Method for producing polymers with low sodium ions, method for producing gel-like substances, and polymers with low sodium ions

Abstract

The objective is to easily produce low-concentration sodium ion polymers from biomass raw materials without using harmful chemicals. [Solution] A method for producing a low-concentration sodium ion polymer containing lignin, characterized by performing a biomass raw material input step of introducing biomass raw materials into a tank filled with an aqueous solution or electrolyzed water having a sodium ion concentration of 10,000 ppm or less, or a tank filled with electrolyzed water having a sodium ion concentration of 10,000 ppm or less, and a crushing step of mechanically crushing the biomass raw materials in the aqueous solution or electrolyzed water in the tank obtained in the biomass raw material input step, thereby producing a polymer containing lignin and having a sodium ion concentration of 2,500 ppm or less.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for producing a low-concentration sodium ion polymer by reusing plant-derived biomass raw materials, a method for producing a gel substance, and a low-concentration sodium ion polymer.

Background Art

[0002] Large amounts of food residues such as fruits and plants and residues of processed foods are being discarded, and the social need to reuse them is increasing. In addition, since food residues and residues of processed foods contain nutrients, bacteria are likely to multiply, and there is a risk that the storage stability of the reused processed products is low, and at least sterilization is necessary. In that case, if a high-concentration sodium hypochlorite solution or the like, which is often used as a bactericide, is used, there is a risk of reacting with acids in the waste and generating toxic gases by heating.

[0003] In addition, polymers produced using a high-concentration sodium hypochlorite solution or the like have high-concentration sodium ions remaining, and the application of the produced polymers to foods and the like may cause health hazards.

[0004] Patent Document 1 describes dissolving a natural-derived polymer, dispersing biomass nanofibers in the solution, adding a cross-linking agent to the dispersion to cross-link the natural-derived polymer, wet-milling the obtained hydrogel, dehydrating and drying the hydrogel to produce a water absorbent excellent in water retention capacity and gel strength.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2015-20157

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] However, what is described in Patent Document 1 has a problem that the process is complicated.

[0007] The present invention aims to solve the above problems and to easily produce low-concentration sodium ion polymers from biomass raw materials without using harmful chemicals. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] To solve the above problems, the present invention provides a method for producing a low-concentration sodium ion polymer containing lignin, characterized by performing a biomass raw material input step of introducing biomass raw materials into a tank filled with an aqueous solution or electrolyzed water having a sodium ion concentration of 10,000 ppm or less, or a tank filled with electrolyzed water having a sodium ion concentration of 10,000 ppm or less, and a crushing step of mechanically crushing the biomass raw materials in the aqueous solution or electrolyzed water in the tank obtained in the biomass raw material input step, thereby producing a polymer containing lignin and having a sodium ion concentration of 2,500 ppm or less.

[0009] This configuration allows for the easy production of low-concentration sodium ion polymers from biomass raw materials without the use of harmful chemicals. In other words, it allows for the partial solubilization (slurry) of insoluble polymers (lignin, cellulose, insoluble hemicellulose) in the biomass, while simultaneously reducing the sodium ion concentration in the polymer.

[0010] Treating with a chlorine-based aqueous solution containing a low concentration of sodium ions can reduce the amount of sodium ions incorporated into the polymer. However, chlorine-based aqueous solutions containing a low concentration of sodium ions also have a relatively low effective chlorine concentration, and it is not possible to sufficiently remove -OH C Because substitution with OOH is not possible, partial solubilization of the polymer does not proceed sufficiently, and the insoluble polymer does not maintain its dispersibility in water, preventing it from becoming usable for various applications. Therefore, by carrying out a substitution reaction with a chlorine-based aqueous solution containing a low concentration of sodium ions under mechanical crushing treatment, partially substituted - CBy mechanically disrupting the polymer molecules to forcibly break down the bonds between them, the dispersion effect of insoluble polymers due to the electrostatic repulsion caused by OO- can be enhanced, thereby achieving sufficient partial solubilization.

[0011] Furthermore, because this polymer has a low concentration of sodium ions, it can be used in a wide range of applications, including as a food thickening and stabilizing agent, a food emulsifying and dispersion stabilizing agent, a chemical thickening and stabilizing agent, a chemical emulsifying and dispersion stabilizing agent, a fine particle dispersion stabilizing agent, a microbial culture medium, a material and reinforcing agent for bioplastics, an industrial water absorbent, an industrial flocculant, a jelly-like food, a soil moisturizing agent, and other industrial raw materials. In addition, the polymer does not wash away lignin during processing, resulting in a lignin-containing polymer that is particularly effective as a material for bioplastics, a soil moisturizing agent, and other applications.

[0012] Here, the acceptable daily intake of sodium ions from food is as follows. For example, the acceptable daily intake of sodium for children is approximately 3g / day. Since sodium is often ingested as table salt, if we assume that the proportion of food containing the polymer is 1 / 2 of the total food intake, it becomes 1.5g / day. Assuming that 600g of this food is consumed per day, the limit of sodium ion intake is 1.5 / 600 × 1,000,000 = 2,500ppm.

[0013] In a method for producing a low-concentration sodium ion polymer, the electrolyzed water with a sodium ion concentration of 10,000 ppm or less may be obtained by electrolyzing water containing a halogen salt.

[0014] Any halogen salt such as chloride, bromide, or fluoride will suffice, but NaCl and KCl are particularly suitable because they dissociate easily into ions and are easy to handle, allowing for the production of electrolyzed water.

[0015] A method for producing a low-concentration sodium ion polymer, wherein the aqueous solution with a sodium ion concentration of 10,000 ppm or less may be sodium hypochlorite, potassium hypochlorite, calcium hypochlorite, ammonium hypochlorite, sodium chlorite, potassium chlorite, calcium chlorite, or ammonium chlorite.

[0016] This configuration makes it easy to prepare aqueous solutions with a sodium ion concentration of 10,000 ppm or less.

[0017] A method for producing a low-concentration sodium ion polymer may be configured such that washing is not performed after the biomass raw material input step and the crushing step.

[0018] This configuration simplifies the manufacturing process and results in a polymer containing a large amount of lignin, making it effective as a material for bioplastics, a reinforcing material, and a soil moisturizer.

[0019] The configuration may also involve a heating step in which a dispersion of the biomass raw material obtained by the low-concentration sodium ion polymer production method and the aqueous solution or electrolyzed water, or the dispersion in the dispersion, is heated to produce a gel-like substance.

[0020] This configuration allows for the easy production of gel-like substances by heating.

[0021] The method may also be configured to produce a gel-like substance by performing a heating and pressurizing step in which a dispersion of the biomass raw material obtained by the low-concentration sodium ion polymer production method and the electrolyzed water, or the dispersion in the dispersion, is heated and pressurized.

[0022] This configuration allows for the easy production of gel-like substances through heating and pressurization.

[0023] Furthermore, in order to solve the above problems, the present invention relates to lignin , hemicellulose, and celluloseA low-concentration sodium ion polymer containing the same, characterized in in that the sodium ion concentration is 2,500 ppm or less, the present invention provides a low-concentration sodium ion polymer.

[0024] With this configuration, since the polymer has a low concentration of sodium ions, it can be developed for a wide range of applications as a jelly-like food, cosmetic raw material, soil moisturizer, and other industrial raw materials.

[0025] Further, in order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a gel-like substance containing lignin, characterized in that the sodium ion concentration is 2,500 ppm or less.

[0026] With this configuration, since the gel-like substance has a low concentration of sodium ions, it can be developed for a wide range of applications as a jelly-like food, cosmetic raw material, soil moisturizer, and other industrial raw materials. [[ID=***]]

Effect of the Invention

[0027] By the method for producing a polymer of low-concentration sodium ions of the present invention, a polymer of low-concentration sodium ions can be easily obtained from biomass raw materials without using harmful chemicals. Further, by the method for producing a gel-like substance of the present invention, a gel-like substance can be easily produced from the obtained polymer of low-concentration sodium ions.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0028] [Figure 1] A diagram for explaining the concentration comparison of the low-concentration sodium ion polymer in Example 1 of the present invention. [Figure 2] A photograph showing the content of lignin in Example 4 of the present invention.

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

Examples

[0029] It should be noted that there may be some inaccuracies in the translation due to the complexity of patent text. It is recommended to consult a professional patent attorney or relevant expert for a more accurate and comprehensive translation.(Method for producing low-concentration sodium ion polymer) The method for producing low-concentration sodium ion polymer and the low-concentration sodium ion polymer in Example 1 will be described with reference to Figure 1. Figure 1 is a diagram illustrating the concentration comparison of the low-concentration sodium ion polymer in Example 1 of the present invention.

[0030] The low-concentration sodium ion polymer production method in Example 1 is characterized by performing a biomass raw material input step of introducing biomass raw materials into a tank filled with an aqueous solution or electrolyzed water having a sodium ion concentration of 10,000 ppm or less, or a sodium ion concentration of 10,000 ppm or less, and a crushing step of mechanically crushing the biomass raw materials in the aqueous solution or electrolyzed water in the tank obtained in the biomass raw material input step.

[0031] In Example 1, washing is not performed after the biomass raw material input step and the crushing step. As a result, lignin, hemicellulose, cellulose, etc. contained in the biomass raw material remain in the aqueous solution or electrolyzed water without being washed away. Furthermore, since mechanical crushing is performed in the present invention, not all of the lignin, hemicellulose, and cellulose are separated, so even if washing is performed, a large amount of lignin, hemicellulose, cellulose, etc. will remain in the aqueous solution or electrolyzed water without being washed away.

[0032] Here, the biomass raw materials mainly consist of food waste such as potato peels, coffee grounds after coffee extraction, apple peels, and orange peels. However, a large amount of potato peels are discarded after processing into potato chips, and their reuse is desired. Therefore, in Example 1, potato peels are used as the biomass raw material.

[0033] First, a biomass raw material input process is carried out in which 25g of potato peels cut into chip-sized cubes are added to electrolyzed water with a sodium ion concentration of 2,000 ppm in a tank. In Example 1, electrolyzed water with a sodium ion concentration of 2,000 ppm L25g of potato peels were added to a tank filled with [a certain substance], but the amount of potato peels can be more or less than this. Here, electrolyzed water is obtained by electrolyzing water containing halogen salts. By electrolyzing water containing halogen salts, electrolyzed water can be easily obtained. Any halogen salt such as chloride, bromide, or fluoride will do, but NaCl and KCl are particularly good because they dissociate easily into ions, are easy to handle, and electrolyzed water with a sodium ion concentration of 10,000 ppm or less can be obtained.

[0034] In Example 1, electrolyzed water was produced by electrolyzing water containing halogen salts, but this is not necessarily limited to this and can be changed as appropriate. For example, electrolyzed water produced by electrolyzing water containing carbonates or potassium hydroxide may be used. Alternatively, an aqueous solution with a sodium ion concentration of 10,000 ppm or less may be used, and may be an aqueous solution of sodium hypochlorite, potassium hypochlorite, calcium hypochlorite, ammonium hypochlorite, sodium chlorite, potassium chlorite, calcium chlorite, or ammonium chlorite.

[0035] Next, a crushing step is performed to mechanically crush the potato peels in the electrolyzed water in the tank obtained in the biomass raw material input step. In Example 1, the homogenizer was rotated at 10,000 rpm for 10 minutes to crush the peels. However, this is not limited to this and can be changed as appropriate. For example, the homogenizer may be rotated at 2,000 to 15,000 rpm for 10 minutes or more or less.

[0036] In Example 1, the average particle size of potato peels, which were the biomass raw material after the crushing process, was 24.591 μm. The sodium ion concentration in the polymer solution, as measured by a sodium ion concentration meter, was 320 ppm. This sodium ion concentration is such that a child could consume 600 g of food made from this polymer per day without experiencing any health problems.

[0037] (Comparative Example 1) As Comparative Example 1, a sodium hypochlorite aqueous solution with a sodium ion concentration of 20,000 ppm was prepared. L A biomass raw material input process was carried out by adding 25g of potato peels, cut into chip-sized cubes, to a tank filled with [a certain substance].

[0038] Next, a disintegration process was performed in which the polymer was disintegrated by rotating a homogenizer at 10,000 rpm for 10 minutes. The sodium ion concentration in the polymer solution, as measured with a sodium ion concentration meter, was 2,900 ppm. This sodium ion concentration is dangerous, as consuming 600 g of food made from this polymer per day would cause health problems for children. [Examples]

[0039] In Example 2, a sodium hypochlorite aqueous solution with a sodium ion concentration of 9,700 ppm was used. L A biomass raw material input process was carried out by adding 25g of potato peels, cut into chip-sized cubes, to a tank filled with [a certain substance].

[0040] Next, a crushing process is performed to mechanically crush the potato peels in the electrolyzed water in the tank obtained in the biomass raw material input process. In Example 2, the homogenizer was rotated at 10,000 rpm for 10 minutes to crush the peels.

[0041] The average particle size of potato peels, the biomass raw material after the crushing process, was 24.591 μm. The sodium ion concentration in the polymer solution, measured with a sodium ion concentration meter, was 1,400 ppm. This sodium ion concentration is such that consuming 600 g of food made from this polymer per day would not cause health problems for children.

[0042] (Comparative Example 2) As comparative example 2, a sodium hypochlorite aqueous solution with a sodium ion concentration of 30,000 ppm was prepared. L A biomass raw material input process was carried out by adding 25g of potato peels, cut into chip-sized cubes, to a tank filled with [a certain substance].

[0043] Next, a disintegration process was performed in which the polymer was disintegrated by rotating a homogenizer at 10,000 rpm for 10 minutes. The sodium ion concentration in the polymer solution, as measured with a sodium ion concentration meter, was 4,800 ppm. This sodium ion concentration is dangerous, as consuming 600 g of food made from this polymer per day would cause health problems in children. [Examples]

[0044] In Example 3, a sodium hypochlorite aqueous solution with a sodium ion concentration of 9,700 ppm was used. L A biomass raw material input process was carried out in which 25g of coffee grounds left over after coffee extraction was added to a tank filled with [a certain substance].

[0045] Next, a crushing process is performed to mechanically crush the coffee grounds in the electrolyzed water in the tank obtained in the biomass raw material input process. In Example 3, the homogenizer was rotated at 10,000 rpm for 10 minutes to crush the grounds.

[0046] After the crushing process, the sodium ion concentration in the polymer solution, as measured with a sodium ion concentration meter, was 2,000 ppm. This sodium ion concentration is such that consuming 600 g of food made from this polymer per day will not cause any health problems for children.

[0047] (Comparative Example 3) As Comparative Example 3, a sodium hypochlorite aqueous solution with a sodium ion concentration of 20,000 ppm was prepared. L A biomass raw material input process was carried out in which 25g of coffee grounds left over after coffee extraction was added to a tank filled with [a certain substance].

[0048] Next, a disintegration process was performed in which the polymer was disintegrated by rotating a homogenizer at 10,000 rpm for 10 minutes. The sodium ion concentration in the polymer solution, as measured with a sodium ion concentration meter, was 2,900 ppm. This sodium ion concentration is dangerous, as consuming 600 g of food made from this polymer per day would cause health problems for children. [Examples]

[0049] In Example 4, a sodium hypochlorite aqueous solution with a sodium ion concentration of 9,700 ppm was used. L A biomass raw material input process was carried out, in which 100g of cabbage cores were added to a tank filled with [a certain substance]. Cabbage cores are discarded after the cabbage is used in cooking, so their utilization is desired.

[0050] Next, a crushing process is performed to mechanically crush the cabbage cores in the electrolyzed water in the tank obtained in the biomass raw material input process. In Example 4, the homogenizer was rotated at 10,000 rpm for 10 minutes to crush the cores.

[0051] After the crushing process, the sodium ion concentration in the polymer solution, as measured with a sodium ion concentration meter, was 1,900 ppm. This sodium ion concentration is such that even if a child ingests 600 g of food made from this polymer per day, it will not cause any health problems.

[0052] (Comparative Example 4) As Comparative Example 4, a sodium hypochlorite aqueous solution with a sodium ion concentration of 20,000 ppm was prepared. L A biomass raw material input process was carried out, in which 100g of cabbage cores were added to a tank filled with [a certain substance].

[0053] Next, a disintegration process was performed in which the polymer was disintegrated by rotating a homogenizer at 10,000 rpm for 10 minutes. The sodium ion concentration in the polymer solution, as measured with a sodium ion concentration meter, was 4,700 ppm. This sodium ion concentration is dangerous, as consuming 600 g of food made from this polymer per day would cause health problems for children.

[0054] (Regarding lignin content) Example 4: Sodium hypochlorite aqueous solution with a sodium ion concentration of 9,700 ppm. L A lignin detection test was conducted on the polymer produced by crushing the core of a Chinese cabbage, to determine whether or not it contained lignin.

[0055] The lignin detection test is performed according to the following procedure, and the result is determined by the intensity of the brown color after 10 minutes. 1. Sample 50m L Place it in a beaker and dry it completely at 110°C. 2. P-cresol 1m L Add the liquid and press a glass rod against it to allow it to soak in (for 2-3 minutes). 3.70% sulfuric acid 5m L Add the ingredients and stir with a magnetic stirrer. Figure 2(a) shows a photograph of the beaker after 10 minutes. Figure 2(b) shows the results of a similar lignin detection test performed on the polymer produced in Example 4 after washing.

[0056] Figure 2(a) shows that the black and white photograph reveals a dark appearance. Figure 2(b) is whiter than Figure 2(a), but not completely transparent. This indicates that the resulting polymer contains lignin, whether washed or not. The long, white object at the bottom of the beaker is a magnetic stirrer.

[0057] Thus, in Examples 1-4, a method for producing a low-concentration sodium ion polymer containing lignin was described, comprising: a biomass raw material input step of introducing biomass raw materials into a tank filled with an aqueous solution or electrolyzed water with a sodium ion concentration of 10,000 ppm or less, or a sodium ion concentration of 10,000 ppm or less; and a crushing step of mechanically crushing the biomass raw materials in the aqueous solution or electrolyzed water in the tank obtained in the biomass raw material input step, thereby producing a polymer containing lignin and sodium A method for producing low-concentration sodium ion polymers, characterized by using polymers with a sodium ion concentration of 2,500 ppm or less, allows for the easy production of low-concentration sodium ion polymers from biomass raw materials without the use of harmful chemicals.

[0058] Furthermore, a low-concentration sodium ion polymer containing lignin, characterized by a sodium ion concentration of 2,500 ppm or less, can be used in a wide range of applications such as jelly-like foods, cosmetic ingredients, soil moisturizers, and other industrial raw materials due to its low sodium ion concentration. [Examples]

[0059] (Method for producing gel-like substance) A gel-like substance can be easily produced by performing a heating step in which the dispersion of the pulverized biomass raw material obtained in the pulverization step of the low-concentration sodium ion polymer production method in any of Examples 1-4 is heated with electrolyzed water or an aqueous solution. In the heating step in Example 5, the dispersion of potato peels was heated at a heating temperature of 80°C to 150°C. However, this is not limited to this and can be changed as appropriate. For example, it may be heated at a heating temperature of 50°C to 200°C.

[0060] (Modification of Example 5) As a modification of Example 5, a gel-like substance is produced by performing a heating and pressurizing step in which a dispersion of biomass raw material obtained by a low-concentration sodium ion polymer production method and electrolyzed water or aqueous solution, or the dispersion in the dispersion, is heated and pressurized. This makes it possible to produce a gel-like substance efficiently.

[0061] In the heating and pressurizing process of the modified form, the dispersion of potato peels was heated to a heating temperature of 80°C to 150°C and pressurized to 2 atmospheres.

[0062] Thus, in Example 5, a gel-like substance can be produced by performing a heating step of heating at least the dispersion of the biomass raw material obtained by the low-concentration sodium ion polymer production method with the aqueous solution or the electrolyzed water, or the dispersion in the dispersion.

[0063] Furthermore, in a modified example of Example 5, a gel-like substance can be produced by performing a heating and pressurizing step in which the dispersion of the biomass raw material obtained by the low-concentration sodium ion polymer production method and the aqueous solution or electrolyzed water, or the dispersion in the dispersion, is heated and pressurized. [Industrial applicability]

[0064] The method for producing a low-concentration sodium ion polymer, the method for producing a gel-like substance, and the low-concentration sodium ion polymer according to the present invention can be widely applied to the field of food waste recycling.

Claims

1. A method for producing a polymer containing lignin at a low concentration of sodium ions, A biomass raw material input step involves introducing biomass raw materials into a tank filled with an aqueous solution with a sodium ion concentration of 10,000 ppm or less, or electrolyzed water with a sodium ion concentration of 10,000 ppm or less. A crushing step in which the biomass raw material in the aqueous solution or electrolyzed water in the tank obtained in the biomass raw material input step is mechanically crushed, A method for producing a low-concentration sodium ion polymer, characterized by performing the following steps to obtain a polymer containing lignin and having a sodium ion concentration of 2,500 ppm or less.

2. The method for producing a low-concentration sodium ion polymer according to claim 1, characterized in that the electrolyzed water with a sodium ion concentration of 10,000 ppm or less is produced by electrolyzing water containing a halogen salt.

3. The method for producing a low-concentration sodium ion polymer according to claim 1, characterized in that the aqueous solution with a sodium ion concentration of 10,000 ppm or less consists of sodium hypochlorite, potassium hypochlorite, calcium hypochlorite, ammonium hypochlorite, sodium chlorite, potassium chlorite, calcium chlorite, or ammonium chlorite.

4. The method for producing a low-concentration sodium ion polymer according to claim 1, characterized in that no washing is performed after the biomass raw material input step and the crushing step.

5. A method for producing a gel-like substance, characterized by performing a heating step of heating at least one of the following: a dispersion of the biomass raw material obtained by the low-concentration sodium ion polymer production method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, and the aqueous solution or electrolyzed water, or the dispersion in the dispersion.

6. A method for producing a gel-like substance, characterized by performing a heating and pressurizing step of heating and pressurizing at least the dispersion of the biomass raw material obtained by the low-concentration sodium ion polymer production method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, and the aqueous solution or electrolyzed water, or the dispersion in the dispersion.

7. A low-concentration sodium ion polymer containing lignin, hemicellulose, and cellulose, characterized in that the sodium ion concentration is 2,500 ppm or less.

8. A gel-like substance containing lignin, characterized in that the sodium ion concentration is 2,500 ppm or less.

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