Chemical and Material Sciences
Soluble Biopolymer Catalyst BackboneChitosan has been modified transforming the sparingly soluble natural polymer so that it becomes almost completely soluble in aqueous media. This broadens the application to green chemistry technologies that replace or minimise the use of organic solvents. |
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Modified ChitosanThis modified chitosan provides an alternative structure for argentation by providing a solid support. The polymer, derived from naturally occurring chitosan found in crayfish or lobster shells, is designed to effect the separation of fatty acids into valuable saturated and unsaturated fatty acids and into cis and trans unsaturated fatty acids. |
Process Control to Select for Valuable OlefinsA process modification, which allows one to dramatically improve the olefin selectivity over a wide carbon number range in the Fischer-Tropsch reaction via co-feeding of suitable gases such as ammonia. |
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Synthesis of Nitrogen Containing CompoundsIn this modified Fischer-Tropsch process valuable nitrogen containing products of varying chain length are produced via co-feeding of suitable gases such as ammonia. |
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Production of Potent Antioxidant - ErgothioneineResearchers at UCT have developed a process for synthesising ergothioneine. Ergothioneine is a naturally occurring amino acid that has antioxidant to counter the oxidative stress caused by free radicals. Unfortunately, humans cannot produce it and rely exclusively on acquisition of the amino acid via the diet. |
