Perspective of β-Glucan as Functional Ingredient for Food Industry

β-Glucan is an important functional ingredient having many health benefits. A lot of sources for this valuable ingredient have been identified. β-Glucan from these sources may be extracted to fulfill the ever growing demand for nutraceutical product. The industrialists may also exploit this situation by using this functional ingredient for developing new nutraceutical products. Such products may provide health benefits beyond basic nutrition. Numerous health benefits of β-Glucan are documented in scientific literature that may range from simple stomach problem to complex defense shield against cancer. This review focuses on potential sources of β-glucan, health implications, industrial applications and immunomodulatory effect of β-glucan.