Processes for the modification and utilization of bacterial cellulose
AssigneeThe Thailand Research Fund
InventorPramote Tammarate
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Treatment of gelatinous bacterial cellulose by breaking up gelatinous cellulose into a micro-fiber form and then evaporating water from the result with application of heat. The evaporation can be achieved by heating to a temperature above 100 degrees Centigrade and is continued for a sufficient time to be effective as the sole reason for evaporation of the moisture.
Claims20
A process to modify gelatinous bacterial cellulose, which includes the steps of:
- (i) treating the gelatinous cellulose to bring said cellulose into a form of micro-fiber cellulose and micro-fiber toughening materials, and
- (ii) heating the treated cellulose to a predetermined temperature of at least 100.degree. C. to effect evaporation of water from the treated cellulose so as to modify the micro-fiber toughening materials and modify the micro-fiber cellulose in a way which inhibits hardening, thereby softening the resultant dried product and resulting in a soft, flexible and high absorption modified bacterial cellulose.
A process to modify bacterial cellulose to produce dried soft, flexible and high water absorption modified bacterial cellulose dietary fiber product, which includes the steps of:
- (i) treating the gelatinous cellulose to bring said cellulose into a form of micro-fiber and micro-fiber toughening materials, and
- (ii) softening the resultant material by heating for a predetermined time at a predetermined temperature of at least 100.degree. C. whereby said treated cellulose inhibits bonding and denatures the micro-fibrils bond and promotes an effective evaporation of water from the treated cellulose so as to modify the micro-fiber toughening materials and the micro-fiber cellulose in a way which inhibits hardening thereby promoting softening of the resultant dried product, wherein heat modified binding properties of micro-fiber toughening materials and wherein heat denatures the micro-fibrils bond of micro-fiber cellulose and wherein an effective evaporation of water inhibits bonding of the resultant dried product.
A process of manufacture of bacterial cellulose which includes the steps of treating gelatinous bacterial cellulose by breaking the cellulose into a micro-fiber form, and then heating the micro-fiber form to above 100.degree. C. so as to modify the micro-fiber cellulose in a way which inhibits hardening of the resultant dried product.
A process to modify gelatinous bacterial cellulose, thereby producing dried soft, flexible and high water absorption modified bacterial cellulose product, the process including the steps of:
- (i) treating the gelatinous cellulose to bring said cellulose into a form of micro-fiber and micro-fiber toughening materials, and
- (ii) heating the treated cellulose to a predetermined temperature of at least 100.degree. C. to create the effect of heat on the micro-fiber while enhancing rapid evaporation of water from the treated cellulose so as to modify the micro-fiber toughening materials and modify the micro-fiber cellulose in a way which inhibits hardening, thereby softening the resultant dried product and resulting in a soft, flexible and high absorption modified bacterial cellulose.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.