Beta-Glucanase for Glucans in Foods
Solve viscosity, filtration, and yield losses caused by beta glucans in grain-based foods and process streams with a reliable industrial enzyme.
In industrial food manufacturing, beta glucans—polysaccharides naturally present in grains such as barley, oats, and rye—can transform smooth-running operations into slow, high-viscosity bottlenecks. They raise mash thickness, drag down filtration rates, and disrupt pumping efficiency, which can compromise product clarity, yield, and consistency. The challenge for technical and procurement teams is to control these effects without sacrificing quality standards or compliance requirements. Beta-Glucanase, an enzyme originating from Trichoderma reesei or Aspergillus niger, specifically hydrolyses β-(1→3) and β-(1→4) linkages in beta glucans, breaking them into shorter, more manageable fragments. This targeted action lowers viscosity, improves flow, and enhances throughput in wet processing lines. By integrating at moderate temperatures and within pH 4.0–6.0, it fits seamlessly into existing processes. It benefits grain processors, brewers, and ingredient manufacturers working with cereal and mixed systems, as well as those producing controlled beta-glucan oligosaccharides for functional foods. Common dosage trials range from 50–300 g/t, tailored to solids load, residence time, and target viscosity reduction. Whether your goal is to streamline clarification, boost extraction, ease mash handling, or develop functional ingredients, beta-glucanase offers a scalable, food-grade solution to keep lines moving efficiently and consistently.
Brewing and Wort Filtration
Barley and adjunct grists can release beta glucans that raise wort viscosity and slow lautering. Beta-Glucanase helps break down these high-molecular-weight polysaccharides, improving runoff, reducing filter load, and supporting more stable brewhouse performance. Typical use conditions are pH 4.5–5.5 and 45°C–55°C, with dosage often tested at 50–200 g/t based on grain bill and mash profile.
Grain Processing for Foods
In oat and barley slurries, beta glucans can reduce pumpability and prolong separation steps. Beta-glucanase lowers viscosity early in processing, helping improve extraction efficiency, transferability, and filtration rate. This is useful in cereal bases, soup concentrates, and other food ingredient streams where consistent flow matters. Common process windows include pH 4.0–6.0 and 40°C–60°C.
Controlled Hydrolysis for Oligosaccharides
When the goal is ingredient creation rather than viscosity reduction alone, beta-Glucanase can be used for controlled hydrolysis of beta-glucans into shorter-chain oligosaccharides. This supports manufacturers developing functional food ingredients with tighter molecular-weight control and cleaner downstream handling. Dosage and reaction time are typically adjusted in the 100–300 g/t range to match desired degree of hydrolysis.
Bioethanol and High-Grain Mashes
In barley- or oat-based mash systems, beta glucans can create sticky, slow-moving slurries that limit throughput and fermentation efficiency. Beta-Glucanase reduces mash viscosity, improves mixing, and helps support higher grain loading without excessive process resistance. This application is especially relevant where plant operators need better flow, faster handling, and more predictable conversion under standard process temperatures.
| Parameter | Value |
| Activity range | 10,000 – 50,000 U/g |
| Optimal pH | 4.0 – 6.0 |
| Optimal temperature | 40°C – 60°C |
| Appearance | Light brown to tan powder |
| Shelf life | 12 months (sealed, cool, dry place) |
Frequently Asked Questions
What are beta glucans in food processing?
Beta glucans are soluble and insoluble polysaccharides found in grains such as barley, oats, and rye. In food processing, they can increase viscosity, slow filtration, and interfere with pumping or separation. While they may be valuable in some nutritional contexts, they are often a process challenge in manufacturing. Beta-Glucanase is used when the goal is to reduce that process burden by hydrolysing the glucan structure into smaller fragments.
How does beta-glucanase improve foods manufacturing operations?
Beta-Glucanase breaks down beta-glucans that make slurries thick and difficult to handle. By lowering viscosity, it can improve mixing, transfer, extraction, and filtration performance across grain-based food processes. For procurement teams, the value is measurable in shorter cycle times, fewer blockages, improved yields, and more stable line operation. Typical screening ranges are pH 4.0–6.0 and 40°C–60°C, depending on the substrate.
Can beta-glucanase be used for foods with high beta glucans like oats and barley?
Yes. Foods with high beta glucans, particularly oat and barley systems, are common industrial targets for this enzyme. The enzyme is applied to reduce viscosity and support better downstream handling in slurries, mashes, and extraction streams. Dosage is usually optimized through trials, often starting around 50–300 g/t, because substrate type, particle size, solids load, and process time all affect final performance.
Is beta-glucanase suitable for controlled hydrolysis applications?
Yes. Beta-Glucanase can be used either to reduce process viscosity or for controlled hydrolysis where beta-glucan oligosaccharides are the target. In ingredient development, operators often adjust dose, time, pH, and temperature to manage molecular-weight reduction and final functionality. This makes it suitable for B2B manufacturers developing cereal-derived ingredients, process aids, or texture-modifying systems.
What supply format and compliance options are available?
This beta-glucanase is supplied as a light brown to tan powder with a minimum order quantity of 25 kg, typically packed in 25 kg fiber drums or custom packaging. It is available as food-grade material and can be supplied with ISO 9001, HALAL, and KOSHER documentation. For procurement projects, shelf life is 12 months when stored sealed in a cool, dry place.
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Provide your substrate type, process pH/temperature, and viscosity reduction target. We'll suggest activity grade, dispatch a free 100 g sample with documentation, and quote bulk pricing within 24 hours.
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