Patent ID: 7566470

Claim:
A method of concentrating beta-glucan (BG) from plant materials comprising the steps of: a) mixing and incubating a plant material flour with a solution of ethanol and water wherein the ethanol is at a concentration of 40-90% (v/v) in the water in a single step with any one of or a combination of amylase or protease enzymes to form a flour/ethanol slurry wherein the amylase or protease are active within the ethanol to hydrolyze starch and protein respectively from the plant material flour without beta-glucan being solubilized within the flour/ethanol slurry; and b) separating the flour/ethanol slurry from step a) to form a filtrate portion and a retentate portion; wherein the retentate portion has a concentrated beta-glucan content and a reduced starch or protein content.