Preparation, characterization of nano scale beta glucan and its immune responses in zebrafish  

Nano materials developed from biodegradable polymers such as beta glucan have shown strong bioactive properties. Therefore, application of nano scale beta glucan would be a choice for developing better form of beta glucan based immunostimulants in aquaculture as well as biomedical applications.  In this study we prepared and characterized the nano scale beta glucan from Oat β- glucan (OβG) and investigated the immunomodulatory properties using zebrafish. Nano scale β- glucan was prepared through the optimizing the sonication of OβG with 1% tween 20. Addition of sodium deoxycholate aids was done to improve the stability of nano scale OβG.

The average size of nano scale (OβG) was about 430 nm, and showed the negative zeta potential value. Nano scale OβG preparation had a lower sedimentation rate and showed those particles remain in suspension longer or slow rate of aggregation compared to the normal OβG. Zebrafish (Danio rerio) larva was used to investigate the immunomodulatory properties of nano scale OβG. The result revealed that nano scale OβG can enhance the immune responses in zebrafish larvae and suggesting that it could be ideal immunostimulnat for aquaculture and other  pharmaceutical applications.