POLYGLUCURONIC ACID, PROCESS FOR PREPARING POLYGLUCURONIC ACID AND USE OF POLYGLUCURONIC ACID

摘要

A process is provided for preparing polyglucuronic acid, i.e. a polysaccharide which contains a large proportion of glucuronic acid units, by oxidizing glucose based polysaccharides, such as starch and derivatives thereof, in the presence of a complexing substance. Suitable complexing substances are for example C4-C20 alkanoic acids and C3-C19 alkanesulphonic acids. The oxidation can be performed by chemical means such as nitrogen oxides or, preferably, in an electrochemical cell. The polyglucuronic acids obtained have a high content of glucuronic acid units and are suitable as complexing agents, carriers, stabilizers, solubility enhancers and the like.