Method of preparing modified cellulose pulp

Abstract

A method of preparing modified cellulose pulp using arabinoxyolans is described. The method involves contacting, (i) an arabinoxylan with (ii) a cellulose pulp. The arabinoxylan of the process is in a form selected from a concentrated solution comprising arabinoxylan or a suspension comprising arabinoxylan. Also described are: a modified cellulose pulp prepared according to the present invention; and a particular arabinoxylan having on its main chain 5 to 20% arabinose substituents, and less than 5% 4-O-methylglucuronic acid substituents, (the percent weights being based on the total weight of the arabinoxylan).

1 . A method of preparing a modified cellulose pulp comprising contacting, 
 (i) an arabinoxylan, said arabinoxylan being in a form selected from the group consisting of a concentrated solution comprising arabinoxylan and a suspension comprising arabinoxylan, with    (ii) a cellulose pulp.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein 0.1 and 40% by weight of said arabinoxylan is contacted with said cellulose pulp, based on the total weight of arabinoxylan and cellulose pulp.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising: 
 incubating the arabinoxylan with the cellulose pulp at a cellulose pulp concentration of a positive amount up to 20% by weight, based on the total weight of arabinoxylan and cellulose pulp, thereby forming an incubated composition comprising arabinoxylan and cellulose pulp; and    adding at least one paper additive to said incubated composition.    
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising: 
 adding at least one paper additive, thereby forming a composition comprising arabinoxylan, cellulose pulp and said additive; and    incubating the composition comprising arabinoxylan, cellulose pulp and said additive, wherein said cellulose pulp is present in a positive amount of up to 20% by weight, based on the total weight of arabinoxylan and cellulose pulp.    
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising: 
 providing a paper making machine comprising a head box; and    introducing said arabinoxylan and said cellulose pulp into the head box of said paper making machine after contacting said arabinoxylan with said cellulose pulp.    
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising refining a composition formed by contacting said arabinoxylan with said cellulose pulp in a refiner.  
   
   
       7 . A modified cellulose pulp comprising: 
 cellulose pulp; and    0.1% to 40% by weight of an arabinoxylan, based on the total weight of cellulose pulp and arabinoxylan.    
   
   
       8 . The modified cellulose pulp of  claim 7  wherein the arabinoxylan comprises, on its main chain: 
 5 to 20% arabinose substituents; and    less than 5% 4-O-methylglucuronic acid substituents, the percent weights being based on the total weight of the arabinoxylan.    
   
   
       9 . An arabinoxylan comprising, on its main chain: 
 5 to 20% arabinose substituents; and    less that 5% 4-O-methylglucuronic acid substituents the percent weights being based on the total weight of the arabinoxylan.    
   
   
       10 . Paper comprising the modified cellulose of  claim 1.