An adhesive composition for joining fungus spores to the surface of vegetable seeds in a stable manner, characterized in that it includes an aqueous solution of fermented maize liquor and/or soya protein hydrolysates. A method and to the use of the same for quantifying the adhesion capacity by means of an indirect measurement in which fluorescent microspheres joined to the surface of seeds are quantified by means of the fluorescence microscopy technique is also disclosed. This method allows an indirect assessment of the adhesion of fungus spores to the surface of seeds in a simple manner and consequently allows the quality of the adhesive composition of the present invention to be assessed.

An adhesive composition for joining fungus spores to the surface of vegetable seeds in a stable manner, characterized in that it includes an aqueous solution of fermented maize liquor and/or soya protein hydrolysates. A method and to the use of the same for quantifying the adhesion capacity by means of an indirect measurement in which fluorescent microspheres joined to the surface of seeds are quantified by means of the fluorescence microscopy technique is also disclosed. This method allows an indirect assessment of the adhesion of fungus spores to the surface of seeds in a simple manner and consequently allows the quality of the adhesive composition of the present invention to be assessed.

An aqueous adhesive composition and a process for preparing such compositions are disclosed. The composition comprises macromolecular complex comprising (A) a first component comprising (i) a framework element and (ii) a polyphenol, and (B) second component comprising a polypeptide, oligopeptide, amino acid, or polyamine. The framework element comprises (a) a polypeptide, oligopeptide, amino acid, or polyamine, (b) a polysaccharide, oligosaccharide, or monosaccharide, or a saccharide conjugate, or (c) a lignin, a lignan or a lignin conjugate. The polyphenol comprises a tannin, a tannic acid, a flavonoid, or a poly-resorcinol. An adhesive precursor composition comprising the first component is also disclosed.

An aqueous adhesive composition and a process for preparing such compositions are disclosed. The composition comprises macromolecular complex comprising (A) a first component comprising (i) a framework element and (ii) a polyphenol, and (B) second component comprising a polypeptide, oligopeptide, amino acid, or polyamine. The framework element comprises (a) a polypeptide, oligopeptide, amino acid, or polyamine, (b) a polysaccharide, oligosaccharide, or monosaccharide, or a saccharide conjugate, or (c) a lignin, a lignan or a lignin conjugate. The polyphenol comprises a tannin, a tannic acid, a flavonoid, or a poly-resorcinol. An adhesive precursor composition comprising the first component is also disclosed.

An aqueous adhesive composition and a process for preparing such compositions are disclosed. The composition comprises macromolecular complex comprising (A) a first component comprising (i) a framework element and (ii) a polyphenol, and (B) second component comprising a polypeptide, oligopeptide, amino acid, or polyamine. The framework element comprises (a) a polypeptide, oligopeptide, amino acid, or polyamine, (b) a polysaccharide, oligosaccharide, or monosaccharide, or a saccharide conjugate, or (c) a lignin, a lignan or a lignin conjugate. The polyphenol comprises a tannin, a tannic acid, a flavonoid, or a poly-resorcinol. An adhesive precursor composition comprising the first component is also disclosed.

This invention discloses adhesive compositions useful for providing cohesive strength to particles, for example a mat of wood particles produced while making particleboard prior to curing. The adhesive compositions has a) one or more biopolymers and b) one or more monomers or oligomers. An oligomer may have a degree of polymerization of 4 or less. The weight ratio of the monomer/oligomer to the biopolymer is optionally between 30:70 and 80:20. Optionally, the adhesive compositions may be combined with an isocyanate. The adhesive composition may be used to make no added formaldehyde wood composites such as particleboard.

This invention discloses adhesive compositions useful for providing cohesive strength to particles, for example a mat of wood particles produced while making particleboard prior to curing. The adhesive compositions has a) one or more biopolymers and b) one or more monomers or oligomers. An oligomer may have a degree of polymerization of 4 or less. The weight ratio of the monomer/oligomer to the biopolymer is optionally between 30:70 and 80:20. Optionally, the adhesive compositions may be combined with an isocyanate. The adhesive composition may be used to make no added formaldehyde wood composites such as particleboard.

A surgical sealant consisting of (1) a first agent comprising a gelatin derivative, wherein the gelatin derivative (a) has a weight average molecular weight of from 10,000 to 50,000; (b) has a hydrophobic group bonded thereto, the hydrophobic group being an alkyl group having 6 to 18 carbon atoms; (c) has a molar ratio of imino group/amino group of the gelatin derivative ranging from 1/99 to 30/70; and (d) comprises a structure represented by the following formula: GltnNHCHR.sup.1R.sup.2, wherein Gltn represents a gelatin residue, R.sup.1 is the hydrophobic group, and R.sup.2 is a hydrogen atom or the hydrophobic group; and (2) a second agent comprising a crosslinking agent for the gelatin derivative.

A fire-protecting insulation product has air-laid mineral wool fibres and a binder. The binder is the result of curing a binder composition comprising at least one hydrocolloid. The product further comprises a particulate endothermic material.

The invention relates to peptides that form adhesive bonds, even in aqueous and/or saline environments. When aggregated, the peptides may be used in methods for producing hydrogels and/or adhesive materials. Synthetic peptide analogs are provided that are designed based on protein sequences found in barnacle adhesive, and may optionally be augmented with chemistry from other organisms that secrete proteins that adhere to substrates. The peptides may be used, for example, in biomedical and aqueous applications. Methods of using the aggregated peptides as adhesives are also provided.