Multi-stage process for production of immune modulator

摘要

Immune function of an animal can be modulated by administration of a composition that includes algae meal or beta glucan. The algae meal can be made by growing Euglena using particular methods and conditions, including certain continuous, semi-continuous, fed-batch, and repeat batch methods in sterile fermenters. Euglena provides a form of beta glucan that is different from other organisms, where the beta glucan is predominantly unbranched beta-1,3-glucan. Use of algae meal and beta glucan produced by the disclosed processes can improve the wellbeing of an animal or human, and may augment or even replace the use of antibiotics in certain circumstances.

主权项

1. A method for growing Euglena comprising:
(a) growing Euglena heterotrophically in a growth media in a vessel to form a culture, wherein the Euglena are grown to a concentration of at least 50 grams dry weight per liter and the Euglena have greater than 30% by weight beta glucan and less than 70% by weight beta glucan; (b) removing a portion of the culture from the vessel to form a removed portion; and (c) replenishing the remaining culture in the vessel with fresh growth media to form a replenished culture; wherein the productivity of Euglena grown by steps (a), (b), and (c) is at least 20 grams dry weight per liter of culture maintained in the vessel per day, and wherein a carbon source in the growth media in steps (a) and (c) is less than 30 grams per liter.