COLD WATER SOLUBLE .BETA.-GLUCAN PRODUCT AND PROCESS FOR PREPARING THE SAME

摘要

.beta.-Glucan which is cold-water soluble and is capable of forming a gel. T he solubility is greater than 2 % by weight in water at a temperature below approximately 50 ~C. A process for preparing the .beta.-glucan by recovering the .beta.-glucan from an aqueous solution containing it before any gelation of the solution begins to occur. The use of the .szlig.-glucan for treating various disorders or diseases, and other uses including in foods and as an edible film.