Nurture, Inc.

John D Neidt

Richard C Potter

Kirk R Hash, Sr

Philip A Fisher

An entirely aqueous method for concentrating beta-glucan from a beta-glucan source, such as milled cereal bran, grain or distiller's dried grain. The method comprises providing an alkaline aqueous extract of a beta-glucan source; acidifying or neutralizing the extract and heating the extract to between about 60&deg; C. and 100&deg; C.; cooling the extract, whereby a flocculate is formed; acidifying the cooled extract if the extract was neutralized; and removing the flocculate from the aqueous solution to form an intermediate solution. The intermediate solution may be subjected to ultrafiltration for further purification of beta-glucan, or may be evaporated, resulting in formation of a solid film enriched in beta-glucan. Beta-glucan has cholesterol-lowering properties and is a topical immunostimulant.

Method for concentrating beta-glucan film

An entirely aqueous method for concentrating water soluble polysaccharides having molecular weights of at least about 50 kDa. The method comprises evaporating a water soluble polysaccharide-containing solution until surface film formation occurs, and harvesting the resulting film which is enriched in the polysaccharide. The polysaccharide may be of plant or animal origin, and includes polysaccharides such as guar gum, xanthan gum and pectin.

Polysaccharide compositions and uses thereof

An entirely aqueous method for concentrating beta-glucan from a beta-glucan source, such as milled cereal bran, grain or distiller's dried grain. The method comprises providing an alkaline aqueous extract of a beta-glucan source; acidifying or neutralizing the extract and heating the extract to between about 60&deg; C. and 100&deg; C.; cooling the extract, whereby a flocculate is formed; acidifing the cooled extract if the extract was neutralized; and removing the flocculate from the aqueous solution to form an intermediate solution. The intermediate solution may be subjected to ultrafiltration for further purification of beta-glucan, or may be evaporated, resulting in formation of a solid film enriched in beta-glucan. Beta-glucan has cholesterol-lowering properties and is a topical immunostimulant.

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St. Louis, MO, United States of America

John D Neidt