| abstract |
The present invention relates to a method of chemically modifying polysaccharides with the aid of a mechanical device and one or more modification reagents. The present invention contemplates treatment of the polysaccharide component one or more times using a roll mill in which two or more adjacent and oppositely rotating rolls rotate at different speeds and mix the polysaccharide component with the modifying reagent before and / or during mechanical treatment. It features. During this process, pectin, carob seed powder, guar powder and alginate are commonly used as polysaccharide components and epoxides, amines or carboxylic acid derivatives are used as modification reagents. Mechanical treatment can typically be repeated one to three times in a plurality of roll mills in which the rotational speed of adjacent rolls differs preferably by 200%. Polysaccharides mechanically modified in a very homogeneous manner according to the process of the invention are preferably used as thickeners, gelling agents, emulsifiers, food additives, cosmetic additives, as well as hair and fiber protective agents. |