With the improvement of living standards, people pay more and more attention to health. The dimensions for health evaluation include both the [good spirit] in external overall state and the [enhanced immunity] in internal immune system. Improving own immunity seems to have become a greater focus since the COVID-19 outbreak. In the meanwhile, people's understanding of health management has extended from medical drugs and health food to functional nutritious food, beverages and other aspects.

Now, in the post-COVID-19 era, people's desire for immunity is unprecedented. Mintel GNPD search comparison shows that: in the first quarter of 2021, functional foods with immune health claims increased by 27.6% (beverages by 29.7%) over the same quarter of 2020, the largest increase among the top ten functional positioning.

Consumers' great interest in the immunization market has spawned a huge market for immunity-related products. Many immune-healthy raw materials emerge in an endless stream. In addition to domestic raw materials, foreign-related raw materials have successively entered the Chinese market, providing a driving force for the innovation of immune health products. Among them, Ganoderma lucidum, wolfberry and other medicinal and edible Chinese herbs are on the list, and yeast β-glucan as the representative of immune-enhancing raw materials has also showed a trend of outbreak.

Yeast β-glucan

β-glucan can be widely found in various organisms in nature. It should be noted that glucans from different sources have different structures, physiological activities and immune regulation capabilities. For example, the glucan in cereal species is mainly composed of β-1,3/1,4-glycosidic bonds, and its main function is to reduce lipids and regulate blood sugar level, but it does not have the function of enhancing immune activity. The glucan in bacteria is formed by simple β-1,3 glycosidic bonds, which cannot effectively bind to the receptors of immune cells, so it does not have a good immune stimulation function.

Yeast β-glucan is a pure natural glucan component existing in the yeast cell wall, and its unique β-1,3/1,6 molecular structure is the key to its immune "power". In some studies, the effects of yeast β-glucan on cellular immune function, humoral immune function and monocyte-macrophage function were evaluated in mice given different doses of yeast β-glucan. The results showed that, in contrast to the control group, yeast β-glucan could improve and promote cellular immunity, humoral immunity and macrophage function in mice.

The immune "strength" of yeast β-glucan is even more manifested in the human body. Further studies found that orally administered yeast β-glucan is taken up by micro pleated cells on the surface of intestinal lymph nodes, where it binds to specific receptors on the surface of neutrophilic granulocytes to initiate the antibacterial activity of neutrophilic granulocytes, inducing their migration to the infection site to improve the bactericidal function and prevent the invasion of pathogens to the human body, thereby ensuring the health of the body.

Application of Yeast β-glucan in Beverages

In 2010, yeast β-glucan was approved as a new resource food (≤250mg/d) by the Ministry of Health (now the National Health Commission (NHC) of the People's Republic of China) in Doc. 9 (2010); in 2021, the NHC approved yeast β-glucan as a nutrient supplement for infant and baby formula powder and children's milk powder. As a result, yeast β-glucan is widely used in various foods.

However, yeast β-glucan is inherently insoluble in water, which limits its application in beverages. To solve this problem, Angel Yeast has developed a water-soluble yeast β-glucan (SG90), which, in addition to own good immune-enhancing effect, also has good solubility in water. Besides, the addition of does not affect the color and smell of beverages, and SG90 can maintain long-term good stability in aqueous solutions. Therefore, SG90 is particularly suitable for addition to beverages as functional food raw materials.

Examples of Application in Beverages – Angel Yeast β-glucan Juice

Ingredients: water, boysenberry juice, elderberry juice, cranberry juice, conifer cherry powder, yeast β-glucan, erythritol, sucralose, citric acid and edible essence

Spec.: 500ml/bottle

Positioning: immune-enhancing drinks

Features: 0 sucrose; yeast β-glucan: immunity booster; conifer cherry: natural Vc

Examples of Application in Beverages – Angel Yeast β-glucan Elderberry Flavored Drink

Ingredients: water, xylitol, galacto-oligosaccharides, elderberry juice concentrate, yeast β-glucan, lactic acid, vitamin C, pectin, sodium carboxymethyl cellulose and xanthan gum

Spec.: 15mL/bag

Positioning: immune-enhancing drinks

Features: 0 sucrose; yeast β-glucan and elderberry: immunity boosters.

About Angel Human Health：

Specialized in yeast and fermentation, AHH is committed to developing innovative, differentiated, science-based functional ingredients and customized solutions, to help our customers get enduring success, as well as contribute to a healthier and sustainable world together.

About Angel:

Angel Yeast Company is a high-tech listed company specializing in yeast and biotech. Product business covers Yeast and Baking, Yeast Extract-Savoury, Nutrition & Health and Biotechnology fields. It is one of the world's leading companies in the yeast industry. Angel has 12 holding subsidiaries and provides products and services for more than 150 countries and regions.

Press Contact:

ANGEL YEAST CO., LTD

Address: 168 Chengdong Avenue, Yichang, Hubei 443003, P. R.China

Tel: +86 717 6369570

Email: Nutritech@angelyeast.com