti-tumou,r by affecting the binding mode of glucan to cell surface receptors or regulating its metabolic pathways in the body.
Extraction Technology Revealed
Traditional extraction method
In the extraction process of Hericium erinaceus glucan, traditional extraction methods occupy an important historical position, and hot water extraction is one of the most widely used methods. Its operation process is relatively intuitive.
First, the Hericium erinaceus fruiting body is crushed to make its particle size meet certain requirements so that the subsequent extraction process can be carried out more fully. Then, according to a certain material-liquid ratio, the Hericium erinaceus powder is mixed with water and extracted at a specific temperature.
The advantages of the hot water extraction method are very significant. It is simple to operate, does not require complex instruments and equipment and advanced technical knowledge, and can be easily carried out by ordinary laboratories or production companies.
However, this method also has some disadvantages that cannot be ignored. The polysaccharides in Hericium erinaceus are mainly concentrated in the cell wall. During hot water extraction, the polysaccharides in the cell wall are not fully released, resulting in a low yield of glucan, which is difficult to meet the needs of efficient production.
Moreover, a large amount of impurities will be dissolved during the hot water extraction process. These impurities may include proteins, pigments, small molecular sugars, etc., which require cumbersome separation and purification steps in the subsequent process, increasing production costs and process complexity.
In addition to hot water extraction, alkali extraction is also a traditional extraction method. During alkaline extraction, Hericium erinaceus fruiting bodies are crushed and then extracted with an alkaline solution of a certain concentration. However, alkaline extraction also has problems.
Under dilute alkaline conditions, the glycosidic bonds of glucan may break, and some polysaccharides may be hydrolyzed, thereby reducing the extraction rate of polysaccharides. In addition, the extract contains a lot of impurities, making subsequent purification difficult.
Modern innovative technology
Steam explosion wall breaking combined with water extraction and alcohol precipitation technology is one of the best. Through this technology, the utilization rate of Hericium erinaceus fruiting body polysaccharides can be greatly improved.
The steam explosion wall breaking Hericium erinaceus fruiting body polysaccharides are rich in β-glucan, and have the advantages of no chemical residue, low cost, and high raw material utilization.
There is also alkali extraction and acid hydrolysis technology, which cleverly combines the advantages of alkali extraction and acid hydrolysis. This method can not only remove α-glucan, but also solve the problem of poor water solubility of β-glucan.
The obtained Hericium erinaceus fruiting body polysaccharide has a high β-glucan content, an average molecular weight between 2000-200,000 Daltons, and good water solubility, which provides a broader space for the application of Hericium erinaceus glucan.
Compound enzyme-assisted hot water extraction is also an effective innovative technology. The complex enzyme can specifically decompose the components in the cell wall of Hericium erinaceus and promote the release of glucan.
At the same time, hot water extraction further improves the extraction rate. This method provides new ideas and methods for the extraction of Hericium erinaceus glucan and shows good application prospects.
Powerful immune regulation
Hericium erinaceus extract – glucan has shown excellent ability in the field of immune regulation and can be regarded as a powerful booster of the human immune system. Numerous studies have shown that it can stimulate the activity of immune cells through various pathways, thereby improving overall immunity.
For people with weak immunity, such as the elderly, children, office workers who are under long-term stress, and patients with chronic diseases, Hericium erinaceus glucan is undoubtedly a blessing for them. Hericium erinaceus glucan can assist in the treatment of these chronic diseases, improve the patient’s immunity, reduce the risk of complications, and improve the patient’s quality of life.
Excellent anti-inflammatory performance
Hericium erinaceus extract – glucan has excellent anti-inflammatory performance, can effectively reduce inflammatory reactions, and plays an important role in the prevention and relief of inflammation-related diseases. It can regulate inflammation-related signaling pathways and inhibit the release of inflammatory factors, thereby reducing the damage of inflammation to body tissues and organs.
For patients with gastrointestinal inflammation such as gastritis and enteritis, Hericium erinaceus glucan can also play an anti-inflammatory role, reduce gastrointestinal inflammatory symptoms, and promote gastrointestinal repair and recovery. The anti-inflammatory properties of Hericium erinaceus glucan provide new options and hope for the prevention and treatment of inflammation-related diseases.
Significant gastrointestinal protective effect
The gastrointestinal tract is an important place for human digestion and absorption, and is also an important part of the human immune system. Hericium erinaceus extract – glucan has a significant protective effect on the gastrointestinal tract and is known as the “guardian” of the gastrointestinal tract.
It can repair damaged gastric mucosa, promote the proliferation and regeneration of gastric mucosal cells, and enhance the defense function of gastric mucosa, thereby effectively preventing and treating gastrointestinal diseases such as gastric ulcers and gastritis.
Potential other benefits
In addition to the above-mentioned clear effects, Hericium erinaceus extract – glucan also shows potential in anti-oxidation, lowering blood lipids, and anti-cancer. Although related research is still in-depth, some remarkable progress has been made.
In terms of anti-oxidation, Hericium erinaceus glucan has the ability to scavenge free radicals. Certain structures in Hericium erinaceus glucan can bind to free radicals, making them inactive, thereby reducing the damage of free radicals to cells.
This shows that Hericium erinaceus glucan has certain potential in anti-oxidation and anti-aging, and is expected to become a natural antioxidant for use in food, health care products and other fields.
In terms of lowering blood lipids, some studies have preliminarily shown that Hericium erinaceus glucan may affect the synthesis, transport and decomposition of lipids by regulating the activity of lipid metabolism-related enzymes, thereby reducing blood lipid levels.
In the field of anti-cancer, Hericium erinaceus glucan also shows certain potential. Studies have found that Hericium erinaceus glucan can activate immune cells, enhance the body’s immune surveillance function, and identify and eliminate cancer cells in the body. It may also induce apoptosis of cancer cells and inhibit the growth and metastasis of cancer cells.
Market Application and Prospects
Food industry
With its excellent health effects, Hericium erinaceus glucan has become a star ingredient in the food industry. Many food companies have incorporated it into various products, bringing consumers a new experience of both deliciousness and health. The wide application of Hericium erinaceus glucan in the food industry not only enriches the types and functions of food, but also provides consumers with more choices and promotes the development of the healthy food market.
Hericium erinaceus oatmeal powder is an innovative product that perfectly combines Hericium erinaceus glucan with oats. Oats themselves are rich in water-soluble dietary fiber, which can promote intestinal peristalsis and prevent constipation.
The polysaccharides and polyphenols in Hericium erinaceus not only have the function of regulating intestinal flora, but also can synergize with the nutrients in oats to further enhance the product’s care for intestinal health.
In addition to breakfast foods, Hericium erinaceus glucan has also emerged in the fields of beverages and snacks. Some companies have launched functional beverages with Hericium erinaceus glucan, which not only tastes refreshing, but also replenishes energy and enhances immunity while quenching thirst, becoming a new favorite for sports enthusiasts and office workers.
In terms of snacks, products such as Hericium erinaceus biscuits and Hericium erinaceus nut bars have also been launched one after another. These snacks, with their unique flavor and healthy attributes, meet consumers’ dual pursuit of deliciousness and health during leisure time.
Health care products
In the field of health care products, the powerful immune regulation, anti-inflammatory and gastrointestinal protection effects of Hericium erinaceus extract-glucan make it an ideal choice to meet consumers’ health needs.
With the continuous improvement of people’s health awareness, the demand for health care products is becoming more diversified and personalized. With its unique efficacy, Hericium erinaceus extract-glucan can meet the specific health needs of different consumer groups, such as people with low immunity, people with gastrointestinal discomfort, and the middle-aged and elderly.
It is expected that in the future, the market share of Hericium erinaceus extract-glucan in the field of health care products will continue to expand, and the product variety will become more abundant and diverse, injecting new vitality into the development of the health care products industry.
Pharmaceutical industry
In the pharmaceutical industry, Hericium erinaceus extract-glucan has become a hot topic of research due to its significant biological activity and potential medicinal value, attracting the attention of many researchers and pharmaceutical companies.
In addition to anti-tumor research, Hericium erinaceus extract-glucan has also shown potential in the treatment of other diseases. In the development of anti-inflammatory drugs, Hericium erinaceus glucan can inhibit the release of inflammatory factors by regulating inflammation-related signaling pathways, and is expected to become a new drug ingredient for the treatment of inflammation-related diseases.
As a bioactive ingredient derived from the precious medicinal and edible mushroom Hericium erinaceus, Hericium erinaceus extract-glucan has shown extraordinary value in many fields with its unique structure and excellent functions.
Looking to the future, the research and application prospects of Hericium erinaceus extract-glucan are very broad. In terms of research direction, it is necessary to further explore its mechanism of action.
At the same time, developing more efficient and green extraction technology, reducing production costs and improving product quality is also one of the important directions of future research. It can be foreseen that more types of products will be launched in the future, providing consumers with more choices and making greater contributions to human health.
