Özet:

β-glucan is a common name for natural polymers which consist of D-glucose monomers binding to each other at different positions. They are components of cell walls of plants, fungi, algae, yeasts and some bacteria. Grains like wheat, barley, oat, and rice consumed frequently in daily diet; medicinal fungi also consumed as food like Shiitake, Reishi, Maitake, Blazei fungi; and Saccharomyces cerevisiae Baker’s yeast are the most common β-glucan sources. Moreover, some bacteria such as Agrobacterium radiobacter, Agrobacterium rhizogenes and some algae like Laminaria sp. are other examples of β-glucan sources. β-glucans possess immunostimulant, antitumor, antiinflammatory, cholestrol lowering, antidiabetic, antimicrobial, antiviral, hepatoprotective, antiallergic, radioprotective, antioxidant and anticoagulant activities. Furthermore, β-glucans are used as adjuvant for cancer patients, especially in Japan, and it is reported that oral administration of β-glucans enhances effects of monoclonal antibodies. In this study, we reviewed the effects of β-glucans which possess a wide range of biological activities especially on immune system and cancer cells when consumed both in diet and as dietary supplement. We also reviewed the toxicity studies on β-glucans. Because the extensively β-glucan containing extracts and purified β-glucan products on the market in Turkey contain the structure of β 1→3 ; β 1→6 , we mainly reviewed the studies on this type of β-glucans.

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