beta-glucan immune stimulant

[Posidion]

i just was reading a few articals and early studdies on the subject and its use as a preventive treatment and stress reducer for our captive residents vertabret or not. just wondering if anyone has input on the use and or effects.

 

[Malum Argenteum]

I tried this a couple years ago. For a couple months, C. strigatus tangs (from more than one wholesaler) were not living -- multiple issues with external protozoans, apparent bacterial infections, and who knows what else. I did not find that beta glucan dosed heavily in food helped at all. But then, I don't recall that anything seemed to help

 

[Posidion]

this is the kind of info i was looking for,as i under stand its actual effects on marine ornamentals is not well syuddied. It appears that the food fish industry has done multiple studies on the subject and has mixed rusults. Also as i have read on there is more than one type of beta-glucan and it appears that the 1,3 beta-glucan is the most heavily studied. there is also a 1,6 beta-glucan that has lower positive results as i understand. (the 1,3 and 1,6 refer to the way the glucose molecules are linked) specific to your experience, it seems that once the immune system is already working hard beta-glucan may not have any effect at all. my under standing is that for pathenogens it is best added to the regime of antibiotics, it is mostly said to be preventive. (eg. you notice you have an ick infested fish in your tank beta -glucan may help the other fish from getting infected) thanks for the reply i was hoping to start a conversation that might lead us all some where, pos or neg who knows, but id like to find out.

 

[HighlandReefer]

Posidion,

Is it possible to provide links to the articles you are referring to.

 

[tmz]

Hi Matt,

I'd like to read about it too.

 

[Posidion]

the first i read about this was an artical written by Christine Williams. its in a back issue of C the Journal of Aquatic Science, Travel and Adventure. an Anthony Calfo Reading Trees publication vol.1 number4 pg 38-41 .. not shure how to find that on the net, i got it from a client who was cleaning out her late husbands fish/resarch library. Good read by the way. Tom i can pass this on to you if you like. any way as for the others:

www.betaglucan.org is a good all around place to start. lots of general info weed through as most pertains to area outside our scope here, but good place to start none the less.(lots of links here didnt go to all)

http://www.ars.usda.gov/research/publications/publications.htm?seq_no_115=162981
This is one of the better more pertinant articles i found so far stand by for more as i search. I weeded out all of the places i have been that have little or no mention of the fishey world lots more info on people, go figure who wants to use a health supplment for them selves instead of their fish????


also try this site www.ars.usda.gov click Aquatic animal health research ot top and search beta glucan this should bring up 11 articles still thumbing through them.

 

[HighlandReefer]

Thanks for the links.

 

[tmz]

Thanks Matt, Haven't seen you in awhile. I'd like to see the book. Will you be at SWP any time soon ?/or just stop by the house . My tanks are dong great I think you'd like seeing them. Thanks for the info.