A Lion's Mane mushroom farmer inspecting fruiting bodies. The farmer is outdoors, carefully examining the mushrooms laid out on a drying rack. The backdrop features a rural setting with mountains and a partially obscured structure.

our approach

Mushroom supplements demand precision.

Our commitment to functional mushrooms involves rigorous research and collaboration with international experts. We create innovative, evidence-based mushroom supplements that support wellness.

Rooted in nature. Refined by Science.

Map of Asia with mushrooms marking locations, showcasing our premium mushroom sourcing from the best regions for optimal quality and purity.
01

Cultivation Excellence and Strain Selection

Our functional mushrooms thrive in carefully chosen regions renowned for their purity and ideal climates, such as China, Japan, Malaysia, Siberia, and Mongolia. We meticulously select strains prized for their wellness benefits and continually refine substrates. From organic sawdust and wheat bran for Lion’s Mane to natural wood logs for Reishi, our approach ensures the cultivation of larger, more potent fruiting bodies.

Drawing of a mushroom farm in China, highlighting our sustainable and high-quality mushroom cultivation practices in the region.
02

Research, Validation, and Farm Selection

Our mushroom extracts are cultivated based on extensive research and scientific validation, collaborating with top experts and institutions to ensure the highest quality and effectiveness. Careful farm and region selection is integral to our process, sourcing Chaga from the Siberian forests and cultivating Lion’s Mane and Tremella in GuTian County, FuJian Province, celebrated for its ideal microclimate and traditional expertise.

Drawing of a mushroom being milled into powder in a milling machine, illustrating the process of creating fine mushroom extracts.
03

Extraction Methods

We employ various extraction methods:

  1. Water Extraction: Ideal for beta-glucans, heating functional mushrooms in water to release compounds. Suited for Cordyceps, Turkey Tail, Maitake, Tremella, and Shiitake.
  2. Ethanol Extraction: Excels at extracting non-water-soluble compounds; evaporation techniques ensure a pure product. Suitable for comprehensive extracts.
  3. Dual Extraction: Combines water and ethanol methods for Reishi, Chaga, and Lion's Mane, providing a potent extract.
Drawing of mushroom powder being mixed into a container of water, depicting the water extraction process for mushroom extracts.
04

Extraction Process

The process is as crucial as the method used. Whole dried functional mushrooms are ground into powder and extracted in hot water, ethanol, or both, over several hours. We conduct two 90-minute extraction rounds at 80 degrees Celsius for thorough extraction. Finally, a purification stage increases solubility and removes impurities, a step often skipped by other companies.

Drawing of a person adding a prize certificate to a mushroom, symbolizing the award-winning quality of our mushroom products.
05

Rigorous Quality Assurance

Our quality assurance exceeds industry expectations, adhering to FSSC 22000 standards and ensuring product purity under both US and European protocols. We surpass US organic certification by meeting European standards, with extensive testing for ethylene oxide (ETO), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), pesticides, microbials, heavy metals, and other contaminants, ensuring top safety and purity.

Drawing of a microscope analyzing a mushroom sample, highlighting the rigorous testing and quality assurance of our mushroom products.
06

Independent Potency Verification

We conduct independent potency verification to ensure the highest quality of our mushroom supplements. Our testing includes measuring beta-glucans and verifying the absence of contaminants. Reputable labs such as Alkemist, Eurofins, and Helix conduct our testing, ensuring unbiased and reliable results.

01

Cultivation Excellence and Strain Selection

Our functional mushrooms thrive in carefully chosen regions renowned for their purity and ideal climates, such as China, Japan, Malaysia, Siberia, and Mongolia. We meticulously select strains prized for their wellness benefits and continually refine substrates. From organic sawdust and wheat bran for Lion’s Mane to natural wood logs for Reishi, our approach ensures the cultivation of larger, more potent fruiting bodies.

02

Research, Validation, and Farm Selection

Our mushroom extracts are cultivated based on extensive research and scientific validation, collaborating with top experts and institutions to ensure the highest quality and effectiveness. Careful farm and region selection is integral to our process, sourcing Chaga from the Siberian forests and cultivating Lion’s Mane and Tremella in GuTian County, FuJian Province, celebrated for its ideal microclimate and traditional expertise.

03

Extraction Methods

We employ various extraction methods:

  1. Water Extraction: Ideal for beta-glucans, heating functional mushrooms in water to release compounds. Suited for Cordyceps, Turkey Tail, Maitake, Tremella, and Shiitake.
  2. Ethanol Extraction: Excels at extracting non-water-soluble compounds; evaporation techniques ensure a pure product. Suitable for comprehensive extracts.
  3. Dual Extraction: Combines water and ethanol methods for Reishi, Chaga, and Lion's Mane, providing a potent extract.
04

Extraction Process

The process is as crucial as the method used. Whole dried functional mushrooms are ground into powder and extracted in hot water, ethanol, or both, over several hours. We conduct two 90-minute extraction rounds at 80 degrees Celsius for thorough extraction. Finally, a purification stage increases solubility and removes impurities, a step often skipped by other companies.

05

Rigorous Quality Assurance

Our quality assurance exceeds industry expectations, adhering to FSSC 22000 standards and ensuring product purity under both US and European protocols. We surpass US organic certification by meeting European standards, with extensive testing for ethylene oxide (ETO), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), pesticides, microbials, heavy metals, and other contaminants, ensuring top safety and purity.

06

Independent Potency Verification

We conduct independent potency verification to ensure the highest quality of our mushroom supplements. Our testing includes measuring beta-glucans and verifying the absence of contaminants. Reputable labs such as Alkemist, Eurofins, and Helix conduct our testing, ensuring unbiased and reliable results.

Map of Asia with mushrooms marking locations, showcasing our premium mushroom sourcing from the best regions for optimal quality and purity.Drawing of a mushroom farm in China, highlighting our sustainable and high-quality mushroom cultivation practices in the region.Drawing of a mushroom being milled into powder in a milling machine, illustrating the process of creating fine mushroom extracts.Drawing of mushroom powder being mixed into a container of water, depicting the water extraction process for mushroom extracts.Drawing of a person adding a prize certificate to a mushroom, symbolizing the award-winning quality of our mushroom products.Drawing of a microscope analyzing a mushroom sample, highlighting the rigorous testing and quality assurance of our mushroom products.

92%

of the companies we've reviewed do not display or share their lab results.

Our Lab Tests

Recognizing the unique challenges in the nutraceutical industry, we go above and beyond to ensure the highest safety and potency. Our expert board rigorously tests and continually enhances our mushroom supplements, upholding unparalleled standards of quality, safety, and efficacy.

An analytical report from Eurofins for Antioxi Ltd, confirming that the Organic Lion's Mane Extract sample was tested for heavy metals, including lead, arsenic, cadmium, and mercury, all of which were found to be within safe limits.

Heavy Metals

Heavy metals are a key concern, here's why testing matters:

  • Why It Matters: Functional mushrooms are excellent bioaccumulators, absorbing heavy metals like lead, mercury, cadmium, and arsenic, which pose serious health risks.
  • Our Focus: We meet and exceed the EU's strict safety thresholds, ensuring our mushroom supplements are safe and pure for consumption.
  • Did You Know? The EU's heavy metal limits are among the toughest globally, protecting even the most vulnerable populations.
  • Interesting Fact: Regular consumption of untested mushroom supplements can lead to toxic metal accumulation in the body, making our rigorous testing essential for long-term health.
An analytical report from Eurofins for Antioxi Ltd, confirming that the Organic Lion's Mane Extract sample tested negative for pesticides. The analysis shows that the sample is free from detectable pesticide residues, ensuring product safety and compliance with quality standards.

Pesticides

Pesticides can be a hidden danger in mushroom supplements. Here's why our testing matters:

  • Why It Matters: Functional mushrooms can absorb pesticides, posing health risks to consumers.
  • Our Focus: There are short and extensive pesticide tests. We always choose the comprehensive, extensive test.
  • Our Standards: By opting for the extensive test, we exceed safety requirements, ensuring our mushroom supplements are pure and safe.
  • Consumer Confidence: Our rigorous testing ensures our mushrooms are free from harmful pesticide residues.
  • Interesting Fact: Dual-extracted functional mushrooms can concentrate pesticide residues. Many companies cut corners with short tests, but we ensure thorough safety and purity.
An analytical report from Eurofins for Antioxi Ltd, confirming that the Organic Lion's Mane Extract sample tested negative for ethylene oxide and related compounds, ensuring product safety and compliance with quality standards.

Ethylene Oxide

Ethylene oxide is a crucial concern, especially for functional mushrooms sourced from China. Here's why our testing matters:

  • Why It Matters: Ethylene oxide is used as a sterilizing agent and can leave harmful residues.
  • Our Focus: Products from many regions, including China, require stringent testing due to its prevalent use in sterilization.
  • Our Standards: We conduct comprehensive ethylene oxide tests to ensure our mushroom supplements meet the highest safety standards.
  • Interesting Fact: Dual-extracted functional mushrooms can concentrate ethylene oxide residues, making thorough testing essential for safety.
An analytical report from Eurofins for Antioxi Ltd, confirming that the Organic Reishi Extract sample tested negative for Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs). The analysis shows that the sample does not contain detectable levels of Benz(a)anthracene, Benzo(a)pyrene, Benzo(b)fluoranthene, Chrysene, or the sum of these PAHs, ensuring product safety and compliance with quality standards.

Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons

Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) are a significant concern for functional mushrooms. Here's why testing matters:

  • Why It Matters: PAHs are environmental pollutants that can contaminate mushrooms, posing serious health risks.
  • Our Focus: PAHs can form during the drying and processing of mushrooms, making thorough testing essential.
  • Little-Known Fact: Dual-extracted functional mushrooms can concentrate PAHs due to the alcohol used, highlighting the importance of rigorous testing.
  • Our Standards: We conduct rigorous PAH testing to meet the strictest EU safety thresholds, ensuring our mushroom supplements are safe and pure.
Certificate of analysis showing that Antioxi's Lion's Mane Extract has passed microbiological testing with low levels of total plate count and yeast and mold, and no presence of E.coli or Salmonella, indicating a safe product.

Microbials

Microbial contamination is a critical concern for functional mushrooms. We take every step to ensure our mushroom supplements are free from harmful microorganisms.

  • Why It Matters: Microbial contamination can occur at various stages of cultivation and processing, posing serious health risks.
  • Our Focus: Functional mushrooms are grown in natural environments, which can introduce a variety of microbes, making thorough testing essential.
  • Little-Known Fact: Harmful microbes can survive in dried and powdered forms, emphasizing the need for comprehensive microbial testing.
A certificate of analysis from Eurofins for Antioxi Ltd, detailing the potency test results of an Organic Turkey Tail extract sample. The analysis reports that the sample contains 3.60% Alpha Glucan, 62.8% Beta Glucan, and a total Glucan content of 66.4%.

Beta D Glucan

Beta-D-glucans are crucial for the potency of mushroom supplements.

  • Why It Matters: Beta-D-glucans, offer significant immunological benefits. Validating them is essential.
  • Our Focus: High beta-D-glucan levels are vital for mushroom supplement potency. Grain-based mycelium products often lack these levels.
  • Little-Known Fact: Most mushroom supplements aren't tested for beta-D-glucan content, leading to varying potency.
  • Our Standards: We rigorously test beta-D-glucans and have increased our threshold from 30% to a market-leading 40%.
A certificate of analysis from Eurofins for Antioxi Ltd, detailing the potency test results of an Organic Turkey Tail extract sample. The analysis reports that the sample contains 3.60% Alpha Glucan, 62.8% Beta Glucan, and a total Glucan content of 66.4%.

Alpha Glucans

Alpha-glucans can indicate impurities in functional mushrooms. We maintain the highest purity standards.

  • Why It Matters: Alpha-glucans are undesirable as they indicate lower purity and quality.
  • Our Focus: Avoiding alpha-glucans ensures the purity and effectiveness of our mushroom supplements. Grain-based mycelium products (MOG) often contain mostly grains but are sold as functional mushrooms. These alpha-glucans in MOG products resemble starch in tests.
  • Little-Known Fact: Hardly any companies perform lab tests on their products, and those that do often avoid testing for alpha-glucans to hide bad purity.
Certificate of analysis for Antioxi's Chaga Extract, showing negative results for the presence of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, confirmed through Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and Microscopic Analysis, ensuring the absence of this contaminant.

Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Saccharomyces cerevisiae (Baker's Yeast) can inflate beta-glucan content artificially.

  • Why It Matters: This common yeast in baking and brewing can mislead consumers by artificially boosting beta-glucan levels in mushroom supplements.
  • Two Forms: Regular Saccharomyces cerevisiae has detectable DNA, while purified Saccharomyces cerevisiae lacks most cellular components, making its DNA undetectable.
  • Our Focus: Avoiding both forms is crucial for ensuring the true potency and purity of our mushroom supplements.
  • Industry Insight: We've seen notable companies selling "mushroom supplements" with their ingredient list proudly stating Saccharomyces cerevisiae, falsely boosting beta-D-glucan levels to 75%. (Beware)

board of specialists

Given the newness of mushroom supplements in the West, we've assembled a growing board of specialists to continually enhance our offerings, ensuring the highest standards of quality, safety, and efficacy.

Antioxi Mushroom supplements for pets - board of specialists - professional vet

Veterinarian - Dr Linda Barker-Singh

Dr Linda Barker-Singh MVB MRCVS is a locum veterinary surgeon who has worked in London for the past 11 years. She graduated top of her class in small animal medicine from UCD, Dublin. She is currently a member of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons.

Antioxi Mushroom supplements for pets - board of specialists - nutritionist

Nutritionist - Rebecca Taylor

Rebecca Taylor BSc, MSc, RNutr is a Registered Nutritionist with the Association for Nutrition. She holds a first-class MSc in Personalised Nutrition and brings extensive experience in dietary supplements and wellness to Antioxi's Scientific Advisory Board. She emphasizes using top-quality ingredients to maximise the benefits of their mushroom supplements, ensuring each product meets the highest standards.

Antioxi Mushroom supplements for pets - board of specialists - herbal vet

Veterinarian Herbalist - Dr. Shelley Doxey

Shelley, a UK veterinary surgeon for over 20 years, runs an integrative practice using herbal medicine, including functional mushrooms. She tutors in veterinary herbal medicine and is a Charter Fellow of the American Association of Veterinary Botanical Medicine.