Improvements relating to treatment of plants of the agave family

摘要

538,271. Applications of wetting-agents ; cellulose ; treating textiles with liquids. RAMSDEN, Sir J. F., WALSH, C. L., MAY, J., and AFRICAN SISAL & PRODUCE CO., Ltd. Dec. 15, 1939, No. 32318. [Classes 2 (ii) and 15 (ii)] [Also in Groups V, II, III and XVIII] The fleshy portions of the leaves and stems of plants of the Agave family such as sisal and American Aloe, are extracted with water and the extract is evaporated to yield a substance useful for forming anti-freezing solutions ; preventing formation of scale in boilers; facilitating steam-production by lowering the surface tension, preventing flocculation of precipitates, emulsifying vegetable and mineral oils, softening and conditioning textile fibres particularly ramie. The extraction is effected by boiling or by steeping at 80‹C. The plants before extraction may be heated to 150‹C. until a sticky product is obtained, or they may be allowed to ferment under aerobic conditions. The extraction may be clarified by addition of potassium permanganate and filtering. The residue from the extraction may be extracted with sodium carbonate or trisodium phosphate to obtain gelling substances. Specifications 517,729, 532,877 and 539,620, [all in Group V], are referred to.