Water-Soluble β-1,3/1,6-Glucan Composition With Controlled Molecular Weight
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing β-glucan products from sources like shiitake have inconsistent quality, high molecular weight, and impurities, making them unsuitable for diverse applications and market demands, particularly in medical uses.
Innovation Solution
A β-1,3/1,6-glucan composition with controlled structure and purity is developed, using Antarctic brown algae, involving a purification process combining strong and weak anion exchange resins to achieve a molecular weight of 1-50 kDa, specific optical rotation, and absence of absorption peaks at 260-280 nm.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If β-glucan is derived from shiitake with high molecular weight (400-800 kDa), then it has β-1,6-branches structure, but it has poor water solubility, difficulty in separation and purification, and high impurity content
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the β-glucan molecule by controlling the degree of polymerization to 10-80 glucose units, breaking down the high molecular weight structure into smaller, more manageable units that are easier to separate and purify while maintaining the essential β-1,3/1,6-glucan structure
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the molecular weight parameter from 400-800 kDa to a controlled range corresponding to 10-80 degree of polymerization, which fundamentally alters the solubility and purification characteristics of the β-glucan product
2Adaptability or versatility
If β-glucan is derived from different sources (barley, oats, edible fungi, yeast), then abundant sources are available, but the molecular weight, linkage and degree of branch vary greatly, making it difficult to control quality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent specifies local structural characteristics (β-1,3/1,6-linkage with controlled degree of polymerization 10-80) that must be present regardless of the raw material source, allowing different sources to be used while maintaining consistent quality standards
Solution Approach 2:
The patent establishes controlled parameter ranges (degree of polymerization 10-80, molecular weight 10-50 kDa) that standardize the product quality across different raw material sources, transforming variable natural products into consistent pharmaceutical materials
3Reliability
If β-glucan has high molecular weight (400-800 kDa), then it comes from shiitake with β-1,6-branches, but it has poor water solubility and high impurity content
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the β-glucan into smaller units with degree of polymerization 10-80, which improves water solubility by reducing molecular size and increasing hydration capacity, while still maintaining the therapeutic β-1,3/1,6-glucan structure
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the molecular weight parameter to achieve optimal solubility and purity characteristics, finding the balance point at degree of polymerization 10-80 where the molecule is small enough to dissolve well but large enough to maintain biological activity
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 composition exhibits enhanced biological activity, particularly in immune-related diseases, with improved antitumor effects and immune system modulation.
Implementation Method 1
a purification process combining strong and weak anion exchange resins
Data Source
AI summary
A β-glucan composition and use thereof. Specifically provided are uses of the β-glucan composition in preparing a composition for improving or treating immune-related diseases, said β-glucan being a β-glucan containing β-1,3 and β-1,6 glucosidic bonds in the molecules thereof, and having a molecular weight of 1-50 kDa. The β-glucan features a novel structure, a controllable mass, abundant sources, simple preparation processing, high product purity, strong biological activity, and is easy to produce industrially, among other strengths. The resulting water soluble β-glucan composition features better antitumor activity, has the potential to be developed into a safe and effective novel drug for improving or treating immune-related diseases and fighting tumors.