Chaga Extract – Organic Inonotus obliquus

Why choose this Chaga extract?

There are big differences between Chaga raw materials. Some products consist of coarsely or finely milled material, while others are extracts. In addition, the origin of the material, the host tree and the processing method can affect the chemical profile. This Chaga extract, by contrast, has a clearly documented raw material specification. That is why its origin, process and selected analytical markers can be described more precisely.

• 100% Chaga conk from Inonotus obliquus
• Finnish raw material from organically certified forests
• EU organic certified
• ≥5% 1,3:1,6-beta-glucans
• ≥0.6% inotodiol
• ≥0.05% betulinic acid
• Only water as extraction liquid
• Water extraction and freeze-drying
• Freeze-dried
• Manufactured in Finland
• Third-party tested

What is Chaga?

Chaga is the established name for the dark, hard mushroom structure formed by Inonotus obliquus.

The species belongs to the family Hymenochaetaceae and the order Hymenochaetales. Above all, Chaga is associated with birch trees in colder parts of the northern hemisphere.

Unlike many classic edible mushrooms, the characteristic black Chaga lump is not the actual fruiting body of the mushroom.

Instead, it is a sterile conk or sclerotium-like structure that develops on the host tree.

See taxonomic information at Species Fungorum – Inonotus obliquus.

Chaga is part of our range of documented mushroom raw materials. Explore the whole mushroom extracts category.

What is a Chaga conk?

The structure commonly called Chaga is a dark, sterile fungal mass that grows out from the trunk of an infected tree.

The outside is typically black and cracked, while the inside often has browner, more rust-coloured tones.

However, the conk should not be confused with the actual sexual fruiting body that Inonotus obliquus can form later in its life cycle.

This is an important quality detail, as research shows clear chemical differences between authentic Chaga conk, mycelium and certain fermented grain-based products.

Beta-glucans in Chaga

Beta-glucans are complex polysaccharides found in the cell walls of mushrooms.

Chaga also contains glucans. In addition, comparative analyses show that the amount can vary between samples and host trees.

At the same time, it is important to distinguish between specifically analysed beta-glucans and the broader term polysaccharides.

Consequently, a general polysaccharide value cannot automatically be equated with a beta-glucan content.

What is inotodiol in Chaga?

Inotodiol is a lanostane-related triterpenoid that researchers often identify in Chaga conk.

Chemical analyses of Inonotus obliquus from different geographical areas have shown that inotodiol is one of the recurring triterpenoid markers.

In addition, comparative studies have found inotodiol in conks from both birch and alder, although the levels can vary between samples.

This content describes the chemical specification of the raw material and should not be interpreted as a medical or physiological effect claim.

Read an example of primary research:
Comparative analyses of compounds in Inonotus obliquus conks.

What is betulinic acid in Chaga?

Betulinic acid is a triterpenoid that occurs in several plant and fungal contexts.

In Chaga, the substance is particularly interesting because the mushroom often grows on birch, whose bark contains large amounts of closely related triterpenes.

Researchers have identified both betulin and betulinic acid in different Chaga samples. At the same time, studies show that the levels can vary depending on geographical origin and host tree.

A study comparing Chaga from France, Canada and Ukraine, for example, showed clear differences in the levels of betulin, betulinic acid and inotodiol between the samples.

Read the study:
Chemical study of betulin, betulinic acid and inotodiol in Chaga.

How is the Chaga extract made?

KÄÄPÄ Biotech processes the Chaga raw material through several documented steps before it becomes a finished extract powder.

For Chaga, the process involves several steps. First, the producer dries the Chaga conk. Then the raw material is broken down before extraction and freeze-drying.

1. The Chaga conk is dried.
2. The raw material undergoes cell-disrupting milling.
3. KÄÄPÄ Biotech extracts the material with water.
4. The extract is freeze-dried.
5. The dry material is milled into extract powder.
6. Third-party laboratories carry out quality controls.

Mushroom material contains structural components such as chitin and complex polysaccharides.

That is why an extraction process differs from simply milling dried Chaga into powder.

Chaga powder or Chaga extract?

Ordinary Chaga powder and Chaga extract are different product forms.

In other words, the word “powder” mainly describes the physical form. An extract, on the other hand, also says something about the processing method.

Organic Chaga from Finland

The Chaga extract has a clearly documented geographical raw material profile.

The manufacturer states that the Chaga raw material is Finnish and describes its origin as organically certified forests in Finland.

In addition, the purified water the producer uses in the extraction comes from Finland.

KÄÄPÄ Biotech carries out the manufacturing itself at the company’s facility in Karjalohja.

Taken together, this means that both the Chaga raw material and the extraction process have a clear Finnish connection.

Laboratory-tested Chaga raw material

The raw material specification contains defined limits for both microbiological parameters and heavy metals.

Microbiological specifications

Heavy metal specifications

For heavy metals, the manufacturer states ICP-MS according to SFS-EN ISO 17294-2.

Storage of Chaga extract

Keep the raw material tightly sealed and protect it from direct light, moisture and oxygen.

The manufacturer states a storage temperature of approximately 15–20 °C.

In addition, the specification states a shelf life of 36 months under the recommended conditions.

In practice, the packaging should therefore be kept properly closed after handling.

Product classification

Frequently asked questions about Chaga extract

What is Chaga?

Chaga is the dark, sterile conk formed by the mushroom Inonotus obliquus, often on birch.

Is Chaga a fruiting body?

No. The well-known dark Chaga conk is not the actual fruiting body of the mushroom. That is why we describe the raw material as a conk/sclerotium-like mushroom structure.

Where does this Chaga come from?

According to the manufacturer’s specification, the raw material comes from organically certified forests in Finland.

How much beta-glucan does the extract contain?

The specification states a minimum of 5% 1,3:1,6-beta-glucans.

How much inotodiol does the Chaga extract contain?

The specification states a minimum of 0.6% inotodiol.

Does the raw material contain betulinic acid?

Yes. The manufacturer states a minimum of 0.05% betulinic acid.

Which extraction liquid is used?

KÄÄPÄ Biotech uses only water as the extraction liquid.

Is this ordinary Chaga powder?

No. After the initial processing of the Chaga conk, the raw material undergoes cell-disrupting milling, water extraction and freeze-drying.

Where is the Chaga extract manufactured?

KÄÄPÄ Biotech manufactures the extract in Karjalohja, Finland.

Can the chemical profile of Chaga vary?

Yes. Research shows variation between Chaga samples depending on factors such as geographical origin and host tree. That is why exact product values require relevant analytical documentation.

Summary

The Chaga extract is an organic extract powder made from 100% Chaga conk of Inonotus obliquus.

The raw material comes from organically certified Finnish forests, while KÄÄPÄ Biotech carries out water extraction, freeze-drying and quality control in Finland.

In addition, the specification states a minimum of 5% 1,3:1,6-beta-glucans, a minimum of 0.6% inotodiol and a minimum of 0.05% betulinic acid.

The producer uses only water as the extraction liquid.

Taken together, the combination of Finnish raw material origin, a clearly defined mushroom structure, extraction method and chemical minimum values provides a considerably more detailed raw material description than the term “Chaga powder” alone.