# Changes in shape and size of the stiff branched β-glucan in dimethlysulfoxide/water solutions.
> DMSO/水混合溶液中における分岐型β-グルカンの形状・サイズ変化に関する研究


## Abstract

The conformational behavior of a short branched β-glucan (AF1) isolated from Auricularia auricula-judae was examined in DMSO/water mixed solvents using viscometry and static/dynamic light scattering. A pronounced reduction in both viscosity and molecular dimensions was observed within a narrow DMSO volume fraction window of 0.80–1.0, suggesting that the originally rigid polysaccharide chains adopt a more flexible configuration as intramolecular and intermolecular hydrogen bonds are disrupted. Dialysis-treated AF1 solutions showed an even narrower transition range of 0.90–1.0. Transmission electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy independently corroborated these conformational changes. The findings highlight how hydrogen-bond networks govern polysaccharide chain architecture, with implications for food science and pharmaceutical applications.

### Mechanism

Increasing DMSO concentration disrupts intramolecular and intermolecular hydrogen bonds within the β-glucan AF1, driving a conformational shift from rigid to flexible chain configurations as detected by light scattering and microscopy.

## Bibliographic

- **Authors**: Xu SM, Ping Z, Xu XY, Zhang LL
- **Journal**: Carbohydr Polym
- **Year**: 2016 (2016-03-15)
- **PMID**: [26794741](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26794741/)
- **DOI**: [10.1016/j.carbpol.2015.11.049](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.carbpol.2015.11.049)
- **Study type**: in vitro study
- **Delivery route**: in vitro
- **Effect reported**: not assessed

## Delivery context

This is basic research at the cellular or molecular level. For human application, inhalation is the most promising delivery route, but inhalation carries explosion risk and concentration matters (empirical LFL of 10%; high-concentration devices are not recommended).

## Safety notes

This is basic research at the cellular or molecular level. For human application, inhalation is the most promising delivery route, but inhalation carries explosion risk and concentration matters (empirical LFL of 10%; high-concentration devices are not recommended).

See also:
- [Inhalation concentration and LFL / UFL](https://h2-papers.org/en/safety-notes/inhalation-concentration)
- [Consumer Affairs Agency accident cases](https://h2-papers.org/en/safety-notes/accident-cases)
- [Inhalation safety threshold lineage](https://h2-papers.org/en/safety-notes/lineage)

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> **Cite as**: H2 Papers — PMID 26794741. https://h2-papers.org/en/papers/26794741
> **Source**: PubMed PMID [26794741](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26794741/)