In various aspects, the invention provides compositions of variable-length hydrophobically-modified polymers. These variable-length hydrophobes decorated along the hydrophilic polymer backbone provide advanced properties and allow for precise control over the behavior of the resulting amphiphilic polymer, including in aqueous solution. Such control allows for enhanced functionality of the amphiphilic polymer relative to standard single-length hydrophobe grafting designs, including for hemostasis.

An object is to provide a method for producing a polysaccharide derivative without using a catalyst, a cocatalyst, or an active compound by esterification, etherification, or the like, from a polysaccharide such as cellulose as a source material, while maintaining a high molecular weight. Another object is to provide a method for producing a cellulose derivative in a separated condition directly from biomass containing lignocellulose. A method for producing a polysaccharide derivative of the present invention is characterized in that a reaction is carried out in a mixture comprising: a source material comprising a polysaccharide; an ionic liquid for which the pKa of a conjugate acid of an anion in DMSO is 12 to 19 and which is capable of producing a carbene; and a chain or cyclic ester compound or an epoxy compound. Preferably as a source material containing a polysaccharide, a biomass source material containing lignocellulose is used.

An object is to provide a method for producing a polysaccharide derivative without using a catalyst, a cocatalyst, or an active compound by esterification, etherification, or the like, from a polysaccharide such as cellulose as a source material, while maintaining a high molecular weight. Another object is to provide a method for producing a cellulose derivative in a separated condition directly from biomass containing lignocellulose. A method for producing a polysaccharide derivative of the present invention is characterized in that a reaction is carried out in a mixture comprising: a source material comprising a polysaccharide; an ionic liquid for which the pKa of a conjugate acid of an anion in DMSO is 12 to 19 and which is capable of producing a carbene; and a chain or cyclic ester compound or an epoxy compound. Preferably as a source material containing a polysaccharide, a biomass source material containing lignocellulose is used.

Biodegradable beads are provided that are formed from mixed cellulose esters, such as cellulose acetate butyrate or cellulose acetate propionate. The biodegradable beads and mixed cellulose esters are both freshwater biodegradable and may be used in various downstream applications where biodegradable components are desired and sought.

Biodegradable beads are provided that are formed from mixed cellulose esters, such as cellulose acetate butyrate or cellulose acetate propionate. The biodegradable beads and mixed cellulose esters are both freshwater biodegradable and may be used in various downstream applications where biodegradable components are desired and sought.

An object is to provide a Th1-increasing agent that can reduce constraints on storage conditions and feeding form and sufficiently increase Th1 at lower doses. A Th1-increasing agent containing a cellulose derivative as an active ingredient, the cellulose derivative having a degree of butyryl substitution of 0.3 or greater and 2.6 or less, and a total degree of substitution of 0.5 or greater and 2.8 or less.

Provided is a method that enables industrially efficient production of an esterified polysaccharide product. A method for producing an esterified polysaccharide product, the method including reacting a polysaccharide-containing biomass, a basic ionic liquid with a pKa of a conjugate acid of an anion from 2 to 19 as a calculated value in a vacuum, and an esterifying agent using a kneader equipped with a shear force application mechanism. A cation constituting the basic ionic liquid is preferably one selected from the group consisting of an imidazolium cation, a pyridinium cation, and a tetraalkylammonium cation.

Biodegradable microbeads exhibiting superior optical effects are provided. More particularly, biodegradable microparticles formed from biodegradable mixed cellulose esters are provided that exhibit superior optical effects, such as haze transmission, which are highly beneficial when used to produce cosmetic formulations. The produced microbeads also exhibit enhanced solidity, sphericity, and smoothness.

Biodegradable microbeads exhibiting superior optical effects are provided. More particularly, biodegradable microparticles formed from biodegradable mixed cellulose esters are provided that exhibit superior optical effects, such as haze transmission, which are highly beneficial when used to produce cosmetic formulations. The produced microbeads also exhibit enhanced solidity, sphericity, and smoothness.

The present application discloses cellulose ester compositions comprising certain mineral particle compositions. The compositions when heated reduce the molecular weight of the cellulose esters in the compositions depending in the temperature, time, and mineral particle composition loading. The present application also discloses processes for reducing the molecular weight of cellulose esters in cellulose ester compositions comprising the mineral particle compositions.