Molecular Weight Dependency on the Production of the TNF Stimulated by Fractions of rye (1→3),(1→4)‐β‐d‐Glucan

Mixed-linkage (13),(14)-β-d-glucan with a weight average molecular weight varying between 79 800 and 13 900 was purified from rye. These fractions were used for stimulation of human monocytes to produce tumour necrosis factor (TNF). A mixed-linkage β-glucan with a weight average molecular weight of 18 900 was found to be the most potent immunostimulator.