Ester-stabilized chitin
OwnerMaria L. Badeinventor
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Abstract
Ester-stabilized chitin polymers which have been dissociated and purified from a naturally occurring calcified chitin/protein matrix, and which substantially retain the structural features of the chitin matrix in that they comprise elongated fibers which are rapidly and quantitatively recognized by enzymes specific for naturally occurring chitin. The chitin polymers are made by a method in which the naturally occurring matrix is first decalcified and deproteinized, and then the chitin is dispersed and stabilized in a cold dilute ester-forming acid before being recovered. The polymers are useful in processes requiring consistent, reproduceable structure. Polymers having these useful attributes are particularly identifiable by their ability to react with enzymes specific for naturally occurring chitin.
Claims9
Ester-stabilized chitin fibers, purified from a naturally occurring calcified chitin/protein matrix, said fibers being:
- (a) water insoluble;
- (b) uniformly dispersible in suspension;
- (c) sparsely esterfied with an ester selected from the group consisting of sulfate, nitrate, phosphate, and formate;
- (d) highly elongated relative to their diameter;
- (e) not subject to shear in aqueous suspension;
- (f) hydrolyzed by extracellular chitinase produced by an adapted microorganism plated on agar and said ester-stabilized chitin, said hydrolysis being rapid and quantitative;
- (g) substantially mineral free, yielding substantially no ash when flamed;
- and
- (h) substantially free from protein upon hydrolysis.
A chitin product comprising ester-stabilized, aqueous insoluble, aqueous dispersible chitin fibers from a naturally occurring calcified chitin/protein matrix, said chitin product being produced by the process of,
- providing said naturally occurring chitin matrix,
- first decalcifying said naturally occurring chitin matrix under aqueous acidic conditions, to be substantially mineral free, yielding substantially no ash when flamed,
- then deproteinizing the decalcified chitin under aqueous basic conditions, to produced compacted purified chitin which retains fine structure of said native chitin, and which is substantially free from protein upon hydrolysis,
- then dispersing the decalcified, deproteinized chitin in a chilled, dilute aqueous ester-forming acid to form a colloidal solution in which said native fine structure is maintained, and is not subject to shear, said acid being selected from the group consisting of nitric, sulfuric, phosphoric, and formic acids, and
- precipitating ester-stabilized purified chitin fibers.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.