Abstract: The present invention provides a process for producing ?-(3-(1,3/1,6)-D-glucan from a cellular source comprising the steps of alkali extraction of the cellular source; water extraction; acid extraction; and water extraction, where at least one step of water extraction includes pasteurization by steam injection to a temperature of about 100° C. for 15 to about 30 minutes. The solid component produced comprises at least ?-70% 1 (1,3/1,6)-D-glucan by dry weight. The present invention also provides a process of producing mannan and manno-protein complexes comprising the steps of collecting a liquid phase obtained in one an alkali extraction step of the ?(3-(1,3/1,6)-D-glucan process; adjusting the pH of the liquid phase to about 5.0-8.0 with an acid; pasteurizing the liquid phase by steam injection to a temperature of about 100° C. for 15 to about 30 minutes; and isolating the mannans and manno-proteins complexes from the pasteurized liquid phase.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of improving disease management in an animal by administering an effective amount of ?-glucan composition to the animal. The ?-glucan composition comprises at least about 70% ?-(1,3/1,6)-D-glucan by dry weight and a biological activity of at least 20 ?g Bb released per mg of ?-(1,3/1,6)-D-glucan. The method may also result in beneficial secondary effects including an increase in growth efficiency of the animal; an increase in the survival rate of the animal; an increase in the colostrum quality of the animal; and any combination thereof. The ?-glucan composition may also be administered in combination with or prior to a vaccine, leading to an increase in antibody formation; the negative growth responses associated with administration of a vaccine may also be reduced. In the present method, the ?-glucan composition may be administered in combination with an animal feed.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved and more efficient method for the purification of Beta glucan, mannan and manno-protein complexes or immuno-potentiating substances, directly from yeast. In addition, the present invention provides methods for the production of Beta glucan, mannan and manno-proteins for use in animal feed to (1) prepare and enhance the immune system to fight infections more effectively and efficiently, (2) increase resistance to and decrease duration of bacterial and viral infections, (3) allow producers to reduce or remove “growth promotion antibiotics” in feed systems, thus producing more naturally grown animals, (4) reduce or prevent the negative growth response normally associated with administration of live vaccines to animals and (4) other associated health benefits such as in the case of swine of increased piglet litter size and survivability for piglets after weaning when Sows fed this novel Beta glucan extract.