Patent ID: 8211477
Filing Date: 2012-07-03
Classification: A61K,A61P,A61Q,C07K

Abstract:
1. A solubilized protein composition obtained from avian eggshell membrane without the use of proteolytic enzymes or cross-linking agents, wherein the composition is essentially odor-free, has an ash content of less than 20% by weight of the composition, and comprises a solubilized protein content of at least 80% by weight of the composition, wherein the composition comprises a mixture of solubilized proteins selected from the group consisting of Type I collagen, Type V collagen, Type X collagen, elastin, lysozyme, ovotransferrin, desmosine, and/or B-N-acetylglucosaminidase, wherein the solubilized proteins are undenatured and retain biological activity, and wherein the solubilized protein composition is obtained by a process comprising: (a) exposing the eggshell membrane to a sufficient amount of a basic solution for a sufficient length of time and temperature for hydrolysis of the eggshell membrane to occur so as to produce a solution containing solubilized proteins whereby the solubilized proteins are undenatured and retain biological activity; (b) cooling the solution containing the solubilized proteins to a temperature of from about 2 degrees Celsius to about 18 degrees Celsius; (c) centrifuging the cooled solubilized protein solution to form a supernatant liquid; (d) removing ash from the supernatant liquid so that the supernatant liquid has a conductivity of less than 5 milliSiemens/cm; and (c) recovering the solubilized protein composition from the supernatant liquid obtained in step (d) by filtering the supernatant liquid through a membrane that has a molecular cutoff of at least 100 kDa to obtain a retentate protein mixture containing solubilized proteins having a molecular weight of greater than 100 kDa and/or a permeate protein mixture containing solubilized proteins having a molecular weight of less than 100 kDa.