Dextran Ether Compounds High Viscosity
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current dextran polymers, despite their high solubility, are not ideal as thickening agents due to their low viscosity, which limits their utility in hydrocolloid applications, prompting the need for higher viscosity dextran polymers and their ether derivatives.
Innovation Solution
Development of dextran ether compounds with specific glucose linkage profiles and molecular weights, along with organic group substitutions, to enhance viscosity and suitability for gelling and other applications, involving etherification reactions under alkaline conditions to achieve weight-average molecular weights of 50-200 million Daltons.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If dextran polymers are used as thickening agents, then high solubility is achieved, but low viscosity limits their utility
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the molecular weight of dextran polymers to extremely high values (50-200 million Daltons) and introducing specific ether derivatives with controlled degrees of substitution. These parameter changes transform the rheological properties of the polymer, enabling high viscosity at low concentrations while maintaining solubility through the specific molecular architecture and substitution patterns.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates composite material structures by combining dextran backbones with various ether groups (carboxyalkyl, alkyl, hydroxyalkyl) at controlled substitution levels. This composite approach allows the polymer to exhibit both high solubility (from the hydrophilic ether groups) and high viscosity (from the high molecular weight dextran core), resolving the contradiction between these two properties.
2Force
If higher molecular weight dextran is used to increase viscosity, then thickening capability improves, but processing and handling difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the molecular weight parameter to a specific range (50-200 million Daltons) that provides sufficient viscosity for thickening applications while remaining processable. The introduction of ether derivatives with controlled degrees of substitution (0.0025 to 3.0) further fine-tunes the rheological properties, enabling high viscosity at low concentrations which improves handling and processing characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs partial substitution of hydroxyl groups with ether groups rather than complete substitution. This partial action approach maintains the hydrophilic nature and solubility of the polymer while introducing sufficient molecular weight and structural complexity to achieve high viscosity, avoiding the processing difficulties that would result from complete substitution or even higher molecular weights.
3Force
If dextran is etherified to improve viscosity, then thickening performance increases, but degree of substitution control becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent specifies precise parameter ranges for the degree of substitution (0.0025 to 3.0) and molecular weight (50-200 million Daltons) to achieve the desired balance between viscosity and manufacturability. By defining these parameter ranges, the patent provides clear targets for controlling the etherification process, making it easier to reproduce consistent product performance while maintaining manufacturing feasibility.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The resulting dextran ether compounds exhibit high viscosity in aqueous compositions, even at low concentrations, making them more suitable for various applications including household, personal care, pharmaceutical, and industrial uses.
Implementation Method 1
a glucosyltransferase enzyme comprising an amino acid sequence that is at least 90% identical to SEQ ID NO:1 or SEQ ID NO:2
Implementation Method 2
The resulting dextran ether compounds exhibit high viscosity in aqueous compositions, even at low concentrations
Implementation Method 3
etherification reactions under alkaline conditions to achieve weight-average molecular weights of 50-200 million Daltons
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 2C~2D
AI summary
Compositions are disclosed herein comprising at least one dextran ether compound that comprises uncharged, anionic, and/or cationic organic groups. The degree of substitution of one or more dextran ether compounds is about 0.0025 to about 3.0. Dextran from which the disclosed ether compounds can be derived can have a weight-average molecular weight of about 50-200 million Daltons and/or a z-average radius of gyration of about 200-280 nm. Also disclosed are methods of producing dextran ether compounds, as well as methods of using these ether compounds in various applications.