Alkaline Beta-Glucan Extraction for Immune Modulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for extracting beta-glucan from yeast sources are time-consuming and expensive, often requiring multi-step processes that include alkali, acid, and organic extractions, which can lead to an overly aggressive inflammatory response and are not suitable for producing a form that maximizes host immunity and antiviral protection without engendering a cytokine storm.
Innovation Solution
A simplified three-step process involving pre-washing, alkaline extraction, and post-washing with intermediate centrifugation, followed by spray-drying, which uses an alkaline environment to produce a particulate beta-glucan that maintains the native cell wall structure and enhances immune modulation without the need for acid and organic extractions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If multi-step extraction processes (alkali, acid, and organic extractions) are used to extract beta-glucan, then the extraction efficiency and purity are improved, but the production time and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the necessary component (beta-glucan) from yeast cell walls using a simplified alkaline extraction process, eliminating unnecessary extraction steps (acid and organic) while maintaining product purity and effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the extraction parameters by using only alkaline conditions (pH 12-14) instead of multiple extraction conditions (alkali, acid, organic), simplifying the process while achieving comparable or superior extraction efficiency
2Manufacturing precision
If multi-step extraction processes are used to extract beta-glucan, then the extraction completeness is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes unnecessary extraction steps (acid and organic extractions) from the manufacturing process, reducing complexity and cost while maintaining complete beta-glucan extraction through optimized alkaline extraction alone
Solution Approach 2:
The patent discards the conventional multi-step extraction approach and recovers only the essential alkaline extraction step, eliminating waste of time, materials, and manufacturing resources associated with unnecessary steps
3Quantity of substance
If conventional extraction methods are used, then the beta-glucan solubility is improved, but the inflammatory response becomes overly aggressive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the solubility parameters by controlling pH and extraction conditions to produce beta-glucan with appropriate solubility characteristics that modulate immune response rather than triggering excessive inflammation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the potential harm of overly aggressive immune stimulation into a benefit by optimizing extraction parameters to produce beta-glucan that provides immune protection without causing cytokine storm or excessive inflammatory response
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The process yields a beta-glucan with superior immune modulating capabilities, reduced inflammation, and increased interferon production, making it suitable for immune-modulating products, antiviral therapies, and vaccine adjuvants, while reducing production time and cost by approximately two-thirds.
Implementation Method 1
The extraction step takes place in a highly alkaline environment with a pH level of at least 13.0
Implementation Method 2
each step followed by an intermediate centrifugation
Implementation Method 3
The process is completed with spray-drying step
Data Source
AI summary
A method of extracting beta-glucan from autolyzed yeast material comprises a pre-wash step with water, an alkaline wash extraction step, a post-wash step with water, and if necessary, a drying step (e.g., spray-drying), with a dewatering and centrifugation between each step. The extraction improves efficiency by skipping the acidic and organic washes common to beta-glucan extraction. It has been discovered that beta glucan products yielded from this process have improved immunological properties, stimulating the expression of several immune-related genes in human macrophages without corresponding levels of stimulation for inflammatory pathways. The resulting beta glucan product can be administered as a supplement or adjuvant to existing anti-viral therapies.