University of Alberta

Feral Temelli

Thavaratnam Vasanthan

Zvonko Burkus

Bernhard Seifried

Micro- and nano-sized particles, agglomerates and fibers are generated from high molecular weight water-soluble biopolymers applying supercritical fluid technology. A method of producing micro- or nanoparticles from an aqueous solution of a high molecular weight biopolymer includes the step of spraying the aqueous solution together with a mixture of a compressible gas and a water-soluble co-solvent/antisolvent into a pressurized chamber. The method may be adapted to impregnate the micro- or nanoparticles with a bioactive material. A method for microencapsulating a bioactive material with a biopolymer is also provided.

Supercritical fluid treatment of high molecular weight biopolymers

This invention relates to methods for secondary processing of plant material and in particular for the recovery of valuable products such as fiber including beta-glucan, starch, and ethanol solubles from plant material containing starch and fiber. In particular, the invention relates to the preparation of high viscosity beta-glucan products through methods involving sonication/sonification and enzymes.

Preparation of high viscosity beta-glucan concentrates

The invention generally relates to a method for fractionating plant material into valuable components including beta-glucan. The method uses an organic solvent and water instead of water alone, acidified water and/or aqueous alkali as a solvent for the slurrying of a grain flour. In addition to concentrating beta-glucan, other product fractions produced by the method include starch concentrate, and organic solvent solubles. If enzyme treatments are used, other product fractions include dextrin, protein hydrolysates and organic solvent solubles. The process is particularly effective in concentrating beta-glucans in a state close to its native form from the endosperm of barley and oat grains.

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Edmonton, Canada

Feral Temelli