Beta-glucan
In the food industry, there has been a growing demand for the production of nutritional food products. One class of nutritional food products are those containing natural grains and fibers. These types of foods are typically low in fat, have been shown to lower cholesterol, contain a high proportion of polyunsaturated fats, contain many essential amino acids and minerals, contain a high proportion of protein, and provide other physiological benefits. High fiber products are generally considered to be healthful foods and food ingredients. There are two basic types of fiber: soluble and insoluble. Soluble fiber is soluble in aqueous solutions. Insoluble fiber will improve regularity and bulk formation but may do very little to lower serum cholesterol. Soluble fibre remains undigested except by colonic microflora in the lower intestines. This enhances the growth of bacteria beneficial to health. Soluble dietary fibre is believed to have a role in the prevention of certain diseases including colonic cancer and diseases associated with high serum cholesterol levels. Soluble fibre can be used for the treatment and prevention of constipation, for the improvement of bowel regularity, and for the regulation of the glycaemic response associated with the digestion of many substances. Soluble fiber has been strongly linked to regularity and cholesterol reduction, and less strongly to sugar regulation in diabetics and colon cancer prevention. There are many forms of soluble fiber that are used as food ingredients, many are categorized as gums. Some examples of soluble fiber food ingredients or food components are guar gum, gum Arabic, carrageenin, pectin, psyllium, and beta glucan. Glucans are polymers of glucose and are derived from yeast, bacteria, fungi and plants. Glucans containing a beta.-1,-3-linked glucopyranose backbone have long been known to have biological activity, specifically they have been shown to activate the immune system. Beta-glucan refers to those polysaccharides which comprise D-glucopyranosyl units. The highest concentrations of beta glucan are found in barley and oats, but beta glucan can also be isolated from wheat and corn. Beta glucans coexist in the cell with preformed beta glucanases which are enzymes that break up beta glucan. Beta glucanases are released or activated as the seed is hydrated. When incorporated into a person's diet, beta-glucan has been found to aid in the digestive process, enhance the immune system and help protect against bacteria, viruses and diseases. Beta-glucan is known to reduce both serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Beta-glucan has also been found to reduce the risk of coronary heart disease. Beta-glucans are also useful as food ingredients. They have neutral flavours and provide bulk in addition to having desirable mouthfeel and texture characteristics. In this context, beta-glucans are known as fat replacements in some foods.
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