Abstract: Disclosed is an adhesive that may include two or more starches or starch derivatives with different molecular weights. In many embodiments, the adhesive includes (1) unmodified or slightly thinned starch, (2) maltodextrin or syrup solid, and (3) a hydroxypropyl starch. In most embodiments, the adhesive includes a plasticizer. The adhesive may be prepared by blending the starch and starch derivatives, and cooking the blended slurry, preferably under acidic conditions. The adhesive may be employed for various purposes including as an adhesive for a multi-wall bag.

Abstract: Disclosed are animal litters, processes for preparing animal litters, and methods for removal of animal waste. The disclosed animal litters are made from ingredients including virgin germ and have a total fat content of about 0.5 to about 15 based on the weight of the litter. The litters are provided in the form of discrete plural particles which tend to agglomerate when wetted.

Abstract: The disclosure pertains generally to spheres made from a fiber source. These spheres may be used as cores for carrying other ingredients or may be used alone for applications in the food, pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, personal care, and industrial industries. In many embodiments the ingredients used in this invention are derived from a natural resource, and are safe to ingest. In some embodiments, the spheres are formed using a centrifugal tumbling-granulating-coating apparatus.

Abstract: Disclosed are a method of hydrolysis of wet fiber and a method for preparing ethanol. Generally, an agricultural plant material, such as corn hulls, distiller's dried grains, or spent germ, is treated to at least partially hydrolyze the fiber. The process may include a maceration step followed by a shearing operation in the presence of steam to yield a treated product, in which, in many embodiments, saccharides will be released and unbound from fibrous portions of the agricultural product. In some embodiments, the process includes macerating the material to provide a slurry having a solids content of at least 10 percent and jet cooking the slurry. A mixture of saccharides prepared in this fashion may be fermented to yield ethanol and/or biochemicals.

Abstract: Disclosed are a pest control agent, a method for preparing a pest control agent, and a method for controlling a pest. Generally, the pest control agent is formed by providing a porous starch and an active control agent absorbed within the porous starch, and compressing the porous starch in the presence of heat to form discrete plural particles. Preferably, one or more binders are employed, as are one or more secondary absorbents/fillers. In highly preferred embodiments of the invention, the pest control agent is prepared via pelletizing in a commercial pellet mill. The particles so prepared should be sufficiently durable to withstand bulk transport, such as by rail car or bag shipment. The particles should, however, release the control agent quickly upon contact with water, such that, for instance, the control agent may be released when the pest control agent is introduced to standing water. It is contemplated that the control agent is preferably a mosquito control agent.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process of stabilizing spent filter material that comprises mixing the filter media with a dry media to produce a composition having a moisture content that is sufficiently low to retard microbial growth. The composition comprises spent filter media and a dry material, and preferably comprises diatomaceous earth. Soil is treated by adding the composition as a top dressing, soil amendment, or the like.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to substantially uniform, high density microspheres and methods of making the microspheres. The microspheres can be made to be small in size with a narrow range of particle size distribution and a high sphericity. In one aspect, the microspheres provided herein are provided in the form of spherical cores comprising maltodextrin or maltodextrin and starch and are prepared using a centrifugal tumbling-granulating-coating apparatus. In another aspect, the spherical cores can be powder-coated with one or more layers of small particles, such as starch particles. The microspheres provided herein can be used as cores for multi-particulate solid dosage delivery systems as well as other pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, food, personal care, and other applications.

Abstract: A method for producing digestion-resistant dextrin from starch hydrolyzates is disclosed. In one form, the method includes mixing the starch hydrolyzate, dextrose and an acid catalyst which are allowed to react under mild vacuum with heat. The ingredients require no pre-drying and the method requires no external plasticizers.

Abstract: Disclosed are a method and an assembly for balk transport. An inflatable bladder is inserted into a container and disposed proximal and above a gravity-fed aperture. The container may be, for instance, a hopper rail car. A bulk material then is introduced into the container, the bulk material being, for instance, a grain-based material such as corn gluten feed. The bladder is positioned and preferably secured laterally with respect to the aperture to impede access to the aperture by the bulk material. When the container has reached the transport destination, the bladder is deflated. If the bulk material has set up during transport, access to the aperture nonetheless will have been maintained.

Abstract: Disclosed is a cold-water soluble starch and a process for preparing same. Generally, the process comprises providing a hydroxyalkyl starch and applying a shearing force to the starch in an extruder in the presence of moisture, the force and the moisture each being sufficient to gelatinize at least substantially all of the granules of the starch to thereby form a sheared starch. The starch is heated to its gelatinization temperature after the starch has passed partially through the barrel of the extruder, with the moisture being maintained at a level sufficiently high to allow gelatinization but sufficiency low to protect the starch from becoming too sticky to extrude. The extruded starch product thus formed may be used in connection with a number of film-forming, coating, and other applications.

Abstract: Disclosed is a cold-water soluble starch and a process for preparing same. Generally, the process comprises providing a hydroxyalkyl starch and applying a shearing force to the starch in an extruder in the presence of moisture, the force and the moisture each being sufficient to gelatinize at least substantially all of the granules of the starch to thereby form a sheared starch. The starch is heated to its gelatinization temperature after the starch has passed partially through the barrel of the extruder, with the moisture being maintained at a level sufficiently high to allow gelatinization but sufficiency low to protect the starch from becoming too sticky to extrude. The extruded starch product thus formed may be used in connection with a number of film-forming, coating, and other applications.

Abstract: Disclosed is a cold-water soluble starch and a process for preparing same. Generally, the process comprises providing a hydroxyalkyl starch and applying a shearing force to the starch in an extruder in the presence of moisture, the force and the moisture each being sufficient to gelatinize at least substantially all of the granules of the starch to thereby form a sheared starch. The starch is heated to its gelatinization temperature after the starch has passed partially through the barrel of the extruder, with the moisture being maintained at a level sufficiently high to allow gelatinization but sufficiency low to protect the starch from becoming too sticky to extrude. The extruded starch product thus formed may be used in connection with a number of film-forming, coating, and other applications.

Abstract: The present invention provides a means to concentrate, dry and formulate biomaterials such as polysaccharides, gums and related biopolymers, and microorganisms such as cells, spores, and the like from dilute solutions using spent germ and other oil bearing residues. In addition, the spent germ can serve as a carrier for such biomaterials. The sorbed materials are useful in animal feeds.

Abstract: The present invention provides a means to concentrate, dry and formulate biomaterials such as polysaccharides, gums and related biopolymers, and microorganisms such as cells, spores, and the like from dilute solutions using spent germ and other oil bearing residues. In addition, the spent germ can serve as a carrier for such biomaterials. The sorbed materials are useful in animal feeds.

Abstract: Disclosed are a pest control agent, a method for preparing a pest control agent, and a method for controlling a pest. Generally, the pest control agent is formed by providing a porous starch and an active control agent absorbed within the porous starch, and compressing the porous starch in the presence of heat to form discrete plural particles. Preferably, one or more binders are employed, as are one or more secondary absorbents/fillers. In highly preferred embodiments of the invention, the pest control agent is prepared via pelletizing in a commercial pellet mill. The particles so prepared should be sufficiently durable to withstand bulk transport, such as by rail car or bag shipment. The particles should, however, release the control agent quickly upon contact with water, such that, for instance, the control agent may be released when the pest control agent is introduced to standing water. It is contemplated that the control agent is preferably a mosquito control agent.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of reducing moisture loss and a method of reducing shrinkage in a frozen baked good. Each method comprises preparing a baked good comprising a pre-gelatinized modified granular starch and freezing the baked good, the starch being present in said baked good in an amount effective to reduce moisture loss or shrinkage upon freezing relative to the absence of the starch.

Abstract: Disclosed is an adhesive that may include two or more starches or starch derivatives with different molecular weights. In many embodiments, the adhesive includes (1) unmodified or slightly thinned starch, (2) maltodextrin or syrup solid, and (3) a hydroxypropyl starch. In most embodiments, the adhesive includes a plasticizer. The adhesive may be prepared by blending the starch and starch derivatives, and cooking the blended slurry, preferably under acidic conditions. The adhesive may be employed for various purposes including as an adhesive for a multi-wall bag.

Abstract: Disclosed are a pest control agent, a method for preparing a pest control agent, and a method for controlling a pest. Generally, the pest control agent is formed by providing a porous starch and an active control agent absorbed within the porous starch, and compressing the porous starch in the presence of heat to form discrete plural particles. Preferably, one or more binders are employed, as are one or more secondary absorbents/fillers. In highly preferred embodiments of the invention, the pest control agent is prepared via pelletizing in a commercial pellet mill. The particles so prepared should be sufficiently durable to withstand bulk transport, such as by rail car or bag shipment. The particles should, however, release the control agent quickly upon contact with water, such that, for instance, the control agent may be released when the pest control agent is introduced to standing water. It is contemplated that the control agent is preferably a mosquito control agent.

Abstract: Disclosed are a method and an assembly for balk transport. An inflatable bladder is inserted into a container and disposed proximal and above a gravity-fed aperture. The container may be, for instance, a hopper rail car. A bulk material then is introduced into the container, the bulk material being, for instance, a grain-based material such as corn gluten feed. The bladder is positioned and preferably secured laterally with respect to the aperture to impede access to the aperture by the bulk material. When the container has reached the transport destination, the bladder is deflated. If the bulk material has set up during transport, access to the aperture nonetheless will have been maintained.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for hydrolyzing starch. The starch is subjected to hydrolysis in the presence of a neutral calcium salt, the hydrolysis being conducted at a pH ranging from about 5.0 to about 5.5. The calcium salt may be a non-toxic and label-friendly salt such as calcium sulfate, calcium chloride or calcium phosphate, preferably naturally existing salts. The enzymatically catalyzed hydrolysis may be quenched using an organic acid, such as citric acid, preferably an acid that exists in nature, or with heat. Certain processing and product quality advantages may be realized via the disclosed method. The method may provide a variety of hydrolyzed products, including maltodextrins, syrup solids, and the like.