Abstract: The invention relates to a gel based on poly-?-1,4-D-glucan and, optionally, on starch as well as on a swelling agent, to a method for the production thereof, and to the use of a gel of this type.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for manufacturing a starch-containing shape body and a homogenised, starch-containing mass and shape bodies manufactured therefrom. The method is carried out in a manner such that the value of the limiting viscosity index of the mass manufactured therewith is at least 40 ml/g. Such a valve of the limiting viscosity index ensures an elongation at rupture of the extruded material of at least 150%, by which means soft capsules with a one-part capsule casing may be manufactured with the rotary die process.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing microspherical crystallites with a uniform spherical shape and an extremely narrow size distribution. Said crystallites consist wholly or partially of a linear water-insoluble polysaccharide, preferably of 1,4-&agr;-D-polyglucane, have a degree of crystallinity of >80% and can contain additional polymers and/or active ingredients, which are in particular biodegradable. They are particularly suitable for the controlled release of active ingredients. They are produced by fusing 1,4-&agr;-D-polyglucane or the polysaccharide in water, introducing the fusion into a precipitant, cooling the mixture and separating the particles that have formed.

Abstract: The invention relates to soft capsules that consist of a gel from a starch mixture having a reduced branching degree and a swelling agent. The soft capsules are especially useful for pharmaceutical, cosmetic and veterinary uses, but also in food technology.

Abstract: Molecular inclusion compounds consisting of at least (a) one linear, water-soluble polysaccharide and (b) one or more fatty acid or fatty acid derivative are disclosed. The polysaccharide may be obtained biocatalytically. Methods for manufacturing the molecular inclusion compounds and the use of the molecular inclusion compounds in pharmaceutical preparations, as an ingredient of functional foodstuffs in cosmetic preparations, and as food additives and supplements are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a gel based on poly-&agr;-1,4-D-glucan and, optionally, on starch as well as on a swelling agent, to a method for the production thereof, and to the use of a gel of this type.

Abstract: The plastic moulding and design structure has a load-bearing structure (3), which is wholly or partly surrounded by a polymer material (8) forming the moulding. The load-bearing structure (3) is formed from several interconnected, high strength, continuous fibre-reinforced structural elements (5). Thus, in a simple and inexpensive manner it is possible to produce structures with the most varied shapes such as containers, tanks, vehicle frames, etc.

Abstract: A single-layer or multiple-layer foil of substantially reduced gas-permeability comprises at least one layer which consists, at least in part, of substantially thermo-plastically processable starch. In order that this single-layer or multiple-layer foil is at least approximately insensitive to moisture it is proposed that at least one layer comprises furthermore at least one hydrophobic polymer, such as a polyolefin, which is mixed with the starch upon the production of said at least one layer, and/or that the starch is at least partially cross-linked on the surface of said at least one layer and/or that said at least one layer is covered by at least one additional layer which is at least approximately insensitive to moisture.

Abstract: A biologically degradable polymer mixture is proposed which consists essentially of starch and at least one hydrophobic polymer. The hydrophobic polymer is in this connection at least substantially biologically degradable and thermoplastically processable and the mixture with the starch comprising a polymer phase mediator or a macromolecular dispersing agent so that the starch is present in the mixture as disperse phase with the hydrophobic polymer as continuous phase, and the phase mediator or the dispersing agent is responsible for the molecular coupling of the two phases. As starch there is preferably used thermoplastic starch which has been prepared substantially with the exclusion of water by means of sorbitol or glycerol. The production of the biologically degradable polymer mixture is also carried out substantially with the exclusion of water.

Abstract: The present invention relates to thermoplastically processible esterification or transesterification products of starch or of starch derivatives with, for example, lactones, fatty acids, esteramides and the like, wherein the starch or the starch derivative is brought to melt using appropriate softeners or plasticizers before esterification or transesterification.

Abstract: A biologically degradable polymer mixture is proposed which consists essentially of starch and at least one hydrophobic polymer. The hydrophobic polymer is in this connection at least substantially biologically degradable and thermoplastically processable and the mixture with the starch comprising a polymer phase mediator or a macromolecular dispersing agent so that the starch is present in the mixture as disperse phase with the hydrophobic polymer as continuous phase, and the phase mediator or the dispersing agent is responsible for the molecular coupling of the two phases. As starch there is preferably used thermoplastic starch which has been prepared substantially with the exclusion of water by means of sorbitol or glycerol. The production of the biologically degradable polymer mixture is also carried out substantially with the exclusion of water.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of biodegradable graft copolymers producible in the presence of empirically determined quantities of water from polyvinyl alcohols with a degree of saponification of 88 to 99.5 mol. % by an acid catalysed acetalisation and/or transacetylisation reaction with carbohydrates containing carbonyl groups or presumptive carbonyl groups, in which the degree of acetqalisation, expressed in carbonyl equivalents per 100 vinyl alcohol equivalents, is between 0.2 and 20, and preferably between 1 and 10, as a plasticiser for the thermoplaticisation of starch and/or starch mixtures.

Abstract: In order to produce a substantially biologically degradable polymer foam, a thermoplastic or disaggregated starch or a polymer mixture of thermoplastic or disaggregated starch with at least one biologically degradable hydrophobic polymer is used. In addition, the material is mixed with a biologically degradable fibrous or capsular material capable of binding water by capillary action, said material being at least partially treated or saturated with water before being mixed with the polymer. The polymer/material mixture thus obtained is processed under controlled pressure and temperature so that the water bound by capillarity in the material is released and causes the polymer to foam.

Abstract: In order that a substantially biologically degradable polymer is prevented from at least partially losing its biological degradability when reinforced by additives such as fibers and the like, it is proposed that natural fibers such as, in particular, sisal or ramie fibers, be used.

Abstract: Starch based formulations for processing under applied pressure which are particulate and free-flowing at room temperatures, characterized in that it contains:______________________________________ quantity ______________________________________ (a) chemically non-modified 72-89.58 parts starch (b) at least one lubricant/ 0-5 parts release agent (c) at least one melt-flow 0-5 parts accelerator (d) texturing agent 0.02-1 parts (e) water 10-22 parts ______________________________________(i) the components (b) and (c) together always result in at least 0.4 parts and at most 5 parts and(ii) the sum of the components (a), (b), (c), (d) and (e) always is 100 parts.

Abstract: For the purpose of improving the quality and especially the mechanical properties of single- or multi-ply sheets with at least one ply, consisting at least in part of thermoplastically processable starch, the sheets are stretched monoaxially or biaxially after they have been produced.

Abstract: The invention refers to a process of forming shaped articles from starch, which process comprises:(a) heating a composition comprising a pre-processed and essentially destructurized starch/water material, at a water content in the range of from 10 to 20% by weight based on the weight of the composition to a temperature sufficient to essentially destructure the starch.(b) transferring the melt to a mold while maintaining said water content and(c) cooling the melt in the mold to a temperature below its glass transition temperature to form a solid shaped articleand articles made by this process.

Abstract: A destructurized native starch material is described which has a water content in the range of about 10 to 25% by weight and that its mass average molar mass is reduced by a factor of 2 to 5000 compared to its original mass average molar mass. The destructurized starch is produced by heating a chemically non-modified starch material having a water content in the range of about 5 to 25% by weight of the total weight of the composition in the presence of a chain scission catalyst in a closed volume to an elevated temperature sufficient to form a thermoplastic melt and until the mass average molar mass is reduced by a factor of 2 to 5000.

Abstract: In order to produce thermoplastically processable starch, an additive or plasticizer respectively is mixed with native or natural starch and the mixture is caused to melt by the application of heat and mechanical energy. The additive is a substance which lowers the melting point of the starch so that the melting point of the starch together with this additive lies below the decomposition temperature of the starch and the additive furthermore has a solubility parameter of over 15 cal.sup.1/2 cm.sup.-3/2. After the mixture of starch and additive is molten, the melt is mixed until it is at least almost homogeneous. The vapor pressure of the additive within the melting range of the mixture of starch and additive should be less than one bar. Preferably the mixing process is executed without the presence of water.

Abstract: In order to produce a polymer mixture essentially consisting of starch and a polyolefin up to 70 wt. % of thermoplastically processable starch is mixed with 10 to 40 wt. % polyolefin and 10 to 35 wt. % ethylene/acrylate/maleic anhydride terpolymer. During this mixing process an esterification reaction takes place between the maleic anhydride groups in the terpolymer with free hydroxyl groups in the starch according to the general reaction process (I).