| abstract |
Disclosed is a method of extracting and separating biopolymers from biomass containing biopolymers using ionic liquids. A method for dissolving a biopolymer in an ionic liquid is also disclosed. A recovery solvent is used to reduce the solubility of the biopolymer in the ionic liquid, and conventional separation techniques are used to recover the biopolymer. Biopolymers encompassed by the present invention include chitin, chitosan, elastin, collagen, keratin and polyhydroxyalkanoate. |