The present invention provides an automotive tire containing from 0.1 wt % to 50 wt % hydrophobic nanocellulose. Hydrophobic nanocellulose may include lignin-coated nanocellulose and/or a chemically modified surface to increase hydrophobicity. The nanocellulose may include cellulose nanofibrils and/or cellulose nanocrystals. The nanocellulose may be introduced into tire components such as inner liner, body ply, sidewall, beads, apex, belts, treads, cushion gum, and textile fabric. The nanocellulose may be obtained from a biomass-fractionation process utilizing an acid catalyst, a solvent for lignin, and water to generate a lignin-containing nanocellulose precursor, followed by mechanical treatment of the nanocellulose precursor to produce the nanocellulose. For example, the nanocellulose may be obtained from the AVAP® process. The tire may further include one or more additional components derived from lignocellulosic biomass. For example, the tire may contain lignin-derived carbon black, lignin-derived antioxidants, or biomass-derived silica. The tire may also contain synthetic polymers derived from biomass sugars.

Compositions comprising polysaccharides and oligosaccharides are provided. Methods for the formation of the compositions, including the enzymatic production of the oligosaccharides, and the uses of the compositions in foodstuffs, cosmetics, and nutraceuticals are also provided.

An artificial timber comprises the following components in parts by weight: 35-50 parts of cellulose, 20-35 parts of hemicellulose and 15-35 parts of lignin, wherein the artificial timber has a density of 0.01-0.05 g/cm.sup.3. The preparing method comprises: (1) dissolving 15-35 parts by weight of lignin, 35-50 parts by weight of cellulose and 20-35 parts by weight of hemicellulose with an ionic liquid; (2) cleaning and replacing it with water to obtain a lignocellulose hydrogel; and (3) drying the lignocellulose hydrogel to obtain an artificial timber. The artificial timber prepared by the present invention is large in specific area, low in density, low in material energy consumption, moderate in condition and easy for operation. The artificial timber obtained by the present invention is regular in shape and is shaped like a sandy beige cylinder without obvious damage and deformation, which indicates that such artificial timber with high specific area has well molding capacity.

An artificial timber comprises the following components in parts by weight: 35-50 parts of cellulose, 20-35 parts of hemicellulose and 15-35 parts of lignin, wherein the artificial timber has a density of 0.01-0.05 g/cm.sup.3. The preparing method comprises: (1) dissolving 15-35 parts by weight of lignin, 35-50 parts by weight of cellulose and 20-35 parts by weight of hemicellulose with an ionic liquid; (2) cleaning and replacing it with water to obtain a lignocellulose hydrogel; and (3) drying the lignocellulose hydrogel to obtain an artificial timber. The artificial timber prepared by the present invention is large in specific area, low in density, low in material energy consumption, moderate in condition and easy for operation. The artificial timber obtained by the present invention is regular in shape and is shaped like a sandy beige cylinder without obvious damage and deformation, which indicates that such artificial timber with high specific area has well molding capacity.

Methods of preparing a hemicellulose-product and a holocellulose-product from a carbohydrate-rich material, including spend coffee grounds, are described. Hemicellulose-products and holocellulose-products produced according to these methods are also described.

A vegetable product obtained from vegetable matter selected from at least one of root, tubers and leaves of a plant having inulin as a reserve carbohydrate, wherein the product includes particles having particle sizes in the range of 0.5 to 10 mm and including inulin and cell walls having pectin, hemi-cellulose and cellulose, wherein the inulin is contained within the cell walls, and the product is obtained by a process including the steps of: a) wounding the vegetable matter, b) treating the vegetable matter with an aqueous solution having an antioxidant and/or a textural support agent and heating the vegetable matter to a temperature of 40 to 90° C. and c) mechanically reducing the size of the vegetable matter and drying the vegetable matter to obtain the product.

A vegetable product obtained from vegetable matter selected from at least one of root, tubers and leaves of a plant having inulin as a reserve carbohydrate, wherein the product includes particles having particle sizes in the range of 0.5 to 10 mm and including inulin and cell walls having pectin, hemi-cellulose and cellulose, wherein the inulin is contained within the cell walls, and the product is obtained by a process including the steps of: a) wounding the vegetable matter, b) treating the vegetable matter with an aqueous solution having an antioxidant and/or a textural support agent and heating the vegetable matter to a temperature of 40 to 90° C. and c) mechanically reducing the size of the vegetable matter and drying the vegetable matter to obtain the product.

The present invention relates to the use of an activatable pectin-containing citrus fiber for preparing products in the food or non-food area. The invention also relates to products containing the activatable pectin-containing citrus fiber.

The present invention relates to the use of an activatable pectin-containing citrus fiber for preparing products in the food or non-food area. The invention also relates to products containing the activatable pectin-containing citrus fiber.

A method of manufacturing a biodegradable bioplastic includes preparing a plant derived polymer base, preparing bamboo extracts from bamboo wood, and combining the bamboo extracts with the polymer base, optionally by heating and mixing the polymer base in a liquid form together with the bamboo extracts in a liquid form. The bamboo extracts may be applied as a surface treatment of the polymer base, with the polymer base in a solid form. The plant derived polymer base may include water, potassium bicarbonate, glycerol and starch, such as arrowroot. The plant derived polymer base and the bamboo extracts may be combined at ambient temperature, heated, cooled, reheated and recooled and solidified.