Naslov
Biological Eff ects of Yeast β-Glucans

Autori
Petravić-Tominac, Vlatka ; Zechner-Krpan, Vesna ; Grba, Slobodan ; Srečec, Siniša ; Panjkota-Krbavčić, Ines ; Vidović, Lana

Izvornik
Agriculturae Conspectus Scientificus (1331-7768) 75 (2010), 4; 149-158

Vrsta, podvrsta i kategorija rada
Radovi u časopisima, pregledni rad, znanstveni

Ključne riječi
β-glucan ; biological activity ; immunomodulation ; yeast

Sažetak
β-Glucans are glucose polymers that naturally occur in yeasts, molds, algae, mushrooms, bacteria, oats and barley. Immunostimulation is one of the most important properties of β-glucans. Th ey are classifi ed as biological response modifi ers and because of their biological activities they can be used in human and veterinary medicine and pharmacy. Additionally, β-glucans show interesting physicochemical properties and therefore could be applied in food and feed production as well as in cosmetic and chemical industries. Immunomodulation by β-glucan, both in vitro and in vivo, inhibits cancer cell growth and metastasis and prevents or reduces bacterial infection. In humans, dietary β-glucan lowers blood cholesterol, improves glucose utilization by body cells and also helps wound healing. β-Glucans work, in part, by stimulating the innate immune mechanism to fi ght a range of foreign challenges and could be used as an adjuvant, in combination with anti-infective or antineoplastic agents, radiotherapy, and a range of topical agents and nutrients. Th e structure of β-glucans depends on the source they are isolated from. Native β-glucan molecules can be linked and branched in several ways. Biological properties of diff erent β-glucan molecules are dependent on their molecular structure. Some authors claim that the β-(1→3), (1→6)-glucan derived from yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae produce the highest biological eff ects. Th us, in this review the β-glucans and their metabolic activity are discussed, with the special accent on those isolated from yeast. Other possible β-glucan applications, directed to cosmetic production, non-medical application in pharmaceutical and chemical industry, are also discussed.

Izvorni jezik
Engleski

Znanstvena područja
Biologija, Biotehnologija, Prehrambena tehnologija

POVEZANOST RADA