Effects of fungal beta-glucans on health – a systematic review of randomized controlled trials

Abstract

Introduction: Beta-glucans are polysaccharides that exhibit a wide range of biological properties as a result of their varying chemical composition. Like all dietary fibers, they avoid catabolism in the upper...

Heat Treatment of Reishi Medicinal Mushroom (Ganoderma lingzhi) Basidiocarp Enhanced Its β-glucan Solubility, Antioxidant Capacity and Lactogenic Properties

“…Polysaccharides such as β-glucans are one of the main constituents of mushroom cell walls and play an important role in adaptive immunity, therapeutic properties and the amelioration of overall wellbeing [ 12 , 38 , 39 , 40 ]. The extractability and content of α- and β-glucans of the applied Reishi mushroom were influenced by treatment significantly according to the overall MANOVA test (Wilk’s λ < 0.001; p < 0.001) that was detectable in each variable (α-glucans: F(4;10) = 33.75, β-glucans: F(4;10) = 747.70; total-glucans: F(4;10) = 786.97, all with p < 0.001).…”

“…Polysaccharides such as β-glucans are one of the main constituents of mushroom cell walls and play an important role in adaptive immunity, therapeutic properties and the amelioration of overall wellbeing [12,[38][39][40]. The extractability and content of α-and β- Comparing the sharper declined TPC values than the antioxidants quantity at 180 • C treatment, it is evident that other compounds in our Reishi mushroom extract, such as reducing sugars that were only present at high-temperature-treated samples, were also contributing to the detected antioxidant capacity.…”

Identification of Antibacterial Peptide Candidates Encrypted in Stress-Related and Metabolic Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins

“…The versatility of Saccharomyces cerevisiae has been employed for millennia to produce fermented foods such as cheese, bread, and other baked goods, as well as beverages including wine and beer, whose manufacturing has been standardized worldwide by the use of commercial yeast biomass [1,2,4]. Besides its GRAS status, low-fat and low-sodium contents, and its ability to transform food matrices for human consumption, S. cerevisiae also provides nutritional and health-promoting compounds, such as amino acids, β-glucans and mannans, lipids, B-complex vitamins, minerals, and oligopeptides, which contribute to the management of diabetic foot ulcers by controlling fungal infections and wound healing, cholesterol levels, allergic symptoms, and microorganism growth [2,3,[19][20][21][22][23][24]. Spent brewer yeast or baker's yeast extracts, rich in oligopeptides, are widely marketed for dietary supplementation purposes, and their biological properties are explored to confirm the claimed bio-functionalities, such as antioxidant, antihypertensive, antimicrobial, alphaglucosidase inhibitor, anti-lipolysis, anti-diabetes, mitogenic, immunomodulatory, and anti-obesity properties [2,7,25].…”

Saccharomyces cerevisiae biomass as a source of next‐generation food preservatives: Evaluating potential proteins as a source of antimicrobial peptides

“…β‐Glucans are the predominant polysaccharide in the S. cerevisiae cell wall and have exhibited multifunctional features, including wound healing, antimicrobial, immunomodulation, probiotic, antioxidant, and anticholesterolemic effects, justifying its approval as a dietary supplement by health regulatory agencies (Rajarajaran & Dakshanamoorthy, 2020; Rakowska et al., 2017; Vetvicka & Vetvickova, 2011). A recent systematic review has compiled randomized controlled trials regarding health‐promoting effects in humans, triggered by the consumption of beta‐(1 → 3,1 → 6)‐D‐glucans, indicating that the oral administration of this compound from 2.5 to 1000 mg daily for up to 6.5 months led to immune system boosts, minimizing infections, and allergic symptoms and their incidence (Vlassopoulou et al., 2021). Immunomodulation seems to be the main function stimulated by this polysaccharide, which correlates with many other effects such as wound healing, since Baker's yeast β‐glucans activate macrophages and minimize neutrophils influx, which is associated with keratinocytes proliferation and collagen biosynthesis, accelerating reepithelization (Rajarajaran & Dakshanamoorthy, 2020).…”