Yeast glucan and glucan-containing mushroom biopolymer complexes – stimulators of microflora growth

Functional activity of human body systems depends on qualitative and quantitative composition of intestinal microflora. However, action of many exogenous and endogenous factors leads to the destabilization of normal microflora. In order to correct such disorder probiotics and prebiotics are used. Among the latter the dietary fibers are the most perspective. They promote not only the growth of intestinal flora but also show other physiological properties. β-glucans and glucan-containing mushroom biopolymer complexes plays a significant role among these substances. They are known as effective immunomodulators. However, there is no information in literature about their prebiotic effect. The aim of this work was to compare prebiotic effect of yeast β-glucan and glucan-containing mushroom biopolymer complexes. The article shows that yeast glucans and glucan-containing mushroom biopolymer complexes are able to stimulate the growth and development of Lactobacillus acidophilus-Ep-317/402 and Bifidobacterium bifidum. The duration of fermentation process is reduced by 2 – 3 hours while their addition to the ferment system. Including yeast glucans and glucan-containing mushroom biopolymer complexes to the milk mixture provides for fermented clots. They contain L. acidophilus 3.5 – 7.4 times higher and B. bifidum 25.1 – 269.2 times higher than clots without these preparations. Prebiotic effect of yeast glucans and glucan-containing mushroom biopolymer complexes depend on glucan content in their composition. Moreover, order degree of samples (the number of amorphous polysaccharides) significantly affects this indicator. A high growth-stimulating activity is typical for the preparations with the amorphous structure.