MUMBAI, India, Oct. 5 -- Intellectual Property India has published a patent application (202641115157 A) filed by National Institute Of Food Technology, Entrepreneurship And Management Thanjavur Niftem-T on September 25, 2026, for A Process For Preparing Methylcellulose From Groundnut Processing Industry Waste.
Inventors include Er. Santhosh K; Dr. Sinija V R; Dr. Jeyan Arthur Moses; Dr. V Hema; Dr. R. Vidyalakshmi; and Dr. Pratibha Singh.
The application for the patent was published on October 02, 2026, under issue no. 40/2026.
Abstract: The present disclosure proposes a process for recovering cellulose from groundnut processing industry waste and converting the recovered cellulose into methylcellulose suitable for food applications. The recovered cellulose is alkali-activated using 10% sodium hydroxide, microwave-treated at 320–540 W for 2 min, and high-shear homogenized at 20,000 rpm for 10 min. The treated cellulose is subjected to 50% alkali mercerization, filtration and pressing, acetone treatment at a 1:9 ratio, and methylation using dimethyl carbonate at a 1:3 ratio. The methylated material is cooled, neutralized, filtered, and dried to obtain methylcellulose. Sequential microwave treatment and high-shear homogenization provide process-intensified treatment before methylation. The obtained methylcellulose exhibits physicochemical and functional properties suitable for use as a binder, thickener, stabilizer, emulsifier, water-retention agent, and texturizing agent, while supporting waste valorization and circular utilization of groundnut processing industry residues.
Disclaimer: Curated by HT Syndication.
