Disclosed is a method for thickening or dehydrating sludge, which includes at least: a) a step of adding flocculants to the sludge to be treated; b) a step of flocculation by agitation of the sludge with the flocculants thus added in order to form a mixture of flocks and an aqueous solution; c) a step of mechanical separation of the flocks and the aqueous solution formed during the preceding step; d) a step of recovering the aqueous solution and the flocks that make up a treated sludge; wherein: the added flocculants are made up of at least one cationic starch (S) and at least one cationic polyacrylamide (P); the cationic starch or starches (S) including a fixed weight percentage of nitrogen of at least 2%; and the weight ratio (R) w.sub.s/(w.sub.s+w.sub.p), expressed as solids, is included between 0.6 and 0.99.

Disclosed is a method for thickening or dehydrating sludge, which includes at least: a) a step of adding flocculants to the sludge to be treated; b) a step of flocculation by agitation of the sludge with the flocculants thus added in order to form a mixture of flocks and an aqueous solution; c) a step of mechanical separation of the flocks and the aqueous solution formed during the preceding step; d) a step of recovering the aqueous solution and the flocks that make up a treated sludge; wherein: the added flocculants are made up of at least one cationic starch (S) and at least one cationic polyacrylamide (P); the cationic starch or starches (S) including a fixed weight percentage of nitrogen of at least 2%; and the weight ratio (R) w.sub.s/(w.sub.s+w.sub.p), expressed as solids, is included between 0.6 and 0.99.

The present invention relates to an enhanced starch resin composition, methods of making the enhanced starch resin composition using environmentally benign, water-based processes, and products produced using the enhanced starch resin composition. The enhanced starch resin composition comprises a native starch and/or a waxy starch crosslinked with a multi-functional polycarboxylic acid. The starch resin composition is formed by a water-based reaction comprising using a non-toxic, water-soluble catalyst to catalyze esterification of the native starch and/or the waxy starch with the multi-functional polycarboxylic acid, thereby yielding a crosslinked starch resin composition having at least one enhanced mechanical property and/or reduced moisture absorption as compared to the native starch and/or the waxy starch.

The present invention relates to an enhanced starch resin composition, methods of making the enhanced starch resin composition using environmentally benign, water-based processes, and products produced using the enhanced starch resin composition. The enhanced starch resin composition comprises a native starch and/or a waxy starch crosslinked with a multi-functional polycarboxylic acid. The starch resin composition is formed by a water-based reaction comprising using a non-toxic, water-soluble catalyst to catalyze esterification of the native starch and/or the waxy starch with the multi-functional polycarboxylic acid, thereby yielding a crosslinked starch resin composition having at least one enhanced mechanical property and/or reduced moisture absorption as compared to the native starch and/or the waxy starch.

The present invention relates to an enhanced starch resin composition, methods of making the enhanced starch resin composition using environmentally benign, water-based processes, and products produced using the enhanced starch resin composition. The enhanced starch resin composition comprises a native starch and/or a waxy starch crosslinked with a multi-functional polycarboxylic acid. The starch resin composition is formed by a water-based reaction comprising using a non-toxic, water-soluble catalyst to catalyze esterification of the native starch and/or the waxy starch with the multi-functional polycarboxylic acid, thereby yielding a crosslinked starch resin composition having at least one enhanced mechanical property and/or reduced moisture absorption as compared to the native starch and/or the waxy starch.

This disclosure relates to conjugates for targeting bacteria and related uses. In certain embodiments, the disclosure relates to methods of transferring a molecule of interest into bacteria comprising mixing bacteria with a non-naturally occurring conjugate under conditions such that the conjugate is transported across the bacterial cell wall. Typically, the conjugate comprises an oligosaccharide and a molecule of interest. In certain embodiments, the molecule of interest may be a tracer or an antibiotic.

This disclosure relates to conjugates for targeting bacteria and related uses. In certain embodiments, the disclosure relates to methods of transferring a molecule of interest into bacteria comprising mixing bacteria with a non-naturally occurring conjugate under conditions such that the conjugate is transported across the bacterial cell wall. Typically, the conjugate comprises an oligosaccharide and a molecule of interest. In certain embodiments, the molecule of interest may be a tracer or an antibiotic.

A cellulose fiber-based substrate, at least one side of which is coated with an aqueous mixture composed of: a) at least one water-soluble polymer (WSP) containing hydroxyl groups, b) at least one lactone substituted with at least one linear or branched and/or cyclic C.sub.8-C.sub.30 hydrocarbon chain which may contain heteroatoms, c)at least one crosslinking agent. A method of production and use thereof.

Provided are a plant-derived soft capsule shell having high shell sheet strength, good adhesive property, and good shell performance, and a soft capsule.

A soft capsule shell comprising: (A) iota carrageenan; and (B) waxy corn starch having undergone a heat-moisture treatment in the presence of a salt, the soft capsule shell having a content mass ratio [(A)/(B)] of the component (A) to the component (B) of 0.4 to 3, the soft capsule shell having a content mass ratio [carrageenan/starch] of carrageenan including the component (A) to starch including the component (B) of 0.29 to 1.

Provided are a plant-derived soft capsule shell having high shell sheet strength, good adhesive property, and good shell performance, and a soft capsule.

A soft capsule shell comprising: (A) iota carrageenan; and (B) waxy corn starch having undergone a heat-moisture treatment in the presence of a salt, the soft capsule shell having a content mass ratio [(A)/(B)] of the component (A) to the component (B) of 0.4 to 3, the soft capsule shell having a content mass ratio [carrageenan/starch] of carrageenan including the component (A) to starch including the component (B) of 0.29 to 1.