Physicochemical and sensory properties of beta glucan product as a health supplement to boost immune system.

Beta glucan is an active compound in the form of complex polysaccharides found in the cell walls of bacteria, yeast, cereals, and fungi. Beta glucan has various health benefits, including cholesterol-lowering effect, anti-cancer, anti-diabetic and as an immunomodulator for the prevention of infectious diseases. Beta glucan from the yeast Aureobasidium pullulans is a water-soluble exopolysaccharide which easily-digested, hence it is more beneficial for health. In its production, it does not require a complicated extraction process such as mushroom beta glucan which are water-insoluble and have low yields. The production of beta glucan from A. pullulans has been carried out on a pilot scale. The purpose of this research is to characterize product with proximate analysis, physicochemical, microbial, and heavy metal contamination as well as sensory testing. The results of proximate analysis showed that beta glucan product had a carbohydrate content of 0.63%, protein 0.1%, total fat 3.04%, moisture content 95.72%, and ash content 0.1%. While the physicochemical characteristic such as viscosity were 66,000–70,000 mPa·s, pH 3.5, and beta glucan content 0.98%. Sensory test results showed that the respondent's level of preference for the product was at a neutral level. Descriptively, the product has a weak sweetness and bitterness taste, as well as a moderate sour taste and freshness. The products were free from microbial and heavy metal contamination and safe. In conclusion, beta glucan products that had been obtained can be used as a health supplement to boost the immune system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]