The Function Of Yeast Polysaccharides

Adsorption of pathogenic bacteria
The main mechanism by which yeast cell wall polysaccharides can adsorb pathogenic bacteria is that mannan can interfere with the colonization of intestinal pathogens, thereby reducing the number of animal intestinal pathogenic microorganisms such as Salmonella and Escherichia coli. Pathogenic bacteria in the intestine (such as Escherichia coli, Salmonella, Clostridium difficile, etc.) have a protein substance (chitin like structure) on their cell surface or villi. By recognizing the specificity of animal intestinal wall cells and binding to their sugars, they colonize and grow on the intestinal wall, causing the occurrence of intestinal diseases. The mannans contained in the yeast cell wall are very similar to the receptors of pathogenic bacteria on the intestinal wall, and have strong binding ability with chitin. Therefore, mannan can competitively bind to pathogens. Yeast cell wall substances have the characteristic of acid resistance and can pass through the digestive tract intact without being damaged or degraded by stomach acid, digestive enzymes, etc. Therefore, they can carry pathogenic bacteria out of the body through the intestine, effectively reducing the occurrence of intestinal diseases. The yeast cell wall also has a strong adsorption effect on mycotoxins, which can effectively resist their toxicity. The study also found that if certain modifications are made to mannan, its ability to bind mycotoxins such as aflatoxin and zearalenone will be further enhanced. Therefore, the mannan in yeast cell walls is referred to as a novel adsorbent with wide application value.
antitumor activity
The polysaccharides in the yeast cell wall have anti-tumor effects because they can stimulate the reticuloendothelial system in the body to produce a large number of macrophages. The anti-tumor effect of beer yeast polysaccharides is directly related to the activation of macrophages in the body by yeast polysaccharides. Because yeast polysaccharides exhibit strong anti-tumor effects when co inoculated with tumor cells in mice, but the anti-tumor effect significantly decreases or even disappears when macrophage blocking agent silica powder is added. This situation indicates that beer yeast polysaccharides are activators of macrophages, and their anti-tumor activity is achieved through macrophages in the body. Macrophages need to undergo an activation process to kill tumor cells, and activated macrophages attack tumor cells through phagocytosis or cytotoxicity. After tumor cells are engulfed, they are destroyed by lysosomal enzymes released by macrophages or killed by toxic factors released by macrophages to inoculate tumor cells.
Reduce radiation damage
Yeast polysaccharides can alleviate radiation damage in irradiated animals. A study was conducted on the radiation protection effect of yeast mannan on mice irradiated with 812Gy60 Co gamma rays. It was found that the dynamic changes in survival rate, survival days, 40 day body weight, as well as differences in values such as WBC, RBC, PLT, and spleen index in external blood, all showed that yeast mannan has a protective effect on 60Co gamma ray radiation damage. Through these studies, the development of mannan solution as an adjuvant drug for radiation damage protection has experimental evidence. The production of mannan preparations also has important parameters.
Antiviral effect
Research has found that yeast polysaccharides have significant activity against poliovirus type III, enterovirus type 6, coxsackievirus A16, B3, novel enterovirus type 71, vesicular stomatitis virus, adenovirus type III, and herpes simplex virus types I and II. Its mechanism of action is that yeast polysaccharides not only have the ability to inactivate, but also have inhibitory effects on viruses inside and outside the cell.
Stimulate and enhance immune function
Many scholars have confirmed that yeast polysaccharides are non-toxic and non mutagenic, and can significantly enhance immune function. The yeast cell wall contains a large amount of β -1-3-D glucan and mannan, which exert non-specific immunity against diseases caused by bacteria, fungi, and viruses, as well as stress responses caused by transportation, colonization, inoculation, climate, and other factors. Research has found that mannan has the ability to activate the immune system response. Yeast polysaccharides can significantly enhance the immune adhesion ability of red blood cells. The anti-inflammatory function of yeast mannan significantly improved after sulfation treatment. Research has shown that when yeast polysaccharides are encapsulated in liposomes, their immune enhancement effect is prominent, and their immune function is strongly activated.