Abstract: Disclosed are a method and an assembly for bulk 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 pest control composition that includes a pest control agent, such as citronella oil, and a carrier, the carrier comprising a cellulosic fibrous material and a mineral sorbent material. In preferred embodiments to the invention, the composition is in the form of discrete plural compacted particles. Surprisingly, a pest control composition prepared in accordance with the preferred embodiments of the invention is substantially dry to the touch and permits sustained release of the pest control agent. Methods for preparing a pest control agents and method for pest control also are disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for treating a grain to form a product that is high in dietary fiber on the basis of dry solids content relative to the grain. Generally, the process includes subjecting the grain product to a destarching step, typically via aqueous treatment in warm water, followed by screening. The intermediate product thus formed is subjected to steam, typically in a jet cooking step, to yield a product that is higher in dietary fiber on a dry solids basis than the intermediate product previously formed. The grain is typically wheat bran, but may be other grains such as rice or oats.

Abstract: Disclosed are a fluid absorber, a method for preparing a fluid absorber, and a method for absorbing fluid from the skin. The disclosed method for preparing a fluid absorber generally comprises the steps of selecting a starch and an enzyme for hydrolysis of the starch, determining a fluid absorption optimum hydrolysis level for the starch, and enzymatically hydrolyzing the starch to approximately the optimum level thus determined. The starch alternatively may be hydrolyzed with acid hydrolysis without the use of an enzyme catalyst. The disclosed method for absorbing fluid from the skin includes the step of applying a fluid absorbing effective amount of a fluid absorber thus prepared. Absorption properties of the fluid absorber of the invention are comparable to or exceed those of commercially available skin fluid absorbers, such as talc and unmodified corn starch.

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 an animal litter that includes a palm oil residue, possibly in combination with another absorbent material such as whole ground grain, virgin germ, seed meal, spent germ or clay. The palm oil residue may be palm kernel cake, palm oil sludge, or palm pressed fiber. Also disclosed are a method for removing animal waste and a process for preparing an animal litter. The method for removal of animal waste includes allowing an animal to excrete waste into a container that includes a litter, the litter comprising a palm oil residue. The process for preparing an animal litter comprises combining the materials that make up the litter to form the litter.

Abstract: Disclosed are animal litters, processes for preparing animal litters, and methods for removal of animal waste. The disclosed litters are made from ingredients including plant meal, grain germ, citrus residue, and grain bran, usually in combination with a cohesiveness agent and a microbial inhibitor. The litters are provided in the form of discrete plural articles which tend to agglomerate when wetted.

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 are a method for the reduction of an oligosaccharide mixture and an oligosaccharide mixture prepared thereby. In accordance with the disclosed invention, a mixture of oligosaccharides having a given DP profile is reduced to a DE of essentially zero by catalytically hydrogenating the mixture under reaction conditions sufficient to preserve the DP profile of the mixture, which reaction conditions typically include a reaction temperature ranging from about 50° C. to about 150° C. and a reaction pressure ranging up to about 1500 psi. Surprisingly, when the mixture is a malto-oligosaccharide mixture, the reduced mixture will have a superior color-fastness and thermal stability as compared to a similar unreduced mixture of malto-oligosaccharides, and also low reactivity towards nitrogen-containing species.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for the dissociation of cells. Cells are processed under conditions of pH, temperature, and shear to thereby yield a mixture of cell wall ghosts and cytoplasm. Preferably, the cells are jet cooked at an alkaline pH to form an intermediate mixture, and the intermediate mixture is subsequently subjected to mechanical homogenization. Generally, the cells become dissociated, whereby at least one separate cell wall component is substantially separate from the dissociated cell walls.

Abstract: Disclosed are a pest control composition, a method of pest control, and a method for preparing a pest control composition. The pest control composition includes diatomaceous earth, a porous granular starch, and a control agent, the control agent generally being an oleaginous material that is film-forming on a water surface. The pest control composition generally is in the form of discrete plural compacted particles. Upon release, for instance, onto a body of water, the control agent will be released from the pest control composition and will form a film over at least a portion of the body of water.

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 are a method for the reduction of an oligosaccharide mixture and an oligosaccharide mixture prepared thereby. In accordance with the disclosed invention, a mixture of oligosaccharides having a given DP profile is reduced to a DE of essentially zero by catalytically hydrogenating the mixture under reaction conditions sufficient to preserve the DP profile of the mixture, which reaction conditions typically include a reaction temperature ranging from about 50° C. to about 150° C. and a reaction pressure ranging up to about 1500 psi. Surprisingly, when the mixture is a malto-oligosaccharide mixture, the reduced mixture will have a superior color-fastness and thermal stability as compared to a similar unreduced mixture of malto-oligosaccharides, and also low reactivity towards nitrogen-containing species.

Abstract: Disclosed are dust suppressant and aggregate stabilization compositions. In accordance with the subject disclosure, hemicellulose is used as a dust suppressant and/or as a stabilization composition for aggregates such as a road bed or soil field. Other ingredients may be used in a composition in conjunction with hemicellulose. For instance, a lignin compound may be used to enhance dust suppression and/or aggregate stabilization. A surfactant may be used to decrease the viscosity of the composition. A crosslinking agent may be used to enhance the water resistance of the composition. A chloride salt may be added to increase the hygroscopicity of the composition.

Abstract: Disclosed are a method for the reduction of an oligosaccharide mixture and an oligosaccharide mixture prepared thereby. In accordance with the disclosed invention, a mixture of oligosaccharides having a given DP profile is reduced to a DE of essentially zero by catalytically hydrogenating the mixture under reaction conditions sufficient to preserve the DP profile of the mixture, which reaction conditions typically include a reaction temperature ranging from about 50° C. to about 150° C. and a reaction pressure ranging up to about 1500 psi. Surprisingly, when the mixture is a malto-oligosaccharide mixture, the reduced mixture will have a superior color-fastness and thermal stability as compared to a similar unreduced mixture of malto-oligosaccharides, and also low reactivity towards nitrogen-containing species.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for the dissociation of cells. Cells are processed under conditions of pH, temperature, and shear to thereby yield a mixture of cell wall ghosts and cytoplasm. Preferably, the cells are jet cooked at an alkaline pH to form an intermediate mixture, and the intermediate mixture is subsequently jet cooked. Generally, the cells become dissociated, whereby at least one separate cell wall component is substantially separate from the dissociated cell walls.

Abstract: Disclosed are an animal litter, a process for preparing the animal litter, and a method for removal of animal waste. The method for removal of animal waste comprises providing a copra residue, such as copra cake or copra oil cake, allowing an animal to excrete waste into the litter, and removing at least a portion of the soiled litter. An animal litter in accordance with the disclosed teachings includes a copra residue in combination with one or more absorbent materials, such as clay, whole ground grain, spent grain germ, or any other absorbent material. The process for preparing the animal litter comprises blending copra residue with one or more absorbent materials. The animal litters disclosed herein may include other ingredients, such as additional absorbent materials, preservatives, and so forth.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for the dissociation of cells. Cells are processed under conditions of pH, temperature, and shear to thereby yield a mixture of cell wall ghosts and cytoplasm. Preferably, the cells are jet cooked at an alkaline pH to form an intermediate mixture, and the intermediate mixture is subsequently jet cooked. Generally, the cells become dissociated, whereby at least one separate cell wall component is substantially separate from the dissociated cell walls.

Abstract: Disclosed are a method for the reduction of an oligosaccharide mixture and an oligosaccharide mixture prepared thereby. In accordance with the disclosed invention, a mixture of oligosaccharides having a given DP profile is reduced to a DE of essentially zero by catalytically hydrogenating the mixture under reaction conditions sufficient to preserve the DP profile of the mixture, which reaction conditions typically include a reaction temperature ranging from about 50° C. to about 150° C. and a reaction pressure ranging up to about 1500 psi. Surprisingly, when the mixture is a malto-oligosaccharide mixture, the reduced mixture will have a superior color-fastness and thermal stability as compared to a similar unreduced mixture of malto-oligosaccharides, and also low reactivity towards nitrogen-containing species.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of washing a grain-based substrate, such as a spent grain germ. The grain-based substrate is contacted with steam and maintained in contact with steam for a time and at a pressure sufficient to liberate at least a portion of one odor component present in the substrate. Subsequently, at least a portion of the steam and at least some of the liberated odor component is separated from the balance of the substrate, thereby leaving a washed substrate. An additive, such as a soap or detergent, may be used in connection with the washing step. The grain-based substrate may be used in connection with an animal litter. In one embodiment, a litter is prepared from distiller's dried grain. Surprisingly, washing of the dried grains in accordance with the preferred teachings reduces the odor of the distiller's dried grains and yields a litter with excellent clumping properties.