• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.48 no.5
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• pp.515-520
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• 2016

This study was carried out to investigate the component and immunoregulatory effects of Sparassis crispa stipe. Herein, S. crispa was divided into the pileus and stipe to compare their ingredients (${\beta}-glucan$), antioxidant activity (in vitro), and the immunoregulatory function (cytokines, leukocytes, and spleen weight). The ${\beta}-glucan$ content in each part showed about 1.8 times higher content in the stipe than that in the pileus. The stipe also showed a higher total phenol content and antioxidant activity than the pileus. The cytokines $TNF-{\alpha}$, IL-2, and IL-10 have adjusted in the S. crispa extract-injected groups. In addition, the number of leukocytes was also significantly elevated in the rats administered with the S. crispa stipe extract. These results suggest that the stipe of S. crispa has great potential as an ingredient in functional foods.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.47 no.2
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• pp.220-229
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• 2009

Strain improvement and morphology investigation in bioreactor cultures were undertaken in suspended cultures of Phellinus linteus mycelia for mass production of protein-bound polysaccharides(soluble ${\beta}$-D-glucan), a powerful immuno-stimulating agent. Phellineus sp. screened for this research was identified as Phellinus linteues through ITS rDNA sequencing method and blast search, demonstrating 99.7% similarity to other Phellinus linteus strains. Intensive strain improvement program was carried out by obtaining large amounts of protoplasts for the isolation of single cell colonies. Rapid and large screening of high-yielding producers was possible because large numbers of protoplasts ($1{\times}10^5{\sim}10^6\;protoplasts/ml$) formed using the banding filtration method with the cell wall-disrupting enzymes could be regenerated in relatively high regeneration frequency($10^{-2}{\sim}10^{-3}$) in the newly developed regeneration medium. It was demonstrated that the strains showing high performances in the protoplast regeneration and solid growth medium were able to produce 5.8~6.4%(w/w) of ${\beta}$-D-glucan and 13~15 g/L of biomass in stable manners in suspended shake-flask cultures of P. linteus mycelia. In addition, cell mass increase was observed to be the most important in order to enhance ${\beta}$-D-glucan productivity during the course of strain improvement program, since the amount of ${\beta}$-D-glucan extracted from the cell wall of P. linteus mycelia was almost constant on the unit biomass basis. Therefore we fully investigated the fungal cell morphology, generally known as one of the key factors affecting cell growth extent in the bioreactor cultures of mycelial fungal cells. It was found that, in order to obtain as high cell mass as possible in the final production bioreactor cultures, the producing cells should be proliferated in condensed filamentous forms in the growth cultures, and optimum amounts of these filamentous cells should be transferred as active inoculums to the production bioreactor. In this case, ideal morphologies consisting of compacted pellets less than 0.5mm in diameter were successfully induced in the production cultures, resulting in shorter period of lag phase, 1.5 fold higher specific cell growth rate and 3.3 fold increase in the final biomass production as compared to the parallel bioreactor cultures of different morphological forms. It was concluded that not only the high-yielding but also the good morphological characteristics led to the significantly higher biomass production and ${\beta}$-D-glucan productivity in the final production cultures.

• 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 Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.95-108
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• 2021

Objectives This study was conducted to investigate the beta-glucan, ginsenoside content, antioxidant activity and safety of modified Kyungohkgo added to Sparassis crispa and Hericium erinaceum. Methods The marker compounds contents, antioxidant activity and safety of modified Kyungohkgo were tested. The contents of beta-glucan and ginsenoside Rb1, Rg1, and Rg3 marker compounds were measured, the antioxidant activity was measured using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging activity, and a safety test was conducted via single dose toxicity assessment. Results Analyzing the contents of marker compounds showed 351.75 mg/g of beta-glucan, 0.0327 mg/g of ginsenoside Rb1 and 0.0802 mg/g of ginsenosai Rg3. In the DPPH free radical scavenging activity, the inhibition concentration 50% of modified Kyungohkgo was 0.2880%. The scavenging activity of modified Kyungohkgo was 5.49% activity at 0.05% concentration, 89.66% activity at 0.5% concentration, 94.68% activity at 1% concentration, and 96.06% activity at 5% concentration. In the single dose toxicity test of modified Kyungohkgo, a dose of 2,000 mg/kg B.W. was set at its highest capacity and observed after oral administration to female and male rats. No toxicological findings were recognized. It was observed that the resulting lethal dose can be set to 2,000 mg/kg B.W. or higher for both females and males. Conclusions The results of the experiment on modified Kyungohkgo showed that the marker compounds contents were beta-glucan and ginsenoside Rb1 and Rg3, that antioxidant activity was observed through the DPPH free radical scavenging activity, and safety was confirmed through the single dose toxicity assessment.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.1-17
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• 2022

Objectives This study was conducted to investigate the beta-glucan & ginsenoside content, antioxidant activity, anti-inflammatory effect and safety of herbal medicine mix. Methods The marker compounds contents, antioxidant activity and safety of herbal medicine mix were tested. The contents of beta-glucan and ginsenoside Rg3 were measured, the antioxidant activity was measured using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging activity, anti-inflammatory and a safety test was conducted via single dose toxicity assessment. Results Analyzing the contents of marker compounds showed 362.3 mg/g of beta-glucan, and 0.4184 mg/g of ginsenoside Rg3. In the DPPH free radical scavenging activity, the IC50 of herbal medicine mix, was 0.146%. The scavenging activity of herbal medicine mix was 88.28% activity at 0.5% concentration, and 90.61% activity at 5% concentration. In the lipopolysaccharides (LPS) anti-inflammatory test, the herbal remix showed a significant decrease in tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-𝛼) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) compared to the LPS-induced group. In the single dose toxicity test of herbal medicine mix, a dose of 2,000 mg/kg body weight (BW) was set at its highest capacity and observed after oral administration to female and male rats. No toxicological findings were recognized. It was observed that the resulting lethal dose can be set to 2,000 mg/kg BW or higher for both females and males. Conclusions The results of the experiment on herbal medicine mix showed that the marker compounds contents were beta-glucan and ginsenoside Rg3, that antioxidant activity was observed through the DPPH free radical scavenging activity, anti-inflammatory effect was observed through TNF-𝛼 and IL-6 measurement, and safety was confirmed through the single dose toxicity assessment.

• Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.324-329
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• 1999

Barley malts were prepared at 15, 18 and $21^{\circ}C$ for $3{\sim}6$ days, and assayed for ${\beta}-glucanase$, ${\alpha}-amylase$ and ${\beta}-amylase$ activities. ${\beta}-Glucanase$ activity increased markedly during earley germination and reached maximum at the 6th day of germination. ${\beta}-Glucanase$ activity in six-rowed barley malt was much higher than that in two-rowed malt. ${\beta}-Glucanase$ activity was associated with reduction in ${\beta}-glucan$ content during germination. ${\beta}-amylase$ activity was also considerably higher in two-rowed barley, and increased continuously during 6-day germination. ${\beta}-Amylase$ activity was the lowest at $15^{\circ}C$, the highest at $18^{\circ}C$, and intermediate at $21^{\circ}C$ of germination temperature. Considerable amount of ${\beta}-amylase$ was detected in ungerminated raw barley, and this enzymatic activity tended to increase during 6-day germination. Diastatic power, measure of starch-saccharifying enzyme, in six-rowed malt was $1.4{\sim}1.6$ fold higher than in two-rowed malt. Germination at $18^{\circ}C$ for $5{\sim}6$ days was suggested to be the optimum condition for manufacturing good quality malts, in terms of enhanced starch-degrading enzymatic activity.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.37 no.6
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• pp.928-932
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• 2005

Effects of sangwhang mushroom (Phellinus linteus) extract on quality and functionality of ramyon (deep-fried noodle) were investigated by adding 17.5(v/w; II) and 35%(v/w; III) sangwhang mushroom extracts. Although little differences were generally observed in chemical compositions of ramyon samples II, III, and control, potassium contents of samples II and III were lower than control. Content of $(1{\rightarrow}3),\;(1{\rightarrow}4)\;and\;(1{\rightarrow}6)-{\beta}-D-glucan$, major functional component of sangwhang mushroom, increased in proportion to amount of extract added, 2.04 and $3.69{\mu}g/g$ in samples II and III, respectively, much higher than $0,09{\mu}g/g$ of control. Lightness (L) decreased, whereas redness (a) and yellowness (b) increased with increasing amount of extract added. Ramyons containing extract showed higher preference than control in texture analysis (hardness and tension) and sensory evaluation (taste and texture).

• Ecology and Resilient Infrastructure
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.64-72
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• 2023

Biopolymer is a versatile material used in food processing, medicine, construction, and soil reinforcement. 𝛽-glucan is one of the biopolymers that improves the soil water content and ion adsorption in a drought or toxic metal contaminated land for plant survival. We analyzed drought stress damage reduction in sweet potatoes (Ipomoea batatas L. cv. Sodammi) by measuring the growth and major protein expression and activity under 𝛽-glucan soil amendment. The result showed that sweet potato leaf length and width were not affected by drought stress for 14 days, but sweet potatoes grown in 𝛽-glucan-amended soil showed an effect in preventing wilting caused by drought in phenotypic changes. Under drought stress, sweet potato leaves did not show any changes in electrolyte leakage, but the relative water content was higher in sweet potatoes grown in 𝛽-glucan-amended soil than in normal soil. 𝛽-glucan soil amendment increased the expression of plasma membrane (PM) H⁺-ATPase, but it decreased the aquaporin PIP2 (plasma membrane intrinsic protein 2) in sweet potatoes under drought stress. Moreover, water maintenance affected the PM H⁺-ATPase activity, which contributed to tolerance under drought stress. These results indicate that 𝛽-glucan soil amendment improves the soil water content during drought and affects the water supply in sweet potatoes. Consequently, 𝛽-glucan is a potential material for maintaining soil water contents, and analysis of the major PM proteins is one of the indicators for evaluating the biopolymer effect on plant survival under drought stress.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.493-499
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• 2023

In this study we evaluated the immune-enhancing effects of β-glucan, the main component of Euglena gracilis (Euglena), and Euglena on inflammatory factor expression in RAW264.7 macrophages and ICR mice with cyclophosphamide-induced immunosuppression. Macrophages were treated with β-glucan or Euglena for 48 h. The β-glucan and Euglena groups exhibited higher levels of inducible nitric oxide synthase, nitric oxide, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α than the control (vehicle alone) group. Animals were fed saline and β-glucan (400 mg/kg body weight (B.W.)) or Euglena (400 or 800 mg/kg B.W.) for 19 days, and on days 17-19, cyclophosphamide (CCP, 80 mg/kg B.W.) was administered to induce immunosuppression in the ICR mouse model. CCP reduced the body weight, spleen index, and cytokine expression of the mice. To measure cytokine and receptor expression, splenocytes were treated with concanavalin A (ConA) or lipopolysaccharide (LPS) as a mitogen for 24 h. In vivo, ConA stimulation significantly upregulated the expression of interferon (IFN)-γ, interleukin (IL)-10, IL-12 receptor β1, IL-1β, and IL-2 in splenocytes from the β-glucan- or Euglena-treated groups compared with those in the splenocytes from the CCP-treated group; LPS stimulation increased the levels of the cytokines TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 in splenocytes from the β-glucan- or Euglena- treated groups compared with those from the CCP-treated group, but most of these differences were not significant. These results demonstrate the effect of Euglena in ameliorating macrophages and immunosuppression in CCP-treated mice. Thus, Euglena has the potential to enhance macrophage- and splenocyte- mediated immune-stimulating responses.

• Journal of Mushroom
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.24-33
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• 2019

The physicochemical characteristics of oyster mushrooms (Pleurotus ostreatus) cultivated using liquid spawn (MLS) were compared with those of commercial mushrooms cultivated using solid spawn. The color intensity of the two types of mushrooms showed no remarkable difference. The hardness of the MLS-cultivated mushrooms was significantly higher, but their moisture content (86.80%) was significantly lower than that of the commercial mushrooms. Mineral contents in MLS-cultivated mushrooms (421.17 mg/100 g) were significantly higher than those in the commercial mushrooms (333.26-362.78 mg/100 g); in particular, the potassium (K) content was the most abundant in the former. The amino acid content in the MLS-cultivated mushrooms (4,695.22 mg/100 g) was about 1.4-2.0 times that in the commercial mushrooms. The essential amino acid contents and sum of aspartic acid and glutamic acid were higher in the MLS-cultivated mushrooms than in the commercial mushrooms. The ${\beta}-glucan$ content in the MLS-cultivated mushrooms was 1.1-2.3 times higher than that in the commercial mushrooms. The total phenol and flavonoid contents and the DPPH and ABTS radical-scavenging activities of the MLS-cultivated mushrooms were significantly higher than those of the commercial mushrooms; however, the reducing power showed an opposite trend. Therefore, MLS-cultivated mushrooms contained higher amounts of valuable components and higher antioxidant activities than commercial mushrooms.