Abstract: This invention relates to an extrusion process for the treatment of edible maize. The process comprises the addition of extruded maize which has been milled to dust to raw maize grit which is to be extruded in a cooker/extruder. The addition of the maize dust allows a greater control over the density of the extrudate. Potato powder may be added to the mixture.

Abstract: A continuous flow expander for expanding particulate material, more specifically for grain or cattle fodder, is provided whereby material to be expanded is transported in a substantially continuous manner through a pressurized region wherein it is heated, steamed and pressurized by a counterflow of dry steam created from available city water by a recirculating steam boiler. The material is then ejected by another flow of dry steam created from available water into a lower pressure region for expansion. Enthalpy in the ejection region is automatically maintained within a predetermined range, for grain or cattle fodder from 450 to 750 BTU per pound of moisture being ejected, regardless of the moisture content of the material, by varying steam boiler output and, if necessary, material flow rate. An expanded product requiring no further drying prior to use or storage is thereby provided with minimum energy use.

Abstract: A ready-to-eat, protein rich, cereal product prepared by cooking a moist, free flowing blend, extruding the cooked blend with a generally uniform cross-section and slicing the extruded blend into thin flakes. A sugar composition, containing those vitamins such as thiamine and lysine that are destroyed by high temperature, is useful as a coating for the extruded product.

Abstract: Grits and like proteinaceous material in a form suitable for quick cooking, and possessing a good texture and taste which is comparable to ordinary cooked grits and proteinaceous material is produced by gelatinizing the material with water, steam or mixtures thereof. Gelatinization is achieved by heating the mixture under pressure for a period of time sufficient to completely gelatinize the grits without dextrinization. After gelatinizing the mixture, the pressure is released and expansion of the grit material occurs. The expanded material is then dried to a final moisture content of less than 12% and comminuted to yield a grit sized product which may be readily consumed without cooking in a minimum amount of time. The final product possesses excellent re-hydration qualities.

Abstract: The feed product for ruminant animals is palatable and nontoxic and comprises an energy producing starch bearing substance such as initially ungelatinized grains or vegetable starches; a protein producing substance derived from a nonprotein nitrogenous material such as urea or ammonium salts; and an inert liquid absorbing substance such as bentonite. The three substances are initmately mixed in predetermined quantities and then supplied directly, without any preconditioning treatment and at ambient temperature, into an extruder-cooker in which by frictional heat alone, a substantial portion of the starch in the energy producing substance is gelatinized and integrated with the nonprotein nitrogenous substance to produce the feed product. The resultant feed product has a substantially neutral pH and is characterized by a very slow ammonia release from the non-protein nitrogenous substance.