Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel process for manufacturing a sugar acid for the use in the agricultural market as an adjuvant wherein the process includes the following steps of providing a reactor and introducing a source of nitric acid, water and a source of starch into the reactor to form a mixture and further includes introducing an external heat source to the mixture to ascertain a mixture temperature of at least 70° C. and discontinuing the external heat source once the mixture reaches about 70° C.; and further enabling an internal heat source in the form of an exothermic reaction to occur between the reagents for at least two (2) hours. The invention also relates to the use of the product as obtained from the process.

Abstract: Starch esters are made by: reacting a starch with an esterifying agent in the presence of a catalyst in a solvent for the starch ester, the esterifying agent including a mixture of at least two esterifying agents; or pre-treating a starch in a bath being free of an esterifying agent, and reacting the pre-treated starch with an esterifying agent in the presence of a catalyst. Articles are made by blending cellulose ester and starch ester, may be cross-linked, and may include internal plasticizers.

Abstract: To provide a novel substance having an excellent water-dispersibility capable of forming an emulsion which spreads rapidly onto the skin, does not undergo aggregation or segregation due to a salt, and is excellent in a low temperature stability. The aforementioned problems were found to be solved by means of a certain polysaccharide and the invention was established.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for coupling low-molecular weight substances to a starch-derived modified polysaccharide. The binding interaction between the modified polysaccharide and the low-molecular weight substance is based on a covalent bond which is the result of a coupling reaction between the terminal aldehyde group or a functional group of the modified polysaccharide molecule resulting from the chemical reaction of this aldehyde group and a functional group of the low-molecular weight substance which reacts with this aldehyde group or with the resulting functional group of the polysaccharide molecule. The bond directly resulting from the coupling reaction can be optionally modified by a further reaction to the aforementioned covalent bond. The invention further relates to pharmaceutical compositions that comprise conjugates formed in this coupling process and to the use of said conjugates and compositions for the prophylaxis or therapy of the human or animal body.

Abstract: A printing ink or coating composition contains optionally colorant and one or more derivatives of starches or modified starches.

Abstract: A process for expression of a protein product in Aspergillus oryzae is disclosed. The process comprises transforming Aspergillus oryzae with a vector system comprising DNA-sequences encoding functions facilitating gene expression, a suitable marker for selection of transformants, and a DNA-sequence encoding the desired protein product. The process enables industrial production of many different polypeptides and proteins in A. oryzae. Examples of such products are chymosin or prochymosin other rennets, proteases, lipases and amylases. Also disclosed is an effective promoter for expression of a protein in Aspergillus. A preferred promoter is the TAKA-amylase promoter or functional parts thereof. There is also provided a process for the production of a recombinant Humicola lipase. The recombinant Humicola lipase from A. oryzae differs from the native lipase in having a greater glycosylation and in exhibiting an improved thermostability.

Abstract: A biodegradable aliphatic polyester, such as polylactic acid, is mixed with a monomer having allyl and molded into a molding having the crosslinking degree of the biodegradable aliphatic polyester increased. Thereafter, the molding is exposed to ionizing radiation to thereby obtain a molding excelling in heat resistance. Triallyl isocyanurate or triallyl cyanurate is used as the monomer having allyl.

Abstract: A chemically modified plasticized starch (CMPS) is prepared by reacting starch with an organic dibasic acid or an anhydride of the acid in the presence of a plasticizer using optional free radical initiators, and optionally with the incorporation of nano clays in the reactive extrusion process. The starch is thermoplastic and has a lower viscosity than the traditional thermoplastic starch. The CMPS is useful in preparing starch polymer compositions which are at least partially biodegradable.

Abstract: A starch with a high content in amylose, obtained through a process comprising acetylation and pre-gellation, can provide useful coatings in food, drug, cosmetic and dietetic fields, both for humans and animals, and also in agriculture.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing protoplasts of cassava or closely related species, which protoplasts are capable of regeneration into plants. The method comprises producing friable embryogenic callus from explants of cassava or closely related species and isolating protoplasts from said friable embryogenic callus. The invention also concerns protoplasts obtainable by said method. The invention further relates to a method for transforming such a protoplast of cassava or closely related species, and transformed protoplasts obtainable thereby. In addition, the invention concerns a method for regenerating plants from these protoplasts and a cassava plant or closely related species obtainable thereby. Starch isolated from tubers of such cassava plants have an increased amylopectin content. The starch and a method for isolating it from said plants also forms part of the invention.

Abstract: Identification of the molecular targets of a drug or toxin is the first step in understanding how the drug or toxin works, an important advance in learning how to improve a drug or assess the risks due to a toxin. The primary action of a drug usually involves binding to a protein; secondary actions may express themselves in the form of side effects and in some cases may be due to binding to other proteins. Consequently, it is useful to identify all physiologically relevant sites of action of a drug or toxin. A simple method for obtaining a list of the potential targets of a drug, toxin or other biologically active substance (referred to collectively as ligands) involves a multistep process. The first step is screening a protein or peptide library to identify library members that exhibit high affinity for a particular ligand. The second step involves searching of sequence data bases for proteins that contain the sequences of the library members shown to have high affinity for the ligand.

Abstract: Novel arylisothiocyanate compounds are described that are useful for activating alcohol-containing macromomolecules, for example polyethyleneglycols and cellulose, for covalent linkage to amino-groups of biomolecules, for example polypeptides such as antibodies, enzymes, and proteins.

Abstract: The invention relates to starch phosphates exhibiting improved properties with regard to application techniques, to a method for the production thereof, and to their use. Based on the disadvantages of the known prior art, the aim of the invention is to produce starch phosphates which have a high degree of substitution, which are resistant to hydrolysis, and which can be produced using phosphorylating agents comprising only a low level of toxicity. To this end, starch phosphates are provided in which the anhydroglucose units are substituted by phosphate ester groups and carbamide groups, and the average degree of substitution DS of the carbamide groups and of the phosphate ester groups is in a range, each time, that is greater than 0.01. The starting materials are used in a mol ratio of anhydroglucose units of the starch:phosphorus of the phosphorylating agent:urea of 1:0.1 to 1.5:0.

Abstract: Novel arylisothiocyanate compounds are described that are useful for activating alcohol-containing macromolecules, for example polyethyleneglycols and cellulose, for covalent linkage to amino-groups of biomolecules, for example polypeptides such as antibodies, enzymes, and proteins.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for preparing a malto-oligosaccharide derived glycoside. Generally, the method comprises providing a malto-oligosaccharide and glycosylating the malto-oligosaccharide with an alcohol or a thiol under conditions suitable to form a malto-oligosaccharide derived glycoside. Also disclosed is a method for preparing a mixture of malto-oligosaccharide derived glycosides by providing a mixture of malto-oligosaccharides and glycosylating the malto-oligosaccharides with an alcohol or a thiol under substantially anhydrous conditions to form a mixture of malto-oligosaccharide derived glycosides.

Abstract: This invention describes improvements in or relating to the production of polysaccharide derivatives; more particularly it relates to a method of converting insoluble polysaccharides to a form in which they form part of an anhydrous system in which they may be used as chemical intermediates in the production of derivatives.

Abstract: A cyclodextrin derivative, wherein at least 60 percent of the free hydroxy groups of said cyclodextrin are acylated with acyl groups where at least one of said acyl groups comprise a free carboxylic group.

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 aging of swellable starch maleates is reduced by reacting with one or more singly and/or multiply functional nucleophiles as in a Michael condensation reaction. Mixtures of mercaptoethanol and 1,2-bis-(2-mercaptoethoxy)-ethane or mixtures of sodium bisulfite and pentaerythrite-tetrakis-(2-mercaptoacetate) are preferred. The decrease of the retention capacity [SRV] in the reaction products after 100 days is preferably <10%. The products find use as biodegradable, non-aging superabsorbers.

Abstract: Latex paint compositions containing water, pigment and a latex wherein the latex is prepared by emulsion polymerization of at least one ethylenically unsaturated monomer in the presence of 0.1 to 0.2 pphm of at least one hydrophobically modified starch having the structure ##STR1## In the above structure, St is a starch base material, R.sup.1 is a dimethylene or trimethylene group, R.sup.2 is selected from the group consisting of alkyl, alkenyl, aralkyl and aralkenyl groups having 2 to 20 carbon atoms, and Y is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkali metal, alkaline earth metal and ammonium. The hydrophobically modified starch is the reaction product of starch and an anhydride moiety and provides the latex paint with improved rheological properties and allows for easier spreading and less dripping of paint.

Abstract: Release coating compositions comprising:a) a starch ester release agent having an ester component of 2 to 8 carbon atoms and a degree of substitution (DS) of from 1.0 to 2.2;b) a hydrophobic plasticizer; andc) water.

Abstract: A cyclodextrin derivative, wherein at least 60 percent of the free hydroxy groups of said cyclodextrin are acylated with acyl groups where at least one of said acyl groups comprise a free carboxylic group.

Abstract: The present invention provides a cationic starch prepared by roasting starch under the presence of a cationic polymer, a method for preparing the cationic starch, and a method for making paper board with the cationic starch. The method for making paper board of the present invention provides high retention of starch in paper board, enhances paper board strength in a high level and reduces a load of treating waste water from a paper machine, in comparison with the starch which has conventionally been employed for paper making.

Abstract: Nerve process growth modulation can be achieved using derivatized cyclodextrins. Processes for making sulfated and aminated .beta.-cyclodextrin derivatives are also described in which a compound of the formula R".sub.2 NCH X'.sup.+ X'.sup.- where R.sup.- is an alkyl containing 1-5 carbon atoms and X is selected from bromine and iodine is used to halogenate the cydodextrin.

Abstract: The present invention relates to thermoplastic and biodegradable polysaccharide esters/polysaccharide ether esters, which are characterised in that they can be represented by the general structure ##STR1## wherein Polysaccharide-O represents the substituted OH groups of a polymeric saccharide unit and wherein A is a linear polyether chain of the following structureA=(E--O)nwherein E signifies a linear aliphatic or aromatic branched or unbranched chain having 2 to 11 C atoms, n is an integer equal to or greater than 0 and both B and D are a maleic acid addition product of the following structure ##STR2## wherein F is an aliphatic, saturated, monounsaturated or polyunsaturated carbon skeleton, which may optionally be provided with further substituents and wherein C can be a hydrogen atom, one or more substituents from the group dihydroxyethyl, hydroxypropyl, hydroxybutyl, methyl, ethyl, benzyl, dihydroxypropyl, carboxyalkyl, sulphoalkyl or cyanoethyl.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a new cationic starch and cationic starch paste or slurry. The starch paste or slurry has a low cation equivalent value despite its high nitrogen content and also has a low solution viscosity despite its high molecular weight. The cationic starch and cationic starch paste or slurry is formed by substitution with a one or both of quaternary ammonium salt or a tertiary amino group, characterized in that its nitrogen content (X) due to the quaternary ammonium salt and/or tertiary amino group is related to its cation equivalent value (Y) as defined below:Y<0.70097X-0.07978(in the case of natural terrestrial stem starch)Y<0.32936X-0.00495(in the case of natural subterranean stem starch having ester-type substituents)Y<0.40942X+0.

Abstract: A process for producing a saccharide carboxylic acid or a salt thereof characterized in that a microorganism belonging to the genus Pseudogluconobacter and capable of oxidizing a hydroxymethyl group and/or hemiacetal hydroxyl-associated carbon atom to a carboxyl group, or an artifact derived from the microorganism, is permitted to act on a hydroxymethyl and/or hemiacetal hydroxyl-containing saccharide or saccharide derivative to produce and accumulate the corresponding carboxylic acid and the carboxylic acid so accumulated is harvested and novel saccharide carboxylic acids produced by the above production method, and by the process, from a broad range of saccharides, saccharic acids having carboxyl groups derived from hydroxymethyl and/or hemiacetal OH groups can be produced with high selectivity and in good yield, the resultant saccharide acids are resistant to enzymatic degradation and have improved water solubility, among other characteristics.

Abstract: The invention is related to highly substituted, water-insoluble, poorly water-permeable fatty acid esters of polysaccharides and compositions comprising said polysaccharides esters suitable for use in hot-melt adhesives and as coatings for the controlled release of active ingredients, especially fertilizers. A convenient method for preparing said polysacharide esters using e.g. dimethylformamide as a solvent is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to water-resistant, thermoplastic starch materials processable into environmentally safe, thermoplastically produced products and cast sheets, which consist of starch acyl compounds, obtainable from high amylose starches and the derivatives thereof and being sparingly soluble in water, and of plasticizers which like ethyl citrate, glycerol acetate and lactic acid ester have a gelatinizing effect and preferably a dissolution property resulting in brilliant transparence and, as can be proved, are biodegradable.

Abstract: A separation agent essentially comprises an aliphatic or aromatic ester of a polysaccharide, except for cellulose acetate and an aromatic ester of cellulose. It is useful for separation of various chemical substances, especially optical resolution of optical isomers.

Abstract: New polysaccharide esters are disclosed, and more precisely esters of acidic polysaccharides chosen from the group formed by carboxymethylcellulose, carboxymethyl starch and carboxymethylchitin. These new esters and some esters of the type already known are useful as medicaments, for the manufacture of pharmaceutical and cosmetic preparations, in the field of biodegradable plastic materials and, therefore, for the manufacture of medical, surgical and sanitary articles, as well as numerous other industrial sectors in the place of acidic polysaccharides now in common use.

Abstract: A separation agent essentially comprises an aliphatic or aromatic ester of a polysaccharide, except for cellulose acetate and an aromatic ester of cellulose. It is useful for separation of various chemical substances, especially optical resolution of optical isomers.

Abstract: Water-resistant, thermoplastic starch materials which are processable into environmentally safe, thermoplastically produced products and cast sheets. They consist of starch acyl compounds, obtainable from high amylose starches and their derivatives (being sparingly soluble in water), and of plasticizers (like citric acid ethyl ester, glycerol acetate and lactic acid ester), which have a gelatinizing effect, and preferably, a dissolution property resulting in brilliant transparence and, as can be proved, are biodegradable.

Abstract: A separation agent essentially comprises an aliphatic or aromatic ester of a polysaccharide, except for cellulose acetate and an aromatic ester of cellulose. It is useful for separation of various chemical substances, especially optical resolution of optical isomers.

Abstract: Starch esters having an intermediate DS of about 0.5 to 1.8 are prepared in an aqueous one step process by reacting starch with high treatment levels of organic acid anhydride and high concentrations of alkaline reagent.

Abstract: New polysaccharide carbonates are produced by acylation of polysaccharides with carbonic acid esters and have degrees of substitution of preferably 0.5 to 3.

Abstract: An aromatic compound of the formula ##STR1## These compounds are useful in human and veterinary medicines and in cosmetic compositions.

Abstract: Wood surfaces are bonded together by heating and pressing using a preferably dry binder formulation constituting a thorough mixture of an isocyanate and a sugar or starch, the binder formulation also preferably containing a stabilizer and optionally a catalyst and a release agent. The binder formulation may be used with good results in an amount equal to the amount of straight isocyanate resin which would normally be used, i.e. the sugar or starch replaces a quantity of the isocyanate which would normally have been used, thereby reducing the total quantity of isocyanate, thus reducing cost without any disadvantage.

Abstract: Polysaccharide esters containing aldehyde and acetal groups having the structural formulas ##STR1## are prepared by reacting a polysaccharide, such as a starch, gum, or cellulose, with an acetal-containing reagent which contains a functional group reactive with the hydroxyl groups of the polysaccharide; Z is a multivalent organic group; A and A' are independently a lower alkyl or together form at least a 5-membered cyclic acetal; x is at least 1; and y is at least 1. When x is>1 the esters are corsslinked. Typical reagents for introducing the acetal group include 3,3-diethoxypropionyl guanidine (itself a novel compound) and 4-(methylaminoacetaldehyde dimethyl acetal)-4-oxo-butanoic acid). The derivatives are useful in conventional applications such as coatings, adhesives, paper additives and foodstuffs.

Abstract: A method for the modification of starch by silanes wherein the starch and silane are contacted in an organic solvent in the presence of a metallic acid ester of a metal of groups IVB or VB of the Periodic Table of the elements. The resulting suspension is stirred. The subsequently separated starch exhibits better working characteristics than the corresponding unmodified starch.

Abstract: The invention relates to the carbonylation of cross linked substituted and unsubstituted polysaccharides, their copolymers with macroporous synthetic polymers, macroporous synthetic polymers and rigid supports with pendant hydroxyalkyl groups. The carbonylated product can be used to prepare an affinity chromatography matrix which remains an uncharged species at varying pH's. The carbonylated product is also useful for the preparation of other compounds: Typical polysaccharides are agarose, starch, dextran, cellulose and regenerated cellulose, typical macroporous synthetic polymers are acrylamides, acrylates and methacrylates, typical rigid supports are silica beads coated with hydroxy alkyl groups and typical cabonylating agents are N,N'-carbonyl diimidazole; N,N'carbonyl di-1,2,3-benzotriazole; and N,N'-carbonyl di-1,2,4-triazole.

Abstract: A method for oven drying chemically modified cellulosic materials, especially fibers, having improved fluid absorbency involves incorporating into the cellulose structure while swollen an amphiphilic compound miscible with water which will not evaporate when the fiber is oven dried and will remain in the fiber to prevent collapse of the fiber as the water is removed. The improved method of drying the fibrous cellulosic material produces a product having saline absorbency about equal to that produced when the fibers are dried with a water-miscible solvent and avoids the use of volatile solvents and the disadvantages inherent therewith. The fibers provided by the invention are especially suitable for use in pads which are to be used for absorbing water and body fluids.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a chloral derivative having the general formula ##STR1## in which Y' is a polysaccharide consisting of a chain of anhydroglucose, modified anhydroglucose or uronic acid units as substituent group and in which R is selected from --H, --COCH.sub.2 OH, --[(CH.sub.2).sub.n 0].sub..chi. --H in which n is 2 to 5 and .chi. is 1 to 7; --CH.sub.2 OSO.sub.2 X' or --CH.sub.2 COOX' in which X' is NH.sub.4 or a single equivalent of a non-toxic metallic cation, --(CH.sub.2).sub.n H where n is 1 to 7, --(CH.sub.2).sub.n (OH).sub..chi. Y where Y is --H or --CH.sub.3 n is 1 to 7, .chi. is 1 to 12 and the --OH groups are attached to any or all of the carbon atoms by substitution and wherein when Y.sup.1 is a chain of unmodified anhydroglucose units, these units have the following configurations:.alpha.-D-glucopyranosyl units having a predominantly 1-4 linkage.beta.-D-glucopyranosyl units having a predominantly 1-4 linkage and/or.beta.

Abstract: Carbonylation of a polysaccharide and the product of that carbonylation. The carbonylated product can be used to prepare an affinity chromatography matrix which is an uncharged species of varying pH's. The carbonylated product is also useful for the preparation of other compounds. Typical polysaccharides are agarose, starch, dextran, cellulose and regenerated cellulose and typical carbonylating agents are N,N'-carbonyl diimidazole; N,N' carbonyl di-1,2,3-benzotriazole; and N,N'-carbonyl di-1,2,4-triazole.

Abstract: A novel polymer consisting of a macromolecular polysaccharide matrix which is esterified in whole or in part by activated polyunsaturated acids containing twenty carbon atoms. Typical of these acids are, for example, 8, 11, 14-eicosatrienoic acid, 5, 8, 11, 14-eicosatetraenoic acid and 5, 8, 11, 14, 17-eicosapentenoic acid. These polymers are therapeutically useful products which have utility in the same fields of application as the prostaglandins but absent their adverse side effects.

Abstract: A process for the separation and/or purification of oligo- and polyhydroxy compounds by introducing and subsequently eliminating protective groups, wherein oligo- and polyhydroxy compounds are reacted with bis(ethyl-pivaloyloxy)-diboroxane or ethylboroxine, optionally in inert solvents, the resulting O-ethylboranodiyl derivatives of the hydroxy compounds are separated off and the O-ethylboranodiyl protective groups are eliminated by alcoholic compounds, for example methanol or glycol.

Abstract: New polymers consisting of a macromolecular structure of soluble starch to which 15-30% of nicotinic acid radicals are bound through covalent ester bonds. These polymers are gradually hydrolized in biological environment by setting free nicotinic acid and non toxic polysaccharide residues. These polymers have a therapeutic activity similar to that of nicotinic acid, but by far more long lasting and devoid of collateral effects.

Abstract: A process and apparatus are described for producing modified starch products. In the method of the invention, a slurry of starch is continuously moved at elevated temperature and pressure through a tubular heating zone and the hot fluid mass emerging from the heating zone is forced through a flow restricting zone within which the fluid mass is highly compressed. This highly compressed fluid material emerges from the confining zone into a tubular reaction zone with a sudden release of energy in the form of a fine spray or mist. The compressive forces followed by the sudden energy release act on the starch molecules to temporarily greatly increase the reactivity of the starch within the reaction zone, whereby modified starch products are quickly formed.

Abstract: Increasing the viscosity and smoothness of cereal flour pastes by treating the milled cereal flours, prior to pasting, with cyanide.

Abstract: A polysaccharide or polyvinyl alcohol containing a mixture of nitrite ester groups with sulfate or nitrate ester groups with the mixture of ester groups being substantially uniformly distributed among the polymer units of the polysaccharide or polyvinyl alcohol.A nitrite ester of a polysaccharide alcohol having a degree of substitution of less than about 2.0. A nitrite ester of polyvinyl alcohol having a degree of substitution of 1.0 or less.