Elimination of Xanthan Microgels by New Enzymatic Treatments

Polysaccharase and particularly combined polysac-charase/protease treatments offer new alternatives for clarifying aqueous xanthan gum dispersions. Each enzyme has its specific action—the proteases on the insoluble residual bacterial cells, and the polysaccharases primarily on the microgels. Preliminary tests of these enzymatic treatments for scheduled field applications show promising improvements in filterability, especially for solutions prepared from xanthan powders.