The combination of Red Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum), maitake (Grifola frondosa), and oyster (Pleurotus ostreatus) mushrooms was shown in a recent study to dose-dependently increase levels of beneficial bacteria in the gut and increase levels of the short chain fatty acid butyrate.
Michael Bush, CEO of Prenexus Health, told NutraIngredients-USA that the company is actively working on getting products ready to launch in Q2 2022. While the ingredient is self-affirmed GRAS and can be used in food and beverage, the initial target is the dietary supplements category, he added.
“It’s an earthy flavor and aroma that will work well in supplements and will compliment mushroom based food and beverage products,” said Bush.
Mushrooms
Consumer interest in mushrooms has been increasingly steadily over the past decade. Demand for mushroom-based products has been increasing with data from the American Botanical Council’s Herb Market report showing that, in the natural channel, 20% of the 20 ingredients with sales increases last year were mushrooms.
The list of benefits associated with mushroom products include immune support and cognitive function, with products also making energy and mood support claims. The recent study, which was published in the journal Beneficial Microbes, added “prebiotic” to this list.
“As consumers are becoming more aware of the fact that gut health influences overall health, we are excited to bring a truly innovative and unique product to market in this space,” said Keith Bearden CEO, Aloha Medicinals. “The partnership with Prenexus Health is ideal given their understanding of the prebiotic market and their scientific selling approach.”
Prenexus’ Bush added that MyceliaGI complements the company’s PreneXOS sugarcane-derived prebiotic, since “both require low serving sizes of 500mg to 1g, are organic, non-GMO and made in the USA using sustainable practices”.
Bush added that the company is well underway on its production expansion for PreneXOS, and will be fully expanded and producing at volume next summer. “We currently are producing material for formulation with our partners and for upcoming clinicals.”
Prenexus will debut MyceliaGI next week at Supply Side West in Las Vegas.