Showa Sangyo Co., Ltd.

Norimasa Yanai

Hidekazu Takahashi

Kohji Yamada

A process for preparing a biodegradable water-resistant film. The process includes the steps of dispersing zein in an aqueous solution comprising acetone in an amount of from 65 to 75% by volume to form a zein dispersion, forming the resulting zein dispersion into a film, and drying the film in an atmosphere having a relative humidity of 85% or less at an initial temperature of 55.degree. C. or less. The present invention also relates to a method for imparting water resistance to an article with poor water resistance by coating the article with the zein dispersion prepared as above, and drying the coated zein dispersion under the above conditions. The film or coating film according of the present invention neither dissolves upon contact with water, nor becomes weak due to water absorption or swelling on contact with water.

Process for preparing biodegradable water-resistant film

A process in which treatment conditions in the extraction steps of the corn protein, zein, are stabilized and by which decolorized and purified zein can be provided in a stable manner through continuous treatment steps, while simultaneously providing techniques for the concentration and recovery of corn pigment components. Corn gluten meal is treated with a hydrocarbon solvent having 5 to 9 carbon atoms. Zein and pigment components are extracted from the treated corn gluten meal with a solvent, such as about 91 to 96% by volume ethanol, and zein and the pigment components are separated from the resulting extract solution. Oil and fat components and pigment components may be extracted from corn gluten meal prior to the zein extraction steps.

Process for producing zein

Process for preparing biodegradable water-resistant film and method for

Processes for treating a zein containing material to decrease inherent color and smell as well as for obtaining zein component therefrom, which is decreased in color tone and smell. The removal of color and smell is carried out by contacting the material with an aqueous acetone solution having acetone concentration which causes almost no dissolution of the zein component. An extraction of zein component from the raw material is carried out in a conventional manner, for instance, with use of an aqueous ethyl alcohol.

Process for treating zein containing material

There is disclosed a process for refining a zein. A solution containing crude zein, as a raw material is finely dispersed into absolute or high purity acetone solution having no ability for dissolving the zein, to cause precipitation of a zein component, as porous solids.

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Chiba, Japan

Norimasa Yanai