Method for degumming decorticated plant bast fiber
AssigneeHelmic, Inc.
InventorMichael C. Jaskowski
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method for degumming decorticated plant bast fiber, such as ramie flax, or hemp bast fiber, to remove pectin-containing material therefrom. The decorticated plant bast fiber is washed with a washing solution containing a surface active agent to penetrate the plant bast fiber to remove water soluble material therefrom. The washed plant bast fiber is then rinsed. The washed and rinsed plant bast fiber is treated with an aqueous, acidic treatment solution of fungal pectinase for a period of time between about 10 to 20 minutes to degum the plant fiber. The treatment solution is maintained at an elevated temperature in the range between about 60.degree. C. and 65.degree. C. and has a pH between about 2.0 and 3.5.
Claims28
A method for degumming decorticated plant bast fiber to remove pectin-containing material therefrom comprising the steps of,
- washing the decorticated plant bast fiber with a washing solution containing a surface active agent to penetrate said plant bast fiber to remove water soluble material therefrom,
- rinsing the washed plant bast fiber,
- treating the washed and rinsed plant bast fiber with an aqueous, acidic treatment solution of fungal pectinase for a period of time between about 10 to 20 minutes to degum the plant bast fiber,
- and maintaining said solution at an elevated temperature and at a pH between about 2.0 and 3.5.
A method for degumming decorticated ramie bast fiber to remove pectin-containing material therefrom comprising the steps of,
- washing the decorticated ramie bast fiber with a washing solution containing a surface active agent to penetrate said ramie bast fiber to remove water soluble material therefrom,
- rinsing the washed ramie bast fiber,
- treating the washed and rinsed ramie bast fiber with an aqueous, acidic treatment solution of fungal pectinase for a period of time between about 10 to 20 minutes to degum the ramie bast fiber, and
- maintaining said solution at an elevated temperature and at a pH between about 2.0 and 3.5.
A method for degumming decorticated ramie bast fiber to remove pectin-containing material therefrom comprising the steps of,
- washing the decorticated ramie bast fiber with an aqueous washing solution containing a surface active agent to penetrate said ramie bast fiber to remove water soluble material therefrom,
- rinsing the washed ramie bast fiber with water, and
- treating the washed and rinsed ramie bast fiber with an aqueous, acidic treatment solution of fungal pectinase for a period of time between about 10 to 20 minutes to degum the ramie bast fiber, and
- maintaining said treatment solution at a temperature between about 60.degree. C. to 65.degree. C. and at a pH of betwen about 2.0 and 3.5 and having about one gram to about 25 grams of fungal pectinase for each 10,000 grams of ramie bast fiber to be treated with each 10,000 grams of ramie bast fiber in a volume of about 30 gallons to about 45 gallons of said treatment solution.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.