ijbwi

The Potential Use of Mushrooms β-Glucans in the Food Industry
Pages 15-18
Eleftheriadis Eleftherios, Mavraganis G. Vassilis and Israilides Cleanthes

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.6000/1927-3037.2014.03.01.3

Published: 15 April 2014

Open Access 


Abstract: Many edible mushrooms are considered as “functional” foods having immunomodulatory and anticancer properties. The ability of mushrooms to exert biological effects and modulate immune functions is due to the presence of bioactive compounds with most important the polysaccharides β-glucans. B-glucans are found in bacteria, fungi and plants and act on several immune cell receptors resulting in both innate and adaptive response. The incorporation of β-glucans in various foods and animal feed has the potential of creating novel “functional” food products, with many health benefits to human and animal nutrition.

Keywords: Mushrooms, β-glucans, Functional food.
Download Full Article

 

Submit to FacebookSubmit to TwitterSubmit to LinkedIn