Wheat gluten based compositions and articles made therefrom

Abstract

Disclosed herein are wheat gluten based compositions having improved mechanical properties as well as articles formed therefrom, and methods of making the same. More particularly, the compositions also include fibrous reinforcing material and may be formed into a variety of products, including but not limited to particle board.

1 - 22 . (canceled) 
     
     
         23 . A method of making board material, the method comprising:
 mixing wood particle material, a liquid, and about 15% or less (s/odw) wheat gluten, ensuring that the fibers and liquid make contact before gluten dough is formed, wherein the liquid consists of an aqueous solution containing a denaturant; and   shaping and curing the resultant mixture in a heated press at a maximum of 200° C. into a formed board having a minimum interfacial bond strength of 60 psi. and a target density of at least about 700 kg/m 3 .   
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the denaturant is selected from aqueous solutions of urea, lactic acid, guanidine hydrochloride, sodium dodecyl sulfate, ammoniumtetramethylenedithiocarbamate, ammoniumpyrrolidonedithocarbamate, tetramethylammoniumbromide, pentaalkylammoniumbromidehexaethyl surfactants, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the liquid is aqueous urea. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the mixing occurs at a ratio to yield about 15% or less of wheat gluten; about 0.5% to about 15% denaturant; less than about 15% moisture; and 70% to about 90% wood particles in the board material. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 23 , further comprising allowing the board material to dry to about 7% to 13% moisture content. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the liquid comprises an organic acid. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the liquid comprises an organic acid selected from lactic acid, citric acid, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         30 . A method of making board material, the method comprising:
 separately adding, each of about 15% or less (s/odw) wheat gluten, a liquid denaturant, and wood particle material with mixing such that gluten adhesive forms directly on the wood particle material; and
 shaping and curing the resultant mixture in a heated press at a maximum of 200° C. into a formed board having a minimum interfacial bond strength of 60 psi. and a target density of at least about 700 kg/m3. 
   
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the denaturant is selected from aqueous solutions of urea, lactic acid, guanidine hydrochloride, sodium dodecyl sulfate, ammoniumtetramethylenedithiocarbamate, ammoniumpyrrolidonedithocarbamate, tetramethylammoniumbromide, pentaalkylammoniumbromidehexaethyl surfactants, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the liquid is aqueous urea. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the mixing occurs at a ratio to yield about 15% or less of wheat gluten; about 0.5% to about 15% denaturant; less than about 15% moisture; and 70% to about 90% wood particles in the board material. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 30 , further comprising allowing the board material to dry to about 7% to 13% moisture content. 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the liquid comprises an organic acid. 
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the liquid comprises an organic acid selected from lactic acid, citric acid, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         37 . A method of making board material, the method comprising:
 mixing wood particle material with about 15% or less (s/odw) wheat gluten to yield a first resultant mixture;   mixing the first resultant mixture with a liquid denaturant such that the wood particle material contacts the liquid denaturant before gluten adhesive forms to yield a second resultant mixture; and   shaping and curing the second resultant mixture in a heated press at a maximum of 200° C. into a formed board having a minimum interfacial bond strength of 60 psi. and a target density of at least about 700 kg/m3.   
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein the denaturant is selected from aqueous solutions of urea, lactic acid, guanidine hydrochloride, sodium dodecyl sulfate, ammoniumtetramethylenedithiocarbamate, ammoniumpyrrolidonedithocarbamate, tetramethylammoniumbromide, pentaalkylammoniumbromidehexaethyl surfactants, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein the liquid is aqueous urea. 
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein the mixing occurs at a ratio to yield about 15% or less of wheat gluten; about 0.5% to about 15% denaturant; less than about 15% moisture; and 70% to about 90% wood particles in the board material.