BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Oligosaccharides are commonly prepared by the controlled hydrolytic cleavage of starches. In the production of such oligosaccharides, the glycosidic linkages of the starch molecules are partially hydrolyzed to yield at least one oligosaccharide species, and more typically, a mixture of oligosaccharides species.

Oligosaccharide mixtures so prepared typically include at least one malto-oligosaccharide species. Malto- oligosaccharides are characterized as having a saccharide backbone that comprises predominantly 1-4 glycoside linkages.

Malto-oligosaccharides comprise a commercially important class of carbohydrates that fall within the general class of reducing carbohydrates, which are carbohydrates that include an acetal group that is in equilibrium with its respective aldehyde or ketone.

Such malto-oligosaccharides find numerous commercial applications. Derivatized malto-oligosaccharides also are known in the art. Such derivatized malto- oligosaccharides also have many commercial uses, including, for example, encapsulants, acidulants, flocculants, adhesives, antiredeposition agents, detergent builders, and so forth.

The prior art has provided numerous processes for the derivatization of malto-oligosaccharides. Known processes are conventional and typically comprise derivatizing the malto-oligosaccharide via a conventional derivatizing process to form a, derivatized product. Such prior art processes suffer from a number of drawbacks, however. For example, when subjected to certain reaction conditions, such as alkaline conditions, malto- oligosaccharides can degrade and/or undergo numerous side reactions to form respectively undesired products of degradation or reaction by-products. Such by-products and products of degradation lead to poor reaction yields, undesired color formation, and difficulties in purifying the desired derivatized malto-oligosaccharides.

It is believed that the so-called"alkaline peeling reaction,"in which the reducing end sugar of a malto- oligosaccharide degrades into smaller molecules, contributes substantially to degradation and by-product formation in the derivatization of malto- oligosaccharides. In recognition of this alkaline peeling reaction, the prior art has taught in other contexts to convert a base saccharide to a glycoside, to thereby incorporate a'protecting group. For example, it is known to incorporate a methyl protecting group at the reducing end of glucose to thereby form the alkaline- stable methyl glycoside. Another approach used in the prior art is the use of non-reducing sugars such as sucrose and trehalose as protecting groups. For example, U. S. Patent 5,780,620 (Mandai et al.) purports to disclose non-reducing oligosaccharides wherein one or several glucosyl groups are bound to both glucosyl groups in trehalose. While the use of protecting groups such as sucrose or trehalose in connection with the preparation of a glycoside may afford an alkaline-stable product, the process of preparing such stabilized malto- oligosaccharides can be laborious and not economically attractive.

It is a general object of the present invention to provide a method for derivatizing a malto- oligosaccharide. In accordance with preferred embodiments of the invention, by-product formation and formation'of products of degradation are mitigated as compared with products formed by known malto- oligosaccharide derivatization reactions. It is also a general object of the invention to provide a derivatized malto-oligosaccharide product.

THE INVENTION The invention is premised upon the surprising discovery that reduced malto-oligosaccharides not only are alkaline-stable with respect to unmodified malto- oligosaccharides, but also may be derivatized to form derivatized malto-oligosaccharides with a surprising decrease in by-products and products of degradation, and further providing other unexpected benefits, including improved yields and improved ease of purification.

Further surprising in conjunction with the derivatization of a mixture of malto-oligosaccharides is the discovery that the change in DP profile of the mixture upon oxidation, and, it is believed, other derivatization, is smaller in conjunction with reduced malto- oligosaccharides as compared with unmodified malto- oligosaccharides. Thus, not only does the derivatization of reduced malto-oligosaccharides generally result in relatively less formation of by-products and products of degradation, relatively increased yield, and ease of purification with regards to unmodified malto- oligosaccharides, the DP profile of the derivatized malto-oligosaccharide mixture generally will be relatively closer to that of the starting mixture.

In accordance with the invention, a method for preparing a derivatized malto-oligosaccharide is provided. Generally, the method comprises the steps of

providing a hydrogenated malto-oligosaccharide, and derivatizing the hydrogenated malto-oligosaccharide to thereby form a derivatized malto-oligosaccharide. The malto-oligosaccharide may be obtained via the steps of providing the malto-oligosaccharide and hydrogenating the malto-oligosaccharide to thereby obtain a hydrogenated malto-oligosaccharide. Derivatized malto- oligosaccharides prepared in accordance with the method of the invention also fall within the scope of the invention. The scope of derivatization encompassed by the invention is not contemplated to be limited, and thus, for example, the hydrogenated malto- oligosaccharides may be derivatized via oxidation, esterification, etherification, or other suitable derivatization reaction. The hydrogenated malto- oligosaccharide also may be modified enzymatically to yield enzymatically modified malto-oligosaccharides.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, a mixture of hydrogenated malto- oligosaccharide is derivatized. Most preferably, the mixture is obtained via the hydrogenation of a mixture of malto-oligosaccharides under reaction conditions suitable to substantially preserve-the DP profile of the reaction mixture, as taught in co-pending application Serial No.

PCT/US99/01098.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The method of the invention is generally contemplated to be applicable to any malto- oligosaccharides species or mixture of a plurality of malto-oligosaccharides species. By"malto- oligosaccharide"is contemplated any species comprised of plural saccharide units linked predominately via 1-4 linkages, thus including, for example, maltodextrins and syrup solids. In preferred embodiments of the invention, at least 500 of the saccharide units in the malto- oligosaccharide are linked via 1-4 linkages. More

preferably, at least about 60% saccharide units are linked via 1-4 linkages; even more preferably, at least about 80% of the saccharide units are so linked. Malto- oligosaccharides are contemplated to include saccharides species having an odd DP value, such as maltotriose.

Malto-oligosaccharides may be characterized by their degree of polymerization (DP), which refers to the number of saccharide monomer units in each molecule. Each malto-oligosaccharide saccharide species also may be characterized by its dextrose equivalent value (DE), which generally indicates the proportion of aldehyde, hemiacetal, or ketone groups in the molecule. Malto- oligosaccharides having a DE less than 20 prior to hydrogenation are known as maltodextrins, whereas malto- oligosaccharides having a DE of 20 or greater are known as syrup solids. The invention is contemplated to find particular applicability in connection with the derivatization of mixtures of a plurality of malto- oligosaccharides species. The malto-oligosaccharides species in the mixture may be different at least in DP value, thus defining a DP profile for the mixtures. The DP profile may be partially defined by a saccharides species having a DP value of 1, for example, dextrose or sorbitol. The mixture further may include other saccharides species or other components.

Preferably, in conjunction with the derivatization of a mixture of malto-oligosaccharides, at least a portion of the malto-oligosaccharides species in the mixture has a DP value greater than 5, and more preferably, at least one of the malto-oligosaccharides species in the mixture has a DP value of 8 or more. More preferably, at least one species has a DP value of at least 10. For example, in preferred embodiments of the invention, at least 80% of the malto-oligosaccharides species in the mixture have a DP greater than 5, and at least 60% may have a DP greater than 8. In another embodiment, at least 80% of the malto-oligosaccharides

species have a DP greater than 10. In some embodiments of the invention, the DP profile of the malto- oligosaccharides mixture is such that at least 75% of the malto-oligosaccharides species in the mixture have a DP greater than 5 and at least 40-oc species in the mixture have a DP greater than 10. Such starting materials may be obtained conventionally, for example, by the partial hydrolysis of starch.

Suitable malto-oligosaccharides are sold as malto- dextrins under the trademark MALTRIN by Grain Processing Corporation of Muscatine, Iowa. The MALTRINX malto- dextrins are malto-oligosaccharide products, each product having a known typical DP profile. Suitable MALTRINO malto-dextrins that may be derivatized in accordance with the present invention include, for example, MALTRINO M040, MALTRINX M050, MALTRIN M100, MALTRINX M150, and MALTRINX M180. Typical approximate DP profiles for the subject MALTRIN maltodextrins are set forth in the following table (the DP profiles being approximate as indicated in the table): Typical DP profile (% dry solids basis) DP M180 M150 M100 M050 profile DP>8 46.6 ~4% 54.7 ~4% 67.8 ~4% 90.6 ~4% DP 8 3.9 ~2% 4.8 ~1.5% 4.5 ~1.5% 1.5 ~1% DP 7 9.5 ~2% 9.1 ~1.5% 7.0 ~1.5% 1.5 ~1% DP 6 11.4 ~2% 8.4 ~1.5% 6.1 ~1.5% 1.4 ~1% DP 5 5.9 ~2% 4.7 ~1.5% 3.3 ~1.5% 1.3 ~1% DP 4 6.4 ~2% 5.5 ~1.5% 3.7 ~1.5% 1.1 ~1% DP 3 8.3 ~2% 4.8 ~1% 2.5 ~1% 1.0 ~1% DP 2 6.2 ~2% 4.8 ~1% 2.5 ~1% 0.8* 1% DP 1 1.8 #1.5% 1.3 #1% 0.7* #1% 0.8* #1% 0.3* #1% * MINIMUM VALUE = 0%

The invention encompasses the derivatization of maltodextrin starting materials that have substantially the foregoing approximate DP profiles, however made.

Other malto-oligosaccharides suitable for use in conjunction with the invention include other malto- dextrins, such as MALTRINO M440, MALTRINO M510, MALTRINX M550, MALTRINX M580, MALTRINX M700, as well as corn syrup solids such as MALTRINO M200 and MALTRINX M250 (these having a DE > 25 prior to hydrogenation). The invention is not limited to derivatization of the foregoing malto- oligosaccharides species or mixtures, and indeed, any suitable malto-oligosaccharide may be derivatized in conjunction with the invention.

Most preferably, the mixture of malto- oligosaccharides is catalytically hydrogenated to thereby substantially reduce the malto-oligosaccharides in the mixture, in some cases to a DE of essentially zero, as set forth in more detail in co-pending application serial no. PCT/US98/01098 (published as WO 99/36442). By "substantially reduced"is meant that the DE of the malto-oligosaccharide is reduced by at least about 85%, and preferably at least about 90%, relative to the initial DE thereof. The term"essentially zero"as used herein with respect to DE value refers to hydrogenated product having a DE of less than about 1. Further details concerning catalytic hydrogenation of malto- oligosaccharide mixtures are set forth in the aforementioned co-pending application serial no.

PCT/US98/01098.

While is not intended to limit the invention to a particular theory of operation, it is believed that the reducing end group at the leading C-1 position of the malto-oligosaccharide aldose is generally the most reactive group on the molecule. When an unmodified malto-oligosaccharide is derivatized, for example, by oxidation, it is believed that oxidation will occur first

at this position, followed by oxidation at the primary alcohol (C-6) positions on the molecule. Because the rate of the reaction is higher at the C-1 reducing end group, alternative degradation mechanisms may occur by the time the C-6 alcohols are oxidized. When the reducing end group is hydrogenated to form the corresponding alditol, however, this phenomenon is mitigated against. All of the primary alcohol groups on the malto-oligosaccharides molecule will oxidize at similar rates, thus limiting the amount of by-product formation. As the degree of polymerization of the malto- oligosaccharides increases, the number of C-6 groups increases relative to the single leading C-1 group on the malto-oligosaccharide molecule, thus leading to proportionally greater benefits.

In accordance with the invention, the malto- oligosaccharide is derivatized, by which generally is contemplated incorporating one or more substituents or chemical modifications in one or more positions on one or more saccharide units in the malto-oligosaccharide molecule. The extent of the derivatization can be expressed via the degree of substitution (DS) of the malto-oligosaccharide. In conjunction with the invention, it is possible to derivatize the malto- oligosaccharide to a DS of greater than or equal to 0.25, even more preferably, a DS of about 0.5 and even more preferably, a DS greater than about 0.8. Where applicable, the extent of derivatization may be expressed in terms of molar substitution ("MS"), for example, in the case of hydroxyalkylation. The extent of derivatization may be adjusted to the degree desired for a given application. Surprisingly, it has been found that the use of hydrogenated malto-oligosaccharides often affords a product that has a higher DS than that which would be obtained via derivatization of an unmodified malto-oligosaccharide under similar reaction conditions.

The invention is applicable to the derivatization of

mixtures of malto-oligosaccharides, wherein at least a portion of the malto-oligosaccharides in the mixture are derivatized. By"at least a portion"is contemplated any portion of the malto-oligosaccharides, including without limitation the derivatization of some or all malto- oligosaccharides of a given DP value.

While the invention is applicable to any derivatization via any substituent, the invention finds particular applicability to those derivatization chemistries that employ alkaline conditions.

Particularly suitable derivatizations include oxidations, etherifications, and esterifications. The invention is also applicable to enzymatic modifications of the malto- oligosaccharide, which enzymatic modifications may result in an oxidized, etherified, esterified or otherwise derivatized or modified malto-oligosaccharide.

Generally, any reaction conditions that will result in a derivatized malto-oligosaccharide, except possibly highly acidic conditions that might allow for hydrolysis of glycosidic linkages, may be employed. The malto- oligosaccharide preferably is derivatized in aqueous solution at a pH greater than about 6.0, and more preferably under alkaline conditions (i. e., a pH grater than 7.0).

For example, with respect to derivatization the oxidation of the malto-oligosaccharide in one or more primary alcohol positions to form carboxylic acids, a variety of oxidation reactions are known in the art and are applicable for use in conjunction with the invention.

Suitable oxidizing reactants include nitroxyl radicals, nitrogen dioxide and tetroxide, and hydrogen peroxide.

Alternatively, the oxidation may also be effectuated enzymatically or via electrolytic methods. Suitable such reactions are disclosed in Arts et al., Synthesis 1997 (6): 597-613; Roper, in Carbohydrates-As Orqanic Raw Materials, Ch. 13: 267-288 (1991); and in published International Application No. WO 95/07303.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, the malto-oligosaccharide is oxidized in the presence of a metal catalyst, such as platinum or palladium. The oxidation of glucose using palladium on carbon doped with bismuth has been described in EP 142,725 and in U. S. Patent No. 4,845,208, and the oxidation of starch hydrolysates has been disclosed in U. S. Patent 4,985,553 and in published International Application No. WO 97/34861. Platinum is preferred over palladium for oxidizing alcohol groups, inasmuch as platinum is less prone to deactivation by oxygen.

However, platinum-catalyzed oxidation of dextrose to yield glucaric acid traditionally has been plagued with high levels of by-product formation, In EP 775,709, a method of combining noble metal catalysis with an electrodialysis separation is disclosed. Other oxidations known in the art include those disclosed in Glattfeld and Gershon, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 60: 2013 (1938); Heynes and Paulsen, Ana. Chem. 69: 600 (1957); Heynes and Beck, Chem. Ber. 91: 1720 (1958); U. S. Patent 5,109,128; EP 548,339. WO 95/07303 (use of 2,2,6,6,- tetramethylpiperdine 1-oxyl in conjunction with an oxidant system that includes sodium bromide and sodium hypochlorite to oxidize carbohydrates selectively at the C-6 position at pH's ranging from 9.8 to 11.5), and WO 92/18542 (alkaline oxidation in the present of metal ions in molecular oxygen, and a polydentate and amine ligand).

The invention also is contemplated to be applicable to etherification of malto-oligosaccharides. Preferred etherification reactions include ethoxylations, propoxylations, and similar alkoxylations, as well as reactions to introduce a cationic charge by using reagents such as 3-chloro-2-hydroxypropyl-trimethyl ammonium chloride or like reagents. Any suitable reagents in reaction conditions as are known or as may be found to be suitable may be used in conjunction with the invention. For example, reagents such as octyl bromide,

allyl bromide, propylene oxide, ethylene oxide, and like chemicals conventionally used in connection with ether formation may be employed, as well as higher molecular weight polymers conventionally used in epoxide ring opening or nucleophilic displacement reactions, such as glycidyl ethers, and so forth. The etherification reaction may comprise combining the malto-oligosaccharide and alkylene oxide in any amount effective to achieve derivatization. In one embodiment, the alkylene oxide is present in an amount greater than 40% by weight of the malto-oligosaccharides starting material, such as an amount greater than 45% by weight of the malto- oligosaccharide starting material. The reaction conditions may be any conditions suitable to form a malto-oligosaccharide-alkyl ether.

Another example of the derivatization of a malto- oligosaccharide is via esterification. The esterification reaction preferably incorporates any acyl group having from 2 to 20 carbon atoms. The acyl group may be added via conventional means, such as using an acid chloride or acid anhydryde, or by such other means as may be found to be suitable. The malto- oligosaccharide may be esterified to form an acetate, benzoate, octenylsuccinate, or other suitable ester. A common esterification reaction in which a hydrogenated malto-oligosaccharide would be advantageous is an octenyl-succinylation reaction, such as that disclosed in U. S. Patent 5,720,978.

The malto-oligosaccharide also may be derivatized via enzymatic modification. Any suitable enzyme as may be known or may be found to be suitable may be used in conjunction with the invention to modify the malto- oligosaccharide. It is contemplated that the enzymatic modification may result in a malto-oligosaccharide that is oxidized, esterified, or otherwise derivatized or modified. The term"derivatized"in conjunction with an enzymatically modified malto-oligosaccharide is intended

to encompass such modifications as may be effected by the enzymatic modification.

The following non-limiting Examples are provided to illustrate preferred embodiments of the present invention.

EXAMPLES Example 1 Oxidation of Malto-Olicrosaccharide In 651 ml of deionized water was slurried 1.79 grams 10% platinum on graphite (Johnson Matthey type B101026- 10). The slurry was heated to 60° C while purging with nitrogen (1.5 L/min). Once the slurry reached temperature, 14.7 grams hydrogenated MALTRINO M180 was added. The nitrogen flow was replaced with 0.2 L/min oxygen. The reaction pH was controlled at pH 9.0 with 0.5M NaOH. Once 0.25 equivalents of NaOH was consumed (5 hours), the oxygen flow was terminated and the sample was diluted to 2 liters, then vacuum filtered through #3 Whatman filter paper, frozen, and freeze dried. The samples were analyzed for ash and for carboxyl degree of substitution via a conventional titrametric process.

MALDI (matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization) mass spectra was obtained.

As a control, 14.8 grams unmodified MALTRINX M180 was oxidized under similar reaction conditions. After 5 hours and 49 minutes, 0.127 equivalents of NaOH was found to have been consumed. The following results were obtained: Analysis Example 1 Control Ash 2.18 6.83 DS 0.206 0.322 Degree of Sample Molecular Weight Polymer- ization (DP) Units MALTRIN Example 1 Control M180 (Derivatized (Derivatized MALTRIN# Hydrogenated M180) MALTRIN M180) Major Peak Minor Peak Major Peak Minor Peak 3 530 565 545 527 549 4 690 727 692 689 728 5 851 890 853 851 891 6 1013 1052 1014 1013 1052 7 1175 1214 1176 1175 1214 8 1337 1376 1337 1339-- 9 1498 1499 1538 1501-- 10 1660 1660 1700 1662 12 1985 1984 2021 1988 14 2308 2308 2346 2310 16 2632 2630 2669 2632 18 2955 2954 29922954 20 3281 3277--3276 26 4244 ------ 41 6678--------

The degree of substitution was higher for the control because the uncontrolled oxidation reaction created more carboxyl groups as degradation products.

The color of the product of Example 1 was significantly less than that of the control. The mass spectra indicated a significant drop in the overall molecular weight and DP profile of both of the oxidized samples, but a significantly greater preservation of molecular weight with the product of Example 1, with the maximum observed peak given as 4241 daltons for example 1, and 3276 daltons for the control.

Example 2 Propoxylation of Malto-Oliaosaccharide In a 500 ml reaction flask, which was equipped with a magnetic stirrer, a temperature control, and a condenser, 200 grams hydrogenated maltodextrin (MALTRINX M180) was dissolved in 60 grams deionized water. To this solution was added 5.6 grams potassium hydroxide and 62.8 grams propylene oxide. The reaction mixture was refluxed for 16 hours, and allowed to heat to 65° C. Once the reaction reached temperature, it was terminated with the addition of 7 grams sodium bisulfite. The final reaction mixture had an orange color. The reaction mixture was ion-exchanged on a dual column system of 150 ml DOWEXS MONOSPHERE 66 (hydroxide form) and 150 ml DOWEX (D MONOSPHERE 88 (hydrogen form), and then freeze dried to give a white product.

As a control, 140 grams MALTRINO M180 was similarly propoxylated. The reaction mixture was a dark orange to brown color after termination with sodium bisulfite.

After ion exchanging and freeze drying, the given product had a yellow color.

Each product was evaluated for hydroxypropyl degree of substitution via a conventional technique. The following results were obtained: Analysis Example 2 Control 2 DS 0.93.46 The color of the control was significantly greater than the product of Example 2. No. significant difference in maximum molecular weight was observed. The propoxylation reaction of the present invention thus yielded a product having significantly less color and higher DS as compared with the control.

Example 3 Carboxymethylation of Malto-Oliqosaccharide Fifty grams of hydrogenated MALTRINO M100 was dissolved in 100 ml water. Monochloroacetic acid (0.5 equivalents) was added, followed by 24.2 grams of 50% NaOH (1.0 equivalent) The mixture was heated to 70° C. and held at this temperature for 2 hours. After 2 hours, the pH was measured and found to be 11.2, after which the pH was adjusted to a final pH of 8.0 with the addition of 6N HC1. The reaction contents were cooled and then slowly poured into 2000 liters methanol to precipitate a beige-colored solid. The solid was washed with a second 200 ml aliquot of methanol and dried under vacuum for 2 days to yield 58.1 grams of a product which contained 13.4% moisture and 5.75 ash. The ash-moisture-corrected theoretical yield of the product was 85%. The DS was determined via a conventional titrametric process and was found to be 0.30. MALDI molecular weight analysis demonstrated a maximum molecular weight of 2241 daltons and strong evidence of mono-, di-and tri-substituted carboxymethylation of the malto-oligosaccharide molecules.

As a control, 50 grams of MALTRIN M100 was carboxymethylated in a similar reaction. After the initial reaction mixture hadbeenheldfor2 hours, the reaction pH was found to be 8.0. The precipitated solid was dark yellow, and the dry solid yield was 35.3 grams product which contained 11.2 percent moisture and 4% ash.

The ash-and moisture-corrected theoretical yield was 54%, and the DS was found to be 0.22. The maximum molecular weight was found to be 1236 daltons, and the mass spectra analysis gave some evidence only for mono-substitution.

The control had significantly-more color than the product of Example 3. This Example illustrates that a higher DS, better recovery, better preservation of molecular weight, and better color were obtained with hydrogenated malto- oligosaccharides in accordance with the invention than the control.

Example 4 Hydroxypropyl Trimethylammonium chloride Derivatization of Malto-Oligosaccharide Two hundred grams (dry solid basis) of hydrogenated MALTRINX M100 was dissolved in 280 ml water. To this solution was added 24.0 grams of a 50% solution (0.24 equivalents) sodium hydroxide over a period of 10 minutes. QUAB 151 (2,3 epoxypropyl-n, n,- trimethylammonium chloride, DeGussa Corp.) 214.0 grams of a 70% solution (0.8 equivalents) was added to the reaction and the temperature was maintained at 60° C for three hours. After three hours the reaction mixture was a rusty brown color. The solution was pH-adjusted to 6.0 with HC1 and freeze dried to yield 340 grams of a light brown solid. The unpurified, recovered yield after moisture and ash correction was 88%. MALDI molecular weight analysis indicated a maximum molecular weight about 1603 daltons.

As a control, 200 grams unmodified MALTRINX M100 was similarly derivatized. After three hours, the reaction

mixture was found to be black and viscous. The purified, recovered yield was 92%, but MALDI molecular weight analysis indicated a maximum molecular weight of about 1330 daltons. The control had significantly more color than the Example. Both the products of Example 1 and of the control were substituted to about the same extent, as evidenced by nitrogen combustion analysis. Thus, the Example provided a product with less color, and better preservation of molecular weight than the control.

All of the foregoing examples illustrate that an improved product, with improved ease of purification (as evidenced by the lower color levels), may be obtained using hydrogenated malto-oligosaccharides.

Example 5 Enzymatic Modification of Malto-Olicrosaccharide Hydrogenated MALTRINO M180,50g, is dissolved in 25g of water and pH controlled at 7.0. Vinyl acetate, 5g, is poured into the reaction mixture and the system stirred vigorously. Porcine pancreatic lipase, 5g, is added and the reaction is stirred for 24 hours at ambient temperature. The resulting maltodextrin is isolated by precipitation by ethanol, and dried to yield a partially acetylated product.

While particular embodiments of the invention have been shown, it should be understood that the invention is not limited thereto since modifications may be made by those skilled in the art, particularly in light of the foregoing teachings. It is, therefore, contemplated by the appended claims to cover any such modifications as incorporate those features which constitute the essential features of these improvements within the true spirit and scope of the invention. All references and cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties.

The disclosure of co-pending application serial no.

PCT/US98/01098 also is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.