Carboxymethylated (1 –> 3)- β -D-Glucan Protects Liposomes Against Ultraviolet Light-Induced Lipid Peroxidation

In this study we have analyzed antioxidant capabilities of the carboxymethylated (1 → 3)-β-D-Glucan (M_w = 5.88 × 10⁵) against lipid peroxidation induced by ultraviolet (UV) radiation—UVA (320–400 nm), which is known to produce mainly singlet oxygen, ¹O₂ . Lipid peroxidation was monitored by measuring the absorption spectra of the conjugated dienes and quantified by Klein oxidation index. The results imply that the (1 → 3)-β-D-Glucan derivative studied is an antioxidant with the scavenging ability lying between α-tocopherol and hyaluronic acid. Thus, glucan as a potential safe and effective dietary supplement may be used for a prolonged time for a systemic photoprotection of humans.