Higher order structures of a bioactive, water-soluble (1→3)-β-d-glucan derived from Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Bioinspired yeast-based β-glucan system for oral drug delivery

Oral drug delivery is the preferred route of drug administration for patients, especially those who need long-term medication. Recently, bioinspired drug delivery systems have emerged for the oral delivery of various therapeutics. Among them, the yeast-based β-glucan system is a novel and promising platform, for oral administration that can overcome the biological barriers of the harsh gastrointestinal environment. Remarkably, the yeast-based β-glucan system not only protects the drug through the harsh gastrointestinal environment but also achieves targeted therapeutic effects by specifically recognizing immune cells, especially macrophages. Otherwise, it exhibits immunomodulatory properties. Based on the pleasant characteristics of the yeast-based β-glucan system, they are widely used in various macrophage-related diseases for oral administration. In this review, we introduced the structure and function of yeast-based β-glucan. Subsequently, we further summarized the current preparation methods of yeast-based β-glucan carriers and the strategies for preparing yeast-based β-glucan drug delivery systems. In addition, we focus on discussing the applications of β-glucan drug delivery systems in various diseases. Finally, the current challenges and future perspectives of the β-glucan drug delivery system are introduced.

The structure and in vitro antioxidant activity of carboxymethyl glucans

In this study, a degree substitution of 0.796 was obtained through the process of carboxymethylation (CMG). Carboxymethyl glucans with three different molecular weights (CMG-A, CMG-B and CMG-C) were obtained using membrane separation technology. Structural characterization and in vitro antioxidant activity were also evaluated. As per the outcomes of infrared spectroscopy spectroscopy and Nuclear magnetic resonance studies, CMG-A, CMG-B, CMG-C and contained carboxyl methyl groups. The substitution order of carboxymethylation branched-chain was as follows: 6δ > 4δ > 2δ. Atomic Force Microscope images obtained from the analysis of dilute aqueous solution (0.1 mg/mL) showed that some of the structures in CMG-A, CMG-B and CMG-C, were triple-helical species coexisting with larger aggregates and single chains. In vitro antioxidant experiment shown that the CMG-C had the best antioxidant property, the half-inhibitory concentration of hydroxyl radical scavenging, iron chelation and ABTS scavenging were 0.319, 0.168 and 1.344 mg/mL, respectively.

Interaction of beta-glucans with gut microbiota: Dietary origins, structures, degradation, metabolism, and beneficial function

Beta-glucan (BG), a polysaccharide comprised of interfacing glucose monomers joined via beta-glycosidic linkages, can be defined as a type of dietary fiber with high specificity based on its interaction with the gut microbiota. It can induce similar interindividual microbiota responses, thereby having beneficial effects on the human body. In this paper, we review the four main sources of BG (cereals, fungi, algae, and bacteria) and their differences in structure and content. The interaction of BG with gut microbiota and the resulting health effects have been highlighted, including immune enhancement, regulation of serum cholesterol and insulin levels, alleviation of obesity and improvement of cognitive disorders. Finally, the application of BG in food products and its beneficial effects on the gut microbiota of consumers were discussed. Although some of the mechanisms of action remain unclear, revealing the beneficial functions of BG from the perspective of gut microbiota can help provide theoretical support for the development of diets that target the regulation of microbiota.

An important polysaccharide from fermentum

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Extraction, structure and modification of polysaccharides from fermentum were summarized.

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Structure-activity relationship and application of polysaccharides from fermentum were reviewed.

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It provided a strong basis for the development and application of polysaccharides from fermentum.

Fermentum is a common unicellular fungus with many biological activities attributed to β-polysaccharides. Different in vivo and in vivo experimental studies have long proven that fermentum β-polysaccharides have antioxidant, anti-tumor, and fungal toxin adsorption properties. However, there are many uncertainties regarding the relationship between the structure and biological activity of fermentum β-polysaccharides, and a systematic summary of fermentum β-polysaccharides is still lacking. Herein, we reviewed the research progress about the extraction, structure and modification, structure–activity relationship, activity and application of fermentum β-polysaccharides, compared the extraction methods of fermentum β-polysaccharide, and paid special attention to the structure–activity relationship and application of fermentum β-polysaccharide, which provided a strong basis for the development and application of fermentum β-polysaccharide.

Development of a novel beta-glucan supplemented hydrogel spray formulation and wound healing efficacy in a db/db diabetic mouse model

To relief the severe economic and social burdens and patient suffering caused by the increasing incidence of chronic wounds, more effective treatments are urgently needed. In this study, we focused on developing a novel sprayable wound dressing with the active ingredient β-1,3/1,6-glucan (βG). Since βG is already available as the active ingredient in a commercial wound healing product provided as a hydrogel in a tube (βG-Gel), the sprayable format should bring clinical benefit by being easily sprayed onto wounds; whilst retaining βG-Gel's physical stability, biological safety and wound healing efficacy. Potentially sprayable βG hydrogels were therefore formulated, based on an experimental design setup. One spray formulation, named βG-Spray, was selected for further investigation, as it showed favorable rheological and spraying properties. The βG-Spray was furthermore found to be stable at room temperature for more than a year, retaining its rheological properties and sprayability. The cytotoxicity of βG-Spray in keratinocytes in vitro, was shown to be promising even at the highest tested concentration of 100 μg/ml. The βG-Spray also displayed favorable fluid affinity characteristics, with a capacity to both donate and absorb close to 10% fluid relative to its own weight. Finally, the βG-Spray was proven comparably effective to the commercial product, βG-Gel, and superior to both the water and the carrier controls (NoβG-Spray), in terms of its ability to promote wound healing in healing-impaired animals. Contraction was found to be the main wound closure mechanism responsible for the improvement seen in the βG-treatment groups (βG-Spray and βG-Gel). In conclusion, the novel sprayable βG formulation, confirmed its potential to expand the clinical use of βG as wound dressing.

Structure, preparation, modification, and bioactivities of β-glucan and mannan from yeast cell wall: A review

In order to solve the antibiotic resistance, the research on antibiotic substitutes has received an extensive attention. Many studies have shown that β-glucan and mannan from yeast cell wall have the potential to replace antibiotics for the prevention and treatment of animal diseases, thereby reducing the development and spread of antibiotic-resistant bacterial pathogens. β-Glucan and mannan had a variety of biological functions, including improving the intestinal environment, stimulating innate and acquired immunity, adsorbing mycotoxins, enhancing antioxidant capacity, and so on. The biological activities of β-glucan and mannan can be improved by chemically modifying its primary structure or reducing molecular weight. In this paper, the structure, preparation, modification, and biological activities of β-glucan and mannan were reviewed, which provided future perspectives of β-glucan and mannan.

INVESTIGATION OF THE STRUCTURE OF WATER-SOLUBLE GLUCAN YEAST SACCHAROMYCES CEREVISIAE

It is known that a well-functioning immune system is important for human health. There are many natural and synthetic preparation that are widely used as immunomodulators. One such natural preparat is β-glucan. Beta-glucans are a group of natural polysaccharides. They are recognized as an effective immunocorrector. Their use is advisable both for the prevention of immunodeficiency pathologies and for the complex treatment of many diseases from cardiovascular to oncological. The physiological activity of β-glucan depends on the type and configuration between monosaccharide residues, branching and conformation of macromolecules, solubility in water. One major source of β-glucan is the baker’s yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Much research has been carried out over the years examining cell wall glucans from Saccharomyces cerevisiae. This work is the development devoted to the characterization of water-soluble beta-glucan obtained as a result of controlled degradation with the enzyme Rovabio Excel AP of glucan cell walls of yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. In this study conditions were selected which allow to accumulate the maximum water-soluble fractions with a molecular mass of 1–30 kDa presumably as fractions with a high immunomodulatory effect. The results of the paper show that glucan can be isolated from Saccharomyces cerevisiae in very pure form by the method used in this study. Thus structural analysis gives reliable results. The structural characterization of pure product was performed using the common analytical procedures: enzymes hudrolyses and spectral analyses FTIR, NMR spectroscopy. On the basis of the obtained results it was concluded that  investigated glucan is a (1→3)-β-linked glucose polymer with (1→6)-β-linked side chains with sparsely branched. Further work will concern the physiological effect of water-soluble glucan in comparision to the native glucan. The structural requirements for example for an immunomodulation in humans or animals are still under discussion.

Behind Resveratrol Stabilization by Carboxymethylated (1,3/1,6)-β-d-Glucan: Does the Polyphenol Play a Role in Polymer Structural Organization?

Resveratrol stability in solution can be improved by combining the polyphenol with carboxymethylated (1,3/1,6)-β-d-glucan (CM-glucan), a carbohydrate polymer widely used in the food and pharmaceutical industries. The present work was undertaken to elucidate the mechanism behind this stabilizing effect. The supramolecular structural, physico-chemical and morphological features of the CM-glucan/resveratrol complex have been studied under different physical and chemical stimuli by means of spectroscopic techniques, microscopy and physical methods such as UV-Visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis), spectrofluorimetry, Circular Dichroism (CD), Infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). Our experimental data indicate that CM-glucan conformational organized architecture in aqueous solution is enhanced in the presence of resveratrol, suggesting that the polyphenol is able to confer a high degree of order to the polymer by a probable cooperative structural organization that results in a long term stabilization for the polyphenol.

Structural features of a novel polysaccharide isolated from a New Zealand Maori mushroom Iliodiction cibarium

A purified water-soluble fraction (ICP5) of a polysaccharide, isolated from a local Maori mushroom Iliodiction cibarium in New Zealand, was investigated for its structural properties. Size exclusion chromatography and dynamic light scattering showed that ICP5 had a large MW of 1.6 × 10(5) Da with a hydrodynamic diameter of 83 ± 8 nm. Particle size measurements also displayed the tendency of ICP5 to aggregate when suspended in water. The results of GC-MS, FTIR and NMR analyses allowed some characteristics of the chemical structure of ICP5 to be determined. GC-MS results showed that ICP5 contained only glucose (81.61%), galactose (12.90%) and mannose (5.49%) monomers. The characterized fragment structures of ICP5 were found to be dominantly consisting of uronic acids, which formed a backbone containing 1,4-β-D-GlcpA. A small amount of unsaturated uronic acid also appeared to be present.