Mushroom β-glucans are potent immunological stimulators in medicine, but their productivities are very low. In this study, we successfully improved its production by promoter engineering in Pleurotus ostreatus. The promoter for β-1,3-glucan synthase gene (GLS) was replaced by the promoter of glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase gene of Aspergillus nidulans. The homologous recombination frag...

β-glucans have been extensively studied for their pharmacological effects. Despite in-depth research, little is known about the optimal dose and/or optimal route of application. In this paper, we are reporting the result of comparing the immunostimulating activities of four commercially available glucans differing both in their solubility and source. In addition, we compared intraperitoneal and...

Despite their relatively short life and assumed lesser complexity, crustaceans have mechanisms to detect foreign matter. In particular, they appear to recognize common characteristics present in Ž . bacteria and fungi, such as lipopolysaccharides LPS and b-glucans. Although these microbial components can directly activate defensive cellular functions such as phagocytosis, melanization, encapsul...

The production of Schizophyllan by Schizophyllum commune and Scleroglucan by Sclerotium rolfsii is growth associated. Shear stress as a result of the impeller type and rotation speed as well as an optimum but not maximum oxygen supply are the key factors for enhanced production. Batch cultivations resulted maximum yields of 13 g L for both ß-glucans. In oxygen limited chemostats with biomass fe...

New foods and natural biological modulators have recently become of scientific interest in the investigation of the value of traditional medical therapeutics. Glucans have an important part in this renewed interest. These fungal wall components are claimed to be useful for various medical purposes and they are obtained from medicinal mushrooms commonly used in traditional Oriental medicine. The...

We have investigated the effect of non-thermal atmospheric plasma (NTAP) on the structure of microcrystalline cellulose. In particular, by means of different characterization methods, we demonstrate that NTAP promotes the partial cleavage of the β-1,4 glycosidic bond of cellulose leading to the release of short-chain cellodextrins that are reassembled in situ, preferentially at the C6 position,...

Diabetes mellitus is characterized by high blood glucose level with typical manifestations of thirst, polyuria, polydipsia, and weight loss. It is caused by defects in insulin-mediated signal pathways, resulting in decreased glucose transportation from blood into muscle and fat cells. The major risk is vascular injury leading to heart disease, which is accelerated by increased lipid levels and ...