Abstract: A method for reducing the quantity of Desulfovibrio and/or Helicobacter spp. in the GI tract of a companion pet which comprises orally administering to the said pet a Desulfovibrio and/or Helicobacter spp. reducing quantity of a fiber or other component.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the use of pullulan as a slowly digested carbohydrate and to its incorporation into food products, especially beverages and meal replacement products.

Abstract: Processes are disclosed for the purification and recovery of polysaccharide gums from an aqueous solution, particularly xanthan gum from a fermentation broth. An aqueous solution of at least one polysaccharide gum is mixed with a non-solvent stream comprising water and a subprecipitant level of a non-solvent of the polysaccharide gum. The mixture is concentrated to increase the polysaccharide gum concentration, and optionally undergoes a heat treatment. Additional non-solvent is added to the concentrated mixture to precipitate the polysaccharide gum. The precipitated gum is dried after being separated from the liquid component of the mixture. The removed liquid component can be recycled to the earlier step in the process in which the polysaccharide gum solution is mixed with the non-solvent stream.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of water soluble ?-(1,3) glucans, which are essentially free from (1,6) links as active ingredients agents for producing therapeutic skin treatment agents. Said products strengthen the skin's immune system, counteract the formation of wrinkles and can be used to treat psoriasis and eczemic conditions.

Abstract: Described is a modular, general synthetic strategy for the preparation in solution and on a solid support of heparin, heparin-like glycosaminoglycans, glycosaminoglycans and non-natural analogs of each of them. Additionally, the modular strategy provides the basis for the preparation of combinatorial libraries and parallel libraries of defined glycosaminoglycan oligosaccharides. The defined glycosaminoglycan structures may be used in high-throughput screening experiments to identify carbohydrate sequences that regulate a host of recognition and signal-transduction processes. The determination of specific sequences involved in receptor binding holds great promise for the development of molecular tools which will allow modulation of processes underlying viral entry, angiogenesis, kidney diseases and diseases of the central nervous system. Notably, the present invention enables the automated synthesis of glycosaminoglycans in much the same fashion that peptides and oligonucleotides are currently assembled.

Abstract: The present invention is related to polysaccharide esters of N-derivatives of glutamic acid (N-GA derivatives). These polysaccharidic esters have antiproliferative activity and are characterized by a low systemic toxicity. The esters of the invention are used in the prevention and therapy of diseases caused by cellular hyperproliferation, particularly psoriasis, tumors, rheumatoid arthritis, or intestinal inflammatory pathologies.

Abstract: A process is described for the production of scieroglucan by culturing the fungus Sclerotium rolfsii ATCC 15205 using a suitable culture medium under microaerobic conditions, wherein the culturing is carried out continuously.

Abstract: To provide an anticancer composition. More specifically, the anticancer composition according to the present invention was successfully provided by newly finding the fact that a composition comprising a marine yeast-derived ingredient having &bgr;1,3 glucan structure is an unprecedentedly effective IL-12 inducer and further newly discovering that the composition can hold promise of NK and NKT cell activating capabilities as a result of oral administration of a marine yeast-derived ingredient having &bgr;1,3 glucan structure.

Abstract: The invention concerns a crosslinked optically active three-dimensional polymer network, consisting of homochiral units of a first selector and of homochiral units of at least a second selector of different structure from the first selector, the homochiral units of the first selector comprising at least three polymerisable or crosslinkable functional groups and the homochiral units of the second selector comprising at least two polymerisable or crosslinkable functional groups, the homochiral groups being chemically mutually bound. The invention also concerns a method for making such a polymer network and its uses.

Abstract: Useful polysaccharides, such as &bgr;-1,3-glucans, from a biological raw material can be solubilised and/or isolated by treating the raw material with an oxidising agent that leads to oxidation of primary hydroxyl groups in the glucan. The oxidising agent is preferably a catalytic amount of a nitroxyl compound in the presence of a re-oxidising agent such as hypochlorite or an oxidative enzyme with oxygen or hydrogen peroxide. The polysaccharide retains its useful properties during this treatment and is, moreover, more readily available. If desired, protein material from the raw material can also be utilised.

Abstract: A process for producing aldehydes, and/or carboxylic acids is described, in which a primary alcohol, especially a carbohydrate, is oxidized using a catalytic amount of a nitrosonium compound obtained by oxidizing a nitroxyl compound in the presence of an enzyme compound capable of oxidation. Further described are oxidized carbohydrates containing at least 1 cyclic monosaccharide chain group carrying a carbaldehyde group per 25 monosaccharide units and per molecule.

Abstract: To provide a novel method for assay of CTL activity, NKT activity and NK activity, to analyze the meaning of the test of each of the assayed results using the assay method and to find each of the significances of CTL activity, NKT activity and NK activity in cancer therapy. To be specific, the present invention has succeeded in providing a novel method for assay of CTL activity, NKT activity and NK activity, analyzed the meaning of the test of each of the assayed results using the assay method and found each of the significances of CTL activity, NKT activity and NK activity in cancer therapy whereupon a novel immunotherapy comprising the present invention has been achieved.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical composition having an ensured preservation stability, which contains a compound, wherein a polysaccharide derivative having a carboxyl group is bonded to a camptothecin derivative via a spacer or without mediated by any spacer, and a sugar or a sugar alcohol optionally together with a pH-adjusting substance.

Abstract: A method for separating and purifying the active hematinic species present in iron-saccharidic complexes including sodium ferric gluconate complex in sucrose, ferric hydroxide-sucrose complex and ferric saccharate complex and others of similar form and function, based on separation of the iron-saccharidic complex from one or more excipients and, preferably, lyophilization. Separation of the iron-saccharidic complex permits its analytical quantification; further concentration or purification as a new and useful product; preparation of redesigned formulations for new and useful pharmaceuticals; and/or lyophilization.

Abstract: A composition and method are disclosed in which a anti-snoring solution comprising at least one homopolysaccharide is administered to pharyngeal mucous membranes, e.g., soft palate and uvula. The solution preferably includes oat beta glucan and a suitable delivery agent that will hold the active ingredients in solution, and optionally may be combined with essential oil compounds, vitamins, and/or flavoring agents. The solution is preferably administered in the form of a throat spray.

Abstract: A method for the separation of polysaccharides. The method comprises conjugating a ligand to a thermo-sensitive polymer to form a conjugate, wherein the ligand specifically recognizes a polysaccharide, and the thermo-sensitive polymer features a lower critical solution temperature (LCST), contacting a mixture containing a desired polysaccharide with the conjugate at an environmental temperature lower than the LCST to form a polysaccharide-conjugate complex, collecting the polysaccharide-conjugate complex at an environmental temperature higher than the LCST, and releasing the polysaccharide from the polysaccharide-conjugate complex to obtain the desired polysaccharide.

Abstract: A first method for producing glucan comprises the step of allowing a reaction solution containing sucrose, a primer, inorganic phosphate or glucose-1-phosphate, sucrose phosphorylase, and glucan phosphorylase to react to produce glucans. The maximum value of the sucrose-phosphate ratio of the reaction solution from the start of the reaction to the end of the reaction is no more than about 17. A second method for producing glucan comprises the step of allowing a reaction solution containing sucrose, a primer, inorganic phosphate or glucose-1-phosphate, sucrose phosphorylase, and glucan phosphorylase to react to produce glucans. The reaction is conducted at a temperature of about 40 C to about 70 C.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to a method for fractionating plant material into valuable components including beta-glucan. The method uses an organic solvent and water instead of water alone, acidified water and/or aqueous alkali as a solvent for the slurrying of a grain flour. In addition to concentrating beta-glucan, other product fractions produced by the method include starch concentrate, and organic solvent solubles. If enzyme treatments are used, other product fractions include dextrin, protein hydrolysates and organic solvent solubles. The process is particularly effective in concentrating beta-glucans in a state close to its native form from the endosperm of barley and oat grains.

Abstract: A method for a screening of an agent acting on a cell wall, which comprises the steps of (1) culturing each of microorganisms having a reporter protein fixed on a cell wall or a cell membrane as a GPI-anchored protein in the presence of a test agent; (2) determining the reporter protein released into each culture fluid of the microorganism cultured; and (3) judging that the test agent has a selective inhibitory action on the cell wall when the reporter protein is released from the microorganism having the reporter protein fixed on the cell wall into the culture fluid and the reporter protein is not substantially released from the microorganism having the reporter protein fixed on the cell membrane into the culture fluid.

Abstract: Compositions comprising alkoxylated lipophilic polyol compounds, e.g., ehtoxylated, esterified methyl glucosides, are disclosed wherein at least 5% of the polyol derivatives have about three moles of the lipophilic substituent per mole of polyol. Quite advantageously, the disclosed polyol derivatives can be dissolved into aqueous solutions to provide liquid thickeners suitable for thickening surfactant-containing compositions, e.g., shampoos, at cold processing temperatures.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for preparing smooth-surface spherical microparticles which are completely or partially made of at least one water-insoluble linear polysaccharide. This method involves dissolving the at least one water-insoluble linear polysaccharide in a solvent or a mixture of solvents, introducing the solution into a precipitation agent or a mixture of precipitation agents, optionally cooling the mixture thus obtained, and separating the microparticles thus formed. The precipitation agent used consists of at least one water-soluble cellulose derivative. This invention also relates to microparticles obtained according to this method.

Abstract: The invention is concerned with the identification of a novel class of bacterial polysaccharide biosynthetic operons and an ovel clas of regulatory operons involved with polysaccharide biosynthesis, bacterial attachment and biofilm development. Bacterial strains which possess a polysaccharide biosynthetic operon of the type provide by the invention are capable of producing polysaccharide wtih industrial implications. Bacterial strains which possess a regulatory operon of the type provided by the invention may be targeted by pharmaceutical/chemical agents to prevent bacterial attachment and biofilm development.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the isolation of novel glucan particles but also to mannoprotein from natural sources such as yeast cell walls, novel isolation methods, and the use of products thereof.

Abstract: Molecular inclusion compounds consisting of at least (a) one linear, water-soluble polysaccharide and (b) one or more fatty acid or fatty acid derivative are disclosed. The polysaccharide may be obtained biocatalytically. Methods for manufacturing the molecular inclusion compounds and the use of the molecular inclusion compounds in pharmaceutical preparations, as an ingredient of functional foodstuffs in cosmetic preparations, and as food additives and supplements are also disclosed.

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.

Abstract: The invention relates to a production method of &agr;-amylase resistant polysaccharides with high RS content, comprising the following steps: a) producing a paste of water-insoluble poly-(1,4-&agr;-D-glucan) and water; b) heating the paste; c) cooling off and retrogradation of the past at a temperature that is lower than the temperature of the heated paste and d) optionally drying the resulting product.

Abstract: &bgr;-Glucan which is cold-water soluble and is capable of forming a gel. The solubility is greater than 2% by weight in water at a temperature below approximately 50° C. A process for preparing the &bgr;-glucan by recovering the &bgr;-glucan from an aqueous solution containing it before any gelation of the solution begins to occur. The use of the &bgr;-glucan for treating various disorders or diseases, and other uses including in foods and as an edible film.

Abstract: There are described novel cross-linked polymers based on bis-silane, bis-thioether, bis-sulphoxide, bis-sulphone and butane-di-yl derivatives of polysaccharides and oligosaccharides, their shaping as support materials useful for the separation or preparation of enantiomers; a process for preparing the said cross-linked polymer compounds, a process for preparing balls of support materials containing the said cross-linked polymer compounds; a method of obtaining balls of support materials useful in chromatography or in organic synthesis; and the use of the said support materials containing the cross-linked polymer compounds in separation or in preparation of enantiomers, through employment in chromatography or organic synthesis processes in a heterogeneous medium; and the use of the said cross-linked polymer compounds in the form of membranes in processes using percolation through membranes for the separation or the preparation of enantiomers.

Abstract: Therapeutical method comprising administration to a patient of an effective amount of especially soluble laminarin for the treatment of tumors and more generally of cancers of the group comprising breast cancer, lung cancer, oesophagus cancer, stomach cancer, intestine and colon cancers, and for the treatment of viral, bacterial and fungal diseases as well as diseases related to immunostimulant deficiencies of human beings and warm-blood animals.

Abstract: Disclosed is a gene carrier composed of a hydrogen-bonding polymer having a polymer chain with hydrogen-bonding sites formed on the polymer chain, in which the polymer chain has a conformation similar to the conformation of a nucleic acid, and particularly, the polymer chain has helix parameters similar to the helix parameters of a nucleic acid of a helix structure. In a preferred embodiment, the hydrogen-bonding polymer is composed of &bgr;-1,3-glucan such as schizophyllan. The carrier can be expected to be applied as a vector and a separator for nucleic acids because it is capable of interacting with a nucleic acid to form a complex with the nucleic acid and thus carrying the nucleic acid.

Abstract: A preparation containing a receptor for underivatized, aqueous soluble &bgr;(1-3)-glucan is disclosed, along with characterization of the receptor for underivatized, aqueous soluble &bgr;(1-3)-glucan. Also described are assays for identifying agents which alter the effect of underivatized, aqueous soluble &bgr;(1-3)-glucan on activation of signal transduction pathways and agents identified thereby, as well as assays for assessing the specificity of carbohydrate:glycolipid interactions.

Abstract: A method for producing a beta-glucan from a non-pathogenic saprophytic filamentous fungus or composition that contains it. Also, methods for providing this beta-glucan in a food product to improve structure, texture, stability or combinations thereof, in a food product to provide nutrition or in the manufacture of a medicament or nutritional composition for the prevention or treatment of an immune disorder, tumor or microbial infection.

Abstract: This invention provides a bacterial cellulose comprising ribbon-shaped microfibrils having a thickness of 10 to 100 nm and a width of 160 to 1000 nm or a bacterial cellulose comprising ribbon-shaped microfibrils having a thickness of 10 to 100 nm and a width of 50 to 70 nm. The former bacterial cellulose can be produced by culturing cellulose-producing bacteria in a culture medium containing a cell division inhibitor, and the latter can be produced by culturing the bacterium in a culture medium containing an organic reducing agent. The bacterial cellulose is modified from conventional bacterial cellulose in the major axis, and is improved in Young's modulus, etc.

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.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a segregation reducing agent consisting of curdlan and alkaline materials and a hydraulic composition containing the segragation reducing agent, particularly, the present invention relates to the segregation reducing agent prepared by alkalifying a curdlan-producing fermentation broth per se or a curdlan powder with an alkaline material, and also relates to hydraulic compositions, concrete and mortar, comprising the segregation educing agent. This segregation reducing agent can provide a great segregation reduction effect for hydraulic compositions even at its small amount as well as guarantee the strength, filling ability and fluidity.

Abstract: The present invention provides an agent for treatment of arthritic diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis that has for its active ingredient a complex of hyaluronic acid and zinc. This complex synergistically inhibits proliferation of synovial cells and suppresses matrix metalloproteinase MMP-9, which is produced by synovial cells, as compared with its constituents, hyaluronic acid and zinc, alone.

Abstract: An efficient method for producing high quality beta glucan enriched soluble dietary fiber products is described. An aqueous extraction slurry of beta glucan-containing grain material is homogenized, acidified and enzymatically digested to reduce viscosity and optimize separation of insolubles from the aqueous extract solution. The resulting extract is heat processed to precipitate denatured protein components and subsequently dried or otherwise processed to provide the products for use as food additives or dietary supplements.

Abstract: The invention relates to a cellulose ether that is hydrophobically modified with an alkyl or alkenylketene dimer of general formula (I), in which R1 and R2 are alkyl or alkenyl chain, such as one having 5 to 22, preferably 13 to 20, most preferably 14 to 18 carbons. The product can be used in water-based products to control the rheological properties, for example. Objects of use include, for example, detergents, paper coating mixtures, paints, dispersing agents, and oil drilling muds.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for reductive amination of polysaccharides which comprises subjecting a reaction mixture comprising a polysaccharide, an amino compound and a reducing agent, to microwave radiation for a period of time sufficient to aminate the polysaccharide.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the production of small spherical particles consisting totally or partly of at least one water-insoluble linear polysaccharide by dissolving the at least one water-insoluble polysaccharide in a solvent or a solvent mixture, introducing the solution into a precipitating agent or a precipitating agent mixture, optionally cooling the mixture thus obtained and separating the formed small particles, wherein at least one poly alpha D-glucan soluble in hot water is used as auxiliary agent for precipitation. The invention also relates to the particles obtained according to said method.

Abstract: A glucan extracted by oxidation treatment of microorganism cells belonging to the genus Aspergillus under alkaline conditions; a glucan obtained by dissolving an aqueous solvent-insoluble fraction of the glucan in an aprotic polar solvent; a glucan obtained by dissolving the glucan in a urea solution; methods for obtaining the glucan; a method for measuring an amount of (1→3)-&bgr;-D-glucan in a sample using the glucan; and a (1→3)-&bgr;-D-glucan measuring kit containing the glucan.

Abstract: Compositions comprising alkoxylated lipophilic polyol compounds, e.g., ethoxylated, esterified methyl glucosides, are disclosed wherein at least 5% of the polyol derivatives have about three moles of the lipophilic substituent per mole of polyol. Quite advantageously, the disclosed polyol derivatives can be dissolved into aqueous solutions to provide liquid thickeners suitable for thickening surfactant-containing compositions, e.g., shampoos, at cold processing temperatures.

Abstract: A high purity polysaccharide containing hydrophobic group is produced by a process involving a first process step of producing an isocyanate group-containing hydrophobic compound, wherein one mole of a hydroxyl group-containing hydrocarbon having 12-50 carbon atoms or of a sterol is reacted with a diisocyanate represented by OCN—R1—NCO in which R1 is a hydrocarbyl of 1-50 carbon atoms, a second process step of producing the polysaccharide containing hydrophobic group composed of the hydrocarbon group of 12-50 carbon atoms or of the steryl group, wherein the isocyanate group-containing hydrophobic compound obtained in the first process step is reacted with one or more polysaccharides, and a purification step in which the reaction product in the second process step is purified using a solvent based on a ketone.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the production of spherical microparticles consisting totally or partly of at least one water-insoluble polysaccharide, wherein the at least one water-insoluble polysaccharide is dissolved in a solvent or solvent mixture, the solution thus formed is introduced into a precipitating agent or precipitating agent mixture, the mixture obtained is optionally cooled and the formed microparticles are separated. The invention is characterized in that the water-insoluble polysaccharide is selected from a polyglucan containing branches with a degree of branching higher than zero and no higher than 8% and a mixture of a polyglucan containing branches and a linear polysaccharide, wherein the proportion of polyglucan containing branches in the mixture is at the most 30% by weight in relation to the overall weight of the polysaccharide and the polyglucan.

Abstract: The cyclic tetrasaccharide, cyclo{-6)-&agr;-D-Glcp-(1,3)-&agr;-D-Glcp-(1,6)-&agr;-D-Glcp-(1,3)-&agr;-D-Glcp-(1-}, may be produced by alternanase hydrolysis of complex carbohydrates other than alternan. Panose, pullulan, &agr;-D-Glcp-(1,6)-&agr;-D-Glcp-(1,3)-D-Glc, and D-glucans having alternating &agr;-(1,6) and &agr;-(1,4) linkages, are all hydrolyzed by alternanase to produce this cyclic tetrasaccharide. In this process, the cyclic tetrasaccharide is produced by contacting a solution of one or more of the above-mentioned complex carbohydrates with an amount of alternanase under conditions effective for activity of the enzyme. The substrate panose used in the reaction may be produced from a variety of polysaccharides or oligosaccharides, including starch, maltose, maltodextrins, pullulan, and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: A cellulose dispersion which is a dispersion comprising a dispersing medium and a cellulose having a fraction of cellulose I type crystal component of not more than 0.1 and a fraction of cellulose II type crystal component of not more than 0.4 and in which the average particle diameter of the constitutive cellulose is not more than 5 &mgr;m. A cellulose particulate and a cellulose composite particulate which have an average particle diameter of 0.2 to 20 &mgr;m, a ratio of long diameter (L) to short diameter (D) observed through a scanning electron microscope (L/D) of not more than 1.2 and a coefficient of aggregation of 1.0 to 3.0. The present invention provides a cellulose dispersion which has an excellent effect such as dispersion stability or the like and is high in transparency. Moreover, it provides a cellulose particulate and a cellulose composite particulate which have such performances as no rough feel, excellent rolling properties, high dispersibility and the like.

Abstract: The invention concerns the use as surface-active agent of a fructan N-alkylurethane (I) which is composed of saccharide units of general formula (II) A(O—CO—NH—R)s  (II) wherein A represents a fructosyl unit (F) or a terminal glucosyl unit (G) of said fructan, being a levan or an inulin, with a degree of polymerisation (DP) of minimum 3, (O—CO—NH—R) represents an N-alkylaminocarbonyloxy group replacing a hydroxyl group of the saccharide unit A, wherein R represents a linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated alkyl group containing from 3 to 22 carbon atoms and any mixture thereof, and s represents the number of N-alkylaminocarbonyloxy groups per saccharide unit which is expressed as degree of substitution (DS), and said DS has a value ranging from 0.10 to 2.0. The invention further relates to novel fructan N-alkylurethanes (I), in particular inulin N-alkylurethanes (I), and a method for their manufacture.

Abstract: The invention concerns a novel method for preparing by chemical process functionalised &bgr;-(1,3)-glucan derivatives, enabling to obtain free oligosaccharides or comprising specific groups such as, for instance, sulphate, phosphate, methyl, in predetermined positions. Said method consists in reacting a glycosyl donor of formula (Ia) or (Ib) with a glycosyl scavenger of formula (II), as defined in the claims. The invention is useful for preparing biologically active principles for use in the agricultural, cosmetic or pharmaceutical field.

Abstract: The invention relates to a production method of &agr;-amylase resistant polysaccharides with high RS content, comprising the following steps: a) producing a paste of water-insoluble poly-(1,4-&agr;-D-glucan) and water; b) heating the paste; c) cooling off and retrogradation of the past at a temperature that is lower than the temperature of the heated paste and d) optionally drying the resulting product.

Abstract: The use is provided of a fructran with an average degree of polymerisation of at least 15 for the manufacture of a composition for the prevention and/or treatment of colon cancer in non-bovine mammals, particularly in human beings. Also provided is a method of prevention and treatment of colon cancer in a non-bovine mammal, particularly in a human being, comprising administering to said mammal a composition comprising an effective dose of a fructan with an average degree of polymerisation of at least 15. The said composition can be a medicament as well as a functional food. In a preferrred embodiment the fructan is inulin, more preferably inulin with an average degree of polymerisation of at least 20.