Abstract: The present invention relates to dietary fiber compositions that can provide an increased level of acetate in the distal colon. Increase levels of acetate (or other short chain fatty acids; SCFA's) in the distal part of the colon is believed to be beneficial in the treatment of various diseases or conditions, such as being overweight or obese. To accomplish this using dietary intervention, which is clearly the preferred (first-line) option for the treatment and/or prevention of obesity (and related disorders), has been a challenge. It was now surprisingly found that combinations of an inulin-type fructan and resistant starch can be orally consumed to substantially increase the level of acetate in the distal part of the colon in human subjects.

Abstract: The present invention relates to new bi-functional and polyfunctional bis-dioxolanes and bis-dioxanes. The present inventors have established that the bis-dioxolanes and bis-dioxanes of the invention are highly advantageous as building blocks, cross-linking and/or coupling agents in polymer engineering. They can be derived from biomass sources in a highly efficient manner. The production of the present bis-dioxolanes and bis-dioxanes from biomass has the particular advantage that it facilitates the introduction of desired functionality in a highly flexible manner. Hence, the present invention provides novel bi- or polyfunctional bis-dioxolanes and bis-dioxanes, their production from renewable (biomass) sources, as well as their use in the engineering of polymers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to dietary fiber compositions that can provide an increased level of acetate in the distal colon. Increase levels of acetate (or other short chain fatty acids; SCFA's) in the distal part of the colon is believed to be beneficial in the treatment of various diseases or conditions, such as being overweight or obese. To accomplish this using dietary intervention, which is clearly the preferred (first-line) option for the treatment and/or prevention of obesity (and related disorders), has been a challenge. It was now surprisingly found that combinations of an inulin-type fructan and resistant starch can be orally consumed to substantially increase the level of acetate in the distal part of the colon in human subjects.

Abstract: This invention relates to water-borne acrylic paints and coatings, especially to agents that can be used to reduce the amount of VOC's to yield satisfactory paints or coatings. It has been found that cellulose based particles, which comprise cell wall material and their networks of cellulose based fibers and nanofibrils can be used to accomplish a reduction in VOCs and at the same time increase hardness and lower cracking of the dried acrylic paints and coatings. It is assumed that the organization of the cellulose fibrils, as it exists in the parenchymal cell walls, is at least partly retained in the cellulose based particles of the invention, even though part of the pectin and hemicellulose is removed there from.

Abstract: This invention relates to an external structuring agent for application in liquid detergent and personal care products. It has been found that cellulose based particles, which comprise cell wall material and their networks of cellulose based fibers and nanofibrils can advantageously be used to structure liquid detergent and personal care products, providing certain benefits that are much sought after in the design of such products. It is assumed that the organization of the cellulose fibrils, as it exists in the parenchymal cell walls, is at least partly retained in the cellulose based particles of the invention, even though part of the pectin and hemicellulose is removed there from. The process of making the structuring agent involves processing under relatively mild conditions, of a biological material that is currently considered a by-product.

Abstract: This invention relates to compositions that have utility, amongst others, in the stabilization of suspension particles or gas bubbles in fluid water-based compositions and/or in conferring shear thinning behavior to such fluid water-based compositions. The inventors have developed parenchymal cellulose based materials, which comprise cell wall derived networks of cellulose based fibers and nanofibrils, can advantageously be used for stabilization of suspended solid particles in fluid water-based compositions. Specific aspects of the invention concern the parenchymal cellulose based materials, their production and their use in fluid water-based compositions, as well as the resulting fluid water-based compositions per se.

Abstract: This invention relates to compositions that have utility, amongst others, in the stabilization of suspension particles or gas bubbles in fluid water-based compositions and/or in conferring shear thinning behavior to such fluid water-based compositions. The inventors have developed parenchymal cellulose based materials, which comprise cell wall derived networks of cellulose based fibers and nanofibrils, can advantageously be used for stabilization of suspended solid particles in fluid water-based compositions. Specific aspects of the invention concern the parenchymal cellulose based materials, their production and their use in fluid water-based compositions, as well as the resulting fluid water-based compositions per se.

Abstract: This invention relates to an external structuring agent for application in liquid detergent and personal care products. It has been found that cellulose based particles, which comprise cell wall material and their networks of cellulose based fibers and nanofibrils can advantageously be used to structure liquid detergent and personal care products, providing certain benefits that are much sought after in the design of such products. It is assumed that the organization of the cellulose fibrils, as it exists in the parenchymal cell walls, is at least partly retained in the cellulose based particles of the invention, even though part of the pectin and hemicellulose is removed there from. The process of making the structuring agent involves processing under relatively mild conditions, of a biological material that is currently considered a by-product.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a process for producing methane by a two-stage anaerobic digestion of organic feed, comprising i) subjecting an organic feed suspension (a) to acidogenesis and methanogenesis in a first reactor (1); ii) withdrawing an effluent (b) from said first reactor and subjecting it to solid/liquid separation (2), thus obtaining effluents high (d) and low (c) in solids, wherein the volatile fatty acid (VFA) concentration in said first reactor is controlled by the withdrawal rate; iii) subjecting the effluent low in solids (c) to acidogenesis and methanogenesis in a second reactor (3), thus producing methane gas in said first and second reactor.

Abstract: A next textile treatment where the present method can be used to remove contaminants from the textile concerns rewashing. As already observed above, after dyeing textile with reactive dyestuffs, a considerable amount of dyestuff, particularly hydrolyzed dyestuff, is left behind on the textile. Because the hydrolyzed dyestuff is not fast to washing, it should be removed to provide a textile with sufficient washing fastness. In a rewashing treatment of textile dyed with reactive dyestuff, the textile is first rinsed with water to remove alkali and salt. Thereupon, it is rewashed, with the fructan polycarboxylic acid being metered in the form of a 25-40% solution in an amount of 1-3 g/l of water. Rewashing preferably takes place at a temperature of 95-100° C. for a period of 10-30 minutes. After rewashing, the textile is again rinsed with water to remove residues of the hydrolyzed reactive dyestuff.

Abstract: The invention relates to a novel filler-binder for tablets, which shows a significantly reduced lubricant sensitivity when compared to prior art filler-binders. The invention further relates to a process of making said filler-binder and to the tablet obtainable by said process.

Abstract: Carboxyl-containing fructans such as carboxymethylinulin can be successfully used to prevent deposition of scale composed of, for example, calcium, barium and strontium salts of sulphuric acid and carbonic acid in oil extraction. In the oil extraction method, 0.5-200 ppm of a carboxyl-containing fructan that contains 0.3-3 carboxyl groups per mono-saccharide unit is incorporated in the process water, in the process equipment or in the oil-containing formation.

Abstract: Dispersions of pigment, such as calcium carbonate, titanium dioxide and types of clay, can be effectively stabilized by the use of carboxyl-containing fructan in an amount of 0.05-10% by weight, based on the dispersion, which fructan contains 0.5-3 carboxyl groups per mono-saccharide unit. The carboxyalkyl groups are in particular carboxymethyl groups, but the carboxyl groups can also be carboxyl groups obtained entirely or partially by oxidation. The carboxymethylfructan gives results which are comparable to or better than those obtained with the polyacrylates which are less desirable from the standpoint of health and environment.

Abstract: The deposition of calcium salts, including calcium carbonate and calcium oxalate and the formation of foam, during the evaporation of sugar streams can be prevented or restricted by ding 0.1-200 ppm of a carboxyalkylfructan that contains 0.5-3 carboxyl groups per monosaccharide unit, 0.4-2.5 of which carboxyl groups are in the form of carboxyalkyl groups, to the sugar streams. The carboxyalkyl groups are, in particular, carboxymethyl groups. The other carboxyl groups can be carboxyl groups obtained by oxidation.

Abstract: The invention relates to a novel filler-binder for tablets, which shows a significantly reduced lubricant sensitivity when compared to prior art filler-binders. The invention further relates to a process of making said filler-binder and to the tablet obtainable by said process.

Abstract: Heavy metals including lead, copper, zinc, and cadmium, are effectively extracted from sludge mixtures by treatment of the mixture with carboxyl derivatives of fructans, having a degree of substitution of 0.2-3.0.

Abstract: Heavy metals can be effectively complexed with a derivative of a fructan, which derivative contains complexing groups chosen from --X--CY--ZM, --X--CY--ZM, --X--CY--S--S--CY--X--Q, --PY'(--Z'M).sub.2, --SO.sub.3 M and --NR--CH.sub.2 --COOM, where M is a metal or hydrogen, Q denotes the residue of an alcohol or polyol, R is hydrogen or carboxymethyl and X, Y, Y', Z and Z', independently of one another, are O, S or NH and at least one of X, Y and Z is S, with a degree of substitution of 0.1-2.5. The complexing groups are in particular xanthate, xanthide or dithiocarbamate groups.

Abstract: The invention relates to compositions and products based on fabric, such as baby tissues, and based on composite materials, such as disposable nappies, which compositions and products are suitable for the prevention or treatment of nappy rash and nappy dermatitis. The active antimicrobial substances used according to the invention are one or more sugar fatty acid esters, the monoester content of which must be at least 30%. The fatty acid component of the active substances is formed by one or more, saturated or unsaturated fatty acids having 6-22 carbon atoms, which fatty acids are straight-chain or branched and also can contain one or more hydroxyl groups. The sugar component of the active substances is, for example, sucrose, glucose, fructose, sorbitol or a mixture thereof. The abovementioned active substances, which are completely harmless, are used in an amount of 0.01-15% by weight in the composition or the product.

Abstract: An absorbent material based on dried vegetable pulp, in which the dried vegetable pulp results from the extraction of a vegetable material with water and constitutes at least 50% of the material. The absorbent material is useful for treating organic waste, and is in particular proposed as pet litter material.