Higher order structures of a bioactive, water-soluble (1→3)-β-d-glucan derived from Saccharomyces cerevisiae

► Soluble (1→3)-β-d-glucans (SBG) were studied by DLS, AFM and SEC-MALLS. ► Dilute solutions contain mixtures of single chains, triple-stranded chains and higher aggregates and particulate material. ► Particulate fractions are enriched in long chains which are most prone to chain association. ► The size distribution shifts to lower values upon heating, but hysteresis is observed when cooling.