Hairy Bracket (Trametes hirsuta)
A common bracket fungus closely related to turkey tail, valued in biotechnology as a laccase producer. No clinical trials in humans and no presence on the supplement market.
Table of contents
TL;DR
A common bracket fungus closely related to turkey tail, valued in biotechnology as a laccase producer. No clinical trials in humans and no presence on the supplement market.
- →No studies in humans — available data is limited to in vitro tests of fruiting-body extracts and studies on laccase enzymes
| Latin name | Trametes hirsuta |
|---|---|
| Family | Polyporaceae (bracket fungi) |
| Active compounds | Laccases (enzymes), polyphenolic compounds |
| Form | Not applicable — no commercial product exists |
| Level of evidence | Preliminary/hypothesis — isolated in vitro and molecular studies |
| Interactions | None described |
| Status | Common in Poland; no dietary-supplement status; industrially valued as a laccase producer |
Understand
Overview
Hairy bracket (Trametes hirsuta) is one of the most common bracket fungi in Poland, closely related to turkey tail. The fruiting bodies are semicircular, with a densely haired surface in shades of gray. It grows mainly as a saprotroph on dead deciduous wood.
Unlike turkey tail, Trametes hirsuta hasn't seen comparable human research and is not traded as a dietary supplement. It does, however, draw interest from biotechnologists as an efficient laccase producer — enzymes used for wastewater decolorization and bioremediation.
Given the current state of knowledge, hairy bracket won't "help" anyone as a supplement — because it simply isn't one. The only real target audience is biotechnologists working on enzymatic lignin breakdown and wastewater decolorization — for them, the species is a valuable source of laccases. For people looking for immune support through supplementation, it makes far more sense to reach for the well-studied relative, turkey tail, rather than this species.
Where it's found
Hairy bracket is one of the most common bracket fungi in Poland and worldwide, growing as a saprotroph on dead and decaying deciduous wood. Densely haired, grayish fruiting bodies appear year-round.
Mechanism of action
There's no established mechanism of action in the context of human health — research focuses on enzymes (laccase) that catalyze lignin breakdown. A few studies on fruiting-body extracts suggest the presence of compounds with antioxidant activity.
The laccase gene family of the Trametes hirsuta strain includes at least five identified genes, whose expression is induced by copper ions (Cu2+) — laccase, as a multicopper oxidase enzyme, requires copper as a catalytic cofactor for electron transfer during phenol oxidation. Separately from this enzymatic system, a study on selenium-enriched mycelium showed distinct antioxidant and cytostatic activity of the extracts.
Laccase gene expression induced by copper ions
The mycelium carries a family of at least five genes encoding laccase, whose transcription increases under the influence of copper ions.
Catalytic oxidation of lignin
Laccases catalyze the oxidation of phenolic and non-phenolic lignin components — used in bioremediation.
Antioxidant and cytostatic activity of extracts
Extracts from selenium-enriched mycelium showed antioxidant and cytotoxic activity in vitro, with no mechanistic link to the laccases.
Evidence: early-stage — based on 2 studies in this database.
Benefits
Forms & variants
Hairy Bracket (Trametes hirsuta) comes in several forms that differ in bioavailability and use case — the form you pick genuinely matters for how effective the supplementation is.
Wild fruiting body on deciduous wood
The only form in which the species is found.
Best for: Mycological observation
Practice
Frequently asked questions
No — they're closely related but distinct species. Unlike turkey tail, it has no clinical research or drug status behind it.
Dosage & timing
Typical dose
Not established. Trametes hirsuta is not sold as a dietary supplement
Form
Not applicable
This entry is informational/mycological in nature, not a supplementation recommendation.
Best times to take it
- Not applicable
Safety
Side effects & contraindications
Possible side effects
No safety data for use in humans
Contraindications
Not applicable — no registered products or any clinical data exist
Interactions
No interactions described
Is it worth taking?
Who it's for
- No studies in humans — available data is limited to in vitro tests of fruiting-body extracts and studies on laccase enzymes
Not for
- Not applicable — no registered products or any clinical data exist
Evidence
Worth knowing
Laccases from Trametes hirsuta are among the most intensively studied enzymes in environmental biotechnology.
The dense, felt-like hairs on the cap are the simplest way to distinguish it from turkey tail.
Studies
Molecular analysis identified a family of five laccase genes in a strain of Trametes hirsuta, whose transcription was regulated by copper ions.
Vasina D.V. et al., Biochimie, 2015
Effect of Selenium Enrichment of Lenzites betulinus and Trametes hirsuta Mycelia on Antioxidant, Antifungal and Cytostatics Potential
Early-stage evidenceMilovanovic I, Stanojkovic T, Stajic M, Brceskic I, Knezevic A, Cilerdzic J, Vukojevic J · Current Pharmaceutical Biotechnology · 2015
An in vitro study on selenium-enriched mycelium showed antioxidant activity and cytotoxicity against cancer cell lines.
View studyThe Trametes hirsuta 072 laccase multigene family: Genes identification and transcriptional analysis
Research hypothesisVasina DV, et al. · Biochimie · 2015
A molecular study identified five laccase genes and described their regulation by copper ions — an enzymology study, not related to health.
View studySources & bibliography
Citations are illustrative for this demo version and require full bibliographic verification by the editorial team before production publication.
Compare with similar entries
About the authors of this entry
Author
Michał NowakClinical Dietitian
Michał specializes in metabolic nutrition, intermittent fasting and sports supplementation.
61 publications on this site
Medical review
dr Piotr ZielińskiEndocrinologist
Piotr reviews content on hormones, metabolic health and supplement pharmacology.
131 publications on this site
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Comments (2)
- KW
Kasia W. 2 weeks ago
Very clearly explained, especially the interactions section — I hadn't seen it laid out this well anywhere else.
- MT
Marek T. a month ago
Are you planning to update this with the newest study from this year? I saw an interesting meta-analysis.