Abstract: A composition comprising a dry, clarified, water-soluble, konjac-derived glucomannan substantially free of insoluble impurities, having a nitrogen content of not greater than about 0.25 wt %, which has a turbidity potential as a 1.0% aqueous sol of not greater than about 20 turbidity units, as measured by the Formazin Turbidity Standard, as well as gels thereof; and methods for the preparation of the foregoing.

Abstract: Formulations of chewable pharmaceutical tablets for delivery of prescription pharmaceutical actives, non-prescription pharmaceutical actives, or over-the-counter actives comprise as an excipient an aggregate of coprocessed microcrystalline cellulose and a galaotomannan. Addition of these excipients imparts improved smell, taste, texture, and mouthfeel to the finished product.

Abstract: A process for fractionating agaroid compositions by dissolving the agaroid in a glycol, precipitating a first fraction by cooling and precipitating a second fraction by incorporating a nonsolvent to form two fractions substantially more soluble in water than the initial agaroid. Optionally the solubility of either fraction can be converted to conventional solubilities.

Abstract: Compositions for the gel electrophoresis separation of conformational isomers of nucleic acids and agarose compositions useful in such compositions. The compositions use compositions comprising: at least one aqueous gel which is at least one highly derivatized agarose derivatized sufficiently to reduce its gelling temperature (Tg) to below 17.degree. C., present in 40 wt % or more based upon the gel total weight, in admixture with at least one high gel-strength polysaccharide aqueous gel other than polyacrylamide in a balance to 100% total gel weight; and an electrophoretic buffer, present in an electrophoretic buffer--effective amount. The invention compositions comprise at least one aqueous gel comprising at least one agarose derivatized sufficiently to reduce its gelling temperature (Tg) to below 9.degree. C.

Abstract: Substantially dry, rehydratable, water-dispersible, gel-forming, porous hydrocolloid microparticulates containing internally or internally and externally at least one water-soluble, non-gelling, hydration enhancing hydrocolloid, processes and intermediates for their preparation, and their uses.

Abstract: Disclosed is a centrifuge tube containing a porous selection means for selectively separating and recovering biological substances from gels, broths, or solutions containing the same, and thus concentrating them, the tube comprising separate upper and lower containers and means for joining the two containers to form a unitary device, the bottom of the upper container comprising a porous selection means, preferably a membrane containing a particulate substance which will selectively bind the biological substances while allowing unbound substances to pass through from the upper to lower container while being centrifuged.

Abstract: A composition comprising: (A) a coprecipitate consisting essentially of: (a) a galactomannan, with (b) a glucomannan; and (B) optionally, a gelling agent admixed with the formed coprecipitate. The inventive compositions are useful as the base for food products such as: a gelled or thickened food, a pourable salad dressing; a liquid food or food additive, a food spread such as a margarine or cheese spread, a water dessert gel, a mayonnaise, a frozen dessert, and the like.

Abstract: A solid dosage form, such as a pharmaceutical tablet, containing a rapidly hydratable konjac glucomannan sustained release excipient such as clarified konjac, cryogenically ground konjac and plasticized konjac. The method of making the tablets by compressing excipient and pharmaceutically active ingredient as dry powders.

Abstract: A composition of matter comprising dry, water-dispersible, particles of microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) coprocessed with a glucomannan. The particles are visually spheroidal, have an average size of about 0.1 to 100 microns, and about 60 to 99 wt % of the total solids of the coated particles comprises MCC. The invention also comprises a process for the manufacture of the inventive composition 1 comprising forming an intimate mixture consisting essentially of MCC and glucomannan in an aqueous medium under controlled agitation, drying the resulting flocculate, and recovering visually spheroidal water dispersible particles. The inventive compositions are useful as bulking agents and fat substitutes, and may have a lipophilic and/or hydrophilic material absorbed thereon.

Abstract: A nucleic acid sequencing gel comprising 2 to 10% of a gelling polysaccharide, preferably agarose; a denaturing agent, a non-gelling additive, preferably glycerol, and electrophoretic buffers. This composition is capable of resolving nucleic acid fragments having at least 50 bases and which differ from each other by at least one base.

Abstract: This invention provides electrophoresis gel container assemblies comprising at least a container element, a cover element, and means for releasably sealing the cover element to the container element; methods for fabricating and for using the container assemblies; and kits comprising the container assemblies with or without precast electrophoresis gels therein in combination with at least one electrophoresis auxiliary item.

Abstract: A composition that is a composite of cellulose and a surfactant. The composite is made by the process of coprocessing the cellulose with a surfactant. The composite can be used as a bulking agent in low-moisture or in oil phase compositions, and is especially useful in reduced-calorie foods.

Abstract: A marshmallow-type confection which is rendered heat stable to 400.degree. F. (250.degree. C.) by the inclusion of microcrystalline cellulose (MCC), and which optionally includes at least one natural gum. In additional embodiments, the inventive confection [1] comprises entirely vegetal matter by the replacement of the animal-origin gelatin normally present with a vegetal gum, and/or [2] comprises a reduced calorie confection by the replacement of higher calorie sugars by non-caloric and/or lower-calorie bulking agents comprising additional amounts of MCC and, optionally, lower calorie sugar.

Abstract: A dry composition comprising attrited MCC particles at least partially coated with a barrier dispersant which is an alginate calcium/sodium salt complex; processes for manufacturing the barrier dispersant and MCC particle composition; and methods for using the inventive composition. The alginate salt complex barrier dispersant permits attrited MCC particles to be dried without agglomeration and then to be dispersed in an aqueous medium.

Abstract: A low fat spread, being a water-in-oil emulsion, having a fat substitute which has a particle size in the range of 8-35 microns. A low fat spread having a unique combination of stabilizer, emulsifier, and fat substitute to provide less than 28% fat, and the method for making the low fat spread.

Abstract: There is disclosed an opacifying material of micrgranular protein opacifying material having a mean particle size distribution of 0.1 microns to 10 microns with fewer than 20% of the total number of particles exceeding 10 microns, which is prepared by wet milling denatured whey protein isolate.

Abstract: The viscosity of gellable starch-based systems is enhanced synergistically by admixing with the starch a glucomannan such as konjac. The improved viscosity is maintained at elevated temperature. Other food ingredients may be added to the mixture prior to gelation. Sols formed from the mixture exhibit improved cling to smooth surfaces such as poultry, fish and vegetables, and the resulting gels have high strength and stability even at elevated temperature. The gels become thermally stable by addition of an alkali either before or after gelling, or by freezing the gels with or without addition of an alkali. The compositions are useful in a wide variety of food and industrial applications.

Abstract: A three dimensional porous matrix, such as a reticulated open-cell foam, having within its matrix structure a mechanically-fractured hydrogel containing a network of fracture channels. The mechanically-fractured hydrogel may be a gel that has been partially dewatered by compression of the gel in situ.The porosity of the gel-in-matrix makes it useful for chromatographic applications and for immobilization of biologically-active components, where efficient, intimate contact of the hydrogel with a liquid medium is important.

Abstract: Aqueous gel compositions and their use in electrophoresis, and anhydrous compositions useful in the preparation of the aqueous gel compositions.The aqueous gel compositions comprise:A. water,B. at least one di- or tri-hydroxy C.sub.2-4 alkyl ether moiety (preferably glyceryl) substituted agarose, andC. from about 20 to about 400 mM of at least one borate compound per liter of aqueous gel composition.The anhydrous compositions comprise the agarose in powder form and the borate in powder or aqueous solution.

Abstract: Microcrystalline cellulose intimately admixed with a galactomannan gum such as guar gum, in an aqueous medium and then dried, preferably by spray drying, forms a novel aggregate comprising a powder whose particles are spheroidal in shape. The resulting material may be used e.g., as a low-calorie fat-like material in certain foods. Optionally, a third, edible, component such as a lipophilic material, or a hydrophilic material, such as a proteinaceous material or a polysaccharide, or mixtures thereof, may be incorporated in this composition to enhance taste and/or other desired properties. When this composition, in colloidal form, is added to such foods as salad dressings or dairy products as a fat substitute, it imparts a fat-like mouth feel and consistency without the caloric value of fat.