ベータグルカンのさまざまなソース

人間の健康のためのバランスのとれた食事の一部としての食物繊維の重要性は広く認識されています。 β-グルカンは、グリセミア、インスリン血症レベル、コレステロール、および免疫に影響を与えるための可溶性繊維の一種です。
Beta glucans are long chains of glucose molecules that form a non-digestible fiber. Beta glucan is found in various organisms, including cereal grains like oat and barley, fungi, bacteria, and algae.

Different sources of beta-glucan

Beta glucans exist in a variety of structures and serve different purposes depending on the source. Those different structures impact how the beta glucans interact with their bodies and when we consume them, and what health benefits are associated with them, but not all beta glucans are the same. These different sources of beta glucans can have different health benefits based on their function, structure, size, and solubility.
In this article, we will discuss the different sources of beta glucan and their functions.

1。シリアルからのベータグルカン（オート麦、大麦）

穀物からのベータグルカンの構造

これは、単糖D-グルコースの単位で構成される粘性多糖です。 オート麦ベータグルカン 混合リンケージ多糖で構成されています。これは、d-グルコース単位間の結合がベータ（1,3）連鎖またはベータ（1,4）の連鎖のいずれかであることを意味します。

シリアルからのベータグルカンの機能

植物に含まれるセルロースは1,4の構造であり、腸の運動性に関連していることを確認してください。オート麦と大麦にはベータグルカンがあり、ほとんどが1,4のリンケージを備えていますが、1,3個のリンケージも交互にあります。この構造は、心血管の健康上の利点に関連しています。これらの利点は、しばしば全粒穀物の穀物、大きな心の箱に宣伝されています。
The effects are proposed to be mediated by the gel-forming properties of oat β-glucan, which modulates host bile acid and cholesterol metabolism and potentially removes intestinal cholesterol for excretion. However, the gut microbiota has emerged as a major factor regulating cholesterol metabolism in the host.

2. Beta-glucans from yeast and fungi(mushroom)

The structure of beta-glucans from yeast and fungi

The β-glucan present in yeast and fungi was composed of (1,3) linkages and (1, 6) linked branches. The difference between them is that β-glucans of mushrooms have short β(1,6)-linked branches whereas those of yeast have β(1,6)-side branches with additional β(1,3) regions. Yeast beta-glucan is a long chain of polysaccharides.

The function of beta-glucans from yeast and fungi

酵母ベータグルカン exists in the cell wall of yeast and is well-known for the functions of immunity-enhancing, anti-infection, anti-tumor, and so on.
Beta-1,3/1,6-glucan derived from baker’s yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) is the most studied beta-glucan and is by far the best documented in terms of immune stimulatory efficacy and safety is hence considered superior to beta-glucans from other sources.

3. Beta-glucans from bacteria and algae

The structure of beta-glucans from bacteria and algae

β-Glucan obtained from bacteria and algae show as a linear β-(1,3) glucan structure.

The function of beta-glucans from bacteria and algae

The main function of this 1,3-bonded glucan is to promote intestinal health and some of the beta glucan from algae have a function to enhance immunity.

Foods high in beta glucan

There are also many foods high in beta glucan, including barley fiber, oats, whole grains, reishi, maitake and shiitake mushrooms, seaweed, algae.

The best way to intake the beta glucan

Many food manufacturers add beta glucan to functional drinks and foods as a supplement. The best way to consume glucan is to eat foods containing high-purity beta glucan.
Before buying that kind of product, it’s necessary to learn different beta glucan sources and their functions.