Abstract: The invention relates to a method of stabilizing the soil and preventing erosion. According to the invention such a method is characterized by treating the soil with a mixed product of a pre-gelatinized starch and 0.5-5% by weight, calculated on the dry starch, of a surfactant compound which contains an unbranched saturated alkyl group and is selected from the alkyl sulfates having 10-16 carbon atoms, the alkyl sulfonates having 10-16 carbon atoms and the fatty acid alcohols having 8-12 carbon atoms. The invention also relates to said mixed product.

Abstract: Dry products in flake or granulate form suitable as a paste base may be obtained by drying a mixture, containing approximately 30 to 80% by weight of water, of from(a) 30 to 95% by weight of carboxymethylated and/or alkoxylated starch,(b) 3 to 40% by weight of a cellulose ether, and(c) 2 to 40% by weight of a water-dispersible polymer or water-soluble polymer, and(d) optionally, conventional additives, such as preservatives, wetting agents, fillers and the like,in a thin layer on a surface heated to 80.degree. to 200.degree. C. The dry products obtained do not undergo physical separation and are readily dispersible or self-dispersible in water.

Abstract: A process for the dry etherification of granular starch is disclosed. The process is carried out in the presence of an alkaline catalyst and water, and in the presence of an organic acid in the solid state, which organic acid has a solubility at 25.degree. C. ranging from 0.2 to 5 g in 100 g water. Examples of suitable organic acids are fumaric acid and adipic acid.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for applying waterproof starch layers to substrates, which comprises applying an aqueous starch dispersion containing a waterproofing agent to the substrate and then drying same.In order to improve the processability and processing time of the binders, this invention is characterized in that the waterproofing agent or a catalyst which catalyzes the reaction of the waterproofing agent with the starch molecules is present in the starch dispersion in the form of microcapsules, and that, after applying the starch dispersion to the substrate, the waterproofing agent is reacted with the starch molecules by digesting disrupting or puncturing the microcapsules.

Abstract: A method of making beta-limit dextrin containing starch products is disclosed. The method comprises first treating fully or partially gelatinized starch with beta-amylase until a DE of 5-30 is reached, thereafter completely gelatinizing the resulting product as far as necessary and treating the resulting solution with alpha-amylase for a short period of time so that, as a result of the treatment with alpha-amylase, the DE of the starch hydrolysate is increased by no more than 3 units.

Abstract: The breakdown properties of silicate bonded foundry sand moulds and cores can be improved by including with the silicate binder a starch hydrolysate having a dextrose equivalent of less than 5.