Preparation of a Novel Oat ß-Glucan-Chromium(III) Complex and Its Hypoglycemic Effect and Mechanism.

This study synthesized a novel oat ß-glucan (OBG)-Cr(III) complex (OBG-Cr(III)) and explored its structure, inhibitory effects on α-amylase and α-glucosidase, and hypoglycemic activities and mechanism in vitro using an insulin-resistant HepG2 (IR-HepG2) cell model. The Cr(III) content in the complex was found to be 10.87%. The molecular weight of OBG-Cr(III) was determined to be 7.736 × 104 Da with chromium ions binding to the hydroxyl groups of OBG. This binding resulted in the increased asymmetry and altered spatial conformation of the complex along with significant changes in morphology and crystallinity. Our findings demonstrated that OBG-Cr(III) exhibited inhibitory effects on α-amylase and α-glucosidase. Furthermore, OBG-Cr(III) enhanced the insulin sensitivity of IR-HepG2 cells, promoting glucose uptake and metabolism more efficiently than OBG alone. The underlying mechanism of its hypoglycemic effect involved the modulation of the c-Cbl/PI3K/AKT/GLUT4 signaling pathway, as revealed by Western blot analysis. This research not only broadened the applications of OBG but also positioned OBG-Cr(III) as a promising Cr(III) supplement with enhanced hypoglycemic benefits.

Pleurotus sajor-caju (Fr.) Singer ß-1,3-Glucanoligosaccharide (Ps-GOS) Suppresses RANKL-Induced Osteoclast Differentiation and Function in Pre-Osteoclastic RAW 264.7 Cells by Inhibiting the RANK/NFκB/cFOS/NFATc1 Signalling Pathway.

Edible grey oyster mushroom, Pleurotus sajor-caju, ß (1,3), (1,6) glucan possesses a wide range of biological activities, including anti-inflammation, anti-microorganism and antioxidant. However, its biological activity is limited by low water solubility resulting from its high molecular weight. Our previous study demonstrated that enzymatic hydrolysis of grey oyster mushroom ß-glucan using Hevea ß-1,3-glucanase isozymes obtains a lower molecular weight and higher water solubility, Pleurotus sajor-caju glucanoligosaccharide (Ps-GOS). Additionally, Ps-GOS potentially reduces osteoporosis by enhancing osteoblast-bone formation, whereas its effect on osteoclast-bone resorption remains unknown. Therefore, our study investigated the modulatory activities and underlying mechanism of Ps-GOS on Receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-Β ligand (RANKL) -induced osteoclastogenesis in pre-osteoclastic RAW 264.7 cells. Cell cytotoxicity of Ps-GOS on RAW 264.7 cells was determined by the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay and its effect on osteoclast differentiation was determined by tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) staining. Additionally, its effect on osteoclast bone-resorptive ability was detected by pit formation assay. The osteoclastogenic-related factors were assessed by quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), Western blot and immunofluorescence. The results revealed that Ps-GOS was non-toxic and significantly suppressed the formation of mature osteoclast multinucleated cells and their resorption activity by reducing the number of TRAP-positive cells and pit formation areas in a dose-dependent manner. Additionally, Ps-GOS attenuated the nuclear factor kappa light chain-enhancer of activated B cells' P65 (NFκB-P65) expression and their subsequent master osteoclast modulators, including nuclear factor of activated T cell c1 (NFATc1) and Fos proto-oncogene (cFOS) via the NF-κB pathway. Furthermore, Ps-GOS markedly inhibited RANK expression, which serves as an initial transmitter of many osteoclastogenesis-related cascades and inhibited proteolytic enzymes, including TRAP, matrix metallopeptidase 9 (MMP-9) and cathepsin K (CTK). These findings indicate that Ps-GOS could potentially be beneficial as an effective natural agent for bone metabolic disease.

Design and fabrication of functionalized curdlan-curcumin delivery system to facilitate the therapeutic effects of curcumin on breast cancer.

We developed a facile method for the fabrication of a biodegradable delivery system composed of two blocks: curdlan and curcumin. This was achieved by chemical functionalization of curdlan through tosylation, amination followed by complexation with curcumin. A comprehensive evaluation of structural characterization and component stability showed that cur-cum complex exhibited better anticancer properties with enhanced thermal properties. The cur-cum complex shows pH sensitive sustained release behaviour with higher release at acidic pH and kinetic data of drug release follows the Korsmeyer-Peppas model. The cur-cum complex has ability to block the proliferation of the MCF-7 cell line as revealed by MTT assay which showed increased toxicity of cur-cum complex against these cell lines. The results obtained from western blot analysis demonstrated that the co-administration of cur and cum effectively induced apoptosis in MCF-7 cells. This effect was observed by a considerable upregulation of the Bcl-2/Bax ratio, a decline in mRNA expression of LDHA, level of lactate and LDH activity. The results clearly depict the role of functionalized curdlan as efficient carrier for curcumin delivery with prolonged, sustained release and enhanced bioavailability, thereby improving the overall anticancer activity.

ß-glucan mitigates ovalbumin-induced airway inflammation by preventing oxidative stress and CD8+ T cell infiltration.

BACKGROUND: Bronchial asthma is a severe respiratory condition characterized by airway inflammation, remodeling, and oxidative stress. ß-Glucan (BG) is a polysaccharide found in fungal cell walls with powerful immunomodulatory properties. This study examined and clarified the mechanisms behind BG's ameliorativeactivitiesin an allergic asthma animal model. METHOD: BG was extracted from Chaga mushroom and characterized using FT-IR, UV-visible, zeta potential, and 1H NMR analysis. The mice were divided into five groups, including control, untreated asthmatic, dexamethasone (Dexa)-treated (1 mg/kg), and BG (30 and 100 mg/kg)-treated groups. RESULTS: BG treatment reduced nasal scratching behavior, airway-infiltrating inflammatory cells, and serum levels of IgE significantly. Additionally, BG attenuated oxidative stress biomarkers by lowering malonaldehyde (MDA) concentrations and increasing the levels of reduced glutathione (GSH), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and catalase (CAT). Immunohistochemical and flow cytometric analyses have confirmed the suppressive effect of BG on the percentage of airway-infiltrating cytotoxic CD8+ T cells. CONCLUSION: The findings revealed the role of CD8+ T cells in the pathogenesis of asthma and the role of BG as a potential therapeutic agent for asthma management through the suppression of airway inflammation and oxidative stress.

Fermentation enrichment, structural characterization and immunostimulatory effects of ß-glucan from Quinoa.

We developed an efficient mixed-strain co-fermentation method to increase the yield of quinoa ß-glucan (Q+). Using a 1:1 mass ratio of highly active dry yeast and Streptococcus thermophilus, solid-to-liquid ratio of 1:12 (g/mL), inoculum size of 3.8 % (mass fraction), fermentation at 32 °C for 27 h, we achieved the highest ß-glucan yield of (11.13 ± 0.80)%, representing remarkable 100.18 % increase in yield compared to quinoa ß-glucan(Q-) extracted using hot water. The structure of Q+ and Q- were confirmed through Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopies. Q+ contained 41.66 % ß-glucan, 3.93 % protein, 2.12 % uronic acid; Q- contained 37.21 % ß-glucan, 11.49 % protein, and 1.73 % uronic acid. The average molecular weight of Q+(75.37 kDa) was lower than that of Q- (94.47 kDa). Both Q+ and Q- promote RAW264.7 cell proliferation without displaying toxicity. They stimulate RAW264.7 cells through the NF-κB and MAPK signaling pathways, primarily inducing NO and pro-inflammatory cytokines by upregulating CD40 expression. Notably, Q+ exhibited stronger immunostimulatory activity compared to Q-. In summary, the fermentation enrichment method yields higher content of quinoa ß-glucan with increased purity and stronger immunostimulatory properties. Further study of its bioimmunological activity and structure-activity relationship may contribute to the development of new immunostimulants.

Structural variety of glucans from Ganoderma lucidum fruiting bodies.

Ganoderma lucidum, widely used in traditional medicine, has several biological properties. Polysaccharides, mainly glucans, are known as one of its main bioactive compounds. Consequently, the achievement and chemical investigation of such molecules are of pharmaceutical interest. Herein, we obtained water-insoluble and water-soluble polysaccharides from G. lucidum by alkaline extraction. Fractionation process yielded three fractions (GLC-1, GLC-2, and GLC-3). All samples showed to be composed mainly of glucans. GLC-1 is a linear (1 â†’ 3)-linked ß-glucan; GLC-2 is a mixture of three different linear polysaccharides: (1 â†’ 3)-ß-glucan, (1 â†’ 3)-α-glucan, and (1 â†’ 4)-α-mannan; while GLC-3 is a branched ß-glucan with a (1 â†’ 4)-linked main chain, which is branched at O-3 or O-6 by (1 â†’ 3)- or (1 â†’ 6)-linked side chains. This research reports the variability of glucans in Ganoderma lucidum fruiting bodies and applicable methodologies to obtain such molecules. These polysaccharides can be further applied in biological studies aiming to investigate how their chemical differences may affect their biological properties.

Structural and biochemical analysis of family 92 carbohydrate-binding modules uncovers multivalent binding to ß-glucans.

Carbohydrate-binding modules (CBMs) are non-catalytic proteins found appended to carbohydrate-active enzymes. Soil and marine bacteria secrete such enzymes to scavenge nutrition, and they often use CBMs to improve reaction rates and retention of released sugars. Here we present a structural and functional analysis of the recently established CBM family 92. All proteins analysed bind preferentially to ß-1,6-glucans. This contrasts with the diversity of predicted substrates among the enzymes attached to CBM92 domains. We present crystal structures for two proteins, and confirm by mutagenesis that tryptophan residues permit ligand binding at three distinct functional binding sites on each protein. Multivalent CBM families are uncommon, so the establishment and structural characterisation of CBM92 enriches the classification database and will facilitate functional prediction in future projects. We propose that CBM92 proteins may cross-link polysaccharides in nature, and might have use in novel strategies for enzyme immobilisation.

Converting Bulk Sugars into Functional Fibers: Discovery and Application of a Thermostable ß-1,3-Oligoglucan Phosphorylase.

Despite their broad application potential, the widespread use of ß-1,3-glucans has been hampered by the high cost and heterogeneity associated with current production methods. To address this challenge, scalable and economically viable processes are needed for the production of ß-1,3-glucans with tailorable molecular mass distributions. Glycoside phosphorylases have shown to be promising catalysts for the bottom-up synthesis of ß-1,3-(oligo)glucans since they combine strict regioselectivity with a cheap donor substrate (i.e., α-glucose 1-phosphate). However, the need for an expensive priming substrate (e.g., laminaribiose) and the tendency to produce shorter oligosaccharides still form major bottlenecks. Here, we report the discovery and application of a thermostable ß-1,3-oligoglucan phosphorylase originating from Anaerolinea thermophila (AtßOGP). This enzyme combines a superior catalytic efficiency toward glucose as a priming substrate, high thermostability, and the ability to synthesize high molecular mass ß-1,3-glucans up to DP 75. Coupling of AtßOGP with a thermostable variant of Bifidobacterium adolescentis sucrose phosphorylase enabled the efficient production of tailorable ß-1,3-(oligo)glucans from sucrose, with a near-complete conversion of >99 mol %. This cost-efficient process for the conversion of renewable bulk sugar into ß-1,3-(oligo)glucans should facilitate the widespread application of these versatile functional fibers across various industries.

Curdlan-polyphenol complexes prepared by pH-driven effectively enhanced their physicochemical stability, antioxidant and prebiotic activities.

In this study, the curdlan-polyphenol complexes were constructed by a pH-driven method. The interaction between curdlan and various hydrophobic polyphenols (curcumin, quercetin, and chlorogenic acid) was investigated. Curdlan could self-assemble into particles for loading polyphenols through hydrogen bonding and hydrophobic interactions. The three polyphenols were embedded in curdlan in an amorphous state. The curdlan-curcumin complex showed the lowest viscoelasticity but exhibited the highest curcumin loading ability (34.04 ± 1.73 mg/g). However, the curdlan-chlorogenic acid complex emerged the opposite trend, indicating that the loading capacity was associated with the hydrophobicity of polyphenols. The antioxidant activity of curdlan significantly increased after combining with polyphenols, which could be maintained during in vitro simulated gastrointestinal digestion. In particular, the curdlan-quercetin complex exhibited the highest antioxidant activity and short-chain fatty acid concentration, which could influence gut microbiota composition by promoting the proliferation of Prevotella and inhibiting the growth of Escherichia_Shigella. In conclusion, the curdlan-polyphenol complexes prepared by an alcohol-free pH-driven method could effectively enhance the gastrointestinal stability of polyphenols as well as increase the antioxidant and prebiotic activities of curdlan, which could be applied as a functional ingredient to improve gut health.

Preparation and characterization of curdlan-chitosan conjugate nanoparticles as mucosal adjuvants for intranasal influenza H1N1 subunit vaccine.

Intranasal vaccination offers crucial protection against influenza virus pandemics. However, antigens, especially subunit antigens, often fail to induce effective immune responses without the help of immune adjuvants. Our research has demonstrated that a polyelectrolyte complex, composed of curdlan sulfate/O-(2-hydroxyl) propyl-3-trimethyl ammonium chitosan chloride (CS/O-HTCC), effectively triggers both mucosal and systemic immune responses when administrated intranasal. In this study, stable nanoparticles formed by curdlan-O-HTCC conjugate (CO NP) were prepared and characterized. Furthermore, the efficacy of CO NP was evaluated as a mucosal adjuvant in an intranasal influenza H1N1 subunit vaccine. The results revealed that CO NP exhibits uniform and spherical morphology, with a size of 190.53 ± 4.22 nm, and notably, it remains stable in PBS at 4 °C for up to 6 weeks. Biological evaluation demonstrated that CO NP stimulates the activation of antigen-presenting cells (APCs), including macrophages and dendritic cells (DCs), both in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, intranasal administration of CO NP effectively elicits cellular and humoral immune responses, notably enhancing mucosal immunity. Thus, CO NP emerges as a promising mucosal adjuvant for influenza subunit vaccines.

Detection of Beta-Glucan Contamination in Nanoparticle Formulations.

Beta-glucans with diverse chemical structures are produced by a variety of microorganisms and are commonly found in microbial cell walls. ß-(1,3)-D-glucans are present in yeast and fungi, and, for this reason, their traces are commonly used as a sign of yeast or fungal infection or contamination. Despite being less immunologically active than endotoxins, beta-glucans are pro-inflammatory and can activate cytokines and other immunological responses via their cognate pattern recognition receptors. Unlike endotoxins, there is no established threshold pyrogen dose for beta-glucans; as such, their quantity in pharmaceutical products is not regulated. Nevertheless, regulatory agencies recognize the potential contribution of beta-glucans to the immunogenicity of protein-containing drug products and recommend assessing beta-glucans to aid the interpretation of immunotoxicity studies and assess the risk of immunogenicity. The protocol for the detection and quantification of ß-(1,3)-D-glucans in nanoparticle formulations is based on a modified limulus amoebocyte lysate assay. The results of this test are used to inform immunotoxicity studies of nanotechnology-based drug products.

Beta-Glucan as a Soluble Dietary Fiber Source: Origins, Biosynthesis, Extraction, Purification, Structural Characteristics, Bioavailability, Biofunctional Attributes, Industrial Utilization, and Global Trade.

This paper explores the multifaceted nature of ß-glucan, a notable dietary fiber (DF) with extensive applications. Beginning with an in-depth examination of its intricate polysaccharide structure, the discussion extends to diverse sources like oats, barley, mushrooms, and yeast, emphasizing their unique compositions. The absorption and metabolism of ß-glucan in the human body are scrutinized, emphasizing its potential health benefits. Extraction and purification processes for high-quality ß-glucan in food, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics are outlined. The paper underscores ß-glucan's biofunctional roles in immune modulation, cholesterol regulation, and gastrointestinal health, supported by clinical studies. The review discusses global trade dynamics by tracing its evolution from a niche ingredient to a global commodity. In summary, it offers a comprehensive scientific perspective on ß-glucan, serving as a valuable resource for researchers, professionals, and industries exploring its potential in the dietary fiber landscape.

Nutritional profiling, fiber content and in vitro bioactivities of wheat-based biscuits formulated with novel ingredients.

This study evaluated the nutritional profile and fiber content of innovative formulations of wheat-based biscuits enriched with chia seeds, carob flour and coconut sugar. The in vitro antioxidant, cytotoxic, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial activities were also investigated to understand the potential health advantages of the incorporation of these new ingredients. The novel biscuits demonstrated significant improvements in protein and mineral content, with increases of 50% and 100% in chia biscuits, and up to 20% and 40% in carob biscuits, respectively. Fiber also notably increased, particularly in samples containing 10% carob flour, which increased four times as compared to wheat-based samples. The new ingredients exhibited antibacterial and antifungal activity, particularly against Yersinia enterocolitica (minimum inhibitory concentration 1.25 mg mL-1 in coconut sugar) and Aspergillus fumigatus (minimum inhibitory concentration/minimum fungicidal concentrations 2.5/5 mg mL-1 in chia seeds). However, the final biscuits only displayed antifungal properties. Carob flour and chia seeds had a remarkably high capacity to inhibit the formation of TBARS and promoted greater antioxidant activity in biscuit formulations, with EC50 values decreasing from 23.25 mg mL-1 (control) to 4.54 mg mL-1 (15% defatted ground chia seeds) and 1.19 mg mL-1 (10% carob flour). Only chia seeds exhibited cellular antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and cytotoxic activity, attributes that were lost when seeds were added into the biscuits. These findings highlight the potential health benefits of these ingredients, particularly when incorporated in new wheat-based formulations.

Augmenting the quality and storage stability of soymilk by incorporation of untreated and ozonated oat 1,4-ß-D-glucan.

The study aimed to improve the quality and storage stability of novel plant-based soymilk with the incorporation of untreated (UtßG) and modified oat derived 1,4-ß-D-glucan (OzßG) at varying concentrations (0, 1, and 2 % labelled as S0, S1 and S2). The treated soymilk was characterized for physical, chemical, nutritional, rheological, particle size, zeta potential, sensory and storage stability characteristics. The results revealed that 1, 4-ß-D-glucan incorporation increased the acidity (0.67 to 0.73 %), viscosity (3.4 to 4.7 Cp) and ash content (0.74 to 0.92 %), however color remains natural. The frequency sweep and shear experiments showed that the 1,4-ß-D-glucan modified the rheological parameters of the soymilk. The sensory analysis (n = 30) indicated that texture, mouthfeel and overall acceptability (8.38). Compared to OzßG-treated soymilk, UtßG soymilk, especially S2, exhibited superior thickening and rheological properties. The storage study indicated minimal phase separation in 1,4-ß-D-glucan-incorporated samples, maintaining stability for 15 days under refrigerated conditions without compromising overall quality. Thus, this study provides valuable insights into the potential application of 1,4-ß-D-glucan for improving the technological quality of soymilk that highlights possible implications for its commercialization potential.

Distinctive activation of ß-galactosidase by carboxymethylated ß-glucan in vitro and mechanism study: Critical role of hydrophobic and electrostatic interactions.

ß-galactosidase (lactase) is commercially important as a dietary supplement to alleviate the symptoms of lactose intolerance. This work investigated a unique activation of CMP (carboxymethylated (1 â†’ 3)-ß-d-glucan) on lactase and its mechanism by comparing it with carboxymethyl chitosan (CMCS), an inhibitor of lactase. The results illustrated that the secondary and tertiary structures of lactase were altered and its active sites exposed after complexation with CMP, and dissociation of lactase aggregates was also observed. These changes favored better accessibility of the substrate to the active sites of lactase, resulting in a maximum increase of 60.5 % in lactase activity. Furthermore, the hydrophobic and electrostatic interactions with lactase caused by the carboxymethyl group of CMP were shown to be crucial for its activation ability. Thus, the improvement of lactase activity and stability by CMP shown here is important for the development of new products in the food and pharmaceutical industries.

Exploring the immunomodulatory properties of glucan particles in human primary cells.

The immunomodulatory properties of ß-glucans have sparked interest among various medical fields. As vaccine adjuvants, glucan particles offer additional advantages as antigen delivery systems. This study reported the immunomodulatory properties of glucan particles with different size and chemical composition. The effect of glucan microparticles (GPs) and glucan nanoparticles (Glu 130 and 355 NPs) was evaluated on human immune cells. While GPs and Glu 355 NPs demonstrated substantial interaction with Dectin-1 receptor on monocytes, Glu 130 NPs exhibited reduced activation of this receptor. This observation was substantiated by blocking Dectin-1, resulting in inhibition of reactive oxygen species production induced by GPs and Glu 355 NPs. Notably, monocyte-derived dendritic cells (moDCs) stimulated by Glu 355 NPs exhibited phenotypic and functional maturation, essential for antigen cross-presentation. The immunomodulatory efficacy was investigated using an autologous mixed lymphocyte reaction (AMLR), resulting in considerable rates of lymphocyte proliferation and an intriguing profile of cytokine and chemokine release. Our findings highlight the importance of meticulously characterizing the size and chemical composition of ß-glucan particles to draw accurate conclusions regarding their immunomodulatory activity. This in vitro model mimics the human cellular immune response, and the results obtained endorse the use of ß-glucan-based delivery systems as future vaccine adjuvants.

Structural characteristics and biological activities of polysaccharides from barley: a review.

Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) is rich in starch and non-starch polysaccharides (NSPs), especially ß-glucan and arabinoxylan. Genotypes and isolation methods may affect their structural characteristics, properties and biological activities. The structure-activity relationships of NSPs in barley have not been paid much attention. This review summarizes the extraction methods, structural characteristics and physicochemical properties of barley polysaccharides. Moreover, the roles of barley ß-glucan and arabinoxylan in the immune system, glucose metabolism, regulation of lipid metabolism and absorption of mineral elements are summarized. This review may help in the development of functional products in barley.

Rheology and gelation of aqueous carboxymethylated curdlan solution: Impact of the degree of substitution.

Curdlan is a unique (1,3)-ß-D-glucan with bioactivity and exceptional gelling properties. By chemical functionalization such as carboxymethylation, the physicochemical properties of curdlan can be significantly tailored. However, how the carboxymethylation extent of curdlan affects its rheology and gelation characteristics has yet to be fully understood. Herein, we investigated the impact of the degree of substitution (DS, ranging from 0.04 to 0.97) on the rheological and gelation behavior of carboxymethylated curdlan (CMCD). It was found that CMCD with DS below 0.20, resembling native curdlan, still retained its gelling capability. As the DS increased beyond 0.36, there was a significant increase in its water solubility instead of gelation, resulting in transparent solutions with steady/complex viscosities adhering to the Cox-Merz rule. Moreover, CMCD with high DS demonstrated the ability to undergo in-situ gelation in the presence of metal ions, attributed to the nonspecific electrostatic binding. Additionally, in vitro cytocompatibility testing showed positive compatibility across varying DS in CMCD. This research offers a holistic understanding of the viscosifying and gelling behaviors of CMCD with varying DS, thereby fostering their practical application as thickeners and gelling agents in fields ranging from food and biomedicine to cosmetics and beyond.

Glucans and applications in drug delivery.

Glucan is a natural polysaccharide widely distributed in cereals and microorganisms that has various biological activities, including immunomodulatory, anti-infective, anti-inflammatory, and antitumor activities. In addition to wide applications in the broad fields of food, healthcare, and biomedicines, glucans hold promising potential as drug delivery carrier materials or ligands. Specifically, glucan microparticles or yeast cell wall particles are naturally enclosed vehicles with an interior cavity that can be exploited to carry and deliver drug payloads. The biological activities and targeting capacities of glucans depend largely on the recognition of glucan moieties by receptors such as dectin-1 and complement receptor 3, which are widely expressed on the cell membranes of mononuclear phagocytes, dendritic cells, neutrophils, and some lymphocytes. This review summarizes the chemical structures, sources, fundamental properties, extraction methods, and applications of these materials, with an emphasis on drug delivery. Glucans are utilized mainly as vaccine adjuvants, targeting ligands and as carrier materials for various drug entities. It is believed that glucans and glucan microparticles may be useful for the delivery of both small-molecule and macromolecular drugs, especially for potential treatment of immune-related diseases.

Structural characteristics of ß-glucans from various sources and their influences on the short- and long-term starch retrogradation in wheat flour.

Beta-glucans possess the ability of retarding starch retrogradation. However, ß-glucans from different sources might show various influences on retrogradation process and the structure-function relationships of ß-glucans related to the feature still remains unclear. In the study, the ß-glucans from oat (OG), highland barley (HBG), and yeast (YG) were selected. Each ß-glucans formed aggregate as observed by atomic force microscopy. OG and HBG with a lower Mw aggregated more obviously and exhibited higher intrinsic and apparent viscosity. The two ß-glucans showed more restraining effect on the short-term starch retrogradation in the sol-like test system (RVA) and the long-term starch retrogradation in the gel-like test system (DSC). However, YG with a higher Mw exerted a greater retarding effect on the short-term starch retrogradation in gel-like test systems (Mixolab and rheology). LF-NMR indicated that OG and HBG increased the population of less-bound water by wrapping around the starch. In summary, the structural characteristics of ß-glucan (Mw and aggregation state) and experiment condition (solid content) jointly influenced starch retrogradation, because a lower Mw and higher aggregation capacity ß-glucan interacted more readily with starch and inhibited more starch re-association due to the higher diffusion rate in the sol-like system.