Method or use of a solubilized glucan product to increase immunostimulation in animals
A method of increasing immunostimulation in animals by administering to the animal a glucan product comprising a branched β-(1,3) glucan with β-(1,3)-linked side chains being attached by a β-(1,6)-linkage and being essentially free of side chains containing more than four β-(1,6)-bound glucose units.
1. A method of increasing immunostimulation in animals by administering to the animal a glucan product comprising a branched β-(1,3) glucan with β-(1,3)-linked side chains, said β-(1,3)-linked side chains comprising more than one β-(1,3)-linked glucose unit and being attached by a β-(1,6)-linkage wherein said glucan has been treated with a β-1,6-glucanase, and said product is essentially free of side chains of more than four β-(1,6)-bound glucose units and is greater than 5000 Daltons in weight.
2. The method according to claim 1 wherein the glucan is solubilized.
3. The method according to claim 1 wherein the glucan product is in a form selected from the group consisting of a food additive, animal feed, and pharmaceutical product.
4. The method according to claim 1 wherein the glucan is derived from yeast.
5. The method according to claim 4 wherein the yeast is of the family Saccharomyces.
6. The method according to claim 5 wherein the yeast is Saccharomyces cerevisiae.
7. The method according to claim 1 wherein the glucan product is in the form of a vaccine.
8. The method according to claim 7 wherein the vaccine is administered by intraperitoneal injection.
9. The method according to claim 1 wherein the animal is a fish.