A critical review on the impacts of β-glucans on gut microbiota and human health

Abstract

The β-glucans are the glucose polymers present in the cells walls of yeast, fungi and cereals. β-Glucans are the major compositions of various nutritional diets such as oats, barley, seaweeds and mushrooms. Various biological activities of β-glucans have been reported such as anticancer, antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory and immune-modulating effects. The importance of β-glucans in food processing industries such as bread preparation, yogurt and pasta have been well elucidated. In recent findings on food science research gut microbiota plays a significant role and vastly studied for its intermediate role in regulating health. Several reports have suggested that β-glucans should have a significant impact on the gut microbiota changes and in turn on human health. The review was aimed to accumulate the evidence on types of β-glucans, their functional properties and the mechanism by how the β-glucans regulate the gut microbiota and human health. The various in vitro, in vivo and clinical studies, have been summarized, in particular, the changes happening upon the β-glucans supplementation on the gut microbiota. Overall, this review updates the recent studies on β-glucans and gut microbiota and also inputs the demanding questions to be addressed in β-glucans-microbiota research in the future.

Dynamics of structural and functional changes in gut microbiota during treatment with a microalgal β- glucan, paramylon and the impact on gut inflammation

“…In agreement with the structural changes in the gut microbiota, PM treatment showed a signi cant effect on its predictive functions, evidenced by signi cant overrepresentation of functions related to carbohydrate metabolism, fatty acid biosynthesis, and glycan biosynthesis and metabolism. This is consistent with utilization of CDPs and subsequent SCFA production [15,18,38]. Most of the overrepresented functions observed in the gut microbiota of control mice were linked to Firmicutes, primarily to the genus Proteiniborus.…”

“…Functional predictions of the gut microbiota of yeast β-glucan-treated mice revealed an upregulation in functions linked to the utilization and metabolism of β-glucans after treatment. Treatment with other β-glucans have been found to stimulate and increase the levels of probiotics like bi dobacteria and lactobacilli in the gut, with oatderived β-glucan having a more profound in uence compared to barley-derived β-glucan [18]. Similar shifts in Bacteroidetes to Firmicutes ratio were observed in human subjects who received high molecular weight β-glucan derived from barley [8].…”

Ensuring the future of functional foods

“…These compounds can inhibit the intestinal absorption of cholesterol from both food and bile in a dose‐dependent manner (Poli et al ., ), however, phytosterols also reduce absorption of carotenoids and fat‐soluble vitamins. Beta‐glucans can also positively influence glycaemic index levels and have a prebiotic effect by increasing the diversity of bacterial strains in the gut microbiota (Jayachandran et al ., ; Makki et al ., ). They are classed as a pre‐pharmacological interventions based on their serum lipid lowering capabilities, positive effect on lowering the risk of diabetes and reducing cardiovascular risk factors (Kristek et al ., ; Wang et al ., ; Wolever et al ., ).…”

Effect of the Modifications on the Physicochemical and Biological Properties of β-Glucan—A Critical Review

“…β-glucans supplementation could improve intestinal health when challenged with C. perfringens-induced necrotic enteritis, and inhibit the growth of Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, and Coliforms. Besides L. hyperborean, LH β-glucan has the most profound reducing effect on coliform counts when compared with the diets supplemented with L. digitata and S. cerevisiae β-glucans [130][131][132]. It can promote the proliferation of Gram-positive beneficial bacteria in the intestine and inhibit the proliferation of Gram-negative saprophytic bacteria [132].…”

“…Besides L. hyperborean, LH β-glucan has the most profound reducing effect on coliform counts when compared with the diets supplemented with L. digitata and S. cerevisiae β-glucans [130][131][132]. It can promote the proliferation of Gram-positive beneficial bacteria in the intestine and inhibit the proliferation of Gram-negative saprophytic bacteria [132]. Improving gastrointestinal function and regulating intestinal flora balance through increasing the secretion of secretory Ig A on the intestinal surface [133,134].…”