Nano-sized Bagasse Fiber

摘要

A new composition of nanosized bagasse fibers has been made by a method which reduces the sugarcane bagasse fibers to nano-sized particles while retaining the natural components of the bagasse. The resulting bagasse particles were shown to be effective as a nutritional supplement in a mouse model to aid in glucose control and body weight. Using the bagasse nanofibers, the addition of 5 to 10% fiber did not change the color or texture of food products. Moreover, the bagasse powder has a natural color and absorbs color evenly so that it could be used as a natural foundation material for cosmetic products.

主权项

1. A method for preparing nano-sized bagasse fibers from native sugarcane bagasse, said method comprising:
(a) washing and drying the native sugarcane bagasse; (b) cooling the dried sugarcane bagasse to a temperature less than about −50° C.; (c) pulverizing the sugarcane bagasse at a temperature less than about −50° C. for a time sufficient to reduce at least about 70% of the sugarcane bagasse fibers by mass to a size less than about 1 micron;wherein the resulting nano-sized bagasse fibers are not chemically altered as compared to those in the native sugarcane bagasse.