US4112223A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Removal of trace heavy metal contaminants from algae and the carrageenan contained therein
Assignee: Stauffer Chemical Co
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Filing: 1976-10-26
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Granted: 1978-09-05
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Expires: 1996-10-26
Abstract
Abstract Heavy metal contaminants which are normally present in trace amounts are removed from those algae of the genera Gigartina and Iridaea which contain a major amount of lambda type or non-gel-forming carrageenan and from the carrageenan itself by soaking the algae in a solution containing a water-soluble potassium salt which does not cause appreciable extraction of the carrageenan from the algae.
Inventors
- 👤 Chii-Fa Lin
- 👤 Julian E. Blanch
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 16:36
CPC Classifications
C; C08; C08B; C08B37/00; C08B37/0006; C08B37/0036; C08B37/0042
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
92 words
A process for removing trace heavy metal contaminants from algae that contain a major amount of lambda-type carrageenan and from said carrageenan which comprises treating said algae with a water solution containing an effective amount of a soluble food grade potassium salt for removal of said trace heavy metal contaminants using a concentration of potassium ion in the solution which is below 1.0 mole K + /liter and at a temperature not in excess of about 10° C. such that there is no appreciable extraction of the lambda-type carrageenan from the algae.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
92 words
A process for removing trace heavy metal contaminants from algae that contain a major amount of lambda-type carrageenan and from said carrageenan which comprises treating said algae with a water solution containing an effective amount of a soluble food grade potassium salt for removal of said trace heavy metal contaminants using a concentration of potassium ion in the solution which is below 1.0 mole K + /liter and at a temperature not in excess of about 10° C. such that there is no appreciable extraction of the lambda-type carrageenan from the algae.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
A process as claimed in claim 1 wherein the algae is selected from the genus Gigartina.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
A process as claimed in claim 1 wherein the algae are selected from the group consisting of Gigartina acicularis and Gigartina pistillata.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
A process as claimed in claim 1 wherein the soluble potassium salt is selected from the group consisting of potassium chloride, tripotassium orthophosphate, monohydrogen dipotassium orthophosphate, and tetrapotassium pyrophosphate.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
A process as claimed in claim 1 wherein the weight ratio of potassium solution to algae is greater than about 7:1.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
A process as claimed in claim 1 wherein the potassium salt is potassium chloride.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
A process as claimed in claim 1 wherein the algae are washed with the solution for a period of time ranging from about 10 minutes to 2 hours.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
A process as claimed in claim 1 wherein the contaminant which is removed is arsenic.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
A process as claimed in claim 1 wherein the algae is selected from the genus Iridaea.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2624727A
Cited
US3176003A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1981-09-04 | 1982-03-06 | 1982-09-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-09-04 | 1986-03-06 | 1986-09-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-09-04 | 1990-03-06 | 1990-09-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |