Crosslinked dextran and crosslinked dextran-poly alpha-1,3-glucan graft copolymers

Abstract

Compositions are disclosed herein comprising one or more crosslinked dextrans or crosslinked dextran-poly alpha-1,3-glucan graft copolymers. Further disclosed are processes for preparing such crosslinked materials, as well as their use in absorption applications.

1 - 15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . A composition comprising crosslinked dextran, wherein said dextran comprises:
 (i) about 87-91.5 wt% glucose linked at positions 1 and 6;   (ii) about 0.1-1.2 wt% glucose linked at positions 1 and 3;   (iii) about 0.1-0.7 wt% glucose linked at positions 1 and 4;   (iv) about 7.7-8.6 wt% glucose linked at positions 1, 3 and 6; and   (v) about 0.4-1.7 wt% glucose linked at: 
 (a) positions 1, 2 and 6, or 
 (b) positions 1, 4 and 6; 
 wherein one or more crosslinks of the crosslinked dextran are covalent. 
   
     
     
         17 . The composition of  claim 16 , wherein said dextran comprises:
 (i) about 89.5-90.5 wt% glucose linked only at positions 1 and 6;   (ii) about 0.4-0.9 wt% glucose linked only at positions 1 and 3;   (iii) about 0.3-0.5 wt% glucose linked only at positions 1 and 4;   (iv) about 8.0-8.3 wt% glucose linked only at positions 1, 3 and 6; and   (v) about 0.7-1.4 wt% glucose linked only at: 
 (a) positions 1, 2 and 6, or 
 (b) positions 1, 4 and 6. 
   
     
     
         18 . The composition of  claim 16 , wherein the one or more crosslinks of the crosslinked dextran comprise phosphorus. 
     
     
         19 . The composition of  claim 18 , wherein the one or more crosslinks of the crosslinked dextran comprise a phosphodiester bond. 
     
     
         20 . The composition of  claim 16 , wherein the composition is a personal care product, household care product, medical product, or industrial product. 
     
     
         21 . The composition of  claim 16 , wherein the composition is a product selected from the group consisting of baby diapers, potty training pants, incontinence products, feminine hygiene products, wound healing dressings, and sanitary towels. 
     
     
         22 . The composition of  claim 16 , wherein the composition is a product selected from the group consisting of (i) telecommunication cable wrapping, (ii) food pad, (iii) fire-fighting device, (iv) product for cleanup of acidic or basic aqueous solutions spills, and (v) agricultural or forestry product for retaining water in soil and/or to release water to plant roots. 
     
     
         23 . A composition comprising crosslinked dextran, wherein said dextran is a product of a glucosyltransferase enzyme comprising an amino acid sequence that is at least 90% identical to SEQ ID NO:1 or SEQ ID NO:2, and wherein one or more crosslinks of the crosslinked dextran are covalent. 
     
     
         24 . The composition of  claim 23 , wherein said dextran is a product of a glucosyltransferase enzyme comprising an amino acid sequence that is at least 95% identical to SEQ ID NO:1 or SEQ ID NO:2. 
     
     
         25 . The composition of  claim 23 , wherein the one or more crosslinks of the crosslinked dextran comprise phosphorus. 
     
     
         26 . The composition of  claim 25 , wherein the one or more crosslinks of the crosslinked dextran comprise a phosphodiester bond. 
     
     
         27 . The composition of  claim 23 , wherein the composition is a personal care product, household care product, medical product, or industrial product. 
     
     
         28 . The composition of  claim 23 , wherein the composition is a product selected from the group consisting of baby diapers, potty training pants, incontinence products, feminine hygiene products, wound healing dressings, and sanitary towels. 
     
     
         29 . The composition of  claim 23 , wherein the composition is a product selected from the group consisting of (i) telecommunication cable wrapping, (ii) food pad, (iii) fire-fighting device, (iv) product for cleanup of acidic or basic aqueous solutions spills, and (v) agricultural or forestry product for retaining water in soil and/or to release water to plant roots.