Wood adhesives containing solid residues of biomass fermentations

Abstract

A bioadhesive composition for bonding together adjacent surfaces of wood comprises a microbially-produced fermentation residue containing adherent microbial cells and glycocalyx. This residue finds particular application as a replacement for a significant amount of phenol-formaldehyde (PF) or other conventional adhesive component commonly used in the production of plywood and other wood products.

We claim:  
     
         1 . An adhesive composition comprising a glycocalyx-containing fermentation residue.  
     
     
         2 . The adhesive composition of  claim 1 , further comprising a conventional adhesive component.  
     
     
         3 . The adhesive composition of  claim 2 , wherein the conventional adhesive component is phenol-formaldehyde.  
     
     
         4 . The adhesive composition of  claim 1 , wherein the fermentation residue is the product of fermenting a cellulosic substrate with a glycocalyx-producing microorganism.  
     
     
         5 . The adhesive composition of  claim 4 , wherein the microorganism is a bacterium.  
     
     
         6 . The adhesive composition of  claim 4 , wherein the microorganism is a bacterium selected from the group consisting of  Ruminococcus  species and  Clostridium  species.  
     
     
         7 . The adhesive composition of  claim 6 , wherein the microorganism is selected from the group consisting of  Ruminococcus albus, Ruminococcus flavefaciens , and  Clostridium thermocellum.    
     
     
         8 . The adhesive composition of  claim 7 , wherein the microorganism is a bacterium having all the identifying characteristics of a microorganism selected from the group consisting of  Ruminococcus albus  NRRL B-30653,  Ruminococcus flavefaciens  NRRL B-30654 , Ruminococcus flavefaciens  strain B34b, and  Clostridium thermocellum  ATCC 27405.  
     
     
         9 . The adhesive composition of  claim 1 , wherein the amount of said glycocalyx-containing fermentation residue is at least about 15% by weight of the composition.  
     
     
         10 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein said composition is a free-flowing particulate material.  
     
     
         11 . The composition of  claim 2 , further comprising an extender.  
     
     
         12 . A method for binding together surfaces brought into an adjacent relationship with one another, comprising applying to at least one of said surfaces an adhesive composition comprising a glycocalyx-containing fermentation residue.  
     
     
         13 . A method as described in  claim 12 , wherein said adhesive composition further comprises a conventional adhesive component.  
     
     
         14 . A method as described in  claim 13 , wherein said conventional adhesive component is phenol-formaldehyde.  
     
     
         15 . A method as described in  claim 12 , wherein the fermentation residue is the product of fermenting a cellulosic substrate with a glycocalyx-producing microorganism.  
     
     
         16 . A method as described in  claim 15 , wherein the microorganism is a bacterium selected from the group consisting of  Ruminococcus  species and  Clostridium  species.  
     
     
         17 . A method as described in  claim 15 , wherein the microorganism is selected from the group consisting of  Ruminococcus albus Ruminococcus flavefaciens , and  Clostridium thermocellum.    
     
     
         18 . A method as described in  claim 15 , wherein the microorganism is a bacterium having all the identifying characteristics of a microorganism selected from the group consisting of  Ruminococcus albus  NRRL B-30653 , Ruminococcus flavefaciens  NRRL B-30654 , Ruminococcus flavefaciens  strain B34b, and  Clostridium thermocellum  ATCC 27405.  
     
     
         19 . A method as described in  claim 12 , wherein the amount of said glycocalyx-containing fermentation residue is at least about 15% by weight of the composition.  
     
     
         20 . A method as described in  claim 12 , wherein said surfaces are surfaces of a wood material.  
     
     
         21 . A method of producing an adhesive composition, comprising: 
 a. fermenting in a medium a cellulosic substrate with a glycocalyx-producing microorganism under conditions that will produce a glycocalyx material; and    b. separating the glycocalyx material from said medium.    
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21  and further comprising the step of combining said glycocalyx material with a conventional adhesive component.  
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 21  and further comprising the step of drying said glycocalyx material.  
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the microorganism is a bacterium selected from the group consisting of  Ruminococcus  species and  Clostridium  species.  
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the microorganism is selected from the group consisting of  Ruminococcus albus Ruminococcus flavefaciens , and  Clostridium thermocellum.