Erinacine C (Lion's Mane)

Erinacine C is a cyathane-type diterpenoid bioactive compound isolated from the mycelium of Hericium erinaceus (Lion's Mane mushroom). As a purified bioactive constituent rather than a whole food, its nutritional profile centers on its primary bioactive chemistry rather than macronutrient content. Erinacine C concentration in Lion's Mane mycelium typically ranges from 0.01–0.05% dry weight, with higher concentrations achieved through optimized submerged fermentation (up to 0.1 mg/g dry mycelium). The parent mushroom Hericium erinaceus, from which it is derived, contains approximately 22–35% protein by dry weight (containing all essential amino acids), 3–5% fat, 40–60% carbohydrates including beta-glucan polysaccharides (primarily beta-1,3/1,6-glucans at 15–30% dry weight), and 15–25% dietary fiber. Micronutrients in the whole mushroom include potassium (~400 mg/100g dry), phosphorus (~850 mg/100g dry), zinc (~1.5 mg/100g dry), selenium (~2–5 mcg/100g dry), and B-vitamins including riboflavin (B2, ~0.4 mg/100g dry) and niacin (B3, ~6 mg/100g dry). Erinacine C itself is a lipophilic diterpenoid with a molecular weight of approximately 418 Da, exhibiting moderate bioavailability with documented blood-brain barrier penetration in rodent studies. Bioavailability is enhanced when consumed with dietary fats due to its lipophilic nature. Standardized extracts targeting Erinacine C are typically measured at >0.1% erinacines by HPLC.