Abstract: Compositions are disclosed herein comprising a graft copolymer having (i) a backbone comprising dextran with a molecular weight of at least about 100000 Daltons, and poly alpha-1,3-glucan side chains comprising at least about 95% alpha-1,3-glucosidic linkages. Further disclosed are reactions for producing such graft copolymers, as well as their use in absorbent materials.

Abstract: Fibrids comprising poly alpha-1,3-glucan or surface-modified poly alpha-1,3-glucan were produced and characterized. Applications and products for using these fibrids were also developed, such as in emulsification, viscosity modification, and paper. Examples of surface-modified poly alpha-1,3-glucan fibrids include those with a positive surface charge.

Abstract: A process is disclosed herein comprising the steps: a) contacting an esterifying agent and a polysaccharide in the presence of a first solvent and suitable reaction conditions for a reaction time sufficient to form a product comprising a polysaccharide ester composition, the polysaccharide ester composition comprising a polysaccharide ester having a degree of substitution of about 0.001 to about 3; wherein the esterifying agent comprises an acyl halide, a phosphoryl halide, a carboxylic acid anhydride, a haloformic acid ester, a carbonic acid ester, or a vinyl ester; and the ratio of esterifying agent to polysaccharide is in the range of about 0.001:1 to about 3:1 on a molar equivalent basis; b) combining the product obtained in step a) with polyacrylonitrile; and c) spinning fibers.

Abstract: Coating compositions that can provide grease and oil resistant coating for substrates, especially paper and textile substrates, are disclosed. The coating compositions comprise water insoluble ?-(1,3-glucan) polymer and/or dextran polymer and optionally other additives.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a coating composition that can be applied to a substrate, especially a cellulose substrate. A layer of the coating composition applied to the substrate provides an excellent ink receptive layer and can be used as a coating on paper. The disclosure also relates to aqueous compositions and method for applying the layer of the coating composition onto the substrate.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are cellulose/polysaccharide composites comprising a) cellulose; and b) an enzymatically-produced polysaccharide, certain derivatives of an enzymatically-produced polysaccharide, or a mixture thereof; wherein the enzymatically-produced polysaccharide and the polysaccharide derivative are water-insoluble. The cellulose is plant-derived. The composites are useful in forming articles such as paper, packaging material, or insulating material.

Abstract: Reaction compositions are disclosed herein comprising at least water, alpha-glucose-1-phosphate (alpha-G1P), an acceptor molecule, and a beta-1,3-glucan phosphorylase enzyme. These reactions can synthesize oligosaccharides and polysaccharides with beta-1,3 glycosidic linkages. Further disclosed are methods of isolating beta-1,3-glucan.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are processes for producing precipitated calcium carbonate. In one embodiment, the process comprises the steps of a) providing an aqueous slurry of calcium hydroxide; b) adding a polysaccharide to the slurry of calcium hydroxide; and c) carbonating the slurry of calcium hydroxide. The polysaccharide comprises poly alpha-1,3-glucan, a poly alpha-1,3-glucan ester compound as disclosed herein, or a poly alpha-1,3-glucan ether compound as disclosed herein. The precipitated calcium carbonate produced by the process can be useful in making paper.

Abstract: Nonwoven webs formed from modified 1,3-?-D-glucan polymer and methods of forming the nonwoven webs are disclosed. The modified 1,3-?-D-glucan polymer can have a number average degree of polymerization in the range of from 55 to 10,000. The nonwoven webs can be used for personal hygiene wipes, filtration media, apparel or other uses.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are poly alpha-1,3-glucan fibrids and methods for making them. The fibrids have a fibrous shape with an average length of between 10 ?m and 10 mm and width of between 200 nm and 200 ?m. Also disclosed are uses for the fibrids, including paper-making and as a viscosity modifier in making formulations for applications such as laundry applications and personal care applications, and as an emulsifier in food.

Abstract: Compositions are disclosed herein comprising a graft copolymer having (i) a backbone comprising dextran with a molecular weight of at least about 100000 Daltons, and poly alpha-1,3-glucan side chains comprising at least about 95% alpha-1,3-glucosidic linkages. Further disclosed are reactions for producing such graft copolymers, as well as their use in absorbent materials.

Abstract: Nonwoven webs comprising a water insoluble ?-(1,3?glucan) polymer and methods of forming the nonwoven webs are disclosed. The water insoluble ?-(1,3?glucan) polymer comprises 90% or greater ?-1,3-glycosidic linkages, less than 1% by weight of ?-1,3,6-glycosidic branch points, a number average degree of polymerization in the range of from 55 to 10,000, and a ratio of apparent DPw to true DPw in the range of from 2 to 10. The nonwoven webs can be used for personal hygiene wipes, filtration media, apparel, or other uses.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are coated articles comprising a substrate having at least one surface, and a coating composition disposed in a substantially continuous layer on at least one surface of the substrate, wherein the coating composition is present in an amount sufficient to increase the oxygen barrier property of the substrate, and the coating composition comprises a polysaccharide derivative. The polysaccharide derivative can comprise a poly alpha-1,3-glucan ether compound, such as a quaternary ammonium alpha-1,3-glucan ether. Also disclosed is packaging comprising the coated article.

Abstract: Enzymatic reactions are disclosed herein comprising water, glucose-1-phosphate, cellodextrin, and at least one cellodextrin phosphorylase enzyme comprising an amino acid sequence that is at least 90% identical to SEQ ID NO:2 or SEQ ID NO:6. These reactions produce a low molecular weight, insoluble cellulose with enhanced features.

Abstract: Nonwoven webs formed from modified 1,3-?-D-glucan polymer and methods of forming the nonwoven webs are disclosed. The modified 1,3-?-D-glucan polymer can have a number average degree of polymerization in the range of from 55 to 10,000. The nonwoven webs can be used for personal hygiene wipes, filtration media, apparel or other uses.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are nonwoven webs comprising a nonwoven substrate and a binder comprising a polysaccharide. In one embodiment, the polysaccharide can comprise poly alpha-1,3-glucan, a poly alpha-1,3-glucan ether compound as disclosed herein, a poly alpha-1,3-glucan ester compound as disclosed herein, a graft copolymer comprising a backbone comprising dextran and poly alpha-1,3-glucan side chains, a crosslinked graft copolymer comprising a backbone comprising dextran and poly alpha-1,3-glucan chains, or a mixture thereof. Also disclosed are articles comprising the nonwoven webs, and methods of making the nonwoven webs.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a coating composition that can be applied to a substrate, especially a cellulose substrate. A layer of the coating composition applied to the substrate provides an excellent ink receptive layer and can be used as a coating on paper. The disclosure also relates to aqueous compositions and method for applying the layer of the coating composition onto the substrate.

Abstract: A polymeric blend composition comprising: (a) from about 1 to about 99 wt. % of a polymer; and (b) from about 1 to about 75 wt. % poly alpha-1,3-glucan is disclosed. The addition of alpha-1,3-glucan as a polymer filler can increase the tensile modulus, tensile strength and oxygen barrier properties of the polymeric blend composition.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are compositions comprising aggregates of insoluble alpha-glucan with alpha-1,3-glycosidic linkages. These aggregates have an average hydrodynamic radius of about 50 nm to about 300 nm, and a fractal dimension of about 1.6 to about 2.4. Insoluble alpha-glucan aggregates in some disclosed aspects are arborescent. Further disclosed are methods of preparing these compositions.

Abstract: Polysaccharides can be used to provide a liquid composition with desirable rheological properties while being compatible with other ingredients, such as enzymes, that may be used in formulating the liquid composition. The polysaccharides can be i) a colloidal dispersion of poly alpha-1,3-glucan, ii) poly alpha-1,3-glucan fibrids, iii) soy polysaccharide; or iv) a combination thereof.