Patent ID: 6531178
Filing Date: 2003-03-11
Classification: A23L,C08B

Abstract:
A process for preparing a high concentration &bgr;-glucan product comprising:forming an aqueous slurry of a &bgr;-glucan-containing grain product having about 13% or less by weight &bgr;-glucan content, the slurry having a temperature in an operating temperature range of from about 110Â° F. to about 140Â° F.; adjusting the pH of the aqueous slurry to be in the range of from about 7.0 to 10.0 while maintaining the slurry in the operating temperature range; holding the pH-adjusted slurry in the operating temperature range for at least about 50 minutes to about 75 minutes; thereafter prior to separation acidifying said slurry to a pH in the range of from about 4.0 to about 4.8; and separating from said slurry while at the separating pH a &bgr;-glucan rich supernatant fraction having a &bgr;-glucan concentration on a dry weight basis of about 18% to about 30%.