Beta Glucans

Beta-glucans: chemistry and measurement

Beta-glucans are polysaccharides, meaning long chains of sugar units. Every unit is glucose, and the units are joined by beta-glycosidic bonds. Bond positions and branching differ by source, and that structure defines each type.

• Fungal and yeast beta-glucans: typically a β-(1→3) backbone with β-(1→6) side branches. They sit in the cell wall alongside chitin.
• Cereal beta-glucans: found in oats and barley, these are mostly linear chains with mixed β-(1→3) and β-(1→4) links.

Alpha-glucans, such as starch and glycogen, are also glucose polymers but use alpha bonds. That difference is central to testing.

Where FC's product fits

OmniMycan® is an Agaricus blazei mycelium extract that FC Materials supplies from a global partner. The OmniMycan® branded page states standardisation for beta-glucan and for polysaccharides as separate figures. That split is useful, because the two values measure different things.

Why the method on a COA matters

"Total polysaccharides" is often measured with colorimetric methods such as phenol–sulphuric acid. These respond to most carbohydrates, including starch and maltodextrin carriers. A high total figure therefore does not show how much is beta-glucan.

Specific beta-glucan assays work differently. A widely used enzymatic approach measures total glucan and alpha-glucan, then reports beta-glucan as the difference. Other labs use different enzymatic or chromatographic methods. Results from different methods are not directly comparable.

Formulation notes

Beta-glucan ingredients go into capsules, tablets, sachets and drinks. Check viscosity and dispersion when adding them to liquids. Make sure carriers and excipients do not interfere with label testing of the finished product.

What to ask your supplier

• The named method for beta-glucan, and the laboratory that ran it.
• Whether alpha-glucans and carriers are measured or declared.
• Separate results for beta-glucan and total polysaccharides.
• Source species, the raw-material part and any carrier used.
• Heavy metal, microbiology and pesticide data.

Any beta-glucan claim on a finished product must meet the rules of each market. For questions about specifications, WhatsApp us.