A glucan which is characterized by repeating units of [3)-Glc-(1.fwdarw.4)-Glc-(1.fwdarw.4)-Glc-(1.fwdarw.] wherein Glc represents alpha-D-glucopyranose residue. This glucan may be prepared by cultivating a microorganism of the genus Elsinoe capable of producing this glucan on a nutrient medium to produce this glucan and separating and recovering this glucan. This glucan may be used, for example, in the form of a film for packaging film material.

A novel beta-1,3-glucan (ganoderan) is produced by culturing a microorganism of genus Ganoderma. Ganoderan is composed of a backbone structure of beta-1,3-linked D-glucopyranose residues bearing, at some of the C-6 positions, side chains of single beta-1,6-linked D-glucopyranose residue, and, at some of the C-2 positions, side chains of another type wherein 2-4 D-glucopyranose residues are linked via beta-1,4-linkage. Hydrogenation of ganoderan leads to the formation of a polyol-type ganoderan. ...

The present invention relates to neutral soluble .beta.-glucans which exert potent and specific immunological effects without stimulating the production of certain cytokines, to preparations containing the novel .beta.-glucans, and to a novel manufacturing process therefor. The neutral soluble glucan preparation has a high affinity for the .beta.-glucan receptor of human monocytes and retains two primary biological (or immunological) activities, (1) the enhancement of microbicidal activity of ph...

Products such as film, sheet, paper, fiber, coating material, binder, and molded materials e.g. capsules, cups et al are disclosed. The products are prepared by use of an alpha-glucan comprising repeating units of [3)-Glc-(1.fwdarw.4)-Glc-(1.fwdarw.4)-Glc-(1.fwdarw.], (wherein Glc represents alpha-D-glucopyranose residue) as its sole constituent or a member of its constituents according to conventional methods.

A new class of soluble phosphorylated glucans is described as well as the process for making the same. According to a preferred embodiment, the soluble phosphorylated glucan is derived from the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The soluble phosphorylated glucans are useful for prophylactic and therapeutic applications against neoplastic, bacteria, viral, fungal and parasitic diseases. Additionally, they may be administered as a non-toxic adjuvant, in combination with chemotherapy. The soluble phos...

A new class of soluble phosphorylated glucans is described as well as the process for making the same. According to a preferred embodiment, the soluble phosphorylated glucan is derived from the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The soluble phosphorylated glucans are useful for prophylactic and therapeutic applications against neoplastic, bacteria, viral, fungal and parasitic diseases. Additionally, they may be administered as a non-toxic adjuvant, in combination with chemotherapy. The soluble phos...

The present invention is directed to monoclonal antibodies which specifically bind to a Limulus .alpha..sub.2 -macroglobulin. Preferred monoclonal antibodies inhibit the enzymatic activation of a Limulus amebocyte lysate to form a gel or to cleave a chromogenic substrate in the presence of an endotoxin but not in the presence of a glucan. The monoclonal antibodies can be used, inter alia, to purify a Limulus .alpha..sub.2 -macroglobulin, and the preferred antibodies can be used in a method for s...

This invention provides a composition comprising an effective amount of (1-3),(1-4)-.beta.-glucan derived from barley capable of enhancing efficacy of antibodies. This invention further provides the above compositions and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. This invention also provides a method for treating a subject with cancer comprising administrating the above-described composition to the subject.

Cereal grains are ground, slurried in water below the starch gelatinization temperature. Bran, starch granules and protein are removed. .beta.-Glucan is precipitated and dehydrated with alcohol, screened and ground to become a white-colored product with a neutral flavor. The method recovers from 33 to 75 percent of the total natural occurring .beta.-glucan in cereal grains. The .beta.-glucan product is water soluble with purity ranging from 60-90 percent and exhibiting molecular weight of .beta....

Immunogenic compositions and subunit vaccines for dental caries are described which comprise peptide subunits of glucan binding protein-B and peptide subunits of glucan binding protein-B in combination with peptide subunits of glucosyltransferase. Methods of provoking an immune response to S. mutans glucan binding protein-B or glucosyltransferase. Methods of immunizing a mammal against dental caries are also described, along with antibodies which bind particular epitopes of glucan binding protei...