Efficient preparation of alkali-insoluble (1 → 3)-β-D-glucan

The alkali-insoluble (1 → 3)-β-d-glucan was prepared by alkaline-acid method and followed deproteinization by alkaline method using yeast cell wall as the starting material. The deproteinized product was characterized by infrared (IR) spectroscopy, and the polysaccharide components were analysed by paper chromatography. It indicated that the alkaline-acid method was an ideal way for preparing (1 → 3)-β-d-glucan. The obtained glucan had high purity and good yield.