Hericium Erinaceus β-glucan modulates in vitro wheat starch digestibility

The mechanism of Hericium Erinaceus beta-glucan inhibiting starch digestion has been seldom studied. In this study, the mechanism of inhibited starch digestion was explored in the context of interaction between beta-glucans of different molecular weights (Mw) and starch. The rates of starch digestion and glucose release decreased with increased Hericium erinaceus beta-glucan (HEBG) Mw. HEBG reduced leached amylose but increased peak, minimum and final viscosity. In laser confocal scanning microscopy experiments, HEBG was observed to coat the starch. The mechanisms of HEBG modulating glucose release and starch digestion might be due to increase system viscosity and coat starch. We address the specific mechanisms by which starch granules interact with beta-glucan molecules and thus contribute to further applications to develop starchy foods with low predicted Glycemic Index (pGI).