PS-glucan

Somewhat analogous to these rice products is Oatrim, a material based on oat flour. It was developed at the Northern Laboratory of the USDA and is offered commercially by several firms. Oatrim contains 5% proteia, 5% P-glucan, 2% pentosans, and 83% maltodextrias. Unique properties are claimed based on the P-glucan component, and preparation of Oatrim is disclosed ia USDA pubHcations and patents. Briefly, oat flour is broken down by a-amylase, then the water-soluble component is dried and is the product of commerce, aimed at ground meat product usage. 

In our study, consumption of rye bread or rye bread with phloem did not have an effect on serum lipids (total, LDL or HDL cholesterol or triglycerides) (Table 14.4). This is contrary to a recent finding suggesting that soluble fiber from rye bread decreased the concentrations of cholesterol (Leinonen et al., 2000). In that study ingestion of rye bread (220 g/d) with naturally high amounts of insoluble (18 g/d) and soluble fiber (4 g/d) decreased the LDL concentrations by 8% in hypercholesterolemic men. The researchers speculated that soluble fiber, maybe P-glucan, was responsible for the hypocholesterolemic effect. The amount of rye bread (70 g/d vs 220 g/d), the amount of total (5.9-11.8 g/d vs 22.1 g/d) and soluble fiber (0.6-1.3 g/d vs 4 g/d) ingested in this study was considerably less, and could explain the lack of effects on blood lipids in our study. 

OSTROFF ET AL. P-Glucan-Based Macrophage-Targeted Adjuvant... 

Cellulase-Negative Xylanase-Positive Mutants. There are two reports concerning the selection of such mutants from filamentous fungi, one on Pofyporus adm-tus (32) and the other cmi Trichoderma reesei (Durand, H. et al. Society CAYLA, Toulouse, France, unpublished results). An analysis of the eliminated cellulase genes has not been done, so it is not known if the mutants negative in endo(l- 4)-p-glucan-ase were deficient also in cellobiohydrolases. 

Castelli MV, Cortes JCG, Escalante AM, Bah M, Pereda-Miranda R, Ribas JC, Zacchrno S A (2002) Inhibition of (1,3)-P-Glucan Synthase by Glycoresins from Convolvulaceous Plants. Planta Med 68 739... 

It should be determined whether any of these factors is large enough to constitute a significant interference in the planned experiment. See also the comments on NDF below. An NDF method which includes pectic polysaccharides, P-glucans and fructans has been published by Hall et al. (1997). 

The most spectacular solid catalyst reported in the literature is probably the sulfonated carbon. Indeed, in contrast to all other solid catalysts, sulfonated carbon was able to hydrolyze, in water, cellulose to soluble 1,4-p-glucan with high yield. The presence of hydroxyl groups on the carbon surface was found to be crucial and allows a better adsorption of cellulose on the catalyst surface. However, the amount of catalyst used is unacceptable for an industrial application and much effort is stiU needed. 

Lazaridou, A., Biliaderis, C.G. (2009). Concurrent phase separation and gelation in mixed oat p-glucans/sodium caseinate and oat p-glucans/pullulan aqueous dispersions. Food Hydrocolloids, 23, 886-895. 

N 141 "Conformational Analysis of Polysaccharides. Part IV. Long-range Contacts in Some p-Glucans by Model Building in the Computer and the Influence of... 

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