Polysaccharide suspension, method for its preparation, and use thereof

Abstract

The present invention relates to a novel stable colloidal polysaccharide suspension containing α(1→3)-glucan, a cost-effective method for its preparation, and possible uses of these polysaccharide suspensions.

1 .- 4 . (canceled) 
     
     
         5 . A method for preparing a polysaccharide suspension, comprising:
 a. providing a press cake of an initially moist polysaccharide material, wherein the polysaccharide material comprises α(1→3)-glucan, and wherein the press cake has a solids content between 4 and 80% by weight, related to the press cake in its entirety,   b. adjusting the polysaccharide material to a concentration of between 0.01 and 50% by weight, related to the polysaccharide suspension in its entirety,   c. comminuting with a dispersing unit to obtain a comminuted polysaccharide suspension.   
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 5 , further comprising d. treating the comminuted suspension of step c. with the same dispersing unit or an additional dispersing unit. 
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 5 , wherein the degree of polymerization of the α(1→3)-glucan, expressed as weight average DP w , is between 200 and 2,000. 
     
     
         8 .- 14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 5 , wherein the press cake has a solids content between 15 and 45% by weight, related to the press cake in its entirety. 
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 5 , wherein the concentration of the polysaccharide material is between 1.0 and 20% by weight related to polysaccharide suspension in its entirety 
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 6 , wherein the additional dispersing unit is a high pressure homogenizer. 
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 7 , wherein the degree of polymerization of the α(1→3)-glucan, expressed as weight average DP w , is between 400 and 1,000.