EP0260093A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
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Methods for production of cellulose I involving in vitro synthesis
Assignee: The University of Texas System
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Filing: 1987-09-07
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2007-09-07
Abstract
Abstract Celiulose synthesized in vitro by a cell-free system. preferably from a cellulose-producing microorganism, is freed from contaminating components such as proteins, metabolites or lipids, to form cellulose I or a crystalline polymorph. The cellulose I is similar to cotton fiber in microscopic appearance.
Inventors
- 👤 R. Malcolm Brown
- 👤 Fong-Chyr Lin
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 13:14
CPC Classifications
C; C12; C12P; C12P19/00; C12P19/04; D; D06; D06M; D06M11/00; D06M11/32; D06M11/36; D06M11/38
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
24 words
A process for the production of cellulose I or a crystalline polymorph thereof, which comprises treating cellulose synthesized in vitro, to remove non-cellulosic materials.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
24 words
A process for the production of cellulose I or a crystalline polymorph thereof, which comprises treating cellulose synthesized in vitro, to remove non-cellulosic materials.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
A process according to claim 1, wherein the cellulose is synthesized by plant components.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The process of claim 1, wherein the cellulose is synthesized by components of a cellulose-producing microorganism.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
62 words
A process according to claim 1, which comprises the steps of: obtaining an enzyme preparation from a cellulose-producing microorganism, the preparation comprising cellulose synthase and any other enzyme necessary for cellulose synthesis; incubating the enzyme preparation in an aqueous medium comprising an activator of cellulose synthesis and a metabolic precursor of cellulose; and treating the thus-synthesized cellulose, to substantially remove contaminants thereform.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
The process of claim 4, wherein the activator of cellulose synthesis comprises a guanyl nucleotide or a derivative thereof.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
The process of any of claims 3 to 5, wherein the microorganism is Acetobacter xylinum.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
48 words
The process of any preceding claim, which comprises treating the cellulose with an alkaline aqueous solution containing 2 to 6, e.g. about 40/0 by weight of an alkali metal, e.g. sodium hydroxide at 70 to 120° C 10 to 90, e.g. about 30 minuts, to precipitate the product.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
31 words
The process of any of claims 1 to 6, which comprises treating the cellulose with an aqueous solution containing an agent facilitating the solubilisation of proteinaceous materials, and precipitating the product.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
The process of claim 8, wherein the agent is a detergent, preferably sodium dodecylsulfate, e.g. in a concentration of 2 to 10010 by weight.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
28 words
The process of claim 8, wherein the agent is an acid, preferably a mineral acid such as hydrochloric acid, e.g. in a concentration of 0.5 to 1.0 N.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
47 words
The process of any of claims 7 to 10, which comprises the additional step of washing the precipitated cellulose to substantially remove the aqueous alkaline solution or the agent, as appropriate, and preferably also to remove non-cellulosic proteinaceous materials and metabolites from the cellulose synthesized in vitro.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
22 words
The process of claim 11, wherein the agent is a detergent and the treating and washing steps are repeated once in order.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
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