Patent GB-586282-A (GB)
Title: Process of producing a plasticizing composition for hydrophilic colloids
IPC: C12P7/20
Filed: 1943-11-05
Abstract: A process for producing a plasticizing composition for pellicles of hydrophilic colloids comprises fermenting a sugar solution to glycerol and acetic acid by means of yeast in an alkaline medium, concentrating, and separating the glycerol and alkaline acetate solution from the fermented liquor by dialysis. The alkaline medium must be non-toxic to yeast and produce a water-soluble acetate having hygroscopic properties, e.g., potassium or ammonium carbonates or hydroxides, sodium carbonate, quaternary ammonium bases, and alkyl- and hydroxyalkyl-amines such as ethanolamine.  In an example, an aqueous solution of cane molasses containing 20 per cent. of fermentable sugar is adjusted to a pH between 7 and 8 by the addition of 4 or 5 per cent. of potassium carbonate.  A nutrient solution and yeast are added and the solution fermented at 35 DEG C.  After fermentation the pH is adjusted to 5.5 to 6.5 by the addition of acetic acid and the alcohol distilled off.  The resulting solution is then concentrated to one half its initial volume and fresh molasses added to give a solution containing about 20 per cent. sugar and the fermentation repeated with additional yeast under the initial conditions.  The solution is again acidified with acetic acid and the alcohol distilled off, the operations being repeated until the desired concentration of glycerol is obtained.  The yeast is separated and the solution then dialysed through a membrane of regenerated cellulose.  The solution obtained has a content of 3.5 to 5 per cent. of glycerol and from 1 to 2.5 per cent. of potassium acetate.  Specification 133,374, [Class 91], and U.S.A. Specifications 1,288,398 and 1,551,997 are referred to.ALSO:A process for producing a plasticising composition for pellicles of hydrophilic colloids such as regenerated cellulose, gelatine, casein, cellulose ethers and esters, synthetic resins, leather, paper and the like comprises fermenting a sugar solution to glycerol and acetic acid by means of yeast in an alkaline medium, concentrating, and separating the glycerol and alkaline acetate solution from the fermented liquor by dialysis.  The alkaline medium must be nontoxic to yeast and produce a water-soluble acetate having hygroscopic properties, e.g. potassium or ammonium carbonates or hydroxides, sodium carbonate, quaternary ammonium bases, and alkyl- and hydroxyalkyl-amines such as ethanolamine.  In an example, an aqueous solution of cane molasses containing 20 per cent of fermentable sugar is adjusted to a pH between 7 and 8 by the addition of 4 or 5 per cent of potassium carbonate.  A nutrient solution and yeast are added and the solution fermented at 35 DEG  C.  After fermentation, the pH is adjusted to 5.5 to 6.5 by the addition of acetic acid and the alcohol distilled off.  The resulting solution is then concentrated to one half its initial volume and fresh molasses added to give a solution containing about 20 per cent sugar and the fermentation repeated with additional yeast under the initial conditions.  The solution is again acidified with acetic acid and the alcohol distilled off, the operations being repeated until the desired concentration of glycerol is obtained. The yeast is separated and the solution then dialysed through a membrane of regenerated cellulose.  The solution obtained has a content of 3.5 to 5 per cent of glycerol and from 1 to 2.5 per cent of potassium acetate, and can be used at 40 DEG  C. for plasticising regenerated cellulose sheets in the wet gel state having a thickness of 0.00085 inch.  Specification 133,374, [Class 2 (iii)], and U.S.A. Specifications 1,288,398 and 1,551,997 are referred to.