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Effect of modification methods on the physical properties and immunomodulatory activity of particulate β-glucan

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Abstract

β-Glucan is an immunoenhancing agent whose biological activities are linked to molecular structure. On that basis, the polysaccharide can be physiochemically modified to produce valuable functional materials. This study investigated the physical properties and immunostimulatory activity of modified β-glucan. Alkali-treated β-glucan had a distinct shape and smaller particle size than untreated β-glucan. The reduced particle size was conducive to the stability of the suspension because the β-glucan appeared to be completely dissolved by this treatment, forming an amorphous mass. Furthermore, alkali treatment improved the immunostimulating activity of β-glucan, whereas exposure of macrophages to heat-treated β-glucan decreased their immune activity. β-Glucan with reduced particle size by wet-grinding also displayed immunomodulatory activities. These results suggested that the particle size of β-glucan is a key factor in β-glucan-induced immune responses of macrophages. Thus, the modification of the β-glucan particle size provides new opportunities for developing immunoenhancing nutraceuticals or pharmacological therapies in the future.

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Funding

This research was supported by the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) grant funded by the Korea Government (NRF-2021R1I1A1A01059244).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Natural Product Research, Honam National Institute of Biological Resources, Mokpo, 58762, Republic of Korea

    Ha-Nul Lee, Tae-Su Kim, Su Hui Seong, Bo-Ram Kim, Jin-Ho Kim, Chan Seo & Jin-Woo Jeong

  2. Department of Food Science & Technology, Chonnam National University, Gwangju, 61186, Republic of Korea

    Ha-Nul Lee, Hyeon-Jeong Lim, Seong-Jin Hong, Da Eun Jang & Young-Min Kim

  3. Laboratory of Animal Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Medical Institute, Chonnam National University, Gwangju, 61186, Republic of Korea

    Ji-Yeon Park, Joo-Hee Choi & Jong-Hwan Park

  4. Laboratory Animal Center, Daegu-Gyeongbuk Medical Innovation Foundation, Daegu, 41061, Republic of Korea

    Joo-Hee Choi

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  1. Ha-Nul Lee
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  2. Hyeon-Jeong Lim
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Correspondence to Young-Min Kim.

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Lee, HN., Lim, HJ., Park, JY. et al. Effect of modification methods on the physical properties and immunomodulatory activity of particulate β-glucan. Food Sci Biotechnol 33, 1615–1621 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10068-023-01473-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10068-023-01473-0

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