Abstract: A low calcium sensitive (calcium stable) high acyl gellan gum is prepared for enhanced colloidal stability in beverages. The low calcium sensitive high acyl gellan gum has superior suspension performance for colloidal stability compared to other high acyl gellan gums. The low calcium sensitive high acyl gellan gum is prepared by adjusting the pH of a gellan fermentation broth (polymer solution) prior to pasteurization and reducing the pasteurization hold time compared to conventional pH levels and hold times.

Abstract: A paint drying system for drying a painted body (4), such as a painted motor vehicle, includes a spraybooth (1) having an enclosure (2) through which air flows from an air inlet (6) to an air outlet (16, 18). The spraybooth (1) may also have columns of air jets (34) mounted in respective corners of the enclosure (2) to direct air obliquely at surfaces of the vehicle body (4). The system includes ionization members (33) for electrically charging this air supply. In a preferred embodiment the air is negatively charged by ionization members comprising one or elongate rods (33) mounted parallel with the columns of air jets (34). The spraybooth (2) may also have a control system (210) for controlling the paint drying system (4). The control system (210) has user-operable controls (234) to pre-select a predetermined parameter/combination of parameters and thus control the characteristics of a respective drying stage or cycle which parameters, e.g. temperature, vary with time.

Abstract: A paint drying system for drying a painted body (4), such as a painted motor vehicle, includes a spraybooth (1) having an enclosure (2) through which air flows from an air inlet (6) to an air outlet (16, 18). The spraybooth (1) may also have columns of air jets (34) mounted in respective corners of the enclosure (2) to direct air obliquely at surfaces of the vehicle body (4). The system includes ionization members (33) for electrically charging this air supply. In a preferred embodiment the air is negatively charged by ionization members comprising one or elongate rods (33) mounted parallel with the columns of air jets (34). The spraybooth (2) may also have a control system (210) for controlling the paint drying system (4). The control system (210) has user-operable controls (234) to pre-select a predetermined parameter/combination of parameters and thus control the characteristics of a respective drying stage or cycle which parameters, e.g. temperature, vary with time.

Abstract: A paint drying system for drying a painted body (4), such as a painted motor vehicle, includes a spraybooth (1) having an enclosure (2) through which air flows from an air inlet (6) to an air outlet (16, 18). The spraybooth (1) may also have columns of air jets (34) mounted in respective corners of the enclosure (2) to direct air obliquely at surfaces of the vehicle body (4). The system includes ionization members (33) for electrically charging this air supply. In a preferred embodiment the air is negatively charged by ionization members comprising one or elongate rods (33) mounted parallel with the columns of air jets (34). The spraybooth (2) may also have a control system (210) for controlling the paint drying system (4). The control system (210) has user-operable controls (234) to pre-select a predetermined parameter/combination of parameters and thus control the characteristics of a respective drying stage or cycle which parameters, e.g. temperature, vary with time.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of making a sterilized milk composition containing native gellan gum, wherein the native gellan gum has been pre-treated with a denaturing agent. The method comprises the step of pre-treating the native gellan gum with a denaturing agent such as a common oxidative agent or an alkaline caustic agent prior to mixing and sterilizing the native gellan in milk. Preferably, treatment with the denaturing agent results in reduction of para-cresol levels in the sterilized native gellan/milk composition to below 25 ppb after 12 months of storage, and most preferably, to levels where para-cresol is undetectable by taste. The present invention further relates to sterilized milk compositions and milk-based gellan food products.

Abstract: The invention relates to a modified gellan gum in which the total acyl content as well as the ratio of acyl substituent groups to glycerate substituent groups per linear saccharide repeat unit is altered to be higher than 1. The invention further relates to a process for the modification of a gellan gum to alter its acyl content in which the gum is treated with a weak base such as sodium or potassium carbonate or a suitable phosphate. The process enables “tailor made” gums having appropriate setting temperatures and theological properties to be made. Novel compositions containing them are also claimed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of making a sterilized milk composition comprising native gellan gum, wherein the native gellan gum has been pre-treated with a denaturing agent. The method comprises the step of pre-treating the native gellan gum with a denaturing agent such as a common oxidative agent or an alkaline caustic agent prior to mixing and sterilizing the native gellan in milk. Preferably, treatment with the denaturing agent results in reduction of para-cresol levels in the sterilized native gellan/milk composition to below 25 ppb after 12 months of storage, and most preferably, to levels where para-cresol is undetectable by taste. The present invention further relates to sterilized milk compositions and milk-based gellan food products.

Abstract: This invention provides reduced molecular weight gellan gums. The reduced molecular weight gellan gums of this invention generally have a weight average molecular weight less than about 1.7×106, and typically in a range of about 1.2×106 to about 9.3×105. This invention also provides compositions, e.g., solutions and gels, comprising reduced molecular weight gellan gums. The reduced molecular weight gellan gums of this invention may be prepared by any method which reduces the molecular weight of polymers. Such methods include homogenization, sonication, radiation, oxidation and hydrolysis.

Abstract: A paint drying system for drying painted motor cars, particularly those cars painted with water-born paints. The system includes a spray booth (2) which is supplied with heated air which flows in a downdraft from an upper inlet (32) to a lower outlet (44) and also from wall-mounted air jets. The air from the air jets disrupts the downdraft causing air turbulence within the spraybooth (2) which accelerates drying of the painted cars. In a preferred embodiment, the spraybooth has corner mounted air jets.