Abstract
This study evaluated the change in anti-allergy activity of ${\beta}-glucan$ by electron beam irradiation. ${\beta}-Glucan$ was irradiated at dose of 50 kGy and then orally pre-treated with electron beam irradiated and non irradiated ${\beta}-Glucan$ for 7 days. After pre-treatment, allergy was induced by injection of ovalbumin (OVA). Serum total immunoglobulin E (IgE) and OVA-specific IgE levels in the allergic mice was significantly increased but the mice pre-treated 50 kGy electron beam irradiated ${\beta}-glucan$ was significantly decreased the levels of total IgE and OVA-specific IgE, respectively. Moreover, cytokine production (interleukin-4) was also decreased in the 50 kGy electron beam irradiated ${\beta}-Glucan$ pre-treated mice. These results indicate that pre-treatment of 50 kGy electron beam irradiated ${\beta}-glucan$ may elevate the anti-allergy activity. Therefore, electron beam-irradiated ${\beta}-glucan$ could be used for nutraceutical foods in food industry.