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Science & Research

Why our
mushrooms
work.

74% of supplements contain less than 5% active compounds. We fix that. DNA-verified, dual-extracted, and third-party tested. Science, not hype.

01

Sourcing

Hericium erinaceus fruiting body

Fig. 1 — Hericium erinaceus (Lion's Mane) cultivated under controlled conditions. 100% fruiting body, zero mycelium substrate.

100% fruiting body

The fruiting body is the actual mushroom — the visible, above-ground structure that produces the bioactive compounds. Hericenones and erinacines, the two compound classes studied for neurological activity, are found primarily in the fruiting body. Most commercial products use mycelium — the root structure grown on grain substrate. Mycelium-on-grain products are cheaper to produce but carry significant starch from the grain itself, diluting the active compound concentration.

Origin & cultivation

Our Hericium erinaceus comes from controlled cultivation environments where growing conditions — temperature, humidity, substrate composition and harvest timing — are set for maximum beta-glucan content. We do not wild-harvest. Controlled cultivation keeps batches consistent and keeps environmental pollutants out.

02

Extraction

Extraction pipeline

Raw Fruiting Body

10kg input

→

Hot Water Extraction

Beta-glucans · Polysaccharides

→

Alcohol Extraction

Hericenones · Erinacines · Terpenoids

→

Combined Extract

Full spectrum

→

10:1 Concentration

Yield: 1kg

→

Final Powder

>30% beta-glucans verified

Raw Fruiting Body

10kg input
↓

Hot Water Extraction

Beta-glucans · Polysaccharides
↓

Alcohol Extraction

Hericenones · Erinacines · Terpenoids
↓

Combined Extract

Full spectrum
↓

10:1 Concentration

Yield: 1kg
↓

Final Powder

>30% beta-glucans verified

10:1

Concentration ratio

35–45%

Typical beta-glucans

2×

Extraction methods

Fig. 2 — Dual extraction process. Hot water and alcohol extraction unlock the complete spectrum of bioactive compounds from the fruiting body.

Dual extraction

A single extraction method captures only part of the compound spectrum. Hot water extraction pulls water-soluble compounds (beta-glucans, polysaccharides). Alcohol extraction pulls alcohol-soluble compounds (hericenones, erinacines, terpenoids). We use both methods sequentially, then combine the extracts — the same dual extraction methodology used in the peer-reviewed studies below.

10:1 concentration ratio

The industry standard is 1:1 — one kilo of raw material becomes one kilo of powder. That's ground-up mushroom (or grain) with no concentration step. We concentrate at 10:1: ten kilos of raw fruiting body produce one kilo of extract powder. That's why we can guarantee over 30% beta-glucan content — our batches typically test at 35–45% — while 74% of competitors test below 5%.

03

Verification

DNA barcoding process

ITS region sequencing — performed on tested production samples

01

Sample

Extract from a tested production sample

02

DNA Extraction

Isolate fungal DNA from sample

03

PCR Amplification

Amplify ITS barcode region

04

Sequencing

Read the species identifier sequence

05

GenBank Verification

Match against NCBI reference database

06

Species Confirmed

Hericium erinaceus — authenticated

Species: Hericium erinaceus

ITS match confidence: 99.8% · GenBank accession confirmed

Fig. 3 — DNA barcoding confirmation. Tested samples are sequenced against the NCBI GenBank reference database to verify species identity.

DNA barcoding

DNA barcoding is the gold standard for species authentication in mycology. We extract DNA from tested production samples, amplify the ITS (Internal Transcribed Spacer) region — the universal barcode marker for fungi — and compare the sequence against the NCBI GenBank database. This confirms the extract contains authentic Hericium erinaceus and not cheaper substitute species.

Why this matters

Published analyses have documented significant species substitution in commercial mushroom supplements — products labelled as Lion's Mane containing different species entirely. DNA barcoding is the only reliable way to catch it. Chemical tests for beta-glucans cannot distinguish between species. DNA verification is expensive, and no regulation requires it — so most brands skip it. We don't.

(+) The CoA for your batch — on request→
04

Testing

Metric

Typical brand

Solve Labs

Source

Mycelium on grain

100% Fruiting Body

Extract Ratio

1:1

10:1

Beta-Glucans

<5%

>30%

DNA Testing

None

Every batch

Fillers

Starch, grain, maltodextrin

Zero

CoA

Rarely

Every batch — on request

74% of brands tested score 0 of 4 on this scorecard.
Source: independent market analysis, 2023.

The test library

The reports behind the range. Beta-glucan content is assayed separately for every ingredient. Heavy metals, microbiology and pesticide residues run as one combined contaminant panel, and species identity as one DNA report — both covering the whole range.

Beta-glucan content

One report per ingredient

Lion's Mane

Hericium erinaceusBeta-glucan assay · quantified %
On request

Cordyceps

Cordyceps militarisBeta-glucan assay · quantified %
On request

Reishi

Ganoderma lucidumBeta-glucan assay · quantified %
On request

Chaga

Inonotus obliquusBeta-glucan assay · quantified %
On request

Contaminant panel

One report · whole range

Heavy metals, microbiology & pesticides

Arsenic · cadmium · lead · mercury — total viable count · yeast · mould — pesticide residue screen
On request

Species identity

One report · whole range

DNA barcoding

ITS region sequencing · matched against NCBI GenBank
On request

Tested under UK and EU protocols by independent laboratories · Every production batch · The certificate for your batch — on request

Third-party lab testing

Every batch of extract undergoes independent third-party testing for beta-glucan content, heavy metals (arsenic, cadmium, lead, mercury), microbial contamination and pesticide residues. We test under both UK and EU protocols. No skip-lot testing. Every batch, every time.

The 74% problem

Independent analysis of the Lion's Mane supplement market found 74% of products testing below 5% beta-glucans. Many contained grain starch that inflates apparent polysaccharide counts in non-specific tests. Others contained species different from what was labelled. There is no mandatory DNA verification, no mandatory beta-glucan minimum, and no mandatory filler disclosure. That gap is why we test the way we do.

05

Transparency

Supplement Facts

Serving Size: 2 Capsules

Servings Per Container: 30

Amount Per Serving

% Daily Value

Lion's Mane Extract (10:1)

1,000mg

Beta-Glucans (polysaccharides)

≥30% *

Typical batch result

35–45% *

Extract equivalent (raw fruiting body)

10,000mg *
Other Ingredients: HPMC Capsule (Vegetarian). Nothing else.

* Daily Value not established

Batch CoA available on request

DNA Verified10:1 Extract

Fig. 4 — The Solve Labs supplement facts panel. Every active compound disclosed. No proprietary blends. No hidden ingredients.

No proprietary blends

"Proprietary blend" labels legally allow brands to list ingredients without disclosing amounts. We don't use them. Every product shows the full breakdown — extract weight, ratio, beta-glucan content — on the label and on the site. If it's in the extract, it's on the label.

Certificates of analysis

Every batch has a certificate of analysis covering species verification (DNA), beta-glucan content, heavy metals and microbial results. Bought a jar and want the numbers behind it? Contact us and we'll send you the CoA for your batch.

Peer-reviewed research

The published record.

These species have been studied for years. This is a selection of that published literature — the design, the journal, the source. It describes the research, not our products. Read it yourself.

01

A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of Hericium erinaceus (Lion's Mane).

Phytotherapy Research, 2009

Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled

Lion's Mane PubMed →
02

A double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot trial of Lion's Mane in healthy young adults.

Nutrients, 2023

Double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot

Lion's Mane PubMed →
03

A human study of oral Hericium erinaceus supplementation.

Biomedical Research (Tokyo), 2019

Comparative human study

Lion's Mane PubMed →
04

A placebo-controlled trial of Hericium erinaceus — a reported null result.

Int. Journal of Exercise Science, 2022

Placebo-controlled (null result)

Lion's Mane PubMed →
05

A systematic review of Hericium erinaceus as a supplement.

Frontiers in Nutrition, 2025

Systematic review

Lion's Mane PubMed →
06

A randomised controlled trial of Ganoderma lucidum (Reishi).

Nutrients, 2025

Randomised controlled trial

Reishi PubMed →
07

A GRADE-assessed review of Ganoderma lucidum (Reishi) in human health.

Food Science & Nutrition, 2025

Systematic review (GRADE)

Reishi PubMed →
08

A systematic review and meta-analysis of Ganoderma lucidum (Reishi).

J. Research in Medical Sciences, 2023

Systematic review & meta-analysis

Reishi PubMed →
09

A laboratory evaluation of beta-glucans from Ganoderma lucidum (Reishi).

Foods, 2023

Laboratory study

Reishi PubMed →
10

A double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of Cordyceps (Cs-4) in healthy older adults.

J. Alternative & Complementary Medicine, 2010

Double-blind, placebo-controlled

Cordyceps PubMed →
11

A randomised controlled trial of Cordyceps militaris in healthy adults.

Scientific Reports, 2024

Randomised controlled trial

Cordyceps PubMed →
12

A review of Inonotus obliquus (Chaga).

Mycology, 2024

Review

Chaga PubMed →
13

A review of Inonotus obliquus (Chaga) polysaccharides.

Polymers, 2021

Review

Chaga PubMed →
14

A review of edible mushrooms and beta-glucans in human health.

Nutrients, 2021

Review

General PubMed →
15

A review of medicinal mushrooms and their bioactive components.

Molecules, 2023

Review

General PubMed →

Neutral summaries of independent published research into these mushroom species — not claims about Solve Labs products, and not medical advice. Food supplements are not a substitute for a varied, balanced diet or a healthy lifestyle.

Active compounds

Four mushrooms.
The compounds that matter.

Every species has its own chemistry. Pick a mushroom, then a compound. (Click any card to explore)

Function

Solve Labs advantage

Key study

Ready to start?

Choose your protocol.

The morning jar

Lion's Mane

£30 · £24/mo with subscription

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The midday jar

Cordyceps

£30 · £24/mo with subscription

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The evening jar

Reishi

£30 · £24/mo with subscription

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