Methods for isolation, use and analysis of ferritin

Abstract

This invention provides methods of isolating ferritin from plant and animal material. The isolated ferritin can be administered to humans or animals in need of iron, and can be used to treat or supplement iron deficiency. The isolated ferritin can be used in industrial applications, such as increasing the iron content in heat-processed food or beverages. The methods of the invention also include quantitation of iron derived from plant or animal ferritin.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A dietary supplement, the dietary supplement comprising plant ferritin isolated from plant material by the method comprising:
 (a) separation of the plant material into a soluble and insoluble fraction; and   (b) removal of enzymatically digestible non-ferritin components from the soluble fraction by treatment of the soluble fraction with one or more glycosidase enzymes.   
     
     
         2 . The dietary supplement of  claim 1 , wherein the plant material is a legume. 
     
     
         3 . The dietary supplement of  claim 1 , wherein the plant material comprises the waste stream from the processing of legumes. 
     
     
         4 . The dietary supplement of  claim 1 , wherein the isolated plant ferritin comprises 10-50% by weight of the total protein in the dietary supplement. 
     
     
         5 . The dietary supplement of  claim 1 , wherein the dietary supplement further comprises at least one carrier. 
     
     
         6 . The dietary supplement of  claim 1 , wherein the dietary supplement further comprises at least one excipient. 
     
     
         7 . A dietary supplement, the dietary supplement comprising isolated plant ferritin, the dietary supplement comprising plant ferritin isolated from plant material by the method comprising:
 (a) separation of the plant material into a soluble and insoluble fraction; and   (b) removal of non-ferritin components from the soluble fraction by enzymatic treatment of the soluble fraction with one or more carbohydrate-degrading enzymes, thereby isolating ferritin.   
     
     
         8 . The dietary supplement of  claim 7 , wherein the plant material is a legume. 
     
     
         9 . The dietary supplement of  claim 7 , wherein the plant material comprises the waste stream from the processing of legumes. 
     
     
         10 . The dietary supplement of  claim 7 , wherein the isolated plant ferritin comprises 10-50% by weight of the total protein in the dietary supplement. 
     
     
         11 . The dietary supplement of  claim 7 , wherein the dietary supplement further comprises at least one carrier. 
     
     
         12 . The dietary supplement of  claim 7 , wherein the dietary supplement further comprises at least one excipient. 
     
     
         13 . A dietary supplement, the dietary supplement comprising isolated plant ferritin, the dietary supplement comprising plant ferritin isolated from plant material by the method comprising:
 (a) separation of the plant material into a soluble and insoluble fraction; and   (b) removal of non-ferritin components from the soluble fraction by enzymatic treatment of the soluble fraction, thereby isolating ferritin.   
     
     
         14 . The dietary supplement of  claim 13 , wherein the plant material is a legume. 
     
     
         15 . The dietary supplement of  claim 13 , wherein the plant material comprises the waste stream from the processing of legumes. 
     
     
         16 . The dietary supplement of  claim 13 , wherein the isolated plant ferritin comprises 10-50% by weight of the total protein in the dietary supplement. 
     
     
         17 . A nutraceutical product, the nutraceutical product comprising isolated plant ferritin, the nutraceutical product comprising plant ferritin isolated from plant material by the method comprising:
 (a) separation of the plant material into a soluble and insoluble fraction; and   (b) removal of non-ferritin components from the soluble fraction by enzymatic treatment of the soluble fraction, thereby isolating ferritin.   
     
     
         18 . The nutraceutical product of  claim 17 , wherein the nutraceutical product is heat-processed. 
     
     
         19 . The nutraceutical product of  claim 18 , wherein the isolated plant ferritin is added to the nutraceutical product before it is heat-processed. 
     
     
         20 . The nutraceutical product of  claim 18 , wherein the isolated plant ferritin is added to the nutraceutical product after it is heat-processed.