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Abstract

Mushrooms are known as β-glucan sources. The purpose of this investigation was to characterize and purify β-glucan by alkaline extraction from oyster mushrooms (Pleurotus pulmonarius) to evaluate its molecular weight (Mw) and viscosity. The ideal extraction process parameters were found as 80°C, 90 min, and 30% KOH. Fourier transforms-infrared spectroscopy analysis and 1 H and 13 C nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy were used for chemical characterization, and extracted β-glucan was found to be a β-(1-3) glucose polymer with β-(1-6) side chains. The Mw was determined as 349.260 g/mol. Rheological measurements showed that β-glucan has low apparent viscosity in aqueous solutions.