What is Maitake “D-fraction”?
Maitake D-fraction is a phrase coined to describe a derivative of a high-molecular-weight polysaccharide (m.w. approx. 1,000,000) that is acid-insoluble, alkali-soluble, and hot-water extractable. The fraction is composed of 1,6 beta-glucans carrying 1,3 branches. All fruitbodies of Maitake contain this fraction. 8. Why not produce a highly purified extract of, for instance, Maitake to isolate the D-fraction from Maitake? There are several studies suggesting the high-molecular-weight polysaccharide family has greater stimulatory effects than any one of its isolated constituents. Adachi et al (1990) found that there was greater immunological benefit from a heat-treated ‘mother’ polysaccharide (800,000+ m.w.) than from the isolated, derivative polysaccharides of lower molecular weights of 250,000, 21,000, and 6400. Mizuno (1995, pp. 32-33) and Broffman (1997) also underscored the importance of constituents other than (1-3)-ß-D-glucans, and suggested that other components within the mushr
