The Rise of Mushroom-Based Nutraceuticals: A Review of Nutritional Potential and Industrial Integration.

A Narrative Review.

Abstract

Background: mushrooms as a source of bioactive, pharmacologically valuable substances, which puts mushrooms in the range of promising food supplements. Their exclusive makeup, which contains polysaccharides, phenolics, and critical micro nutrients, has attracted the attention of nutrition science and commercial sectors.

Objective: This review attempts to analyze the health benefits, nutritional value, and industrial usability of mushroom-derived nutraceutical substances, as well as the bottlenecks and controversies surrounding their commercialization.

Methods:The literature was scoured to identify the most recent peer-reviewed publications on the topic concerning databases of PubMed, Scopus, and ScienceDirect and timeframes 2010 to 2024. Among search terms, the importance of mushroom nutraceuticals, bioactive compounds, and functional foods, as well as their industrial commercialization, deserves to be mentioned.

Results: Particular species of mushrooms, Ganoderma lucidum, Lentinula edodes, and Cordyceps militaris, reveal antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, immuno-modulatory, and cholesterol-reducing activity. The integration into the nutraceutical market has been increasing at a fast rate, with regulatory gaps, standardization, and scientific validations being significant challenges. In addition, there is the issue of false marketing health-wise, as well as the conflict between usage and abuse in industry.

Conclusion: Nutraceuticals based on mushrooms have a massive potential in terms of both public health and commercial development. Nonetheless, evidence-based regulations and interdisciplinary cooperation are necessary to make sure that products are safe, effective, and developed with responsibility in the growing area.