Bioactive Compounds in Fungi
A chemistry-focused course on fungal polysaccharides, terpenoids, phenolics, sterols and nucleosides, and how researchers isolate and study them.
Programme identification
- 1.1Programme name
- Bioactive Compounds in Fungi
- 1.2Type of qualification
- Course
- 1.3Provider / endorsing institution
- Fungaris – International Institute of Mycology, School of Medicinal & Functional Fungi. A Fungaris programme of its own, not endorsed by a university.
- 1.4Mode of study
- Online, with live sessions in a small group, recordings and a virtual campus.
- 1.5Duration (hours / ECTS credits)
- 3 months (12 weeks) · 72 hours in total · 6 modules of 12 hours · 12 live sessions of 2 hours. ECTS credits: not applicable (Fungaris own programme, not an official university degree).
- 1.6Language
- English
- 1.7Start and end dates / intake
- Next intake: 11 January 2027 to 2 April 2027. Enrolment closes on 4 January 2027. Following intake: 8 March 2027. How intakes work →
Overview
2.1Programme description
This chemistry-focused course explores the molecules that make fungi interesting to scientists and product developers. Starting from the difference between primary and secondary metabolism, it covers polysaccharides and glycoproteins, triterpenoids and sterols, phenolic compounds and pigments, and small molecules such as nucleosides and alkaloids. For each class you will learn typical structures, where they occur, how they are extracted and isolated, and which analytical techniques are used to study them.
Product claims increasingly cite specific compounds, yet many teams lack the chemistry to judge whether those references make sense. Science graduates, product developers and laboratory staff will gain the vocabulary and structural understanding to read papers, specifications and certificates with confidence. The final module examines structure–activity research honestly, including the gap between activity in a test tube and effects in people. Your final project is a compound class review: a structured report on one group of fungal metabolites, covering chemistry, sources, isolation methods, analytical approaches and the limits of current research.
2.2Why it matters / what need it meets
It meets a practical need: applied, up-to-date knowledge in medicinal fungi, useful in areas such as ingredient manufacturing, analytical laboratories, dietary supplements, academic and applied research.
Mycology is moving fast and good practical training is still scarce. This programme gives you a structured path, taught live by people who work in the field, so you can apply what you learn with judgement and safety.
Objectives and competences
3.1General objective
To finish the programme able to apply its content professionally and with judgement. In short:
A chemistry-focused course on fungal polysaccharides, terpenoids, phenolics, sterols and nucleosides, and how researchers isolate and study them.
3.2Specific objectives
- Build the foundations: Primary vs Secondary Metabolism in Fungi; Polysaccharides and Glycoproteins.
- Put them into practice: Triterpenoids and Sterols; Phenolic Compounds and Pigments.
- Apply everything to a real case: Nucleosides, Alkaloids and Other Small Molecules; Structure–Activity Research and Its Limits.
- Complete a final project reviewed by your tutor.
3.3Competences you will gain
- Classify fungal metabolites by biosynthetic origin and chemical structure.
- Recognise key compounds from major medicinal species in the literature.
- Select suitable isolation and analytical methods for each compound class.
- Evaluate whether a cited compound plausibly supports a product statement.
- Explain the limits of in vitro structure–activity data clearly.
Student profile
4.1Who it is for (entry profile)
Science graduates, product developers and lab staff.
4.2Entry requirements
A basic grounding in chemistry, at secondary school or first-year university level, is recommended. No laboratory access is required.
4.3Career paths (exit profile)
- Laboratory technician in a natural products or ingredient lab
- Product developer with compound-level technical expertise
- Technical writer for ingredient specifications and dossiers
- Research assistant in fungal chemistry projects
- Scientific liaison between suppliers and brand teams
Outcomes depend on your experience and on your local market.
Study plan
5.1Overall structure (modules and workload)
| Module | Title | Phase | Topics | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Primary vs Secondary Metabolism in Fungi | Foundations | 3 | 12 |
| 02 | Polysaccharides and Glycoproteins | Foundations | 3 | 12 |
| 03 | Triterpenoids and Sterols | Practice | 3 | 12 |
| 04 | Phenolic Compounds and Pigments | Practice | 3 | 12 |
| 05 | Nucleosides, Alkaloids and Other Small Molecules | Application & project | 3 | 12 |
| 06 | Structure–Activity Research and Its Limits | Application & project | 3 | 12 |
| Total | 72 |
6 modules × 12 hours = 72 hours: 24 hours of live sessions, and the rest for campus study, exercises and the final project.
5.2Content by module
Hover or tap a module to follow the path from the first session to the final project. Open a module to see the topics it covers.
- Central metabolism and building blocks
- Biosynthetic pathways for secondary metabolites
- Why fungi make specialised compounds
- Glucans, mannans and heteropolysaccharides
- Protein-bound polysaccharides
- Molecular weight and structural analysis
- Mevalonate pathway and lanostane skeletons
- Ganoderic acids and related triterpenoids
- Ergosterol and other fungal sterols
- Phenolic acids and flavonoid-like compounds
- Melanins and styrylpyrones
- Antioxidant assays and their limits
- Cordycepin and other nucleosides
- Indole alkaloids and erinacines
- Peptides and minor metabolites
- Principles of structure–activity relationships
- From in vitro activity to human relevance
- Common errors in compound claims
5.3Company placement
This programme does not include a company placement. Practice is built into every module through exercises, case studies and the final project.
5.4Final project
A structured review of one class of fungal metabolites covering chemistry, sources, isolation, analysis and research limits.
Methodology
6.1How it is taught
- Live online sessions, usually weekly, with a working professional and a small group.
- Recordings of every session, so you can catch up if work or time zones get in the way.
- Exercises and real case studies in every module.
- Tutoring: your tutor answers questions and gives feedback on your exercises and project.
6.2Platform and resources
A Moodle virtual campus with session recordings, readings, exercises and forums for each module. You need a computer, an up-to-date browser and a stable connection; a webcam and microphone are recommended.
Technical requirements →6.3Estimated weekly workload
About 6 hours a week for 12 weeks: one 2-hour live session on a weekday evening, plus study and exercises on the campus at your own pace.
Assessment
7.1Assessment system and weighting
Progress is assessed through live-session participation and module exercises such as structure identification and paper summaries. The compound class review is assessed by the tutor.
7.2Requirements to pass
- Complete every module, by attending the live sessions or watching the recordings.
- Hand in the module exercises.
- Have your final project approved by your tutor.
Teaching team
8.1Academic direction
At Fungaris, the Medicinal Fungi school coordinates the content and quality of this programme. The academic director of each intake is named in the intake guide.
8.2Faculty
Taught by professionals who work in the field. The tutor for each intake is confirmed before the start.
Meet our faculty →Certificate
9.1Certificate awarded
Course Certificate
On completing the programme and its project, Fungaris issues a Course Certificate. Fungaris certificates are the institute's own. Whether an employer, school or authority recognises them depends on that organisation and on local rules in each country.
9.2Issuing body / recognition
Issued by Fungaris (operated by Nexora Generation, S.L.) as a digital certificate. It is a Fungaris certificate of its own: it is not an official university degree and does not award ECTS credits.
About our certificates →Admission and enrolment
10.1Admission process (steps)
- Send your request through the form or write to admissions.
- Admissions reviews your profile and confirms the start date, the session schedule and the fee.
- You secure your place with full payment or a 40% reservation.
- You receive your campus access and welcome guide before the first session.
10.2Documents required
- A valid identity document.
- Contact and billing details (personal or company).
10.3Deadlines
Enrolment for the intake starting on 11 January 2027 is open until 4 January 2027, or until the group is full (maximum 20 students).
10.4Fee and payment options
Fee: £340
- Full payment before the start: £272 (20% reduction).
- 40% reservation (£136) and 3 monthly instalments of £68.
10.5Grants, discounts and funding
Discounts: 10% for Fungaris alumni and 15% for groups of three or more people from the same organisation. Discounts cannot be combined with each other or with the full-payment reduction.
Your employer can pay for the programme and receive the invoice in the company name. Whether a public or employer training budget can cover the fee depends on your country, so check with them.
10.6Cancellation policy
The conditions for cancelling, withdrawing or moving to a later intake are explained in our cancellation policy and in your enrolment confirmation. Nothing there limits your rights under the consumer law that applies to you.
Cancellation and refunds →Additional information
11.1Frequently asked questions
Do I need experience to study Bioactive Compounds in Fungi?
A basic grounding in chemistry, at secondary school or first-year university level, is recommended. No laboratory access is required.
How is Bioactive Compounds in Fungi taught?
Live online, in 6 modules with a working professional, a small group and a final project.
How am I assessed?
Progress is assessed through live-session participation and module exercises such as structure identification and paper summaries. The compound class review is assessed by the tutor.
What is the final project?
A structured review of one class of fungal metabolites covering chemistry, sources, isolation, analysis and research limits.
What certificate do I get?
On completing the programme and its project, Fungaris issues a Course Certificate. Fungaris certificates are the institute's own. Whether an employer, school or authority recognises them depends on that organisation and on local rules in each country.
What can I study after Bioactive Compounds in Fungi?
The natural next step is Diploma in Functional & Medicinal Mushrooms.
11.2Alumni testimonials
We only publish verified testimonials from real students. This programme does not have any published yet; they will appear here once its first intakes finish.
11.3Admissions contact
Write to info@fungaris.institute or use the contact form. Admissions answers in your language.
Read before you start.
Keep branching.
From our species guide.
Join the next intake.
Pay in full with a 20% reduction, or reserve your place with 40% and pay the rest in monthly instalments. All prices are stated in pounds sterling (GBP).