Abstract: A family of novel feline bitter taste receptors, referred to as feline TAS2R (fTAS2R), are disclosed herein. Isolated polynucleotides encoding the novel feline bitter taste receptors and chimeric polypeptides are also disclosed, as are expression vectors and host cells for expression of the novel feline bitter taste receptors. Methods of identifying compounds that bind to the novel feline bitter taste receptors and modulate their activity are disclosed.

Abstract: A family of novel feline bitter taste receptors, referred to as feline TAS2R (fTAS2R), are disclosed herein. Isolated polynucleotides encoding the novel feline bitter taste receptors and chimeric polypeptides are also disclosed, as are expression vectors and host cells for expression of the novel feline bitter taste receptors. Methods of identifying compounds that bind to the novel feline bitter taste receptors and modulate their activity are disclosed.

Abstract: A family of novel feline bitter taste receptors, referred to as feline TAS2R (fTAS2R), are disclosed herein. Isolated polynucleotides encoding the novel feline bitter taste receptors and chimeric polypeptides are also disclosed, as are expression vectors and host cells for expression of the novel feline bitter taste receptors. Methods of identifying compounds that bind to the novel feline bitter taste receptors and modulate their activity are disclosed.

Abstract: A family of novel feline bitter taste receptors, referred to as feline TAS2R (fTAS2R), are disclosed herein. Isolated polynucleotides encoding the novel feline bitter taste receptors and chimeric polypeptides are also disclosed, as are expression vectors and host cells for expression of the novel feline bitter taste receptors. Methods of identifying compounds that bind to the novel feline bitter taste receptors and modulate their activity are disclosed.

Abstract: A family of novel feline bitter taste receptors, referred to as feline TAS2R (fTAS2R), are disclosed herein. Isolated polynucleotides encoding the novel feline bitter taste receptors and chimeric polypeptides are also disclosed, as are expression vectors and host cells for expression of the novel feline bitter taste receptors. Methods of identifying compounds that bind to the novel feline bitter taste receptors and modulate their activity are disclosed.

Abstract: A family of novel feline bitter taste receptors, referred to as feline TAS2R (fTAS2R), are disclosed herein. Isolated polynucleotides encoding the novel feline bitter taste receptors and chimeric polypeptides are also disclosed, as are expression vectors and host cells for expression of the novel feline bitter taste receptors. Methods of identifying compounds that bind to the novel feline bitter taste receptors and modulate their activity are disclosed.

Abstract: A family of novel feline bitter taste receptors, referred to as feline TAS2R (fTAS2R), are disclosed herein. Isolated polynucleotides encoding the novel feline bitter taste receptors and chimeric polypeptides are also disclosed, as are expression vectors and host cells for expression of the novel feline bitter taste receptors. Methods of identifying compounds that bind to the novel feline bitter taste receptors and modulate their activity are disclosed.

Abstract: A method for improving the palatability of a livestock feed or companion animal food product comprising a basal composition containing unsaturated fatty acids that oxidize to form aldehydes or ketones by contacting the basal composition with a source of bisulfite anions so that any aldehydes or ketones present form organosulfite salts. Bisulfite-treated livestock feed and companion animal food products, and palatability enhancing composition containing a source of bisulfite anions are also disclosed.

Abstract: Oils or fats from plants and/or animals are chemically treated to create flavor/palatability enhancer (FPE) products for use with animal foods, such as dog or cat food. This method involves mixing triglycerides (from the oil or fat) with sulfur and/or nitrogen donor compounds, such as sodium sulfide. The mixture is cooked at a temperature close to boiling, or higher if pressure-cooking is used, for a period of time sufficient to break down large numbers of triglyceride molecules into their constituent fatty acids and other fragments. Under suitable cooking conditions, the organic fragments will react with sulfur and/or nitrogen atoms from the donor compound(s), to form relatively small organic molecules containing sulfur and/or nitrogen. These cooked products can be used as FPE's for pet foods for dry kibbles or biscuits, either alone, or mixed with a standard base compound such as a hydrolyzed liver digest.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for using a waste product which remains when various types of algae (such as Crypthecodinium cohnii) or non-yeast fungi (such as Mortierella alpina) are used to manufacture essential fatty acids. This waste product is a biomass which includes the cell carcasses that remain after one or more essential fatty acids (such as docosahexaenoic acid, DHA) have been extracted from lysed (ruptured) cells. In one preferred embodiment which forms a biscuit-type treat for dogs or cats, algal biomass is mixed with a combination of brewer's yeast, a grain product such as whole wheat, and burnt residues that collect on the interior walls of drying vessels used for spray-drying of yeast extracts. These ingredients are mixed with water to form a dough-like substance, which is made into a desired shape for a dog, cat, or other pet treat. The dough is then cooked to form a pleasant-smelling biscuit-type treat which dogs and cats find highly appealing.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for making the 3R-3'R stereoisomer of zeaxanthin as a sole detectable or heavily dominant (more than about 90%) stereoisomer, for human ingestion. Zeaxanthin, a yellowish pigment which is naturally present in macular cells in the center of the human retina, absorbs blue and near-ultraviolet light radiation, thereby protecting the retinal cells against phototoxic damage. Zeaxanthin preparations which contain only the desired R--R isomer can be produced by a strain of Flavobacterium multivorum cells (ATCC accession number 55238). These cells (and other cells transformed with their zeaxanthin-producing genes) do not create any detectable quantities of the undesired S--S or S-R isomers of zeaxanthin, and they do not synthesize significant quantities of other carotenoids which might compete against zeaxanthin for alimentary uptake after oral ingestion.

Abstract: Preparations are disclosed containing the 3R-3'R stereoisomer of zeaxanthin as a sole detectable isomer, packaged for oral ingestion by humans as a therapeutic drug or nutritional supplement. Zeaxanthin is a yellow carotenoid pigment found in the macula (in the center of the human retina), which helps protect retinal cells against phototoxic damage. The pure R-R stereoisomer can be prepared by fermenting cells, such as Flavobacterium multivorum (ATCC 55238), which do not create any detectable quantity of the undesired and potentially toxic S-S or S-R isomers, and which do not synthesize any other carotenoids. The R-R isomer can be concentrated, in large quantities and at low cost, into a viscous oily fluid containing about 5 to 20% zeaxanthin, by means of a simple solvent extraction process. This oily fluid can be mixed with a carrier such as vegetable oil and enclosed within a digestible capsule, comparable to a conventional capsule containing Vitamin E.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for treating or preventing macular degeneration, one of the leading causes of blindness and vision loss, by administering a preparation of zeaxanthin which contains the 3R-3'R stereoisomer as a sole or heavily dominant stereoisomer. Zeaxanthin, a yellowish pigment which is naturally present in macular cells in the center of the human retina, absorbs blue and near-ultraviolet light radiation, thereby protecting retinal cells against phototoxic damage. The purified R-R isomer of zeaxanthin can be taken orally as a prescription drug by patients suffering from macular degeneration, and it can also be used as a nutritional supplement, in forms such as a vitamin pills or food additives, by anyone who wants to reduce his or her risk of macular degeneration, which is widespread among people over the age of about 50 or 60.

Abstract: Zeaxanthin is produced using Flavobacterium multivorum. The process and the nutrient medium used in the process provide greater zeaxanthin and cell yields per liter, at a lower cost, and more rapidly than known methods and microorganisms. Biomass compositions containing the microorganism of this invention are also disclosed.

Abstract: Zeaxanthin is produced using Flavobacterium multivorum. The process and the nutrient medium used in the process provide greater zeaxanthin and cell yields per liter, at a lower cost, and more rapidly than known methods and microorganisms. Biomass compositions containing the microorganism of this invention are also disclosed.

Abstract: A palatability enhancer composition for pet food comprises a pyrophosphate salt or an acid phosphate salt. The palatability enhancer may also include at least one of the following: an organic acid, a flavor, and phosphoric acid.