Abstract: Methods are provided for making a fermented milk product in which a stabilizing additive is introduced before fermentation. The methods generally include (1) combining milk and pectin to form a mixture, (2) heat treating the mixture, and (3) fermenting the mixture. In some embodiments, the methods further include combining the milk and pectin with a low acyl gellan gum. The methods also may include homogenizing the mixture before heat treating the mixture and/or after fermenting the mixture. Also provided in embodiments herein are fermented milk products.

Abstract: The invention relates to mutant strains of the genus Sphingomonas which have a mutation in at least one gene encoding a protein involved in polyhydroxybutyrate (“PHB”) synthesis that allows the mutant strains to produce PHB-deficient Sphingans. The invention is also directed to a process for preparing a clarified Sphingan solution comprising heating aqueous Sphingan solution, in particular PHB-deficient Sphingan solution, to a clarification temperature of about 30° C. to about 70° C., and treating the solution with a clarification agent and enzymes. In addition, the invention is directed to a food or industrial product comprising a PHB-deficient and/or clarified Sphingan. One particular embodiment of the invention is directed to a clarified, PHB-deficient high-acyl gellan and the processes of making thereof.

Abstract: PHB-deficient Sphingomonas strains having improved sphingan yield are provided. Certain of the Sphingomonas strains are diutan-producing strains that exhibit a dramatic improvement in productivity and yield due to a combination of certain genetic modifications that affect PHB and sphingan synthesis. Moreover, the sphingans produced from such strains have superior characteristics including improved filterability, clarity, and improved rheology-modifying characteristics. The sphingans provided are, thus, highly desirable in a variety of commercial and industrial uses, including personal care items, cement applications, and oilfield applications.

Abstract: This disclosure provides compositions suitable as drilling fluids, completion fluids, work-over fluids, or stimulation/fracking fluids, which exhibit shale inhibiting, thermostabilizing, viscosifying, and fluid loss reducing effects when used for these purposes. In some embodiments, this disclosure provides compositions that include a cellulose product comprising the contact product of: at least one cellulosic ether; at least one salt of a polyvalent metal ion; and at least one ligand or a salt of the ligand. The resulting cellulose products are useful in drilling of oil, gas, and other wells.

Abstract: A process for dewatering biomass material comprising polysaccharide and water. The process comprises wetting the biomass material with a wetting composition comprising an alcohol to form a biomass slurry comprising wetted biomass material and a liquid component, mechanically separating a portion of the liquid component from the biomass slurry, and mechanically separating at least a portion of the water from the wetted biomass material. A process for extracting polysaccharide from the biomass material and a dewatered biomass material are also disclosed.

Abstract: A process for preserving biomass material comprising polysaccharide, the process comprising contacting the biomass material with a preserving composition comprising alcohol to form a preserved biomass material and storing the preserved biomass material for at least 24 hours. At least a substantial amount of the polysaccharide may be extracted from the preserved biomass material with yields comparable to or improved over extraction from fresh non-preserved biomass material.

Abstract: The present invention provides improved polysaccharides (e.g., gellan and diutan) produced by mutant gene R, M or N Sphingomonas strains containing at least one genetic modification that favors slime-forming polysaccaride production. Methods of making the mutant Sphingomonas strains and the culture broth containing such mutant Sphingomonas strains are also provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to mutant strains of the genus Sphingomonas which have a mutation in at least one gene encoding a protein involved in polyhydroxybutyrate (“PHB”) synthesis that allows the mutant strains to produce PHB-deficient Sphingans. The invention is also directed to a process for preparing a clarified Sphingan solution comprising heating aqueous Sphingan solution, in particular PHB-deficient Sphingan solution, to a clarification temperature of about 30° C. to about 70° C., and treating the solution with a clarification agent and enzymes. In addition, the invention is directed to a food or industrial product comprising a PHB-deficient and/or clarified Sphingan. One particular embodiment of the invention is directed to a clarified, PHB-deficient high-acyl gellan and the processes of making thereof.

Abstract: PHB-deficient Sphingomonas strains having improved sphingan yield are provided. Certain of the Sphingomonas strains are diutan-producing strains that exhibit a dramatic improvement in productivity and yield due to a combination of certain genetic modifications that affect PHB and sphingan synthesis. Moreover, the sphingans produced from such strains have superior characteristics including improved filterability, clarity, and improved rheology-modifying characteristics. The sphingans provided are, thus, highly desirable in a variety of commercial and industrial uses, including personal care items, cement applications, and oilfield applications.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present description provide methods for increasing the concentration of carboxymethylcellulose alkali solutions that are particularly suitable for use in a high solids paper coating, barrier materials, etc. Generally described, the method includes dissolving carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) and an alkali salt in water to obtain an alkali solution of CMC. The CMC desirably has a degree of substitution less than about 0.9. The alkali solution of CMC includes CMC in a concentration greater than about 9.8% by weight, has a pH from about 7.5 to about 11, and is characterized as having a viscosity of less than about 5,000 mPa.

Abstract: A gel comprising water, pectin having a DE from about 62 to 75, soluble saccharide or sugar alcohol solids present in an amount from about 44 to 60% by weight of the gel, and a pH reducing agent for reducing the pH of the gel from a level from about 2 to 3. A method for making the gel without heating or cooling is also disclosed.

Abstract: An object is to provide an acid milk beverage, which shows no precipitation or aggregation and reduced whey separation, and which has a refreshing texture, even in cases where the acid milk beverage has a low solids-not-fat concentration. An acid milk beverage characterized by containing an acid milk beverage base and a pectin having an intrinsic viscosity of 5.9 to 8.5, a degree of esterification of 74 to 80, and a calcium reactivity of 230 or less is provided.

Abstract: Compositions are provided that are suitable for safe consumption by a patient with dysphagia. In one embodiment, the compositions include a modified xanthan gum in an amount suitable to provide a viscous, free-flowing solution having gel-like properties. The modified xanthan gum comprises a non-pyruvylated xanthan gum, a reduced-pyruvylated xanthan gum, or a combination thereof. The composition desirably has a viscosity of greater than about 2000 cP and is characterized as having a shape retention of greater than about 50%. Also provided are methods for their preparation and use.

Abstract: Surfactant systems are provided using microfibrous cellulose to suspend particulates. In one embodiment the surfactant system includes a microfibrous cellulose at a concentration from about 0.05% to about 1.0% (w/w), a surfactant at a concentration of about 5% to about 50% (w/w active surfactant), and a particulate. Also provided herein are methods for preparing surfactant systems including microfibrous cellulose.

Abstract: A flotation method for mineral processing is disclosed. The method for floating includes a first step of using a first carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) in a first flotation cell, and a subsequent step includes using a second CMC in a subsequent flotation cell, the first and second CMCs having different characteristics. The first flotation cell may be used in at least one rougher stage and/or at least one rougher-scavenger stage of the flotation method, and the subsequent flotation cell may be used in at least one cleaner stage, and/or at least one cleaner scavenger stage, and/or at least one recleaner stage of the flotation method. A product may be obtained, directly or indirectly, by such a method. A mineral processing plant may use at least two CMCs of different characteristics in flotation for mineral processing.

Abstract: The production of a diutan polysaccharide exhibiting increased viscosity properties as compared with previously produced polysaccharide of the same type of repeating units. Such an improved diutan polysaccharide is produced through the generation of a derivative of Sphingomonas sp. ATCC 53159 that harbors a multicopy broad host range plasmid into which genes for biosynthesis of diutan polysaccharide have been cloned. The inventive methods of production of such an improved diutan polysaccharide, as well as the novel cloned genes required to produce the improved diutan within such a method, are also encompassed within this invention. Additionally, the novel engineered Sphingomonas strain including the needed DNA sequence is encompassed within this invention.

Abstract: Personal care compositions are provided that include acidified pectins at a concentration of about 2 to about 5% by weight. The acidified pectin includes a low ester pectin with a degree of esterification of about 30 to about 50 and a pH of about 2 to about 4. Desirably, the personal care composition is characterized as a viscous, fluid gel. Also provided are methods for preparing personal care compositions and methods for the use of personal care formulations.

Abstract: The present invention provides improved polysaccharides (e.g., gellan and diutan) produced by mutant gene R, M or N Sphingomonas strains containing at least one genetic modification that favors slime-forming polysaccaride production. Methods of making the mutant Sphingomonas strains and the culture broth containing such mutant Sphingomonas strains are also provided.

Abstract: A low calcium sensitive (calcium stable) high acyl gellan gum is prepared for enhanced colloidal stability in beverages. The low calcium sensitive high acyl gellan gum has superior suspension performance for colloidal stability compared to other high acyl gellan gums. The low calcium sensitive high acyl gellan gum is prepared by adjusting the pH of a gellan fermentation broth (polymer solution) prior to pasteurization and reducing the pasteurization hold time compared to conventional pH levels and hold times.

Abstract: The invention relates to mutant strains of the genus Sphingomonas which have a mutation in at least one gene encoding a protein involved in polyhydroxybutyrate (“PHB”) synthesis that allows the mutant strains to produce PHB-deficient Sphingans. The invention is also directed to a process for preparing a clarified Sphingan solution comprising heating aqueous Sphingan solution, in particular PHB-deficient Sphingan solution, to a clarification temperature of about 30° C. to about 70° C., and treating the solution with a clarification agent and enzymes. In addition, the invention is directed to a food or industrial product comprising a PHB-deficient and/or clarified Sphingan. One particular embodiment of the invention is directed to a clarified, PHB-deficient high-acyl gellan and the processes of making thereof.