MICROBIAL Β-GLUCANS: EXTRACTION METHODS AND STRUCTURAL CHARACTERISTICS – A REVIEW

The growing interest in functional food ingredients and sustainable bioresources has increased the scientific focus on microbial β-glucans. These polysaccharides are recognized for their immunomodulatory, antioxidant, and prebiotic activities, with potential to improve human health and support innovative biotechnological applications. The present review is based on the hypothesis that the structural diversity of β-glucans significantly influences both their bioactivity and their suitability for industrial utilization. The main objective is to analyze the extraction and purification methods applied for recovering β- glucans from microbial sources, highlighting the relationship between molecular structure and functional properties. Classical techniques such as hot water and enzymatic extraction are compared with modern strategies including ultrasound-, microwave-, and supercritical fluid-assisted methods. Findings indicate that extraction efficiency, yield, and purity strongly depend on the method employed, while hybrid approaches enhance both bioactivity preservation and environmental sustainability. Microbial β-glucans show promising applications in food, pharmaceutical, biomedical, and cosmetic sectors, while safety considerations regarding microbial contamination and immunogenicity remain essential. The review concludes that advances in processing technologies, together with standardized characterization, will contribute to optimizing β-glucan production and to expanding their role as multifunctional bio-ingredients.