Triple helix conformation of botryosphaeran, a (1 -> 3;1 -> 6)-beta-D-glucan produced by Botryosphaeria rhodina MAMB-05

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Botryosphaeran, a (1 -> 3;1 -> 6)-beta-D-glucan produced by Botryosphaeria rhodina MAMB-05, was found to be present in a triple helix conformation from helix-coil transition studies using Congo Red. The triple helix conformation was disrupted at increasing alkali concentrations. Conformational changes were also observed using phenanthrene as a fluorescent probe, and the fluorescence intensity decreased 80% in the presence of dimethyl sulfoxide. The results confirmed the triple helix conformation of botryosphaeran, an important property manifesting biological response modifying activity. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.