LeafWorks Launches DNA-Based Quantification Testing for Functional Mushroom Blends

• LeafWorks introduces DNA-based Ingredient Quantification Testing, beginning with mushroom blends.
• New assay helps brands verify ingredient composition in multi-species products with quantitative accuracy.
• Testing supports 21 CFR 111 regulatory compliance and reduces risk of costly recalls.
• Approach distinguishes mushrooms from substrates such as oats or grain, addressing a critical industry challenge.
• Designed to serve sourcing managers, QA/QC teams, and product developers across the natural products industry.

DNA-Based Quantification for Mushroom Products

LeafWorks, a botanical genomics and testing company, announced the immediate availability of its DNA-based Quantification Testing for botanicals, beginning with functional mushroom blends. The new assay is designed to measure the composition of multi-species products with accuracy and reliability.

“Brands struggle to verify what’s in their mushroom blends. Now, with this new DNA-based quantification option, we’re giving them a tool that cuts through the noise. No guesswork. No ambiguity,” said Eleanor Kuntz, Ph.D., CEO of LeafWorks.

LeafWorks Meeting Industry Needs for Verification and Compliance

Consumer demand for mushroom blends has surged, creating pressure on manufacturers to confirm ingredient integrity across global supply chains. LeafWorks’ Ingredient Quantification Testing provides:

• Accuracy through validated, species-specific DNA markers.
• Regulatory compliance with third-party results meeting 21 CFR 111 label verification requirements.
• QA/QC and integrity checks to confirm ingredient claims against specifications.
• Supplier validation to strengthen purchasing confidence.
• Product development support through blend consistency monitoring and formulation improvements.
• Mycelium testing to distinguish percent mushroom versus percent substrate with precision.

“Variation in ingredient amounts can cause major risks for companies trying to meet their label claims in complex blend formulations,” said Kerin Law, Ph.D., Chief Scientific Officer at LeafWorks. “Our Ingredient Quantification Test solves that immediately.”

Scientific Rigor and Distinction

Unlike chemistry-based methods, which identify metabolites but not their source species, LeafWorks relies on quantitative PCR (qPCR) targeting species-specific DNA regions. This approach provides clear, quantitative identification of mushrooms and substrates even in highly processed blends.

“Chemistry can show you that certain metabolites are present, but it can’t always tell you which species they came from,” said Nick Batora, Managing Director and Head of R&D at LeafWorks. “With qPCR, we can go straight to the DNA and identify the source species with quantitative accuracy—whether it’s mushrooms or substrates like oats or grain.”

LeafWorks Strengthening Trust in the Supply Chain

By closing a key gap in blend verification, LeafWorks aims to provide sourcing managers, QA/QC professionals, and product developers with actionable data to support compliance, reduce risk, and strengthen consumer confidence in natural products.

“This is a major step forward for the industry,” Batora added.