Effects of β-Glucan Supplementation on Repairing of Phenol-Induced Vaginal Mucosal Epithelium Damage in Rats

Objective: To investigate the effects of different concentrations of β-glucan on the repair of damaged vaginal mucosa, the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and the inflammatory factor-6 (IL-6) in vaginal tissues. Methods: Thirty-six adult female specific pathogen free (SPF)-grade Wistar rats were randomly divided into 3 phase groups with 12 rats each. Vaginal inflammation rat models were established by injecting phenol gel into the vagina of each rat at a dose of 0.1 ml/100g body weight. After modeling, rats were divided into 4 groups based on different concentrations of the test agent. The control group was injected with 0.5 ml of saline, experimental group A was injected with 0.375 ml saline 0.125 ml β-glucan, experimental group B was injected with 0.25 ml saline 0.25 ml β-glucan, and experimental group C was injected with 0.50 ml β-glucan. The injection sites were selected at the 3 o’clock and 9 o’clock positions of the vagina. Rats were sacrificed at 7-, 14-, and 28-days post-injection, and tissue samples were collected from the injection sites and prepared for histological analysis. New blood vessels and fibroblast numbers in the tissues were observed after Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining. The expression levels of VEGF and IL-6 in the tissues were measured using quantificational reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Results: Histological examination of vaginal tissue specimens at 7-, 14-, and 28-days post-injection showed that on day 7, there were no significant changes in the experimental groups compared to the control group. However, on days 14 and 28, the experimental groups showed more new blood vessels, macrophages, and fibroblasts with increased activity compared to the control group. The expression levels of VEGF in vaginal tissues were elevated on days 14 and 28 in the experimental groups. The comparison of IL-6 levels in vaginal tissues on day 28 showed that serum IL-6 levels returned to normal, and there was no statistically significant difference between the experimental and control groups. Conclusion: In the 3 experimental phases, the increase in VEGF levels in vaginal tissues on day 14 post-injection was more pronounced with higher concentrations of β-glucan, and IL-6 levels returned to normal on day 28. β-Glucan can enhance VEGF levels in damaged vaginal tissues, promote the repair of damaged vaginal tissues, and higher concentrations of β-glucan have a better effect.

β-Glucans: Characterization, Extraction Methods, and Valorization

β-glucans are bioactive compounds with a wide range of biological properties, including anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and immune-modulating properties. Due to their specific physical properties, such as (in)solubility, viscosity, and gelation, β-glucans are increasingly being used in the food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries. The purpose of this review is to provide an overview of the different types of β-glucans, their sources, especially Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeasts, and the methods of extraction, isolation, and purification of β-glucans, with the aim of optimizing these methods for the efficient production process. Moreover, the physico-chemical properties, modifications, current applications and future prospects of the use of β-glucans in food, medicines, cosmetics and other potential value-added products are summarized. The data presented indicate that β-glucans will play an increasingly important role in the sector of special-purpose food products as well as in other current and future areas.

(1-3)-β-D葡聚糖联合降钙素原、CD4^(+)T淋巴细胞多指标在艾滋病患者马尔尼菲篮状菌感染早期诊断临床研究

目的探讨(1-3)-β-D葡聚糖联合降钙素原(procalcitonin,PCT)、CD4^(+)T淋巴细胞多指标在艾滋病患者马尔尼菲篮状菌感染早期诊断临床研究。方法回顾性选取我院2020年1月—2022年6月住院的120例艾滋病患者为研究对象。依据实验室结果,将其分为马尔尼菲篮状菌感染确诊组(血或组织液培育养出马尔尼菲篮状菌),简称A组(62例),及马尔尼菲篮状菌感染临床诊断组[根据临床症状、体征、血常规及(1-3)-β-D葡聚糖、PCT、CD4^(+)T淋巴细胞多指标诊断],简称B组(58例)。检测患者(1-3)-β-D葡聚糖、PCT、CD4^(+)T淋巴细胞的表达水平,采用受试者工作特征(receiver-operating characteristic,ROC)曲线下面积(area under the curve,AUC)评估上述指标联合检测对艾滋病患者感染马尔尼菲篮状菌的诊断效能。结果A组的(1-3)-β-D葡聚糖和PCT水平均高于B组,CD4^(+)T淋巴细胞个数低于B组(P<0.05);(1-3)-β-D葡聚糖、PCT、CD4^(+)T淋巴细胞联合检测的AUC为0.933,(1-3)-β-D葡聚糖单独检测的AUC是0.812,PCT单独检测的AUC为0.883,CD4^(+)T淋巴细胞单独检测的AUC是0.810,(1-3)-β-D葡聚糖、PCT和CD4^(+)T淋巴细胞联合检测的AUC皆优于三项单独检测,表明(1-3)-β-D葡聚糖、PCT和CD4^(+)T淋巴细胞联合检测的诊断价值皆优于单一指标诊断,且联合检测的特异度、约登指数分别为92.43%和0.580,均高于三项单独检测。结论(1-3)-β-D葡聚糖联合PCT和CD4^(+)T淋巴细胞多指标对艾滋病马尔尼菲篮状菌感染具有非常高的临床诊断价值,能够帮助医生分析出高危风险患者,及时制定治疗方案,同时也承担预后效果的判断依据,对治疗艾滋病马尔尼菲篮状菌感染具有非常重要的研究价值。

燕麦SNP高密度遗传图谱构建及β-葡聚糖含量QTL定位

β-葡聚糖是燕麦发挥保健作用的主要功能因子,提高其含量对优质燕麦生产有着重要意义。为促进高β-葡聚糖燕麦种质资源的有效利用和相关基因发掘,本研究以高β-葡聚糖品种夏莜麦和低β-葡聚糖品种赤38组配衍生的219个家系RIL8群体为材料,利用重测序技术构建了包含21个连锁群,5032个bin标记的遗传连锁图谱,图谱总长2045.09 cM,平均图距0.42 cM。利用标准酶法和近红外法对4个环境的RIL群体家系β-葡聚糖含量进行测定,结合测定结果,利用完备区间作图法对β-葡聚糖含量进行QTL定位分析,结果显示不同环境条件下RIL群体β-葡聚糖含量呈正态分布,并出现超亲后代家系,4个环境下群体β-葡聚糖含量变异系数介于9.06%~16.63%之间。QTL定位检测到7个与燕麦β-葡聚糖含量相关的QTL,分布于2D、3D、4C和4D染色体上,其中贡献率最高为14.73%,在2个环境中检测到同一个QTL,其标记区间为Chr4C_mark8361257–Chr4C_mark8384831。研究结果将为燕麦β-葡聚糖分子标记辅助育种提供重要的理论依据。

冷冻球磨处理时间对糯米淀粉-β-葡聚糖复合物理化性质和消化性的影响

以糯米淀粉(WRS)和燕麦-β-葡聚糖为原料(OBG),探究不同冷冻球磨处理时间制备的糯米淀粉-β-葡聚糖复合物的理化性质和消化性的影响,采用扫描电子显微镜、红外光谱仪、流变仪等仪器和模拟体外消化的方法,对所制备不同处理时间的复合物的理化性质和消化性进行表征和评价。结果表明,随着冷冻球磨时间的延长,其复合物颗粒表面变得粗糙,颗粒形状不规则,出现团聚、结块的现象。红外光谱结果表明:各吸收峰没有明显的变化,未形成新的化学键,冷冻球磨处理使OBG通过氢键作用镶嵌或附着与糯米淀粉结合。复合物的相对结晶度从29.72%降至8.62%,短程有序性也逐渐下降。同时,复合物的双螺旋结构含量降低,无定形区含量显著增加。随着冷冻球磨时间的延长,其峰值黏度和回生值分别从931.00,103.33 cP降至159.33,41.00 cP,稠度系数K、G′和G″值均下降,增强了体系的流动性和稳定性。在消化性方面,冷冻球磨制备的复合物比原糯米淀粉消化率低。当球磨时间为60 min,其复合物的抗性淀粉含量最高,为35.92%。本研究为淀粉加工和改性提供新的研究方法和技术手段。

糠秕马拉色菌引起2例导管相关感染病例及文献复习

目的报道2例由糠秕马拉色菌引起的导管相关感染病例。方法2例接受全肠外营养住院患者出现发热后,分别留取中心静脉导管(PICC)进行培养,使用BACT/ALERT 3D系统进行外周血培养,检测(1,3)-β-D葡聚糖。采用VITEK II Compact和基质辅助激光解吸电离飞行时间质谱(MALDI-TOF MS)进行菌种鉴定,并进行26S rDNA D1/D2和rDNA ITS双向测序。采用E-test法进行抗真菌药敏试验,测试药物包括氟康唑、伏立康唑、伊曲康唑、两性霉素B和卡泊芬净。结果2名患者PICC培养7 d后血琼脂上有小菌落生长,用VITEK II和MALDI-TOF MS鉴定均为糠秕马拉色菌,经ITS和26S D1/D2测序分析证实。两名患者的外周血瓶培养30 d均为阴性,(1,3)-β-D葡聚糖小于150 pg/mL。两株糠秕马拉色菌的体外药敏试验结果相同,氟康唑、伏立康唑、伊曲康唑、两性霉素B和卡泊芬净的最低抑菌浓度(MIC)分别为>256μg/mL、>32μg/mL、0.38μg/mL、>32μg/mL和>32μg/mL。结论由马拉色菌引起的导管相关感染不易检出,当临床怀疑使用PICC患者感染马拉色菌时,建议延长培养时间或使用专用培养基。(1,3)-β-D葡聚糖对马拉色菌属所致导管相关感染的诊断帮助不大。伊曲康唑可能是治疗糠秕马拉色菌所致感染的合适选择。

β-葡聚糖的生物学功能及其在动物生产中的应用

葡聚糖是一种天然多糖,可作为绿色添加剂应用于食品和养殖等多个领域,具有可持续性和生态友好性。β-葡聚糖具有多种生物学功能,可抑制和清除体内过量的自由基,激活机体抗氧化酶系统,降低氧化应激的程度;β-葡聚糖可通过调控炎症通路降低炎性因子的产生,缓解炎症引起的组织损伤;β-葡聚糖可修复肠道屏障及调节肠道微生态,减少细菌和毒素的渗透;β-葡聚糖可调节糖脂代谢,确保动物获得足够的能量供应,从而维持机体健康。文章主要围绕β-葡聚糖的特性、生物学功能及其在畜禽和水产养殖中的应用现状进行综述,以期为β-葡聚糖在动物养殖领域中的进一步应用提供参考。

青稞的生物活性成分和生理功能研究进展

青稞是我国青藏高原优势特种作物,含有丰富的生物活性物质。总结和分析青稞中β-葡聚糖、阿拉伯木聚糖、酚类化合物、抗性淀粉、植物甾醇、生育酚等主要生物活性成分及青稞在降血糖、血压、胆固醇,以及免疫调节活性、肠胃保护作用等疾病中的生理功能,旨在为开发青稞功能性产品提供理论依据。

机械加工对燕麦β-葡聚糖理化特性及体外发酵的影响

目的:研究机械加工对燕麦β-葡聚糖理化特性和体外发酵特性的影响。方法:通过钢切、压片、研磨等机械加工方式分别制得燕麦粗粒、燕麦片、燕麦粉,采用扫描电镜观察微观结构,测定燕麦β-葡聚糖的含量、溶出率和相对分子质量,体外模拟结肠环境进行燕麦发酵。结果:燕麦粗粒的β-葡聚糖总含量和溶出率均高于燕麦米,而燕麦片和燕麦粉的β-葡聚糖总含量低于燕麦米,但溶出率高于燕麦米。燕麦米具有较低的发酵速率,产酸产气速率明显低于燕麦粗粒、燕麦片、燕麦粉,虽然发酵产生的总短链脂肪酸含量最低,但丙酸和丁酸含量显著高于其他3组。结论:机械加工可以通过改变燕麦细胞壁结构完整性及β-葡聚糖的含量和溶出率,进而影响其体外发酵特性,适度加工有助于燕麦健康功效的发挥。

青稞酒糟中β-葡聚糖提取工艺优化及理化特性分析

目的 探究青稞酒糟中β-葡聚糖提取工艺及其理化特性。方法 通过单因素和响应面实验优化确定β-葡聚糖提取工艺。利用傅里叶红外光谱(Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, FT-IR)和高效排阻色谱-示差折光检测器-多角度激光光散射仪(high performance size exclusion chromatography-differential refraction detector-multi-angle laser light scatter, HPSEC-RID-MALLS)联用测定提取物中β-葡聚糖的结构和分子量,并对其加工特性及流变特性进行分析。结果 青稞酒糟中β-葡聚糖最优提取条件为:料液比为1:11 (m:V)、pH 8.5、提取温度80℃、搅拌速度600 r/min、提取时间3.0 h,此条件下提取率为16.29%。FT-IR检测结果表明,提取样品中具有β-葡聚糖特征吸收峰。多糖重均分子量为7.84×10^(4)Da,在100~140℃高温条件和中性偏碱性条件下稳定,在碱性条件及低盐离子浓度条件下促进溶解。流变特性结果表明, β-葡聚糖水溶液表现出非牛顿流体的剪切稀化特性,其表观黏度存在浓度依赖性,具有固体弹性特性。结论 从青稞酒糟中提取的β-葡聚糖具有较好的加工特性及流变性,为青稞酒糟的综合加工及增值化利用提供思路。

谷物中β-葡聚糖的提取、纯化及生物活性研究进展

谷物是人类重要食物来源之一,β-葡聚糖是一种功能性多糖。本文综述了谷物来源的β-葡聚糖的提取、纯化及生物活性,分析了不同提取方式对β-葡聚糖纯度和产率的影响,以及不同纯化方法的优缺点、分离效果。旨在为深入和全面地开发利用谷物中β-葡聚糖资源提供参考。

工程菌毕赤酵母发酵液制备β-葡寡糖的结构表征及其透皮性

为实现β-葡聚糖的精准小分子化,试验构建了可异源表达β-1,3-葡聚糖内切酶的基因重组毕赤酵母菌(Pichia pastoris MF060.RG.Glu-13),经发酵培养获得的发酵液中β-1,3-葡聚糖内切酶酶活达到982 U/mL。利用发酵液酶解β-葡聚糖制备分子质量在1~2 kDa的β-葡寡糖。采用红外光谱及核磁共振波谱对β-葡寡糖进行初步结构鉴定,采用Franz扩散池对β-葡寡糖进行透皮性能测试。结果表明,产物β-葡寡糖主链由5个葡萄糖糖苷通过β-1,3-糖苷键连接,在第二、第三个葡萄糖糖苷上,各有1个由β-1,6-糖苷键连接的D-葡萄糖分支。酶解产物β-葡寡糖(1~2 kDa)和酶解底物大分子β-葡聚糖(800~1000 kDa)累计透皮4 h后透皮吸收率分别为2.13%和0.04%,经酶解,小分子产物的透皮率提升至大分子底物的53.25倍。

高压酸水解-离子交换色谱法测定乳粉中的酵母β-葡聚糖

目的:采用高压酸水解-离子交换色谱法建立乳粉中酵母β-葡聚糖含量的分析方法。方法:先对乳粉中的酵母β-葡聚糖进行富集,富集得到的酵母β-葡聚糖利用高压酸水解成葡萄糖后利用离子色谱法检测分析,最后通过公式换算计算出酵母β-葡聚糖的含量。结果:葡萄糖在2~200 mg/L质量浓度范围内的线性关系良好,相关系数r为0.9998。酵母β-葡聚糖的定量限为11.1 mg/100 g。在20,50,100 mg/100 g加标水平下,酵母β-葡聚糖的加标回收率为81.5%~99.8%,相对标准偏差小于5%。结论:该方法简便高效、灵敏度高、准确性好,适用于乳粉中酵母β-葡聚糖的定量检测。

β-1,3/α-1,3-葡聚糖与益生菌复配物的润肠通便功能

为探讨β-1,3/α-1,3-葡聚糖与益生菌复配对便秘小鼠通便作用的影响,将小鼠随机分为5组:阴性对照组、模型组、β-1,3/α-1,3-葡聚糖与副干酪乳酸杆菌质量比1∶1组、β-1,3/α-1,3-葡聚糖与鼠李糖乳杆菌质量比1∶1组、β-1,3/α-1,3-葡聚糖与乳双歧杆菌质量比1∶1组。除对照组外,其余组别均采用盐酸洛哌丁胺建立小鼠便秘模型。观察各组小鼠首粒黑便排出时间、6 h黑便粒数、粪便质量、粪便含水量及小肠墨汁推进率。结果表明:与模型组相比,3组处理组均能显著缩短便秘小鼠的首粒黑便排出时间,显著增加粪便质量、粪便粒数、墨汁推进率及粪便含水量。其中β-1,3/α-1,3-葡聚糖与副干酪乳杆菌1∶1组改善便秘效果优于β-1,3/α-1,3-葡聚糖与鼠李糖乳杆菌、乳双歧杆菌质量1∶1组。研究表明,β-1,3/α-1,3-葡聚糖与益生菌复配能有效促进便秘小鼠肠道蠕动,促进排便,具有润肠通便作用。

富含β-葡聚糖松茸酸奶片的制备方法

研究一种成分中包含松茸的酸奶品的制备生产工艺,通过该方法生产出的产品含有较多的β-葡聚糖活性成分,能够满足亚健康人群的营养需求并具有松茸的特殊鲜美口感,助力于人们的高品质生活。选用松茸子实体,采用酿酒酵母发酵松茸,然后将其与牛奶、乳酸菌等益生菌通过二次发酵制备成酸奶原料,并通过实验筛选填充剂等辅料,采用干法制粒压制成片。经过两次发酵后,β-葡聚糖含量由原始松茸中的0.53%提高到1.09%,同时松茸丰富了酸奶口感。本工艺制成的酸奶片不仅保留了传统酸奶中的益生菌,同时松茸中的活性成分及β-葡聚糖也会对人体的健康发挥重要生理作用。

β-1,3-葡聚糖内切酶合成、制备及应用研究进展

β-1,3-葡聚糖内切酶是一类广泛存在于细菌、真菌和某些植物中,并能够水解β-葡聚糖产生不同分子量葡聚糖的酶。低分子量葡聚糖具有抗菌、抗氧化、免疫调节和抗肿瘤的生理活性,已在医药、食品、化工等多个领域显现良好的应用前景。目前生产低分子量葡聚糖的方法主要包括物理、化学和酶降解法。相较于物理和化学降解法,酶降解法具有催化效率高、反应条件温和、收率高及对环境友好等特点,但现阶段已开发的β-1, 3-葡聚糖内切酶的酶活性和稳定性仍无法满足工业化生产的需求。因此,开发适用于工业化生产的β-1,3-葡聚糖内切酶,已成为跨越通过降解高分子量葡聚糖制备低分子量葡聚糖技术壁垒的关键。本文系统介绍了β-1,3-葡聚糖内切酶的合成调节、特点、用于低分子量葡聚糖的制备以及工艺的优化等方面的研究进展,为促进β-1,3-葡聚糖内切酶的研究和工业化应用提供参考。

Effects of dietary yeast β-glucan on nutrient digestibility and serum profiles in pre-ruminant Holstein calves

This study aimed to investigate the effects of dietary supplementation of yeast 13-glucan on the nutrient digestibility and serum profiles in pre-ruminant Holstein calves. Forty-two neonatal Holstein calves （（39.6＋4.2） kg） were randomly allotted to six groups, and each was offered one of the following diets： a basal diet （control） or the basal diet supplemented with 25, 50, 75, 100 or 200 mg of yeast 13-glucan kg-~ feed （dry matter basis）. The basal diet consisted of a milk replacer and a starter feed. The trial lasted for 56 d. Two digestibility trials were conducted from d 14 to 20 and from d 42 to 48. Blood samples were collected on d 0, 14, 28 and 42 for serum profile analyses. On d 56, three calves from each group were slaughtered, and intestinal samples were collected to assess the villous height, crypt depth and mucosal thickness. Although feed intake was not affected by dietary treatment （P〉0.05）, the average daily gain （ADG） and gain-to-feed ratios were higher （P〈0.05） for the calves fed 75 mg of yeast β-glucan kg^-1 feed than those in the other groups. The supplementation of yeast β-glucan at 75 mg kg^-1 feed increased the apparent digestibility of dry matter （DM）, crude protein （CP）, ether extract （EE）, and phosphorus （P） （P〈0.05） and the ratio of intestinal villous height to crypt depth （V/C） （P〈0.05） when compared with the control group. No effects of yeast β-glucan on the serum concentrations of total protein （TP）, albumin （ALB）, serum urea nitrogen （SUN） and glucose （GLU） were observed （P〉0.05）. Compared with the control group, supplementation of yeast β-glucan decreased （P〈0.05） the serum concentrations of triglycerides （TG） and total cholesterol （TC）. The serum concentration of immunoglobulin G （IgG） and immunoglobulin M （IgM） increased quadratically （P〈0.05）, whereas the serum concentration of immunoglobulin A （IgA） was unaffected by dietary treatments （P〉0.05）. The supplementation of yeast β-glucan stimu- lated the enzymatic activity of alkaline phosphatase （ALP） （P〈0.05） compared with the control group. The lysozyme （LYZ） concentration increased quadratically （P〈0.05） with increasing yeast β-glucan levels. The results suggested that dietary supplementation of yeast 13-glucan at 75 mg kg^-1 feed improved nutrient digestibility, enhanced immunity by increasing the immunoglobulin concentration and stimulating ALP, and exerted no adverse effects on metabolism in pre-ruminant calves.

Effects of Dietary β-Glucan and Glycyrrhizin on Non-Specific Immunity and Disease Resistance of the Sea Cucumber (Apostichopus japonicus Selenka) Challenged with Vibrio splendidus

Sea cucumbers, Apostichopus japonicus Selenka, were fed diets containing non-immunostimulant (basal diet), 0.2% β-glucan and 0.02% glycyrrhizin in a recirculatory water system for 45 days, and subsequently challenged with Vibrio splendidus by injection at 1.0×108 cfu/sea cucumber for 15 days.Phagocytic capacity (PC), intracellular superoxide anion production (ISAP), ly-sozyme (LSZ) activity and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in the coelomic fluid were analyzed on the 0th, 5th, 10th and 15th days after injection.Results showed that after the 45-day feeding period, PC, ISAP, LSZ activity and SOD activity in sea cucumbers fed with dietary β-glucan or glycyrrhizin were significantly higher than in those fed with the basal diet.On the 5th day after infection, all the immune parameters examined in the sea cucumbers injected with V.splendidus decreased in value significantly.On the 15th day, PC, ISAP and LSZ activity returned to levels similar to those on the 0th day.For the sea cucumbers injected with saline, there were no significant differences in all the immune parameters examined and in the cumulative morbidity during the 15-day challenging trial.After injecting with V.splendidus, the cumulative morbidity of sea cucumbers fed with the basal diet was significantly higher than those fed with dietary β-glucan or glycyrrhizin when challenged with V.splendidus challenged sea cucumber fed with the basal diet was significantly higher than those fed with dietary β-glucan or glycyrrhizin.There was no significant difference in cumulative morbidity between the dietary β-glucan and glycyrrhizin treatments over time.

PREPARATION AND STRUCTURE OF FIVE DERIVATIVES OF β-(1→3)-D-GLUCAN ISOLATED FROM PORIA COCOS SCLEROTIUM

A new solvent of cellulose (1.5 mol/L NaOH/0.5 mol/L urea aqueous solution) was used as one of the homogeneous reaction media of polysaccharides for methylation, hydroxyethylation and hydroxypropylation. A water insoluble β -(1—>3)-D-glucan, sample PCS3- isolated from fresh sclerotium of Poria cocos was sulfated in dimethyl sulfoxide (Me 2 SO), carboxymethylated in NaOH, isopropanol solution, as well as methylated, hydroxyethylated and hydroxypropylated in the new solvent system, respectively, to obtain five water-soluble derivatives coded as S-PCS3- C- PCS3- M-PCS3- HE-PCS3- and HP-PCS3- Their chemical structure and distribution of substitution were characterized by infrared spectroscopy (IR), elementary analysis (EA), 1 H-NMR, 13 C-NMR, 2D-COSY, 2D-TOCSY and 2D- 1 H-detected 1H 13C HMQC spectra. The results reveal that the relative reactivity of hydroxyl groups of the β -(1-?3)-D-glucan is in the order C-6 > C-4 > C-2 on the whole. The substitution of the samples S-PCS3- C-PCS3- and M-PCS3- occurred mainly at C-6 position and secondly at C-4 and C-2 positions, and that of HE-PCS3- occurred at C-6 and C-4 positions and of HP-PCS3- almost completely occurred at C-6 position. The degrees of substitution (DS) obtained from 13 C-NMR range from 0.23 to 1.27. The water solubility of the derivatives is in the order S-PCS3- >C-PCS3- >M-PCS3- >HE-PCS3- >HP-PCS3- This work provides a novel and nonpolluting process for the methylation, hydroxyethylation and hydroxypropylation of β -(1—>3)-D-glucan.