Biodegradable superabsorbent particles

1. Particles comprising a combination of a carboxyalkyl cellulose and a starch, wherein the particles comprise a plurality of non-permanent metal crosslinks and wherein the starch is cooked or pre-gelatinized and is selected from waxy starches or starches composed of only amylose and amylopectin.

2. The particles of claim 1 , wherein the carboxyalkyl cellulose has a degree of carboxyl group substitution of from about 0.3 to about 2.5.

3. The particles of claim 1 , wherein the carboxyalkyl cellulose is carboxymethyl cellulose.

4. The particles of claim 1 , wherein the starch is selected from the group consisting of corn, wheat, maize, rice, sorghum, potato, cassaya, barley, buckwheat, millet, oat, arrowroot, beans, peas, rye, tapioca, sago, and amaranth starches.

5. The particles of claim 1 , wherein the starch is present in an amount from about 1 to about 20 percent by weight based on the total weight of the particles.

6. The particles of claim 1 , wherein the carboxyalkyl cellulose is present in an amount from about 60 to about 99 percent based on the total weight of particles.

7. The particles of claim 1 , wherein the non-permanent metal crosslinks comprise multi-valent metal ion crosslinks.

8. The particles of claim 1 , wherein the non-permanent metal crosslinks comprise one or more metal ions selected from the group consisting of aluminum, boron, bismuth, titanium, and zirconium, and mixtures thereof.

9. The particles of claim 1 having a free swell capacity of from about 30 to about 60 g/g for 0.9% saline solution.

10. The particles of claim 1 having a centrifuge retention capacity of from about 15 to about 40 g/g for 0.9% saline solution.

11. The particles of claim 1 having a size less than about 1500 μm.

12. The particles of claim 1 wherein the crosslinks do not include permanent crosslinks.