Beta-glucans from edible and medicinal mushrooms: Characteristics, physicochemical and biological activities

• The latest research insight into mushroom glucan is presented.
• Purification and quantification of mushroom β-glucan is summarized.
• Physicochemical properties of mushroom β-glucan are presented.
• Biological activities of mushroom β-glucan are reviewed.

One of the main active components from mushrooms was recently identified as β-glucan. Health-promoting β-glucans are an auspicious group of polysaccharides. β-Glucans from different sources such as cereals, yeast and grass have previously been documented. However, information on mushroom β-glucan is limited. This review summarizes the extraction, purification, quantification, and structural characterization of β-glucans, along with chemical and biological activities from this compound from mushrooms, and the current status of this research area with a view for future directions.