Supplement Quality

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Study

New Tests Tell Real Chaga From Mycelium-on-Grain Products

New Tests Tell Real Chaga From Mycelium-on-Grain Products

Chaga

What they found

A 2025 study showed authentic chaga has high melanin, inotodiol and beta-glucans, while mycelium-on-grain products test high in starch.

A 2025 study showed authentic chaga has high melanin, inotodiol and beta-glucans, while mycelium-on-grain products test high in starch.

How solid is it?

Lab dish

Lab dish

In vitro (lab dish)

In vitro (lab dish)

Evidence ladder: Lab dish → Animal → Early human → Strong human. Reviews summarize earlier research.

At a glance

Latin name

Inonotus obliquus

Inonotus obliquus

Compound

inotodiol; trametenolic acid; β-glucan

inotodiol; trametenolic acid; β-glucan

Published in

International Journal of Molecular Sciences

International Journal of Molecular Sciences

Covered in Shroom Scan

Section

HEALTH & WELLNESS

HEALTH & WELLNESS

As it ran in Shroom Scan

Chaga Test Cheat Code

Chaga Test Cheat Code

A peer-reviewed 2025 study developed a multi-analytical framework to distinguish authentic wildcrafted chaga (Inonotus obliquus) from misleading mycelium-on-grain products. Real chaga showed high melanin content, chaga-specific triterpenoids like inotodiol and trametenolic acid, and a high β-glucan to α-glucan ratio. Fermented grain products lacked these markers and instead tested high in starch and fatty acids.

A peer-reviewed 2025 study developed a multi-analytical framework to distinguish authentic wildcrafted chaga (Inonotus obliquus) from misleading mycelium-on-grain products. Real chaga showed high melanin content, chaga-specific triterpenoids like inotodiol and trametenolic acid, and a high β-glucan to α-glucan ratio. Fermented grain products lacked these markers and instead tested high in starch and fatty acids.

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