Abstract: The present invention relates to synthetic nutritional compositions for use to promote the maturation and/or repair of the liver and/or gut, and/or to treat and/or prevent and/or reduce the risk of liver and/or gut and/or metabolic disease. The compositions according to the invention have low MCT medium chain fatty acid (MCFA) content and low palmitic acid content.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods for manufacturing a shelf-stable food product. In a general embodiment, the methods include acoustically mixing the food product with an acoustic mixing device during thermal processing of the food product. The methods of the present disclosure provide several advantages including, but not limited to, rapid achievement of a uniform temperature distribution during thermal processing, retention of nutrient content and organoleptic properties of the food product, and retention of particle integrity in the food product during and after mixing.

Abstract: Use of a pomegranate skin extract for use in the treatment of metabolic syndrome, more particularly, fatty liver disease. More particularly, the pomegranate skin extract is used in inhibiting body weight gain in the prevention and/or the treatment of fatty liver disease in mammals.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a composition comprising at least one carrier comprising a polysaccharide, at least one antioxidant and at least one amino acid selected from cysteine, lysine, alanine and arginine. It also relates to the use of such a composition for the protection of microorganisms during drying, storage and/or reconstitution, to a culture powder, to a process of making the culture powder and to products comprising the culture powder.

Abstract: The invention relates to machine for preparing frozen confectionery comprising receiving means (1) forming a seat for accommodating an essentially cup-shaped container (8), said receiving means comprising an heat exchange element (1a) having a heat exchange contact surface arranged to be in contact with an heat exchange portion (12) of the container (8) when the container is placed in the machine; wherein said heat exchange element(1a) has an inverted conical or curved shape or a plurality of inverted conical sections, or a combination of curved and inverted conical sections. The confectionery produced can be a frozen product such as soft ice or a chilled dessert such as mousse or whipped yogurt.

Abstract: Beverage device (1) comprising an upper sub-assembly (2) comprising a brewing interface head (4) and a lower sub-assembly (3) comprising a capsule receiver (5) for being engaged by the brewing interface head (4) between a capsule handling position and a closure head position, wherein the upper sub-assembly (2) is hinged on the lower sub-assembly (3) to be pivotally movable between said two positions and the brewing interface head (4) comprises a frame (7) and a brewing interface member (8); said interface member (8) being arranged to be movable relative to the frame (7) between a disengaging-to-capsule position and an engaging-to-capsule position, wherein it further comprises latch means (9), associated to the brewing interface head (4) and the capsule receiver (5), which are arranged for latching the brewing interface head (4) to the receiver (5) in the closure head position.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the field of lipids and in particular aims at improving lipid absorption, for example under conditions of lipid maldigestion or malabsorption. One embodiment of the present invention relates to a composition comprising a sn-2 monoacylglycerol derivative, wherein the sn-1 and sn-3 positions are blocked by protective groups. The acyl group may be a fatty acid, for example one with anti-inflammatory properties.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for aiding in the diagnosis of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) in an individual. In particular, the present invention is useful for determining whether the individual does not have either celiac disease or inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and has IBS and/or a subtype thereof. Thus, the present invention provides an accurate diagnostic prediction of IBS and is useful for guiding treatment decisions.

Abstract: Capsule processing units of a beverage preparation machine are disclosed, as well as beverage preparation machines containing same. Also disclosed are methods of processing a capsule with the capsule processing unit. The capsule processing unit includes a code reading system, a capsule transfer mechanism, and an actuator unit.

Abstract: Systems and assay methods are disclosed for detecting an autoantibody in a sample. In certain instances, the systems and methods employ a mass tag releasably connected to an antigen. The tag is thereafter released for detection. A tag can be detected by mass spectrometry or in certain instances the tag is fluorescent. Methods for diagnosing a disease or disorder in a subject are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the field of nutrition and health. In particular, the present invention relates to trimethylamine as a biomarker in urine of the efficacy of prebiotics for the prevention of diet induced weight gain.

Abstract: A closure (100) for a container (104) comprises a base (106) and a spout (110) disposed upon a mouth of said container (104) and defining a void space (134) between them; a cap (118) which comprises an inner body (124) concentrically disposed within an outer body (122), said cap configured to be disposed on said base (106) so as to seal therewith; and at least one tamper-evident device (136) extending between and locking together said cap (118) and said base (106), said tamper-evident device (136) comprising a flattened member extending from an edge of said inner body member (124) over at least one frangible link (140) and engaging said base (106) such that when the cap (118) is opened said at least one frangible link (140) ruptures, said tamper-evident device (136) consequently falling into and being partially obscured by said void space (134).

Abstract: The present invention provides a device 1 for producing milk foam, which makes use of Couette flow and a high shear stress that is accordingly applied to a milk-air mixture in a gap between a housing, in particular an outer cylinder, and a rotating element rotating arranged therein. The device further comprises a milk supply circuit supplying the fluid inlet with milk and an air supply circuit supplying the fluid inlet with air, both supply circuits being independent from each other.

Abstract: A machine (1) for preparing a beverage from at least one ingredient (2) comprises: an ingredient processing module (30); an ingredient passage (40) for inserting an ingredient from outside such machine into the ingredient processing module; and a cover (10) that is movable between a position covering the ingredient passage and a position uncovering the ingredient passage. The cover (10) is slidable, in particular translationally and/or manually slidable, from the covering to the uncovering positions and/or vice versa. The cover (10) is associated with at least one fluid-escape opening (10a, 10b, 10b) through which vapor and/or steam can escape from the passage (40) when the cover is in the covering position.

Abstract: The present invention provides a device 1 for producing milk foam, which makes use of Couette flow and a high shear stress that is accordingly applied to a milk-air mixture between two concentrically arranged cylinders 2, 3. The cylinders are rotated relatively to another. The high shear stress leads to an emulsion of the milk and the air, which is the basis for a foaming effect, once the emulsion flows out of a gap 6 between the two cylinders 2, 3 and expands. The parameters of the device 1 that mainly influence the foaming effect are the width of the gap 6 and the relative rotation speed of the cylinders.

Abstract: The invention relates to whey protein micelles for use in the treatment and/or prevention of a disorder linked to an increase in insulin secretion and/or plasma IGF-1 concentration in an infant at risk of developing obesity or diabetes. The invention also relates to a nutritional composition for infants comprising whey protein micelles. Further, the invention relates to a non-therapeutic use of a nutritional composition for infants, comprising whey protein micelles.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to the field of probiotic bacteria. In particular it relates to methods for treating functional GI disorders comprising administering Bifidobacterium longum, such as Bifidobacterium longum ATCC BAA-999.

Abstract: Capsule (1), for preparing a beverage, connectable to a machine (42) for supplying sanitized liquid to the capsule, wherein the capsule comprises: a product compartment (2) containing nutritional ingredients to produce the beverage when associated with the liquid, a spout (3) comprising a housing (6) and a fluid connector (5) adapted to be fluidly connected to a connection part (55) of a liquid supply and treatment unit (47) of the machine (42) and to supply liquid inside the product compartment (2); wherein the fluid connector (5) is arranged in the housing (6) to be displaceable between a storage position in which the fluid connector is enclosed in the housing (6) and a treatment position in which at least a frontal portion (9) of the fluid connector including its tip (7) with a liquid inlet (8) extends beyond the housing (6) for enabling at least the tip (7) of the fluid connector to be inserted in the liquid supply and treatment unit (47) and to be exposed to an optical sanitizing field inside the unit

Abstract: The invention concerns a unit (1000) for controlling transmission of power to a thermal conditioning device (100) e.g. for coffee machine, comprising a controller (2) with a start-up profile for starting-up said device (100) from a temperature of inactivity (TI) to an operative temperature for bringing to a target temperature (TT) a fluid circulating through said device (100) at start-up end, said controller (2) being arranged to allow circulation of fluid through said device (100) at start-up end and to compare the determined temperature (SOT) of fluid circulated at start-up end to the target temperature (TT) and derive a temperature difference therefrom. It is characterized in that the start-up profile has at least one parameter and in that said controller (2) has a self-learning mode for adjusting said parameter as a function of said temperature difference and to store the adjusted parameter for a subsequent starting-up of said device (100).

Abstract: Apparatus (1) for preparing a beverage by delivering sanitized liquid within a package (2) containing nutritional ingredients comprising: a package (2) comprising a product compartment (26) containing nutritional ingredients and a spout (27) arranged for the supply of liquid inside the compartment (26) and a machine (3) comprising: a control unit (11), a liquid supply and treatment unit (8) comprising an optical irradiation chamber (14) arranged for sanitizing liquid circulating therein and a connection assembly (15) for fluidly connecting the liquid supply and treatment unit (8) with the package (2); wherein the spout (27) comprises a fluid connector (28), with a liquid inlet (30), insertable through the connection assembly (15) of the liquid supply and treatment unit (8); wherein the fluid connector (28) is positioned after insertion through the connection assembly (15) in a position of insertion in which the liquid inlet (30) is exposed to the optical irradiation field produced by the optical irradia