Written by: Michelle Simpson, Founder, Medshrum
Last updated: 1 September 2026
If you are exploring functional mushrooms, you have probably noticed that not all supplements are created equal. Some are organic, some are vague. Some are carefully extracted, while others rely on dried mushroom powder and attractive wording.
Ultrasonic extraction: the short answer
Ultrasonic-assisted extraction uses high-frequency sound waves to help disrupt mushroom cell walls and release bioactive compounds. At Medshrum, it forms part of our triple-extraction method, alongside water and organic ethanol, so the finished tincture is built around potency, consistency and bioavailability.
Best for: understanding how sound-wave technology helps break down tough chitin cell walls, discovering the difference between standard powders and high-bioavailability extracts, and learning what questions to ask a brand before buying.
What is bioavailability?
Bioavailability means how much of a compound can be absorbed and used by the body. Mushrooms contain chitin, a tough structural material. Extraction helps unlock compounds that may otherwise remain less accessible.
How ultrasonic extraction works
Ultrasonic extraction uses acoustic cavitation: microscopic bubbles form and collapse in the extraction liquid, creating localised energy that helps break open plant or fungal material. For mushrooms, that can support the release of polysaccharides, beta-glucans and other compounds into the finished extract.
Why Medshrum uses triple extraction
Water extraction is used for water-soluble compounds. Alcohol extraction helps capture alcohol-soluble compounds such as triterpenes. Ultrasonic assistance adds a modern processing layer designed to support yield and consistency. This is the Medshrum method: old mushroom knowledge, modern extraction science.
Together, these layers are designed to create a precise, repeatable balance of naturally occurring beta-glucans, polysaccharides and triterpene compounds. It means each tincture is judged by method, sourcing and testing rather than by loud claims or generic extract language.
What to ask before buying
- Does the brand explain its extraction?
- Is it Soil Association certified organic or equivalent?
- Does it name species and mushroom part clearly?
- Is it third-party tested?
- Does it avoid treatment and cure promises?
Why extraction matters
Extraction is not a technical footnote. It is one of the clearest reasons to choose one tincture over another. A premium bottle should prove its value through method, sourcing and testing before it asks for trust.
References
Food supplements are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease.