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US 5,320,669 AGranted
Cereal grain-based biodegradable thermoplastic compositions
AssigneeIowa State University Research Foundation, Inc.
InventorsSeung-Taik Lim, Jay-lin Jane
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The present invention provides a biodegradable thermoplastic composition made of a cereal grain that is treated with an organic solvent, and optionally a cross-linking agent such as an aldehyde, an acid anhydride or an epoxide, to link together the starch and protein of the cereal grain. The compositions may be used to make extruded or molded articles that are biodegradable, water-resistant, and have a high level of physical strength.
Claims37
A thermoplastic composition, comprising:
- about 30-100 wt-% cereal grain comprising about 60-95% starch and about 5-40% protein, the cereal grain having been treated with an effective amount of an organic solvent to extract a substantial portion of lipids from the cereal grain;
- the organic solvent selected from the group consisting of alcohols, alkanes, ethers, halides, aromatics, esters and ketones.
A method of making a biodegradable thermoplastic composition, comprising:
- (a) combining a cereal grain with an effective amount of an organic solvent to form a mixture and extract a substantial portion of lipids from the cereal grain;
- the organic solvent selected from the group consisting of alcohols, alkanes, ethers, halides, aromatics, esters and ketones;
- (b) removing the solvent from the mixture to provide a cereal grain residue;
- and
- (c) drying the residue.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.