Studies

Beta-1.3/1,6-D-Glucan Studies

Beta glucans have been known for over 50 years and have been listed by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as Generally Regarded As Safe (GRAS). Since our beta-1,3/1,6-D-glucan is listed as GRAS it requires no further FDA or USDA approval for use in animal feed or as a supplement for humans. The beta-1,3/1,6-D-glucan that InAltara produces will be at least 80% pure and biologically active.  The biological activity is defined as the ability to elicit the production of nitric acid by macrophages in culture and the ability to activate the alternative complement system in the blood. Beta-1,3/1,6-D-glucan is a stable, light tan powder that can withstand temperatures of up to 200^o F and will not degrade during the manufacture of pelleted feeds.

A number of companies have claimed to have isolated and purified beta glucan, however many of the commercial beta glucans on the market are of varying purity ranging from 25 to 60% and most of them have low or no biological activity

Since the widespread use of antibiotics gives rise to resistant bacteria and suppresses the immune system allowing viral infections to become more widespread and uncontrollable, the European Union starting in 1999 began to ban the use of some antibiotics in animal feed and by 2006 the EU banned all antibiotics from animal feeds. In the United States the use of most antibiotics in animal feeds is still allowed.  The medical implication not withstanding, pressure from consumers as well as the inability to export to Europe and Japan meats from animal raised with antibiotics will eventually result in the ban of antibiotics in animal feeds in the United States.

Farming animals without the use of “growth promotion” antibiotics increases the cost because of increased mortality, increased morbidity, less efficient feed conversion, increased space utilization and more intensive management.

The studies and trials detailed below were conducted using the owners of InAltara's beta-1,3/1,6-D-glucan and have shown that it can replace the use of antibiotics in farmed animals raised in an environment that is extremely stressful (overcrowding, lack of exercise, temperature changes, etc.) and in an environment that is teeming with bacteria and viruses (the excrement of these animals serve as litter for many generations of animals). Humans also depend heavily for food from farmed animals.