摘要 |
<p>It is the object of the present invention to provide an industrially useful process for the manufacture of polyguluronic acids having degrees of polymerization less than 20 and substantially free of mannuronic acid contamination. Alginate salts of organic bases are quite soluble in aqueous solution, and remain soluble in aqueous solution throughout a hydrolysis reaction in the range of pH values at which the acidic hydrolysis is effected at a reasonably fast rate. Based on this finding, a solution containing 5 wt.% or more of alginic acid prepared by dissolving alginic acid in water by neutralization with an organic base is provided and then hydrolyzed under acidic conditions, followed by selective precipitation of polyguluronic acids under acidic conditions. <IMAGE></p> |