Abstract: Cellulose is selectively hydrolyzed to glucose without the formation of degradation by-products by pretreating the cellulose to form soluble cellodextrins through treatment with concentrated (60-80%) solutions of zinc chloride. Zinc chloride is then separated from the mixture by extraction with attendant precipitation of the cellodextrin material which is the hydrolyzed, chemically or enzymatically to glucose.

Abstract: Modified cellulose products for use as carrier vehicles in forming cosmetics, pharmaceutical preparations, insecticides, etc. are prepared by treating a minimum weight ratio of about 10:1 of fibrous cellulosic material with an alkali metal or alkaline earth metal hypohalite (e.g. sodium hypochlorite) at a temperature of from about 15.degree. to 60.degree. C. for a period of time sufficient to render the material non-fibrous (i.e. pH drop to about 6 or less), filtering and washing obtain the desired product.

Abstract: Spherical shaped mycelial pellets suitable for use in the biocatalytic conversion of organic compounds are prepared having a rigid spherical core surrounded by a porous webbed layer of structural integrity of a mycelial microorganism. The webbed layer is preferably separated from the core by a substantial void space and is attached to the core by a portion of the mycelium of the microorganism. The core may be composed of a cellulose derivative or agar. The pellets are prepared by forming a solution of a cellulose derivative or agar, mixing spores of a mycelial microorganism with the solution, precipitating the celluose derivative or agar to form beads containing the spores and incubating the beads in a culture medium.

Abstract: Spherical shaped mycelial pellets having a support core and which are suitable for biocatalytic conversion of organic compounds are produced by dissolving a cellulose derivative in a solvent to form a solution, mixing spores of a mycelial microorganism with the solution, precipitating the cellulose derivative to form porous beads containing the spores, and incubating the beads in a culture medium. Alternatively, the pellets may be produced by dissolving agar in water, mixing the agar solution with spores of a mycelial microorganism, precipitating the agar to form beads containing the spores and incubating the beads in a culture medium.