What is Glucanase?
Glucanase is an enzyme that catalyzes the hydrolysis of glucosidic bonds in large polysaccharides (like glucans) into smaller, soluble sugars. Primarily classified into endo- and exo-types, these enzymes are crucial for degrading cell walls in plants, fungi, and bacteria. Common uses include brewing (reducing wort viscosity), animal feed (improving nutrient absorption), and bioethanol production.
Everything You Need to Know
What is the function of the glucanase?
The main function of glucanase is to catalyze the hydrolysis of glycosidic bonds in glucan polysaccharides. This function is sometimes not highly specific, and the enzymes distinguish among substrates mostly by the types of bonds present and α- or β- configuration.
What is glucanase in food?
Glucanase is a hydrolytic enzyme that has lytic activity against glucans, which are complex carbohydrates found in cellulose. Glucanases are a type of cellulolytic enzyme complex that includes endoglucanase, exo-glucanase, and β-glucosidase.
What foods are high in glucans?
Therefore, humans unintentionally consume β-glucans through their regular diet. The primary sources of food β-glucan for humans are cereals (especially oats and barley), fungi, algae, and yeast
What are the benefits of glucans?
Beta-glucans are powerful soluble fibers and polysaccharides found in oats, barley, yeast, and mushrooms that provide significant health benefits, including boosting the immune system, lowering cholesterol, and improving heart health. They act as immune modulators, reduce inflammation, and help manage blood sugar levels.
Main Details:
Benefits
Immune System Support: Beta-glucan acts as an immune system activator and cell response modifier, helping to "prime" the immune system against pathogens. It is particularly effective in boosting immunity against upper respiratory tract infections.
Heart Health and Cholesterol Management: They are well-documented to lower "bad" (LDL) cholesterol levels. By binding with bile acid in the gut, they reduce the absorption of cholesterol.
Blood Sugar Control: Beta-glucans help manage blood sugar levels by reducing the speed at which sugar is absorbed from food. This makes them effective for aiding with diabetes management and reducing insulin resistance.
Heart Health and Cardiovascular Benefits: Regular consumption (such as 3g daily of oat/barley beta-glucan) is associated with reduced risk of cardiovascular diseases.
Skin Health and Repair: When used in skincare, beta-glucan provides moisturizing and anti-inflammatory properties, strengthens the skin's protective barrier, and accelerates healing.
Gut Health and Anti-inflammatory: They function as prebiotics, promoting gut microbiota health.
Function & Types:
𝜷-1,3-glucanase: Targets 𝛽-1,3-linkages found in fungal cell walls and marine algae, often acting as a defense mechanism or in degradation.
𝜷-1,4-glucanases: Involved in plant cell wall remodeling and breaking down cellulose.
Endo-glucanases: Cleave internal glycosidic linkages randomly.
Exo-glucanases: Act sequentially from the non-reducing end, producing glucose.
Applications:
Brewing & Food: Reduces viscosity and prevents turbidity caused by 𝛽-glucans in malt, improving filtration and product stability.
Feed Industry: Breaks down non-starch polysaccharides (NSPs), increasing digestibility and feed conversion efficiency in poultry and livestock.
Bioethanol: Converts polysaccharides into fermentable sugars for renewable energy.
Nutraceuticals: Improves bioavailability of fibers, such as those in oats and fungi.
ANALYTICAL RESULTS
| Test Item | Method / Ref. | Specification | Result | Conclusion |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Identification | In-house ID / label claim | Glucanase / β-Glucanase | Conforms | Pass |
| Appearance | Visual | Light yellow to light tan powder | Light yellow powder | Pass |
| Enzyme Activity | Supplier β-glucanase assay | NLT 5,500 U/g | 5,860 U/g | Pass |
| Activity Unit Definition | Supplier-defined unit | Report only | U/g reported | Pass |
| Solubility | Water solubility test | Soluble / dispersible in water | Conforms | Pass |
| pH (1% solution) | pH meter | 3.5 – 6.5 | 4.8 | Pass |
| Loss on Drying | Gravimetric | ≤ 8.0% | 4.1% | Pass |
| Lead (Pb) | ICP-MS / ICP-OES | ≤ 5.0 mg/kg | 0.21 mg/kg | Pass |
| Arsenic (As) | ICP-MS / ICP-OES | ≤ 3.0 mg/kg | 0.10 mg/kg | Pass |
| Heavy Metals (Total) | Limit test / ICP | ≤ 5.0 ppm | Conforms | Pass |
| Total Plate Count | Plate count | ≤ 50,000 CFU/g | 1.9 × 10³ CFU/g | Pass |
| Coliforms | Plate count | ≤ 30 CFU/g | < 10 CFU/g | Pass |
| E. coli | Absence test | Negative / 25 g | Not Detected | Pass |
| Salmonella | Absence test | Negative / 25 g | Not Detected | Pass |
Production Process
