Beta-glucan Market Analysis

Beta-glucan is a natural ingredient that is used to provide texture to baked food products. Basically it is a fiber and enhances the nutritional value and dietary fiber content of the food products. Moreover, it acts as a prebiotic ingredient and promotes better gut health. It also offers various health benefits such as regulating blood cholesterol and sugar levels. Furthermore, it also ceases the development of cancer-causing cells.

The global beta-glucan market is estimated to be valued at US$ 448.3 million in 2021 and is expected to exhibit a CAGR of 7.0 % over the forecast period (2021-2028).

Recent Developments

1)27^th May 2020, The  Kemin Industries presented Beta glucan as an immunomodulator Beta-Glucan produced by Euglena which is ‘unbranched 1,3 beta-glucan ‘can be used as a supplement for the immune modulation.

2)9^th July 2020, According to the report presented by NCBI, The understanding of the importance of the dietary fibre rich food is increasing, Beta-glucan is being infused with the food products like Oats and pastas for their high fibre rich properties.

3)20^th September 2020, Beta-glucan is proven to exhibit efficient antioxidant properties, which address several skin concerns, from soothing and hydrating irritated skin to diminishing the look of fine lines & wrinkles, the 2016 journal on dermatologist treatment states that Beta-glucan is confirmed to be effective complementary treatment for the mild atopic dermatitis (eczema).    

Western Europe region held dominant position in the global beta-glucan market in 2020, accounting for 36.7 % share in terms of value, followed by North America and APEJ respectively.

Figure 1. Global Beta-Glucan Market Value (US$ Mn), by Region, 2020

Maitake mushroom growing in the wild in Western Europe, North America Region in a very large quantity. Maitake mushrooms are rich in minerals and Beta-glucan as a main component .Similarly Yeast Beta-glucan (baker’s yeast) which is high in Beta-glucan using for their immunostimulant properties. It also help to increase the resistance to dieses and general performance to human body. 

Global Beta-Glucan Market: Drivers

Rising health awareness is driving the market growth of the beta-glucan. Growing awareness regarding the health benefits of beta-glucan soluble fiber is propelling demand for food fortified with beta-glucan. Also, beta-glucans are extracted from natural sources. Due to its versatile nature and multiple uses, it is gaining huge demand from food, cosmetic, and medical industries. Hence, growing health awareness regarding the beta-glucan is augmenting the market growth.

Growing demand for processed food is primarily fueling the market growth of the beta-glucan. The increasing urban population coupled with the growing working population is acting as a major factor driving the sale of processed food. Beta-glucan is added as a thickening agent, fat replacer, and source of dietary fiber in processed food products. Hence, the growing demand for processed food products due to growing urbanization and increasing working population around the globe is fueling the market growth of beta-glucan. 

Beta-Glucan Market Report Coverage

Report Coverage	Details
Base Year:	2020	Market Size in 2021:	US$ 448.3 Mn
Historical Data for:	2017 to 2020	Forecast Period:	2021 to 2028
Forecast Period 2021 to 2028 CAGR:	7.0%	2028 Value Projection:	US$ 719.9 Mn
Geographies covered:	Regions: North America, Latin America,Western Europe ,Eastern Europe, Asia Pacific Except Japan,Japan ,Middle East
Segments covered:	By Source: Cereals (Oats, Barley), Yeast, Others (Mushrooms) By Application: Food & Beverages, Bakery Products, Health & Dietary Supplements, Dairy & Frozen Products, Cosmetics & Personal Care, Others (Animal Feed)
Companies covered:	Associated British Foods Plc, Biotec Pharmacon ASA (Biotec BetaGlucans AS), Biothera, the Immune Health Company, Ceapro Inc., Immuno Medic AS, Koninklijke DSM N.V., Super Beta Glucan (SBG) Inc., Groupe Soufflet S.A (AIT Ingredients), Tate & Lyle plc. (Tate & Lyle Oats Ingredients), and Zilor Inc. (Biorigin)
Growth Drivers:	Rising health awareness Growing demand for processed food
Restraints & Challenges:	Side-effects associated with the beta-glucan Lack of proper regulatory norms governing beta-glucan

Global Beta-Glucan Market: Opportunities

The increasing consumption of bakery food products around the globe is projected to bring new and bring opportunities for the market in the near future. According to the American Bakers Association, total bread and baked goods sales rose 1.5% in 2018, surpassing $59 billion—split between the fresh bakery department and items located in the grocery, frozen, and dairy departments—while in-store bakery grew 2.2% year over year to $13.8 billion in sales, fueled by desserts, sweet goods, and cookies.

Growing demand for beta-glucan based beverages is expected to serve major growth opportunities over the forecast period. For instance, in July 2020, Lantmännen launched fully-soluble oat beta-glucan for supplements and beverages. The ingredient, which is extracted from Swedish, GMO-free, wholegrain oats, addresses major health issues including heart disease and diabetes. It is designed for use in applications such as nutritional supplements and powdered beverages. 

Market Trends:

Changing fashion trends around the globe are driving demand for cosmetic and personal care products. Water-soluble beta-glucans are highly beneficial for skincare, haircare, and other personal care products as these are water-soluble and have excellent properties such as anti-aging, anti-irritation, film-forming moisturizing, etc. For instance, Ceapro’s CP oat beta-glucan is an odorless and colorless clear aqueous solution, which can be used in cosmetics products to smoothen wrinkles, reduce signs of aging, etc.

Increasing consumption of natural ingredients is one of the growing trends. This is attributed to the growing preference for natural products and beta-glucan has emerged as a preferred choice since it provides several benefits such as supplying energy and enhance the mood in persons during physical or mental stress. Moreover, increasing focus on the expansion of the distributing network for beta-glucan products around the globe is again propelling the market growth of the over the forecast period.

Figure 2. Global Beta-Glucan Market Revenue Share (%), By Sources, 2020

Key Takeaways of the Graph:

• Among the sources, the cereal segment held dominant position in the market and accounted for 45.7% share in the global beta-glucan market in 2020. The segment is expected to reach US$ 332.8 million in 2028.
• Cereal β-glucans are dietary fibres primarily found in oats and barley, and have several positive effects on health, including lowering the postprandial glucose response and the improvement of blood cholesterol.

Global Beta-Glucan Market: Restraints

Side-effects associated with the beta-glucan is affecting the demand for the products. This factor is inhibiting the market growth. According to various clinical studies, beta-glucan does have some side effects. When injected into the body, it may cause mild fever, pain at the injection spot, muscle and joint pain, nausea, severe diarrhea, dizziness, etc.

Lack of proper regulatory norms governing beta-glucan is expected to impact the market growth negatively to some extent. Also, the high cost associated with the extractions of beta-glucan is restricting the market growth over the forecast period.

Global Beta-Glucan Market: Competitive Landscape

Major players operating in the global beta-glucan market include, Associated British Foods Plc, Biotec Pharmacon ASA (Biotec BetaGlucans AS), Biothera, the Immune Health Company, Ceapro Inc., Immuno Medic AS, Koninklijke DSM N.V., Super Beta Glucan (SBG) Inc., Groupe Soufflet S.A (AIT Ingredients), Tate & Lyle plc. (Tate & Lyle Oats Ingredients), and Zilor Inc. (Biorigin)

Global Beta-Glucan Market: Key Developments

February 2019: Biotec Pharmacon announced that its subsidiary Biotec BetaGlucans has been awarded up to NOK 8 million in a grant by the Research Council of Norway for a project titled “Bioactive wound healing dressing with beta-glucan for treatment of hard-to-heal wounds