Health-promoting effects of konjac glucomannan and its practical applications: A critical review.

Abstract

Konjac glucomannan (KGM) is a dietary fiber hydrocolloidal polysaccharide isolated from the tubers of Amorphophallus konjac. Over the last few decades, the purified KGM has been offered as a food additive as well as a dietary supplement in many countries. Also, a diet containing konjac flour or KGM is considered as healthier, and these foods are popular in many Asian and European markets. Further, due to the adhesive property of KGM, it can form a defensive covering on the surface of the intestine. Additionally, KGM can reduce the levels of glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides, and blood pressure and can enable weight loss. Its wide-ranging effects prevent many chronic diseases through the regulation of metabolism. In this review, the recent studies on the health benefits such as anti-diabetic, anti-obesity, laxative, prebiotic, and anti-inflammatory activities of KGM were discussed. Also, this review deals with the applications of KGM and its derivatives in bio-technical, pharmaceutical, tissue engineering, fine chemical fields, etc.

• Authors: Ramya Devi Devaraj, Chagam Koteswara Reddy, Baojun Xu
• Journal: International journal of biological macromolecules (Int J Biol Macromol) Vol. 126 Pg. 273-281 (Apr 01 2019) ISSN: 1879-0003 [Electronic] Netherlands
• PMID: 30586587 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Review)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Chemical References

• Drug Carriers
• Mannans
• (1-6)-alpha-glucomannan

Topics

• Animals
• Biotechnology
• Drug Carriers (chemistry)
• Health
• Humans
• Immune System (drug effects)
• Mannans (chemistry, pharmacology, toxicity)
• Tissue Engineering