Substitutes for modified starch and latexes in paper manufacture
AssigneePioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc.
InventorScott Edward Nichols
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Abstract
The present invention provides methods of making paper utilizing glucans, produced by the glucosyltransferase C enzyme of the species Streptococcus mutans, instead of modified starches. The present glucans are functionally similar to the hydroxethyl modified starch and are particularly useful in the coating step of paper manufacture. The present glucans also exhibit thermoplastic properties and impart gloss to the paper during the coating step.
Claims20
A method of manufacturing paper comprising adding a glucan isolated from a host transformed with a gene encoding a glucosyltransferase C (GTFC) obtained from Streptococcus mutans, to one or more of the steps of (A) wet ending, (B) sizing, and (C) coating in paper manufacturing wherein modified starch is used.
A method of imparting gloss on paper during the manufacturing process comprising adding a glucan isolated from a host transformed with a gene encoding a glucosyltransferase C enzyme obtained from Streptococcus mutans to a coating step instead of latex molecules.
An isolated glucan obtained from the amyloplast or vacuole of a transgenic plant transformed with a gene encoding a glucosyltransferase C enzyme from Streptococcus mutans.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.