Patent · US Expired

Combined physical and chemical treatment to improve lignocellulose digestibility

US4997488A · kind A · utility

49Cited by
4References
4Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateNov 14, 1989
Grant dateMar 5, 1991
Priority date
Expiry dateNov 14, 2009

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10S426/807
  • WIPO fieldFood chemistry
  • WIPO sectorChemistry

Abstract

A synergistic combination of high-shear mechanical disruption and alkali pretreatment in a high solids reaction mixture constitutes a significant improvement in the alkaline peroxide treatment of lignocellulosic materials. The simultaneous application of these conditions greatly reduces the amounts of reagents otherwise required, and also eliminates the waste stream of liquid byproducts. Suitable sources of substrate treatable by this process include nonwoody plant parts, crop residues, and agricultural byproducts. The products of this treatment are nontoxic and characterized by high cellulose availability. These products are thereby useful as carbohydrate sources in ruminant feeds, as microbial feedstocks, and as sources of dietary fiber for humans and other monogastrics.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.