Abstract: The invention concerns a method for preparing a lactic acid ester composition based on a lactic acid composition involving a step of transforming the composition into a lactic acid oligomeric composition having a mean degree of polymerisation (DPM) ranging between 2 and 30 approximately; and a step which involves mixing and reacting said oligomeric composition with an alcohol, in the presence of a transesterification catalyst, to esterify all or part of the lactic acid contained in said oligomeric composition. The invention also concerns the use of ethyl lactate as solvent for preparing gelified compositions.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for purifying a composition containing at least a product for internal dehydration of a hydrogenated sugar. The invention is characterised in that it comprises: (a) an optional step whereby said composition is treated, whether after re-dissolving or not, with at least a discoloration means; (b) a subsequent step whereby the composition, optionally treated with discoloration means, is treated with at least ion-exchanging means; (c) a subsequent step whereby the resulting composition is treated with at least discoloration means. Said method is in particular applicable to isohexide compositions, in particular isosorbide or isomannide. The resulting compositions, which exhibit particular characteristics in terms of purity and proportion of some impurities, constitute novel products for use in chemical, pharmaceutical, cosmetology and food industries.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for purifying a composition containing at least a product for internal dehydration of a hydrogenated sugar. The invention is characterised in that it comprises: (a) an optional step whereby said composition is treated, whether after re-dissolving or not, with at least a discoloration means; (b) a subsequent step whereby the composition, optionally treated with discoloration means, is treated with at least ion-exchanging means; (c) a subsequent step whereby the resulting composition is treated with at least discoloration means. Said method is in particular applicable to isohexide compositions, in particular isosorbide or isomannide. The resulting compositions, which exhibit particular characteristics in terms of purity and proportion of some impurities, constitute novel products for use in chemical, pharmaceutical, cosmetology and food industries.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for preparing a lactic acid ester composition based on a lactic acid composition comprising a step which consists in transforming said composition into a lactic acid oligomeric composition having a mean degree of polymerisation (DPM) ranging between 2 and 30 approximately; a step which consists in mixing and reacting said oligomeric composition with an alcohol, in the presence of a transesterification catalyst, to esterify all or part of the lactic acid contained in said oligomeric composition. The invention also concerns the use of ethyl lactate as solvent for preparing gelified compositions.

Abstract: A process for the conversion of an organic material comprising an oxidation step during which an organic material undergoes the oxidising action of an enzymatic means capable of generating hydrogen peroxide, wherein said oxidation step is carried out, wholly or partly, in the presence of 0.001% to 1% of a metal selected from ruthenium, palladium and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: The subject matter of the present invention is a method of manufacturing an aldose or an aldose derivative containing n carbon atoms on the hydrocarbonic chain, characterized by the fact that, in an aqueous phase, at least one acid derivative of saccharide with n+1 carbon atoms containing at least one &agr;-hydroxy acid unit, and/or at least one salt of such an acid derivative of saccharide, is brought into contact with hydrogen peroxide in the presence of a quantity of at least one tungsten or molybdenum salt, said quantity being less than 4 equivalents, preferably less than 2 equivalents, expressed as the total number of moles of tungsten and molybdenum divided by the total number of moles of acid derivative(s) of saccharide and of salt(s) of acid derivative(s) of saccharide.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the manufacture of D-erythrose, characterized in that an aqueous solution of a salt of gluconic acid is brought into contact with hydrogen peroxide in the presence of a salt of a metal selected from the group consisting of cobalt, nickel and ruthenium. It also relates to a process for the manufacture of erythritol by hydrogenation of D-erythrose thus obtained.

Abstract: A process for the conversion of an organic material comprising an oxidation step during which an organic material undergoes the oxidising action of an enzymatic means capable of generating hydrogen peroxide, wherein said oxidation step is carried out, wholly or partly, in the presence of 0.001% to 1% of a metal selected from ruthenium, palladium and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of manufacturing an acid derivative of ose containing n carbon atoms on the carbonic chain, characterised by the fact that an acid derivative of ose with n+1 carbon atoms containing at least one &agr; ketone function, and/or one of its salts, is brought into contact with hydrogen peroxide in a reaction medium without pH regulation.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of manufacturing an aldose or an aldose derivative, with n carbon atoms, characterised by the fact than an aqueous solution of a salt of acid derivative of monosaccharide with n+2 carbon atoms containing at least one .alpha.-hydroxy acid unit, with the exception of gluconic acid, is brought into contact with hydrogen peroxide in the presence of at least one salt of a metal chosen from the group consisting of cobalt, nickel and ruthenium.