Barley News & Updates

Since 1998 and continuing in 2009, major medical school research continues at the Department of Microbiology at the University of Nevada School of Medicine under the direction of Kenneth W. Hunter, Jr., Sc.D. in areas such as modes of potentiation, vaccine adjuvants and cancer. The first of multiple patents pending issued with Dr. Kenneth W. Hunter, Jr. and others, including Frank M. Jordan, have demonstrated microparticulate Beta glucan of 1-2 microns in size and in dosages of 10 - 100 mg or less are preferable in a formulation that must be specially processed to prevent reaggregation (clumping after exposure to water in the digestive process), which in turn significantly enhances immune response potentiation.

Dr. Hunter and associates have developed a proprietary form of nonaggregated, microparticulate Beta glucan peer-reviewed published and designated as MG Glucan, that produces a nitric oxide burst in the macrophage cells indicative of microbe killing capabilities approximately twice that of reaggregated or globular (large micron particle size) glucans (U.S. Patent 6,476,003). Absorption rates, dosages and the efficacy of small particle microparticulate is being analyzed in an extensive study on particulate Beta 1,3/1,6 glucan taken orally and processed through the digestive tract into the Peyer's Patch in the lymphatic system.

This research, including adjuvants, vaccines and cancer, has been sponsored partially by the State of Nevada in conjunction with Nutritional Scientific Corporation, manufacturers of the original NSC-24 oral dietary supplement with Beta glucan which first evolved from the earlier Baylor College of Medicine research on orally administered Beta glucan. Other researchers, including Dr. Vetvicka and Dr. Gary Ostroff (BioPolymer), are exploring Beta glucan in anthrax conditions, in addition to vaccine adjuvant research by Dr. Kenneth W. Hunter, Jr. Dr. Nino Sorgente is supervising Beta glucan research in Japan sponsored by ImmuDyne, Inc. Dr. D.L. Williams, Dr. I.W. Browder and associates continue with prolific research with Beta glucan at East Tennessee State University and additional educational facilities. Dr. G. D. Brown and S. Gordon are also active in research at Oxford University in London, UK.

With the broad range of benefits in health derived from the particulate Beta glucan, the history of developing knowledge about this simple but potent biological defense modifier is only beginning, but the future is certain to be both exciting and productive in producing better health to yield both a quality and quantity of life through science.