Division Description
United Kingdom
Beta-glucans are complex, high molecular mass (100–200 kDa) polysaccharides, found in the cell wall of many yeasts and cereals. The chemical name for ‘yeast beta-glucans’ is (1-3), (1-6)-ß-D-glucans.
This novel food is available both in an insoluble and soluble form, isolated from Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The insoluble products contain at least 70 % carbohydrate in the form of beta-glucans; the soluble product contains at least 75 % beta-glucans.
The tertiary structure of the glucan cell wall of Saccharomyces cerevisiae consists of chains of ß-1,3-linked glucose residues, branched by ß-1,6-linkages, forming a backbone to which are linked chitin via ß-1,4- bonds, ß-1,6-glucans and some mannoproteins.
| Chemical characteristics yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) beta-glucans | ||
|---|---|---|
| Soluble form | Insoluble form | |
| Total carbohydrate | More than 75 % | More than 70 % |
| Beta-glucans (1,3/1,6) | More than 75 % | More than 70 % |
| Ash | less than 4 % | Less than 5 % |
| Moisture | Less than 8 % | Less than 8 % |
| Protein | less than 3,5 % | Less than 10 % |
| Fat | Less than 10 % | Less than 20 % |