Effect of Beta-glucans Extracted from Phellinus baumii on the Growth of Caenorhabditis elegans
2012
Kim, H.M., University of Seoul, Seoul, Republic of Korea | Lee, D.H., University of Seoul, Seoul, Republic of Korea
This study investigates the effect of β-glucans on the growth of Caenorhabditis elegans. Comparison was made among lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and β-glucans extracted from Phellinus baumii, in the presence of peptidoglycans which is available as the major carbon source from OP50, a non-pathogenic strain of Escherichia coli. When the three sources of carbohydrate were added singularly or in mixture to the culture media, a significant level of variation was observed with respect to fecundity. Addition of β-glucans appeared to increase the fecundity. When β-glucans was reinforced in the culture media, the fecundity increased at least 20 percent compared to the OP50-only media which exclusively contains peptidoglycans. In terms of life span, C. elegans showed a modest reduction when treated especially with β-glucans. C. elegans accumulated less fat in the β-glucans containing media different from the OP50 media. Based on the Sudan black staining, fat deposition significantly decreased corresponding to the β-glucans content in the media. On LPS-supplemented media, no difference was observed in fat deposition compared to the normal OP50 media. At the level of motility, β-glucans-treated worms moved more distance as well as LPS-treated worm. They also showed a comparable degree of motility under similar treatment with each source of carbohydrate. In conclusion, LPS and β-glucans, extracted from P. baumii, may not entirely replace the food required for C. elegans; however, it might be utilized as valuable alternative food source which C. elegans use as forms of carbohydrates in stead of peptidoglycan of OP50.
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