Monsanto Company

Robert Z Greenley

Sa V Ho

Alan S Michaels

Jay M Henis

Albert A Brooks

Carol A Baker

The present invention is directed to a solid poly-amphiphilic polymer. The polymer may be (1) a continuous film (a) which is strengthened sufficiently by cross-linking to be used alone and/or supported on a frame, (b) overlaid and/or cast on a porous hydrophobic support or (2) introduced into the pores of a microporous hydrophobic membrane. The present invention is also a process for selectively removing a dissolved species (solute or target compound) from an aqueous solution or from a gaseous stream comprising contacting said aqueous solution or gaseous stream having the dissolved species and an aqueous stripping solution or other means for removing said species with opposite sides or surfaces.

Solid poly-amphiphilic polymer having use in a separation process

Biological materials such as enzymes, proteins and peptides are encapsulated by forming a mixture of the material and an aqueous non-ionic polymer solution, spraying the mixture into a circulating water-immiscible nonsolvent for the polymer at a temperature sufficient to freeze the beads and drying the frozen beads to remove essentially all unbound water such as to provide a water content of about 1-2 weight percent. Suitable non-ionic polymers are poly(vinyl alcohol), polyvinylpyrollidone, dextran and derivatized cellulose. A densification agent such as alumina may be present in the polymer solution to enhance specific gravity of the beads formed. Encapsulated material such as microbes produced by this process provide useful agricultural agents which can be delivered to the market in a dormant state and suitable for delivery to soil or plant leaves. The beads can be applied dry, via a planting or an insecticide box, or wet via a spray nozzle.

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Frontenac, MO, United States of America

Robert Z Greenley