Bleaching Trichomes to Remove Proteins

Abstract

A process for bleaching non-wood fibers, including trichome fibers, individualized from a non-wood fiber source, such as a leaf and/or a stem, is disclosed. The process of bleaching degrades non-wood fiber associated protein. Further, the bleaching processes improves the color of the non-wood fibers.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A process of treating non-wood fibers to remove proteins, whereby the process comprises:
 a. selecting a non-wood containing biomass;   b. individualizing non-wood fibers from the biomass, wherein the non-wood fibers have a protein content;   c. wetting the non-wood fibers;   d. reacting the non-wood fibers with a reactant comprising at least one of a chlorite, a peroxide, and a peracid at a pH greater than about 8;   e. removing the non-wood fibers from the reaction; and   f. measuring the protein content of the reacted non-wood fibers.   
     
     
         2 . The process of  claim 1  wherein the peracid is peracetic acid. 
     
     
         3 . The process of  claim 2  wherein peracetic acid is generated by reacting N,N,N′,N′-Tetraacetylethylenediamine with hydrogen peroxide. 
     
     
         4 . The process of  claim 1  wherein the temperature of the reacting step d is maintained above 20° C. 
     
     
         5 . The process of  claim 1  wherein the pH of the reacting step d is maintained above 5.0. 
     
     
         6 . The process of  claim 1  wherein the reaction of the reacting step d is for greater than 1 minute. 
     
     
         7 . The process of  claim 1  wherein the biomass is from  Stachys byzantina.    
     
     
         8 . A process of treating non-wood fibers to remove proteins, whereby the process comprises:
 a. selecting a non-wood containing biomass;   b. individualizing non-wood fibers from the biomass, wherein the non-wood fibers have a protein content;   c. wetting the non-wood fibers;   d. reacting the non-wood fibers with a first reactant;   e. reacting the non-wood fibers with a second reactant;   f. removing the non-wood fibers from the second reaction; and   g. measuring the protein content of the reacted non-wood fibers.   
     
     
         9 . The process of  claim 8  wherein the non-wood fibers are removed from the first reaction before reacting with the second reactant. 
     
     
         10 . The process of  claim 8  wherein the peracid is peracetic acid. 
     
     
         11 . The process of  claim 8  wherein the peracetic acid is generated by reacting N,N,N′,N′-Tetraacetylethylenediamine with hydrogen peroxide. 
     
     
         12 . The process of  claim 8  wherein the first reactant, the second reactant, or both reactants comprise sodium chlorite. 
     
     
         13 . The process of  claim 12  wherein hydrogen peroxide is included in the reaction. 
     
     
         14 . The process of  claim 12  wherein the temperature is maintained above 20° C. 
     
     
         15 . The process of  claim 8  wherein the biomass is from  Stachys byzantina.    
     
     
         16 . The process of  claim 8  wherein at least one of the first and second reactants comprise a peracid and a peracid activator. 
     
     
         17 . The process of  claim 8  wherein the individualized trichomes have a Hunter Color value of L* greater than 87. 
     
     
         18 . The process of  claim 17  wherein the individualized non-wood fibers have a Hunter Color value of b* less than 17. 
     
     
         19 . The process of  claim 8  wherein protein present in the individualized non-wood fibers is reacted with the first and second reactants so as to break down the protein via oxidation, yielding individualized non-wood fibers.