Product
Lion's Mane
A popular mushroom extract that works well in a wide range of functional food & beverage product formulations.
What is Lion’s Mane mushroom extract?
Lion’s Mane (Hericium Erinaceus) is a culinary and medicinal mushroom native to Asia, Europe and North America. It’s cultivated commercially at scale, mainly in China.
The extract used in food and beverage formulations comes from either the fruiting body of the mushroom or the mycelium. Fruiting body extracts concentrate hericenones, while mycelium-based extracts concentrate erinacines, with different supporting research behind each.
Lion’s Mane sits in the adaptogen and functional mushroom category, alongside ingredients like Cordyceps. It works as a standalone active or alongside other mushroom extracts in blended formulations.
What is Lion’s Mane mushroom extract used for?
Lion’s Mane is thought to support brain, gut and immune system health and improve mood, so you’ll find it in many functional beverages, powders, capsules and bars.
In drinks, it works well in functional waters, shakes and adaptogenic coffee blends alongside other mushrooms or botanicals, as most products in this category combine two or three actives.
In powder format, it dissolves well in smoothie mixes, hot drink blends and nutritional shakes. It also works well in capsules and tablets, but you’ll need to check how concentrated and consistent the extract is from batch to batch.
Baked goods and snack bars are a growing area, too, but the extract’s natural earthy taste is harder to hide in these formats than it is in a drink or a capsule, so you’ll need to think more about flavour masking when formulating.
Key benefits: Lion's Mane
On-trend
Consumer interest in functional mushrooms continues to build, giving you a commercial opening for new products in this space.
No allergens
Lion’s Mane has no major allergens, so you can use it in ‘free-from’ products without adding it to the allergen declaration.
Standardisation
Extracts standardised for beta-glucan, hericenone or erinacine content give you a consistent specification to formulate against.
Flexibility
Available as powder, granulate or liquid extract, Lion’s Mane adapts across beverages, capsules, powders and bars.
Clean-label
Lion’s Mane is a simple, recognisable, naturally-derived ingredient, making it a good fit for clean-label products.
Why source your Lion’s Mane extract from MegaChem (UK)?
We supply Lion’s Mane extract across multiple specifications, standardised for beta-glucan, hericenone or erinacine content depending on your formulation needs. Our global sourcing network gives you access to consistent supply and full documentation, including certificates of analysis and regulatory support for the markets you’re selling into. Pack sizes from sample quantities through to bulk volumes let you move from development to production without changing supplier.
Our technical team can help you choose the right extract type and concentration for your application and talk through your formulation challenges as they come up, rather than just shipping your product and leaving you to work it out.
Frequently asked questions
What’s the difference between fruiting body and mycelium extract?
Fruiting body extract concentrates hericenones, while mycelium-based extract concentrates erinacines. These two compounds offer different potential benefits, so the right choice will depend on how you position your product(s).
What use levels are typical in F&B applications?
Use levels vary by extract concentration and format, typically ranging from a few hundred milligrams to a few grams per serving. We can advise on the right dose for your specific formulation.
Is Lion’s Mane extract suitable for vegan formulations?
Yes. Lion’s Mane extract is plant-derived and suitable for vegan, vegetarian, Halal and Kosher formulations, though it’s worth confirming certification status with your supplier.
What forms is Lion’s Mane extract available in?
We supply it as powder, granulate or liquid, in a range of standardisation levels. The right format depends on your application and processing conditions.
How should Lion’s Mane extract be stored?
Store in a cool, dry environment, away from direct sunlight and moisture, in its original sealed packaging. Full storage and handling guidance is available on the safety data sheet.
Can Lion’s Mane extract carry a health claim in the UK and EU?
Authorised health claims for Lion’s Mane are limited in both markets, so you’ll need to check any specific claims you’re making against the current regulations before they go on pack.
Get your Lion’s Mane extract from MegaChem (UK)
If you’re developing a product around Lion’s Mane or exploring the adaptogen category for the first time, our team can help you find the right extract for your formulation. Get in touch to discuss your specification or request a sample.
