A Report on Fungal (1→3)-α-d-glucans: Properties, Functions and Application
by
Katarzyna Złotko 1,*
, Adrian Wiater 2, Adam Waśko 3, Małgorzata Pleszczyńska 2, Roman Paduch 4,5, Jolanta Jaroszuk-Ściseł 2 and Andrzej Bieganowski 1
Katarzyna Złotko 1,*, Adrian Wiater 2, Adam Waśko 3, Małgorzata Pleszczyńska 2, Roman Paduch 4,5, Jolanta Jaroszuk-Ściseł 2 and Andrzej Bieganowski 1
1
Institute of Agrophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Doświadczalna 4, 20-290 Lublin, Poland
2
Department of Industrial and Environmental Microbiology, Maria Curie-Skłodowska University, Akademicka 19, 20-033 Lublin, Poland
3
Department of Biotechnology, Human Nutrition and Food Commodity Science, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Skromna 8, 20-704 Lublin, Poland
4
Department of Virology and Immunology, Maria Curie-Skłodowska University, ul. Akademicka 19, 20-033 Lublin, Poland
5
Department of General Ophthalmology, Medical University, Chmielna 1, 20-079 Lublin, Poland
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Academic Editor: Juraj Majtan
Molecules 2019, 24(21), 3972; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules24213972
Received: 16 October 2019 / Revised: 30 October 2019 / Accepted: 31 October 2019 / Published: 2 November 2019
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bioactive Compounds with Potential Medicinal Properties from Mushrooms)
The cell walls of fungi are composed of glycoproteins, chitin, and α- and β-glucans. Although there are many reports on β-glucans, α-glucan polysaccharides are not yet fully understood. This review characterizes the physicochemical properties and functions of (1→3)-α-d-glucans. Particular attention has been paid to practical application and the effect of glucans in various respects, taking into account unfavourable effects and potential use. The role of α-glucans in plant infection has been proven, and collected facts have confirmed the characteristics of Aspergillus fumigatus infection associated with the presence of glucan in fungal cell wall. Like β-glucans, there are now evidence that α-glucans can also stimulate the immune system. Moreover, α-d-glucans have the ability to induce mutanases and can thus decompose plaque.
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Keywords:
fungi; cell walls; polysaccharides; (1→3)-α-d-glucans
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MDPI and ACS Style
Złotko, K.; Wiater, A.; Waśko, A.; Pleszczyńska, M.; Paduch, R.; Jaroszuk-Ściseł, J.; Bieganowski, A. A Report on Fungal (1→3)-α-d-glucans: Properties, Functions and Application. Molecules 2019, 24, 3972.
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