Abstract: The present invention provides measurement of avian embryo movement in intact eggs by: directing light into and through at least one intact avian egg, with light of sufficient intensity and duration to stimulate embryo movement, whereby portions of the light exit the at least one intact avian egg; sensing instantaneous intensities of the portions of the light exiting each of the eggs, and; determining a ratio of, range of sensed light intensities (I.sub.R) to average sensed light intensities (I.sub.A), for each of the eggs. The ratio of I.sub.R :I.sub.A is a measure of avian embryo movement.

Abstract: An improved method for the decarbalkoxyation of alkylated .beta.-keto esters to obtain high yields of ketones. In accordance with the method, decarbalkoxylation of alkylated .beta.-keto esters is accomplished by heating the esters in the presence of dilute aqueous alkali and an effective amount of a phase-transfer agent. The method produces commercially practical yields of ketone in a manner which is facile, economical and environmentally safe. Novel methylene-linked pyrethroid ketones produced from the improved method exhibit insecticidal activity against various agricultural pests.

Abstract: The present invention is drawn to a process for extraction of gossypol for cottonseed using a solvent solution which includes: (a) a water miscible organic solvent; (b) water; and (c) an acid which is strong enough to prevent binding of gossypol to cottonseed protein but which is not so strong as to hydrolyze a substantial portion of the cottonseed protein. The present invention also includes cotton seed meals of reduced gossypol content (and optionally reduced aflatoxin and/or fat content) produced by the aforementioned extraction.

Abstract: The present invention is drawn to new processes for sequential oxidative and reductive bleaching of fibers (e.g. natural, synthetic, or blends thereof) e.g. in a single bath, which provide superior bleaching with less physical damage. Said processes comprising the steps of: (1) bleaching fibers with hydrogen peroxide; (2) adding either, (a) a material which combines with hydrogen peroxide to form a reductive bleaching agent, or (b) an inactivating material to inactivate unspent hydrogen peroxide with subsequent addition of a reductive bleaching agent, and; (3) reductively bleaching the already oxidatively bleached fibers. Also encompassed by the present invention are novel bleached fibers produced by the aformentioned processes, having highly advantageous and desirable properties e.g. a high degree of whiteness with low degree of damage.

Abstract: Materials containing both chromium and protein and treated by processes which include the steps of: combining a material to be treated (i.e. containing both chromium and protein) with sufficient water to produce a mixture having from about 75 wt. % water to about 95 wt. % water, and an additive which both provides an alkaline pH and provides calcium or magnesium as an enzyme cofactor. The mixture is thereafter held at a temperature of from about 60.degree. C. to about 75.degree. C. for a period of time of from about 0.5 hour to about 4 hours. Subsequently, at least one enzyme is utilized to hydrolyze the protein, thus producing a product containing solubilized hydrolyzed protein and insoluble chromium. After separation of the soluble fraction from the insoluble fraction, the chrome in the insoluble residue may be recycled into the pickling or tanning process, and the essentially chrome-free protein hydrolyzate is potentially useful as an ingredient in feeds, fertilizers, and cosmetics.

Abstract: The instant invention is drawn to efficient and nondestructive measurement of soluble solids in fruits having a rind or skin, utilizing: infrared radiation source means for providing a beam or near infrared radiation of sufficient intensity to penetrate the fruit, intensity measurement means for measuring the intensity of radiation exiting the fruit, correlating means for correlating the measurements of intensities of the exiting radiation: wherein the near infrared radiation source means and the intensity measurement means are positioned such that when a fruit is positioned within the device, the distance measured along the rind or skin of the fruit between (1) where the center of the beam intersects the rind/skin, and (2) a point on the rind/skin where the center of the field of detection intersects the rind/skin is at least about 8 cm.

Abstract: The present invention is drawn to new processes for sequential oxidative and reductive bleaching of pigmented and unpigmented fibers (e.g. natural, synthetic, or blends thereof) e.g. in a single bath, which provide superior bleaching with less physical damage. Said processes including processes comprised of: (1) adsorption of ferrous ions by pigmented and unpigmented fibers; (2) removing a portion of the ferrous ions from the fibers, with at least a portion of the ions remaining on the pigmented fibers; (3) contacting the fibers with hydrogen peroxide to provide oxidative bleaching including bleaching by interaction with the ferrous ions; (4) adding either (a) a material which combines with hydrogen peroxide to form a reductive bleaching agent, or (b) an inactivating material to inactivate unspent hydrogen peroxide with subsequent addition of a reductive bleaching agent, and; (5) reductively bleaching the already oxidatively bleached fibers.

Abstract: The present invention is drawn to processes for biologically controlling postharvest disease in fruit using isolates of Pichia guilliermondii having the identifying characteristics of NRRL Y-18313, NRRL Y-18314, and NRRL Y-18654. The organisms were isolated from the surface of citrus fruits and are useful to control a variety of fruit-rot pathogens in a variety of fruits. Also disclosed is a biologically pure culture of at least one isolate of Pichia guilliermondii having the identifying characteristics of an isolate selected from the group consisting of NRRL Y-18313, NRRL Y-18314, and NRRL Y-18654.

Abstract: A pheromone biosynthesis activating neuropeptide (Hez-PBAN) hormone, controlling sex pheromone production in moths and controlling melanizing in larvae, was isolated from the brain-suboesophageal ganglion complexes of adult corn earworm Heliothis zea. Hez-PBAN has 33 amino acide residues and a molecular weight of 3900; its amino acid sequence is unique among the fully characterized peptide hormones. Synthetic PBAN and related structures induced production of sex pheromone in ligated H. zea females and other moth species and melanization in larvae that resulted in morphological changes or death.

Abstract: The instant invention relates to a process and apparatus for atomic absorption analysis, utilizing: atomization of a sample (containing one or more elements), illuminating the atomized sample with a continuum light source to produce a resultant light, directing the resultant light through a light dispersing means, detection of light at the focal plane of the light dispersing means using an integrating array detector (e.g. linear photodiode array) for converting the incident light into amplified electrical signals, blocking the incident light from striking the detector means and during this blocking utilizing the detector means to convert integrated intensities into amplified electrical signals, and deriving from these signals a value proportional to concentration. The present invention permits the aforementioned analysis to be performed at a very high rate i.e. at least 40 times per second.

Abstract: A method for dyeing a food by displacing water contained in the food with ethyl alcohol, placing the alcohol treated food into a solution of a dye soluble in alcohol but insoluble in water and allowing the dye to equilibrate within the treated food and subsequently displacing the alcohol in the dyed food with water leaving the dye in the food.

Abstract: The present invention is drawn to new processes for sequential oxidative and reductive bleaching of pigmented and unpigmented fibers (e.g. natural, synthetic, or blends thereof) e.g. in a single bath, which provide superior bleaching with less physical damage. Said processes including processes comprised of: (1) adsorption of ferrous ions by pigmented and unpigmented fibers; (2) removing a portion of the ferrous ions from the fibers, with at least a portion of the ions remaining on the pigmented fibers; (3) contacting the fibers with hydrogen peroxide to provide oxidative bleaching including bleaching by interaction with the ferrous ions; (4) adding either (a) a material which combines with hydrogen peroxide to form a reductive beaching agent, or (b) an inactivating material to inactivate unspent hydrogen peroxide with subsequent addition of a reductive bleaching agent, and; (5) reductively bleaching the already oxidatively bleached fibers.

Abstract: Detection, and optionally quantification, of insect infestation in an agricultural commodity is provided by a pitfall probe trap which permits detection of the presence or absence of live insects in the trap and optionally estimation of the number of insects in the trap. The present invention may be utilized to detect infestation by a variety of different insects such as: red flour beetle, lesser grain borer, rice weevil, rusty grain beetle, and saw tooth grain beetle; in numerous types of agricultural commodities including corn, wheat, rice, seeds, nuts, oats, barley, cotton or any similar commodity which may be infested during storage. Various embodiments are disclosed including use of the traps in a device for telemetry, in various container means for containing an agricultural commodity including e.g. truck, ship, railroad car or storage bin such as a silo or grain elevator.

Abstract: The present invention is drawn to various aspects of automated excision of undesirable material (and optionally excision of bone) from meat, and automated production of starting material for restructured meat, including: (a) an apparatus and method generally drawn to, optical detection of the location of undesirable material in meat, communication of information regarding the location of the undesirable material to a control means, and excision of the undesirable material from the meat using a high pressure water jet controlled by the control means; (b) a bone location sensor and method of bone location sensing, each employing a plurality of needles, and; (c) a multiple blade slicer.

Abstract: The present invention is drawn to new processes for sequential oxidative and reductive bleaching of fibers (e.g. natural, synthetic, or blends thereof) e.g. in a single bath, which provide superior bleaching with less physical damage. Said processes comprising the steps of: (1) bleaching fibers with hydrogen peroxide; (2) adding either, (a) a material which combines with hydrogen peroxide to form a reductive bleaching agent, or (b) an inactivating material to inactivate unspent hydrogen perioxide with subsequent addition of a reductive bleaching agent, and; (3) reductively bleaching the already oxidatively bleached fibers. Also encompassed by the present invention are novel bleached fibers produced by the aforementioned processes, having highly advantageous and desirable properties e.g. a high degree of whiteness with low degree of damage.

Abstract: Detection of insect infestation in an agricultural commodity is provided by piezoelectric means for generating electricity in response to vibration only of a frequency above about 500 Hertz, in vibrational communication with the agricultural commodity. The present invention may be utilized to detect infestation by a variety of different insects such as rice weevil, lesser grain borer, angoumais moth, in numerous types of agricultural commodities including corn, wheat, rice nuts, cotton, etc.. Various embodiments are disclosed including use of the piezoelectric means, on a probe, with a sample cup, in a device for telemetry, and with various container means for containing an agricultural commodity including e.g. a truck, ship, railroad car and storage bin such as a silo or grain elevator.

Abstract: The instant invention is drawn to an apparatus and process for, direct ultrasonic mixing of a sample by use of an ultrasonic probe, in combination with sample conveying and/or sample analysis, thereby providing: convenient automated flexible sample preparation (e.g. mixing), conveying and/or analysis; and/or greater accuracy and precision of analysis than was previously achievable.

Abstract: The present invention is drawn to improvements in egg-free compositions for flan-type puddings (of the type generally described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,722,851), which provide pudding properties more closely resembling the properties of egg flan. The improved egg-free compositions of the present invention comprise: milk, sweetener, rice flour, carrageenan, tetra potassium pyrophosphate, pectin, locust bean gum and at least one material selected from the group consisting of cheese whey protein isolate and xanthane gum.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for controlling the depth of soil penetration of a ground contact implement, such as a planter, furrow opener, seeder, tiller, fertilizer or pesticide applicator, plow, etc. or any combination thereof. The present invention permits presetting of a desired ground contact implement soil penetration depth, and provides continuous dynamic regulating of an adjustable downpressure system in response to changing forces exerted on the device (for example, including those forces resulting from soil unevenness), so as to maintain the ground contact implement at approximately the preset desired depth.

Abstract: Disclosed are processes and apparatus utilizing, choke means at least partially providing restriction to passage of material and measurement of magnitude of force(s) exterted on said choke means by passage of material, to provide: (1) an indication of characteristics of the material, and/or; (2) control of said passage of material and/or control or processes or apparatus associated with said passage of material in response to the magnitude of the measured force(s).