Abstract: A curable aqueous composition is disclosed comprising a carbohydrate, a crosslinking agent, and an amine base, wherein the curable aqueous composition has a pH adjusted by the amine base. Further disclosed is a method of forming a curable aqueous solution.

Abstract: A modeling compound and methods for making the same are described. The modeling compound, in some embodiments, comprises about 20% to about 40% by weight starch-based binder, and about 0.15% to about 1.2% by weight microspheres dispersed throughout the compound.

Abstract: A modeling compound and methods for making the same are described. The modeling compound, in some embodiments, comprises about 20% to about 40% by weight starch-based binder, and about 0.15% to about 1.2% by weight microspheres dispersed throughout the compound.

Abstract: An indicator is useful for detecting pressure points on a denture. The indicator is made of a composition that easily adheres to oral mucosa, has a proper viscosity in an oral cavity environment, can be properly spread between an oral mucosa surface and a denture base, and easily specifies an affected part. The composition includes a fatty acid ester having a melting point of 30 to 50° C., a water-soluble high polymer, and a metal oxide. Preferably, the fatty acid is 40 to 95% by weight of the composition, the water-soluble high polymer is 1 to 59% by weight of the composition, and the metal oxide is 0.1 to 50% by weight of the composition.

Abstract: Ready-for-use film forming solid compositions for producing film coating dispersions for solid- or semisolid-form substances comprising a film forming ingredient of pregelatinized cereal or tuberous hydroxypropyl starches, fatty plasticizers, fillers of non pregelatinized modified and native starches and, substances for improving the final appearance of the film coating characterized in that the viscosity of said cold-regenerated solutions or dispersions is less than 1000 centipoises at a solid matter concentration greater than 20%, wherein said viscosity is obtainable by using natural film-forming agents which are cold-soluble and exhibit a low viscosity in an aqueous medium at high concentrations.

Abstract: A modeling compound and methods for making the same are described. The modeling compound, in some embodiments, comprises about 20% to about 40% by weight starch-based binder, and about 0.15% to about 1.2% by weight microspheres dispersed throughout the compound.

Abstract: A biodegradable starch film is provided. The biodegradable starch film includes a starch which is cross-linked by means of a cross-linking agent. The cross-linking agent comprises glycidyl methacrylate (GMA), octenyl succinic anhydride (OSA), or dodecyl succinic anhydride (DDSA) or combinations thereof. The cross-linking agent is 1 to 10 weight parts based on the starch of 100 weight parts. Furthermore, a method for manufacturing starch foam is also provided.

Abstract: Thermoplastic polymer compositions comprising starch and articles made therefrom are water stable or may be rendered so. One method of making water stable thermoplastic compositions comprises the steps of mixing destructured starch with polyhydric alcohol and acid, and forming an ester condensation reaction product from at least a portion of the polyhydric alcohol and acid. In some embodiments, a pre-polymer formed from the ester condensation reaction may be provided as a pre-polymer that is mixed with the starch.

Abstract: A modelling composition, in which there is no cracking likely to cause the modelling composition to disintegrate either during drying or during drying of the objects made from said composition, contains a compound made up of the components starch, an adhesive agent, common salt, water, calcium chloride, sodium benzoate, potassium hydrogen sulphate, liquid paraffin, propylene glycol and bittern.

Abstract: A composition suitable for coating a paper product can comprise starch and at least one additional component selected from the group consisting of (a) an amphiphilic surfactant and (b) a particulate emulsion; wherein the weight ratio of surfactant to starch is from about 0.005:1 to about 0.25:1 and the weight ratio of the particulate emulsion to starch is from about 0.005:1 to about 0.429:1.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for preparing an organic pigment from starch, and the pigment thus received. According to the invention, starch granules are swollen to increase their volume and plasticity, their stability towards changes in volume and shape is improved by cross-linking, by derivatization, or by making the surface hydrophobic, after which gas bubbles or cavities are formed inside the granules, these bubbles or cavities having a strong light scattering effect. Generating bubbles or cavities can be performed by evaporating water or another liquid, by releasing impregnated gas, by a gas generating reaction, or by displacing absorbed water with a solvent. The product is useful as a white pigment especially in coating of starch, in paints and in cosmetic products.

Abstract: Compositions are described, based on starch and/or on modified starch and comprising, as plasticizers, polyhydroxycarboxylic acids derived from aldoses and/or from ketoses, in particular from pentoses and hexoses, or comprising lactones of these acids such as &dgr;-caprolactone. The materials can be processed thermoplastically to give shaped articles which are biodegradable and physiologically nonhazardous. They may be used as packaging or casing for food or drink or pharmaceutical products, or also for the controlled release of active substances, or else for producing temporary protective coatings.

Abstract: A method of producing starch-emulsifier compositions by heating a starch in the presence of an emulsifier to form a complex with unique properties. The product can be further treated to obtain greater than about 20% short chain amylose. Starch-emulsifier compositions (e.g., powders, gels, pastes) produced by this method and food products containing the starch-emulsifier composition are also described.

Abstract: A method of producing starch-emulsifier compositions by heating a starch in the presence of an emulsifier to form a complex with unique properties. The product can be further treated to obtain greater than about 20% short chain amylose. Starch-emulsifier compositions (e.g., powders, gels, pastes) produced by this method and food products containing the starch-emulsifier composition are also described.

Abstract: A “one-shot” composition for use in paper sizing comprises an admixture of a rosin emulsion, a soluble aluminium salt and a cationic starch derivative which has a charged state of 1.0 to 3.5 m equivalents per gramme and which is produced by a process in which the starch structure was split prior to the cationising step.

Abstract: A process producing a foamed water-based adhesive is presented involving forming a foamable adhesive composition containing a polysaccharide modified with an alkyl succinic anhydride and then applying energy to said foamable adhesive composition to produce an adhesive foam.

Abstract: A process for producing an aqueous-based foamed polysaccharide is presented. The process involves combining a polysaccharide, a foam generator and water, then applying energy to the combination to produce a foamed adhesive.

Abstract: A method of producing high-amylose based starch-emulsifier compositions by heating a high-amylose starch in the presence of an emulsifier to form a complex with unique properties is described. High-amylose starch-emulsifier compositions (e.g., powders, gels, pastes) produced by this method and food products containing the high-amylose starch-emulsifier composition are also described.