Toei Shinyaku Obtains Third Domestic Patent for β-Glucan Measurement Method in Agaricus blazei

Toei Shinyaku Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Mitaka, Tokyo; CEO: Akimoto Motoi) has established a method for measuring β-glucan, the main component of our open-field cultivated Agaricus blazei KA21 strain (hereafter referred to as King Agaricus KA21), in collaboration with the Department of Immunology, School of Pharmacy, Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Sciences. As a result of this research, we are pleased to announce the patent registration of "Detection and Quantification Method and Kit for β-1,6-Branched β-1,3-Glucan or β-1,3-Glucan."

Patent Certificate

Overview

Patent Number: Patent No. 7632898

Registration Date: February 10, 2025

Patent Holder: Toei Shinyaku Co., Ltd.

Inventors: Daisuke Yamanaka, Yoshiyuki Adachi

Patent Title: Detection and Quantification Method and Kit for β-1,6-Branched β-1,3-Glucan or β-1,3-Glucan

About This Patent

This patent is the result of a collaborative study between Toei Shinyaku and the Department of Immunology, School of Pharmacy, Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Sciences, focusing on our outdoor cultivated Agaricus blazei KA21 strain. 

Related technologies include the following patents previously registered by Toei Shinyaku:

Patent No. 6966756 (October 26, 2021): β-Glucan Binding Protein, β-Glucan Detection Kit, Artificial DNA, and Bacteria

Patent No. 7052967 (April 4, 2022): β-1,6-Glucanase Variant and Method for Measuring β-1,6-Glucan

This newly developed β-glucan measurement technology has potential applications in:

・Diagnostic kits for fungal infections

・Measurement of β-glucan content in supplements

・Research on the mechanism of action of β-glucan

About β-Glucan

β-Glucan is a component found in the cell walls of fungi such as mushrooms, molds, and yeasts. It is primarily categorized into β-1,3-glucan and β-1,6-glucan.

β-1,3-Glucan binds to Dectin-1 on immune cells, playing a crucial role in immune responses. The β-1,3-glucan recognition system is also utilized in medical settings for diagnosing deep-seated fungal infections.

Structural formula of β-glucan contained in agaricus

Outdoor Cultivated Agaricus blazei = King Agaricus KA21 by Toei Shinyaku

King Agaricus KA21 is cultivated outdoor in the natural environment of Brazil, the original habitat of the mushroom. Unlike conventional indoor-grown Agaricus, which is cultivated in dark conditions, this strain is cultivated under direct sunlight in an open field. This method allows the mushrooms to grow larger and develop higher levels of *vitamins, minerals (1), and antioxidant activity.

(*1) Based on analysis by the Japan Food Research Laboratories.

Outdoor cultivated Agaricus blazei = King Agaricus KA21 by Toei Shinyaku.

Comparison of Agaricus blazei Sizes

Left: Typical indoor-cultivated Agaricus blazei

Right: Outdoor cultivated Agaricus blazei =King Agaricus KA21

Difference in β-glucan content

Difference in vitamins and minerals

Comparison of antioxidant activity

Toei Shinyaku Co., Ltd.

Toei Shinyaku Co., Ltd., the manufacturer of the King Agaricus KA21 strain, has been conducting research and development on KA21 for over 28 years, with 34 international research publications demonstrating extensive scientific achievements. The company has collaborated with various academic and research institutions, including Azabu University School of Veterinary Medicine, Keio University SFC Research Institute, National Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology, Juntendo University School of Medicine, the University of Tokyo Research Center for Food Safety, Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Sciences, and the Institute of Natural Medicine, University of Toyama. These collaborations have led to numerous valuable findings related to outdoor cultivated King Agaricus KA21.

Company Information

Company Name: Toei Shinyaku Co., Ltd.

Headquarters: 1-11-23 Shimorenjaku, Mitaka, Tokyo 181-0013, Japan

Representative: CEO Akitomo Motoi

Capital: 10 million yen

Website: https://toeishinyaku.com/