Nutraceutical aspects of β-glucan with application in food products

There is a growing demand for nutraceuticals ingredients with industrial applications. Among these nutraceuticals β-glucan is favored because of its availability from numerous sources and positive impact on metabolic parameters. A lot of practical sources have been identified for extraction of β-glucan. The chemistry of β-glucan somewhat differs in these sources but all of the types may act as potential candidates for industrial and nutraceutical ingredient. At industrial level it can act as stabilizer, emulsifier, fat replacer, viscosity modifier, texturizer, and film-forming agent. As a nutraceutical its use is associated with lowering of blood glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides, and LDL. The role of β-glucan as dietary fiber is also acknowledged by the FDA and other renowned agencies around the globe. As dietary fiber it may act as antidiabetic, anticonstipation, hypolipidemic, and bile acid scavenging agent. Future research should be focused to explore more avenues for the application of β-glucan in industry as nutraceutical and functional ingredients.