Abstract: Xylose-containing plant material may be hydrolyzed to xylose using a ?-D-xylosidase which exhibits unexpectedly high activity. The enzyme has a kcat value for catalysis of approximately 185 sec?1 for 1,4-?-D-xylobiose (X2) when measured at a pH of 5.3 and a temperature of 25° C.; this is at least 10-fold greater than reported for other xylosidases at 25° C. and their optimal pH. The enzyme also has an isoelectric point of approximately 4.4. When reacted at a pH between about 4.5 and about 7.7, the ?-D-xylosidase exhibits surprisingly high activity for hydrolyzing xylose-containing plant materials to xylose. The xylose released from plant materials may then be converted to other secondary products such as ethanol by fermentation or other reaction. This ?-D-xylosidase may be used alone or in combination with other hydrolytic or xylanolytic enzymes for treatment of lignocellulosic or hemicellulosic plant materials or plant material hydrolysates or xylooligosaccharides.

Abstract: A novel low-carbohydrate digestible hydrocolloidal composition is separated from a cereal-based substrate by means of a specific sequence of steps for treating an aqueous slurry of the substrate. These all-natural compositions are low in digestible carbohydrates, principally starches, and rich in soluble fiber, principally ?-glucan, as well as proteins. The hydrocolloidal products are recovered in high yields, are smooth in texture, have unexpected thickening properties, have a bland flavor, and are useful for texturizing food, especially bakery products. These hydrocolloidal products can also be used as food ingredients for increasing the nutritional level of foods and supplements.

Abstract: Decolorized and/or deodorized zein from corn products may be recovered in high yields using zeolite adsorbents. A solution of a zein-containing corn product in an aqueous alcohol solvent is contacted with a zeolite adsorbent under conditions effective for adsorption of color and odor impurities in the corn product onto the zeolite. Following this contact, the treated solution may be separated from the adsorbent and recovered, yielding substantially pure zein dissolved in the aqueous alcohol solvent. Optionally, the zein may be further purified by subsequently contacting the treated solution with an activated carbon adsorbent or a mixture of activated carbon and zeolite adsorbents to adsorb any residual color and/or odor impurities therefrom.

Abstract: “Locked-ring” C-glycoside derivatives may be prepared wherein the ring of the sugar molecule remains intact without the need for any protecting groups. These C-glycoside derivatives may be produced by first reacting an aldose reducing sugar, which may be a hexose or a pentose, with a ?-diketone to form a C-glycoside ketone. The C-glycoside ketone is then reacted with a ketone reactive compound, such as a hydrazine or hydroxylamine, optionally linked to a detectable label, to form a C-glycoside derivative wherein the ketone reactive compound is conjugated to the C-glycoside at the site of the ketone. The aldose reducing sugar used in the first reaction may a simple pentose or hexose monosaccharide, or it may be optionally substituted.

Abstract: Activated carbons may be produced by carbonization of poultry manure, followed by activation of carbonized manure. Carbons produced from poultry manure by the method described herein exhibit enhanced activity for metal ion adsorption.

Abstract: Bones, bone fragments, and shell fragments on or near the surface of processed animal flesh may be detected by detecting their fluorescent emissions. The surface of the flesh is illuminated with UV or visible light to elicit fluorescence of animal bones or shells, and the fluorescent light emissions are measured at first and second different wavelengths, which wavelengths are selected to yield a substantial difference between the ratio or subtractive difference for bones or shells and the ratio or subtractive difference for animal flesh. The ratio and/or subtractive difference of the fluorescent light emissions at the first and second wavelengths is calculated, and the presence of bone, bone fragment, or shell fragment is determined therefrom.

Abstract: Nitrogen containing compounds are effective as subterranean termite feeding stimulants/aggregants and as masking agents for concealing the presence of other compounds which are repellents to termites, when they are used in low concentrations, less than or equal to about 1000 ppm (0.1%, by weight). The nitrogen containing compounds may be formulated alone, or optionally in a bait or in combination with other compounds effective for controlling or marking subterranean termites.

Abstract: Low concentrations of gossypol and related phyllophage toxins from cotton improve the effectiveness of insecticidal agents against social insects, including cockroaches, and particularly termites and ants. Levels of gossypol and other cotton phyllophage toxins which are sufficiently low as to be non-biocidal to social insects alone, will significantly increase the control efficacy of other insecticidal agents. Consequently, use of these low levels of these cotton phyllophage toxins allows the levels of insecticidal agents necessary for effectively controlling the insects to be significantly reduced relative to applications without cotton phyllophage toxins. Furthermore, insecticidal agents which are normally ineffective for control of social insects when used alone, may be effective when used in conjunction with the cotton phyllophage toxins.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and compositions for controlling food borne enteric bacterial pathogens in animals. Populations of enteropathogenic bacteria may be substantially reduced or eliminated by treatment of animals with an effective amount of the compound Xm(ClO3)n, wherein X is a cationic moiety and m and n are independently selected from integers necessary to provide a net valency of 0. The compounds may be administered orally, providing a reduction in the populations of the enteropathogenic bacteria in the alimentary tract of the animal, or they may be applied externally onto the animal to reduce the populations of any such bacteria which may be present as contaminants on the surface of the animal. The method and compositions are particularly useful for the control of Salmonella species, enteropathogenic Escherichia coli, and Clostridia species.

Abstract: The instant invention is drawn towards transformed strains of Fusarium sporotrichioides effective for the production of lycopene. The transformed strains comprise an expression cassette having three genes encoding, respectively, geranylgeranyl-pyrophosphate synthase, phytoene synthase and phytoene desaturase (i.e. Tri5crtE, Tri5crtB and Tri5crtl). The transformed strains of Fusarium sporotrichioides of the instant invention produce lycopene at levels of up to 0.5 milligrams per gram culture dry weight.

Abstract: Peripheral blood mononuclear cells which have been isolated from an animal that is infected with a microbial pathogen produce nitric oxide in response to stimulation with antigens from that pathogen. Determination of nitric oxide production in cultures of peripheral blood mononuclear cells stimulated with a pathogen's antigens may thus provide an indication of infection of the animal.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for treating infections in animals which are caused by toxin-producing enteric bacterial pathogens, including Shigella species, enterohemorrhagic E. coli, and enterotoxigenic E. coli. Receptors expressed by animal cells which typically recognize these bacterial toxins may be modified by administration of swainsonine compounds to the animal, thereby effectively inhibiting toxin binding to the cells.

Abstract: Novel pseudopeptide analogs of the insect allatostain neuropeptide family which possess biological activity mimicking that of the naturally ocurring neuropepetides are disclosed. By addition of a hydrophobic moiety to an active portion of the allatostatin peptides, analogs are produced which exhibit an overall amphipilic nature and which are capable of penetrating the insect cuticle while still retaining biological activity. Furthermore, by substituting sterically hindered amino acids or aromatic acids for any or all of the first, third or fifth amino acids residues of the allatostatin C-terminal pentapeptide, analogs may be produced which are resistant to degradation by insect peptidases while still retaining biological activity. The analogs may be used for insect control by disrupting critical reproductive and/or developmental processes normally regulated by allatostatins in insects.

Abstract: Novel maize plants having a nuclear genome of maize chromosomes with no Tripsacum chromosomes, but with extranuclear genes or cytoplasmic DNA from Tripsacum floridanum are disclosed. These novel maize plants are fertile and may be readily crossed as the female parent with any maize as the male line, and the progeny thereof will retain the Tripsacum extranuclear genes. The maize plants may be used to convey the Tripsacum extranuclear genes into any maize breeding or inbred line, or to produce novel maize hybrids or inbred lines possessing the Tripsacum extranuclear genes. Maize plants having the Tripsacum extranuclear genes will exhibit modified traits which are controlled by the extranuclear genes or influenced by the interaction of the extranuclear genes with the maize nuclear genome, including one or more of increased disease and insect resistance, particularly increased resistance to the corn rootworm complex, and the production of aerenchyma in the roots.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for continuously measuring the soil strength on-the-fly and at different depths. The apparatus includes a downwardly extending probe having an impedance sensor mounted on a leading edge thereof so as to be impacted by the soil as the probe is moved in a horizontal direction therethrough. A reciprocating drive is also provided which is effective for simultaneously oscillating the probe in an up and down movement while it is passing horizontally through the soil. The mechanical impedance exerted upon the sensor is then measured as the probe is passed both horizontally and up and down through said soil, thereby providing a continuous depth-variable profile of the soil strength over a large area.

Abstract: An apparatus for conveying/dispensing produce susceptible to damage upon impact. The apparatus includes a produce conveyor assembly adapted to receive, transport, and gently deposit produce into an open topped bin or container.

Abstract: A process for significantly increasing the rate of hydration of food crop seeds, such as brown and wild rice, without loss of the nutritious and beneficial portions of the seeds, is disclosed. In this process, the seed of interest is bombarded with an abrasive particulate, which is preferably entrained in a pressurized stream of gas, sufficient to create microperforations in the water resistant outer coat of said seed. These microperforations in the treated seed significantly increase the rate of hydration of the seed and hence decrease cooking time accordingly. Moreover, this process effects improved hydration without removing any significant portions of the outer coat or layers of the seed which lie underneath the outer coat.

Abstract: Termite foods mixed together in a matrix suitable to be used as baits and attractants for termites are provided. This termite matrix is preferred by termites over naturally-occurring foods such as deadwood, trees and wood used in human constructions, and other known termite matrices. It comprises cellulose, water and termite-preferred nutrients. Methods of monitoring the presence of termites using such matrices, and methods of controlling termites using such matrices to deliver termite toxins are also provided.

Abstract: A process of utilizing machine vision for processing in a cotton gin monitors a flow of lint and trash anywhere throughout the cotton gin without impeding or detaining product flow, the measurement being made in real time. A video camera or other electronic photography device takes a multi-spectral image of the trash and lint passing through the cotton gin. The multi-spectral image of the trash and lint is partitioned using spectral values into a trash portion, a lint portion, and at least a third image. In turn, at least the image of trash and lint are themselves formed into a binary image from each of the partitioned images. Thereafter, the binary images of the trash portion and the lint portion to determine the ratio of trash to total lint in the flow of lint and trash. The binary image of the trash can be separately processed to determine the relative amounts of sticks, leaves and burrs present in the trash.

Abstract: Triglyceride oils having unsaturated fatty acid substituents are modified to convert sites of unsaturation to C-2 to C-10 diesters. The resulting derivatives are characterized by thermal and oxidative stability, have low temperature performance properties and are environmentally-friendly. They have utility as hydraulic fluids, lubricants, metal working fluids and other industrial fluids. The triglyceride oils are most easily prepared via epoxidized vegetable oils which are converted to the diesters in either a one- or two-step reaction.