The present invention provides a chitosan-based composition that can be converted into a self-supporting casted object having good tensile and compressive strength that can also biodegrade at the end of its lifecycle. The composition comprises entirely bio-based or bio-sourced reagents that can be converted to the final product via a polymerization process that does not require the addition of inorganic catalysts, synthetic materials, or otherwise hazardous chemicals to strengthen or modify its water resistance.

The object of the present invention is to provide a production method which makes it possible to obtain a PHA with a simple operation. The object can be attained by providing a method for producing a polyhydroxyalkanoate, the method including the steps of: (a) preparing an aqueous polyhydroxyalkanoate suspension having a pH of not more than 7; and (b) heating the aqueous polyhydroxyalkanoate suspension, prepared in the step (a), at a temperature set at 80° C. to 300° C. in a twin screw extruder so as to aggregate a polyhydroxyalkanoate.

Provided is an elastomer which is suitable for application in actuators or sensors, and which exhibits an appropriately low initial elastic modulus in a low deformation region.

An elastomer composition containing the following components (A) to (D):

component (A): a polyrotaxane;

component (B): a crosslinking agent containing a second linear molecule having a molecular weight of 1,200 to 7,000, and a functional group disposed at both ends of the second linear molecule;

component (C): a double-reactive component having a reactive group at both ends; and

component (D): a single-reactive component having a reactive group at only one end, wherein at least a portion of the functional group in the component (B) is directly or indirectly bonded to the cyclic molecule in the component (A), and the elastomer composition exhibits an initial elastic modulus of 0.6 to 2 MPa.

Textile compositions comprising at least one filamentous fungus are disclosed, as are methods for making and using such textile compositions. Embodiments of the textile compositions generally include at least one of a plasticizer, a polymer, and a crosslinker, in addition to the filamentous fungus. The disclosed textile compositions are particularly useful as analogs or substitutes for conventional textile compositions, including but not limited to leather.

A process for the manufacture of biodegradable plastic films in aqueous environment, starting from vegetal wastes in powder form includes dissolution at a temperature lower than 50° C. of waste material in form of a powder in an aqueous solution of hydrochloric acid, and transfer of the aqueous solution in a casting mould and evaporation of the aqueous solution, to yield the biodegradable plastic film. The total concentration of the hydrochloric acid is equal to or lower than 5% by weight. The aqueous solution may include acetic acid. The aqueous solution may also be filtered or centrifuged and/or subjected to dialysis against pure water.

Textile compositions comprising at least one filamentous fungus are disclosed, as are methods for making and using such textile compositions. Embodiments of the textile compositions generally include at least one of a plasticizer, a polymer, and a crosslinker, in addition to the filamentous fungus. The disclosed textile compositions are particularly useful as analogs or substitutes for conventional textile compositions, including but not limited to leather.

The biodegradable composite insulation material is made from date palm leaf fibers and powdered okra. The date palm leaf fibers have a concentration of between 50 wt % and 90 wt % of the biodegradable composite insulation material, and the powdered okra has a concentration of between 10 wt % and 50 wt % of the biodegradable composite insulation material. The biodegradable composite insulation material is prepared by mixing date palm leaf fibers and powdered okra, in the above concentrations, to form a mixture. This mixture is then wetted with water, added to a mold, and heated under pressure to form a compressed article. The compressed article is then dried to form the biodegradable composite insulation material.

A biopolymer is disclosed that comprises a polydeoxyribonucleotide (PDRN), or a derivative or modification thereof, having a molecular weight in the range of 400 kDa to 3200 kDa, and an anionic and ampholytic heteropolysaccharide having sulfate and carboxyl groups and a molecular weight in the range of 14 MDa and 16 MDa, in which the polydeoxyribonucleotide and the heteropolysaccharide are crosslinked by genipin or an analogue or derivative thereof. Furthermore, the invention relates to methods of producing such biopolymer and uses thereof.

The present invention primarily concerns a process for producing a plastic material, comprising the steps (i) providing a corn gluten source and a first liquid phase comprising an organic solvent; (ii) extracting solvent-soluble components of the corn gluten source into the first liquid phase; (iii) precipitating a first fraction of the solvent-soluble components out of the first liquid phase, resulting in a second solid phase including the first fraction of the solvent-soluble components and a second liquid phase including a second fraction of the solvent-soluble components; (iv) separating the second solid phase and the second liquid phase; and (v) recovering a flexible plastic material from the second liquid phase or recovering a hard plastic material from the second solid phase.

Textile compositions comprising at least one filamentous fungus are disclosed, as are methods for making and using such textile compositions. Embodiments of the textile compositions generally include at least one of a plasticizer, a polymer, and a crosslinker, in addition to the filamentous fungus. The disclosed textile compositions are particularly useful as analogs or substitutes for conventional textile compositions, including but not limited to leather.