Glossary · Chemistry
Triterpene
Lipid-soluble compounds. The 'other' active fraction in Reishi and Chaga, distinct from beta-glucans.
Plain language
The lipid-soluble actives in Reishi and Chaga. Different from beta-glucans, which are water-soluble. A 'dual-extract' Reishi captures both fractions; a water-only extract misses the triterpenes.
Definition
Triterpenes are a class of lipid-soluble compounds derived from the linkage of six isoprene units. In medicinal mushrooms they are most prominent in Reishi (ganoderic acids, lucidenic acids) and Chaga (inotodiol, betulinic acid). Because they are alcohol-soluble rather than water-soluble, products that want to capture both triterpenes and beta-glucans use a 'dual extraction' approach with both water and alcohol solvents.