Research Progress on the Immune-Boosting Potential of Konjac Powder

Research Progress on the Immune-Boosting Potential of Konjac Powder

Konjac, a perennial herb of the Araceae family, is naturally low in fat, calories, and sugar, and rich in dietary fiber. High-purity konjac dietary fiber sourced from the Three Gorges region is recognized as a safe food-grade ingredient. As a leading company in the konjac industry, YIZKONJAC positions itself as a “Global Leader in the Konjac Industry” and a “Professional Supplier of Konjac Gum,” continuously exploring konjac’s potential in supporting immune health.

1. Understanding Immunity

Immunity refers to the body’s defense system that identifies and eliminates foreign substances such as viruses and bacteria, while also managing aging, damaged, or mutated cells. Balanced immunity is essential: weakened immunity increases susceptibility to infections and tumor risks, whereas excessive immunity may lead to autoimmune disorders.

2. Common Approaches to Supporting Immunity

Probiotics: Beneficial strains such as Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus acidophilus, and Streptococcus faecalis exhibit broad immunogenic properties. They stimulate lymphocyte proliferation, activate non-specific immune responses, and support antibody production.

Balanced Nutrition: A diet rich in meat, vegetables, and fruits helps maintain adequate nutrient intake and strengthens the body’s resistance to pathogens.

3. Immune Activity of Konjac-Derived Components

1) Basic Characteristics of Konjac Glucomannan (KGM)

Represents about 60% of the konjac corm and is a high-molecular-weight, non-ionic polysaccharide.

Composed of β-D-glucose and β-D-mannose in a 1:1.6 molar ratio linked by β-1,4 glycosidic bonds, with an average molecular weight ranging from 200,000 to 2,000,000.

Demonstrates notable immunomodulatory activity, enabling multi-dimensional regulation of immune function.

2) Immunomodulatory Effects of KGM

• Immune Organs: Animal studies show that konjac refined powder increases spleen and thymus indices in mice. A dosage of 300 mg/kg·d produced the most significant increase in spleen index, while both 100 mg/kg·d and 300 mg/kg·d significantly improved thymus index.
•  Monocyte–Macrophage System: KGM activates macrophages and monocytes, promotes the secretion of angiogenic factors and heparin, and enhances macrophage phagocytosis of chicken red blood cells in a dose-dependent manner. It also demonstrates strong affinity for mannose receptors on macrophages, helping regulate cytokine balance in ulcerative colitis models.

3) Immune Activity of Konjac Oligosaccharides and Derivatives

• In Pacific White Shrimp: Diets supplemented with sulfated konjac glucomannan oligosaccharides and β-glucan significantly increase lysozyme activity, phenoloxidase activity, and superoxide dismutase activity, improving disease resistance.

• In Mice: Konjac oligosaccharides significantly increase the thymus index in immunosuppressed mice (P<0.01), enhance secretion of IFN-γ, IL-4, and IL-2, promote splenic lymphocyte proliferation, and strengthen NK cell cytotoxicity. Specific components also activate RAW 264.7 macrophage proliferation.

4. Application Scenarios of Konjac in the Immunity Field

• Gut Immunity Formulations: Konjac glucomannan combined with raffinose promotes intestinal motility and provides new insights for gut-immunity research.

• Functional Foods: Konjac mannose oligosaccharides enhance cellular immunity and macrophage phagocytic activity in ICR mice, offering experimental evidence for developing immune-supporting health foods.

• Animal Nutrition: Adding 4 g/kg konjac oligosaccharides to poultry feed significantly increases thymus index (P<0.05), enhances serum lysozyme activity (P<0.05), increases cecal Lactobacillus counts, and reduces Salmonella counts (P<0.05), providing a potential alternative to lincomycin.

• Other Fields: Modified konjac glucomannan—improved for solubility and stability—can be used as a food thickener, edible film material, and biodegradable green packaging material.

5. Conclusion

Konjac glucomannan exhibits notable physiological activity and supports immunity by regulating immune organs, immune cells, immune molecules, and gut function. Research has also expanded to modified KGM and konjac oligosaccharides, whose immunomodulatory potential warrants further exploration.

References:

What Should Teenagers Do About Low Immunity? – Gusu

Effects of Konjac Refined Powder on Immune Organs and Cytokine Levels in Mice – Wang Ling et al.

Research Progress on the Immune Activity of Konjac Glucomannan – Lin Huimin et al.

Effects of Sulfated Konjac Glucomannan Oligosaccharides on the Immune Function of Pacific White Shrimp – Liu Apeng et al.

Isolation, Purification, Structural Analysis, and Immune Activity of Konjac Oligosaccharides – Yao Yong et al.

Modification and Research Progress of Konjac Glucomannan – Luo Yang et al.

Regulatory Effects of Konjac Mannose Oligosaccharide Oral Solution on Immune Function of Female ICR Mice – Li Xiaoning et al.

Effects of Konjac Mannose Oligosaccharides on Immune Function and Cecal Microbiota of “Sanhuang Chicken” – Guo Yungui et al.