Patent ID: 7456265

Claim:
A chemically modified polysaccharide (CMP) comprising: a random copolymer comprising: (a) starch-derived or cellulose-derived saccharide rings having C 2 and C 3 carbon positions and a bond therebetween, the saccharide rings being linked with (b) ring-opened starch-derived or cellulose-derived saccharide units at the bond between the C 2 and C 3 carbon positions; wherein: (i) at least some of the ring-opened C 2 and C 3 carbon positions are carboxylic acid moieties, water dispersible salts thereof, or combinations thereof directly attached thereto; (ii) at least some of the ring-opened C 2 and C 3 carbon positions contain hydroxyl groups; and, (iii) the CMP is water dispersible to form a clear solution.