Saccharide compound and a method of producing the same

Abstract

The present invention relates to a cellulose derivative having biodegradability, recycling properties, excellent mechanical strength and mold processability. The cellulose derivative is a product of a monosaccharide derivative or oligosaccharide derivative and cellulose. The monosaccharide derivative or oligosaccharide derivative is a copolymer of a saccharide and dicarboxylic acid.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A composite product comprising cellulose and a-compound of formula (I)  
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
         wherein R represents a substituted or unsubstituted alkylene group or a substituted or unsubstituted arylene group, G represents a monosaccharide residual group or an oligosaccharide residual group and n is an integer between 1 and 5000.  
       
     
     
         2 . A composite product according to  claim 1 , wherein the saccharide residual group G is at least one selected form the group consisting of glucopyranose, cello-oligosaccharide, maltooligosaccharide, and lactose.  
     
     
         3 . A composite product according to  claim 2 , wherein the saccharide residual group G is cellobiose.  
     
     
         4 . A composite product according to  claim 2 , wherein the saccharide residual group G is maltose.  
     
     
         5 . A composite product according to  claim 2 , wherein the saccharide residual group G is lactose.  
     
     
         6 . A composite product according to  claim 2 , wherein the saccharide residual group G is glucopyranose.  
     
     
         7 . A composite product according to  claim 1 ,  claim 3  or  claim 6 , wherein the saccharide residual group G is a saccharide residual group formed from paper.  
     
     
         8 . A composite product according to  claim 1 , wherein the cellulose is formed from a plant.  
     
     
         9 . A composite product according to  claim 1 , wherein the cellulose is bacterial cellulose.  
     
     
         10 . A composite product according to  claim 1 , wherein the cellulose is formed from paper.  
     
     
         11 . A method for producing a composite product comprising the steps of: 
 (a) providing a liquid containing dissolved or dispersed (i) cellulose and (ii) a compound represented by the following formula (I);                          wherein R represents a substituted or unsubstituted alkylene group or a substituted or unsubstituted arylene group, G represents a monosaccharide residual group or an oligosaccharide residual group and n is an integer between 1 and 5000; and    (b) evaporating the liquid by heating.    
     
     
         12 . A method according to  claim 11 , wherein the liquid is formed by adding the compound of formula (I) to a suspension of cellulose in the form of a microfilament.  
     
     
         13 . A method according to  claim 11 , wherein the liquid is formed by adding the compound of formula (I) to a mixed solvent of dimethyl acetamide and anhydrous lithium chloride containing dissolved cellulose.  
     
     
         14 . A method according to  claim 13 , wherein the mixed solvent of dimethyl acetamide and anhydrous lithium. chloride containing dissolved cellulose is produced by disintegrating paper in an alkaline solution to provide cellulose fibers; and thereafter adding the cellulose fibers to the mixed solvent of dimethyl acetamide and anhydrous lithium chloride to dissolve the cellulose in the mixed solvent.  
     
     
         15 . A process for producing a composite product comprising: culturing cellulose-producing bacteria in a culture medium containing a compound of formula I  
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
         and making the bacteria produce cellulose, wherein R represents a substituted or unsubstituted alkylene group or a substituted or unsubstituted arylene group, G represents a monosaccharide residual group or an oligosaccharide residual group and n is an integer between 1 and 5000.  
       
     
     
         16 . A composite product formed by interacting cellulose and a compound of formula I  
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
         wherein R is a substituted or unsubstituted alkylene group or a substituted or unsubstituted arylene group, G is a monosaccharide residual group or an oligosaccharide residual group and n is an integer between 1 and 5000.  
       
     
     
         17 . The composite product produced by the method of  claim 11 .  
     
     
         18 . The composite product produced by the method of claim  15 .