Chemistry, Biochemistry, and Biology of 1-3 Beta Glucans and Related Polysaccharides presents a comprehensive, systematic and authoritative survey of information about a family of chemically related, but functionally diverse, naturally occurring polysaccharides--the (1-3)-glucans. International contributors describe the chemical and physicochemical properties of these glucans and their derivatives and the molecular biological and structural aspects of the enzymes involved in their formation and breakdown. A detailed analysis of their physiological roles in the various biological situations in which they are found will be provided. Additionally, evolutionary relationships among the family of these glucans will be described. - Topics of medical relevance include detailing the glucans' interactions with the immune system and research for cancer therapy applications - Web resource links allow scientists to explore additional beta glucan research - Separate indexes divided into Species and Subject for enhanced searchability

This book presents a comprehensive and systematic survey on (1-3)-B-glucans. Glucans with the (1-3)-B-glucosidic linkage as a major feature, are present in most higher plants and many lower plants and microorganisms. They may occur as major structural or storage components or be formed at very specific sites in response to particular developmental events or stimuli. In many cases their functional role is a mystery, in others it is well established. Their distribution and physiological involvement indicates that they are important to fields such as agriculture and biotechnology, and may also have an impact in medicine, through their role in immunology and cancer therapy.

Despite of the efforts of pharmaceutical researchers to find new medicaments, nature offers many substances with healing properties—beta-glucans belong to this group of compounds. The second volume of the e-book series, Biology and Chemistry of Beta-Glucan, provides new knowledge about these important polysaccharides. In order to understand the role of beta-glucans, it is necessary to control the purity and to determine their composition and structure. This volume presents modern chemical and separation methods which are applied in structural analysis of glucans. As a result of structural analyses, it can be concluded that beta-glucans of different origin vary in chain length, number and types of branching. The book further discusses the biological effects of tailored oligomers and synthetic beta-glucans, including innovative use of enzymatic processes in the synthesis of these compounds. This volume also discusses a hypothesis of beta-glucans’ increasing impact on the photodynamic therapy. In spite of many scientific papers describing the positive role of beta-glucans in protection against diseases, certain epidemiological data suggest that specific illnesses can be related to beta-glucan exposure. The fact of whether or not beta-glucan is an accompanying substance of these biologically active agents is also questioned. Biology and Chemistry of Beta-Glucan: Volume 2 focuses on the strictly scientific basis on the effects of beta-glucan on human health as well as other possibilities of beta-glucan application, such as protection of aquaculture against diseases.

Beta-glucan is a polysaccharide and an important food supplement that strengthens the immune system. Beta-glucan can be obtained from many food sources such as mushrooms, yeast, or oats. Beta-glucan has a therapeutic use in the treatment of many diseases, thanks to its immune system strengthening effect. Its use helps curtail the need for administering high levels of antibiotics in case of serious infections. This book presents information about the medical applications of beta-glucan. Starting with an introduction to the basic biochemistry and classification of beta-glucan, the contents explain the readers about its use in treating a variety of medical conditions. These include cancer, allergies, COVID-19, respiratory tract infections, hypercholesterolemia, diabetes and many other other endocrinological, immunological and infectious diseases. This book is a comprehensive resource about the medical use of beta-glucan where any reader can find topical information and learn about recent studies on the therapeutic effects of beta-glucan on the treatment of different diseases.

This book illustrates, that the fungal cell wall is critical for the biology and ecology of all fungi and especially for human fungal pathogens. Readers will learn, that the composition of the fungal cell wall is a unique structure, which cannot be found in the human host. Consequently, the chapters outline, how the immune systems of both animals and humans have evolved to recognize conserved and unique elements of the fungal cell wall. As an application example, the authors also show, that the three-dimensional structures of the cell wall are excellent targets for the development of antifungal agents and chemotherapeutic strategies. With the combination of biological findings and medical outlooks, this volume is a fascinating read for scientists, clinicians and biomedical students.

Fungi occupy an important place in the natural world, as non-photosynthetic organisms, they obtain their nutrients from the degradation of organic material. They use many of their secondary metabolites to secure a place in a competitive natural environment and to protect themselves from predation. The diverse structures, biosyntheses and biological activities of fungal metabolites have attracted chemists for many years. Fungi are ubiquitous and their activities affect many aspects of our daily lives whether it be as sources of pharmaceuticals and food or as spoilage organisms and the causes of.

For the first major update of this topic in 21 years, editors Webster and Wood have gathered an elite group of internationally recognized experts. This new edition addresses all aspects of oat chemistry, processing, nutrition, and plant genetics. It reflects the considerable changes in the science and food uses of oats that have occurred during the last two decades. Each chapter presents an in-depth review of a specific research area complete with an extensive bibliography. The book provides an important summary of oat nutritional research and associated health claims that have been granted in recognition of the nutritional benefits associated with oat consumption. The individual chapters on component chemistry and functionality provide an excellent resource for product developers in their quest to design new, healthy, oat-based food products. The chapters on oat molecular biology and oat breeding coupled with the extensive works on oat nutrition provide direction to researchers interested in developing oats with enhanced nutrition. Oats: Chemistry and Technology, Second Edition, is the only up-to-date review of oat chemistry and technology and will be a valuable resource for food science professionals including nutritionists, cereal chemists, plant biochemists, plant breeders, molecular biologists, grain millers, and product development and research scientists. Improve Your Knowledge About This Super Grain Covers all areas of oat technology - Single source provides in-depth review of all aspects of oat technology.Provides an excellent source of oat nutritional information - Includes details of oat nutritional studies and potential health claims with a special emphasis on ß-glucans.Offers authoritative descriptions of oat composition and functional properties - Provides researchers and food scientists with key chemical and application information.Highlights oat improvement opportunities - Breeding and molecular information provides researchers direction on oat improvement opportunities.Updates our knowledge of oat-processing technology - Provides in-depth discussion of oat milling and oat fractionation.Demystifies oat phenolics - Provides a peer-reviewed, in-depth discussion of oat phenolic chemistry and functional attributes.