• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.317-323
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• 2022

Solid-state fermentation using hulled barley was carried out to produce enzymes and β-glucan. The one-factor-at-a-time experiments were carried out to determine the optimal composition of the basal medium. The modified synthetic medium composition in liquid-state fermentation was determined to be 70 g/l hulled barley, 0 g/l rice bran, 5 g/l soytone, and 6 g/l ascorbic acid. Optimal pretreatment conditions of hulled barley by solid-state fermentation were evaluated in terms of maximum production of fungal biomass, amylase, protease, and β-glucan, which were 1.26 mg/g, 31310.34 U/g, 2614.95 U/g, and 14.6% (w/w), respectively, at 60 min of pretreatment condition. Thus, the solid-state fermentation process was found to enhance the overall fermentation yields of hulled barley to produce high amounts of enzymes and β-glucan.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.21 no.5
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• pp.413-422
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• 2020

The choice of eco-friendly materials for ground improvement is a necessary way forward for sustainable development. Adapting naturally available biopolymers will render the process of soil stabilization carbon neutral. An attempt has been made to use β-glucan, a natural biopolymer for the stabilization of lean clay as a sustainable alternative with specific emphasis on comprehending the effect of confining stresses on lean clay through triaxial compression tests. A sequence of laboratory experiments was performed to examine the various physical and mechanical characteristics of β-glucan treated soil (BGTS). Micro-analysis through micrographs were used to understand the strengthening mechanism. Results of the study show that the deviatoric stress of 2% BGTS is 12 times higher than untreated soil (UTS). The micrographs from Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and the results of the Nitrogen-based Brunauer Emmett Teller (N₂-BET) analysis confirm the formation of new cementitious fibres and hydrogels within the soil matrix that tends to weld soil particles and reduce the pore spaces leading to an increase in strength. Hydraulic conductivity (HC) and compressibility reduced significantly with the biopolymer content and curing period. Results emphases that β-glucan is an efficient and sustainable alternative to the traditional stabilizers like cement, lime or bitumen.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.64 no.1
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• pp.1-4
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• 2021

Ambient air pollution, in particular, particulate matter (PM) pollution imposes serious health concerns such as hospitalization and premature deaths, worldwide. While commercial breathing masks are in use for protection against this hazardous issue, yet their efficiency in filtering PM was not up to the par, besides several other discomforts such as poor breathability due to reduced air flow, sweat production etc. In this study, commercial face mask coated with β-glucan, a high molecular weight polymer is tested for its efficacy in filtering PM. Quantification of PM before and after filtration and microscopic observation (using scanning electron microscopy (SEM)) of the fabric used in filtering the dust pollutants (generated from wood chips and cigarette) showed that β-glucan coated fabric were significantly efficient in capturing PM (size of 10 and 2.5 ㎛ in diameter) than that of the untreated control fabric, wherein the former had filtration efficacy with fold increase of 11.6 and 2.6 towards capturing PM2.5 and PM10 respectively than the latter. Thus, β-glucan coated fabric was found to be effective in filtering PM.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.32 no.5
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• pp.556-567
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• 2024

β-glucan, a polysaccharide found in various sources, exhibits unique physicochemical properties, yet its high polymerization limits clinical applications because of its solubility. Addressing this limitation, we introduce PPTEE-glycan, a highly purified soluble β-1,3/1,6-glucan derived from Aureobasidium pullulans. The refined PPTEE-glycan demonstrated robust immune stimulation in vitro, activated dendritic cells, and enhanced co-stimulatory markers, cytokines, and cross-presentation. Formulated as a PPTEE + microemulsion (ME), it elevated immune responses in vivo, promoting antigen-specific antibodies and CD8+ T cell proliferation. Intratumoral administration of PPTEE + ME in tumor-bearing mice induced notable tumor regression, which was linked to the activation of immunosuppressive cells. This study highlights the potential of high-purity Aureobasidium pullulans-derived β-glucan, particularly PPTEE, as promising immune adjuvants, offering novel avenues for advancing cancer immunotherapy.

• Journal of Industrial Technology
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• v.20 no.A
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• pp.45-50
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• 2000

A submerged cultivation of Ganoderma lucidum was carried out in an air-lift fermenter system, and the effects of different pH processes on extracellular branched ${\beta}$-1,3-glucan(EPS) production and mycelial growth(MDW) were investigated. The controlled pH process improved the production of branched ${\beta}$-1,3-glucan and biomass in comparison to the uncontrolled pH process. However, the maximum production of branched ${\beta}$-1,3-glucan were obtained by the bi-staged pH process. From these results, we confirmed that the bi-staged pH process was the most effective for improving the production of branched ${\beta}$-1,3-glucan from submerged culture of G. lucidum.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.642-653
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• 2023

Objective: This study was conducted to evaluate effects of β-glucan with vitamin E supplementation on the growth performance, blood profiles, immune response, fecal microbiota, fecal score, and nutrient digestibility in weaning pigs. Methods: A total of 200 weaning pigs with an average body weight (BW) of 7.64±0.741 kg were allotted to five treatment groups and were divided based on sex and initial BW in four replicates with ten pigs per pen in a randomized complete block design. The experimental diets included a corn-soybean meal-based basal diet with or without 0.1% or 0.2% β-glucan and 0.02% vitamin E. The pigs were fed the diets for 6 weeks. A total of 15 barrows were used to evaluate the nutrient digestibility by the total collection method. The BW and feed intake were measured at the end of each phase. Blood samples were collected at the end of each phase, and fecal samples were collected at the end of the experiment. Results: The addition of β-glucan with vitamin E to weaning pig feed increased BW, average daily gain, and average daily feed intake. A significant decrease in yeast and mold and Proteobacteria and a tendency for Lactobacillus to increase compared to the control was shown when 0.1% β-glucan and 0.02% vitamin E were added. The fecal score in weaning pigs was lower in the treatments supplemented with 0.1% or 0.2% β-glucan and 0.02% vitamin E compared to the control. In addition, vitamin E was better supplied to weaning pigs by increasing the concentration of α-tocopherol in the blood of weaning pigs when 0.02% vitamin E was supplemented. However, there was no significant difference in either the immune response or nutrient digestibility. Conclusion: Inclusion of 0.1% β-Glucan with 0.02% vitamin E in a weaning pig's diet were beneficial to the growth performance of weaning pigs by improving intestinal microbiota and reducing the incidence of diarrhea.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.34 no.6
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• pp.131-138
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• 2019

Objective : Sparassis crispa has been recognized for its therapeutic value since the late 20th century because of its high β-glucan content. Since then, researches have been conducted on the pharmacological effects but most of these are individual studies on the effects of β-glucan from S. crispa and the comprehensive reviews are lacking. The purpose of this study was to review the compounds composition and pharmacological effects of S. crispa. Methods : This review analyzes the papers about chemical and nutritional composition and pharmacological effects of S. crispa. The data in this review is based on selected papers after reviewing all studies containing the keyword "sparassis crispa" for PubMed, NDSL, and J-Stage published before February 2019. Results : S. crispa is composed of protein, lipids, and carbohydrates. Most of the compounds are carbohydrates and the highest content is β-glucan. More than 40% of the dried fruiting body of S. crispa is composed of β-glucan. In addition, it contains polyphenols, flavonoids, terpenoids and phthalide-based compounds. Broad spectrum of its pharmacological actions have been established which include immunomodulatory, anticancer, antiinflammatory, antioxidant, hypoglycemic, antiobesic and neuroprotective effects. Conclusion : The most studied fields have been shown to have immunomodulatory and anticancer effects by inhibiting the proliferation of cancer cells and angiogenesis and increasing hematopoitic responses. Unique structure and characteristic of high molecular weight β-glucan are considered to have high immunomodulatory effects of S. crispa. And low molecular fractions or phthalides of S. crispa also have antioxidant, immunomodulatory and anticancer effects.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.50 no.1
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• pp.89-98
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• 2008

This experiment was carried out to investigate the combination feeding of β-glucan and multi-species probiotics on growth performance, various lipid concentrations of serum, antibody production and cecal microbial profiles in broiler chicks. A total of six hundred 1-d-old male broiler chicks were divided into five groups, placed into four pens per group(30 birds per pen) and fed one of five non-medicated experimental diets(T1, 0.15% multi-species probiotics; T2, 0.1% β-glucan+0.15% multi-species probiotics; T3, 0.3% multi-species probiotics; T4, 0.1% β-glucan+0.3% probiotics or devoid them as control) for 5 wk. There was no significant difference in feed intake among the groups. The average weight gains and FCR in groups fed diet containing 0.3% probiotics were significantly improved(p<0.05) than control in finisher period(22-35d). The concentration of serum cholesterol ester in groups fed 0.3% probiotics were significantly lowered(p<0.05) as compared to that of the control. Relative weights of liver, spleen, bursa of Fabricius, breast and leg were not influenced by the dietary treatments. The average ND or IB antibody titers in groups fed diets containing β-glucan and probiotics were tended to be increased, but not significantly. The number of cecal lactic acid bacteria was significantly increased(p<0.05) by the dietary β- glucan and probiotics. These results indicated that dietary β-glucan and probiotics exerted a growth- promoting and immune-enhancing effects on broiler chicks. In addition, yeast derived β-glucan, and multi-species probiotics modulated the profiles of cecal microflora, reflecting potential alternative substances to replace antibiotics for feeding broiler.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.89-98
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• 2018

Purpose : This study was designed to examine the blood glucose control and increase immunity effects of ${\beta}-glucan$ added cooked barley noodle in streptozotocin-induced diabetes mice with a high-fat diet. Method : Forty-eight male ICR mice (6-week-old) were fed AIN-93 diet for 4 weeks. Mice were divided into six groups: normal, diabetic, cooked barley noodle, ${\beta}-glucan$ (5 %) control and two experimental groups (${\beta}-glucan$ 2.5 % and 5 %, cooked barley noodle contained diet with ${\beta}-glucan$ 2.5 % and 5 % w/w). Diabetes mellitus was induced by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (150 mg/kg). Result : Blood glucose level was significantly decreased in groups consuming cooked barley noodles, but no significant difference was exhibited in diabetic and ${\beta}-glucan$ control group. These results were in accordance with the result of oral glucose tolerance test. Blood interfereon $(IFN)-{\gamma}$ was measured in order to identify increase immunity effect of ${\beta}-glucan$ in diabetic mice. Inhibited $IFN-{\gamma}$ concentration was recovered in cooked barley noodle and ${\beta}-glucan$ control group. Moreover, $IFN-{\gamma}$ concentration was dramatically elevated in ${\beta}-glucan$ contained cooked barley noodle groups in a dose dependent manner. Streptozotocin induced AST and ALT activities were decreased in ${\beta}-glucan$ contained cooked barley noodle groups with a strong lipid lowering effect. Conclusion : Although addition of ${\beta}-glucan$n did not give any significant synergistic effect on cooked barley noodle in blood glucose regulation, suppressed $IFN-{\gamma}$ production by STZ was dramatically enhanced by ${\beta}-glucan$ supplementation in a dose dependent manner. Liver function and blood lipid profile were also in accordance with the increase immunity effect of ${\beta}-glucan$. Consequently, ${\beta}-glucan$ added cooked barley noodle can be consumed as good diets for patients with chronic diseases with reduced immunity.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.880-890
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• 2024

The immunomodulatory effects of Euglena gracilis (Euglena) and its bioactive component, β-1,3-glucan (paramylon), have been clarified through various studies. However, the detailed mechanisms of the immune regulation remain to be elucidated. This study was designed not only to investigate the immunomodulatory effects but also to determine the genetic mechanisms of Euglena and β-glucan in cyclophosphamide (CCP)-induced immunosuppressed mice. The animals were orally administered saline, Euglena (800 mg/kg B.W.) or β-glucan (400 mg/kg B.W.) for 19 days, and CCP (80 mg/kg B.W.) was subsequently administered to induce immunosuppression in the mice. The mice exhibited significant decreases in body weight, organ weight, and the spleen index. However, there were significant improvements in the spleen weight and the spleen index in CCP-induced mice after the oral administration of Euglena and β-glucan. Transcriptome analysis of the splenocytes revealed immune-related differentially expressed genes (DEGs) regulated in the Euglena- and β-glucantreated groups. Gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analyses indicated that pathways related with interleukin (IL)-17 and cAMP play significant roles in regulating T cells, B cells, and inflammatory cytokines. Additionally, Ptgs2, a major inflammatory factor, was exclusively expressed in the Euglena-treated group, suggesting that Euglena's beneficial components, such as carotenoids, could regulate these genes by influencing immune lymphocytes and inflammatory cytokines in CCP-induced mice. This study validated the immunomodulatory effects of Euglena and highlighted its underlying mechanisms, suggesting a positive contribution to the determination of phenotypes associated with immune-related diseases and the research and development of immunotherapies.