Effect of γ-irradiation on antioxidant and antiproliferative properties of oat β-glucan

• Irradiation leads to depolymerization of oat β-glucan and reduced viscosity.
• Irradiated oat β-glucan exhibited increased antioxidant activity as compared to non-irradiated oat β-glucan.
• Irradiated oat β-glucan being more potent antiproliferative activity than non-irradiated β-glucan.

The present study was undertaken to examine effect of γ-rays on the antioxidant and antiproliferative potential of β-glucan isolated from oats. Irradiation doses of 0, 2, 6 and 10 kGy were given to extracted β-glucan. The samples were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, Gel permeation chromatography and quantitative estimation by (1-3) (1-4) β-d-Glucan assay kit (Megazyme). The average molecular weight of non-irradiated β-glucan was 199 kDa that decreased to 70 kDa at 10 kGy. Both FT-IR spectrum and chemical analysis revealed that the extracted β-glucan was pure having minor impurities. Antioxidant activity was evaluated by DPPH, lipid peroxidation, reducing power, metal chelating ability and oxidative DNA damage assays. Results revealed increased antioxidant activity of β-glucan with the increase in irradiation dose. Irradiated β-glucan also exhibited dose dependent cancer cell growth inhibition with irradiation doses. The study revealed that the low molecular weight β-glucan with increased antioxidant and antiproliferative activities can be produced by irradiation treatment.