Advances in Enzymatic Measurement of β-Glucan in Mushrooms, Yeast, Algae, and Dietary Supplements.

Abstract

Background: The rapid expansion of the functional mushroom, yeast, and algae market has increased the need for enzymatic quantification of 1,3-/1,6-β-glucans. The longstanding indirect approach, which calculates β-glucans by subtracting enzymatically measured α-glucans from total glucans obtained through acid hydrolysis, is increasingly challenged by modern supplement formulations containing resistant starches, trehalose, and sweeteners such as maltitol.

Objective: To evaluate the current indirect enzymatic method for β-glucan measurement and to refine the analytical workflow to support reliable β-glucan quantification across the expanding functional mushroom, yeast, and algae market and associated dietary supplement formats.

Methods: Key steps of the established indirect β-glucan method were systematically evaluated to identify matrix-dependent limitations related to acid solubilization, glucose stability during hydrolysis, α-glucan specificity, and formulation-derived interferences. Based on these findings, a refined analytical workflow was defined and applied for benchmarking and performance evaluation across mushrooms, yeast, algae, and multiple supplement delivery formats.

Results: Targeted refinements increased measured total glucan values, improved α-glucan determination in matrices containing resistant starches, trehalose, and maltitol, and reduced systematic glucose loss associated with acid hydrolysis. Comparative evaluation demonstrated matrix-dependent differences relative to the conventional method, while maintaining consistent analytical performance across complex formulations and reducing total assay time.

Conclusion: These advances in enzymatic β-glucan measurement address recognized limitations of the indirect approach and support more consistent β-glucan quantification across diverse natural product matrices and modern supplement formats.

Highlights: Advances in enzymatic β-glucan measurement were achieved through targeted refinements to total and α-glucan determination, improving measurement consistency across mushrooms, yeast, algae, and complex supplement formulations and supporting further collaborative evaluation.