Prebiotic Potential of Oligosaccharides Obtained by Acid Hydrolysis of α-(1→3)-Glucan from : A Pilot Study.

Increasing knowledge of the role of the intestinal microbiome in human health and well-being has resulted in increased interest in prebiotics, mainly oligosaccharides of various origins. To date, there are no reports in the literature on the prebiotic properties of oligosaccharides produced by the hydrolysis of pure fungal α-(1→3)-glucan. The aim of this study was to prepare α-(1→3)-glucooligosaccharides (α-(1→3)-GOS) and to perform initial evaluation of their prebiotic potential.

Activation of cellular immune response in insect model host Galleria mellonella by fungal α-1,3-glucan.

Alpha-1,3-glucan, in addition to β-1,3-glucan, is an important polysaccharide component of fungal cell walls. It is reported for many fungal species, including human pathogenic genera: Aspergillus, Blastomyces, Coccidioides, Cryptococcus, Histoplasma and Pneumocystis, plant pathogens, e.g.

The FT-IR and Raman Spectroscopies as Tools for Biofilm Characterization Created by Cariogenic Streptococci.

Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) and Raman spectroscopy and mapping were applied to the analysis of biofilms produced by bacteria of the genus Streptococcus. Bacterial biofilm, also called dental plaque, is the main cause of periodontal disease and tooth decay. It consists of a complex microbial community embedded in an extracellular matrix composed of highly hydrated extracellular polymeric substances and is a combination of salivary and bacterial proteins, lipids, polysaccharides, nucleic acids, and inorganic ions.

Aspergillus niger α-1,3-glucan acts as a virulence factor by inhibiting the insect phenoloxidase system.

Phenoloxidase (PO) is a key enzyme in the melanization process involved in elimination of pathogens in insects. The PO system is rapidly activated in response to pathogen recognition. Inhibition of PO activity can be a way to avoid immune response and increase infection effectiveness.

Bacteria from the Midgut of Common Cockchafer ( L.) Larvae Exhibiting Antagonistic Activity Against Bacterial Symbionts of Entomopathogenic Nematodes: Isolation and Molecular Identification.

The mechanisms of action of the complex including entomopathogenic nematodes of the genera and and their mutualistic partners, i.e., bacteria and , have been well explained, and the nematodes have been commercialized as biological control agents against many soil insect pests.

The Effect of Water-Soluble Polysaccharide from Jackfruit ( Lam.) on Human Colon Carcinoma Cells Cultured In Vitro.

Various phytochemical studies have revealed that jackfruit ( Lam.) is rich in bioactive compounds, including carotenoids, flavonoids, volatile acids, tannins, and lectins. The aim of the study was to analyze the biological activity of water-soluble polysaccharide (WSP) isolated from jackfruit and to assess its immunomodulatory, cytotoxic, and anti-oxidative effects on human colon carcinoma cells in vitro.

A Report on Fungal (1→3)-α-d-glucans: Properties, Functions and Application.

The cell walls of fungi are composed of glycoproteins, chitin, and α- and β-glucans. Although there are many reports on β-glucans, α-glucan polysaccharides are not yet fully understood. This review characterizes the physicochemical properties and functions of (1→3)-α-d-glucans.

Chemical characterization of alkali-soluble polysaccharides isolated from a Boletus edulis (Bull.) fruiting body and their potential for heavy metal biosorption.

Wild mushrooms are gathered and consumed in many regions of the world. Edible mushrooms are a good source of valuable nutritious ingredients but they also are able to accumulate heavy metals from the environment. Participation of polysaccharide components of mushroom cell walls in biosorption is poorly understood, therefore, our investigations focussed on an alkali-soluble polysaccharide derived from the cell wall of Boletus edulis.

Fomitopsis betulina (formerly Piptoporus betulinus): the Iceman's polypore fungus with modern biotechnological potential.

Higher Basidiomycota have been used in natural medicine throughout the world for centuries. One of such fungi is Fomitopsis betulina (formerly Piptoporus betulinus), which causes brown rot of birch wood. Annual white to brownish fruiting bodies of the species can be found on trees in the northern hemisphere but F.

Hydrogel Containing an Extract of Tormentillae rhizoma for the Treatment of Bioflim-Related Oral Diseases.

In the present study, hydrogels containing the dried extract of tormentil (Potentilla erecta (L.) Raeusch., Rosaceae) were designed and qualitatively evaluated regarding their viscosity, thixotropy, and texture properties.

In Vitro Antiproliferative and Antioxidant Effects of Extracts from Leaves and Their Quality Evaluation.

The present study was performed to evaluate the effect of different extracts and subfractions from leaves on two human colon cancer cell lines obtained from two stages of the disease progression lines HT29 and SW948. Tested samples inhibited the viability of cells, both HT29 and SW948 lines, in a concentration-dependent manner. The most active was the ethyl acetate fraction which, applied at the highest concentration (250 g/mL), decreased the viability of cells (HT29 and SW948) below 66%.

Cultivation and utility of Piptoporus betulinus fruiting bodies as a source of anticancer agents.

Piptoporus betulinus is a wood-rotting basidiomycete used in medicine and biotechnology. However, to date, no indoor method for cultivation of this mushroom fruiting bodies has been developed. Here we present the first report of successful production of P.

Enzymes in therapy of biofilm-related oral diseases.

Biofilm-related infections of the oral cavity, including dental caries and periodontitis, represent the most prevalent health problems. For years, the treatment thereof was largely based on antibacterial chemical agents. Recently, however, there has been growing interest in the application of more preventive and minimally invasive biotechnological methods.

(1→3)-α-D-Glucan hydrolases in dental biofilm prevention and control: A review.

Dental plaque is a highly diverse biofilm, which has an important function in maintenance of oral and systemic health but in some conditions becomes a cause of oral diseases. In addition to mechanical plaque removal, current methods of dental plaque control involve the use of chemical agents against biofilm pathogens, which however, given the complexity of the oral microbiome, is not sufficiently effective. Hence, there is a need for development of new anti-biofilm approaches.

(1→3)-α-D-Glucans from Aspergillus spp.: Structural Characterization and Biological Study on their Carboxymethylated Derivatives.

Alkali-soluble polysaccharides (ASPs) were isolated from the cell wall of four Aspergillus species (A. fumigatus, A. nidulans, A.

Aqueous Extracts of Selected Potentilla Species Modulate Biological Activity of Human Normal Colon Cells.

Potentilla L. (Rosaceae) species have been used in traditional and in folk medicine for many years. This study characterized the activity of extracts from aerial parts of selected Potentilla species: P.

In vitro anticariogenic effects of Drymocallis rupestris extracts and their quality evaluation by HPLC-DAD-MS³ analysis.

In this study, for the first time, we investigated in vitro inhibitory effects of Drymocallis rupestris extracts and their subfractions obtained with solvents of different polarity (aqueous, 50% ethanolic, diethyl ether, ethyl acetate and n-butanolic) against bacterial viability and caries virulence factors of Streptococcus spp. strains. The diethyl ether subfraction (PRU2) showed bacteriostatic and bactericidal activity against mutans streptococci, with minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) in the range of 0.

The influence of aqueous extracts of selected Potentilla species on normal human colon cells.

Potentilla L. (Rosaceae) species have been used in traditional medicine in Asia, Europe and Northern America. This study analyzed the biological activity of aqueous extracts of Potentilla species (Rosaceae): Dasiphora fruticosa (syn.

Purification and properties of an α-(1 → 3)-glucanase (EC 3.2.1.84) from Trichoderma harzianum and its use for reduction of artificial dental plaque accumulation.

Extracellular α-(1 → 3)-glucanase (mutanase, EC 3.2.1.

Successful large-scale production of fruiting bodies of Laetiporus sulphureus (Bull.: Fr.) Murrill on an artificial substrate.

Laetiporus sulphureus is an edible wood-rotting basidiomycete fungus whose fruiting bodies contain substances with verified therapeutic evidences and large amounts of α-(1 → 3)-glucan which is used as an effective inducer of microbial α-(1 → 3)-glucanases. However, production of mature fruiting bodies of this species under artificially controlled conditions has not been reported until now. Here, we provide the first report of successful initiation and development of L.

Chemical characterization of a water insoluble (1→3)-α-D-glucan from an alkaline extract of Aspergillus wentii.

The chemical structure of a water insoluble α-glucan isolated from the cell wall of Aspergillus wentii was described on the basis of total acid hydrolysis, methylation analysis, and 1D and 2D NMR studies (TOCSY, DQF-COSY, NOESY and HSQC) as well as other instrumental techniques. It was established that the analyzed preparation contained a linear polymer composed almost exclusively of (1→3)-linked α-d-glucose, with a molecular mass of about 850kDa. The polymer was divided into subunits separated by a short spacers of (1→4)-linked α-d-glucoses.

Structural diversity of streptococcal mutans synthesized under different culture and environmental conditions and its effect on mutanase synthesis.

Streptococcal mutans synthesized under different conditions by growing cultures or by their glucosyltransferases were shown to exhibit a great structural and property diversity. Culturing and environmental factors causing structural differences in mutans were specified. All of the obtained biopolymers (76 samples) were water-insoluble and most of them (72) had a structure with a predominance of α-(1→3)-linked glucose (i.

Gene cloning, expression, and characterization of mutanase from Paenibacillus curdlanolyticus MP-1.

Mutanases hydrolyze d-glucosidic linkages of α-1,3-linked polysaccharides which are important components of dental plaque. Therefore, these enzymes can be useful in preventive oral hygiene. A gene encoding mutanase was cloned from soil-isolated Paenibacillus curdlanolyticus MP-1 and expressed in Escherichia coli, and the resulting recombinant enzyme was characterized.

Comparative studies on the induction of Trichoderma harzianum mutanase by α-(1→3)-glucan-rich fruiting bodies and mycelia of Laetiporus sulphureus.

Mutanase (α-(1→3)-glucanase) is a little-known inductive enzyme that is potentially useful in dentistry. Here, it was shown that the cell wall preparation (CWP) obtained from the fruiting body or vegetative mycelium of polypore fungus Laetiporus sulphureus is rich in α-(1→3)-glucan and can be successfully used for mutanase induction in Trichoderma harzianum. The content of this biopolymer in the CWP depended on the age of fruiting bodies and increased along with their maturation.

Biological study on carboxymethylated (1→3)-α-D-glucans from fruiting bodies of Ganoderma lucidum.

Water-insoluble, alkali-soluble polysaccharides (ASPs) were isolated from three fruiting bodies of the macromycete fungus Ganoderma lucidum. The structure of ASPs was determined using composition analysis, methylation analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The analysis of the biological activity of the carboxymethylated (CM) (1→3)-α-D-glucans was based on an assessment of their cytotoxic, mitochondrial metabolism-modulating, and free radical scavenging effects against a tumor cell line (human cervical carcinoma HeLa), and two normal human cell lines (colon myofibroblasts CCD-18Co and epithelial cells CCD 841 CoTr).