Agaricus blazei Polysaccharide Powder

Hot-water extraction of the Agaricus blazei fruiting body gives this polysaccharide powder, which holds the branched glucan and glucan-protein fraction of the mushroom without most of its almond-like aroma. It is purified, dried and milled to a fine light yellow powder that dissolves in water.

Polysaccharide content is ≥30% by UV-Vis (phenol–sulfuric, as glucose), moisture and total ash are each ≤5.0%, and the powder is milled to 80 mesh. It is supplied for dietary supplements, functional beverages and functional foods, with the percentage and method stated together.

SKU: BOT-BPS-0032 Category: Botanical Polysaccharides Tags: Agaricus blazei, Gummies & Chews, Mushroom & Fungi, Polysaccharides, Water Extracted, Water-Extracted Fractions

Agaricus blazei Polysaccharide Identity

Agaricus blazei polysaccharide powder is made from the fruiting body of Agaricus blazei Murrill, the mushroom also traded as almond mushroom, himematsutake or Brazilian mushroom. Agaricus blazei fruiting body is the only part used. The same fungus appears in the literature under Agaricus subrufescens and Agaricus brasiliensis, and a buyer comparing offers across these names is comparing one organism and not different mushrooms.

The soluble carbohydrates of this species are described as branched β-glucans, with a β-(1→6) or β-(1→3) backbone depending on the fraction, and as protein-bound glucans and glucomannan-type heteropolysaccharides. The mushroom also holds glycogen, a storage α-glucan, together with chitin in the cell wall. Hot-water extraction of Agaricus blazei brings out the soluble and swellable polymers, and ethanol precipitation concentrates them.

The characteristic almond-like smell of Agaricus blazei comes from benzaldehyde-type volatiles, and these are removed or reduced during extraction and drying. Agaricus mushrooms are also known to accumulate cadmium and other metals from the growing substrate, a reason why a heavy-metal row is part of the specification.

Two related products from the same mushroom differ in form. Agaricus blazei Mushroom Powder is the milled fruiting body and Agaricus Blazei Extract Powder is a ratio extract.

Polysaccharide Content & Test Method

The stated content is polysaccharides ≥30% by UV-Vis, a total-carbohydrate measurement read against glucose. Hot sulfuric acid breaks every sugar-bearing polymer in the sample into monosaccharides, phenol turns them into a colored product, and absorbance gives a glucose-equivalent value.

For Agaricus blazei this means the number includes β-glucan, the glucan-protein complexes, glycogen and any residual small sugars. The percentage is therefore not a β-glucan content, and a mushroom sold at 30% by this method may hold far less than 30% β-glucan. Quoting both numbers is common in the trade, but only an enzymatic assay that subtracts α-glucan from total glucan gives the second one.

Protein-bound glucans add another wrinkle. The protein part is invisible to the carbohydrate reaction, so a sample can show a modest sugar reading and still have a high protein share. Preparation matters as well. Chitin and heavily cross-linked wall residue stay out of solution in the assay, and a powder that is not fully dispersed will read low, so each sample is dissolved, filtered and diluted into the measurable range against standards prepared the same day.

Gravimetric ethanol-precipitate weights would include that protein. The grade here is specified by UV-Vis alone, and comparisons should be made only with other UV-Vis values.

Typical Specifications

Specification Item	Product Information
Latin Name	Agaricus blazei
Plant Part	Mushroom & Fungi
Processing	Water Extraction & Purification
Common Name	Agaricus blazei (almond mushroom)
Ingredient Type	Polysaccharide Extract
Polysaccharide Type	β-glucans (branched) and glucan-protein heteropolysaccharides
Content	Polysaccharides ≥30% (UV-Vis, as glucose)
Appearance	Light Yellow powder
Solubility / Dispersibility	Water Soluble
Quality Parameters
Moisture	≤5.0% (LOD)
Total Ash	≤5.0%
Particle Size	80 mesh
Heavy Metals	Lead ≤2 ppm · Arsenic ≤1 ppm · Cadmium ≤1 ppm · Mercury ≤0.1 ppm
Microbiology	TPC ≤1,000 cfu/g · Yeast & Mold ≤100 cfu/g · E. coli Negative · Salmonella Negative/25 g
Shelf Life	24 months in unopened original packaging, cool and dry storage

Agaricus blazei Polysaccharide Solution Behavior

Agaricus blazei polysaccharide dissolves in warm water to a pale yellow, slightly hazy solution. The branched glucans swell and the protein-bound fractions add a little body, so the liquid is mildly viscous at normal use levels and does not gel. Cold water dissolves it more slowly, and sifting the powder into a stirred vortex avoids lumps.

The glucan backbone tolerates normal pasteurization and mildly acidic drinks, while extended boiling in acid shortens the chains. The protein-bound fraction can brown with reducing sugars in hot-filled, sweetened formulas, so sugar level and fill temperature are the first variables to adjust. Polyphenols from tea or juice can bind to the protein part and add haze.

The aroma that remains is faint and slightly sweet, and it is more noticeable in plain water than in a flavored drink. Moisture uptake is moderate, and the powder cakes if left open in humid air, so containers should be resealed promptly. No viscosity values are stated for this grade.

As a dry powder, Agaricus blazei polysaccharide is stable in light and is mostly sensitive to moisture. A bag left open absorbs water and turns into a hard cake, and cadmium and other metals are controlled at the raw material stage and by the metal limits in the specification, not by anything the user can do in formulation. Keeping a sealed liner and a desiccant is the practical step.

Application Areas

Capsules with Other Mushroom Fractions

Agaricus blazei polysaccharide fills capsules alongside other fungal fractions without a heavy mushroom smell. Its hygroscopic surface can bridge in hoppers, so a flow agent and desiccant pack keep the fill weight steady across a long filling run.

Hot Beverage Powders

In instant powders for hot water, the polysaccharide dissolves quickly and gives a pale hazy tint. Strong tea or coffee bases can add haze, so the beverage should be assessed at the cup-ready concentration, after cooling to drinking temperature.

Stick-Pack Combinations

Pre-blending the powder with a sweetener or carrier produces an even dispersion when the pack meets water. A moisture-barrier laminate protects the pack against hardening in humid distribution, and a short stir before drinking spreads the haze evenly.

Tablet and Granule Formats

The powder compresses with common fillers, but wet granulation can gel the surface, so dry methods or controlled drying are preferred. Hardness should be checked after a fortnight of humid storage, along with disintegration time.

Soft Chew Matrices

In gummy and chew bases the glucan adds solids and competes lightly with the gelling agent. Dosing after the syrup cools protects color and keeps the set closer to the control. Color and chew should be compared with a control batch after a week.

Packaging & Commercial Supply

Essencefield supports product evaluation, formulation trials, commercial orders, and ongoing ingredient supply. Packaging, storage, and shipping arrangements are determined by product characteristics, order quantity, stability requirements, and destination-market needs.

Supply Item	General Information
Sample	Available upon request for formulation, testing, and supplier evaluation
Order Quantities	100 g · 1 kg · 5 kg · 25 kg · 100 kg · 500 kg · Bulk
Sample Lead Time	Typically 5–7 days after sample confirmation
Production Lead Time	Typically 15–30 days after order and specification confirmation
Packaging	Suitable protective inner packaging with bags, cartons, drums, or other appropriate outer packaging
Storage	Store in tightly sealed, suitable protective packaging in a cool, dry environment. Protect from moisture, heat, and direct sunlight. Specific storage conditions follow the approved product specification.
Documentation	COA · Product Specification · TDS · SDS · Applicable declarations (as applicable)

Final order quantities, lead times, packaging, documentation, and shipping arrangements are confirmed according to the selected product and commercial requirements.