Abstract: The present invention describes a process for acylating polysaccharides, oligosaccharides or disaccharides or derivatives thereof by dissolving these in an ionic liquid and reacting them with a ketene, and also novel acylated polysaccharides, oligosaccharides or disaccharides or derivatives thereof.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for producing a dissolving pulp from a cellulosic starting material using the kraft process, comprising the step of cooking the starting material with a cooking liquor. The process according to the invention characterized in that the starting material is exposed to a steam treatment prior to cooking and that the pulp obtained by cooking is subjected to cold caustic extraction (CCE) in the course of further processing.

Abstract: Carbohydrates having functional groups, such as carboxylic acid groups and methods of making such carbohydrates.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a polymer matrix for specifically tethering surface epitopes or receptors of cells, said polymer matrix having been pretreated by molecular imprinting. The invention also relates to a method of producing such a polymer matrix. The polymer matrices according to the present invention are used in therapeutic and diagnostic applications as well as for isolating cells.

Abstract: A composition includes at least one hydrophilic polymer containing primary (—NH2) and/or secondary (—NHR) amine groups and at least one saccharide containing a reducible function. A method of increasing the strength of paper includes the step of contacting the paper with a composition comprising (i) at least one hydrophilic polymer containing at least two groups which are independently the same or different a primary amine group or a secondary amine group and at least one saccharide containing a reducible function. A hydrogel composition is formed from a mixture of at least one hydrophilic polymer containing at least two groups which are independently the same or different a primary amine group or a secondary amine group and at least one saccharide containing a reducible function.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method using sulfite pretreatment to overcome recalcitrance of lignocellulose (SPORL). More specifically, it relates to a sulfite-based chemical process for pretreating biomass in solutions to reduce access barriers of enzymes to the lignocellulose, resulting in efficient conversion through enzymatic saccharification.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process of preparing hydroxyalkyl cellulose derivatives having improved enzymatic resistance. In particular, the present invention relates to a process of preparing hydroxyalkyl cellulose derivatives by reacting cellulose and ethylene oxide in the presence of alkali metal hydroxide, wherein the reaction between cellulose and ethylene oxide is performed in the presence of isopropyl alcohol azeotropic solvent in a horizontally agitated reactor, wherein the ethylene oxide is supplied via two steps, thus resulting in a two-step reaction, and the amount of alkali metal hydroxide remaining after the first reaction is controlled, thereby enabling to provide hydroxyalkyl cellulose derivatives having improved enzymatic resistance and turbidity and to remarkably decrease the solvent usage to have economical and environmental advantages.

Abstract: A method of producing a cellulose derivative film, the method comprising: forming a film with a solvent cast method from a dope including a cellulose derivative satisfying following conditions (a) and (b): (a) at least one among three hydroxyl groups included in a glucose unit of cellulose is substituted by a substituent of which a polarizability anisotropy ?? represented as following Expression (1) is 2.5×10?24 cm3 or higher: Expression (1): ??=?x?(?y+?z)/2, wherein ?x, ?y and ?z is as defined in the specification; and (b) when a substitution degree by a substituent of which ?? is 2.5×10?24 cm3 or higher is PA, and a substitution degree by a substituent of which ?? is lower than 2.5×10?24 cm3 is PB, the PA and PB satisfy following Expressions (3) and (4): Expression (3): 2PA+PB>3.0; and Expression (4): PA>0.2.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a method of recycling and producing fibers from sewage sludge, such as streams of municipal, agricultural and industrial flowing wastes to be further processed. The present invention also relates to industrial means adapted for recycling the same. The present invention discloses environmentally friendly processes and means for recovering valuable fibers and especially cellulose fibers and the like from agricultural and/or urban sewage sludge, waste and/or industrial effluents to decrease its volume especially BOD and TSS, obtaining valuable raw materials and decreasing environmental damages.

Abstract: The present invention describes a process for silylating polysaccharides, oligosaccharides or disaccharides or derivatives thereof by dissolving these in an ionic liquid and reacting them with a silylating agent.

Abstract: A cellulose acylate film having a water vapor permeability at 40° C. and 90% RH of from 100 to 400 g/(m2·day), of which the water vapor permeability change after kept at 60° C. and 95% RH for 1000 hours is from ?100 g/(m2·day) to 10 g/(m2·day). This film is an excellent optical compensatory film.

Abstract: An unstretched cellulose acylate film is stretched in a ratio ranging from 1.05 to 1.6 in the longitudinal direction (MD) in a longitudinal stretching section using at least two rollers having a surface-to-surface separation of 2 to 50 mm therebetween and being different in circumferential velocity, thereafter the cellulose acylate film stretched in the longitudinal direction is heated in the heat treatment section to a temperature ranging from Tc to Tc+80° C. under the conditions that the widthwise ends of the cellulose acylate film are gripped, and thus the cellulose acylate film is contracted in the widthwise direction (TD) to produce the intended cellulose acylate film. This method can provide a cellulose acylate film having properties suitable for an optical film and so on.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a cellulose carbamate spinning solution, the cellulose carbamate being dissolved in at least one ionic liquid. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for the production of blown films in which a solution of cellulose carbamate in an ionic liquid is extruded into a coagulation bath, and also to the films produced with the method and the use thereof.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods of crosslinking polysaccharides to form crosslinked polysaccharides, and more particularly, to crosslinked polysaccharides that may be incorporated in fluids useful in, for example, applications requiring a crosslinked viscoelastic gel. In one embodiment, the present invention provides a method of crosslinking a polysaccharide comprising the steps of: providing a metal coordinating group having a reactive site, derivatizing a polysaccharide with the metal coordinating group to produce a derivatized polysaccharide having bidentate ligands, and crosslinking the derivatized polysaccharide having bidentate ligands with a metal ion to form a metal ligand coordination complex.

Abstract: The invention provides a melt-casting film formation process for a cellulosic resin film, by which thickness unevenness of the cellulosic resin film is suppressed in both the cross-machine direction and machine direction. Consequently the invention can provide a cellulosic resin film having high optical properties. In this process for producing the cellulosic resin film, a resin molten in an extruder (22) is extruded through a die (24) onto a rotating chill roll (28) which chills and solidifies the resin to a film (12?), in which temperature difference in the cross-machine direction of the resin sheet (12) from departing the die (24) to touching the chill roll (28) is regulated within 10° C.

Abstract: A method for treatment of chemical pulp for the manufacturing of microfibrillated cellulose includes the following steps: a) providing a hemicellulose containing pulp, b) refining the pulp in at least one step and treating the pulp with one or more wood degrading enzymes at a relatively low enzyme dosage, and c) homogenizing the pulp thus providing the microfibrillated cellulose. According to a second aspect of the invention a microfibrillated cellulose obtainable by the method according to the first aspect is provided. According to a third aspect of the invention, use of the microfibrillated cellulose according to the second aspect in food products, paper products, composite materials, coatings or in rheology modifiers (e.g. drilling muds) is provided.

Abstract: A porous article of manufacture (a sealing material) which comprises sintered hydroxyalkylcellulose, for example, sintered hydroxypropylcellulose, or a sealing material which is capable of being formed into a porous article in the form of a filter and which is made by heating at least one gelling agent that has carboxyl functionality and at least one gelling agent that has hydroxyl functionality, preferably carboxylmethylcellulose (CMC) and hydroxypropylcellulose (HPC) respectively, and a method for preparing the same from a powdery admixture thereof, and a pipette which includes the sealing material in the form of a filter, and also including embodiments of a bilayer filter and of a trilayer filter, each of which comprises a composite of a filter of the present invention and a filter comprising porous sintered polyethylene, preferably ultra high-molecular weight polyethylene.

Abstract: A cellulous acylate film in which X-ray diffractive intensity satisfies the following Formulae (I) to (V) and in which a half-value width of the peak at 2?2 is 2.8° or less as observed in the sectional view in a direction parallel to the transport direction of the film: 0.60?Ici/Ico ??Formula (I) Iam=I1+{(I3?I1)/(2?3?2?1)}×(2?2?2?1) ??Formula (II) Ic=I2?Iam ??Formula (III) Ici=Ic11/Ic12 ??Formula (IV) Ico={(Ic21/Ic22)+(Ic31/Ic32)}/2.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a method for producing polyphenol-containing compositions and purifying polyphenols safely and simply. By contacting a polyphenol-containing solution to a specific polysaccharide to support polyphenols with the polysaccharide, a polyphenol-containing composition usable as an additive for foods and drinks can be obtained. In addition, polyphenol can be purified by contacting polysaccharide-supported polyphenols with solvent to elute polyphenols into the solvent and then powderizing the polyphenols after removing the solvent.

Abstract: The use of chemically modified dicarboxy polysaccharides for the topical treatment of the eyeball are described. The modified polysaccharides provide a carrier in solutions for the treatment of the eyeball to obtain a timed release.

Abstract: Provided are novel methods for making cellulose nanocomposites, comprising biosynthesis of cellulose fibrils in situ using a growth medium comprising a polymer matrix material, under conditions suitable to provide for dispersion of the fibril throughout the growth medium as the fibrils are being formed to provide a cellulose nanocomposite material or film wherein the cellulose fibrils are highly or uniformly dispersed in the cellulose nanocomposite material, and wherein fibril structure and/or nanocomposite composition is customizable. Certain method aspects further comprise removing or separating the cellulose nanocomposite material or film from the medium, and may further comprise washing the cellulose nanocomposite material or film to remove residual medium. Particular aspects further comprise freeze-drying the cellulose nanocomposite material or film, and/or further comprise forming a molded product using the cellulose nanocomposite material or film. Compositions made by the methods are provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a light duty liquid detergent composition comprising a low molecular weight hydrophobically modified cellulosic polymer, to provide improved foaming properties.

Abstract: The object is to produce a polysaccharide and/or a monosaccharide efficiently by hydrolyzing a different polysaccharide efficiently. The hydrolysis of a polysaccharide is an important means for producing a monosaccharide that can be used as a starting material for the production of ethanol, the solubilization of a water-insoluble polysaccharide, and the production of a useful water-soluble low-polymeric saccharide or the like. For achieving the object, a polysaccharide to be hydrolyzed is reacted with water in the presence of a carbonaceous material having sulfonic acid group therein to cause the hydrolysis of the polysaccharide to be hydrolyzed, thereby producing a other polysaccharide and/or a monosaccharide.

Abstract: Disclosed are a retardation film, a method for producing the retardation film, a polarizing plate comprising the retardation film, and a liquid crystal display comprising the polarizing plate. Specifically disclosed is a method for producing a retardation film, which comprises an extrusion step for extruding a composition containing a thermoplastic resin and having a temperature of To [° C.] from a die; a cooling step for cooling a film extruded from the die and having a glass transition temperature of Tg [° C.] to a temperature Ta [° C.]; a heating step for heating the cooled film to a temperature Tb [° C.] at least once; and a stretching step for cooling the heated film to a temperature Tc [° C.] and then stretching the cooled film in the width direction.

Abstract: A process for producing a tablet characterized by performing high-speed direct compression with a moving speed of a pestle of 800 mm/s or more while compressing a powder which contains at least 15 to 80% by mass of cellulose, an active ingredient and a lubricant and has an angle of repose of 50° C. or less, a compression degree of 20% or more and an elongation at break of 30 ?m or more.

Abstract: Methods for making the carboxyalkyl cellulose.

Abstract: The present invention provides in one aspect polymeric luminescent dye compounds having fluorescent properties, phosphorescent properties, or both fluorescent and phosphorescent properties.

Abstract: A polymer compound derivative, obtained by modifying part of the hydroxy or amino groups of a polymer compound having the hydroxy or amino groups with molecules of a compound represented by the following general formula (I): A-X—Si(Y)nR3-n (I), where A represents a reactive group which reacts with a hydroxy or amino group, X represents an alkylene group which has 1 to 18 carbon atoms and which may have a branch, or an arylene group which may have a substituent, Y represents a reactive group which reacts with a silanol group to form a siloxane bond, R represents an alkyl group which has 1 to 18 carbon atoms and which may have a branch, or an aryl group which may have a substituent, and n represents an integer of 1 to 3.

Abstract: A composition comprising an organic fluorophore having a structure of: or a derivative thereof; as well as articles of manufacture marked with the fluorophore, methods for marking articles with the fluorophore, and methods for producing a fluorescent fiber.

Abstract: A carbon-based solid acid which has high activity and high thermal stability and is useful as an acid catalyst for various reactions such as hydration of olefins. The carbon-based solid acid for use as a catalyst is obtained by carbonization and sulfonation of an organic substance, which has a reduction rate of 10 mol % or less of acid content as measured by immersing the solid acid in hot water at 120° C. for 2 hours, is used as the acid catalyst. The organic substance to be used as the raw material for preparing the solid acid is preferably a saccharide having ?1-4 glycosidic bond (e.g. cellulose) or lignin. Amylose is also suitable as the raw material. Examples of the reaction for which the solid catalyst can be used include hydration of olefins, etherification of olefins, and acid/alcohol esterification.

Abstract: Described herein are implantable medical devices comprising a biocompatible polymer comprising a triggerable bioadhesive property that allows the device to adhere to body tissue. The triggerable bioadhesive property of the polymer can be triggered or activated by exposure to a stimulus. Also, the present invention pertains to methods of making an implantable medical device comprising a biocompatible polymer comprising a triggerable bioadhesive property that allows the device to adhere to body tissue.

Abstract: A cellulose powder which has an average degree of polymerization of 150 to 450, an average particle diameter of 30 to 250 ?m, an apparent specific volume exceeding 7 cm3/g, and a retention of polyethylene glycol having a molecular weight of 400 to 190% or higher.

Abstract: A method for dissolving cellulose in which the cellulose based raw material is admixed with a mixture of a dipolar aprotic intercrystalline swelling agent and an ionic liquid at a temperature of 25° C. to 180° C. for a time sufficient to dissolve the cellulose based raw material. The molar ratio of dipolar aprotic intercrystalline swelling agent to ionic liquid is 0.05 to 1.5 moles of dipolar aprotic intercrystalline swelling agent to 1 mole of ionic liquid. Dipolar aprotic intercrystalline swelling agents do not include imidazole based agents or amine based agents.

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 process for producing a cellulose acylate film comprising: casting a solution of a cellulose acylate having an acyl substitution degree of from 2.85 to 3.00 dissolved in at least one organic solvent onto an endless metal support; cooling the solution at 0° C. to ?50° C. to effect gelation, so as to form a film; peeling the film off from the endless metal support; and drying the film.

Abstract: Mucoadhesive and controlled release formulations consisting of aqueous solutions containing 0.05% to 5% by weight of a natural purified polymer having xyloglucan structure and 10% to 70% by weight of glycerol. These formulations are suitable for the application on human mucous membranes, such as nasal, oral and vaginal mucous membranes, as moisturizing and softening agents or as pharmaceutical release system. Further objects of the invention are pharmaceutical formulations and medical devices suitable for the application to human mucous membranes, containing the mucoadhesive and controlled release formulations together with active ingredients and excipients.

Abstract: A polysaccharide conjugate comprising from 10% to 98%, by weight, of at least one water insoluble fabric care benefit agent which comprises a solid non-silicone fabric lubricant and from 2% to 20%, by weight, of at least one delivery enhancing agent that is a cationic polysaccharide having a backbone comprising ?1-4 linkages is useful as a fabric softening agent.

Abstract: This invention provides a composition comprising an effective amount of (1-3)-?-glucan derived from barley capable of enhancing efficacy of antibodies. This invention further provides the above compositions and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. This invention also provides a method for treating a subject with cancer comprising administrating the above-described composition to the subject.

Abstract: The objective of this invention is a method for separating cellulosic fibres, hemicellulose and lignin from parts of plants containing these, such as stems, leaves and seed coats or hulls of cereal, oilseed, fibre or grassy plants. After appropriate pre-treatments the material is heated in an alkaline solution at lower temperatures than used in the traditional cellulose manufacturing. After this heat treatment, the fibrous and other undissolved materials are separated from the solution and subsequently ground in wet condition, using preferably chafing treatments. For improving the separation, surface active substances can be included in the alkaline heat treatment solution.

Abstract: Lignin polymers having distinctive properties, including a generally high molecular weight and generally homogeneous size distribution, as well as preservation of native reactive side groups, are isolated by solvent extraction of plant materials. Methods for isolation of lignin polymers, and for use of the isolated lignin polymers are disclosed. Compositions containing lignin isolated from plant materials, such as carbon fiber composites, resins, adhesive binders and coatings, polyurethane-based foams, rubbers and elastomers, plastics, films, paints, nutritional supplements, food and beverage additives are disclosed. Xylose and xylose derivatives, furfural, fermentable sugars, cellulose and hemi-cellulose products may be used directly or further processed. The lignin polymers and other plant-derived products disclosed herein may be produced in abundance at low cost, and may be used as substitutes for feedstocks originating from fossil fuel or petrochemical sources in the manufacture of various products.

Abstract: A method for alteration of the morphology of cellulose fibers, particularly softwood fibers, by (a) subjecting the fibers to a metal ion-activated peroxide treatment carried out at a pH of between about I and about 9, preferably between 3 and 7, and (b) subjecting the treated fibers to a refining treatment thereby converts SW fibers to HW-like fibers in many respects. The metal ion-activated peroxide treatment has been noted to act on pulp cellulose and hemi-cellulose, causing oxidation and oxidative degradation of cellulose fibers. The chemical treatment of the pulp, taken alone, is not sufficient to attain the desired modification of the morphology of the fibers, however, subsequent refining or like mechanical treatment of the chemically-treated fibers to achieve a given degree of refinement of the fibers requires dramatically less refining energy to achieve a desired end point of refinement and to impart other desirable properties to the pulp.

Abstract: A cellulose acylate film satisfying |Rth|/Re<0.5 is produced by transporting a cellulose acylate film satisfying the formulae (V) and (VI), and subjecting the film to heat treatment at heating temperature Tp (unit: ° C.) which satisfies the following formula (VII): 2.70<SA+SB?3.00??Formula (V) 0<SB?3.0??Formula (VI) {?285×(SA+SB)+1000}?Tp<Tm0??Formula (VII) where SA indicates a substitution degree of acetyl group substituted for hydroxyl group of cellulose, SB indicates a substitution degree of acyl group having 3 or more carbon atoms substituted for hydroxyl group of cellulose, and Tm0 (unit: ° C.) indicates the melting point of cellulose acylate before being subjected to the heat treatment.

Abstract: The present invention provides a thermoplastic resin film which has uniform optical properties and can be used for a high quality functional film and a method for producing the same to suppress uneven thickness in the machine direction of a film and streaks in the film. The method for producing a cellulose acylate film (12), includes the steps of melting a thermoplastic resin in a single screw extruder (22), discharging and feeding the molten resin to a die (24) through the extruder (22), extruding the molten resin from the die (24) in the form of a sheet, and solidifying the molten resin by cooling, wherein the extruder has a feed section (A), a compression section (B) and a metering section (C) and transport efficiency ?F of the thermoplastic resin in the feed section (A) is 0.2 to 0.7.

Abstract: A battery separator for use in zinc alkaline batteries having improved mechanical strength and higher resistance to oxidation comprising cellulose that has been crosslinked with a saturated hydrocarbon group containing between four and sixteen carbon atoms.

Abstract: A spherical cellulose material wherein the cellulose material is a water-insoluble polysaccharide formed by ?-1,4-type sugar chain linkages, the degree of crystallinity is 70% or greater, and macrofibrils are formed radially from the center to the periphery.

Abstract: Disclosed are glucoside alkyl urethanes composed of units of the formula: A(O—CO—NH—R)3 wherein A represents a glucosyl unit of a starch hydrolysate molecule, the starch hydrolysate having a Dextrose Equivalent (D.E.) ranging from 1 to 47, (O—CO—NH—R) represents an N-alkyl aminocarbonyloxy group replacing a hydroxyl group of the glucosyl unit A, and wherein R represents a linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated alkyl group containing from 3 to 22 carbon atoms, and s represents the number of alkyl carbamate groups per glucosyl unit which number is expressed as degree of substitution (DS) with said DS value ranging from about 0.01 to about 2.0 which are useful as surface-active agents. Also disclosed are a method for their manufacture and compositions containing one or more glucoside alkyl urethanes. The glucoside alkyl urethanes have good to excellent tensio-active properties in combination with good biodegrability and they are suitable as surfactants for use in household and industrial applications, e.g.

Abstract: A cellulose acylate film characterized in that it has a shear rate dependency of melt viscosity of 0.1 to 2 and/or a temperature dependency of melt viscosity of 0.1 to 3. The cellulose acylate film is capable of suppressing generation of cutting wastage at the time of cutting.

Abstract: A cellulose acylate film, which contains 1% to 25% by mass of a plasticizer and has a cellulose acylate composition satisfying the inequalities of 0?X?2.5 and 2.1?X+Y?3.0 (in which X is a substitution degree of acetyl group, and Y is a substitution degree of at least one group selected from propionyl, butyryl, and phthaloyl groups), is transversely stretched under conditions of [preheating temperature>stretching temperature] and [preheating zone length/stretching zone length=0.1 to 10]. After the transverse stretching, the film is heat-fixed under conditions of [stretching temperature>heat-fixing temperature] and [heat-fixing zone length/stretching zone length=0.1 to 10].

Abstract: The invention refers to a method for the production of cellulose sulfate which is completely water-soluble and has an adjustable solution viscosity in aqueous solution, which qualifies the produced sodium cellulose sulfate (SCS) as auxiliary material with ideal biological compatibility for biological and medical applications, in particular it is suitable for the encapsulation and immobilization of biological objects, e.g. tissue, cells, microorganisms, enzymes or viruses in microcapsule.

Abstract: Methods for hydrolyzing lignocellulose are provided, comprising contacting the lignocellulose with at least one chemical treatment. Methods for pretreating a lignocellulosic material comprising contacting the material with at least one chemical are also provided. Methods for liberating a substance such as an enzyme, a pharmaceutical, or a nutraceutical from plant material are also provided. These methods are more efficient, more economical, and less toxic than current methods.