Oyster Mushroom Extract (Pleurotus ostreatus) — Beta-Glucan Rich Functional Mushroom Powder for Supplements, Food & Cosmetics

Product Overview

Oyster Mushroom Extract is a concentrated preparation of Pleurotus ostreatus — the oyster mushroom, one of the most widely cultivated edible mushrooms in the world and, alongside shiitake, the backbone of China’s edible-fungus industry. It is supplied either as a hot-water fruiting-body extract standardised to beta-glucan, or as a whole dried-mushroom powder, and it occupies a position in the functional-ingredient market that few other mushrooms can match: it is simultaneously a high-volume food ingredient, an immune-category supplement active, and a natural source of two premium bioactives — L-ergothioneine and lovastatin.

The commercial case for oyster mushroom rests on three pillars. First, supply economics: Pleurotus grows on agricultural side-streams (wheat straw, sawdust, cottonseed hulls, spent coffee grounds) with a short crop cycle and high biological efficiency, which makes it structurally cheaper and far more scalable than slow-growing forest species such as reishi or chaga. Second, bioactive breadth: its cell wall yields beta-glucan (the immune-active Pleuran-type fraction), while its fruiting body naturally accumulates ergothioneine and mevinolin-family compounds, giving brands a defensible multi-mechanism story. Third, flavour compatibility: oyster mushroom has a mild, savoury, umami-forward taste — unlike bitter medicinal mushrooms — so it works in food and beverage applications at meaningful inclusion rates without masking.

Key Features

• Fruiting-body extract of Pleurotus ostreatus (Jacq. ex Fr.) P. Kumm. — not mycelium-on-grain, no grain starch dilution
• Standardised beta-glucan grades: 10%, 20%, 30% (and higher on request), verified by enzymatic beta-glucan assay rather than total-polysaccharide colourimetry alone
• Hot-water extract ratios 4:1, 10:1, 20:1 plus whole-mushroom dried powder and 80–100 mesh powder grades
• Natural source of L-ergothioneine — the dietary “longevity” thiol that mammals actively concentrate via the OCTN1 transporter, and one of the most sought-after cosmetic and nutricosmetic actives of the current cycle
• Naturally occurring lovastatin (mevinolin) — the dietary context behind oyster mushroom’s long-standing positioning in cholesterol-management and cardiovascular-health formulation
• Rich in complete protein (all nine essential amino acids), dietary fibre, B vitamins (niacin, pantothenic acid), potassium, selenium and ergosterol — the provitamin D2 that converts to vitamin D2 under UV exposure
• Mild savoury-umami flavour from naturally occurring 5′-nucleotides and glutamate — functional in food without heavy masking
• Clean-label and organic-compatible: EU Organic / USDA NOP certified grades available; non-GMO, non-irradiated options
• Produced from a low-impact substrate — a genuine sustainability claim backed by agricultural-waste upcycling
• Full documentation — COA, MSDS, TDS, allergen statement, pesticide and heavy-metal panel — available on request

How It Works

• Beta-glucan — innate immune priming, not stimulation. The Pleurotus cell-wall beta-glucan (a β-(1→3)-D-glucan backbone with β-(1→6) side branches) is recognised by pattern-recognition receptors on innate immune cells — Dectin-1, complement receptor 3 (CR3) and Toll-like receptors on macrophages, neutrophils and NK cells. The effect is best described as priming or modulating the innate response: the immune system is held at a more responsive baseline rather than being driven upward. This distinction matters both for the science and for claim language.
• Pleuran and the respiratory-infection evidence. The Pleurotus-derived beta-glucan fraction, often referred to as pleuran, is one of the better-studied mushroom polysaccharides in human trials, with published work in children and in athletes focusing on recurrent respiratory-tract episodes and mucosal immune markers. It is a genuine differentiator versus generic “beta-glucan” claims.
• Ergothioneine — a transporter-driven antioxidant. Humans cannot synthesise ergothioneine and absorb it through a dedicated, genetically conserved transporter (OCTN1 / SLC22A4) that actively concentrates the molecule in tissues under oxidative stress — erythrocytes, liver, kidney, lens and skin. That active-uptake pharmacology is why ergothioneine is treated as a distinct cytoprotective nutrient rather than another generic antioxidant, and why mushroom extracts are being repositioned as its natural dietary and topical source.
• Lovastatin — HMG-CoA reductase inhibition. Pleurotus ostreatus naturally biosynthesises lovastatin (mevinolin), a competitive inhibitor of HMG-CoA reductase, the rate-limiting enzyme of hepatic cholesterol synthesis. Concentrations in dried fruiting bodies are low and vary with strain and substrate, which is exactly why the honest position is “naturally occurring, assayed on request” rather than a hard standardised claim.
• Fibre and the gut axis. The non-beta-glucan polysaccharide fraction behaves as fermentable dietary fibre, feeding short-chain-fatty-acid-producing taxa in the colon. SCFA output — particularly butyrate — is the mechanistic bridge between a mushroom fibre and downstream metabolic and gut-barrier endpoints.
• Topical route: beta-glucan plus ergothioneine. On skin, beta-glucan acts as a film-forming, soothing, barrier-supporting polysaccharide with Langerhans-cell engagement, while ergothioneine provides mitochondrial-level antioxidant and anti-glycation defence and shows a sparing effect on other antioxidants. Together they give a clean two-mechanism anti-ageing and sensitive-skin story.

Typical Applications

• Dietary supplements: immune-support capsules and tablets, mushroom-complex blends, daily greens and super-food powders, cardiovascular and cholesterol-management formulas, healthy-ageing and longevity stacks
• Functional food & beverage: mushroom coffee and cacao blends, instant soups and broth bases, savoury seasoning and umami boosters, plant-protein and vegan meat formulations, snack coatings, meal-replacement powders
• Foodservice & culinary: soups, stir-fries, sauces, dumpling and dim-sum fillings, dried-slice and rehydratable formats for prepared-meal manufacturers
• Sports & active nutrition: endurance and recovery formulas built on the pleuran respiratory-infection literature, post-exercise immune support
• Cosmetics & personal care: anti-ageing serums and creams, soothing and barrier-repair formulas, sensitive-skin and post-procedure care, scalp and hair-care actives, nutricosmetic beauty-from-within drinks
• Pet & animal nutrition: companion-animal immune and senior-support supplements, functional pet-food inclusions
• OEM / ODM: private-label capsules, tablets, stick packs, instant beverage sachets and finished cosmetic formulations developed to your specification

Key Specifications

Botanical / Species Name	Pleurotus ostreatus (Jacq. ex Fr.) P. Kumm. — Oyster Mushroom, Tree Oyster Mushroom
Common Names	Oyster Mushroom, Oyster Fungus, Hiratake, Ping Gu (平菇)
CAS Number	Not assigned (multi-component botanical extract); marker β-glucan referenced under CAS 9041-22-1; L-ergothioneine CAS 497-30-3; lovastatin CAS 75330-75-5
Part Used	Fruiting body (mycelium and primordia grades available on request)
Appearance	Fine light tan to grey-brown powder; characteristic mild mushroom aroma
Assay — Beta-Glucan	≥10%, ≥20%, ≥30% by enzymatic β-glucan assay (higher grades on request)
Assay — Total Polysaccharides	≥20%, ≥30%, ≥40%, ≥50% (UV-Vis, phenol-sulfuric / anthrone method)
Extract Ratio	Hot-water extract 4:1, 10:1, 20:1; whole-mushroom powder also available
L-Ergothioneine	Naturally present; typical literature range approx. 0.2–1.5 mg/g dry weight depending on strain, substrate and crop cycle. HPLC assay on request — not a standardised claim
Lovastatin (Mevinolin)	Naturally occurring trace levels; HPLC assay available on request. Not standardised by default
Protein	≥ 20% (whole powder grades)
Mesh / Particle Size	80–100 mesh standard (finer milling and granulation available)
Moisture	≤ 7.0%
Ash	≤ 8.0%
Heavy Metals	Pb ≤ 3 ppm; As ≤ 2 ppm; Cd ≤ 1 ppm; Hg ≤ 0.1 ppm
Microbiological	Total plate count ≤ 10,000 cfu/g (≤ 1,000 cfu/g on irradiated grade); Yeast & Mould ≤ 100 cfu/g; E. coli negative; Salmonella negative /25 g
Solubility	Hot-water soluble polysaccharide fraction; partially dispersible in cold water — suitable for beverages, soups and instant drinks
Certifications	EU Organic and USDA NOP organic grades available; conventional grade standard. ISO / HACCP / HALAL / KOSHER documentation available on request
Shelf Life	24 months in unopened original packaging
Packaging	25 kg fibre drum or carton with inner food-grade PE liner (sample, LTL and OEM retail packs available)
MOQ	Available on request

Formulation Notes

• Buy beta-glucan, not “polysaccharides”. This is the single most important purchasing decision in the mushroom extract market. A total-polysaccharide number measured by phenol-sulfuric colourimetry counts starch and dextrin as if they were beta-glucan, and maltodextrin-diluted material will report an impressive “40% polysaccharide” figure while delivering very little active β-glucan. Always require an enzymatic beta-glucan assay (Megazyme yeast-and-mushroom style method) on the COA, and ask for the α-glucan / starch figure alongside it. If a supplier will only quote polysaccharides, treat the number as marketing.
• Confirm fruiting body versus mycelium-on-grain. Mycelium fermented on cereal substrate carries a large residual starch load and a lower beta-glucan-to-fibre ratio. Fruiting-body extract or a clearly specified mycelial extract with declared substrate is the defensible choice for a premium positioning.
• Be precise about ergothioneine and lovastatin. Both are genuinely present in Pleurotus ostreatus and both are legitimate differentiators, but levels are strain- and substrate-dependent and are not standardised in commodity grades. If your marketing depends on either, specify the assay up front and buy to an assayed batch — do not assume a commodity spec carries it.
• Use the flavour as an asset in food, and manage it in beverages. Oyster mushroom brings natural glutamate and 5′-nucleotides, so it amplifies savoury systems — a real advantage in soups, seasonings and plant-protein meat analogues where brands are actively removing added MSG and yeast extract. In sweet or neutral beverage systems, the same note reads as “mushroomy”: keep inclusion modest, pair with cacao, coffee, vanilla or a spice blend, and screen at the finished pH.
• Particle size drives mouthfeel and suspension. For instant drinks use 100 mesh or finer and consider a suspension system or a soluble extract fraction; for capsules and tablets, flow and compressibility matter more than fineness, so discuss granulation with your supplier before locking the spec.
• UV treatment for vitamin D2. If you want a vitamin D2 claim, the mushroom powder must be UV-treated to convert ergosterol to D2 — this is a processing step that must be specified, not an inherent property of the standard grade.
• Pairing for finished formulas. In supplements, oyster mushroom combines naturally with the rest of your functional-mushroom line (reishi, lion’s mane, cordyceps, turkey tail, chaga, tremella) and with vitamin C and zinc in immune blends. In cosmetics, the ergothioneine content links directly to skin-care actives already in your range, while the beta-glucan fraction does the soothing and barrier work.
• Regulatory check before launch. Oyster mushroom fruiting body has a long history of food use in major markets, but novel-food status, permitted health claims and maximum levels for extracts differ between the EU, US, UK, Canada, Australia and Asia. Confirm the status of your specific extract type and your intended claims in each target market before going to label.

Storage & Handling

Store in the original, tightly closed container in a cool, dry, well-ventilated place, protected from moisture, direct sunlight and heat. Recommended storage temperature is 5–25 °C with relative humidity below 60%. Mushroom powders are hygroscopic and will cake and lose flow if the liner is left open — reseal promptly after each withdrawal and use the whole drum before moving to the next. Avoid storage alongside strong-smelling materials, as dry mushroom powder readily picks up ambient odours. Handle with standard personal protective equipment including gloves, eye protection and a dust mask; control airborne dust during transfer. Review the MSDS before first use and observe all restrictions applicable in your market.

Why Choose VeraVitabio

• Bulk B2B supply of functional mushroom extracts, plant extracts and superfood powders — from sample quantities to full container loads
• Beta-glucan verified by enzymatic assay, with α-glucan / starch reported — no inflated polysaccharide numbers
• Fruiting-body sourcing with batch-level traceability and pre-shipment verification
• Full documentation — COA, MSDS, TDS, allergen and pesticide panels available on request
• OEM / ODM support — capsules, tablets, stick packs, instant beverage sachets and finished cosmetic formulations under private label
• Export experience to the US, EU, Middle East and Southeast Asia, with documentation support for importers and brand owners

Request a Quote — Sourcing Oyster Mushroom Extract for a supplement, functional food or cosmetic line? Send your target beta-glucan grade, extract ratio, certification requirement and volume to info@veravitabio.com or WhatsApp +86 157 7194 0528. Samples and full documentation are available for qualified B2B buyers. Web: veravitabio.com

.vv-contact-strip{display:flex;flex-wrap:wrap;gap:10px;align-items:center;margin:0;}
.vv-contact-strip a{
display:inline-flex;align-items:center;gap:8px;
padding:10px 16px;border-radius:8px;
font-size:0.9375rem;font-weight:600;line-height:1;
text-decoration:none;transition:all .25s cubic-bezier(.4,0,.2,1);
border:1px solid rgba(13,59,46,.18);
color:#0D3B2E;background:#FFFFFF;
}
.vv-contact-strip a:hover{
background:#0D3B2E;color:#FFFFFF;border-color:#0D3B2E;
transform:translateY(-1px);
}
.vv-contact-strip a svg{flex:0 0 auto;}
.vv-contact-strip.vv-on-dark a{
background:rgba(255,255,255,.06);
border-color:rgba(255,255,255,.22);
color:#FFFFFF;
}
.vv-contact-strip.vv-on-dark a:hover{
background:#7CBB3A;border-color:#7CBB3A;color:#0D3B2E;
}
.vv-contact-strip.vv-centered{justify-content:center;}

For use in dietary supplements, food and beverage and cosmetic formulation. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Specifications shown are for general reference; full Certificate of Analysis and supporting documentation are available upon request. Buyers are responsible for confirming novel-food status, permitted use levels and claim language in their target markets.