Abstract: Methods for using ionic liquids to extract and separate a biopolymer from a biomass containing the biopolymer are disclosed. Methods for dissolving a biopolymer in an ionic liquid are also disclosed. A recovery solvent is used to reduce the solubility of the biopolymer in the ionic liquid and conventional separation techniques are used to recover the biopolymer. Biopolymers encompassed by this invention include chitin, chitosan, elastin, collagen, keratin and polyhydroxyalkanoate.

Abstract: Polymer melt compositions, especially polymer melt compositions that can be processed into polymeric structures, especially polymeric structures in the form of fibers are provided.

Abstract: Hydroxyl polymer-containing compositions, especially hydroxyl polymer-containing compositions that can be processed into polymeric structures, especially polymeric structures in the form of fibers are provided.

Abstract: Non-thermoplastic starch fibers having no melting point and having apparent peak wet tensile stress greater than about 0.2 MegaPascals (MPa). The fibers can be manufactured from a composition comprising a modified starch and a cross-linking agent. The composition can have a shear viscosity from about 1 Pascal.Seconds to about 80 Pascal.Seconds and an apparent extensional viscosity in the range of from about 150 Pascal.Seconds to about 13,000 Pascal.Seconds. The composition can comprise from about 50% to about 75% by weight of a modified starch; from about 0.1% to about 10% by weight of an aldehyde cross-linking agent; and from about 25% to about 50% by weight of water. Prior to cross-linking, the modified starch can have a weight average molecular weight greater than about 100,000 g/mol.