Abstract: Polyaspartate, useful for inhibition of incrustations due to materials causing hardness in water and of value in detergent formulations, can be prepared by reacting maleic acid or fumaric acid in a molar ratio of 1:1-2.1 at temperatures greater than 190.degree. C., followed by conversion of the polymer formed in this reaction to a salt of polyaspartic acid by basic hydrolysis.

Abstract: Higher molecular weight copolymers of polyaspartic acid which are suitable for the inhibition of scale deposition may be obtained by reacting maleic acid and ammonia in a stoichiometric excess, with a diamine or a triamine, at 120.degree.-350.degree. C., preferably 180.degree.-300.degree. C., and then converting the copolymer of polysuccinimide formed to a salt of a copolymer of polyaspartic acid by hydrolysis with a hydroxide. Alkyl or substituted alkyl groups may be incorporated in the backbone of the polymer by adding a alkyl or substituted alkyl monoamine to maleic acid and ammonia and heating at 120.degree. C. or more until polymerization has occurred.

Abstract: Copolymers of polyamino acids formed by reaction of polysuccinimide with alkyl, alkenyl, aromatic amines or alkyl and alkenyl polyamines are useful as inhibitors of mineral scale deposition. Such compounds may be used in high volume water applications such as boiler, cooling, oil well, agricultural sprays and irrigation water. They are also useful in preventing scale formation on fabrics when formulated with laundry detergents and in preventing scale formation on glassware when formulated in dishwashing detergents.

Abstract: Copolymers of polyamino acids formed by reaction of an alcohol with maleic anhydride to form the half ester followed by addition of ammonia, ammonia and an amine, or ammonia and a polyamine. The mixture is then heated to 120.degree.-350.degree. C. to form polysuccinimide or a derivative thereof. The resulting polysuccinimide may be hydrolyzed to form a derivative of polyaspartic acid or its salt.

Abstract: Solutions of polymers of aspartic acid or its amine copolymers prepared by thermal condensation are reacted with a decolorizing agent selected from the group consisting of hypochlorfte, chlorine, chlorine dioxide, hydrogen peroxide, a peroxycarboxylate or ozone, sufficient in strength to effect the desired decolorization.

Abstract: Polyaspartate, useful or inhibition of incrustations due to materials causing hardness in water and of value in detergent formulations, can be prepared by reacting maleic acid or fumaric acid in a molar ratio of 1:1-2.1 at temperatures greater than 170.degree. C., followed by conversion of the polymer formed in this reaction to a salt of polyaspartic acid by basic hydrolysis.

Abstract: An oral pharmaceutical composition comprising a hydrophobic resin or ion exchange resin which has a therapeutic agent bound thereto forming an agent-resin complex is disclosed. The complex is coated with a water-permeable diffusion barrier of poly(vinyl alcohol) polymer cryogel.

Abstract: Higher molecular weight copolymers of polyaspartic acid which are suitable for the inhibition of scale deposition may be obtained by reacting maleic acid and ammonia in a stoichiometric excess, with a diamine or a triamine, at 120.degree.-350.degree. C., preferably 180.degree.-300.degree. C., and then converting the copolymer of polysuccinimide formed to a salt of a copolymer of polyaspartic acid by hydrolysis with a hydroxide.

Abstract: Copolymers of polyamino acids formed by reaction of polysuccinimide with alkyl, alkenyl, aromatic amines or alkyl and alkenyl polyamines are useful as inhibitors of tartar deposition. Such compounds may be used in conventional dentrifice compositions to prevent tartar deposition on natural or false teeth.

Abstract: A controlled-release bandage containing therapeutic agents in a poly(vinyl alcohol) cryogel is disclosed. The bandage may include particulate absorbants such as ion exchange resins and hydrophobic particles to further insure controlled and constant release of therapeutic agents. The bandage may also include plasticizing agents to provide softness in the event of drying the bandage.

Abstract: This invention discloses methods for manufacture and use of poly(ammonium acrylate) and polyacrylamide hydrogels in agricultural applications. Such hydrogels are applied to the soil or the plants by spraying. Spraying is advantageous over other methods of application, such as mixing with soil and broadcasting because of enhanced plant contact, evenness of distribution, and reduced labor. The gels are prepared for spraying by adding water to provide a readily deformable polymer which will pass through a spray apparatus. The hydrogels sprayed may include additives including micronutrients, maconutrients, pesticides, microbes, plant growth regulators, surfactants, and freezing point modifiers. Use of the hydrogels saves irrigation water and ameliorates salting of irrigated cropland. Sprayed hydrogels may also be used to protect crops from freezing and to protect foliage from desiccation.

Abstract: A composition comprising immobilized cells obtained by applying a dispersion of cells and curable prepolymer material selected from the group consisting of polyazetidine prepolymers, carboxymethyl cellulose, polyurethane hydrogel prepolymers and polymethylene isocyanates. as a coating to a solid inert carrier and curing the prepolymer on the carrier at a temperature below the temperature at which enzyme activity of the cells is significantly reduced. The composition may be used to produce various materials such as L-aspartic acid, L-alanine, 6-Aminopenicillanic acid, high fructose corn syrup, prednisolone or phenylalanine.

Abstract: Phenylalanine is produced by contacting cells having transaminase activity with phenylpyruvic acid or phenylpyruvate in the presence of an amine donor. The cells may be ruptured or permeabilized to release their transaminase activity. Preferably, the cells are immobilized with a polyazetidine polymer. Preferred reaction conditions are an excess of amine donor in a ratio of at least 1.1:1 amine donor to phenylpyruvic acid or phenylpyruvate and a pH of 5-10 such as to convert at least 85% of the phenylpyruvic acid or phenylpyruvate to phenylalanine. Phenylalanine may also be produced from cinnamic acid using immobilized cells having phenylalamine ammonia lyase activity.

Abstract: Phenylalanine is prepared by contacting phenylpyruvic acid or phenylpyruvate with an enzyme having transaminase activity in the presence of an amine donor. The enyzme may be free or immobilized or in whole cells which may be free or immobilized. The enzyme is preferably contained by E. coli ATCC 11303. Yield of phenylalanine can be improved by removing oxaloacetate, produced during reaction of the enzyme, to drive the reaction to completion. Phenylalanine may also be produced from cinnamic acid using immobilized cells having phenylalanine ammonia lyase activity.

Abstract: Microbial cells are immobilized with a curable polyaziridine or polyfunctional aziridine prepolymer to obtain an insoluble, crosslinked polymer containing the cells. The microbial cells immobilized may be cells having L-aspartase or L-phenylalanine transaminase activity for the production of L-aspartic acid or L-phenylalanine. The polymer containing the cells may be formed as a coating on a solid inert carrier.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for preparing phenylalanine which comprises contacting phenylpyruvic acid or phenylpyruvate with immobilized whole cells having transaminase activity in the presence of an amine donor. The cells are preferably immobilized with a polyazetidine polymer. Ruptured or permeabilized cells, with the enzyme in the free or immobilized state, may also be used. The preparation of phenylalanine from cinnamic acid using immobilized cells having phenylalanine ammonia lyase activity is also disclosed.

Abstract: Microbial cells having L-aspartase activity are immobilized for producing L-aspartic acid. The cells are immobilized by mixing the cells with a curable prepolymer material and curing the prepolymer material to form a crosslinked polymer. Suitable prepolymer materials are polyazetidine prepolymers, carboxymethyl cellulose which can be crosslinked with polyvalent ions, polyurethane hydrogel prepolymers and polymethylene isocyanates. A preferred prepolymer material is polyazetidine prepolymer. The polymer may be formed as a coating on a solid inert carrier.

Abstract: A prepolymer having a molecular weight of at least 3,000 is made from a polyether polyol where all the OH groups are capped with an aliphatic polyisocyanate. When mixed with water the prepolymer reacts to form an elastomeric cross-linked polyurethane gel adhesive which can be used to adhere fibers to from a nonwoven fabric. Examples of the aliphatic diisocyanate are IPDI (isophorone diisocyanate) and hydrogenated MDI. A catalyst can also be applied to the aqueous mixture to accelerate the adhesive binder formation.

Abstract: A sound deadening material is obtained with a very high loading of sound damping materials such as barium sulfate, calcium carbonate or metal powders. These materials are mixed with water and are bound together by adding a water-miscible isocyanate-terminated prepolymer which reacts with the water to form a cross-linked binder.

Abstract: Flexible polyurethane foams are made from isocyanate containing prepolymers where the isocyanate is a mixture of diphenylmethane diisocyanate (MDI) and polymeric forms of MDI. The isocyanate mixture has a functionality greater than 2.0. The prepolymer is an isocyanate capped polyol or mixture of polyols where the polyols are diols or triols having at least 50% by weight oxyethylene groups. The foams are made by reacting water with the prepolymer and fire retardant materials can be added to the reaction mixture to produce fire retardant foams. The foams have improved physical properties and flammability resistance.