Oat beta-glucan is a soluble fiber. It is a viscous polysaccharide made up of units of the sugar D-glucose. Oat beta-glucan is comprised of mixed-linkage polysaccharides. This means that the bonds between the D-glucose or D-glucopyranosyl units are either beta-1, 3 linkages or beta-1, 4 linkages. This type of beta-glucan is also referred to as a mixed-linkage (1-3), (1-4)-beta-D-glucan. The (1-3)-linkages break up the uniform structure of the beta-D-glucan molecule and make it soluble and flexible. In comparison, the non-digestible polysaccharide cellulose is also a beta-glucan but is non-soluble. The reason that it is non-soluble is that cellulose consists only of (1-4)-beta-D-linkages. The percentages of beta-glucan in the various whole oat products are: oat bran, greater than 5.5% and up to 23.0%; rolled oats, about 4%; whole oat flour about 4%.
Oat beta-glucan is available as a free-flowing powder that is water-soluble and has a neutral taste. It can be used in capsules, tablets, opaque liquids, semi-solid foods and other applications. It enables applications in dietary supplements, foods, and beverages that were not previously possible due to formulation issues.
Oat beta-glucan, an oat-based ingredient may enable manufacturers to make an FDA heart health claim on their foods, beverages and supplements. Oat beta-glucan is a highly concentrated oat fiber that provides a cholesterol-reducing benefit at a more convenient dose level than previously possible.
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