Use of beta-1,3 (4)-endoglucanohydrolase, beta-1,3 (4) glucan, diatomaceous earth, mineral clay and glucomannan to augment immune function

Abstract

A method for the augmentation of immune function is described. The invention comprises a combination of β-1,3 (4)-endoglucanohydrolase, β-1,3 (4)glucan, diatomaceous earth, mineral clay and glucomannan, which is fed to or consumed by mammalian or avian species in amounts sufficient to augment immune function. The invention described may be admixed with feeds or foods, incorporated into pelleted feeds or foods or administered orally to mammalian and avian species.

1 . A composition comprising a combination of β-glucans, β-1,3 (4)-endoglucanohydrolase, calcined diatomaceous earth, a mineral clay, and glucomannan is admixed in foods and animal feeds thereby augmenting immune function in mammalian and avian species and thereby reducing susceptibility to an infection.  
   
   
       2 . The composition of  claim 1  wherein the innate immune system is augmented in mammalian and avian species  
   
   
       3 . The composition of  claim 1  wherein the innate immune system is augmented in immunosuppressed mammalian and avian species.  
   
   
       4 . The composition of  claim 1  wherein L-selectin and interleukin-1β, which serve as indexes of innate immune function, are augmented in mammalian and avian species.  
   
   
       5 . The composition of  claim 1  wherein mammalian species include all ruminant animals.  
   
   
       6 . The composition of  claim 1  wherein mammalian species include dairy cattle, beef cattle and sheep.  
   
   
       7 . The composition of  claim 1  wherein mammalian species include sheep.  
   
   
       8 . The composition of  claim 1  wherein avian species include poultry species used in commercial livestock production.  
   
   
       9 . The composition of  claim 2  wherein mammalian species include all ruminant animals.  
   
   
       10 . The composition of  claim 2  wherein mammalian species include dairy cattle, beef cattle and sheep.  
   
   
       11 . The composition of  claim 2  wherein mammalian species include sheep.  
   
   
       12 . The composition of  claim 2  wherein avian species include poultry species used in commercial livestock production.  
   
   
       13 . The composition of  claim 3  wherein mammalian species include all ruminant animals  
   
   
       14 . The composition of  claim 3  wherein mammalian species include dairy cattle, beef cattle and sheep.  
   
   
       15 . The composition of  claim 3  wherein mammalian species include sheep.  
   
   
       16 . The composition of  claim 4  wherein avian species include poultry species used in commercial livestock production.  
   
   
       17 . The composition of  claim 4  wherein mammalian species include all ruminant animals  
   
   
       18 . The composition of  claim 4  wherein mammalian species include dairy cattle, beef cattle and sheep.  
   
   
       19 . The composition of  claim 4  wherein mammalian species include sheep.  
   
   
       20 . The composition of  claim 4  wherein avian species include poultry species used in commercial livestock production.  
   
   
       21 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the mineral clay product is montmorillonite, bentonite, aluminosilicate, or zeolite clays, or mixtures thereof.  
   
   
       22 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the β-1,3 (4)-endoglucanohydrolase is produced from submerged fermentation of  Trichoderma longibrachiatum.    
   
   
       23 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the β-glucans and glucomannan are derived from boiling and enzyme autolysis of gram positive yeast cell walls from the genera of  Saccharomyces.    
   
   
       24 . The composition of  claim 23 , wherein the β-glucans and glucomannan are derived from boiling and enzyme autolysis of gram positive yeast cell walls from  Saccharomyces cerevisiae.    
   
   
       25 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the diatomaceous earth is calcined at a minimum temperature of 900° C.  
   
   
       26 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the composition comprises between 15% and 40% diatomaceous earth, between 50% and 81% mineral clay, between 1.0% and 5.0% β-glucans, between 0.05% and 3.0% β-1,3 (4)-endoglucanohydrolase and between 1% and 8.0% glucomannan.  
   
   
       27 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the composition comprises between 20% and 30% diatomaceous earth, between 60% and 75% mineral clay, between 1.0% and 3.5% β-glucans, between 0.1% and 3.0% β-1,3 (4)-endoglucanohydrolase and between 1.0% and 6.0% glucomannan.  
   
   
       28 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the combination of diatomaceous earth, a mineral clay, β-1,3 (4)-endoglucanohydrolase, β-glucan and glucomannan is admixed into foods or animal feedstuffs in a concentration of between 0.0125% and 5% by weight for the purpose of inhibiting fungal growth in feed, food or digesta.  
   
   
       29 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein said composition is admixed into a food or feedstuff and is subsequently fed to domestic livestock.  
   
   
       30 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein said composition is admixed into a food or feedstuff and is subsequently feed to ruminant livestock or avian livestock.