Abstract: A process is disclosed for purifying an aqueous feed stream comprising a product organic acid, such as lactic acid, and a strong contaminant, such as pyruvic acid or oxalic acid. The molar concentration of the product organic acid in the feed stream typically is at least 20 times greater than the molar concentration of the strong contaminant. The aqueous feed stream is contacted with a first immiscible basic extractant that has at least a 3-fold greater affinity for the strong contaminant than for the product organic acid. The majority of the strong contaminant and some product organic acid become complexed with the first immiscible basic extractant. The complexed first immiscible basic extractant is separated from the aqueous stream, thereby producing a first effluent stream that comprises product organic acid and that has a greater ratio of molar product organic acid to molar strong contaminant than the aqueous feed stream did.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods for the recovery of an organic acid, such as a heat stable lactic acid, from a feed stream which contains at least one of an organic acid amide, an organic acid ammonium salt, or an alkylamine-organic acid complex. The feed stream is mixed with at least one azeotroping agent. The azeotroping agent is a hydrocarbon capable of forming at least one azeotrope with the organic acid that is produced by the thermal decomposition of the amide, ammonium salt, or complex in the feed stream. Preferably the azeotrope is a heteroazeotrope. The mixture of the feed stream and the azeotroping agent is heated to produce a vapor stream. The azeotrope is a component of the vapor stream. The vapor stream can be condensed to a liquid stream, and the organic acid is recovered in the liquid stream that is produced. When the azeotrope is a heteroazeotrope, the vapor stream can be condensed into a liquid stream, which can be separated into a first phase and a second phase.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are processes for the recovery of 1,3-propanediol from an aqueous feed stream. The present invention involves contacting an aqueous feed stream that comprises water, 1,3-propanediol, and at least one contaminant with at least one solvent extractant to form a mixture. The mixture is separated into a first phase and a second phase. The second phase comprises a majority of the water from the aqueous feed stream. The first phase comprises solvent extractant and at least some of the 1,3-propanediol that was present in the aqueous feed stream. The weight ratio in the first phase of 1,3-propanediol to any one contaminant present is greater than the weight ratio of 1,3-propanediol to the same contaminant in the aqueous feed stream prior to the aqueous feed stream being contacted with the solvent extractant. The first phase can be removed from the separated second phase in order to recover the 1,3-propanediol.

Abstract: Herein is disclosed an admixture, for concrete, gypsum panels, and other cementitious products, derived from fermentation still bottoms. The admixture typically comprises protein, glycerol, and lactate, as well as smaller amounts of other alcohols, sugars, and other organic acids. The admixture may be present as a solution (typically comprising about 30-50 wt % solids) or as a dry mixture. The admixture allows increased flow and reduced water use in concrete and gypsum slurries used in gypsum panel production. Concrete, cement, and gypsum premixes, ready-mixes, and poured structures are disclosed.

Abstract: A process for producing an ester comprises the steps of: (a) feeding to a first vessel a feed that comprises organic acid, alcohol, and water, whereby organic acid and alcohol react to form monomeric ester and water, and whereby a first liquid effluent is produced that comprises as its components at least some ester, alcohol, and water, the components of the first liquid effluent being substantially in reaction equilibrium; and (b) feeding the first liquid effluent to a second vessel, whereby a vapor product stream and a second liquid effluent stream are produced, the vapor stream comprising ester, alcohol, and water, wherein the second vessel is maintained substantially at vapor-liquid equilibrium but not substantially at reaction equilibrium.

Abstract: Film-forming compositions are disclosed that can comprise, on a dry solids basis, 25 to 75 percent by weight of certain starch derivatives and 25 to 75% primary external plasticizer. The starch derivatives can be chemically modified starches that range in molecular weight from 100,000 to 2,000,000. The high levels of plasticizer in the films give excellent film flexibility and integrity. The films are also resistant to penetration by water, oil and/or grease.

Abstract: An improved corn wet milling process is disclosed in which a first stream comprising water, starch, and protein (e.g., gluten) is generated by separating fiber from wet milled de-germed corn particles (e.g. fiber separation step). Membrane filtration (e.g. starch-protein stream thickening) is performed on the first stream, producing a first retentate and a first aqueous permeate. The first retentate (e.g. thickened starch-protein stream) is separated into a second stream and a third stream (e.g. primary starch separation step). The second stream comprises water and a majority of the starch present in the first retentate, and the third stream comprises water and a majority of the protein (e.g., gluten) present in the first retentate. This process provides an economical means of recovering a higher percentage of the available cornstarch for inclusion in high value products.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for purifying an aqueous feed stream comprising a product organic acid, such as lactic acid, and a strong contaminant, such as pyruvic acid or oxalic acid. The molar concentration of the product organic acid in the feed stream typically is at least 20 times greater than the molar concentration of the strong contaminant. The aqueous feed stream is contacted with a first immiscible basic extractant that has at least a 3-fold greater affinity for the strong contaminant than for the product organic acid. The majority of the strong contaminant and some product organic acid become complexed with the first immiscible basic extractant. The complexed first immiscible basic extractant is separated from the aqueous stream, thereby producing a first effluent stream that comprises product organic acid and that has a greater ratio of molar product organic acid to molar strong contaminant than the aqueous feed stream did.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for purifying an aqueous feed stream comprising a product organic acid, such as lactic acid, and a strong contaminant, such as pyruvic acid or oxalic acid. The molar concentration of the product organic acid in the feed stream typically is at least 20 times greater than the molar concentration of the strong contaminant. The aqueous feed stream is contacted with a first immiscible basic extractant that has at least a 3-fold greater affinity for the strong contaminant than for the product organic acid. The majority of the strong contaminant and some product organic acid become complexed with the first immiscible basic extractant. The complexed first immiscible basic extractant is separated from the aqueous stream, thereby producing a first effluent stream that comprises product organic acid and that has a greater ratio of molar product organic acid to molar strong contaminant than the aqueous feed stream did.

Abstract: An improved corn wet milling process is disclosed in which a first stream comprising water, starch, and protein (e.g., gluten) is generated by separating fiber from wet milled de-germed corn particles (e.g. fiber separation step). Membrane filtration (e.g. starch-protein stream thickening) is performed on the first stream, producing a first retentate and a first aqueous permeate. The first retentate (e.g. thickened starch-protein stream) is separated into a second stream and a third stream (e.g. primary starch separation step). The second stream comprises water and a majority of the starch present in the first retentate, and the third stream comprises water and a majority of the protein (e.g., gluten) present in the first retentate. This process provides an economical means of recovering a higher percentage of the available cornstarch for inclusion in high value products.

Abstract: Film-forming compositions are disclosed that can comprise, on a dry solids basis, 25 to 75 percent by weight of certain starch derivatives and 25 to 75% primary external plasticizer. The starch derivatives can be chemically modified starches that range in molecular weight from 100,000 to 2,000,000. The high levels of plasticizer in the films give excellent film flexibility and integrity.

Abstract: Yeast strains transformed with at least one copy of a gene coding for lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) and further modified for the production of lactic acid with high yield and productivities, are described.

Abstract: Film-forming compositions are disclosed that can comprise, on a dry solids basis, 25 to 75 percent by weight of certain starch derivatives having a DE less than about 1, 25 to 75% plasticizer, and 0.1 to 15% hydrocolloid gum. The starch derviatives can be chemically modified starches which range in molecular weight from 100,000 to 2,000,000. These starch-based systems can completely replace gelatin in edible film-forming applications such as soft and hard gel capsules.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for producing an organic acid and optionally for simultaneously producing an ester of the organic acid.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for the preparation of aspartic acid via a fermentation process for the preparation of ammonia fumarate, wherein the pH of the fermentation broth is controlled by the addition of a calcium base to produce a calcium fumarate precipitate, characterized in that ammonium fumarate is produced by separating the precipitated calcium fumarate from the fermentation broth, and reacting the same with a reagent selected from ammonia, ammonium carbonate, ammonia in combination with CO.sub.2 and mixtures therefore, to form ammonium fumarate and a co-product selected from calcium carbonate and calcium hydroxide, wherein the energy of indirect neutralization of fumaric acid by ammonia serves as the driving force for the conversion of calcium fumarate to the desired ammonium fumarate product and for the regeneration of a calcium base reagent, and wherein diammonium fumarate is enzymatically converted to ammonium aspartate and acidulated to from aspartic acid.

Abstract: A novel dry thinned starch produced by continuously feeding a mixture of a base starch and a chemical which hydrolyses the glycosidic linkage of starch to a plug flow reactor, passing the mixture through the reactor, recovering the mixture and neutralizing the mixture. The present invention also includes starches produced by the process and paper products produced from the starch and coated with the starch.

Abstract: A process is described for producing organic acids such as lactic acid. The process includes the steps of producing lactic acid by fermentation, resulting in an aqueous fermentation broth containing lactic acid, and adding a calcium base, such as calcium carbonate, to the fermentation broth, thereby producing calcium lactate in the broth. Biomass is removed from the broth, thereby leaving an aqueous solution or dispersion of calcium lactate. The calcium lactate is reacted with a source of ammonium ions, such as ammonium carbonate, or a mixture of ammonia and carbon dioxide, thereby producing an ammonium lactate. Contaminating cations can be removed by ion exchange. The free lactic acid or a derivative thereof can be separated from the ammonium ions, preferably by salt-splitting electrodialysis.

Abstract: Liquid-centered jelly candy and method for manufacture are claimed. In this invention jelly candy is processed to about 25-30% moisture content and deposited in a starch mold to a level that half fills the mold. A small hard candy pellet is made from sugar, color, flavor, and acidulant. The hard candy pellet is centered on the jelly candy in each of the half full molds. A second deposit of warm jelly candy is filled over the pellets completing the candy pieces. The candy is cured at about 130.degree. F. to about 140.degree. F. for about 24-48 hours. During which time, moisture from the jelly candy migrates to and liquifies each candy pellet forming the liquid-centered jelly candy.The completed candy pieces are cured in the molds at about 130.degree. F. to about 140.degree. F. for about 24-48 hours. During the curing process, the moisture from the jelly migrates into and liquifies the sugar paste forming a liquid-centered jelly candy.

Abstract: A method of preparing reduced fat foods is provided which employs a fragmented, .alpha.-amylase hydrolyzed amylose precipitate. Amylose is precipitated and hydrolyzed with .alpha.-amylase and then fragmented to form an aqueous dispersion that is useful in replacing fat in a variety of food formulations. The amylose can be derived from a native starch which contains amylose, e.g. common corn starch and high amylose corn starch, by gelatinizing the starch followed by precipitation of the amylose.

Abstract: An organic acid can be recovered from a fermentation broth by clarifying the broth to remove at least a substantial portion of the impurities therein, producing a clarified feed; acidulating the clarified feed by adding a quantity of a mineral acid effective to lower the pH of the feed to between about 1.0 and about 4.5, producing an acidulated feed which is substantially saturated with respect to at least one electrolyte selected from the group consisting of MHSO.sub.4, M.sub.2 SO.sub.4, M.sub.3 PO.sub.4, M.sub.2 HPO.sub.4, MH.sub.2 PO.sub.4, and MNO.sub.3, where M is selected from the group consisting of Na, NH.sub.4, and K; extracting the acidulated feed with an extraction mixture which includes (a) water, (b) a mineral acid, in a quantity effective to maintain the pH of the feed between about 1.0 and about 4.