Abstract: There is disclosed a method for preventing or minimizing biodegradation of a substance which normally contains a naturally occurring optical isomer which comprises replacing the naturally occurring optical isomer with the corresponding unnatural optical isomer.

Abstract: Tagatose is added to an organ storage and preservative solution to reduce reperfusion injury of the organ during surgery and/or following removal of the organ from a subject.

Abstract: A method for increasing the fertility of a female mammal comprising administering to said female mammal an efficacious amount of tagatose. A method for promoting healthy fetal development in a pregnant female mammal which comprises administering to said mammal an efficacious amount of tagatose. A method for increasing the birth weight of a fetus in a pregnant female mammal which comprises administering to said mammal an efficacious amount of tagatose. A method for reducing excessive food intake of a pregnant female mammal which comprises administering to said mammal an efficacious amount of tagatose.

Abstract: A method for enhancing the blood factors of a mammal comprising administering to a mammal in need of such enhancement an efficacious amount of tagatose.

Abstract: This invention discloses edible formulations and pharmaceutical compositions containing D-tagatose and the effect of consumption of such formulations on blood level of glucose. D-Tagatose was found to be an anti-hyperglycemic agent. In addition, consumption of D-tagatose in sweetened formulations to inhibit formation of advanced glycosylation end-products in mammals is disclosed. The combination of the anti-hyperglycemic effect and the inhibition of formation of glycosylated proteins and nucleic acids make D-tagatose an ideal agent for alleviating the complications resulting from hyperglycemia, including acceleration of the aging process.

Abstract: This invention discloses the usefulness of D-tagatose as a treatment for hyperglycemia, diabetes mellitus, and the inhibition of formation of advanced glycosylation end-products associated with the aging process.This invention discloses edible formulations and pharmaceutical compositions containing D-tagatose and the effect of consumption of such formulations on blood level of glucose. D-Tagatose was found to be an anti-hyperglycemic agent. In addition, consumption of D-tagatose in sweetened formulations to inhibit formation of advanced glycosylation end-products in mammals is disclosed. The combination of the anti-hyperglycemic effect and the inhibition of formation of glycosylated proteins and nucleic acids make D-tagatose an ideal agent for alleviating the complications resulting from hyperglycemia, including acceleration of the aging process.

Abstract: Free flowing, substantially pure, non-hygroscopic crystalline .beta.-L-gulopyranose is disclosed. This crystalline form of L-gulose is characterized by a sharp melting point of 130.degree.-132.degree. C., a specific optical rotation of +40.degree., characteristic mutarotation, a characteristic X-ray powder diffraction pattern, and a characteristic infrared spectrum. A method for preparation of crystalline .beta.-L-gulopyranose from L-gulose syrup is also disclosed. This method involves dilution of the L-gulose syrup, followed by initiation of crystallization, and isolation of .beta.-L-gulopyranose crystals. Crystalline .beta.-L-gulopyranose may be used as an alternative non-caloric or reduced caloric sweetener which substitutes for sucrose or dextrose in commercial dry prepared mixes for making beverages, cakes, puddings, breads, and the like. In addition, crystalline .beta.

Abstract: Free flowing, substantially pure, non-hygroscopic, crystalline .beta.-D-gulopyranose is disclosed. This crystalline form of D-gulose is characterized by a sharp melting point of 130.degree.-132.degree. C., a specific optical rotation of -40.degree. and characteristic mutarotation. A method for preparation of crystalline .beta.-D-gulopyranose from D-gulose syrup is also disclosed. This method involves dilution of the D-gulose syrup, followed by initiation of crystallization, and isolation of .beta.-D-gulopyranose crystals. Crystalline .beta.-D-gulopyranose may be used as an excipient, a chelating agent, a pharmaceutical intermediate, a cleaning agent for glass and metals, a food additive, and as an additive for detergents.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method for killing pests, especially insects, which comprises exposing the pests to, and permitting said pests to ingest, a substance which is either not transported or which is poorly transported across the digestive tract membranes of the pests.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for the synthesis of D-tagatose by isomerizing a mixture containing D-galactose with a metal hydroxide in the presence of a catalyst at a relatively low temperature to form an intermediate metal hydroxide-D-tagatose complex, and then neutralizing the intermediate with acid to yield D-tagatose. The method is also suitable for the synthesis of L-tagatose from L-galactose, and for the recovery of pure tagatose from crude tagatose syrups. Whey, deproteinized whey, or lactose may be used as the raw material for the D-galactose. The lactose in such cases is hydrolyzed to D-galactose and D-glucose before the isomerization step.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for the synthesis of D-tagatose by isomerizing a mixture containing D-galactose with a metal hydroxide in the presence of a catalyst at a relatively low temperature to form an intermediate metal hydroxide-D-tagatose complex, and then neutralizing the intermediate with acid to yield D-tagatose. The method is also suitable for the synthesis of L-tagatose from L-galactose, and for the recovery of pure tagatose from crude tagatose syrups. Whey, deproteinized whey, or lactose may be used as the raw material for the D-galactose. The lactose in such cases is hydrolyzed to D-galactose and D-glucose before the isomerization step.

Abstract: There is disclosed an activated sludge wastewater treatment process which comprises aerating a mixed liquor comprising phosphate-containing influent wastewater and activated sludge in an aeration or high-purity oxygen zone to reduce the BOD/COD content of the wastewater and to cause the microorganisms present to take up phosphate. A phosphate-enriched sludge in which the phosphorus is present primarily in the sludge solids is separated from the mixed liquor to provide a substantially phosphate-free effluent. At least a portion of said phosphate-enriched sludge is passed to a phosphate pre-stripping zone, either in a separate tank or within the phosphate stripper tank itself, where BOD/COD-containing water, or feedwater, containing at least 50 mg/L of BOD, is added to poise the sludge organisms to begin enhanced rapid release of dissolved phosphate by pre-stripping it from the sludge or poising the sludge for rapid, enhanced release of phosphate. Then, the sludge is passed to a phosphate stripping zone.

Abstract: There is disclosed a process for the preparation of a sweetened edible formulation in which the sweetening agent is less calorific than sucrose which comprises the step of mixing a foodstuff with an amount sufficient to sweeten the foodstuff of D-tagatose.

Abstract: There is disclosed a device for conducting a microbiological radiorespirometric assay. The device comprises a support member which includes a plurality of pairs of chambers. One chamber in each pair contains a radioactive labeled substrate which is capable of being metabolized by at least some microorganisms to yield a radioactive gas. The other chamber in each pair contains a means for collecting radioactive gas. The two chambers in each pair are in communication with each other by means of a passageway, which opens into each of said chambers at the upper portion thereof. There is also disclosed a method for determining whether microorganisms contained in a sample material will metabolize a radioactive labeled substrate in the device. The method comprises placing said material in contact with a radioactive labeled substrate, collecting any gas which is evolved, exposing a photosensitive material to said collected gas and determining if a spot is produced on said photosensitive material.

Abstract: This disclosure is concerned with a variety of methods for preparing various L-hexose monosaccharides and organoleptic testing in regard to the sweetness of these saccharides. The disclosure is further concerned with the use of these L-hexose monosaccharides as sweetening agents in a wide variety of foodstuffs and other edible formulations. The L-hexose monosaccharides disclosed include L-glucose, L-allose, L-fructose, L-gulose, L-galactose, L-altrose, L-idose, L-talose, L-tagatose and L-psicose.

Abstract: There is disclosed an activated sludge sewage treatment process which comprises mixing influent sewage material with activated sludge and bio-surface particulates to provide a mixed liquor. The mixed liquor is passed to an aeration zone wherein it is contacted with an oxygen-containing gas to reduce the BOD content thereof. The mixed liquor is then passed to a settling zone in which it is settled to separate bio-surface particulates having sludge particles adherent thereto and a clarified supernatant. The clarified supernatant is removed from the settling zone and is discharged as effluent or routed for further treatment. At least a portion of the bio-surface particulates having sludge adherent thereto is subjected to a treatment to separate at least a portion of the adherent sludge particles. The thus treated portion of the bio-surface particulates, which may still have some sludge particles adherent thereto, and separated sludge particles is then passed to a bio-surface particulate sludge separator.

Abstract: There is disclosed a process for the rapid identification of a microorganism and an apparatus for performing the method. The process comprises inoculating a number of different .sup.14 C labeled substrates with an unknown organism, at least some of said .sup.14 C labeled substrates being capable of being metabolized to .sup.14 CO.sub.2 by certain specific microorganisms. The substrates are incubated for a time sufficient to cause metabolic breakdown of at least some of said substrates resulting in the production of .sup.14 CO.sub.2 and analysis for radioactivity in the .sup.14 CO.sub.2 which is evolved from those substrates which are metabolized is performed to determine which substrates are metabolized and which substrates are not metabolized by the unknown microorganisms.

Abstract: There is disclosed a process for the rapid identification of a microorganism and an apparatus for performing the method. The process comprises inoculating a number of different .sup.14 C labeled substrates with an unknown organism, at least some of said .sup.14 C labeled substrates being capable of being metabolized to .sup.14 CO.sub.2 by certain specific microorganisms. The substrates are incubated for a time sufficient to cause metabolic breakdown of at least some of said substrates resulting in the production of .sup.14 CO.sub.2 and analysis for radioactivity in the .sup.14 CO.sub.2 which is evolved from those substrates which are metabolized is performed to determine which substrates are metabolized and which substrates are not metabolized by the unknown microorganisms.

Abstract: There is disclosed a process and apparatus for measuring the amount of a dissolved gas in a liquid wherein the device used to measure the gas is not immersed in the liquid and wherein there is no requirement that a sample of the liquid be removed from the main body of the liquid to be tested. A vertical zone is provided in the body of liquid which is to be measured for the amount of gas contained in the liquid, such as in the aeration tank in a sewage treatment system. The zone is at least partially open at the lower end so that it is in communication with the body of liquid and is closed to contact with the body of liquid on the sides. A gas is passed into the lower portion of the zone and a gas-lift effect is created in the zone. Gas is recovered at the upper portion of the zone and is returned to the lower portion of the zone, thereby creating a closed recirculating gas system -- i.e., the system is closed to the atmosphere and to the liquid outside of the zone.

Abstract: This disclosure is concerned with a variety of methods for preparing various L-hexose monosaccharides and organoleptic testing in regard to the sweetness of these saccharides. The disclosure is further concerned with the use of these L-hexose monosaccharides as sweetening agents in a wide variety of foodstuffs and other edible formulations. The L-hexose monosaccharides disclosed include L-glucose, L-allose, L-fructose, L-gulose, L-galactose, L-altrose, L-idose, L-talose, L-tagatose and L-psicose.