Abstract: Processes and compositions for treating food products comprising adding to the food product an aqueous composition which is gellable in the food product. The process can include wherein the composition comprises a thixotropic gel which has been shear thinned, and is added to the food product in a shear thinned condition, as well as wherein the aqueous composition comprises a composition that does not form a gel externally of the food product, and which composition is gellable in the food product.

Abstract: An aqueous alkaline solution comprising at least a caustic and a viscosity stabilizing amount of diutan gum.

Abstract: The invention relates to a modified gellan gum in which the total acyl content as well as the ratio of acyl substituent groups to glycerate substituent groups per linear saccharide repeat unit is altered to be higher than 1. The invention further relates to a process for the modification of a gellan gum to alter its acyl content in which the gum is treated with a weak base such as sodium or potassium carbonate or a suitable phosphate. The process enables “tailor made” gums having appropriate setting temperatures and theological properties to be made. Novel compositions containing them are also claimed.

Abstract: A gelatin-free gummy confection comprising the combination of gellan gum and nu-carrageenan, nu-/iota-carrageenan or both. The gellan gum and nu-carrageenan, nu-/iota-carrageenan or both, provides a firm, resilient, gelatin-like texture in a gelatin-free gummy confection.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for clarifying an aqueous xanthan gum solution comprising treatment of the xanthan solution with at least one chelating agent, surfactant, organic acid, or a mixture thereof, and with a protease enzyme or a lysozyme and a protease enzyme. Also disclosed is a highly purified solid xanthan gum and compositions containing the same, wherein the gum is obtained from the clarified xanthan gum solution.

Abstract: A drilling fluid comprising a pyruvate-free xanthan, which may be an acetate-free pyruvate-free xanthan, and a high density calcium-based brine. Preferably the pyruvate-free xanthan is a genetically prepared pyruvate-free xanthan. A process for recovering crude oil from an oil-bearing subterranean formation by drilling the formation and using a drilling fluid comprising a pyruvate-free gum and a high density calcium-based brine.

Abstract: An aqueous alkaline solution comprising at least a caustic and a viscosity stabilizing amount of diutan gum.

Abstract: An aseptic cream substitute comprising a composition of water, a dry blend, and a meltable oil or fat, wherein the dry blend comprises microparticulated and denatured whey protein concentrate and xanthan gum, wherein the composition is pasteurized and then homogenized to produce the aseptic cream substitute.

Abstract: A beverage product comprising a beverage and pectin, wherein the pectin has a calcium sensitivity of less than 20 cPs and the beverage product has a solution clarity of greater than 70% T.

Abstract: Selectively cross-linked starches are disclosed that are useful as fluid loss control additives in subterranean treatment fluids comprising starches that cross-linked to a Brabender peak viscosity of about 800 to about 1250 Brabender units after about 40 to about 70 minutes at about 92° C. and provide good fluid loss control over a temperature range of from about 20° C. to about 160° C. (68° F. to 320° F.).

Abstract: Compositions containing phosphate and xanthan gum variants useful as liquid fertilizers, fire retardant coating materials and animal feed.

Abstract: Acetobacter strains are identified as stable under agitated culture conditions and exhibit substantially reduced gluconic and keto-gluconic acids production. A method and media for producing bacterial cellulose under agitated culture conditions resulting in sustained production over an average of 70 hours of at least 0.1 g/liter per hour are achieved. A unique reticulated cellulose product is produced using the methods and conditions claimed, and may be converted to of a sheet characterized by substantial resistance to densification and great tensile strength when produced by sheet forming means. Preferred Acetobacter strains are ATCC Nos. 53264, 53263 and 53524.

Abstract: Enzymatically blocked-deesterified pectins that display pseudoplasticity and substantially no phase separation in aqueous solutions comprising at least one polyvalent cation, and processes for producing the same. Enzymatically blocked-deesterified pectins prepared by deesterifying isolated high methoxyl pectins with enzymes. Processes for suspending particulates using enzymatically blocked-deesterified pectins enzymatically blocked-deesterified pectins prepared by deesterifying isolated high methoxyl pectins with enzymes. Compositions and stabilized aqueous systems containing enzymatically blocked-deesterified pectins prepared by deesterifying isolated high methoxyl pectins with enzymes.

Abstract: The present invention is related a high viscosity xanthan and processes for producing said high viscosity xanthan. In particular, the invention relates to a process for increasing the viscosity of xanthan comprising the steps of: (i) diluting xanthan in a fermentation broth with more than 30 percent by volume of a diluent to said fermentation broth volume; and (ii) pasteurizing said diluted xanthan fermentation broth. A particularly preferred pasteurization process is to utilize steam from a direct steam injection system. Xanthans with increased viscosities have improved product functionality for a number of different commercial applications are produced using the processes of the present invention.

Abstract: A method and media for producing bacterial cellulose under agitated culture conditions resulting in sustained production over an average of 70 hours of at least 0.1 g/liter per hour are achieved. A unique reticulated cellulose product is produced using the methods and conditions claimed, and may be converted to of a sheet characterized by substantial resistance to densification and great tensile strength when produced by sheet forming means. Acetobacter strains are identified as stable under agitated culture conditions and exhibit substantially reduced gluconic and keto-gluconic acids production.

Abstract: Variant xanthan gums are provided which include a water-soluble polysaccharide polymer comprising repeating pentamer units having a D-glucose:D-mannose:D-glucuronic acid ratio of about 2:2:1, and a water-soluble polysaccharide polymer comprising repeating tetramer units having a D-glucose:D-mannose:D-glucuronic acid ratio of about 2:1:1. The D-glucose moieties are linked in a beta-[1,4] configuration. The inner D-mannose moieties are linked in an alpha-[1,3] configuration, generally to alternate glucose moieties. The D-glucuronic acid moieties are linked in a beta-[1,2] configuration to the inner mannose moieties. The outer mannose moieties are linked to the glucuronic acid moieties in a beta-[1,4] configuration. Processes for preparing the polysaccharide polymers are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a stable hydrocolloid composition in which preferably welan gum is uniformly dispersed in a superplasticizer solution such as sulfonated naphthalene, sulfonated melamine, modified lignosulfate, their derivatives and mixtures thereof. The solution is wet milled to form an extremely fine particle size distribution of the gum. The composition is rapidly hydratable and useful as a stabilizing additive in many cement and drilling fluid applications.

Abstract: This invention provides reduced molecular weight gellan gums. The reduced molecular weight gellan gums of this invention generally have a weight average molecular weight less than about 1.7×106, and typically in a range of about 1.2×106 to about 9.3×105. This invention also provides compositions, e.g., solutions and gels, comprising reduced molecular weight gellan gums. The reduced molecular weight gellan gums of this invention may be prepared by any method which reduces the molecular weight of polymers. Such methods include homogenization, sonication, radiation, oxidation and hydrolysis.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a stable hydrocolloid welan gum in which a hydrocolloid, preferably welan gum, is uniformly dispersed in a superplasticizer such as sulfonated naphthalene, sulfonated melamine, modified lignosulfate, their derivatives and mixtures thereof. This is then dispersed in a rheological control agent which is a microbially-produced cellulose fiber composition. The composition is rapidly hydratable and useful as a stabilizing additive in many cement and drilling fluid applications, insulation fluids and de-icer compositions.