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Patients with decreased levels of CD18 (β2 integrins) suffer from life-threatening bacterial and fungal infections. CD11b, the α subunit of integrin CR3 (CD11b/CD18, αMβ2), is essential for mice to fight against systemic Candida albicans infections. Live elongating C. albicans activates CR3 in immune cells. However, the hyphal ligands that activate CR3 are not well defined. Here, we discovered that the C. albicans Als family proteins are recognized by the I domain of CD11b in macrophages. This recognition synergizes with the β-glucan-bound lectin-like domain to activate CR3, thereby promoting Syk signaling and inflammasome activation. Dectin-2 activation serves as the outside-in signaling for CR3 activation at the entry site of incompletely sealed phagosomes, where a thick cuff of F-actin forms to strengthen the local interaction. In vitro, CD18 partially contributes to IL-1β release from dendritic cells induced by purified hyphal Als3. In vivo, Als3 is vital for C. albicans clearance in mouse kidneys. These findings uncover a novel family of ligands for the CR3 I domain that promotes fungal clearance.

The cell wall integrity (CWI) signaling pathway regulates yeast cell wall biosynthesis, cell division, and responses to external stress. The cell wall, comprised of a dense network of chitin, β-1,3- and β-1,6- glucans, and mannoproteins, is very thin,

As dietary needs shift with the growing and aging population, there is a demand for food products that meet nutritional, safety, and tribological requirements while being cost-effective. Seniors must be given significant consideration in new product development. This study examines consumer preferences for arabinogalactan (AG) and beta-glucan (BG) hydrogels with vanilla and coffee-biscuit flavors, using consumer tests (N = 80) and an online survey (N = 852). It focuses on the gels' physical properties, such as texture and viscosity, and their impact on sensory perception. The use of two different gel-forming polysaccharides, each with a unique sensory profile, was observed to affect the sensory properties of the resulting gels and subsequently influence product acceptance. This study analyzed preferences across three age groups: young (18–39 years), middle-aged (40–59 years), and older adults (60+ years). The results showed that seniors preferred AG-based gels. Significant attributes such as the intensity of flavor and bitter taste influenced the overall liking of the gels. Texture also notably impacted preferences. The survey findings revealed statistically significant (p < 0.05) differences in preferences between older adults and younger age groups. Tailoring product development and marketing strategies based on age and sensory preferences could enhance consumer acceptance of edible gels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Barley is rich in β-glucan, which can alter gut microbiota and metabolome profiles, potentially affecting host metabolism. However, the microbiota and metabolites increased by barley β-glucan remain unclear. In this study, we focused on the gut-microbiota-derived metabolite succinate and investigated the microbiome and metabolome profiles altered by barley β-glucan intake. C57BL/6 J mice were fed a standard or middle-fat diet containing barley flour rich in β-glucan or barley flour without β-glucan, and their gut microbiota and metabolome profiles were analyzed. The results showed increased Bacteroides, Parasutterella, and succinate due to barley β-glucan intake independent of diet differences. Next, we used mice lacking slc13a2, a gene that is involved in the cellular uptake of succinate. Wild-type mice showed improved glucose tolerance after the intake of barley β-glucan, but this effect was attenuated in the slc13a2-deficient mice. These results suggest that barley β-glucan intake increases succinate and succinate-producing bacteria and affects glucose metabolism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In allergen-specific immunotherapy, adjuvants are explored for modulating allergen-specific Th2 immune responses to re-establish clinical tolerance. One promising class of adjuvants are β-glucans, which are naturally derived sugar structures and components of dietary fibers that activate C-type lectin (CLR)-, "Toll"-like receptors (TLRs), and complement receptors (CRs). We characterized the immune-modulating properties of six commercially available β-glucans, using immunological (receptor activation, cytokine secretion, and T cell modulating potential) as well as metabolic parameters (metabolic state) in mouse bone marrow-derived myeloid dendritic cells (mDCs). All tested β-glucans activated the CLR Dectin-1a, whereas TLR2 was predominantly activated by Zymosan. Further, the tested β-glucans differentially induced mDC-derived cytokine secretion and activation of mDC metabolism. Subsequent analyses focusing on Zymosan, Zymosan depleted, β-1,3 glucan, and β-1,3 1,6 glucan revealed robust mDC activation with the upregulation of the cluster of differentiation 40 (CD40), CD80, CD86, and MHCII to different extents. β-glucan-induced cytokine secretion was shown to be, in part, dependent on the activation of the intracellular Dectin-1 adapter molecule Syk. In co-cultures of mDCs with Th2-biased CD4+ T cells isolated from birch allergen Bet v 1 plus aluminum hydroxide (Alum)-sensitized mice, these four β-glucans suppressed allergen-induced IL-5 secretion, while only Zymosan and β-1,3 glucan significantly suppressed allergen-induced interferon gamma (IFNγ) secretion, suggesting the tested β-glucans to have distinct effects on mDC T cell priming capacity. Our experiments indicate that β-glucans have distinct immune-modulating properties, making them interesting adjuvants for future allergy treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mixed-linkage β(1,3)/β(1,4)-glucan (MLG) is abundant in the human diet through the ingestion of cereal grains and is widely associated with healthful effects on metabolism and cholesterol levels. MLG is also a major source of fermentable glucose for the human gut microbiota (HGM). Bacteria from the family Prevotellaceae are highly represented in the HGM of individuals who eat plant-rich diets, including certain indigenous people and vegetarians in postindustrial societies. Here, we have defined and functionally characterized an exemplar Prevotellaceae MLG polysaccharide utilization locus (MLG-PUL) in the type-strain Segatella copri (syn. Prevotella copri) DSM 18205 through transcriptomic, biochemical, and structural biological approaches. In particular, structure-function analysis of the cell-surface glycan-binding proteins and glycoside hydrolases of the S. copri MLG-PUL revealed the molecular basis for glycan capture and saccharification. Notably, syntenic MLG-PULs from human gut, human oral, and ruminant gut Prevotellaceae are distinguished from their counterparts in Bacteroidaceae by the presence of a β(1,3)-specific endo-glucanase from glycoside hydrolase family 5, subfamily 4 (GH5_4) that initiates MLG backbone cleavage. The definition of a family of homologous MLG-PULs in individual species enabled a survey of nearly 2000 human fecal microbiomes using these genes as molecular markers, which revealed global population-specific distributions of Bacteroidaceae- and Prevotellaceae-mediated MLG utilization. Altogether, the data presented here provide new insight into the molecular basis of β-glucan metabolism in the HGM, as a basis for informing the development of approaches to improve the nutrition and health of humans and other animals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Listeria monocytognes is an emerging pathogen responsible for the serious foodborne disease, listeriosis. The commensal gut microbiota is the first line of defense against pathogen internalization. The gut microbiome can be modified by prebiotic substrates, which are frequently added to food products and dietary supplements. Prebiotics should selectively support the growth of beneficial microbes and thus improve host health. Nevertheless, little is known about their effect on the growth of L. monocytogenes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the growth ability of four L. monocytogenes strains, representing the most common serotypes, on prebiotic oligosaccharides (beta-(1,3)-D-glucan, inulin, fructooligosaccharides, galactooligosaccharides, lactulose, raffinose, stachyose and 2′-fucosyllactose and a mixture of human milk oligosaccharides) as a sole carbon source. The results showed that only beta-(1,3)-D-glucan was metabolized by L. monocytogenes. These cell culture data suggest that beta-(1,3)-D-glucan may not be selectively utilized by healthy commensal bacteria, and its role in intestinal pathogen growth warrants further exploration in vivo. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. The purpose of this work was to develop calibration models for rapid assessment of the main biochemical parameters of grain quality of naked and covered black oat (Avena strigosa Schreb.) using near-infrared reflectance (NIR) spectroscopy. The use of whole oat grains makes it possible to preserve breeding material of special value, which is very important for breeders. Materials and methods. Black oat grain from 50 accessions from the VIR collection was grown in 2014–2020 in various agro-ecological conditions of the Russian Federation. Chemical parameter values for constructing calibration models were determined in the Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of VIR using traditional methods, such as Kjeldahl for protein/nitrogen, Soxhlet extraction (modified by S.V. Rushkovsky) for oil, polarimetry according to Evers for starch, and gravimetry for beta-glucans. Results. The work resulted in the construction of calibration models for the determination of protein, oil, starch and beta-glucans in whole grains of black oat by a Bruker's MATRIX-I IR analyzer (Germany). A test batch of 20 accessions was used for assessing reliability of the constructed models. The models for determining protein, starch and oil were found to be reliable, while the model for determining beta-glucans needs improvements. It was found that the difference between the values obtained by spectroscopy and by standard chemical methods averaged 0.38 % for protein, 0.57 % for starch and 0.30 % for oil, which does not exceed the maximum permissible error of parallel measurements. The relative difference between the studied indicators does not exceed 3-6 % on an average. Conclusion. The proposed physical method for the analysis of black oat grain allows an express preliminary assessment of breeding material with a high speed of analysis. The main advantages of the method include the possibility of preserving valuable starting material, economizing on reagents, increasing labor efficiency, and obtaining data simultaneously on several parameters of the scanned sample with a specified repeatability.

To increase the effectiveness and immunogenicity of modern vaccines, especially subunit ones, it is required to use adjuvants. Polysaccharides, due to their safety and biocompatibility, are desirable candidates for the creation of vaccine adjuvants. The aim of our study was to develop a method for obtaining beta-Glucans from the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae cell wall, and evaluate their adjuvant properties. The high purity and non-toxicity of the resulting preparation was achieved by using enzyme complexes of cellulase and protease in combination with ultrasound (22 kHz) at the purification stage. The developed scheme allows for the yield of beta-Glucans up to 2 g from 100 g of the biomass of wet cells. The adjuvant properties of beta-Glucans were studied in 50 male BALB/c mice, weighing 16–18 g. Immunization was performed twice, with a 14-day interval, intramuscularly, 200 μl per animal. The recombinant receptor-binding domain (RBD) of the surface S protein of the SARS-CoV-2 virus (Wuhan-Hu-1 and B.1.617.2 (Delta)) was used as an antigen, at a dose of 50 μg per animal. A positive control group was administered with the antigen combined with aluminum hydroxide. As a negative control, mice injected with the saline solution were used. The titers of specific antibodies in the blood sera were determined by ELISA assays. RBD (Wuhan-Hu-1 and Delta), and S protein (Wuhan-Hu-1, Delta and Omicron) were used as antigens. The titers of virus-neutralizing antibodies were measured in neutralization tests using SARS-CoV-2 virus strains Wuhan-Hu-1, Delta (B.1.617.2) and Omicron (B.1.1.529). The results of the study have shown that beta-Glucans have the ability to enhance the production of specific and virus-neutralizing antibodies in mice immunized with RBD. The titers of specific and virus neutralizing antibodies are comparable to their levels in the group immunized with RBD and Al(OH)₃. It has been found in the experiments in white outbred ICR mice that the preparation belongs to practically non-toxic substances. Therefore, it can be concluded that the use of beta-Glucans could become a preferable alternative to the conventional adjuvants based on aluminum salts, being biocompatible, biodegradable and non-toxic substances of low labor-intensive production.

Dental caries is a worldwide public healthcare concern, and is closely related to the acidic environment that caused by bacterial decomposition of food. In this study, a two-step ion exchange liquid-phase stripping method was applied to strip out vermiculite (VMT) nanosheets, then amorphous calcium phosphate (ACP) and dextran were inserted between the VMT nanosheets interlayer to obtain a composite two-dimension nanosheets (VMT/ACP/Dextran). VMT/ACP/Dextran composite nanosheets exhibited excellent biocompatibility and could provide exogenous Ca2+and PO43− from ACP, provide SiO44−, Mg2+, Fe2+ and obtain buffering pH and antibacterial properties from VMT, as well as improve suspension stability and targeting Streptococcus mutans through glucan. The in vitro study showed that the composite materials could promote the mineralization and sealing of dentin tubules by releasing active ions, buffer pH 4.5 (a value close to the pH in the dental plaque environment) to pH 6.6–7.1 (values close to the pH in human saliva) through ion exchange, and exert antibacterial effects by targeting Streptococcus mutans and exerting oxidase like and peroxidase like activities to produce reactive oxygen species (ROS). The in vivo animal study showed that daily cleaning teeth using VMT/ACP/Dextran composite nanosheets could effectively reduce the incidence rate and severity of dental caries in rats. Taking together, the developed VMT/ACP/Dextran composite nanosheets, which integrated the excellent properties of VMT, ACP and dextran, can effectively prevent dental caries through a combination of factors such as buffering acids, antibacterial properties, and promoting calcification, and may be used as an active ingredient for daily oral hygiene or filling materials to prevent and treat dental caries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although β-glucan has diverse benefits for fish health, the potential adverse impacts of excessive supplementation are poorly understood. This study investigated the optimal dosage of β-glucan for coral trout and explored the adverse effects of excessive supplementation. The results revealed that moderate β-glucan supplementation (1) significantly enhanced the weight gain rate and specific growth rate (SGR); (2) significantly improved the intestinal villus length (0.10%), muscle thickness (0.05–0.15%), and α-amylase and chymotrypsin activities (0.05–0.15%); (3) significantly increased liver catalase (CAT), glutathione reductase (GR), alkaline phosphatase, complement 3, immunoglobulin M (IgM), lysozyme, serum superoxide dismutase, CAT, glutathione peroxidase, GR, total antioxidant capacity, acid phosphatase, complement 4, and IgM activities and significantly reduced malondialdehyde contents; (4) upregulated genes in the liver associated with copper-zinc superoxide dismutase (SOD-1), manganese superoxide dismutase (SOD-2), CAT, GSH-Px1a, ACP6, AKP, LZ-c, IgM, C3, and C4-b. However, 0.20% β-glucan significantly inhibited the growth performance of coral trout compared with 0.10% β-glucan. Thus, 0.10% β-glucan represents the optimal dosage for promoting growth, antioxidant activity, and immune responses in coral trout, while higher β-glucan levels weakened these beneficial effects. With an SGR established by a cubic regression analysis, the optimal level of β-glucan for maximal growth of coral trout is 0.082%. This study provides new insights into the health impacts of β-glucan on fish. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The immunotherapy for gastrointestinal tumors, as a significant research direction in the field of oncology treatment in recent years, has garnered extensive attention due to its potential therapeutic efficacy and promising clinical application prospects. Recent advances in immunotherapy notwithstanding, challenges persist, such as side effects, the complexity of the tumor immune microenvironment, variable patient responses, and drug resistance. Consequently, there is a pressing need to explore novel adjunctive therapeutic modalities. b-glucan, an immunomodulatory agent, has exhibited promising anti-tumor efficacy in preclinical studies involving colorectal cancer, pancreatic cancer, and gastric cancer, while also mitigating the adverse reactions associated with chemotherapy and enhancing patients' quality of life. However, further clinical and fundamental research is warranted to comprehensively evaluate its therapeutic potential and underlying biological mechanisms. In the future, b-glucan holds promise as an adjunctive treatment for gastrointestinal tumors, potentially bringing significant benefits to patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Chronic inflammation in the intestine that can lead to detrimental changes in the composition of bacteria living in the gut, which includes increasing disease-causing bacteria and decreasing those that control them and are beneficial to the host. This shift may exacerbate and complicate treatment efforts. Intestinal bacteria are important to control inflammation and, when the cause of inflammation cannot be completely withdrawn, medications and dietary adjustments become necessary to manage symptoms. Prebiotics are fiber sources that nourish beneficial bacteria and can be provided in food or concentrated in capsules. This study found that the daily intake of beta-glucans (a type of prebiotic) for 60 days positively modulated the gut microbiota in dogs with this condition. The patients receiving prebiotics did not experience any disease relapse over a period of 6 months. Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in dogs is the most common chronic gastrointestinal disease in dogs. Its etiology evolves an aberrant immunological response towards food antigens and indigenous bacteria in the gut bacteria and, consequently, dysbiosis. Prebiotics provide substrates for the growth of beneficial bacteria and promote the production of beneficial fermentation products. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of oral supplementations of beta-glucans and mannanoligosaccharides (MOSs) over 60 days in fecal microbiota and fecal concentrations of fermentation products in dogs with mild IBD. Eighteen dogs with mild IBD were divided into three experimental groups in a blinded and randomized manner: A—dogs received 0.1% of a beta-glucan-based prebiotic, B—dogs received 0.1% of a MOS + beta-glucan-based prebiotic, and C—dogs received 0.1% of a placebo. Fecal microbiota was analyzed using the latest generation 16S rRNA sequencing (Illumina®). Relative abundances of each taxon were analyzed using a generalized linear model, and fermentation products using a mixed model. A significance level of p was used. The prebiotics positively modulated the bacterial population of Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes. Treatment A improved alpha diversity and populations of beneficial bacteria. Beta-glucan supplementation for 60 days had beneficial effects on modulating intestinal microbiota in dogs with mild IBD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phosphoesterification is the only naturally occurring covalent starch modification identified to date, and it has a major impact on overall starch metabolism. The incorporation of phosphate groups mediated by dikinases [α-glucan, water dikinase (GWD), EC 2.7.9.4; phosphoglucan, water dikinase (PWD), EC 2.7.9.5] massively alters the starch granule properties; however, previous studies did not determine whether the starch-related dikinases bind the phosphate to the glucosyl units within the amylopectin molecules in a specific pattern or randomly. In order to answer this challenging question, a number of approaches were initially pursued until a protocol could be established that enabled a massive step forward in the in vitro analysis of phosphorylated glucan chains obtained from starch. For this purpose, phosphorylation by GWD was investigated, including the final state of phosphorylation i.e., the state of substrate saturation when GWD lacks further free hydroxyl groups at OH-C6 for the catalysis of monophosphate esters. Since the separated phosphorylated glucan chains were required for the analysis, isoamylase digestion was performed to cleave the α-1,6-glycosidic bonds and to allow for the removal of the huge number of existing neutral chains by means of anion exchange chromatography. Via Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization–Time of Flight (MALDI-TOF) MS and MALDI-MS/MS, the phosphorylated α-glucan chains were analysed, and the position of the phosphate group within the chain in relation to the reducing end was determined. Here, we demonstrate a protocol that enables the analysis of phosphorylated oligosaccharides, even in small quantities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inhalable microparticle-based anti TB drug delivery systems are being investigated extensively for Tuberculosis [TB] treatment as they offer efficient and deep lung deposition with several advantages over conventional routes. It can reduce the drug dose, treatment duration and toxic effects and optimize the drug bioavailability. Yeast derived β-glucan is a β-[1–3/1–6] linked biocompatible polymer and used as carrier for various biomolecules. Due to presence of glucan chains, particulate glucans act as PAMP and thereby gets internalized via receptor mediated phagocytosis by the macrophages. In this study, β-glucan microparticles were prepared by adding l-leucine as excipient, and exhibited 70% drug [Rifabutin] loading efficiency. Further, the sizing and SEM data of particles revealed a size of 2–4 µm with spherical dimensions. The FTIR and HPLC data confirmed the β-glucan composition and drug encapsulations efficiency of the particles. The mass median aerodynamic diameter [MMAD] and geometric standard deviation [GSD] data indicated that these particles are inhalable in nature and have better thermal stability as per DSC thermogram. These particles were found to be non-toxic upto a concentration of 80 µg/ml and were found to be readily phagocytosed by human macrophage cells in-vitro as well as in-vivo by lung alveolar macrophage. This study provides a framework for future design of inhalable β-glucan particle based host-directed drug delivery system against pulmonary TB. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

β-glucans are polysaccharides found in the cell walls of various fungi, bacteria and cereals. β-glucan have been found to show various kinds of anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antidiabetic antioxidant and anticancerous activities. In the present study, we have isolated β-glucan from the baker's yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae and white button mushroom Agaricus bisporus and tested their antioxidant potential and anticancerous activity against prostate cancer cell line PC3. Particles were characterized with zeta sizer and further with FTIR that confirmed that the isolated particles are β-glucan and alginate sealing made slow and sustained release of the Quercetin from the β-glucan particles. Morphological analysis of the hollow and Quercetin loaded β-glucan was performed with the SEM analysis and stability was analyzed with TGA and DSC analysis that showed the higher stability of the alginate sealed particles. Assessments of the antioxidant potential showed that Quercetin loaded particles were having higher antioxidant activity than hollow β-glucan particles. Cell viability of the PC3 cells was examined with MTT assay and it was found that Quercetin loaded alginate sealed Agaricus bisporus derived β-glucan particles were having lowest IC50. Further ROS generation was found to increase in a dose dependent manner. Apoptosis detection was carried out with Propidium iodide and AO/EtBr staining dye which showed significant death in the cells treated with higher concentration of the particles. Study showed that particles derived from both of the sources were having efficient anticancer activity and showing a dose dependent increase in cell death in PC3 cells upon treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current research examined the impact of different concentrations of oat beta-glucan (OG) on the in vitro digestibility of fava bean starch (FS). Our pasting analysis demonstrated that OG effectively decreased the viscosity and regrowth of FS, suppressing its in situ regrowth while enhancing the in vitro pasting temperature. Moreover, OG markedly diminished amylose leaching and minimized the particle size of the pasted starch. Rheological and textural evaluations demonstrated that OG markedly diminished the viscoelasticity of the starch and softened the gel strength of the composite system. Structural analysis revealed that hydrogen bonding is the primary interaction in the FS-OG system, indicating that OG interacts with amylose through hydrogen bonding, thereby delaying starch pasting and enhancing the gelatinization characteristics of FS gels. Notably, the incorporation of OG resulted in a reduction in the levels of rapidly digestible starch (RDS) and slowly digestible starch (SDS) in FS, accompanied by a notable increase in resistant starch (RS) content, from 21.30% to 31.82%. This study offers crucial insights for the application of OG in starch-based functional foods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Β-glucans are polysaccharide macromolecules that can be found in the cell walls of molds, such as Rhizopus oryzae. They provide functional properties in food systems and have immunomodulatory activity, anticancer, and prebiotic effects; reduce triglycerides and cholesterol; and prevent obesity, among others benefits. Furthermore, potato starch production requires a large amount of water, which is usually discharged into the environment, creating problems in soils and bodies of water. The physical parameters to produce β-glucans were determined, liquid waste from potato starch processing was used and native Rhizopus oryzae was isolated and identified from cereal grains. The isolates grew quickly on the three types of agars used at 25 °C and 37 °C, and they did not grow at 45 °C. Rhizopus oryzae M10A1 produced the greatest amount of β-glucans after six days of culture at 30 °C, pH 6, a stirring rate of 150 rpm and a fermentation volume of 250 mL. By establishing the physical fermentation parameters and utilizing the liquid waste from potato starch, Rhizopus oryzae M10A1 yielded 397.50 mg/100 g of β-glucan was obtained. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mushrooms are widely available around the world and have various nutritional as well as therapeutic values. Many Asian cultures believe that medicinal mushrooms can prolong life and improve vitality. This study aims to characterize the phytochemical and polysaccharide content, mainly β-glucan content, of mycelial biomass and fruiting bodies collected from the Himalayan region, particularly Uttarakhand. Through molecular analysis of the LSU F/R-rDNA fragment sequence and phylogenetic analysis, the strain was identified as Trametes sp. We performed screening of phytochemicals and polysaccharides in mushroom and biomass extracts using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and a PC-based UV-Vis spectrophotometer. The macrofungal biomass was found to be high in saponin, anthraquinone, total phenolic, flavonoid, and β-glucan content. In biomass extract, we observed a high level of saponin (70.6µg/mL), anthraquinone (14.5µg/mL), total phenolic (12.45 µg/mL), and flavonoid (9.500 µg/mL) content. Furthermore, we examined the contents of alkaloids, tannins, terpenoids, and sterols in the biomass and mushroom extracts; the concentration of these compounds in the ethanol extract tested was minimal. We also looked for antioxidant activity, which is determined in terms of the IC50 value. Trametes sp. mushroom extract exhibits higher DPPH radical scavenging activity (62.9% at 0.5 mg/mL) than biomass extract (59.19% at 0.5 mg/mL). We also analyzed β-glucan in Trametes sp. from both mushroom and biomass extracts. The biomass extract showed a higher β-glucan content of 1.713 mg/mL than the mushroom extract, which is 1.671 mg/mL. Furthermore, β-glucan analysis was confirmed by the Megazyme β-glucan assay kit from both biomass and mushroom extract of Trametes sp. β-glucans have a promising future in cancer treatment as adjuncts to conventional medicines. Producing pure β-glucans for the market is challenging because 90–95% of β glucan sold nowadays is thought to be manipulated or counterfeit. The present study supports the recommendation of Trametes sp. as rich in β-glucan, protein, phytochemicals, and antioxidant activities that help individuals with cancer, diabetes, obesity, etc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Many individuals who experience preterm birth struggle with early breast milk supply, which can translate into suboptimal longer-term breastfeeding outcomes. Further investigations into the potential role of early non-pharmacological and pharmacological interventions in improving breast milk production soon after birth is growing. While natural galactagogues, such as brewer's yeast, are widely perceived by women to be safer than pharmaceutical galactagogues and are taken by many women, evidence to support their efficacy is largely absent. The BLOOM study has been designed to determine the efficacy and safety of brewer's yeast and beta-glucans, derived from Saccharomyces cerevisiae, when administered soon after birth for increasing early breast milk supply in mothers who have delivered preterm. Methods: The BLOOM study is a multicentre, double-blinded, randomised controlled trial that will assess if brewer's yeast or beta-glucan can increase early breast milk production following preterm birth. Target population are mothers of preterm infants born at less than 34 weeks' gestation who intend to provide breast milk for their infant, are less than 72 h following birth and able to give informed consent. Participants will be randomly allocated into three parallel groups at 1:1:1 ratio (n = 33 per group) to receive either brewer's yeast, beta-glucan or placebo capsules for seven days. The primary outcome is total expressed breast milk volume over a 24-hour period on day 7 of intervention. Participants and their infants will be followed until the infant reaches term corrected age or is discharged home from the neonatal unit (whichever occurs first). Discussion: The use of brewer's yeast as a galactagogue to enhance milk production is extremely common amongst breastfeeding mothers, however, there are no trials evaluating its efficacy and safety. This will be the first randomised controlled trial to evaluate the efficacy and safety of two commonly used galactagogues, brewer's yeast and beta-glucan, compared with placebo in improving maternal breast milk supply following preterm birth. The trial will also evaluate whether early intervention with galactagogues soon after a preterm birth improves longer-term breastfeeding outcomes. Trial registration: Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ACTRN12622000968774 (registered on 8 July 2022) and UTN U1111-1278-8827. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

α-Amylase plays a crucial role in the industrial degradation of starch. The genus Jeotgalibacillus of the underexplored marine bacteria family Caryophanaceae has not been investigated in terms of α-amylase production. Herein, we report the comprehensive analysis of an α-amylase (AmyJM) from Jeotgalibacillus malaysiensis D5T (= DSM28777T = KCTC33550T). Protein phylogenetic analysis indicated that AmyJM belongs to glycoside hydrolase family 13 subfamily 5 (GH13_5) and exhibits low sequence identity with known α-amylases, with its closest counterpart being the GH13_5 α-amylase from Bacillus sp. KSM-K38 (51.05% identity). Purified AmyJM (molecular mass of 70 kDa) is stable at a pH range of 5.5–9.0 and optimally active at pH 7.5. The optimum temperature for AmyJM is 40 °C, where the enzyme is reasonably stable at this temperature. Similar to other α-amylases, the presence of CaCl2 enhanced both the activity and stability of AmyJM. AmyJM exhibited activity toward raw and gelatinized forms of starches and related α-glucans, generating a mixture of reducing sugars, such as glucose, maltose, maltotriose, maltotetraose, and maltopentaose. In raw starch hydrolysis, AmyJM exhibited its highest efficiency (51.10% degradation) in hydrolyzing raw wheat starch after 3-h incubation at 40 °C. Under the same conditions, AmyJM also hydrolyzed tapioca, sago, potato, rice, and corn raw starches, yielding 16.01–30.05%. These findings highlight the potential of AmyJM as a biocatalyst for the saccharification of raw starches, particularly those derived from wheat. Key points: A novel GH13_5 α-amylase (AmyJM) from Jeotgalibacillus malaysiensis D5T was successfully expressed, purified, and biochemically characterized. AmyJM hydrolyzed raw starches from wheat, tapioca, sago, potato, rice, and corn at 40 °C, forming mixtures of reducing sugars. The properties of AmyJM suggest that the enzyme is potentially applicable in direct raw starch degradation processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Glycogen, an α-glucan polymer serving as an energy storage compound in microorganisms, is synthesized through distinct pathways (GlgC-GlgA or GlgE pathway). Both pathways involve multiple enzymes, with a shared glycogen branching enzyme (GBE). GBEs play a pivotal role in establishing α-1,6-linkages within the glycogen structure. GBEs are also used for starch modification. Understanding how these enzymes work is interesting for both glycogen synthesis in microorganisms, as well as novel applications for starch modification. This study focuses on a putative enzyme GH13_9 GBE (PoGBE13), present in a polysaccharide utilization locus (PUL) of Pontibacter sp. SGAir0037, and related to the GlgE glycogen synthesis pathway. While the PUL of Pontibacter sp. SGAir0037 contains glycogen-degrading enzymes, the branching enzyme (PoGBE13) was also found due to genetic closeness. Characterization revealed that PoGBE13 functions as a typical branching enzyme, exhibiting a relatively high branching over non-branching (hydrolysis and α-1,4-transferase activity) ratio on linear maltooctadecaose (3.0 ± 0.4). Besides the GH13_9 GBE, a GH57 (PoGH57) enzyme was selected for characterization from the same PUL due to its undefined function. The combined action of both GH13 and GH57 enzymes suggested 4-α-glucanotransferase activity for PoGH57. The characterization of these unique enzymes related to a GlgE glycogen synthesis pathway provides a more profound understanding of their interactions and synergistic roles in glycogen synthesis and are potential enzymes for use in starch modification processes. Due to the structural similarity between glycogen and starch, PoGBE13 can potentially be used for starch modification with different applications, for example, in functional food ingredients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Barley with high grain β-glucan content is valuable for functional foods. The identification of loci for high β-glucan content is, thus, of great importance for barley breeding. Segregation mapping for the content in β-glucan and other barley grain components (starch, protein, lipid, ash, phosphorous, calcium, sodium) was performed using the progeny of the cross between Glacier AC38, a mutant with high amylose, and CDC Fibar, a high β-glucan waxy cultivar. The offspring of this cross showed transgressive segregation for β-glucan content. Linkage analysis based on single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) molecular markers was used for the genotyping of the parents and recombinant inbred lines (RILs). Two Quantitative Trait Loci (QTL) for β-glucan content and several QTL for other grain components were found. The former ones, located on chromosomes 1H and 7H, explained 27.9% and 27.4% of the phenotypic variance, respectively. Glacier AC38 provided the allele for high β-glucan content at the QTL on chromosome 1H, whereas CDC Fibar contributed the allele at the QTL on chromosome 7H. Their recombination resulted in a novel haplotype with higher β-glucan content, up to 18.4%. Candidate genes are proposed for these two QTL: HvCslF9, involved in β-glucan biosynthesis, for the QTL on chromosome 1H; Horvu_PLANET_7H01G069300, a gene encoding an ATP-Binding Cassette (ABC) transporter, for the QTL on chromosome 7H. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Particulate β‐glucans (WGP) are natural compounds with regulatory roles in various biological processes, including tumorigenesis and inflammatory diseases such as allergic asthma. However, their impact on mast cells (MCs), contributors to airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) and inflammation in asthma mice, remains unknown. Methods: C57BL/6 mice underwent repeated OVA sensitization without alum, followed by Ovalbumin (OVA) challenge. Mice received daily oral administration of WGP (OAW) at doses of 50 or 150 mg/kg before sensitization and challenge. We assessed airway function, lung histopathology, and pulmonary inflammatory cell composition in the airways, as well as proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF). Results: The 150 mg/kg OAW treatment mitigated OVA‐induced AHR and airway inflammation, evidenced by reduced airway reactivity to aerosolized methacholine (Mch), diminished inflammatory cell infiltration, and goblet cell hyperplasia in lung tissues. Additionally, OAW hindered the recruitment of inflammatory cells, including MCs and eosinophils, in lung tissues and BALF. OAW treatment attenuated proinflammatory tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‐α and IL‐6 levels in BALF. Notably, OAW significantly downregulated the expression of chemokines CCL3, CCL5, CCL20, CCL22, CXCL9, and CXCL10 in BALF. Conclusion: These results highlight OAW's robust anti‐inflammatory properties, suggesting potential benefits in treating MC‐dependent AHR and allergic inflammation by influencing inflammatory cell infiltration and regulating proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines in the airways. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The pseudotetrasaccharide acarbose, produced by Actinoplanes sp. SE50/110, is a relevant secondary metabolite used in diabetes type II medication. Although maltose plays a crucial role in acarbose biosynthesis, the understanding of the maltose/maltodextrin metabolism and its involvement in acarbose production is at an early stage. Here, we reconstructed the predicted maltose–maltodextrin pathway that involves four enzymes AmlE, MalZ, MalP, and MalQ. An investigation of enzyme activities was conducted through in vitro assays, leading to an expansion of previously postulated substrate spectra. The maltose-induced α-glucosidase AmlE is noteworthy for its high hydrolysis rate of linear α-1,4-glucans, and its capability to hydrolyze various glycosidic bonds. The predicted maltodextrin glucosidase MalZ showed slow hydrolysis activity on linear α-glucans, but it was resistant to acarbose and capable of releasing glucose from acarbose. AmlE compensates for the low activity of MalZ to ensure glucose supply. We determined the enzyme activity of MalP and its dual function as maltodextrin and glycogen phosphorylase. The 4-α-glucanotransferase MalQ plays a central role in the maltose/maltodextrin metabolism, alongside MalP. This study confirmed the simultaneous degradation and synthesis of long-chain α-glucans. The product distribution showed that with an increasing number of glycosidic bonds, less glucose is formed. We found that MalQ, like its sequence homolog AcbQ from the acarbose biosynthetic gene cluster, is involved in the formation of elongated acarviosyl metabolites. However, MalQ does not participate in the elongation of acarbose 7-phosphate, which is likely the more readily available acceptor molecule in vivo. Accordingly, MalQ is not involved in the formation of acarviosyl impurities in Actinoplanes sp. SE50/110. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The inclusion of beta-glucans in dog and cat food is associated with numerous beneficial effects on the health of these animals. In this regard, there is an effort to elucidate the potential of this nutraceutical in chronic patients. Since there is a lack of a review on the topic, this review article aims to compile and discuss the evidence found to date. Atopic dermatitis, inflammatory bowel disease, and osteoarthritis are diseases of significant clinical relevance in dogs and cats. In general, the pathophysiology of these chronic conditions is related to immune-mediated and inflammatory mechanisms. Therefore, the immunomodulation and anti-inflammatory effects of beta-glucans are highlighted throughout this review. The available information seems to indicate that the studies on beta-glucans' impact on allergic processes in dogs indicate a reduction in clinical signs in atopic dermatitis cases. Additionally, while beta-glucans show promise as a safe supplement, particularly for osteoarthritis, further clinical trials are imperative, especially in uncontrolled environments. Beta-glucans emerge as a potential nutraceutical offering immune benefits for inflammatory bowel disease patients, although extensive research is required to define its optimal origin, molecular weight, dosage, and specific applications across animals suffering from this disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Grape seed polyphenol bioactivity is linked to reduced risk of metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes, obesity, and coronary heart disease development. Furthermore, regular consumption of β-glucan is associated with decreased lipidemic and glycemic profiles. The aim was to investigate the acute effect of crackers enriched with either 10% grape seed flour or 40% barley flour with added β-glucan along with a high-fat and high-carbohydrate meal on biomarkers of postprandial glycemia, lipidemia, and oxidative stress. Methods: In a randomized, three-arm crossover design study, 12 healthy subjects were assigned to consume breakfast consisting of bread, butter, and 250 mL water along with crackers containing either (a) wheat flour, (b) 10% grape seed flour, or (c) 40% barley flour enriched with β-glucan. Blood samples were drawn immediately before and 30, 90, and 180 min after the meal. Total antioxidant capacity was measured in plasma with the FRAP method. Total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, glucose, and uric acid were measured in serum. Results: Tested markers did not differ between the intervention groups at baseline, 30, 90, and 180 min (p ≥ 0.05) post-prandially. Conclusions: Enriched cracker consumption did not significantly affect the selected markers at the postprandial state, although better serum glucose and lipid levels, similar to baseline values, were maintained. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. The possibility of applying near-infrared reflectance (NIR) spectroscopy for rapid assessment of various biochemical parameters in barley varieties and forms is discussed. The data obtained by the Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Department of VIR served to construct calibration models for the content of protein, starch, oil, beta-glucans, and total phenolic compounds (PhC) in grain, facilitating further screening of various barley samples.Materials and methods. The chemical composition of grain was studied in naked and covered spring barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) accessions grown in 2022 in the northwest of Russia. Calibration models were developed to measure the content of protein, oil, starch, beta-glucans, and PhC (80 accessions) in barley grain with the Matrix-I IR analyzer (Bruker Optics, Germany). The models were constructed on the basis of the data obtained by conventional techniques of chemical analysis. The protein/ nitrogen content was assessed using the Kjeldahl method, oil according to the method of defatted dry residue modified by S. V. Ruszkovsky, starch by the polarimetric method according to Evers, beta-glucans by gravimetric analysis, and the total PhC content by the Folin–Ciocâlteu method modified by Singleton and Rossi.Results. Statistical significance of the constructed calibration tests was compared with the results of measuring protein, starch, oil, beta-glucan and PhC levels by chemical methods. It was shown that the data of calibration techniques for protein and starch were significant, while the remaining models required improvement.Conclusion. The proposed method helps to preserve valuable source material, increases labor efficiency, and does not require chemical reagents. Scanning each sample makes it possible to obtain data for several indicators at once, with a specified replication and standard deviation.

BACKGROUND: Invasive fungal disease (IFD) is a major source of morbidity and mortality for hematopoietic cell transplant (HCT) recipients. Non-invasive biomarkers, such as the beta-D-glucan assay, may improve the diagnosis of IFD. The objective was to define the utility of surveillance testing using Fungitell® beta-D-glucan (BDG) assay in children receiving antifungal prophylaxis in the immediate post-HCT period. METHODS: Weekly surveillance blood testing with the Fungitell® BDG assay was performed during the early post-HCT period in the context of a randomized trial of children, adolescents, and young adults undergoing allogeneic HCT allocated to triazole or caspofungin prophylaxis. Positivity was defined at the manufacturer cutoff of 80 pg/ml. IFD was adjudicated using blinded central reviewers. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) were calculated for the Fungitell® BDG assay for the outcome of proven or probable IFD. RESULTS: A total of 51 patients (out of 290 patients in the parent trial) contributed blood specimens. In total, 278 specimens were evaluated. Specificity was 80.8% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 75.6%-85.3%), and NPV was over 99% (95% CI: 86.8%-99.9%). However, there were no true positive results, resulting in sensitivity of 0% (95% CI: 0.0%-84.2%) and PPV of 0% (95% CI: 0.0%-6.7%). CONCLUSIONS: Fungitell® BDG screening is of limited utility in diagnosing IFD in the post-HCT period, mainly due to high false-positive rates. Fungitell® BDG surveillance testing should not be performed in children during the early post-HCT period while receiving antifungal prophylaxis as the pretest probability for IFD is low.

Considering the differences in molecular structure and function, the effects of β-1,3-glucans from Euglena gracilis and β-1,3/1,6-glucans from Saccharomyces cerevisiae on immune and inflammatory activities in dogs were compared. Four diets were compared: control without β-glucans (CON), 0.15 mg/kg BW/day of β-1,3/1,6-glucans (Β-Y15), 0.15 mg/kg BW/day of β-1,3-glucans (Β-S15), and 0.30 mg/kg BW/day of β-1,3-glucans (Β-S30). Thirty-two healthy dogs (eight per diet) were organized in a block design. All animals were fed CON for a 42-day washout period and then sorted into one of four diets for 42 days. Blood and faeces were collected at the beginning and end of the food intake period and analysed for serum and faecal cytokines, ex vivo production of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and nitric oxide (NO), phagocytic activity of neutrophils and monocytes, C-reactive protein (CRP), ex vivo production of IgG, and faecal concentrations of IgA and calprotectin. Data were evaluated using analysis of covariance and compared using Tukey's test (P<0.05). Dogs fed Β-Y15 showed higher serum IL-2 than dogs fed Β-S30 (P<0.05). A higher phagocytic index of monocytes was observed in dogs fed the B-S15 diet than in those fed the other diets, and a higher neutrophil phagocytic index was observed for B-S15 and B-Y15 than in dogs fed the CON diet (P<0.05). Monocytes from dogs fed B-S15 and B-S30 produced more NO and less H2O2 than those from the CON and B-Y15 groups (P<0.05). Despite in the reference value, CRP levels were higher in dogs fed B-S15 and B-S30 diets (P<0.05). β-1,3/1,6-glucan showed cell-mediated activation of the immune system, with increased serum IL-2 and neutrophil phagocytic index, whereas β-1,3-glucan acted on the immune system by increasing the ex vivo production of NO by monocytes, neutrophil phagocytic index, and serum CRP. Calprotectin and CRP levels did not support inflammation or other health issues related to β-glucan intake. In conclusion, both β-glucan sources modulated some immune and inflammatory parameters in dogs, however, different pathways have been suggested for the recognition and action of these molecules, reinforcing the necessity for further mechanistic studies, especially for E. gracilis β-1,3-glucan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sepsis treatment is a challenging condition due to its complexity, which involves host inflammatory responses to a severe and potentially fatal infection, associated with organ dysfunction. The aim of this study was to analyze the scientific literature on the immunomodulatory effects of glucans in a murine model of systemic infection induced by cecal ligation and puncture. This study comprises an integrative literature review based on systematic steps, with searches carried out in the PubMed, ScienceDirect, Scopus, Web of Science, and Embase databases. In most studies, the main type of glucan investigated was β-glucan, at 50 mg/kg, and a reduction of inflammatory responses was identified, minimizing the occurrence of tissue damage leading to increased animal survival. Based on the data obtained and discussed in this review, glucans represent a promising biotechnological alternative to modulate the immune response and could potentially be used in the clinical management of septic individuals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bacteria of the genera Xylanibacter and Segatella are among the most dominant groups in the rumen microbiota. They are characterized by the ability to utilize different hemicelluloses and pectin of plant cell-wall as well as plant energy storage polysaccharides. The degradation is possible with the use of cell envelope bound multiprotein apparatuses coded in polysaccharide utilization loci (PULs), which have been shown to be substrate specific. The knowledge of PUL presence in rumen Xylanibacter and Segatella based on bioinformatic analyses is already established and transcriptomic and genetic approaches confirmed predicted PULs for a limited number of substrates. In this study, we transcriptomically identified additional different PULs in Xylanibacter ruminicola KHP1 and Segatella bryantii TF1-3. We also identified substrate preferences and found that specific growth rate and extent of growth impacted the choice of substrates preferentially used for degradation. These preferred substrates were used by both strains simultaneously as judged by their PUL upregulation. Lastly, β-glucan and xyloglucan were used by these strains in the absence of bioinformatically and transcriptomically identifiable PUL systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

β-Glucan is the main component of the cell wall of pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) including various yeast, fungi, or certain bacteria. Previous reports demonstrated that β-glucan was widely investigated as a potent immunomodulators to stimulate innate and adaptive immune responses, which indicated that it could be recommended as an effective adjuvant in immunotherapy. However, the detailed effects of β-glucan on neonatal immunity are still largely unknown. Here, we found that β-glucan did not affect the frequencies and numbers of myeloid cells in the spleen and bone marrow from neonates. Functional assay revealed that β-glucan from neonates compromised the immunosuppressive function of immature myeloid cells, which were myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs). Flow cytometry or gene expression analysis revealed that β-glucan-derived polymorphonuclear (PMN)-MDSCs produced lower level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and arginase-1 (Arg1) in neonatal mice. Furthermore, β-glucan administration significantly decreased the frequency and ROS level of PMN-MDSCs in vitro. These observations suggest that β-glucan facilitates the maturation of myeloid cells in early life, which may contribute to its beneficial effects against immune disorders later in life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

β-1,3-glucans are a kind of natural polysaccharide with immunomodulatory, antitumor, and anti-inflammatory properties. Curdlan, as the simplest linear β-1,3-glucan, possesses a variety of biological activities and thermogelation properties. However, due to the complexity and variability of the conformations of curdlan, the exact structure–activity relationship remains unclear. We prepare a chemically crosslinked curdlan hydrogel with the unique single-helical skeleton (named S gel) in 0.4 wt% NaOH at 40 °C, confirmed by diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy (DRIFTS). X-ray diffractometry (XRD) data show that S gel maintains the single-helical crystal structure, and the degree of crystallinity of the S gel is ~24%, which is slightly lower than that of the raw powder (~31%). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) reveals that S gel has a continuous network structure, with large pores measuring 50–200 μm, which is consistent with its high swelling property. Using the 13C high-resolution magic angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance (HRMAS NMR) method, we determine that most of the single-helical skeleton carbon signals in the swollen S gel are visible, suggesting that the single-helical skeleton of S gel exhibits fascinating mobility at room temperature. Finally, we reveal that the binding of S gel to coagulation Factor G from tachypleus amebocyte lysate increases and saturates at 20 μL tachypleus amebocyte lysate per mg of S gel. Our prepared S gel can avoid the transformation of curdlan conformations and retain the bioactivity of binding to coagulation Factor G, making it a valuable material for use in the food industry and the pharmaceutical field. This work deepens the understanding of the relationship between the single-helical structure and the activity of curdlan, promoting the development and application of β-1,3-glucans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Yeast, crucial in beer production, holds great potential owing to its ability to transform into a valuable by-product resource, known as brewer's spent yeast (BSY), with potentially beneficial physiological effects. This study aimed to compare the composition and soluble polysaccharide content of Brewer's spent yeast with those of cultured yeast strains, namely Saccharomyces cerevisiae (SC) and S. boulardii (SB), to facilitate the utilization of BSY as an alternative source of functional polysaccharides. BSY exhibited significantly higher carbohydrate content and lower crude protein content than SC and SB cells. The residues recovered through autolysis were 53.11%, 43.83%, and 44.99% for BSY, SC, and SB, respectively. Notably, the polysaccharide content of the BSY residue (641.90 μg/mg) was higher than that of SC (553.52 μg/mg) and SB (591.56 μg/mg). The yields of alkali-extracted water-soluble polysaccharides were 33.62%, 40.76%, and 42.97% for BSY, SC, and SB, respectively, with BSY comprising a comparable proportion of water-soluble saccharides made with SC and SB, including 49.31% mannan and 20.18% β-glucan. Furthermore, BSY demonstrated antioxidant activities, including superoxide dismutase (SOD), ABTS, and DPPH scavenging potential, suggesting its ability to mitigate oxidative stress. BSY also exhibited a significantly higher total phenolic compound content, indicating its potential to act as an effective functional food material. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wheat bran possesses diverse nutritional and functional properties. In this study, wheat bran aqueous extract (WBE) was produced and thoroughly characterized as a functional ingredient and improver for bakery application. The WBE contained 50.3% total carbohydrate, 24.5% protein, 13.0% ash, 6.7% soluble fiber, 2.9% insoluble fiber, and 0.5% β-glucan. Notably, adding 7.5% WBE significantly increased the bread-specific volume to 4.84 cm3/g, compared with the control of 4.18 cm3/g. Adding WBE also resulted in a remarkable improvement in dough properties. The WBE-enriched dough showed increased peak, setback, breakdown, and final viscosities, along with higher storage and loss modulus. Scanning electron microscopy analysis further revealed that the WBE promoted the aggregation of protein and starch within the dough. The extractable gliadin to glutenin ratio increased with 5 and 7.5% WBE additions, compared with the control and 2.5% WBE addition. WBE did not significantly alter the starch gelatinization temperature or dough extension properties. These findings demonstrate that the inclusion of WBE in wheat flour is a promising approach for producing high-quality bread that is enriched with dietary fiber and protein. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the rapid and dynamic evolution of research into dietary polyphenols, there is still a knowledge gap regarding their bioaccessibility since it could be influenced by the chemical and nutritional compositions of the food matrix. This study aimed to describe the impact of food thickeners (xanthan gum, guar gum, β-glucan, pectin) on the bioactivity of flavonoids from saffron floral by-products in model beverages before and after thermal processing. The different beverage formulas were characterized in terms of polyphenolic composition using HPLC-DAD-ESI-MSn and rheological properties. The impact of food thickeners and thermal processing on the inhibition of digestive enzymes was also determined. The model beverages mainly presented glycosylated flavonols (of kaempferol, quercetin, and isorhamnetin), with a reduced content in some heat-treated samples. The inhibitory effect on α-amylase was only detected in heat-treated beverages, showing the formulation without any thickener to have the greatest inhibitory effect. Finally, the presence of saffron floral by-products in the beverages showed a tendency to decrease the flow consistency index (K) and an increase in the flow behavior index (n), most probably driven by the aggregation of phenolics with thickeners. Therefore, this research provides new insights into the development of flavonoid-rich beverages in order to ensure that they exert the expected beneficial effects after their ingestion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Consumption of dietary fiber has been linked to several health benefits. Among these, dietary fiber breakdown through the process of anaerobic fermentation by the colonic microbiota leads to the production of beneficial metabolites, mainly short-chain fatty acids (acetate, propionate, and butyrate), which have been implicated in reduced calorie intake. Nevertheless, the link between gut microbiota and obesity remains unclear. We investigated the effects of dietary fibers on food intake and body weight gain in two independent but similarly designed studies in rats. In the first study, the inclusion of 10% w/w pectin, fructooligosaccharides or beta-glucan (n = 10/group) in the diets each significantly reduced body weight gain ('responders') compared to the cellulose control whereas, in a closely matched, but not fully identical study (n = 8/group), no effect of dietary fiber on body weight ('non-responders') was observed. The aim of this work was to explore the basis of this differential response between the two similarly designed and comparable studies, with a focus on the potential role of the gut microbiota in the control of food intake and body weight. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aerobic hyperthermophile "Fervidibacter sacchari" catabolizes diverse polysaccharides and is the only cultivated member of the class "Fervidibacteria" within the phylum Armatimonadota. It encodes 117 putative glycoside hydrolases (GHs), including two from GH family 50 (GH50). In this study, we expressed, purified, and functionally characterized one of these GH50 enzymes, Fsa16295Glu. We show that Fsa16295Glu is a ß-1,3-endoglucanase with optimal activity on carboxymethyl curdlan (CM-curdlan) and only weak agarase activity, despite most GH50 enzymes being described as ß-agarases. The purified enzyme has a wide temperature range of 4-95°C (optimal 80°C), making it the first characterized hyperthermophilic representative of GH50. The enzyme is also active at a broad pH range of at least 5.5-11 (optimal 6.5-10). Fsa16295Glu possesses a relatively high kcat/KM of 1.82 × 107 s-1 M-1 with CMcurdlan and degrades CM-curdlan nearly completely to sugar monomers, indicating preferential hydrolysis of glucans containing ß-1,3 linkages. Finally, a phylogenetic analysis of Fsa16295Glu and all other GH50 enzymes revealed that Fsa16295Glu is distant from other characterized enzymes but phylogenetically related to enzymes from thermophilic archaea that were likely acquired horizontally from "Fervidibacteria." Given its functional and phylogenetic novelty, we propose that Fsa16295Glu represents a new enzyme subfamily, GH50_3. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tularemia is a zoonotic disease caused by the facultative intracellular gram-negative bacterium Francisella tularensis. F. tularensis has a very low infection dose by the aerosol route which can result in an acute, and potentially lethal, infection in humans. Consequently, it is classified as a Category A bioterrorism agent by the US Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and is a pathogen of concern for the International Biodefence community. There are currently no licenced tularemia vaccines. In this study we report on the continued assessment of a tularemia subunit vaccine utilising β-glucan particles (GPs) as a vaccine delivery platform for immunogenic F. tularensis antigens. Using a Fischer 344 rat infection model, we demonstrate that a GP based vaccine comprising the F. tularensis lipopolysaccharide antigen together with the protein antigen FTT0814 provided partial protection of F344 rats against an aerosol challenge with a high virulence strain of F. tularensis, SCHU S4. Inclusion of imiquimod as an adjuvant failed to enhance protective efficacy. Moreover, the level of protection afforded was dependant on the challenge dose. Immunological characterisation of this vaccine demonstrated that it induced strong antibody immunoglobulin responses to both polysaccharide and protein antigens. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the FTT0814 component of the GP vaccine primed CD4+ and CD8+ T-cells from immunised F344 rats to express interferon-γ, and CD4+ cells to express interleukin-17, in an antigen specific manner. These data demonstrate the development potential of this tularemia subunit vaccine and builds on a body of work highlighting GPs as a promising vaccine platform for difficult to treat pathogens including those of concern to the bio-defence community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Beta-glucan (ß-glucan) is a polysaccharide containing ß-glycosidic bonds that is an important structure part of different yeast cells. Aim: The purpose of the study is to characterize ß-glucan obtained from Candida albicans (C. albicans) isolated from caprine mastitis. Methods: The ß-glucan was extracted by using utilizing an Alkaline-acidic extraction technique. The dry weight of extracted ß-glucan was 7.47/150 g with 4.98%. Results: The findings demonstrated that the extracted ß-glucan had similarity in the primary peak 5.78 of liquid samples using the method of high-performance liquid chromatography when compared to the standard form of ß-glucan. However, scanning electron microscopy studies revealed that the standard of ß-glucan was distinct in morphology but similar to ß-glucan isolated from C. albicans in terms of particle sizes in the range of 1.60-2.65 m and the lack of cell wall traces. The findings of an investigation using energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (EDS/EDX) of extracted and standard ß-glucan, showed the principal elements discovered were carbon (C), oxygen (O), and nitrogen (N). Aluminum (Al), silicon (Si), nickel (Ni), and gold (Au) were also present, but in less amounts. Conclusion: The extracted ß-glucan displayed a high degree of similarity and purity to the standard ß-glucan, according to the findings of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Laminaripentaose (L5)‐producing β‐1,3‐glucanases can preferentially cleave the triple‐helix curdlan into β‐1,3‐glucooligosaccharides, especially L5. In this study, a newly identified member of the glycoside hydrolase family 64, β‐1,3‐glucanase from Streptomyces pratensis (SpGlu64A), was functionally and structurally characterized. SpGlu64A shared highest identity (30%) with a β‐1,3‐glucanase from Streptomyces matensis. The purified SpGlu64A showed maximal activity at pH 7.5 and 50 °C, and exhibited strict substrate specificity toward curdlan (83.1 U·mg−1). It efficiently hydrolyzed curdlan to produce L5 as the end product. The overall structure of SpGlu64A consisted of a barrel domain and a mixed (α/β) domain, which formed an unusually wide groove with a crescent‐like structure. In the two complex structures (SpGlu64A–L3 and SpGlu64A–L4), two oligosaccharide chains were captured and the triple‐helical structure was relatively compatible with the wide groove, which suggested the possibility of binding to the triple‐helical β‐1,3‐glucan. A catalytic framework (β6–β9–β10) and the steric hindrance formed by the side chains of residues Y161, N163, and H393 in the catalytic groove were predicted to complete the exotype‐like cleavage manner. On the basis of the structure, a fusion protein with the CBM56 domain (SpGlu64A–CBM) and a mutant (Y161F; by site‐directed mutation) were obtained, with 1.2‐ and 1.7‐fold increases in specific activity, respectively. Moreover, the combined expression of SpGlu64A–CBM and ‐Y161F improved the enzyme activity by 2.63‐fold. The study will not only be helpful in understanding the reaction mechanism of β‐1,3‐glucanases but will also provide a basis for further enzyme engineering. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study synthesized a novel oat β-glucan (OBG)-Cr(III) complex (OBG-Cr(III)) and explored its structure, inhibitory effects on α-amylase and α-glucosidase, and hypoglycemic activities and mechanism in vitro using an insulin-resistant HepG2 (IR-HepG2) cell model. The Cr(III) content in the complex was found to be 10.87%. The molecular weight of OBG-Cr(III) was determined to be 7.736 × 104 Da with chromium ions binding to the hydroxyl groups of OBG. This binding resulted in the increased asymmetry and altered spatial conformation of the complex along with significant changes in morphology and crystallinity. Our findings demonstrated that OBG-Cr(III) exhibited inhibitory effects on α-amylase and α-glucosidase. Furthermore, OBG-Cr(III) enhanced the insulin sensitivity of IR-HepG2 cells, promoting glucose uptake and metabolism more efficiently than OBG alone. The underlying mechanism of its hypoglycemic effect involved the modulation of the c-Cbl/PI3K/AKT/GLUT4 signaling pathway, as revealed by Western blot analysis. This research not only broadened the applications of OBG but also positioned OBG-Cr(III) as a promising Cr(III) supplement with enhanced hypoglycemic benefits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Factors that reduce the risk of developing colorectal cancer include biologically active substances. In our previous research, we demonstrated the anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, and antioxidant effects of oat beta-glucans in gastrointestinal disease models. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of an 8-week consumption of a diet supplemented with low-molar-mass oat beta-glucan in two doses on the antioxidant potential, inflammatory parameters, and colonic metabolomic profile in azoxymethane(AOM)-induced early-stage colorectal cancer in the large intestine wall of rats. The results showed a statistically significant effect of AOM leading to the development of neoplastic changes in the colon. Consumption of beta-glucans induced changes in colonic antioxidant potential parameters, including an increase in total antioxidant status, a decrease in the superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, and a reduction in thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) concentration. In addition, beta-glucans decreased the levels of pro-inflammatory interleukins (IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-12) and C-reactive protein (CRP) while increasing the concentration of IL-10. Metabolomic studies confirmed the efficacy of oat beta-glucans in the AOM-induced early-stage colon cancer model by increasing the levels of metabolites involved in metabolic pathways, such as amino acids, purine, biotin, and folate. In conclusion, these results suggest a wide range of mechanisms involved in altering colonic metabolism during the early stage of carcinogenesis and a strong influence of low-molar-mass oat beta-glucan, administered as dietary supplement, in modulating these mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of dietary supplementation with sodium butyrate, β-glucan and vitamins (A, D3, E, K, C) on breeding indicators and immune parameters of juvenile African catfish was examined. The fish were fed with unenriched (group C) and enriched feed with a variable proportion of sodium butyrate/β-glucan, and constant content of vitamins (W1–W3). After the experiment, blood and the middle gut were collected. The microbiome of the gut was determined using Next Generation Sequencing (NGS). Liver tissue was collected for determination of expression of immune-related genes (HSP70, IL-1β, TNFα). W2 and W3 were characterized by the most favorable values of breeding indicators (p < 0.05). The highest blood cortisol concentration was in group C (71.25 ± 10.45 ng/mL), and significantly the lowest in W1 (46.03 ± 7.01 ng/ mL) (p < 0.05). The dominance of Cetobacterium was observed in all study groups, with the largest share in W3 (65.25%) and W1 (61.44%). Gene expression showed an increased number of HSP70 genes in W1. IL-1β and TNFα genes peaked at W3. The W3 variant turns out to be the most beneficial supplementation, due to the improvement of breeding and immunological parameters. The data obtained can be used to create a preparation for commercial use in the breeding of this species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hyperthermostable endoglucanases of glycoside hydrolase family 12 from the archaeon Pyrococcus furiosus (EGPf) catalyze the hydrolysis of β-1,4-glucosidic linkages in cellulose and β-glucan structures that contain β-1,3- and β-1,4-mixed linkages. In this study, EGPf was heterologously expressed with Aspergillus niger and the recombinant enzyme was characterized. The successful expression of EGPf resulted as N-glycosylated protein in its secretion into the culture medium. The glycosylation of the recombinant EGPf positively impacted the kinetic characterization of EGPf, thereby enhancing its catalytic efficiency. Moreover, glycosylation significantly boosted the thermostability of EGPf, allowing it to retain over 80% of its activity even after exposure to 100 °C for 5 h, with the optimal temperature being above 120 °C. Glycosylation did not affect the pH stability or salt tolerance of EGPf, although the glycosylated compound exhibited a high tolerance to ionic liquids. EGPf displayed the highest specific activity in the presence of 20% (v/v) 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride ([Bmim]Cl), reaching approximately 2.4 times greater activity than that in the absence of [Bmim]Cl. The specific activity was comparable to that without the ionic liquid even in the presence of 40% (v/v) [Bmim]Cl. Glycosylated EGPf has potential as an enzyme for saccharifying cellulose under high-temperature conditions or with ionic liquid treatment due to its exceptional thermostability and ionic liquid tolerance. These results underscore the potential of N-glycosylation as an effective strategy to further enhance both the thermostability of highly thermostable archaeal enzymes and the hydrolysis of barley cellulose in the presence of [Bmim]Cl. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was to modify a protein-rich by-product, generated during β-glucan production, to render it appropriate for incorporation into meat products. Additionally, the study sought to assess the quality of a prototype meat product containing oat additives, depending on its concentration. Through hydrolyzation, its solubility was enhanced, making it suitable for broader applications in food products. With an average protein content of 52% and fat content of 6%, the pure hydrolysate exhibited a notable ferric ion reduction, as well as metal chelating properties. In meat formulations, the hydrolysate was integrated at concentrations of 1%, 2%, and 3%, relative to the meat mass. Following cooking and subsequent storage for 21 days, assessments were conducted every 7 days to evaluate colour retention, texture, and oxidation status. At concentrations of 2% to 3% (equivalent to 2–3 g/100 g), the hydrolysate significantly enhanced colour stability, while concurrently fostering oxidation. Notably, cohesiveness and resilience were augmented, with no discernible impact on hardness. The application of oat protein hydrolysate, particularly at 2–3 g/100 g, serves as a viable strategy for enhancing colour stability in meat formulations. However, its pro-oxidative effects necessitate supplementation with antioxidants to mitigate potential deterioration in the final product. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Innate immune training involves myelopoiesis, dynamic gene modulation, and functional reprogramming of myeloid cells in response to secondary heterologous challenges. The present study evaluates whether systemic innate immune training can protect tissues from local injury. Systemic pretreatment of mice with β‐glucan, a trained immunity agonist, reduces the mortality rate of mice with bleomycin‐induced lung injury and fibrosis, as well as decreasing collagen deposition in the lungs. β‐Glucan pretreatment induces neutrophil accumulation in the lungs and enhances efferocytosis. Training of mice with β‐glucan results in histone modification in both alveolar macrophages (AMs) and neighboring lung epithelial cells. Training also increases the production of RvD1 and soluble mediators by AMs and efferocytes. Efferocytosis increases trained immunity in AMs by stimulating RvD1 release, thus inducing SIRT1 expression in neighboring lung epithelial cells. Elevated epithelial SIRT1 expression is associated with decreased epithelial cell apoptosis after lung injury, attenuating tissue damage. Further, neutrophil depletion dampens the effects of β‐glucan on macrophage accumulation, epigenetic modification in lung macrophages, epithelial SIRT1 expression, and injury‐mediated fibrosis in the lung. These findings provide mechanistic insights into innate immune training and clues to the potential ability of centrally trained immunity to protect peripheral organs against injury‐mediated disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gemcitabine is a nucleoside analog effective against a number of cancers. However, it has an oral bioavailability of less than 10%, due to its high hydrophilicity and low permeability through the intestinal epithelium. Therefore, the aim of this project was to develop a novel nanoparticulate drug delivery system for the oral delivery of gemcitabine to improve its oral bioavailability. In this study, gemcitabine-loaded β-glucan NPs were fabricated using a film-casting method followed by a freezer-milling technique. As a result, the NPs showed a small particle size of 447.6 ± 14.2 nm, and a high drug entrapment efficiency of 64.3 ± 2.1%. By encapsulating gemcitabine into β-glucan NPs, a sustained drug release profile was obtained, and the anomalous diffusion release mechanism was analyzed, indicating that the drug release was governed by diffusion through the NP matrix as well as matrix erosion. The drug-loaded NPs had a greater ex vivo drug permeation through the porcine intestinal epithelial membrane compared to the plain drug solution. Cytotoxicity studies showed a safety profile of the β-glucan polymers, and the IC50s of drug solution and drug-loaded β-glucan NPs were calculated as 228.8 ± 31.2 ng·mL−1 and 306.1 ± 46.3 ng·mL−1, respectively. Additionally, the LD50 of BALB/c nude mice was determined as 204.17 mg/kg in the acute toxicity studies. Notably, pharmacokinetic studies showed that drug-loaded β-glucan NPs could achieve a 7.4-fold longer T1/2 and a 5.1-fold increase in oral bioavailability compared with plain drug solution. Finally, in vivo pharmacodynamic studies showed the promising capability of gemcitabine-loaded β-glucan NPs to inhibit the 4T1 breast tumor growth, with a 3.04- and 1.74-fold reduction compared to the untreated control and drug solution groups, respectively. In conclusion, the presented freezer-milled β-glucan NP system is a suitable drug delivery method for the oral delivery of gemcitabine and demonstrates a promising potential platform for oral chemotherapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This document is a summary of a special issue in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences titled "Dietary Bioactive Components in Inflammatory Bowel Disease." The special issue explores the potential of dietary bioactive compounds, particularly those found in fruits and vegetables, for the prevention and management of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). The issue includes seven papers, consisting of five research articles and two reviews, which investigate the effects of various dietary components on IBD, including Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, and colorectal cancer. The studies highlight the complex interactions between dietary bioactive compounds, gut microbiota, and immune responses in the context of IBD, and suggest that these compounds may have therapeutic potential in managing the disease. [Extracted from the article]