Patents Assigned to Valio Ltd.
  • Publication number: 20110059220
    Abstract: The invention relates to processes for the separation of milk components by membrane-based processes. The invention also provides processes for producing lactose-free milk products from fractioned milk components, and lactose-free milk products that are prepared from fractionated milk components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2010
    Publication date: March 10, 2011
    Applicant: VALIO LTD
    Inventors: Olli Tossavainen, Janne Sahlstein
  • Publication number: 20110020303
    Abstract: The invention relates to the use of probiotics in the manufacture of a composition for enhancing a metabolic profile in a subject. The probiotics are capable of preventing and treating diseases or disorders associated with an abnormal metabolic profile, especially a lipid profile by normalizing the profile. The probiotics are particularly effective in down-regulating levels of lysophosphatiydylcholines (LysoPCs) and ceramides.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2009
    Publication date: January 27, 2011
    Applicant: VALIO, LTD.
    Inventors: Kajsa Kajander, Riitta Korpela
  • Publication number: 20100285152
    Abstract: There is a need to develop a treatment for metabolic syndrome, which is directed to maintaining healthy liver metabolism and not indirectly through weight loss. The present invention provides a composition comprising whey protein for supporting and improving liver metabolism, especially in connection with fatty liver. The composition can further comprise Ca and health improving components such as probiotics and prebiotics. The composition can be in the form of food, health food, food supplement or drugs. Furthermore, due to the complexity of choice of a valid biomarker and sample matrix, there is a special need to find out specific biomarkers for fatty liver and metabolic syndrome. This invention also relates to a diagnostic method for determining fatty liver on the basis of metabolomic profiling. Statistical modelling methods are used on the metabolomic profiles to identify the biomarkers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2008
    Publication date: November 11, 2010
    Applicant: VALIO LTD.
    Inventors: Taru Pilvi, Eero Mervaala, Riitta Korpela
  • Patent number: 7829130
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process for producing lactose-free milk products. The process of the invention is characterized by the steps of subjecting a milk product to ultrafiltration (UF), nonfiltration (NF) and concentration by reverse osmosis, followed by the addition of salt to the UF retentate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: Valio Ltd.
    Inventors: Olli Tossavainen, Janne Sahlstein
  • Publication number: 20100196524
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the fields of life sciences and food, feed or pharmaceutical industry. Specifically, the invention relates to novel peptides, pilus structures, polynucleotides as well as vectors, host cells, products and pharmaceutical compositions comprising the polynucleotides, peptides or pilus structures. The invention also relates to gene clusters and antibodies. Furthermore, the present invention relates to methods for producing the peptides or pilus structures or producing the products comprising the peptides or pilus structures. Furthermore, the present invention relates to treatments as well as uses and methods for screening bacterial strains, for reducing or inhibiting the adhesion of pathogenic bacteria, promoting the adhesion of bacterial cells to the mucus and for modifying immune response in a subject. Still, the present invention relates to methods for detecting probiotic bacterial strains or pathogen strains.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2009
    Publication date: August 5, 2010
    Applicant: VALIO LTD.
    Inventors: Willem MEINDERT DE VOS, Airi Palva, Ilkka Palva, Justus Reunanen, Ingemar Von Ossowski, Reetta Satokari, Satu Vesterlund, Matti Kankainen, Tuomas Salusjarvi, Soile Tynkkynen
  • Publication number: 20100055286
    Abstract: The invention relates to a low-lactose and a lactose-free milk product and to a process for the production thereof. The lactose in the milk raw material is hydrolyzed, proteins, minerals and sugars are separated into different fractions by the membrane technique, and a low-lactose or a lactose-free milk product is composed from the fractions. The invention provides a milk product, the water therein originating from the original milk raw material. In addition, useful by-products are produced in the process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2008
    Publication date: March 4, 2010
    Applicant: VALIO LTD.
    Inventors: Reetta TIKANMAKI, Harri KALLIOINEN
  • Publication number: 20100055289
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process for separating milk components, wherein proteins, sugars and minerals are separated into different fractions. The lactose of milk is first hydrolyzed completely or partially, after which proteins, minerals and sugars are separated into fractions in a phased nanofiltration. The obtained fractions may also be further processed by chromatography, membrane techniques, and/or evaporation to further improve the separation of said components. The invention also relates to a low-lactose or lactose-free milk composed of these fractions. By means of the invention, calcium and protein losses can be minimized. Also, the energy content of the product can be reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2008
    Publication date: March 4, 2010
    Applicant: VALIO Ltd.,
    Inventors: Harri KALLIOINEN, Reetta TIKANMAKI
  • Publication number: 20090111758
    Abstract: The invention relates to preventing and treating endothelial dysfunction by using biologically active peptides and products containing them. In particular, the tripeptides Ile-Pro-Pro (IPP), Val-Pro-Pro (VPP) or mixtures, concentrates or other products containing them are used. A specific aspect of the present invention is to enhance the elasticity of blood vessels by using said biologically active peptides.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2006
    Publication date: April 30, 2009
    Applicant: VALIO LTD.
    Inventors: Tiina Jauhiainen, Riitta Korpela, Heikki Vapaatalo, Mats Ronnback
  • Publication number: 20080268100
    Abstract: The invention relates to a low-energy, non-fat milk beverage of a high calcium content, the beverage containing a low-energy milk base which consists of non-fat milk, a whey protein solution or a combination thereof and from which carbohydrates have been removed either entirely or partly, and which is rich in calcium, and to a method for preparing the same.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2005
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Applicant: Valio Ltd.
    Inventors: Tiina Tervala, Tuula Tuure, Harri Kallioinen, Matti Harju
  • Patent number: 6972282
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process for preparing a product containing antihypertensive peptides by fermenting a casein-containing starting material with lactic acid bacteria. The invention also relates to the obtained product and its use as a functional product as such or as an ingredient or additive of edible substances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2005
    Assignee: Valio Ltd.
    Inventors: Olli Tossavainen, Tarja Suomalainen, Janne Sahlstein, Annika Mäyrä-Mäkinen
  • Patent number: 6960456
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for preparing conjugated linoleic acid and particularly its cis-9,trans-11 isomer from linoleic acid by fermentation. The invention also relates to products prepared by the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2005
    Assignee: Valio Ltd.
    Inventors: Simo Laakso, Auli Rainio, Marjatta Vahvaselka, Annika Mäyrä-Mäkinen, Soile Tynkkynen, Tarja Suomalainen
  • Patent number: 6890529
    Abstract: The invention relates to a new strain, Lactobacillus helveticus LBK-16 H, DSM 13137, and a bacterial preparation containing the same. The new strain Lactobacillus helveticus LBK-16 H has proteolytic activity and is capable of promoting the production of nitric oxide, and thus it is useful both as a starter bacterium in dairy industry and as a therapeutic substance as such and in various health-promoting products and pharmaceuticals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2005
    Assignee: Valio LTD
    Inventors: Annika Mäyrä-Mäkinen, Tarja Suomalainen
  • Patent number: 6866879
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of removing bovine insulin from a liquid fat-free proteinous material originating from cow's milk, wherein the liquid fat-free proteinous material originating from cow's milk, the material having a pH of 2 to 8, at a temperature below 65° C., is contacted with an adsorption resin, whereby the weight ratio of the proteinous material to be treated to the adsorption resin is at most 100:1, optionally combining with said resin treatment at least one ultra and dia-filtration treatment of the proteinous material, and, if necessary, the liquid material so obtained is concentrated into a protein concentrate and optionally dried to powder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2005
    Assignee: Valio Ltd.
    Inventors: Outi Vaarala, Olli Tossavainen, Outi Kerojoki, Kari Salminen, Marika Eriksson
  • Patent number: 6399140
    Abstract: The invention relates to a whey salt product, which is not bitter in taste, and which is characterized by containing 19 to 27% potassium, 0.5 to 2% calcium, 5 to 7% sodium, 0.1 to 1% magnesium, 17 to 37% chloride and 0.5 to 3 % phosphorus and further 10 to 20% protein and 10 to 35% lactose, to a process for its production and its use as a table salt substitute. According to the invention, the whey salt powder is prepared in such a way that whey or an ultrafiltration. permeate with a dry matter content of 20% by weight at the most, obtained from milk or whey, is filtered through membranes by using nanofiltration membranes, the permeate with a dry matter content of 0.1 to 1.0% by weight obtained from nanofiltration is concentrated and finally dried to powder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2002
    Assignee: Valio Ltd.
    Inventors: Marjaana Allen, Kaija Vesanen, Matti Harju
  • Patent number: 5529908
    Abstract: DNA sequences, derived from Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis, are useful as promoters and promoter/secretion promoting signals for heterologous or homologous expression in Gram-positive bacteria. In another aspect, the invention relates to vectors, such as plasmids, comprising the sequences of the present invention, and to host cells transformed with such vectors. Yet additional aspects of the present invention are related to methods for producing desired heterologous or homologous peptides or proteins employing the sequences, vectors, or transformed hosts of the invention. By means of the invention, greatly improved heterologous and homologous expression and secretion may be achieved in E. coli and in Gram-positive bacteria such as B. subtilis, Lactococcus and Lactobacillus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 25, 1996
    Assignee: Valio, Ltd.
    Inventors: Ilkka Palva, Mervi Sibakov, Teija Koivula, Atte von Wright
  • Patent number: 5378458
    Abstract: The invention relates to a novel microorganism strain Lactobacillus casei ssp. rhamnosus LC-705, DSM 7061, having a yeast and mold controlling effect, to bacterial preparations comprising this strain, alone or in combination with a bacterium of the genus Propionibacterium or another strain of the bacterium Lactobacillus casei and/or with conventional agents used for yeast and mold control. The invention also relates to the use of said strain and said bacterial preparations for yeast and mold control and to a method for controlling the growth of yeasts and molds using a bacterial preparation comprising said strain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 3, 1995
    Assignee: Valio Meijerien Keskusosuusliike, Valio Ltd.
    Inventors: Annika Mayra-Makinen, Tarja Suomalainen