Effects Of Dietary Β-glucan Research Articles

Effects of dietary β-glucan and rice fermented on growth performance, fatty acids, and Newcastle disease immune response in turkey broilers

Poultry production has been developing in Vietnam with challenges of disease. Thus, feed additive should be investigated not only growth but also health enhancement. Here, we aimed to determine the effects of Saccharomyces cerevisiae-fermented rice (FR) and β-glucan on turkey’s growth performance, carcass characteristics, immune and fatty acid (FA) profiles. A total of 180 turkey chicks aged 1–56 days were randomly assigned to five sextuplicate groups and the birds had ad libitum feed and water access throughout the experiment. The five treatment groups were given the same diet with different proportions of FR and β-glucan. Broilers supplemented with 4% β-glucan and 4% FR presented the highest and second-highest growth performance, respectively. The 4% β-glucan and 4% FR treatments resulted in the highest carcass characteristic values without significantly affecting the breast or thigh meat pH or cooking loss. The 4% β-glucan and 4% FR treatments maximally increased the Newcastle disease (ND) antibody titers at 28, 42 and 56 days, respectively as well as thymus organ index. The foregoing treatments did not significantly affect the blood profiles relative to the control. However, the 4% FR treatment lowered the blood cholesterol levels (p > 0.05). The total FA profiles did not significantly differ among treatments. Nevertheless, both the β-glucan and FR treatments increased the MUFA levels compared to that of the control (p > 0.05). Hence, the dietary administration of 4% β-glucan and FR to turkey broilers could effectively improve their growth performance and immunity.

Effects of dietary β-glucan on growth rate, antioxidant status, immune response, and resistance against Aeromonas hydrophila in genetic improvement of farmed tilapia (GIFT, Oreochromis niloticus)

This study was conducted to assess the influences of dietary β-glucan on growth rate, antioxidant status, immunity response, and resistance against Aeromonas hydrophila of genetically improved farmed tilapia (GIFT, Oreochromis niloticus). Four isonitrogenous and isoenergetic diets were formulated to contain 0%, 0.2%, 0.4%, and 0.8% β-glucan, respectively. Fish with similar size (average body weight, 3.43 ± 0.02 g) were randomly distributed into 12 tanks with 40 juveniles per tank and hand-fed to apparent satiation twice daily for 10 weeks. The fish were then challenged by A. hydrophila and their cumulative survival rate was recorded for the next week. No obvious influences on growth rate and feed utilization of GIFT were induced by dietary β-glucan addition (P > 0.05). However, dietary 0.4% β-glucan inclusion increased the serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol level but decreased the triglyceride, total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels as well as alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase activities (P < 0.05). Similarly, the increased intestinal superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) activities as well as the decreased intestinal malondialdehyde (MDA) and reactive oxygen species contents were also observed in GIFT fed diet with 0.4% β-glucan (P < 0.05). Dietary addition of 0.8% β-glucan increased the plasma SOD, glutathione peroxidase (GPx), catalase, and TAC activities, but reduced the plasma MDA content (P < 0.05). Dietary β-glucan inclusion regardless of levels improved the hepatic SOD, glutathione reductase, catalase, peroxidase, TAC, and acid phosphatase activities, but depressed the hepatic nitric oxide and MDA contents (P < 0.05). Plasma lysozyme activity was improved by the inclusion of 0.4% and 0.8% β-glucan (P < 0.05); plasma immunoglobulin M, complement 3 and complement 4 contents were improved by dietary β-glucan inclusion (P < 0.05); respiratory burst activity of macrophages was improved by the addition of 0.2% β-glucan (P < 0.05). Additionally, dietary β-glucan supplementation reduced the mortality rate and increased the relative percentage survival of GIFT challenged by A. hydrophila (P < 0.05). These results indicated that suitable β-glucan inclusion (0.4–0.8%) could promote the antioxidant status, immune response and disease resistance of GIFT, and β-glucan can be used as a feed additive for GIFT.

Effect of dietary β-glucan on intestinal microbial diversity and Salmonella vaccine immunogenicity and efficacy in pigs

Alternatives to antibiotics to improve animal performance, limit the negative impact of infectious disease, and/or reduce colonization with foodborne pathogens is a major focus of animal agricultural research. β-glucans, a generally-recognized-as-safe (GRAS) product derived from various sources, are used in swine and can serve as both a prebiotic and/or stimulant of the immune system given the expression of β-glucan receptors on immune cells. When supplied in the diet of nursery pigs, it is unclear how dietary additives, particularly those known to modulate immune status, impact immunogenicity and efficacy of mucosal-delivered vaccines. Salmonellosis is one of the most common bacterial foodborne infections in the United States, and consumption of contaminated pork is a major source of human infection. Reduction of foodborne Salmonella in pigs via vaccination is one strategy to reduce contamination risk and subsequently reduce human disease. We examined the ability of dietary β-glucan to modulate fecal microbial diversity, and immunogenicity and efficacy of a mucosally-delivered, live-attenuated Salmonella vaccine during the nursery period. While dietaryβ-glucan did modulate fecal alpha diversity, it did not alter the induction of peripheral Salmonella-specific IFN-γ secreting Tcells or Salmonella-specific IgA in oral fluids. In addition, vaccination reduced Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium fecal shedding and tissue colonization. Overall, addition of β-glucan to the nursery diet of pigs impacted the microbiota but did not alter mucosal vaccine immunogenicity and efficacy.

Dietary β-glucan influences the expression of testicular aquaporins, antioxidative defence genes and sperm quality traits in endangered golden mahseer, Tor putitora (Hamilton, 1822)

The effect of dietary β-glucan on seminal plasma composition, sperm characteristics, expression of aquaporins, and antioxidative defence genes of golden mahseer was evaluated. For that, four experimental diets containing 0 (control), 0.5, 1, and 1.5% β-glucan were fed to male golden mahseer brooders for 130 days. Feeding of 0.5% β-glucan was found to improve sperm characteristics, viz. sperm count, motility, viability, and morphology with no effect on gonadosomatic index and seminal plasma energy resources. The marked down-regulation in the transcript abundance of testicular aqp3a noticed in 1.5% β-glucan fed brooders corresponds to their poor sperm quality. Further, the mRNA expression of genes encoding antioxidant enzymes, namely gst and sod1, was lowest in 0.5% β-glucan fed brooders. In contrast, control and higher β-glucan (1 and 1.5%) groups displayed relatively higher expression levels of testicular gst and sod1. On the other hand, the higher seminal plasma total antioxidant capacity observed in 0.5 and 1% β-glucan fed brooders indicated increased scavenging ability of reactive oxygen species. Overall, supplementation of 0.5% β-glucan improved sperm quality and antioxidative potential, but the higher inclusion (1.5%) negatively affected sperm characteristics. Collectively, dietary β-glucan (0.5%) can be a practical approach to developing quality broodstock of golden mahseer.

Dietary β-glucan (MacroGard®) improves innate immune responses and disease resistance in Nile tilapia regardless of the administration period

The effects of dietary β-glucan on innate immune responses have been shown in a number of different vertebrate species. However, there is conflicting information about the period of administration (shorter vs. longer), and it is also unclear to what extent β-glucan's effects can be observed post-treatment in fish. Thus, we fed Nile tilapia for 0 (control group; 45 days of control diet), 15 (30 days of control followed by 15 days of β-glucan), 30 (15 days of control followed by 30 days of β-glucan) or 45 days with a diet containing 0.1% of β-glucan (MacroGard®). We evaluated the growth performance at the end of the β-glucan feeding trial and the innate immune function immediately after the feeding trial and 7 and 14 days post-feeding trial. In addition, at day 10 post-feeding trial, we assessed the tilapia's resistance against a bacterial infection. No significant differences were observed in growth performance between the groups; however, fish fed with β-glucan for 30 and 45 days had higher (approx. 8%) relative weight gain compared to the control. Regardless of the administration period, fish fed with β-glucan had higher innate immune responses immediately after the feeding trial such as lysozyme activity in plasma, liver and intestine and respiratory burst compared to the control, and in general these differences were gradually reduced over the withdrawal period (up to 14 days). No differences were observed in the plasma hemolytic activity of the complement or myeloperoxidase activity in plasma or intestine. Moreover, fish from the control group had early mortalities (2 vs. 4–5 days post-infection, respectively) and a lower survival rate (60 vs. 80%, respectively) compared to fish fed with β-glucan for 15 or 30 days, and, interestingly, fish fed for 45 days with β-glucan had no mortality. This study indicates that regardless of the administration period (i.e., 15 up to 45 days), the β-glucan improved the innate immune responses and the tilapia's resistance to disease, and this protection could be observed up to 10 days post-feeding trial, adding in vivo evidence that β-glucan may contribute to a trained innate immunity. Additionally, we showed that a longer period of administration did not cause immunosuppression as previously hypothesized but promoted further growth and immune performance. These findings are relevant to the aquaculture industry and demonstrate that a longer β-glucan feeding protocol may be considered to achieve better results.

PSIV-29 Effects of dietary β-glucan on intestinal gene expression of weanling pigs experimentally infected with a pathogenic E. coli.

PSIV-29 Effects of dietary β-glucan on intestinal gene expression of weanling pigs experimentally infected with a pathogenic E. coli.

Response of the intestinal mucosal barrier of carp (Cyprinus carpio) to a bacterial challenge by Aeromonas hydrophila intubation after feeding with β-1,3/1,6-glucan.

The effect of dietary β-glucan on the bacterial community in the gut of common carp (Cyprinus carpio) was examined after oral application of Aeromonas hydrophila. Carp received either feed supplemented with 1% MacroGard® , a β-1,3/1,6-glucan, or a β-glucan-free diet. Fourteen days after feeding, half of the carp from each group were intubated with 109 colony-forming units (CFU) of a pathogenic strain of A. hydrophila. Gut samples were taken 12hr to 7days after application and analysed using microbiological and molecular biological techniques (NGS, RT-PCR-DGGE). The reaction of the mucosa and the microbiota to an A. hydrophila intubation differed in carp fed with β-glucan compared to carp from the control group. In β-glucan fed carp, the total bacterial amount was lower but the number of bacterial species was higher. Bacterial composition was different for carp from both treatment groups. The number of mucin filled goblet cells was reduced in carp fed the β-glucan diet. Mucus was obviously released from the goblet cells and was probably washed out of the gut together with high numbers of bacteria. This might be protective against pathogenic bacteria and, therefore, feeding with β-glucan may provide protection against infections of the gut in carp.

069 Effects of dietary β-glucan on growth performance, diarrhea, and gut permeability of weanling pigs experimentally infected with a pathogenic Escherichia coli

069 Effects of dietary β-glucan on growth performance, diarrhea, and gut permeability of weanling pigs experimentally infected with a pathogenic Escherichia coli

식이 베타-글루칸이 흰쥐의 장내 단쇄지방산 조성 및 장내환경 개선에 미치는 영향

식이 베타-글루칸이 흰쥐의 장내 단쇄지방산 조성 및 장내환경 개선에 미치는 영향

Effects of dietary β-glucan on the growth and innate immune response of juvenile Persian sturgeon, Acipenser persicus.

The present study evaluated the effects of different levels of dietary β-glucan (MacroGard(®)) on growth performance and innate immune parameters in juvenile Persian sturgeon (Acipenser persicus). Fish (20.1 ± 0.8 g) were allocated into 12 tanks (15 fish per tank) and triplicate groups were fed a control diet or diets containing 0.1%, 0.2% and 0.3% β-glucan. After six weeks of daily feeding (3.0% body weight day(-1)), humoral innate immune parameters (serum immunoglobulin (Ig) levels, lysozyme activity and alternative complement activity (ACH50)) and growth parameters (final weight, weight gain, specific growth rate (SGR), food conversion ratio (FCR)) were examined. Innate immune responses (lysozyme activity and ACH50) were significantly higher in 0.2% and 0.3% β-glucan fed fish (P < 0.05). Similarly, elevated growth performance (final weight, SGR and FCR) was observed in fish fed 1%, 2% and 3% β-glucan compared to the control group (P < 0.05). However, dietary β-glucan had no significant effect on survival rate of fish (P > 0.05). These results indicate that β-glucan can be considered as a beneficial dietary supplement for improving the immune response and growth performance of Persian sturgeon.

베타-글루칸의 고지방 식이 유도 비만쥐에서 체지방 및 혈청지질 개선효과

본 연구는 미생물 유래 베타-글루칸의 항비만 효과를 검증하기 위하여 동물실험을 통해 식이 베타-글루칸이 체지방 형성과 혈중 지질에 미치는 영향을 조사하였다. Sprague-Dawley종 흰쥐를 6주간 고지방 식이로 사육하여 비만을 유도한 후 베타-글루칸을 각각 식이 무게의 0%(고지방 대조군), 0.1%, 0.5%로 함유한 식이로 5주간 사육하였다. 정상 대조군은 AIN-76A 식이로 사육하였다. 고지방식이군에서 단위체중당 체지방이 많았으며, 0.1% 베타-글루칸 공급은 고지방 식이에 의해 유도된 복막지방, 내장지방 축적을 각각 16%와 19% 억제하였고, 혈중 렙틴을 28% 감소시켰다(P 【This study was aimed to investigate the effect of dietary ${\beta}$ -glucan obtained from bacterial fermentation on the adiposity and serum lipids level in rats. Sprague-Dawley rats fed high fat diet for 6 weeks to induce obesity, and subsequently fed with 0% (high fat control group), 0.1% or 0.5% ${\beta}$ -glucan supplemented high-fat diets (w/w) for another 5 weeks. For comparison, normal control groups fed AIN-76A diet. Supplemented with 0.1% ${\beta}$ -glucan resulted in a significant reduction of high-fat induced peritoneal fat and visceral fat development by 16%, 19%, and 28%, respectively(P ${\beta}$ -glucan(P ${\beta}$ -glucan reduced adiposity and improved serum lipids in obese rats fed high fat diet. The present study suggest that ${\beta}$ -glucan supplementation to the diet is beneficial in suppressing diet-induced obesity and dyslipidemia.】

Effects of dietary β-glucan on maternal immunity and fry quality of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

The effects of dietary β-glucan on fry quality of rainbow trout were studied. Two feeding trials were conducted with rainbow trout broodstock (trial 1) and fry (trial 2). The experimental diets contained 0 (control), 0.1% and 0.2% β-1,3/1,6 yeast glucan. In trial 1, 45 female rainbow trout were randomly divided into three experimental groups (15 fish per group) and were fed with one of the three experimental diets over three months prior to spawning. In trial 2, fry descending from the control fed broodstock were allocated to three different treatment groups: control fed (L1, considered as the control), 0.1% β-glucan fed (L2), and 0.2% β-glucan fed (L3). The fry from the 0.1% β-glucan fed mothers were divided into two dietary groups: control fed (L4) and 0.1% β-glucan fed (L5), and the fry from 0.2% β-glucan fed females were also allocated to two treatment groups: control fed (L6) and 0.2% β-glucan fed (L7). In trial 2, the fry were fed with one of the experimental diets for two months. Brood fish fed the diet with 0.2% β-glucan exhibited the highest white blood cell (WBC) value, ACH50 and lysozyme activity (P < 0.05). Total Ig and IgM levels were significantly higher (P < 0.05) in all β-glucan fed females compared to broodstock fed the control diet. The ACH50 level was also significantly (P < 0.05) higher in oocytes from females fed 0.2% β-glucan diet compared to those of other groups. No significant differences (P > 0.05) in survival rates (from fertilization to swim-up stages) were found among dietary treatments. In trial 2, dietary β-glucan resulted in better final weight, WG and SGR in groups L2, L3, L5 and L7. ACH50, lysozyme, total Ig and IgM levels were significantly higher in group L3 compared to the control (L1), and comparable with those in group L7. The challenge experiment with Yersinia ruckeri showed that relative percent survival (RPS) was highest in L3, L5 and L7. The results indicated that administration of 0.2% β-glucan to rainbow trout fry only instead of feeding both brood fish and fry could have the same positive effects in promoting the immunity of fry and resistance to Y. ruckeri.

Effect of dietary β-glucan on immune response and disease resistance against Aeromonas hydrophila in giant freshwater prawn, Macrobrachium rosenbergii (de Man. 1879)

Macrobrachium rosenbergii juveniles (0.34 ± 0.01 g) were fed with β-glucan-incorporated diets at levels 0.0, 1.0, 2.0 and 3.0 g kg−1 diet. After 60 days of feeding trial, immune response and resistance to Aeromonas hydrophila were studied. Immune parameters, namely prophenol oxidase, super anion production, total hemolymph protein and total hemocyte count, were found significantly different (p < 0.05) in 1.0 g kg−1 β-glucan-incorporated diet. The relative percentage survival was observed significantly higher (p < 0.05) in 1.0 g kg−1 β-glucan inclusion level, after challenged against A. hydrophila. These results indicated that dietary level of β-glucan at 1.0 g kg−1 could enhance immune responses and resistance to A. hydrophila in M. rosenbergii.

Effects of single or combined dietary supplementation of β-glucan and kefir on growth performance, blood characteristics and meat quality in broilers

1. This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary β-glucan and kefir (a fermented milk product) on growth performance, blood profiles, relative organ weight and meat quality in broilers.2. A total of 375 day-of-hatch mixed sex ROSS 308 broilers (BW of 46 ± 0.1 g) were used in a 5-week experiment and randomly allotted to one of the following dietary treatments: (1) NC, basal diet; (2) PC, basal diet + 40 mg/kg of avilamycin; (3) B, NC + 0.1% β-glucan; (4) K, NC + 0.1% kefir; (5) BK, NC + 0.1% β-glucan + 0.1% kefir.3. During weeks 0–3, broilers in B, K and BK treatments had higher body weight gain (BWG) than those in NC treatment. During weeks 4–5, BK treatment had a higher BWG than NC treatment. Overall, broilers given PC, K and BK diets had higher BWG than those given NC diet. The feed efficiency ratio (FCR) was improved by PC treatment.4. Relative liver weight was increased by B treatment, whereas the relative weight of breast meat and gizzard was higher in BK group than that in NC group. Broilers given PC, B and BK diets had greater breast meat redness value and reduced drip loss at d 5 and d 7. The cooking loss was also reduced by B and BK treatments compared with NC treatment.5. In conclusion, the results suggested that inclusion of 0.1% β-glucan and 0.1% kefir, either individually or combined, would improve growth performance and benefit meat quality in broiler chickens.

Effects of dietary β-glucan on the growth, immune responses and resistance of sea cucumber, Apostichopus japonicus against Vibrio splendidus infection

An eight-week feeding trial was conducted to determine the effects of dietary supplementation of β-glucan on the growth, immunity and resistance of sea cucumber against Vibrio splendidus infection. A basal diet was formulated to contain 20.6% crude protein and 4.8% crude lipid. Two levels (1.25 and 2.50 g/kg) of β-glucan were added to the basal diet to replace wheat. After the feeding trial, a V. splendidus injection challenge was executed to test the effects of β-glucan on disease resistance. Enhanced growth was observed in sea cucumber fed diet supplemented with 1.25 g glucan/kg, but not in sea cucumber fed diet supplemented with 2.50 g glucan/kg. The coelomocyte phagocytosis activity of sea cucumber fed β-glucan-supplemented diets was significantly ( P < 0.05) higher than those of sea cucumbers fed the basal diet. In addition, phenoloxidase activity of coelomocytes was significantly ( P < 0.05) enhanced by dietary supplementation of β-glucan. Sea cucumbers fed 1.25 g/kg glucan had a significant ( P < 0.05) increase in respiratory burst of coelomocytes, compared to sea cucumber fed diet containing 2.50 g β-glucan/kg; however, coelomocyte respiratory burst of sea cucumber fed 2.50 g β-glucan/kg diet was not significantly different from those of sea cucumber fed the basal diet. The challenge test showed that dietary supplementation of β-glucan at inclusion level of 1.25 g/kg conferred significant protection to sea cucumber against V. splendidus infection. However, protective effect of β-glucan supplementation at 2.50 g/kg was marginal. It is concluded that dietary β-glucan has potential for use in diet formulations of sea cucumber to limit the adverse effects of V. splendidus, however, dosage should be an important consideration in administration.

Effects of dietary β-glucan and glycyrrhizin on non-specific immunity and disease resistance of white shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei (Boone) challenged with Vibrio alginolyticus

The white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei, fed immunostimulant-free, 0.2%β-glucan and 0.06% glycyrrhizin diets for 18 days, respectively, were challenged with Vibrio alginolyticus at 6.4 × 104 CFU shrimp−1. The total haemocyte count (THC), phenoloxidase (PO) activity, respiratory burst (RB) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity changes for a 120-h period were investigated, and shrimp mortality was also recorded. The results showed that PO activity, RB and SOD activity were significantly higher in shrimp fed the two immunostimulant diets after 18 days than those in shrimp fed immunostimulant-free diets. The THC and SOD activity decreased significantly from 0 to 24 h post challenge, and then reverted to normal levels at 96 and 72 h respectively. The values for PO activity and RB increased from 0 to 48 h post challenge. Compared with those fed the control diets, shrimp fed immunostimulants had significantly higher PO activity and RB values at 120 h post challenge. Mortalities after challenge with V. alginolyticus were significantly lower in shrimp fed with β-glucan or glycyrrhizin than in those fed with a diet without immunostimulants. It was concluded that dietary β-glucan and glycyrrhizin increased the shrimp immunity. Furthermore, β-glucan caused an increase in some immune parameters 12 h earlier than glycyrrhizin after V. alginolyticus challenge.

Effects of dietary β-glucan and glycyrrhizin on non-specific immunity and disease resistance of the sea cucumber (Apostichopus japonicus Selenka) challenged with Vibrio splendidus

Sea cucumbers, Apostichopus japonicus Selenka, were fed diets containing non-immunostimulant (basal diet), 0.2% β-glucan and 0.02% glycyrrhizin in a recirculatory water system for 45 days, and subsequently challenged with Vibrio splendidus by injection at 1.0×108 cfu / sea cucumber for 15 days. Phagocytic capacity (PC), intracellular superoxide anion production (ISAP), lysozyme (LSZ) activity and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in the coelomic fluid were analyzed on the 0th, 5th, 10th and 15th days after injection. Results showed that after the 45-day feeding period, PC, ISAP, LSZ activity and SOD activity in sea cucumbers fed with dietary β-glucan or glycyrrhizin were significantly higher than in those fed with the basal diet. On the 5th day after infection, all the immune parameters examined in the sea cucumbers injected with V. splendidus decreased in value significantly. On the 15th day, PC, ISAP and LSZ activity returned to levels similar to those on the 0th day. For the sea cucumbers injected with saline, there were no significant differences in all the immune parameters examined and in the cumulative morbidity during the 15-day challenging trial. After injecting with V. splendidus, the cumulative morbidity of sea cucumbers fed with the basal diet was significantly higher than those fed with dietary β-glucan or glycyrrhizin when challenged with V. splendidus challenged sea cucumber fed with the basal diet was significantly higher than those fed with dietary β-glucan or glycyrrhizin. There was no significant difference in cumulative morbidity between the dietary β-glucan and glycyrrhizin treatments over time.

고지방 식이로 유도된 비만쥐에서 식이 베타글루칸이 체지방 형성 및 혈청 지질에 미치는 영향

본 연구는 글루코즈 중합체인 β-glucan의 에너지 대사 조절에 미치는 영향과 항 비만 효과를 살펴보기 위하여 수행하였다. 6주간 고지방 섭취로 유도된 비만 쥐에게 β-glucan을 식이의 1%, 5%로 6주간 공급하였고, 체지방 형성 및 분포와 지방세포 크기를 측정하였고 혈중 지질함량을 분석하였다. 연구 결과를 종합해 보면 다음과 같다. 1) 체중 증가량과 식이효율은 고지방 식이군에서 높았으며 β-glucan 군에서는 고지방 식이군과 비교시 감소하는 경향을 보였다. 2) 고지방식이군에서 단위체중당 체지방이 많았으며, β-glucan 식이군에서 내장 지방무게와 복막 지방 무게가 감소하여 β-glucan 섭취에 의해 체지방 축적이 억제됨을 보여주었다. 3) β-glucan 식이군에서 지방 세포 크기가 감소하여 β-glucan 섭취가 지방 세포의 지방축적을 억제함으로써 체지방 형성을 감소시킴을 나타내었다. 4) β-glucan 식이군에서 HDL 콜레스테롤 수준은 증가하여 β-glucan 섭취가 지질 대사를 개선시킬 수 있음을 보여주었다. 결론적으로, β-glucan은 지질 대사 개선을 유도하여 체지방형성과 축적을 억제함으로써 항 비만 효과를 나타내는 것으로 보인다.