Glucan vs. Glycan — What's the Difference?

Glucan is specifically a type of polysaccharide made up entirely of glucose molecules linked together. These can be found in various forms such as beta-glucan or alpha-glucan, depending on the type of glycosidic linkage between the glucose units. For example, beta-glucan is well-known for its presence in the cell walls of cereals, fungi, and yeasts, and is praised for its health benefits, including immune system support.

On the other hand, glycan encompasses a broader category of carbohydrates that includes not only polysaccharides but also oligosaccharides, which can consist of various types of sugar units besides glucose. Glycans play crucial roles in biological processes, including cellular recognition, signaling, and immune responses. They are found in a wide array of biological structures, from plant cell walls to glycoproteins in human cells.

While glucans are primarily sourced from plants and some fungi, providing structural and nutritional functions, glycans are involved in more complex biological functions and are found throughout the natural world in various organisms. Glycans' structures can be incredibly diverse, reflecting their various roles in cell interaction and communication.

Glucans are typically studied for their dietary and health-related properties, particularly in nutrition and medicine. Glycans, however, are often studied in the context of biochemistry and cell biology for their roles in the structure and function of cells and tissues.

Understanding the differences between glucan and glycan is important not only for basic science but also for applications in medicine, nutrition, and biotechnology, where these molecules play significant roles.