Absorbent compositions

Claim 1

In the process of producing a liquid absorbing material wherein a polymer or copolymer or starch graft copolymer consisting substantially of 2-propenenitrile or 2-methyl-2-propenenitrile is saponified with an aqueous base and then dried, the improvement which comprises treating the polymer or copolymer or starch graft copolymer prior to drying to reduce color thereof by a treatment selected from the group consisting of treatments (a), (b), (c), (d) and (e) wherein: treatment (a) involves use of a reducing agent in the saponification reaction mixture prior to the time the saponification reaction is substantially complete and prior to drying of the saponified product, treatment (b) involves use of a reducing agent in the saponification mixture subsequent to the time the saponification reaction is substantially complete and prior to drying, treatment (c) involves use of a reducing agent in the saponification mixture both prior to and subsequent to substantial completion of the saponification reaction and prior to drying, treatment (d) involves use of a reducing agent in the saponification mixture prior to and/or after substantial completion of the saponification reaction and prior to drying and use of a peroxy oxidizing agent in the saponification mixture after substantial completion of the saponification reaction and prior to drying, and treatment (e) involves use in the saponification mixture of hydrogen peroxide after substantial completion of the saponification reaction and prior to drying.