A process for fractionating an esterified cellulose ether comprising groups of the formula —C(O)—R—COOH, wherein R is a divalent hydrocarbon group, comprises the steps of a) blending the esterified cellulose ether comprising groups of the formula —C(O)—R—COOH with an aqueous liquid and setting the temperature of the resulting blend to less than 10° C. to dissolve a portion of the esterified cellulose ether in the aqueous liquid, b) separating the non-dissolved portion of the esterified cellulose ether from the remainder of the blend, and c) recovering or disposing of the esterified cellulose ether that is dissolved in the aqueous liquid.

A fat-binding composition contains an inclusion complex with a host molecule and a guest molecule. The guest molecule includes one or more amino acids, vitamins, flavorants or related compounds, rutin, betanin, derivatives thereof, and mixtures thereof. The fat-binding composition may be in the form of a tablet or powder, for example, and may be incorporated into a food or beverage product. If in the form of a powder or tablet, the composition may optionally contain a carbonation-forming component and may be dissolved in carbonated or non-carbonated water. The fat-binding composition may also be employed in a method for binding fat ingested by an animal which includes having the animal ingest the composition, or a food or beverage product containing the same.

Provided are a composite for cellulose fiber dispersion that can inexpensively and sufficiently disperse cellulose fibers, particularly nanocellulose, in a hydrophobic resin and a cellulose fiber composition containing the composite. A composite for cellulose fiber dispersion according to the present invention has a structure in which a vinyl polymer is grafted to a cellulose derivative. A cellulose fiber composition according to the present invention contains the composite and cellulose fibers and more specifically also contains an organic solvent, a resin precursor, or a resin.

A process for recovering an esterified cellulose ether from a reaction product mixture obtained from a reaction of (a) a cellulose ether with (b) an aliphatic monocarboxylic acid anhydride or a di- or tricarboxylic acid anhydride or a combination of an aliphatic monocarboxylic acid anhydride and a di- or tricarboxylic acid anhydride, comprises the steps of (i) contacting the reaction product mixture with an aqueous liquid and precipitating the esterified cellulose ether from the reaction product mixture, and (ii) isolating the precipitated esterified cellulose ether from the mixture obtained in step (i), Tackiness of the esterified cellulose ether can be reduced when before or in step (i) a particulate silicon oxide or metal oxide is dispersed or suspended in the reaction product mixture, the aqueous liquid or a combination thereof.

A process for recovering an esterified cellulose ether from a reaction product mixture obtained from a reaction of (a) a cellulose ether with (b) an aliphatic monocarboxylic acid anhydride or a di- or tricarboxylic acid anhydride or a combination of an aliphatic monocarboxylic acid anhydride and a di- or tricarboxylic acid anhydride, comprises the steps of (i) contacting the reaction product mixture with an aqueous liquid and precipitating the esterified cellulose ether from the reaction product mixture, and (ii) isolating the precipitated esterified cellulose ether from the mixture obtained in step (i), Tackiness of the esterified cellulose ether can be reduced when before or in step (i) a particulate silicon oxide or metal oxide is dispersed or suspended in the reaction product mixture, the aqueous liquid or a combination thereof.

Provided are HPMCAS powder having high solubility when dissolved in a solvent and being capable of suppressing generation of undissolved materials; and a method for producing the powder. More specifically, provided is hypromellose acetate succinate powder having an average ratio of L to D of from 2.0 to 3.0, wherein L and D mean maximum and minimum diameters of each particle, respectively. Also provided is a method for producing a hypromellose acetate succinate, comprising the steps of: dissolving hypromellose powder in a solvent, esterifying the dissolved hypromellose with succinic anhydride and acetic anhydride in the presence of a catalyst to obtain a reaction mixture, and mixing the reaction mixture with water to precipitate hypromellose acetate succinate, wherein the reaction mixture just before being mixed with the water has a viscosity of from 100 to 200 Pa.Math.s.

Provided are HPMCAS powder having high solubility when dissolved in a solvent and being capable of suppressing generation of undissolved materials; and a method for producing the powder. More specifically, provided is hypromellose acetate succinate powder having an average ratio of L to D of from 2.0 to 3.0, wherein L and D mean maximum and minimum diameters of each particle, respectively. Also provided is a method for producing a hypromellose acetate succinate, comprising the steps of: dissolving hypromellose powder in a solvent, esterifying the dissolved hypromellose with succinic anhydride and acetic anhydride in the presence of a catalyst to obtain a reaction mixture, and mixing the reaction mixture with water to precipitate hypromellose acetate succinate, wherein the reaction mixture just before being mixed with the water has a viscosity of from 100 to 200 Pa.Math.s.

A partially cross-linked esterified cellulose ether having A) groups of the formula —C(O)—R—COOA or a combination of aliphatic monovalent acyl groups and groups of the formula —C(O)—R—COOA, wherein R is a divalent aliphatic or aromatic hydrocarbon group and A is hydrogen or a cation, and B) having a molecular weight distribution such that [Wf(>100 k)−Wf(>100 k)XL]/Wf(>100 k)XL is at least 0.20, wherein Wf(>100 k) is the total weight fraction of the esterified cellulose ether that exceeds 100,000 g/mol, and Wf(>100 k)XL is the weight fraction that exceeds 100,000 g/mol of the methylated esterified cellulose ether is useful as enteric polymer for pharmaceutical dosage forms.

A partially cross-linked esterified cellulose ether having A) groups of the formula —C(O)—R—COOA or a combination of aliphatic monovalent acyl groups and groups of the formula —C(O)—R—COOA, wherein R is a divalent aliphatic or aromatic hydrocarbon group and A is hydrogen or a cation, and B) having a molecular weight distribution such that [Wf(>100 k)−Wf(>100 k)XL]/Wf(>100 k)XL is at least 0.20, wherein Wf(>100 k) is the total weight fraction of the esterified cellulose ether that exceeds 100,000 g/mol, and Wf(>100 k)XL is the weight fraction that exceeds 100,000 g/mol of the methylated esterified cellulose ether is useful as enteric polymer for pharmaceutical dosage forms.

Esterified cellulose ethers which have i) as ester groups aliphatic monovalent acyl groups or groups of the formula —C(O)—R—COOA or a combination of aliphatic monovalent acyl groups and groups of the formula —C(O)—R—COOA, wherein R is a divalent aliphatic or aromatic hydrocarbon group and A is hydrogen or a cation, and ii) a content of not more than 0.85 weight percent acetone-insoluble esterified cellulose ether particles, when the esterified cellulose ether is present in a mixture of 12.5 weight parts of esterified cellulose ether and 87.5 weight parts of acetone at 21° C., the weight percent acetone-insoluble esterified cellulose ether particles being based on the total weight of the esterified cellulose ether, wherein iii) not more than 14 percent of the acetone-insoluble esterified cellulose ether particles have a particle size of more than 90 micrometers.