Recent advances of cereal β-glucan on immunity with gut microbiota regulation functions and its intelligent gelling application

beta-glucan from cereals such as wheat, barley, oats and rye are a water-soluble dietary fiber, which are composed of repeating (1 -> 4)-beta-bond beta-D-glucopyranosyl units and a single (1 -> 3)-beta-D-bond separated unit. beta-glucan has a series of physicochemical properties (such as viscosity, gelling properties, solubility, etc.), which can be used as a food gel and fat substitute. Its structure endows the healthy functions, including anti-oxidative stress, lowering blood glucose and serum cholesterol, regulating metabolic syndrome and exerting gut immunity via gut microbiota. Due to their unique structural properties and efficacy, cereal beta-glucan are not only applied in food substrates in the food industry, but also in food coatings and packaging. This article reviewed the applications of cereal beta-glucan in hydrogels, aerogels, intelligent packaging systems and targeted delivery carriers in recent years. Cereal beta-glucan in edible film and gel packaging applications are becoming more diversified and intelligent in recent years. Those advances provide a potential solution based on cereal beta-glucan as biodegradable substances for immune regulation delivery system and intelligent gelling material in the biomedicine field.

Automated summary

Cereal beta-glucan, a water-soluble dietary fiber from cereals such as wheat, barley, oats, and rye, has various applications in the food industry, including as a food gel and fat substitute. It also has health benefits, such as anti-oxidative stress, blood glucose and serum cholesterol reduction, and gut immunity regulation. In recent years, cereal beta-glucan has been applied in hydrogels, aerogels, intelligent packaging systems, and targeted delivery carriers. These advancements provide potential solutions for biodegradable immune regulation delivery systems and intelligent gelling materials in the biomedicine field.