Description

Wholesale L-Ergothioneine Powder

L-Ergothioneine (EGT) is a naturally occurring sulfur-containing amino acid derivative. Its chemical name is 2-mercaptohistidine trimethylbetaine, and its molecular formula is C₉H₁₅N₃O₂S. This compound possesses a unique chemical structure, with a thiol group (-SH) conferring many of its important chemical and biological properties.

Ergothioneine is not widely distributed in nature. It is primarily found in certain fungi, such as shiitake mushrooms, cyanobacteria, and some grains. The biosynthesis of ergothioneine within these organisms involves a complex series of biochemical pathways. For instance, mushrooms contain relatively high concentrations of ergothioneine, making them a significant dietary source of this compound.

L-ergothioneine powder is a natural antioxidant, which can protect cells in human body and is an important active substance in the body.

COA

Health Benefits and Applications

Physiological Functions

Antioxidant Effects: Ergothioneine is a highly effective antioxidant. It can scavenge reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the body, such as superoxide anions (O₂⁻) and hydroxyl radicals (•OH). Its antioxidant mechanism primarily involves the thiol group reacting with free radicals, converting them into more stable compounds, thus protecting cells from oxidative damage. This property allows ergothioneine to play a crucial role in protecting biological macromolecules such as cellular DNA, proteins, and lipids from oxidative stress. For example, in skin cells, ergothioneine can counteract free radicals generated by ultraviolet radiation, reducing photoaging of the skin.

Cellular Protective Function: It has a protective effect on cells. It can regulate the redox balance within cells and stabilize the intracellular environment. During inflammatory responses, ergothioneine can inhibit the production of inflammatory factors and reduce inflammation-induced cell damage. In nerve cells, ergothioneine can prevent nerve cells from damage caused by oxidative stress and excitotoxicity, thereby maintaining the health of the nervous system.

Chelating Metal Ions: Ergothioneine also has the ability to chelate metal ions, especially transition metal ions such as copper ions (Cu²⁺) and zinc ions (Zn²⁺). This chelation can regulate the concentration and activity of metal ions within cells, preventing metal ions from catalyzing the production of excessive free radicals. For example, in the regulation of the activity of certain enzymes, ergothioneine can influence the catalytic efficiency of enzymes by chelating metal ions, thereby participating in cellular metabolic regulation.

Applications

Cosmetics Industry: Due to its excellent antioxidant and cell protective functions, ergothioneine is widely used in cosmetics. It can be added to skincare products such as creams, serums, and sunscreens. In creams and serums, ergothioneine can penetrate deep into skin cells, resisting damage to the skin caused by daily environmental factors such as pollution and UV radiation, delaying skin aging, and enhancing skin luster and elasticity. In sunscreens, it can work synergistically with other sunscreen ingredients to provide additional photoprotection and reduce skin redness and inflammation caused by UV radiation.

Food and Dietary Supplement Industry: As a nutritional supplement, ergothioneine can be made into capsules, tablets, and other forms. For those who want to maintain their health by supplementing with antioxidants, ergothioneine is a good choice. It can help clear free radicals produced by metabolism and enhance the body's antioxidant defense system. In some functional foods, such as energy bars and nutritional drinks, adding ergothioneine can also improve the nutritional value and health benefits of the product.

Pharmaceutical Industry: In pharmaceutical research, the cell protective and antioxidant properties of ergothioneine have also attracted attention. It has the potential to be used to treat some diseases related to oxidative stress and inflammation, such as neurodegenerative diseases (Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, etc.) and certain cardiovascular diseases. Researchers are exploring the potential uses of ergothioneine in drug development, such as using it as a drug carrier or as an adjuvant therapy to improve therapeutic efficacy and reduce drug side effects.

Advantages of Ergothioneine's Antioxidant Properties Compared to Others

Stability Advantages

Ergothioneine has good stability within the physiological pH range and temperature. Compared to common antioxidants like vitamin C, vitamin C is easily oxidized in aqueous solutions, especially in the presence of oxygen, light, and metal ions, and its antioxidant performance rapidly declines. The chemical structure of ergothioneine allows it to maintain relatively stable antioxidant activity in complex physiological environments. For example, in skincare product applications on the skin's surface, ergothioneine can continue to exert antioxidant effects throughout the product's shelf life, unlike vitamin C, which easily discolors and becomes ineffective.

Advantages in the Site of Action

Ergothioneine has unique intracellular antioxidant properties. Unlike vitamin E, which primarily acts on cell membranes, ergothioneine can penetrate the cell membrane and exert antioxidant effects inside the cell. It can directly scavenge reactive oxygen species inside cells and protect important structures such as mitochondria and DNA within the cell. Mitochondria are the main site of energy production in cells but are also one of the primary sources of free radical production. Ergothioneine can perform antioxidant defense within this "free radical factory," reducing damage to mitochondria by free radicals and maintaining normal cellular energy metabolism.

Advantages in Antioxidant Mechanisms

The antioxidant effect of ergothioneine is based on its thiol group (-SH). This group can scavenge free radicals by donating hydrogen atoms. Similar to glutathione (GSH), they both have sulfur-containing active groups, but the antioxidant reaction of ergothioneine is relatively more selective. Glutathione participates in various metabolic processes within cells, and its antioxidant function may be interfered with by other metabolic pathways. Ergothioneine, on the other hand, primarily focuses on scavenging harmful reactive oxygen species, and its antioxidant reaction products are relatively stable, unlike some antioxidants that produce potentially toxic secondary oxidation products.

Synergistic Antioxidant Advantages

Ergothioneine can work synergistically with other antioxidants to enhance overall antioxidant effects. For example, it can work together with vitamin C and vitamin E. Vitamin C can regenerate vitamin E, while ergothioneine can cooperate with them within cells to form a multi-level antioxidant network. In this network, ergothioneine can play a role in specific areas within the cell, compensating for the deficiencies of other antioxidants, and thus more effectively protecting cells and tissues from oxidative damage. This synergistic effect makes antioxidant formulations containing ergothioneine more advantageous than single antioxidants in protecting cells and tissues from oxidative damage.