Levan Exerts Health Benefit Effect through Alteration in Bifidobacteria Population

BAckground: Recently, exploring novel dietary nondigestible carbohydrates, which are able to influence the gut flora, has drawn much attention. The objective of this study was to find out the effective dose of levan, as a prebiotic, in rats in order to further apply in food industry. Methods: Levan at various doses (2-10%) was orally administered to male Wistar Albino rats once a day for 90 days. At the end of experiment, fecal and blood samples were collected to measure gut bacteria population and to carry out serum biochemical assay. The rats were sacrificed, and the colon tissues were stained with hematoxylin and eosin and analyzed by histopathology. Results: Of note, levan effectively controlled body weight gain in the rats. Serum biochemical analysis revealed that 5% levan significantly diminished the serum level of total cholesterol, LDL, and glucose as well. More notably, 5% levan intake significantly increased the abundance of bifidobacteria population, highlighting its bifidogenic effect. Furthermore, our histopathological result revealed that daily intake of levan was associated with a higher degree of thickness of the mucosa layer compared to the rats in control group. Moreover, these findings manifested no colon inflammation in the rats fed with levan. Conclusion: The findings of this study provide the fundamental data to use levan at a definite dose for further development in functional foods.

From healing wounds to resorbable electronics, levan can fill bioadhesive roles in scores of markets.

Levan is a fructose homopolysaccharide which gained attention recently for its unusual combination of properties distinguishing it from other natural biodegradable polysaccharides like chitosan, cellulose or starch. Among the strongest bioadhesives, film-forming levan is garnering interest for its role in some simple solutions to difficult problems. One of these is illustrated by the elegant research using laser-based techniques to construct levan films for healing wounds and burned tissue. Another is the development of bioresorbable electronic implants. Levan has been found in habitats as diverse as salterns and thermal waters to tropical plants and sugar factories. This review of the low viscosity, levan adhesive describes the mechanisms by which it forms bonds and the reasons behind some of its practical and industrial applications. Here we present descriptions from the literature for feasible approaches ready to transition from the laboratory to those searching for answers in fields as varied as medicine, packaging and furniture assembly.

Formation of new, cytocompatible hydrogels based on photochemically crosslinkable levan methacrylates.

Levan is a high molecular weight fructose-based biotechnologically available polysaccharide with a range of interesting properties qualifying this molecule for applications in biomedicine. In this study, new levan derivatives containing methacrylate groups attached either via ester or urethane linkages to the fructan backbone could be synthesized and structurally characterized by conventional analytical techniques. The photochemical crosslinking of these substances applying different photoinitiator systems and reaction conditions resulted in hydrogels of diverse properties which were investigated with regard to mechanical behaviour, hydrolytic degradability, and cytocompatibility. It was found that crosslinkable levan derivatives represent a new class of promising biopolymer-based macromers broadening the spectrum of available biomaterials to facilitate the adaption to the requirements of specific applications.

Review of Levan polysaccharide: From a century of past experiences to future prospects.

Levan is a fascinating ß-(2,6)-linked fructose polymer with an unusual combination of properties characterized in this review. In nature, levan is synthesized from sucrose by a wide range of microorganisms and a few plant species. Bacterial levans often have molecular weights over 500,000Da, are commonly branched, and form compact nanospheres offering a broad spectrum of applications. The most relevant genetic, biochemical and structural aspects of the biosynthetic enzyme levansucrase are detailed. Optimization of parameters for levan production by intact bacteria and by the isolated enzyme is surveyed. The diversity of current and potential applications of levan is illustrated by a discussion of uses ranging from personal care and aquaculture to the medical and food industries.