Interaction of beta-glucans with gut microbiota: Dietary origins, structures, degradation, metabolism, and beneficial function

Abstract

Beta-glucan (BG), a polysaccharide comprised of interfacing glucose monomers joined via beta-glycosidic linkages, can be defined as a type of dietary fiber with high specificity based on its interaction with the gut microbiota. It can induce similar interindividual microbiota responses, thereby having beneficial effects on the human body. In this paper, we review the four main sources of BG (cereals, fungi, algae, and bacteria) and their differences in structure and content. The interaction of BG with gut microbiota and the resulting health effects have been highlighted, including immune enhancement, regulation of serum cholesterol and insulin levels, alleviation of obesity and improvement of cognitive disorders. Finally, the application of BG in food products and its beneficial effects on the gut microbiota of consumers were discussed. Although some of the mechanisms of action remain unclear, revealing the beneficial functions of BG from the perspective of gut microbiota can help provide theoretical support for the development of diets that target the regulation of microbiota.

Keywords:

• Beta-glucan
• gut microbiota
• prebiotic function
• structure
• metabolism
• preparation process

Disclosure statement

There are no conflicts of interest regarding the publication of this paper.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Natural Science Foundation of Jiangsu Province (BK20220155, BE2021623), National Natural Science Foundation of China Key Program (32001665, 31820103010, U1903205), and Key Scientific and Technological Research Projects in the Key Areas of the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps (2018AB010).