β-Glucan extracts as high-value multifunctional ingredients for skin health: a review

Pedro Sousa, Diana Tavares-Valente, Manuela Amorim, João Azevedo-Silva, Manuela Pintado, João Fernandes*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

20 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

β-Glucans, which are naturally present in cereals, yeast, and mushrooms, have gained attention as a potential natural source for functional foods and pharmaceuticals. Due to the availability of β-glucans from several sources, different extraction methods can be employed to obtain high purity extracts that can be further modified to enhance their solubility or other biological properties. Apart from their known ability to interact with the immune system, β-glucans possess specific properties that could benefit overall skin health and prevent age-related signs, including soothing and antioxidant activities. As a result, the use of β-glucans to mitigate damage caused by environmental stressors or skin-related issues that accelerate skin aging or trigger chronic inflammation may represent a promising, natural, eco-friendly, and cost-effective approach to maintaining skin homeostasis balance. This review outlines β-glucan extraction methodologies, molecular structure, functionalization approaches, and explores skin-related benefits of β-glucans, along with an overview of related products in the market.
Original languageEnglish
Article number121329
Number of pages14
JournalCarbohydrate Polymers
Volume322
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 15 Dec 2023

Keywords

  • Biological properties
  • Chemical modification
  • Extraction
  • Immunomodulation
  • Skincare
  • β-Glucans

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