Abstract: Sucrose ester and ether products, useful as food or beverage bulking agents, reduced calorie sweeteners, fat replacement agents, stabilizing agents, thickening agents and emulsifying agents; adhesives; biodegradable plastics and films; sizing agents for paper and textiles; ethical pharmaceuticals and new fibers are prepared by using a two-phase reaction system in which sucrose is dissolved in an alkaline, aqueous solution and an acidic reagent such as a bifunctional acid dichloride or epoxide is added to the sucrose in a water-immiscible organic solvent. Several types of products are produced: water-insoluble sucrose ester (ether) copolymers; water-soluble sucrose ester (ether) copolymers; sucrose ester (ether) dimers; and intramolecular, cyclic sucrose esters (ethers). These products can be further varied by using different kinds of acid dichlorides or epoxides that contain different kinds of functional groups.

Abstract: Bacillus subtilis protease catalyzes the acylation of organic solvent-insoluble polysaccharides in isooctane solution containing vinyl esters of fatty acids as acyl donor. The reaction occurs only when the enzyme is solubilized via ion-pairing with the anionic surfactant dioctyl sulfosuccinate, sodium salt (AOT). Enzyme based acylation was demonstrated with amylose, cyclodextrins, cellulose, cellulose derivatives, and other polysaccharides such as chitosan, pullulan, and maltodextrose. These polysaccharides are reactive either as a cryogenically milled powder suspended in the organic solvent or as a thin film deposited onto ZnSe slides. For chitosan, .alpha.-cyclodextrin, and hydroxyethyl cellulose (HEC), the enzymatic crosslinking reaction occurs using adipic acid divinyl ester (C6DVE). HEC forms a compound that gels in solvents such as ethyl alcohol and dimethyl sulfone oxide (DMSO). Electron spectroscopy chemical analysis (ESCA) of the first 100 .ANG.

Abstract: The invention relates to nucleoside dimers containing an L-sugar in at least one of the nucleosides and their pharmaceutical compositions.

Abstract: An oligomer composed of a carbohydrate head group and an oligomer chain is disclosed. Methods for increasing the oligomerization rates of lactones and cyclic carbonates are also disclosed.

Abstract: A process for separating, in the liquid phase, a reaction mixture which comprises a first chlorinated sucrose and at least one additional component selected from the group consisting of at least one other chlorinated sucrose different from said first chlorinated sucrose, salt and solvent, by injecting said reaction mixture onto a fixed bed of solid adsorbent and treating with a desorbent such that:(a) the first chlorinated sucrose passes through the adsorbent into a first recoverable product stream rich in said first chlorinated sucrose at a rate, which is different than the rate at which,(b) at least one of said additional components passes through the adsorbent into at least a second recoverable stream rich in said additional component.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the solvent-free preparation of sucrose fatty acid esters, their mixtures with nonsugar polyol fatty acid esters, and in particular of sucrose glycerides. In a first process step, sucrose is reacted with fatty acid alkyl esters in the presence of basic catalyst at reduce pressure and elevated temperature. In a further reaction step, the reaction mixture obtained above is reacted at reduced pressure and elevated temperature with 0.1 to 0.5 mol of polyol per mole of fatty acid alkyl ester employed and then filtered. The products of the process according to the invention have very high sucrose ester contents. They are free of undesired, unreacted alkyl ester.

Abstract: A novel type of formulation for the topical administration of antigens and/or vaccines to mammals via mucosal membranes comprising one or more adjuvants/vehicles selected from (a) polyoxyethylene sorbitan monoesters, (b) polyoxyethylene castor oil, (c) caprylic/capric acid glycerides and (d) gangliosides in an amount of 0.01 to 15% (v/v) calculated on the total volume of the preparation. This formulation enhances the immunological response n a mammal following mucosal administration, e.g. nasal, oral, rectal or vaginal application.

Abstract: A process for thickening a water-in-oil and oil-in-water emulsion involving adding to the emulsion a thickening agent consisting of an alkyl or alkenyl oligoglucoside ester formed by esterifying an alkyl or alkenyl oligoglycoside corresponding to formula I:R.sup.1 O--?G!.sub.p (I)wherein R.sup.1 is an alkyl or alkenyl oligoglucoside containing from about 4 to about 22 carbon atoms, G is a sugar unit containing from 5 to 6 carbon atoms, and p is a number having a value of from 1 to about 10, with a fatty acid corresponding to formula II:R.sup.2 CO--OH (II)wherein R.sup.2 CO is an aliphatic acyl radical containing from about 6 to about 22 carbon atoms, and up to about 3 double bonds.

Abstract: The invention relates to acylated sucrosemonocarboxylic acids, the preparation and use thereof as surface-active substance.

Abstract: This invention provides a polyester of a polyol, said polyol containing at least 3 hydroxyl groups and having a molecular weight of up to 20,000 at least 1 hydroxyl group in said polyol being in the form of an ester, with a poly- or co-poly-lactic acid residue, each having a molecular weight of at least from 5,000. These are useful for parenteral depot formulations.

Abstract: High quality trehalose derivatives are readily prepared in a considerably high yield by reacting anhydrous trehalose with reactive reagents under anhydrous conditions. The trehalose derivatives can be used in a variety of fields in the production, the chemical synthesis, and the enzymatic synthesis of foods, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, detergents and chemicals as surfactants, humectants, skin-beautifying agents, antitumor agents, and intermediates for chemical and enzymatic syntheses.

Abstract: Sucrose ester and ether products, useful as food or beverage bulking agents, reduced calorie sweeteners, fat replacement agents, stabilizing agents, thickening agents and emulsifying agents; adhesives; biodegradable plastics and films; sizing agents for paper and textiles; ethical pharmaceuticals and new fibers are prepared by using a two-phase reaction system in which sucrose is dissolved in an alkaline, aqueous solution and an acidic reagent such as a bifunctional acid dichloride or epoxide is added to the sucrose in a water-immiscible organic solvent. Several types of products are produced: water-insoluble sucrose ester (ether) copolymers; water-soluble sucrose ester (ether) copolymers; sucrose ester (ether) dimers; and intramolecular, cyclic sucrose esters (ethers). These products can be further varied by using different kinds of acid dichlorides or epoxides that contain different kinds of functional groups.

Abstract: The invention relates to aliphatic carboxylate esters of long-chain inulin, to methods for synthesizing them and to their use as surface-active substances.

Abstract: This present invention pertains to a process for the synthesis of sucrose fatty acid esters by reacting sucrose and a purified specific fatty acid ester under substantially solvent free conditions in the presence of a transesterification stationary catalyst and mechanical emulsification. The process is continuous, yielding selected individual products of separated simple sucrose fatty acid esters of mono-, di-, tri- and polyesters while recycling the unwanted ester fractions, the unreacted sucrose and fatty acid ester.

Abstract: Conjugates of a carrier molecule and an organic molecule producing singlet oxygen after irradiation are useful in diagnostic and therapeutic applications. The organic molecule is a terthienyl or terfuranyl compound derivatized to react with amino, thiol, or saccharide groups of the carrier molecule. Suitable carrier molecules include antibodies, peptides, haptamers, sugars, and other analogous molecules which direct the organic molecule to a biological target.

Abstract: This invention is directed to methods of administering physiologically stable and safe compositions of butyric acid salts and derivatives to a patient for the purpose of wound healing.

Abstract: Provided are active esters of carboxy polysaccharides and semisynthetic derivatives of carboxy polysaccharides, wherein all or part of the carboxy groups thereof are esterified with an aromatic alcohol, a substituted aromatic alcohol, an aromatic heterocyclic alcohol, a substituted aromatic heterocyclic alcohol, an N-hydroxylamine, or a combination thereof. Also provided is a process for producing such active esters. These active esters can be used for the preparation of modified carboxy polysaccharides or modified semisynthetic derivatives of such carboxy polysaccharides, in the form of esters, thioesters, or amides. Such active esters, modified polysaccharides, and modified semisynthetic derivatives of carboxy polysaccharides can be used in the biomedical and pharmaceutical fields to prepare, for example, cosmetic articles, health care articles, surgical articles, and diagnostic kits.

Abstract: Sugar-containing poly(acrylate)-based hydrogels and methods of preparing these hydrogels are disclosed. Poly(sugar acrylate)s are chemeoenzymatically prepared and crosslinked to form hydrogels, which are water absorbant.

Abstract: A polyester represented by the following general formula (I) and a copolymer which comprises two structural units represented by the following general formulae (I') and (II). ##STR1## and a coating material for use in large intestine-selective drug release pharmaceutical preparations, which contains the above polyester and/or copolymer. The polyester and copolymer of the present invention contain a saccharide residue which is hydrolyzed and/or assimilated specifically in the large intestine, drugs contained in solid oral pharmaceutical administration pharmaceutical preparations coated with the coating material of the present invention are not decomposed or absorbed by digestive organs other than the large intestine, but instead are released selectively and therefore in a high concentration in the large intestine.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel DNA alkylating agents and the prodrugs of these agents which are useful as antitumor agents and DNA labelling agents. The compounds are hydroxy dihydrobenzindole oligopeptides and prodrugs thereof wherein the monomeric constituents are derived from monocyclic or bicyclic heterocyclic aromatic residues.

Abstract: A reaction mixture for manufacturing polyol fatty acid polyesters comprises a polyol, a fatty acid lower alkyl ester, a base initiator and a phase transfer catalyst. The phase transfer catalyst can be a quaternary ammonium compound, a crown ether, a polyethylene glycol, a polyethylene glycol ether, a polyethylene glycol ester or mixtures thereof. The process of making polyol fatty acid polyesters is carried out at low temperatures and essentially in the absence of a solvent or emulsifier. The polyol fatty acid polyester product stream produced by the foregoing process and reaction mixture has a lower concentration of reaction by-products such as di-fatty ketones and beta-ketoesters and of caramelized by-product which results from the breakdown of the polyol reactant.

Abstract: Mixtures of liquid sucrose fatty acid esters comprise an improved class of physiologically compatible fat replacements for foods. The compositions melt cleanly at 95.degree. F. or below and comprise at least 35 percent of a mixture of tetra-, penta- and hexa- esters.

Abstract: Esters associating phenylacetic, 3-phenylpropionic, 4-phenylbutyric and n-butyric acids with Su(OH).sub.n monosaccharides or sugar alcohols, of general formula (I), in which the Su(OH).sub.n precursor is a monosaccharide or sugar alcohol, selected so that its structure or that of its derivatives ensures that internal interesterification does not take place either because the ester based on the general formula does not have a free hydroxyl grouping, or because with regard to the ester grouping, the free hydroxyl groupings are remotely located and/or badly aligned and/or bonded to a secondary carbon atom, and in which the Su(OH).sub.n monosaccharide or sugar alcohol is preferably D-mannose carrying the ester grouping on the anomeric carbon atom or else is a pentitol, for example, xylitol carrying the ester grouping on the C-1 primary carbon atom. These novel esters are useful as drugs, in particular in the treatment of haemoglobin diseases and premalignant or malignant tumours.

Abstract: A cosmetic composition is provided comprising:A) a cosmetically acceptable carrier; andB) 0.05 to 3.0% by weight, based on the weight of the total composition, of a .beta.-1,3-glucan having a mean molecular weight of 10.sup.5 to 25.10.sup.6.

Abstract: There is disclosed an ester compound that is resistant to decomposition in blood, but is quickly hydrolyzed in cancer cells, and functions as an anticancer agent. The ester compound has a structure represented by formula (I) or formula (II): ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 represents a methyl group, a methoxy group, or a trifluoroacetamido group; R.sub.2 represents a phenyl group or a phenylmethyl group; and the absolute configuration of the asymmetric center marked with an asterisk is R.

Abstract: The invention provides an acidic polysaccharide by culturing acidic polysaccharide-producing germ belonging to Aureobasidium sp. isolated from soil, which has no toxicity and is applicable to growth promotion by adding to feed, waste water-treating agent and foods.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for making a compound of the structure: ##STR1## comprising the steps: (a) adding 6-deoxy-.alpha.-L-mannopyranosyl bromide, 2,3,4-tri-O-benzoate; DMSO; a base, selected from the group including tertiary amines, amidines, bicarbonates, carbonates, heteroaryl amine, and a solvent, hydrocarbons, esters, and ethers, in a slurry heated to 50.degree.-150.degree. C.;(b) stirring the reaction mixture at 50.degree.-150.degree. C. for 5 minutes to 30 minutes,(c) pouring the reaction mixture over ice water; and(d) extracting the product with a solvent selected from the group consisting of chlorinated solvents, aromatic hydrocarbons, esters, ethers, and evaporating said layer to give a solid.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the acetylation of lignocellulosic materials (LM) by (a) bringing the LM into intimate contact with an acetylating agent comprising acetic anhydride as the major component at a temperature from 80.degree.-140.degree. C. and (b) bringing the acetylated LM from step (a) into contact with a heated gas inert under the reaction conditions in a stripper at a temperature above 140.degree. C. and reducing the acetic acid or acetic anhydride content of the acetylated LM produced in step (a) to below 10% by weight by stripping. Products fabricated from LMs so treated are highly dimensionally stable.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process of enzymatically preparing .alpha.-glucoside esters. First, .alpha.-glucosides are produced by placing an acyclic alcohol or a mixture of acyclic alcohols having a water solubility of at least 2.7% v/v at 20.degree. C. in contact with starch, maltodextrins or maltose, in the presence of a purified enzymatic preparation having .alpha.-transglucosylation activity, wherein the enzymatic preparation is free of .beta.-glucosidase activity. Then, the .alpha.-glucosides are contacted with at least one fatty acid and a preparation having lipase activity to produce the .alpha.-glucoside esters, which may then be recovered. The preparation having .alpha.-transglucosylation activity may originate from a fungus such as Talaromyces duponti, Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus oryzae or Aspergillus batatae.

Abstract: Disclosed are lipid A analogs useful for the treatment of septic shock and LPS-mediated activation of viral infection.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for manufacturing an sugar ester product of a sugar and a fatty acid. First, a fatty acid and methyl or ethyl alcohol is reacted in the presence of sulfuric acid catalyst to produce a fatty acid ester and water. The sulfuric acid catalyst is neutralized with a metal carbonate to make a metal sulfate, with the fatty acid ester being separated from the metal sulfate, the alcohol and the water. The recovered fatty acid ester is reacted in the presence of a metal carbonate catalyst with sugar dissolved in dimethyl sulfoxide to produce the sugar ester product and alcohol. The dimethyl sulfoxide is separated from the reaction mixture by vacuum distillation, and then water is added to emulsify the sugar ester product and unreacted fatty acid ester. The unreacted sugar and the metal carbonate is dissolved in the water.

Abstract: A process for obtaining pharmacologically active compounds from complex mixtures of substancesFree organic acids, hydroxy acids, fatty alcohols, sugars and hydroxy-substituted steroids are obtained from complex mixtures of substances by mixing the material to be extracted with a polar solvent, drying the resulting mixture, subsequently silylating, esterifying or acylating, and extracting the resulting material with a supercritical fluid under a pressure of more than 200 bar.

Abstract: A composition for inhibiting absorption of fat and cholesterol from the gut and a method for making and using the composition. The composition comprises .beta.-sitosterol bound irreversibly to pectin to form a .beta.-sitosterol/pectin complex.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for chemical finishing of fabrics, fibers or yarns wherein insoluble cellulosic polymers are reacted with carboxylic acids or esters thereof in the presence of a lipase. The cellulosic polymer may be cotton, viscose, rayon, lyocell, flax, linen, ramie, and all blends thereof; and blends thereof with polyesters, wool, polyamides, acrylics and polyacrylics. The lipase may be a microbial lipase, including a lipase obtained from yeast, e.g. Candida lipase, a bacterial lipase, e.g. Pseudomonas lipase, or a fungal lipase, e.g. Humicola or Rhizomucor lipases. Chemically modified lipases obtained by coupling polyethylene glycol to amino acid residues of the lipase may also be used.

Abstract: The invention relates to a new composition for sizing paper and board, containing a cationic polysaccharide esterified by a dicarboxylic acid anhydride, characterized in that the said dicarboxylic acid anhydride is substituted with a carbon chain, saturated or unsaturated, of branched structure.The anhydride may for example consist of tetrapropenylsuccinic anhydride or of any one of its isomers.The composition for sizing according to the invention may, if necessary, contain an oxidizing agent such as a persulphate. It may advantageously be applied to the surface treatment of printing and/or writing papers, in particular of papers for envelopes and of papers for impact-free printing such as inkjet printing.

Abstract: A reagent for the detection of an antibody against an acid-fast bacterial antigen comprising at least one compound selected from the group comprising mycolic acids, mycolic acid salts, mycolic acid esters and esters of fatty acids having a carbon number of 14 or more other than mycolic acid with a mono- or disaccharide, a method of detecting an antibody against an acid-fast bacterial antigen using said reagent and a method of diagnosis of acid-fast bacterial infections by said detection method are simpler in procedures and offer much higher specificity in comparison with conventional reagents and methods, enabling identification of acid-fast bacterial genera (including the genera Mycobacterium, Nocardia and Rhodococcus) and acid-fast bacterial species, and thus it is possible to make diagnoses to identify the infecting acid-fast bacterium, which leads to the quick choice of therapeutic drug for the disease.

Abstract: A polyester-grafted starch-polymer alloy is capable of imparting practical flexibility and toughness to moldings with no or only a little plasticizer. The polyester-grafted starch-polymer alloy comprises a blend of a polyester-grafted starch (a starch which has polyester graft chains on the starch molecule, with the terminal hydroxyl groups of the polyester graft chains and the hydroxyl groups connected directly to the starch entirely or partly blocked with the ester group) and an independent polyester (a polyester which is constructed of the same unit as said polyester graft chain, with its terminal hydroxyl groups entirely or partly blocked with the ester group) which are uniformly mixed together. A method of preparing the alloy and thermoplastic resin compositions containing the alloy also are disclosed.

Abstract: A starch derivative which, when incorporated with no or only a little plasticizer, yields moldings having good flexibility, toughness, and water-relating properties for practical use comprises an esterified, polyvinyl ester-grafted starch derivative which is formed by esterifying starch and grafting starch with a polyvinyl ester. The polyvinyl ester is derived from one or more saturated or unsaturated aliphatic acids or aromatic carboxylic acids having 2 to 18 carbon atoms.

Abstract: A process of preparing mannosylated alcohols or phenols in high chemical yield and purity using tetra-O-pivaloylmannosylfluoride and a Lewis acid catalyst.

Abstract: A coating base for solid enteric pharmaceutical preparations having a dissolution pH ranging from 3.5 to 4.5 essentially consisting of hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose trimellitate obtained by substituting water-soluble hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose having 1.1 to 1.6 methoxy group per glucose ring thereof with 0.2 to 1.0 trimellitate group per glucose ring, or obtained by substituting water-soluble hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose having 1.7 to 2.1 methoxy groups per glucose ring thereof with 0.2 to 0.5 trimellitate group per glucose ring. The coating base can be dissolved at the upper portion of the small intestine without delay and a solid enteric pharmaceutical preparation provided with a coating film of the base can completely release the drug included therein before the preparation passes through the small intestine. Therefore, the base can ensure a high pharmacological action of the drug.

Abstract: A novel polysaccharide derivative, a drug carrier comprising a novel polysaccharide derivative, and a drug complex are disclosed. The polysaccharide derivative according to the present invention comprises a polysaccharide having a carboxyl group in which a peptide chain is introduced at a part or all of the carboxyl groups of the polysaccharide. The peptide chain comprises 1-8 amino acids which may be the same or different. A part or all of the amino groups in the peptide chain which are not involved in the linkages with the carboxyl groups of the polysaccharide or the carboxyl groups in the peptide chain may form an acid amide linkage or an ester linkage with a carboxyl group, an amino group or a hydroxyl group of a third compound such as drugs. The polysaccharide derivative has a property of accumulating in a high amount at a tumor, and thus can deliver efficiently a drug which has a side-effect or a limited sustainment of the drug efficacy to the tumor.

Abstract: A two-stage method for the preparation of polyol fatty acid polyesters is provided. The resulting polyol fatty acid polyesters are very lightly colored (i.e., colorless to slightly yellow) and have a high degree of substitution with fatty acid groups. The first stage of this two-stage method is a solvent-based esterification reaction; the second stage is an essentially solvent-free esterification reaction. In the first stage, a polyol in a solvent (e.g., sucrose in dimethylsulfoxide)) is reacted with fatty acid lower alkyl esters at relatively low temperatures using an alkaline salt catalyst. After the desired degree of esterification is obtained, the resulting partially-esterified polyol fatty acid polyesters and the solvent-containing phase are separated.

Abstract: Low molecular weight acetylhyaluronate has the following characteristics:intrinsic viscosity: 50 to 200 cm.sup.3 /gsubstitution degree of acetyl group: 2.6 to 3.6 (excluding N-acetyl group)A skin-softening composition is mainly composed of this low molecular weight acetylhyaluronate. It can exhibit excellent skin-softening effect and moisturizing effect, while appropriately suppressing the thread-forming ability inherent in hyaluronic acid. A method of manufacturing acetylhyaluronate comprises the steps of suspending hyaluronic acid powder in an acetic anhydride solvent and then adding concentrated sulfuric acid thereto to effect acetylation. A method of purifying acetylhyaluronate comprises the steps of adding raw acetylhyaluronate to an aqueous acetone solution, adding and dissolving sodium lactate therein, and then adding highly concentrated acetone thereto to precipitate highly pure acetylhyaluronate. Acetylhyaluronate having highly purity can be obtained inexpensively.

Abstract: Inter and/or intramolecular cross-linked esters of acid polysaccharides are disclosed in which a part or all of the carboxy groups are esterified with hydroxyl groups of the same molecule and/or of different molecules of the acid polysaccharide. These inner cross-linked esters of polysaccharide acids are useful in the field of biodegradable plastic materials, to manufacture sanitary and surgical articles, in the cosmetic and pharmaceutical fields, in the food industry and in many other industrial fields.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of increasing the absorption of a compound via the ocular, nasal, nasolacrimal or inhalation route into the circulatory system of a patient. In particular, a method comprising administering with the compound an absorption enhancer comprising a nontoxic, nonionic alkyl glycoside is provided. Additionally provided are methods of raising or lowering the blood glucose level by administering glucagon or insulin, respectively, with such absorption enhancers. Finally, compositions for raising or lowering the blood glucose level are provided.

Abstract: Compounds that exhibit selectin binding activity are described and have the following structural formula: ##STR1## where W is selected from a group including structures a-d below ##STR2## wherein p is an integer of from 0-2, q is an integer of from 0-3, and r is an integer of from 0-5;A is selected from the group consisting of .alpha. and .beta. forms of sialic acid, Kemp's acid, quinic acid, R and S forms of mandelic acid, R and S forms of glyceric acid, R and S forms of lactic acid, propionic and acetic acid, and esters and amides thereof, --SO.sub.3, sulfonate, --PO.sub.3, phosphonate, trifluoromethyl, diazine and triazine;B is selected from a group consisting of .alpha. and .beta. forms of fucose, arabinose and esters and substituted forms thereof wherein one or more of the OH groups is independently substituted with F, N.sub.3, NHAc, NHCOCF.sub.3. The remaining variable are described in the specification.

Abstract: A temporary wet strength polymer and compositions for paper products, e.g., toilet tissue, is disclosed. The temporary wet strength polymer is the oxidation product of an esterified polyhydroxy polymer, more preferably of an esterified polysaccharide. The esterified polymer compound is formed by reacting the polyhydroxy polymer with a 1,2-disubstituted alkene compound that has at least one carboxylic acid group. The temporary wet strength polymer provides paper products having an initial wet strength that enables use of the product in the moistened condition, along with a suitable wet strength decay rate.

Abstract: Polyol polyesters can be made by a transesterification reaction of a polyol with a lower alkyl fatty acid ester. A by product of that reaction are the alcohols from the lower alkyl esters. These are usually removed from the transesterification reaction by inert gas stripping. The process herein links the transesterification reaction with a lower alkyl ester formation reaction. The transesterification reaction acts as a the source of the lower alkyl alcohols for the formation of the lower alkyl esters used in the polyol fatty acid polyester synthesis. A preferred method for both reactions uses a reactive absorption column.

Abstract: The invention disclosed relates to a process for the preparation of sugar and sugar alcohol esters of general formula I(R--COO--).sub.n --R.sup.1 (I)wherein R is an alkyl group, R.sup.1 is derived from a sugar or a polyol moiety and n is 1 to 3, comprising reacting a sugar or a polyol with an acyl moiety, such as a carboxylic acid or ester, in a suitable solvent therefor and in the presence of an enzymatic catalyst capable of catalyzing the formation of ester bonds, and under reduced pressure sufficient to vaporize the solvent and by-product water, and continuously removing the water.

Abstract: Particles, preparation methods therefor, and compositions containing same. The particles include at least one esterified polysaccharide and at least one polyamine, as well as at least one gellable polysaccharide when neither the esterified polysaccharide nor the polyamine can be gelled under the selected operating conditions. Said particle includes, at least on its surface, a membrane consisting of the product of the transacylation reaction between the esterified polysaccharide and said polyamine within an optionally gellable gel, said reaction causing the formation of covalent amide bonds. Such particles may be used to encapsulated various active principles useful in the fields of cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and agri-foodstuffs, enzymes, cells and micro-organisms.