Method for concentrating beta-glucan film

Abstract

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° C. and 100° 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.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A physiologically acceptable concentrated beta-glucan composition comprising mixed (1,3)(1,4) linkages prepared in an alcohol free process in the absence of organic solvents.  
     
     
         2 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the concentration of said beta glucan is greater than 68%.  
     
     
         3 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein said beta-glucan is produced by a method comprising: 
 a) providing an alkaline aqueous extract of a beta glucan source;    b) acidifying or neutralizing said extract and heating said extract to between about 60° C. and 100° C.;    c) cooling said extract, whereby a flocculate is formed;    d) acidifying said cooled extract if said extract was neutralized in step (b); and    e) removing said flocculate from said extract to form a beta-glucan containing solution.    
     
     
         4 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein said beta glucan is produced by a method comprising heating a beta-glucan containing solution to allow evaporation therefrom, whereby a solid film enriched in beta-glucan is formed on the surface of said solution.  
     
     
         5 . The composition of  claim 4 , wherein said method further comprises the step of removing said beta-glucan film, resulting in the formation of a second beta-glucan film.  
     
     
         6 . The composition of  claim 5 , wherein said beta glucan film removing step is performed one or more times.  
     
     
         7 . The composition of  claim 4 , wherein said method further comprises the step of drying said beta-glucan film.  
     
     
         8 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein said beta glucan has a molecular weight of at least about 50 kDa.  
     
     
         9 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein said beta glucan is selected from those obtainable from oats, barley, wheat, rye, corn, rice, sorghum, millet, or amaranth.  
     
     
         10 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein said beta glucan is formulated for oral administration.  
     
     
         11 . A dietary supplement for reducing low density lipoprotein and total serum cholesterol comprising concentrated (1,3)(1,4)-beta glucan prepared in an alcohol free process in the absence of organic solvents.  
     
     
         12 . The supplement of  claim 11 , wherein the concentration of said beta glucan is greater than 68%.  
     
     
         13 . The supplement of  claim 11 , wherein said beta-glucan is produced by a method comprising: 
 a) providing an alkaline aqueous extract of a beta glucan source;    b) acidifying or neutralizing said extract and heating said extract to between about 60° C. and 100° C.;    c) cooling said extract, whereby a flocculate is formed;    d) acidifying said cooled extract if said extract was neutralized in step (b); and    e) removing said flocculate from said extract to form a beta-glucan containing solution.    
     
     
         14 . The supplement of  claim 11 , wherein said beta glucan is produced by a method comprising heating a beta glucan containing solution to allow evaporation therefrom, whereby a solid film enriched in beta-glucan is formed on the surface of said solution.  
     
     
         15 . The supplement of  claim 14 , wherein said method further comprises the step of removing said beta-glucan film, resulting in the formation of a second beta-glucan film.  
     
     
         16 . The supplement of  claim 15 , wherein said beta glucan film removing step is performed one or more times.  
     
     
         17 . The supplement of  claim 14 , wherein said method further comprises the step of drying said beta-glucan film.  
     
     
         18 . The supplement of  claim 17 , wherein said film is milled, powdered, dissolved or otherwise dispersed.  
     
     
         19 . The supplement of  claim 11 , wherein said beta glucan has a molecular weight of at least about 50 kDa.  
     
     
         20 . The supplement of  claim 1  1, wherein said beta glucan is selected from those obtainable from oats, barley, wheat, rye, corn, rice, sorghum, millet, or amaranth.  
     
     
         21 . The supplement of  claim 11 , wherein said beta glucan is formulated for oral administration.  
     
     
         22 . A composition comprising concentrated (1,3)(1,4) beta glucan in a cosmetic composition, wherein said beta glucan is prepared in an alcohol free process without the use of organic solvents.  
     
     
         23 . The composition of  claim 22 , wherein the concentration of said beta glucan is greater than 68%.  
     
     
         24 . The composition of  claim 22 , wherein said beta-glucan is produced by a method comprising: 
 a) providing an alkaline aqueous extract of a beta glucan source;    b) acidifying or neutralizing said extract and heating said extract to between about 60° C. and 100° C.;    c) cooling said extract, whereby a flocculate is formed;    d) acidifying said cooled extract if said extract was neutralized in step (b); and    e) removing said flocculate from said extract to form a beta-glucan containing solution.    
     
     
         25 . The composition of  claim 22 , wherein said beta glucan is produced by a method comprising heating a beta glucan containing solution to allow evaporation therefrom, whereby a solid film enriched in beta glucan is formed on the surface of said solution.  
     
     
         26 . The composition of  claim 25 , wherein said method further comprises the step of removing said beta-glucan film, resulting in the formation of a second beta-glucan film.  
     
     
         27 . The composition of  claim 26 , wherein said beta glucan film removing step is performed one or more times.  
     
     
         28 . The composition of  claim 25 , wherein said method further comprises the step of drying said beta-glucan film.  
     
     
         29 . The composition of  claim 28 , wherein said film is milled, powdered, dissolved or otherwise dispersed prior to combination with said cosmetic composition.  
     
     
         30 . The composition of  claim 22 , wherein said beta glucan has a molecular weight of at least about 50 kDa.  
     
     
         31 . The composition of  claim 22 , wherein said beta glucan is selected from those obtainable from oats, barley, wheat, rye, corn, rice, sorghum, millet, or amaranth.  
     
     
         32 . A composition comprising concentrated (1,3)(1,4) beta glucan in combination with a food product, wherein said beta glucan is prepared in an alcohol free process without the use of organic solvents.  
     
     
         33 . The composition of  claim 32 , wherein the concentration of said beta glucan is greater than 68%.  
     
     
         34 . The composition of  claim 32 , wherein said beta glucan is produced by a method comprising: 
 a) providing an alkaline aqueous extract of a beta glucan source;    b) acidifying or neutralizing said extract and heating said extract to betwcen about 60° C. and 100° C.;    c) cooling said extract, whereby a flocculate is formed;    d) acidifying said cooled extract if said extract was neutralized in step (b); and    e) removing said flocculate from said extract to form a beta glucan containing solution.    
     
     
         35 . The composition of  claim 32 , wherein said beta glucan is produced by a method comprising heating a beta-glucan containing solution to allow evaporation therefrom, whereby a solid film enriched in beta-glucan is formed on the surface of said solution.  
     
     
         36 . The composition of  claim 35 , wherein said method further comprises the step of removing said beta-glucan film, resulting in the formation of a second beta-glucan film.  
     
     
         37 . The composition of  claim 36 , wherein said beta glucan film removing step is performed one or more times.  
     
     
         38 . The composition of  claim 35 , wherein said method further comprises the step of drying said beta-glucan film.  
     
     
         39 . The composition of  claim 38 , wherein said film is milled, powdered, dissolved or otherwise dispersed prior to combination with said food product.  
     
     
         40 . The composition of  claim 32 , wherein said beta glucan has a molecular weight of at least about 50 kDa.  
     
     
         41 . The composition of  claim 32 , wherein said beta glucan is selected from those obtainable from oats, barley, wheat, rye, corn, rice, sorghum, millet, or amaranth.  
     
     
         42 . A pharmaceutical composition comprising concentrated (1,3)(1,4) beta glucan and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, wherein said beta glucan is prepared in an alcohol free process without the use of organic solvents.  
     
     
         43 . The composition of  claim 42 , wherein the concentration of said beta glucan is greater than 68%.  
     
     
         44 . The composition of  claim 42 , wherein said beta glucan is produced by a method comprising: 
 f) providing an alkaline aqueous extract of a beta glucan source;    g) acidifying or neutralizing said extract and heating said extract to between about 60° C. and 100° C.;    h) cooling said extract, whereby a flocculate is formed;    i) acidifying said cooled extract if said extract was neutralized in step (b); and    j) removing said flocculate from said extract to form a beta glucan containing solution.    
     
     
         45 . The composition of  claim 42 , wherein said beta glucan is produced by a method comprising heating a beta-glucan containing solution to allow evaporation therefrom, whereby a solid film enriched in beta-glucan is formed on the surface of said solution.  
     
     
         46 . The composition of  claim 45 , wherein said method further comprises the step of removing said beta-glucan film, resulting in the formation of a second beta-glucan film.  
     
     
         47 . The composition of  claim 46 , wherein said beta glucan film removing step is performed one or more times.  
     
     
         48 . The composition of  claim 45 , wherein said method further comprises the step of drying said beta-glucan film.  
     
     
         49 . The composition of  claim 48 , wherein said film is milled, powdered, dissolved or otherwise dispersed prior to combination with said food product.  
     
     
         50 . The composition of  claim 42 , wherein said beta glucan has a molecular weight of at least about 50 kDa.  
     
     
         51 . The composition of  claim 42 , wherein said beta glucan is selected from those obtainable from oats, barley, wheat, rye, corn, rice, sorghum, millet, or amaranth.  
     
     
         52 . The composition of  claim 42 , wherein said beta glucan is formulated for oral administration.