Abstract: A process and apparatus for fluidized bed operations wherein the fluidized bed includes an upper fluidized zone and a lower fluidized zone, with each of the upper and lower fluidized zones equipped with agitating means therein. Positioned intermediate the upper and lower fluidized zones are a plurality of tubular zones. Substantially parallel to the fluidized zones is a discharge leg positioned to receive fluidized solids from the lower fluidized zone in which the fluidized solids are fluidized in the leg at a level substantially equal to the level of fluidized solids in the upper zone whereby a portion of the solids can be removed from a repositionable discharge means in the discharge leg. The process involved in this invention utilizes a fluidized system for starch drying wherein the moisture content of the starch supplied to the fluidized bed is controlled to a level not exceeding 27% whereby the fluidized bed can be operated at higher temperatures without damaging the starch.

Abstract: When immobilizing enzymes such as glucose isomerase by adsorption on a carrier such as an ion exchange resin, the enzyme prior to adsorption on the carrier is separated from a high molecular weight, non-dialyzable polysaccharide which inhibits adsorption of the enzyme to the carrier.

Abstract: A filter apparatus having multiple filter medias for use in environmental control, food processing and other industrial applications, is provided with movable filter media separators that maintain media separation while permitting bed expansion during a backwash cleaning operation. The filter bed can comprise, for example, a lower sand layer and an upper anthracite layer, as well as a free board zone above the anthracite layer. Said layers are separated by a movable filter media separator. A screen is provided at the filter inlet to prevent loss of filter media during the backwash cleaning operation.

Abstract: An enzyme catalyst is described. The catalyst comprises subcellular particulates of vegetable material containing an enzyme system composed of different carbohydrate transforming enzymes. These particulates are encapsulated within a matrix formed by coagulating an organic entrapping agent with polyvalent cations. The matrix is permeable to permit access of carbohydrate substrate to enzyme and acts to immobilize the enzyme system and preserve the activity of the encapsulated enzymes.

Abstract: Process for the production of a glucoamylase having a pH optimum at about 6.0 to 6.5 by a strain of Stachybotrys and the glucoamylase produced thereby.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an acidic, aqueous dispersion containing at least one thickener. The dispersion may be used either directly as or as a base for a viscous additive to pastry, storage-stable and nonsegregating food mixtures. It contains at least one edible acid and has a pH from about 2.5 to 6.7. At least one of the thickeners contained in the dispersion consists of amorphous and/or microcrystalline glutamic acid in a concentration of about 6 to 60% by weight, based on the total weight of the dispersion. Methods of preparing and using the dispersion are also disclosed.

Abstract: Glucose isomerase is immobilized in an active form by adsorbing the glucose isomerase onto a colloidal silica. The enzyme is contacted with the colloidal silica and the resulting composite solidified by freezing. Optionally, the composite may be gelatinized prior to freezing. The composite is then used for the isomerization of glucose to fructose.

Abstract: Process for the production of a thermostable glucoamylase by a strain of Talaromyces and the glucoamylase produced thereby.

Abstract: An improved method for removing oil from oil-bearing vegetable material is disclosed. The method comprises comminuting the vegetable material, forming agglomerates of the finely divided material containing between about 20% and about 55% water by weight, drying the agglomerates to a moisture content of less than about 15% by weight and then extracting the dried agglomerates with an oil solvent.

Abstract: A system for separating the mill starch fraction in a corn wet milling operation into a protein enriched stream and a starch enriched stream to obtain therefrom a protein-rich product and a starch-rich product. The system utilizes only hydrocyclones arranged in a plurality of separation stages that are divided into two separation zones. The mill starch is fed sequentially through the two separation zones under controlled conditions so as to obtain a protein-rich product from one separation zone and a starch-rich product from the other separation zone.

Abstract: No-carrier corrugating adhesives having improved rheological characteristics for high speed machine use in the production of corrugated materials are described. These adhesives, which comprise alkaline, aqueous dispersions of partially swollen starch material, contain up to about 4% by starch weight of a flow modifier for providing the adhesive with a Bostwick viscosity of less than about 75 seconds to 15 centimeters.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for fluidized bed operations wherein the fluidized bed includes an upper fluidized zone and a lower fluidized zone, with each of the upper and lower fluidized zones equipped with agitating means therein. Positioned intermediate the upper and lower fluidized zones are a plurality of tubular zones. Substantially parallel to the fluidized zones is a discharge leg positioned to receive fluidized solids from the lower fluidized zone in which the fluidized solids are fluidized in the leg at a level substantially equal to the level of fluidized solids in the upper zone whereby a portion of the solids can be removed from a repositionable discharge means in the discharge leg. The process involved in this invention utilizes a fluidized system for starch drying wherein the moisture content of the starch supplied to the fluidized bed is controlled to a level not exceeding 27% whereby the fluidized bed can be operated at higher temperatures without damaging the starch.

Abstract: Aqueous slurries of liquefied and at least partially solubilized starch of high solids concentration (substantially greater than 40%, by weight) are prepared directly by adding gradually, to an aqueous starch hydrolysate having not greater than 40% solids, granular starch in the presence of a bacterial .alpha.-amylase, under non-gelatinizing conditions, while gradually raising the temperature to not above 90.degree. C. As a final step, the temperature can be brought to 90.degree. C. or higher to liquefy any remaining starch.

Abstract: Protease enzyme impurities contained in bacterial .alpha.-amylase enzyme preparations are inactivated by a mild heat treatment in the presence of a protective material. Useful protective materials include calcium and starch hydrolysates such as corn syrup. The protease-free .alpha.-amylase can then be used to solubilize starch materials by various granular starch and conventional processes. Hydrolysates obtained contain significantly less soluble protein than those prepared using untreated .alpha.-amylases. A preferred .alpha.-amylase enzyme preparation is one derived from a Bacillus licheniformis microorganism.

Abstract: A process for the production of dextrose-containing syrups wherein a deionized starch hydrolyzate is treated with glucoamylase immobilized on porous alumina.

Abstract: Sweet, non-crystallizing (at concentrations of 75% solids or above) syrups are prepared having the following saccharide composition: dextrose, from 20% to 40%; levulose, from 20% to 40%; maltulose, from 10% to 60%; total ketose composition (principally levulose and maltulose), 40% to 80% (percentages by weight dry basis). Optionally, the syrups may contain up to 25% maltose and/or up to 20% higher saccharides (i.e. having degrees of polymerization of greater than 2). The syrups are prepared by first subjecting a starch hydrolyzate, containing at least 40% maltose and not more than 5% dextrose, to an alkaline isomerization treatment to isomerize a portion of the maltose to maltulose, the isomerization being conducted until the resulting hydrolyzate contains between 10% and 60% maltulose. The resulting product is then treated with glucoamylase to saccharify at least a portion of the remaining maltose (as well as higher saccharides, if present) to dextrose.

Abstract: A mixture of vital wheat gluten and starch containing at least 25% protein, e.g. a protein-rich fraction of wheat flour, is treated with a bacterial alpha-amylase (preferably substantially free of protease) under conditions which solubilize the starch but do not unduly solubilize, or denature, the vital gluten. Specifically, the temperature should be not above about 80.degree. C. and the time of treatment should not exceed about 6 hours. After the enzymatic treament the gluten, which still retains its vital properties, is separated out, and the solubilized starch fraction is recovered or subjected to further processing.

Abstract: A process for production of dextrose from starch wherein a starch hydrolyzate produced using soluble .alpha.-amylase or a combination of soluble glucoamylase and .alpha.-amylase is treated with glucoamylase immobilized on a cationic colloidal silica to produce a dextrose-containing syrup.

Abstract: Crystalline maltose in good yields is obtained by subjecting a starch hydrolyzate having a maltose content of at least 75% and a viscosity of greater than 400 cps. to the action of glucoamylase, whereby the viscosity is reduced to below 400 cps. without any substantial reduction in the maltose content, and then subjecting the resulting hydrolyzate to a conventional crystallization operation.

Abstract: A resin for coating sand and a resin-coated sand produced therefrom wherein the resin is prepared by incorporating furan into a phenolic novolak resin. In the preferred practice, the resin is produced by reaction of furfuryl alcohol with a phenolic compound at an acid pH to give a furfuryl-phenolic intermediate in a first step, and then, in a second step, reacting the furfuryl-phenolic intermediate with a lower aliphatic aldehyde to produce the resin. The resin-coated sands of the present invention provide unexpectedly improved shakeout and collapsibility characteristics in the shell process.