Beta-D-glucan, and its production and uses

Claim 1

A beta D-glucan which has the following physiocochemical properties: (a) Element analysis; ##EQU2## (b) Molecular weight (by gel filtration); 100,000 to 500,000 daltons (c) Melting point; decomposable at about 20° C. (d) Specific rotation [α] D 25 ; ± degrees (l=1, c=1.0%, 1 N NaOH) (e) Infrared spectrum (by the KBr tablet method); as illustrated in FIG. 1 (f) Solubility; readily soluble in both 0.5 N NaOH and dimethyl sulfoxide; soluble in water; and insoluble in methanol, ethanol, acetone and chloroform (g) Color reaction; anthrone-sulfuric acid reaction: positive phenol-sulfuric acid reaction: positive carbazole reaction: negative ninhydrin reaction: negative iodine reaction: negative (h) Properties in aqueous solution; 0.1% aqueous solution of a lyophilized preparation is neutral or slightly acidic (i) Appearance; white power; and wherein, upon methylation analysis, said beta-D-glucan gives the molecular ratios of 11 to 15 for 2,4,6-tri-O-methyl-D-glucose; 0.8 to 1.2 for 2,3,4-tri-O-methyl-D-glucose, 0.6 to 1.0 to 2,3,6-tri-O-methyl-D-glucose; and 0.8 to 1.2 for 2,4-di-O-methyl-D-glucose against 1.0 mole of 2,3,4,6-tetra-O-methyl-D-glucosse; or, 3 to 5 for 2,4,6-tri-O-methyl-D-glucose; 0.3 to b 0.5 for 2,3,4-tri-O-methyl-D-glucose; 0.2 to 0.4 for 2,3,6-tri-O-methyl-D-glucose; and 0.9 to 1.2 for 2,4,-di-O-methyl-D-glucose against 1.0 mole of 2,3,4,6-tetra-O-methyl-D-glucose.