Fruiting Body

A fruiting body is a highly specialized part of fungal organisms, being a structure produced by the mycelium for sexual reproduction. In common understanding, the fruiting body of a fungus is the part we see above the ground and usually refer to as “mushroom” – such as the cap and stalk of Agaricus bisporus. In reality it is only a temporary structure where spores are produced, while the entire fungal organism – the mycelium – lies deeper, hidden in the substrate. It is the fruiting body that is richest in terms of concentration of bioactive substances and it is most frequently harvested as raw material for supplementation, pharmaceutical and cosmetic purposes.

Fruiting Body of a Fungus

Raw materials derived from fungal fruiting bodies are distinguished by an exceptional phytochemical composition. They contain, among others, polysaccharides (especially beta‑glucans), triterpenoids, sterols, enzymes, amino acids and antioxidants, which exhibit multi‑directional health‑promoting effects. That is why extracts obtained from fruiting bodies are highly regarded in phytotherapy and natural medicine, especially in Asian traditions, where the use of functional mushrooms has a thousand‑year history.

Thanks to the high concentration of active substances, fungal fruiting bodies are considered one of the most valuable natural raw materials in the production of nutraceuticals, dietary supplements and functional cosmetics.