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.

Abstract: Aqueous slurries or dispersions of starch are reacted with selected N-alkylimidazole-N'-sulfonates under specific reaction conditions to yield starch sulfate esters. The organic by-products produced in the reaction are readily removed by washing or dialysis.

Abstract: This disclosure involves a method of making lipophilic modified starch derivatives that are suitable for encapsulating fats and oils and producing stable emulsions. The starch has a reduced viscosity with both hydrophobic and hydrophilic properties. The process of preparing the starch derivatives includes the steps of esterification of the starch with n-octenyl succinic anhydride, washing, enzyme modification and drying. The enzyme modification is critical to the invention.

Abstract: Preparation of partially substituted nitrate and sulfate esters of polysaccharides or polyvinylalcohol, their esters containing a mixture of nitrite with sulfate or nitrate groups, aqueous media thickened with such esters, the simultaneous preparation of such esters and alkyl nitrites or such esters and inorganic nitrites or nitrates and resulting products, useful as thickeners, films, fibers and in many other applications.

Abstract: The use in the manufacture of paper of additives comprising derivatives of starches having particular levels of water fluidity and which contain controlled proportions of cationogenic or cationic substituent groups as well as sulfo-succinate groups. The resulting paper containing the latter additives is characterized by improved retention of pigments and increased strength.

Abstract: A reagent useful for the chemical modification of starch is prepared by the reaction of a 2,3-dihalopropionic acid or alkyl ester thereof with a secondry amine. The reaction of the reagent with starch, carried out in an aqueous solution under controlled conditions, produces novel amino acid ether derivatives which are characterized by the presence of both a cationic and an anionic substituent group on the same reactive site. The resulting starch ethers are characterized by their stability, their ability to form cooked pastes which are more resistant to gelling upon cooling and their lowered gelatinization temperatues.