Abstract: An apparatus for removing the skins or casings from sausage products includes an abrasion means suitably in the form of a pair of counter rotating, rough surfaced rollers through which the sausages pass after the casings have been slit longitudinally, to tear the casings off the sausages abrasively. Immediately downstream of the abrading means is a suction means, preferably in the form of a perforated suction roller, which sucks the casing remnants away from the residual sausages. The apparatus avoids the need for the use of compressed air to loosen and separate the casings from the sausages, thereby drastically reducing tne nose level at which the apparatus operates, and eliminating the risk of bacterial contamination inherent in the use of jets of compressed air.

Abstract: An automated apparatus for gripping and probing food products is provided, so as to test the products while they are moving on a conveyor. The apparatus has a pair of jaws, which move forward and close when the food product is detected in the appropriate position, so as to grip the product between the faces of the jaws. While so gripped, a probe moves forward to penetrate and test the product, e.g. for temperature, pH, conductivity etc. Then the sequence of operations is reversed, withdrawing the probe, releasing and withdrawing the jaws, so that the product can move on and the apparatus is positioned to grip and test the next food item moving down the conveyor. The apparatus is particularly well suited for testing suspended meat products.

Abstract: Animal feed pallets such as fish feeds, dog and cat foods in pellet form and textured soya protein pellets, are prepared by a process in which edible liquid is added to the pellets and absorbed under conditions of reduced pressure. In this way, larger amounts of edible liquids such as lipids can be incorporated into the pellets without significant deterioration in other desirable properties of the pellets such as hardness and durability.

Abstract: An oil-bearing nut composition, especially suitable for industrial use, comprises crushed nut pieces in free-flowable, particulate form. The crushed nut pieces have a particle size range of such that from about 15-70% by weight of the total product, based upon total initial weight of nuts, is in the form of particles having a maximum dimension greater than 500 microns, about 12-80% by weight, on a similar basis, is in the form of particles having a maximum dimension less than 150 microns, and there are no particles larger 15 mm. The nut particles retain from 12-85% of the natural nut oil within their microcellular structure. The composition may include an edible stabilizer, which effectively forms a film bounding the crushed nut particles or clusters of them in the composition. Other, flavoring ingredients such as salt and sugar may also be present.

Abstract: A process for electrochemically reducing 7-ketolithocholic acid to ursodeoxycholic acid is disclosed. The process may be conducted alone or in conjunction with a simultaneous electrochemical oxidation of chenodeoxycholic acid to 7-ketolithocholic acid. Solvents for the electrochemical reaction which promote stereoselectivity to ursodeoxycholic acid are also disclosed.

Abstract: A solid, high protein dietary food product containing high molecular weight polypeptides, and its method of preparation are disclosed. The food product has as its primary ingredient a gelatin hydrolysate composed predominantly of high molecular weight polypeptides. Essential amino acids and other additives may be included in the product.

Abstract: Derivatives of 1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-1,4-methanonaphthalene, and the use of h compounds to control viral infections, particularly influenza virus, in warm-blooded animals are disclosed. Pharmaceutical compositions containing an antiviral effective amount of the novel compounds and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier are also disclosed.

Abstract: A 4-phenyl piperidine having the formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 is a straight chain lower alkyl group; R.sub.2 is --COCH.sub.3, --COC.sub.2 H.sub.5 or ##STR2## R.sub.3 is --OCOCH.sub.3, --OCOC.sub.2 H.sub.5, --OCO -cycloalkyl, or --OCOC.sub.6 H.sub.4 --Z; wherein Z is hydrogen, lower alkyl, lower alkoxy or chlorine, and X is oxygen: or an addition salt thereof with a pharmaceutically acceptable organic acid or inorganic acid. The compounds have have found to have, inter alia, stimulatory effects on the central nervous system which is indicative of their use as antidepressants in humans.