- In biological systems, beta-glucans function as immunomodulators, activating innate immune responses by binding to specific receptors such as Dectin-1, CR3, and TLR-2/6 on immune cells.
- Their branched structure influences solubility, molecular weight, and biological activity.
- In plants and cereals, β-glucans are major components of cell walls and influence water retention and viscosity.
Beta Glucans
| CAS No: | Varies by type (e.g., 9011-06-5 for barley-derived β-glucan, 9012-72-0 for β-glucan from yeast) |
| EINECS No: | 232-546-4 |
| Synonyms: | β-D-glucan, β-1,3/1,6-glucan, oats β-glucan, barley β-glucan, yeast β-glucan |
Product Summary
Beta-Glucans are a class of natural polysaccharides composed primarily of D-glucose units linked by β-glycosidic bonds. The primary linkages are β-(1→3), β-(1→4), or β-(1→6), depending on the biological source (yeast, fungi, oats, barley, or bacteria).
Biochemical Function & Mechanism of Action
Applications in Scientific Research
- Widely used to study innate immune activation, particularly macrophage and dendritic cell function.
- Investigated as adjuvant therapy in cancer immunotherapy for its ability to stimulate immune surveillance.
- Used in fungal biology to study cell wall integrity and enzyme interactions (e.g., β-glucanase activity).
- Explored for its effects on gut microbiota modulation and short-chain fatty acid production.
- Used as a substrate for enzymatic studies involving β-glucanase and for developing controlled-release systems in drug delivery.
Packaging & Storage
- Store in an airtight container, in cool and dry place, protected from light.
References
- Wood PJ. 1990: Physicochemical properties and physiological effects of the (1,3)(1,4)-beta-D-glucan from oats, Adv Exp Med Biol 270:119-27.
- Bell S, et al. 1999: Effect of beta-glucan from oats and yeast on serum lipids, Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr. 39(2):189-202.
- Rampitsch C, et al. 2003: Development of a monoclonal antibody-based ELISA to quantify soluble beta-glucans in oats and barley, J Agric Food Chem. 51(20):5882-7.
- Braaten JT, et al. 1994: Oat beta-glucan reduces blood cholesterol concentration in hypercholesterolemic subjects, Eur J Clin Nutri. 48(7):465-74.
- Brown GD, Gordon S. 2005: Immune recognition of fungal β-glucans, Cell Microbiol. 7(4):471-9.
- Taylor PR, et al. 2007: Dectin-1 is required for β-glucan recognition and control of fungal infection, Nat Immunol. 8(1):31-8.
- Chen J, Seviour R. 2007: Medicinal importance of fungal β-(1→3), (1→6)-glucans, Mycol Res. 111(Pt 6):635-52.
- Zeković DB. 2005: Natural and modified (1→3)-β-D-glucans in health promotion and disease alleviation, Crit Rev Biotechnol. 25(4):205-30.
- Du B, et al. 2015: An insight into anti-inflammatory effects of fungal beta-glucans, Trends Food Sci Technol. 41(1):49-59.
- Han B, et al. 2020: Structure-functional activity relationship of β-glucans from the perspective of immunomodulation, Front Immunol. 11:658.
- Mirończuk-Chodakowska I, et al. 2021: Beta-glucans from fungi: biological and health-promoting potential in the COVID-19 pandemic era, Nutrients. 13(11):3960.
- Aoe S. 2022: Beta-glucan in foods and health benefits, Nutrients. 14(1):96.