112
that is needed for great consumer acceptance. Incorporation of these dietary fiber
sources additionally improved the color and other sensory parameters (Amini
Sarteshnizi et al. 2015).
β-glucan extracted from spent brewer’s yeast may be used to develop a low-fat
mayonnaise product. In this case, replacement of fat is dependent on the texturemodifying properties of β-glucan. Several levels of β-glucan have a potential to
exhibit acceptable quality parameters when incorporated to a mayonnaise product.
However, selective organoleptic properties related to color and appearance may
have undesirable effects on the quality of mayonnaise (da Silva Araújo et al. 2014).
Apart from spent yeast β-glucan, cereal β-glucan also imparts similar fat replacer
properties. Cereal β-glucan was explored for the development of a low-fat cheese
product resulted in improved texture in the final product (Lazaridou et al. 2014). In
meat products, the effectiveness of β-glucan as a fat replacer was also reported and
observed the applicability of β-glucan in color, emulsion stability, microstructure,
and other textural characteristics in cooked meat batters (Álvarez and Barbut 2013).
Curdlan gum, a bacterial-insoluble linear (1→3)-β-D-glucan, is widely used in
various types of foods including jellies, edible fiber, and noodles. Due to its moisture retention capacity and lack of taste, color, and odor, curdlan can be effectively
used in baked, meat, and dairy products, among others (Divyasri et al. 2014; Shih
et al. 2009).
Applications in Medicine
Food applications are not the only area in which β-glucan from different sources
can be used. There are some instances where β-glucan was used for pharmaceutical
products, showing its effectiveness as biological material. This is based on its natural applications against anti-inflammatory and antitumor activities (Ishibashi et al.
2004; Li et al. 2004a, b).
β-glucans have been used in various clinical trials to test their general effects on
health and clarify the mechanisms responsible (Tungland and Meyer 2002).
Venkatachalam et al. (2013) reported that cyclic glucans have larger inner cavity
diameter, therefore, can be used as wound dressing material. Moreover, Kofuji et al.
(2010) recognized a transparent wound dressing sheet by forming a complex
between β-glucan and chitosan on evaluating in wounds created on the dorsal surfaces of mice. The β-glucan-chitosan complex sheets exhibited pharmacological
properties comparable or superior to a commercial wound dressing product, thus
can be used as promising new wound dressing product. It is found that β-glucan
collagen matrix (BGC) had the ability to effectively treat partial-thickness burns in
children. BGC also had the ability to significantly decrease post injury pain with
affective acceleration of wound healing (Delatte et al. 2001). β-glucans are also
recognized as therapeutic agents in the treatment of burn injuries (Toklu et al. 2006)
and wound healing (Berdal et al. 2007). In one study, protective effect of β-glucan
treatment on burn-induced remote organ injury was investigated by administration
N. Jan et al.
that is needed for great consumer acceptance. Incorporation of these dietary fiber
sources additionally improved the color and other sensory parameters (Amini
Sarteshnizi et al. 2015).
β-glucan extracted from spent brewer’s yeast may be used to develop a low-fat
mayonnaise product. In this case, replacement of fat is dependent on the texturemodifying properties of β-glucan. Several levels of β-glucan have a potential to
exhibit acceptable quality parameters when incorporated to a mayonnaise product.
However, selective organoleptic properties related to color and appearance may
have undesirable effects on the quality of mayonnaise (da Silva Araújo et al. 2014).
Apart from spent yeast β-glucan, cereal β-glucan also imparts similar fat replacer
properties. Cereal β-glucan was explored for the development of a low-fat cheese
product resulted in improved texture in the final product (Lazaridou et al. 2014). In
meat products, the effectiveness of β-glucan as a fat replacer was also reported and
observed the applicability of β-glucan in color, emulsion stability, microstructure,
and other textural characteristics in cooked meat batters (Álvarez and Barbut 2013).
Curdlan gum, a bacterial-insoluble linear (1→3)-β-D-glucan, is widely used in
various types of foods including jellies, edible fiber, and noodles. Due to its moisture retention capacity and lack of taste, color, and odor, curdlan can be effectively
used in baked, meat, and dairy products, among others (Divyasri et al. 2014; Shih
et al. 2009).
Applications in Medicine
Food applications are not the only area in which β-glucan from different sources
can be used. There are some instances where β-glucan was used for pharmaceutical
products, showing its effectiveness as biological material. This is based on its natural applications against anti-inflammatory and antitumor activities (Ishibashi et al.
2004; Li et al. 2004a, b).
β-glucans have been used in various clinical trials to test their general effects on
health and clarify the mechanisms responsible (Tungland and Meyer 2002).
Venkatachalam et al. (2013) reported that cyclic glucans have larger inner cavity
diameter, therefore, can be used as wound dressing material. Moreover, Kofuji et al.
(2010) recognized a transparent wound dressing sheet by forming a complex
between β-glucan and chitosan on evaluating in wounds created on the dorsal surfaces of mice. The β-glucan-chitosan complex sheets exhibited pharmacological
properties comparable or superior to a commercial wound dressing product, thus
can be used as promising new wound dressing product. It is found that β-glucan
collagen matrix (BGC) had the ability to effectively treat partial-thickness burns in
children. BGC also had the ability to significantly decrease post injury pain with
affective acceleration of wound healing (Delatte et al. 2001). β-glucans are also
recognized as therapeutic agents in the treatment of burn injuries (Toklu et al. 2006)
and wound healing (Berdal et al. 2007). In one study, protective effect of β-glucan
treatment on burn-induced remote organ injury was investigated by administration
N. Jan et al.