Method for preparing a fluid absorber

Abstract

Disclosed are a fluid absorber, a method for preparing a fluid absorber, and a method for absorbing fluid from the skin. The disclosed method for preparing a fluid absorber generally comprises the steps of selecting a starch and an enzyme for hydrolysis of the starch, determining a fluid absorption optimum hydrolysis level for the starch, and ezymatically hydrolyzing the starch to approximately the optimum level thus determined. The starch alternatively may be hydrolyzed with acid hydrolysis without the use of an enzyme catalyst. The disclosed method for absorbing fluid from the skin includes the step of applying a fluid absorbing effective amount of a fluid absorber thus prepared. Absorption properties of the fluid absorber of the invention are comparable to or exceed those of commercially available skin fluid absorbers, such as talc and unmodified corn starch.

1 . A method for absorbing oil from the skin, the method comprising: applying a fluid-absorbing effective amount of a fluid absorber, said fluid absorber comprising a hydrolyzed starched product having a degree of hydrolysis ranging from about 30% to about 40%.  
     
     
         2 . A method according to  claim 1 , said hydrolysis level ranging from about 35% to about 42%.  
     
     
         3 . A method according to  claim 1 , said hydrolysis level ranging from about 38% to about 42%.  
     
     
         4 . A method according to  claim 1 , said hydrolysis level being about 40%.  
     
     
         5 . A method according to  claim 1 , said porous starch granules comprising ground granules.  
     
     
         6 . A method according to  claim 1 , said starch comprising corn starch.  
     
     
         7 . A method according to  claim 1 , said fluid absorber including a fragrance.  
     
     
         8 . A method according to  claim 1 , said starch comprising a crosslinked starch.  
     
     
         9 . A method according to  claim 1 , said starch comprising an acid-thinned starch.