Abstract: The invention concerns a modified nitrilase with modulated selectivity, characterized in that it comprises in position 162 an amino acid residue different from the original amino acid residue.

Abstract: A method and system for predicting the content level of components in materials based on the response of the materials to near infrared radiation. One embodiment comprises electronically receiving a near infrared reflectance spectrum of a material from a customer, predicting the content level of a component in the material based on the spectrum, and electronically reporting the prediction to the customer. Another embodiment includes the exchange of the customer request and prediction report on a Web site or by electronic mail. Other embodiments include the prediction reports, and uses of the predictions, for example in quality control and toxicity evaluation.

Abstract: The invention concerns a novel method for preparing vitamin E. More particularly, it concerns a novel method for the condensation of Arimethylhydroquinone and isophytol.

Abstract: A method of selecting and enhancing of feedstuffs for use in an animal feed product by analyzing the statistical distribution of the nutritional content of batches of the feedstuff and calculating the number of batches within a predetermined range of a desirable nutrient composition. The cost of enhancing the feedstuff by adding nutrient additives is calculated and batches of the feedstuff are accepted or rejected, with the enhancement step only applied to the accepted batches. The method can be applied to products such as soyabean meal and corn which are major constituents of animal feed. It produces a feedstuff with a lower than natural variance in nutrient composition and a guarantee of a desired nutritional composition without the need for systematic overformulation of the product.

Abstract: A process for the production of methionine which comprises (a) hydrolyzing the methionine amide in the presence of a catalyst comprising titanium to produce ammonium methioninate, said catalyst having a porosity of from 5 to 1000 nm, a total pore volume of from 0.2 to 0.55 cm3/g and a surface area of from 30 to 150 m2/g, and (b) a second step of recuperating methionine from the ammonium methioninate salt by removing ammonia. Also claimed is an industrial process for the production of methionine incorporating the aforementioned hydrolysis.

Abstract: The invention concerns a novel method for preparing vitamin E. More particularly, it concerns a novel method for the condensation of Arimethylhydroquinone and isophytol.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of 2-hydroxy-4-methylthiobutyric acid ester which comprises (a) a first step of reacting 2-hydroxy-4-methylthiobutyronitrile with sulphuric acid to produce 2-hydroxy-4-methylthiobutyramide, and (b) a second step of reacting the 2-hydroxy-4-methylthiobutyramide with an alcohol to produce a 2-hydroxy-4-methylthiobutyric acid ester, the two steps being carried out in the same reaction medium.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for preparing methionine aminoamide. The invention also concerns the preparation of methionine without co-production of salts, from an aqueous solution containing essentially methionine aminonitrile by producing during a first step aminoamide followed by two complementary steps.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for making vitamin A from ethynyl-retro-&agr;-ionol using an allene acetate as intermediate.

Abstract: A stable liquid vitamin E formulation having at least 60 wt % vitamin E comprises water, potassium sorbate, propylene glycol, 1-propanol, polyethylene glycol 400 monooleate and vitamin E oil. The formulation is free of polyoxyethylene sorbitan monooleate and has a viscosity at 20° C. of less than about 1000 cPs.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for the preparation of 2-hydroxy-4-methylthiobutyric acid or the ammonium salt of 2-hydroxy-4-methylthiobutyric acid by enzymatic hydrolysis of 2-hydroxy-4-methylthiobutyronitrile, comprising: a) preparing a biological material having a nitrilase activity; b) immobilizing the biological material, c) exposing the 2-hydroxy-4-methylthiobutyronitrile to the biological material thus immobilized to obtain the ammonium salt of 2-hydroxy-4-methylthiobutyric acid; and d) optionally converting the salt obtained to the corresponding acid.