Carboxymethylation of β-Glucan from Pythium insidiosum: Structural characterization and preliminary adsorption evaluation of DON and T2 toxin

Carbohydr Res. 2025 Jan:547:109323. doi: 10.1016/j.carres.2024.109323. Epub 2024 Nov 17.

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the impact of carboxymethylation on the structural and functional properties of β-glucan derived from the pathogenic oomycete Pythium insidiosum. β-Glucan was extracted and subjected to carboxymethylation (CM-glucan), with structural changes analyzed using 13C and 1H NMR spectroscopy. The modified β-glucan's ability to adsorb mycotoxins, specifically deoxynivalenol (DON) and T2 toxin, was assessed through in vitro adsorption assays. Results demonstrated that the adsorption of DON by CM-glucan increased from 0 % to 59.11 %, corresponding to the adsorption of approximately 1.18 μg of DON from the initial concentration (2 μg/mL). Similarly, the adsorption of T2 toxin increased slightly from 0 % to 4.54 %, corresponding to 0.09 μg of T2 toxin adsorbed from the initial concentration (2 μg/mL). These findings underscore the potential of chemical modifications to enhance the functional properties of natural polysaccharides, suggesting future applications in mycotoxin adsorption and other biological properties across various areas.

Keywords: Adsorption; Deoxynivalenol (DON); Pythium insidiosum; T2 toxin; β-Glucan.

MeSH terms

  • Adsorption
  • Methylation
  • Pythium* / chemistry
  • Pythium* / drug effects
  • T-2 Toxin* / chemistry
  • Trichothecenes* / chemistry
  • beta-Glucans* / chemistry

Substances

  • beta-Glucans
  • Trichothecenes
  • T-2 Toxin
  • deoxynivalenol