The fact that you are reading this blog puts you ahead of 95% of customers buying mushrooms. You know beta-glucans are important, and you have heard about beta-glucans 1,3 and 1,6 and wonder if they are the same or if the term "active beta-glucan" means something different.
Don’t worry, let’s break it down in detail.
Beta-glucans are naturally occurring polysaccharides found in the cell walls of mushrooms, grains, and yeast. They are valued for their bioactive properties, including immune modulation, anti-inflammatory effects, and potential anti-tumour benefits. However, the source and structure of beta-glucans significantly influence their effectiveness.
Mushroom-derived beta-glucans, particularly those with (1,3) and (1,6) linkages, are recognized for their ability to enhance immune responses. By comparison, beta-glucans from grains or yeast are less bioactive and may not deliver the same health benefits.
Active Beta-Glucans vs. Total Beta-Glucans
Why the Distinction Matters
- Purity and Potency: Products reporting only total beta-glucans may include inactive glucans from grains or fillers, diluting the product’s effectiveness.
- Efficacy: Active beta-glucans are directly tied to health benefits, making them a more accurate marker of quality.
- Transparency: High-quality products disclose the active beta-glucan content and undergo rigorous third-party testing to ensure reliability.
How Are Beta-Glucans Measured?
Total Beta-Glucans
The Megazyme test is considered the gold standard for measuring total beta-glucan content. This enzymatic method:
- Quantifies all beta-glucans present, regardless of source.
- Recently improved by accounting for trehalase compounds, which previously inflated beta-glucan readings due to trehalose (a mushroom sugar). This adjustment shifts trehalose into the alpha-glucan category, providing a more precise result.
Note: The term "gold standard" here refers to an industry-accepted methodology that is reliable, reproducible, and widely recognized for its accuracy.
Active Beta-Glucans
Testing active beta-glucans requires advanced techniques that are more expensive and less accessible:
- NMR Spectroscopy: Identifies the molecular structure and specific linkages, such as (1,3) and (1,6), through chemical bond analysis. It is highly precise but costly and time-consuming.
- FTIR Spectroscopy: Analyzes functional groups to detect beta-glucan linkage patterns. While faster and more economical than NMR, it provides less detailed structural information.
These methods are typically used in research and not for routine quality control due to their complexity and cost.
How Does Antioxi Prove a High Concentration of Active Beta-Glucans?
Beta-Glucan Testing with Megazyme
We use the latest version of the Megazyme test, which distinguishes beta-glucans from trehalose. This ensures a more accurate representation of the beneficial beta-glucan content in our products.
Alpha-Glucan Testing
By measuring alpha-glucans, we confirm there are no fillers, starches, or grain-based contaminants in our supplements, guaranteeing product purity.
Yeast and Yeast Extract Testing
Some manufacturers inflate beta-glucan percentages by adding Saccharomyces cerevisiae (baker’s yeast) or yeast extracts. To counteract this:
- DNA Analysis: Ensures that no genetic material from yeast is present.
- Microscopic Examination: Identifies physical differences between mushroom beta-glucans and yeast-derived glucans, ensuring product authenticity.
Our multi-faceted testing process ensures that Antioxi supplements contain genuinely high levels of beta-glucans, with a significant proportion being active and bioavailable.
Ensuring Quality and Transparency
If you would like to learn more about about our testing and safety visit our approach page
Conclusion
Choosing the right mushroom supplement means looking beyond just total beta-glucan content. Antioxi’s commitment to transparency, rigorous testing, and high-quality standards ensures that our products deliver a high concentration of beta-glucan content for maximum health benefits while confirming low alpha-glucan content.
Always prioritize products that provide detailed testing information to ensure purity, potency, and efficacy.
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