Process for producing, methods and compositions of glucuronoxylomannan as nutriceutical agent from higher basidiomycetes mushroom

Abstract

The present invention describes new and distinct strains of higher Basidiomycetes mushrooms grown in submerged cultures. Specifically, the new strain of species of the genus Tremella offer superior yields of one-cell biomass and exocellular heteropolysaccharide glucuronoxylomannan, niacin and essential amino acids.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A process for producing a one cell biomass and exocellular polysaccharides of edible Basidiomycetes mushrooms, said process comprising: cultivating a fungi of the Basidiomycetes in submerged culture on nutrient media, and isolating the resulting biomass of edible Basidiomycetes and exocellular polysaccharides from the culture broth by alcohol precipitation.  
     
     
         2 . The process for producing a biomass and exocellular polysaccharides of edible Basidiomycetes mushrooms according to  claim 1 , wherein the fungi of the Basidiomycetes is a species of the genus Tremella is selected from the group consisting of  Tremella mesenterica.    
     
     
         3 . The process for producing a biomass of edible Basidiomycetes mushrooms and exocellular polysaccharide according to  claim 1 , wherein the fungi of the Basidiomycetes produces nutrients comprising a hypoglycemic compound, essential amino acids or niacin.  
     
     
         4 . The process for producing a biomass of edible Basidiomycetes mushrooms according to  claim 1 , wherein the nutrient media is of the following composition:  
       
         
           
                 
                 
                 
               
                     
                     
                 
                     
                     
                 
                     
                   Medium A 
                     
                 
                     
                     
                 
                     
                 
                 
                 
                 
               
                     
                   Sucrose 
                   25 
                 
                     
                   Peptone 
                   2.0 
                 
                     
                   Yeast extract 
                   2.25 
                 
                     
                   KH 2 PO 4    
                   1.0 
                 
                     
                   MgSO 4 .7H 2 O 
                   0.5 
                 
                     
                     
                 
                     
                     
                 
             
                
                
                
                
               
               
                
               
            
             
                
                
                
                
                
                
                
               
            
           
         
       
     
     
         5 . The process for producing a biomass and exeocellular polysaccharides of edible Basidiomycetes mushrooms according to  claim 1 , wherein the nutrient media is of the following composition:  
       
         
           
                 
                 
                 
               
                     
                     
                 
                     
                     
                 
                     
                   Medium B 
                     
                 
                     
                     
                 
                     
                 
                 
                 
                 
               
                     
                   Sucrose 
                   40 
                 
                     
                   Peptone 
                   1.0 
                 
                     
                   Yeast extract 
                   1.1 
                 
                     
                   NaHPO 4 7H 2 O 
                   1.0 
                 
                     
                   NaH 2 PO 4 7H 2 O 
                   0.5 
                 
                     
                   KH 2 PO 4    
                   1.0 
                 
                     
                   Mg acetate 
                   1.0 
                 
                     
                   KC1 
                   1.0 
                 
                     
                     
                 
                     
                     
                 
             
                
                
                
                
               
               
                
               
            
             
                
                
                
                
                
                
                
                
                
                
               
            
           
         
       
     
     
         6 . The process for producing a biomass of edible Basidiomycetes mushrooms according to  claim 1 , wherein the fungi is  Tremella mesenterica  CBS 101939.  
     
     
         7 . The process for producing a biomass of edible Basidiomycetes mushrooms according to  claim 1 , wherein the fungi is selected from the group consisting of  Tremella luciformis, T aurantia, T. encephala , and  T. mesenterica.    
     
     
         8 . A composition for reducing blood levels of glucose in a mammal, said composition comprising a nutriceutical formulation of dried Basidiomycetes biomass.  
     
     
         9 . The composition according to  claim 8  wherein the dried Basidiomycetes biomass comprises a glucose-lowering compound, glucuronoxylomannan, polysaccharide, fiber, protein, essential amino acids, vitamins or niacin.  
     
     
         10 . The composition according to  claim 8 , wherein the dried Basidiomycetes biomass and exocellular polysaccharides is produced from  Tremella mesenterica  CB 101939.  
     
     
         11 . The composition according to  claim 8 , wherein the dried Basidiomycetes biomass and is produced from a fungi selected from the group consisting of  Tremella luciformis, T. aurantia, T. encephala , and  T. mesenterica.    
     
     
         12 . The composition according to  claim 8  wherein the dried Basidiomycetes biomass and exocellular polysaccharides is used in an effective amount to reduce blood levels of glucose, in combination with a pharmaceutical carrier acceptable for oral administration.  
     
     
         13 . The composition according to  claim 8  wherein the dried Basidiomycetes biomass and exocellular polysaccharides is used in an effective amount to inhibit diabetes.  
     
     
         14 . The composition according to  claim 8  wherein the dried Basidiomycetes biomass and exocellular polysaccharides is used in an effective amount to inhibit a variety of diseases including human immunodeficiency.  
     
     
         15 . A method for treating an individual for hyperglycemia, said method comprising: administering to said individual an amount effective to reduce the level of serum glucose, of a composition containing an edible biomass of Basidiomycetes and exocellular polysaccharides, wherein said product includes a glucose-lowering compound.  
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 15 , wherein said amount is effective to reduce the level of blood glucose from about 20% to 50%.  
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 15 , wherein the biomass of Basidiomycetes is produced from fungi of a species of the genus Tremella.  
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 17  wherein the species of the fungi is selected from the group consisting of  Tremella luciformis, T. aurantia, T. encephala , and  T. mesenterica.    
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 14  wherein the Basidiomycetes biomass is produced from  Tremella mesenterica  CB 101939.