Reaction solutions are disclosed herein comprising water, sucrose and a glucosyltransferase enzyme that synthesizes poly alpha-1,3-glucan. The glucosyltransferase enzyme can synthesize insoluble glucan polymer having at least 50% alpha-1,3 glycosidic linkages and a number average degree of polymerization of at least 100. Further disclosed are methods of using such glucosyltransferase enzymes to produce insoluble poly alpha-1,3-glucan.

The present invention relates to a direct dissolving process for the production of polysaccharide fibers which contain α(1.fwdarw.3)-glucan as a fiber-forming substance, with aqueous sodium hydroxide solution as a solvent, as well as to the fibers made thereby, and to their use.

Disclosed herein are glucosyltransferases with modified amino acid sequences. Such engineered enzymes exhibit improved alpha-glucan product yields and/or lower leucrose yields, for example. Further disclosed are reactions and methods in which engineered glucosyltransferases are used to produce alpha-glucan.

Disclosed herein are coated articles comprising a substrate having at least one surface, and a coating composition disposed in a substantially continuous layer on at least one surface of the substrate, wherein the coating composition is present in an amount sufficient to increase the oxygen barrier property of the substrate, and the coating composition comprises a polysaccharide derivative. The polysaccharide derivative can comprise a poly alpha-1,3-glucan ether compound, such as a quaternary ammonium alpha-1,3-glucan ether. Also disclosed is packaging comprising the coated article.

A method for producing insoluble alpha-1,3-glucan is disclosed. Embodiments of the method comprise providing (i) oligosaccharides that comprise alpha-1,3 and alpha-1,6 glycosidic linkages, or (ii) oligosaccharides derived from a glucosyltransferase reaction; and contacting at least water, sucrose, a glucosyltransferase enzyme, and the oligosaccharides provided in the first step. Glucosyltransferase reaction compositions embodying such a method, and insoluble products thereof, are also disclosed. Yield and other product benefits can be realized when practicing the disclosed subject matter.

Nonwoven webs comprising a water insoluble α-(1,3.fwdarw.glucan) polymer and methods of forming the nonwoven webs are disclosed. The water insoluble α-(1,3.fwdarw.glucan) polymer comprises 90% or greater α-1,3-glycosidic linkages, less than 1% by weight of α-1,3,6-glycosidic branch points, a number average degree of polymerization in the range of from 55 to 10,000, and a ratio of apparent DPw to true DPw in the range of from 2 to 10. The nonwoven webs can be used for personal hygiene wipes, filtration media, apparel, or other uses.

Disclosed herein are compositions comprising insoluble alpha-glucan particles having a high degree of crystallinity and small particle size. For example, the alpha-glucan particles can have a degree of crystallinity of at least about 0.65, and/or an average size of less than a micron. At least 50% of the glycosidic linkages of the insoluble alpha-glucan in the disclosed particles are alpha-1,3 glycosidic linkages. Further disclosed are methods of producing insoluble alpha-glucan particles, as well as their use in various applications and products.

A water soluble iron carbohydrate complex obtainable from an aqueous solution of iron(III) salt and an aqueous solution of the oxidation product of one or more maltrodextrins using an aqueous hypochlorite solution at a pH-value within the alkaline range, where, when one maltodextrin is applied, its dextrose equivalent lies between 5 and 20, and when a mixture of several maltodextrins is applied, the dextrose equivalent of the mixture lies between 5 and 20 and the dextrose equivalent of each individual maltodextrin contained in the mixture lies between 2 and 40, a process for its production and a medicament for the treatment and prophylaxis of iron deficiency conditions.

Disclosed herein are compositions comprising polysaccharide particles with an average size of about 0.1-10 mm. These particles comprise at least (i) about 50%-90% by weight water or an aqueous solution, and (ii) about 10%-50% by weight insoluble alpha-glucan, or an insoluble cationic ether thereof, comprising alpha-1,3-glycosidic linkages and having a weight-average degree of polymerization (DPw) of at least about 100. Further disclosed are methods of preparing these compositions, as well as systems for storing and/or moving them.

An enzymatically produced soluble -glucan fiber composition is provided suitable for use as a digestion resistant fiber in food and feed applications. The soluble -glucan fiber composition can be blended with one or more additional food ingredients to produce fiber-containing compositions. Methods for the production and use of compositions comprising the soluble -glucan fiber are also provided.