Production of β-glucan-mannan preparations by autolysis of cells under certain pH, temperature and time conditions
AssigneeCarlton and United Breweries Limited
InventorsRagini Wheatcroft, Joseph Kulandai, Robert White Gilbert, Keith James Sime, Craig Gordon Smith, Willem Hendrik Langeris
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Abstract
There is provided a method of production of an immunostimulatory β-glucan-mannan preparation, comprising the step of autolysis of cells of a microorganism at a pH of 5 to 6 and a temperature of 35 to 60° C. for 6 to 48 hours, and separating solid material roam the autolysed product. The β-glucan-mannan preparation may be incorporated as a food component or be used as a pharmaceutical for treatment of conditions such as immuno-suppression, hypercholesterolaemia, hypoglycaemia and heavy metal excretion.
Claims25
A method of production of an immunostimulatory preparation that contains β-glucans and mannans, wherein the β-glucans comprise 1,3-β-glucans and 1,6-β-glucans, comprising the steps of:
- a) subjecting cells of a microorganism to a first autolysis step at a pH of about 5 to about 6 and a temperature of about 35 to about 60° C. for about 6 to about 48 hours to produce a material with a particle size of from about 100 to 300 microns;
- b) separating solid material from the autolysed product;
- c) subjecting the solid material of step (b) to a second autolysis step in the presence of one or more agents, selected from the group consisting of a proteolytic enzyme, mannanase, amylase, and β-glucanase, at a pH of about 4 to about 6 and a temperature of about 35 to about 60° C. for about 6 to about 48 hours,
- d) separating the solid material from the autolysed product, and then
- e) reducing the solid material to particles of less than about 2 microns.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.