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Degradation of polysaccharides in alkaline solution to organic acids: Product characterization and identification
Author(s) -
Krochta John M.,
Tillin Sandra J.,
Hudson Joyce S.
Publication year - 1987
Publication title -
journal of applied polymer science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.575
H-Index - 166
eISSN - 1097-4628
pISSN - 0021-8995
DOI - 10.1002/app.1987.070330428
Subject(s) - chemistry , degradation (telecommunications) , starch , organic chemistry , polysaccharide , titration , extraction (chemistry) , ether , chromatography , telecommunications , computer science
Agricultural products have considerable potential for conversion to valuable oxychemicals. Analyses by ether extraction, titration, and anion‐exchange classification of the alkaline degradation products of totally converted starch and cellulosics showed that the product compounds are mainly organic acids. Almost all the organic acids are monocarboxylic in nature, with an average equivalent weight in the range 76–84. The organic acids identified thus far by HPLC and GC are formic, acetic, glycolic, lactic, 2‐hydroxybutyric, 2‐hydroxyisobutyric, and 2‐hydroxyvaleric acids. Together, these compounds represent 41–46% of the starting material weight.