The present invention relates to a method of treating biomass, comprising providing a lignocellulosic biomass feedstock; contacting the biomass feedstock in a mixture, which is formed by the biomass, water and an alkaline agent, with an oxidizing agent at an elevated temperature; and continuing the contacting of the biomass feedstock with the oxidizing agent until a notable part of the lignin is solubilised. The step of providing the biomass feedstock comprises contacting a biomass raw-material containing cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin in an aqueous phase with an alkaline agent; continuing the contacting of the biomass with the alkaline agent until a significant portion of the hemicellulose is dissolved in the aqueous phase to provide a modified biomass; recovering the modified biomass; optionally opening the structure of the modified biomass by mechanical treatment; and using the modified biomass as a lignocellulosic biomass feedstock. Treating the biomass provides hemicellulose, lignin and cellulose fractions that have a multitude of applications in the bioeconomy.

A method for at least partial deacetylation of a biopolymer comprising acetyl groups, including: a1) providing a biopolymer including acetyl groups; a2) reacting the biopolymer including acetyl groups with hydroxylamine (NH.sub.2OH) or a salt thereof at a temperature of 100° C. or less for 2-200 hours to form an at least partially deacetylated biopolymer; and a3) recovering the at least partially deacetylated biopolymer.

Polydisperse and charged polysaccharides are fractionated into low polydispersity fractions (preferably having pd<1.1), each containing species within a narrow range of molecular weights. An aqueous solution of the polydisperse polysaccharides is contacted with an ion exchange resin in a column and the polysaccharides are subjected to selective elution by aqueous elution buffer. The selective elution consists of at least 3 sequential elution buffers having different and constant ionic strength and/or pH and in which the subsequent buffers have ionic strength and/or pH than those of the preceding step. The new preparations are particularly suitable for the production of PSA-derivatised therapeutic agents intended for use in humans and animals.

The present invention relates to a method for preparing a chitosan matrix having good mechanical properties comprising the steps of a) preparing a solution of chitosan, b) pouring the solution of a) into a mould in order to form a layer, c) lyophilizing the layer of b) in order to obtain a matrix of chitosan, d) sterilizing the matrix obtained in c) by water vapor treatment. The invention also relates to the matrices obtained and to surgical implants comprising such matrices. The invention further relates to a method for increasing the suture retention strength of a chitosan matrix obtained by lyophilization of a chitosan solution, and to a method for for decreasing the solubilization rate in hydrochloric acid of a chitosan matrix obtained by lyophilization of a chitosan solution, comprising the step of sterilizing said matrix by a water vapor treatment.

A nano-composition that includes nanoparticles, a method of forming the nano-composition, and a method of using the composition. The nanoparticles include a polycationic polymer ionically bonded to one or more polyanionic Glycosaminoglycans (GAGs), wherein the polycationic polymer is chitosan, methylated chitosan, poly L-Lysine, or poly L-Arginine.

Disclosed are compositions including dihydroxyalkyl substituted polygalactomannan, and the optional further substitution of such with cationic and/or hydrophobic moieties. Method of making such compositions is also disclosed as well as the use of such compositions in industrial applications, fabric laundering, and personal and household care.

The present invention provides a method to prepare polysaccharides from Hirsutella sinensis. The prepared polysaccharides reduce body weight and fat accumulation in laboratory animals, and can therefore be used to prevent and treat obesity.

Multi-extraction methods for preparing hemicellulose compositions are provided. Depressant compositions comprising hemicellulose compositions are also provided herein. Also disclosed are processes for enriching a desired mineral from an ore comprising the desired mineral, wherein the process comprises carrying out a flotation process in the presence of one or more collecting agents and a depressant composition comprising hemicellulose.

Disclosed is a new and emerging serotype of Streptococcus pneumoniae designated serotype 6C, and assays and monoclonal antibodies useful in identifying same. Also disclosed is a novel pneumococcal polysaccharide with the repeating unit {2) glucose 1 (1.fwdarw.3) glucose 2 (1.fwdarw.3) rhamnose (1.fwdarw.3) ribitol (5.fwdarw.phosphate}. This new serotype may be included in pneumococcal vaccines.

The invention relates to novel saccharides and uses thereof. In one aspect, the invention relates to a saccharide having a legionaminic acid moiety, a N-acetylgalactosamine moiety, a galactose moiety, and a glucose moiety. In another aspect, the invention relates to a saccharide having an altruronic acid moiety, a fucose moiety, and a glucose moiety. In yet another aspect, the invention relates to a saccharide having a repeating unit of a glycerol phosphate moiety and a glucose moiety, wherein the saccharide is from Enterococcus faecium. In a further aspect, the invention relates to a saccharide having a repeating unit of -6-β-D-Fruf-2, wherein Fru is a fructose moiety, wherein the saccharide is from Enterococcus faecium. In another aspect, the invention relates to an isolated antibody or fragment thereof that specifically binds to a saccharide described herein and uses thereof.