Carboxymethylated (1 --> 3)-beta-D-glucan protects liposomes against ultraviolet light-induced lipid peroxidation.

In this study we have analyzed antioxidant capabilities of the carboxymethylated (1 --> 3)-beta-D-glucan (M(w) = 5.88 x 10(5)) against lipid peroxidation induced by ultraviolet (UV) radiation--UVA (320-400 nm), which is known to produce mainly singlet oxygen, (1)O(2) . 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)-beta-D-glucan derivative studied is an antioxidant with the scavenging ability lying between alpha-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.