Synthesis of a potato starch-based concentrating polymer and its application in the concentration of extraction solutions

Superabsorbent polymers were prepared with different combinations of reagents, and a potato starch-based polymer was synthesized for concentrating extraction solutions. This polymer was composed of potato starch:water:NaOH:acrylic acid (70% neutralized):K2S2O8:glycerol at a ratio of 4:40:1.5:28:0.05:0.45, and absorbed water at up to 767.3, 211.7 and 47.0–59.0 times its own weight in distilled water, bovine serum albumin solution and 0.9% NaCl or extraction solutions, respectively. The polymer can be used for concentrating both macromolecular and small-molecule solutions, with recovery rates of 90% or higher after concentration to 1/3 of the original volume. The results demonstrate that the described polymer can be used for the simple and efficient concentration of extract solutions at room or low temperatures with low energy cost, particularly useful for temperature-sensitive substances.