Abstract: A procedure for oxidizing organic compounds having allylic hydrogen atom(s) involving the steps of reactively contacting the organic compound with a combination of an N-hydroxy dicarboxylic acid imide and a chromium-containing oxidant. The reaction can conveniently be conducted under ambient temperature and pressure conditions, and is conveniently conducted in a co-solvent system of water and organic solvent(s).

Abstract: Lupus erythematosus can be treated by administering therapeutic amounts of delta-5-androstene-3-beta-ol-7,17-dione and its metabolizable precursors, which are not appreciably metabolized in vivo to androgens, estrogens or dehydroepiandrosterone. Such treatment can be prophylactic, ameliorative or curative in nature.

Abstract: The memory of a healthy mammal and the memory of a mammal with age impaired memory can be improved by administering an effective amount of .DELTA.5-Androstene-3.beta.-ol-7,17-dione and 3.beta. esters thereof.

Abstract: A procedure for oxidizing organic compounds having allylic hydrogen atom(s) involving the steps of reactively contacting the organic compound with a combination of a periodic acid or metal periodate and an alkyl hydroperoxide under conditions of normal as well as elevated pressure of a suitable gas like air. The reaction can conveniently be conducted at temperatures between about 0-65.degree. C. in a cosolvent system of water and organic solvent(s).

Abstract: HIV-related weight loss, HIV-related cachexia and HIV-related wasting syndrome can be treated by administering therapeutic amounts of the steroid .DELTA.5-androstene-3.beta.-ol-7,17 dione and metabolizable precursors thereof, such as .DELTA.5-androstene-3.beta.-acetoxy-7,17 dione, which are readily metabolized in vivo to .DELTA.5 androstene-3.beta.-ol-7,17 dione. Such treatment can be prophylactic, modulatory, ameliorative or curative in nature.

Abstract: A procedure for oxidizing organic compounds having allylic hydrogen atom(s) involving the steps of reactively contacting the organic compound with a combination of an alkali metal periodate and an alkyl hydroperoxide. The reaction can conveniently be conducted under ambient temperature and pressure conditions, and is conveniently conducted in a cosolvent system of water and organic solvent(s).

Abstract: Method of prophylactically averting weight gain, promoting weight loss and treating obesity with a family of thermogenic steroids. Such steroids include substantially pure .DELTA.5 Androstene-17-ones having an ester of a saturated, unbranched C.sub.2-24 monocarboxylic acid attached at the 3.beta.-position of the base steroid ring.

Abstract: Alzheimer's disease and immune deficiency disorders may be effectively treated by administering a .DELTA.5-Androstene-3.beta.-ol-17-one having a C.sub.7 substituent selected from the group consisting of oxo, hydroxy and groups convertible thereto by hydrolysis by administering a therapeutic amount of a .DELTA.5-Androstene-3.beta.-ol-17-one having a C.sub.7 substituent selected from the group consisting of oxo, hydroxy and groups convertible thereto by hydrolysis.

Abstract: Alzheimer's disease and immune deficiency disorders may be effectively treated by administering a .DELTA.5-Androstene-3.beta.-ol-17-one having a C.sub.7 substituent selected from the group consisting of oxo, hydroxy and groups convertible thereto by hydrolysis by administering a therapeutic amount of a .DELTA.5-Androstene-3.beta.-ol-17-one having a C.sub.7 substituent selected from the group consisting of oxo, hydroxy and groups convertible thereto by hydrolysis.

Abstract: Immune system response may be enhanced by administering a .DELTA.5-Androstene-3.beta.-ol-17-one having a C.sub.7 substituent selected from the group consisting of oxo, hydroxy and groups convertible thereto by hydrolysis.

Abstract: A carotenoid-enriched fraction is extracted from natural sources, such as carrots, by (i) separating the carotenoid-containing natural source into a carotenoid-containing liquid fraction and a pulp fraction, (ii) adding a carotenoid precipitation agent including calcium chloride, calcium hydroxide, calcium lactate or calcium gluconate to the liquid fraction to form a carotenoid-enriched solid precipitate, and (iii) separating the carotenoid-enriched solid precipitate from the carotenoid-depleted liquid portion.

Abstract: A method for promoting weight control by treating a subject with a therapeutic amount of one of the .DELTA.5-androstenes listed below to stimulate weight control without affecting appetite or inducing the synthesis of sex hormones..DELTA.5-Androstenes providing the desired biological activities include:.DELTA.5-Androstene-3.beta.,7.alpha.-diol-17-one (1).DELTA.5-Androstene-3.beta.-ol-7,17-dione (2).DELTA.5-Androstene-3.beta.,7.alpha.,17.beta.-triol (3).DELTA.5-Androstene-3.beta.,17.beta.-diol-7-one (4).DELTA.5-Androstene-3.beta.-acetoxy-7,16,17-trione (5).DELTA.5-Androstene-3.beta.,16.alpha.-dihydroxy-7,17-dione (6).DELTA.5-Androstene-3.beta.-propionoxy-16.beta.-acetoxy-7,17-dione (7).DELTA.5-Androstene-3.beta.,7.alpha.,17.beta.-triol-16-one (8).DELTA.5-Androstene-3.beta.,17.beta.-diol-7,16-dione (9).DELTA.5-Androstene-3.beta.,16.alpha.,17.beta.-triol-7-one (10)and derivatives thereof wherein one or more of the hydroxyl or keto substituents is a group convertible thereto by hydrolysis.

Abstract: A method for promoting weight control by treating a subject with a therapeutic amount of one of the .DELTA.5-androstenes listed below to stimulate weight control without affecting appetite or inducing the synthesis of sex hormones. .DELTA.5-Androstenes providing the desired biological activities include:.DELTA.5-Androstene-3.beta.,7.alpha.-diol-17-one.DELTA.5-Androstene-3.beta.-ol-7,17-dione.DELTA.5-Androstene-3.beta.,7.alpha.,17.beta.-triol.DELTA.5-Androstene-3.beta.,17.beta.-diol-7-one.DELTA.5-Androstene-3.beta.-acetoxy-7,16,17-trione.DELTA.5-Androstene-3.beta.,16.alpha.-dihydroxy-7,17-dione.DELTA.5-Androstene-3.alpha.-propionoxy-16.beta.-acetoxy-7,17-dione.DELTA.5-Androstene-3.beta.,7.alpha.,17.beta.-triol-16-one.DELTA.5-Androstene-3.beta.,17.beta.-diol-7,16-dione.DELTA.5-Androstene-3.beta.,16.alpha.,17.beta.-triol-7-one.

Abstract: A process for producing a low-cost, crude, human-consumable, pectin-containing fiber possessing the gelling effect of fully refined pectin by treating the fiber with a dissociable phosphate reactant, removing excess water from the treated fiber, and drying.

Abstract: An environmentally-friendly process for producing a low-cost, crude, human-consumable, pectic material containing fiber which includes the steps of (i) reacting an aqueous slurry of an edible fiber with an alkaline earth metal electrolyte, (ii) separating the slurry into a pectin-rich solid fraction and a pectin-poor liquid fraction, (iii) passing the fiber through an ion exchange column to exchanging H.sup.- ions for the previously added alkaline earth metal ions on the pectin component of the fiber, and (iv) drying the fiber.

Abstract: Process for enhancing the natural bile acid binding capacity of edible pulp material by either heating an aqueous slurry of the pulp material to at least 40.degree. C. and/or sequentially reacting pulp with a first reactant, such as sodium hydroxide, for activating the pendant hydroxyl groups on the polysaccharide components of the pulp material, a second reactant, such as chloroacetic acid, for carboxylating the activated pendant groups on the polysaccharides, and a third reactant, such as calcium hydroxide, for providing calcium ions which can ionically bond to the carboxylated pendant groups.

Abstract: A method for controlling weight gain or promoting weight loss which includes the step of treating a subject with an effective weight gain controlling or weight loss promoting amount of a substituted .DELTA.5-Androstene which is biologically effective for controlling weight gain or promoting weight loss and biologically ineffective for promoting the synthesis of sex hormones. Steroids believed to provide the desired weight control/weight loss characteristics include:.DELTA.5-Androstene-3.beta.,7.alpha.-diol-17-one.DELTA.5-Androstene-3.beta.-ol-7,17-dione.DELTA.5-Androstene-3.beta.,7.alpha.,17-triol.DELTA.5-Androstene-3.beta.,17.beta.-diol-7-oneand various derivatives thereof.

Abstract: Alzheimer's disease and immune deficiency disorders may be effectively treated by administering a .DELTA.5-Androstene-3.beta.-ol-17-one having a C.sub.7 substituent selected from the group consisting of oxo, hydroxy and groups convertible thereto by hydrolysis.by administering a therapeutic amount of a .DELTA.5-Androstene-3.beta.-ol-17-one having a C.sub.7 substituent selected from the group consisting of oxo, hydroxy and groups convertible thereto by hydrolysis.

Abstract: A carotenoid-enriched fraction is extracted from natural sources, such as carrots, by (i) separating the carotenoid-containing natural source into a carotenoid-containing liquid fraction and a pulp fraction, (ii) adding a carotenoid precipitation agent including calcium chloride, calcium hydroxide, calcium lactate or calcium gluconate to the liquid fraction to form a carotenoid-enriched solid precipitate, and (iii) separating the carotenoid-enriched solid precipitate from the carotenoid-depleted liquid portion.

Abstract: Process for enhancing the natural bile acid binding capacity of edible pulp material by either heating an aqueous slurry of the pulp material to at least 40.degree. C. and/or sequentially reacting pulp with a first reactant, such as sodium hydroxide, for activating the pendant hydroxyl groups on the polysaccharide components of the pulp material, a second reactant, such as chloroacetic acid, for carboxylating the activated pendant groups on the polysaccharides, and a third reactant, such as calcium hydroxide, for providing calcium ions which can ionically bond to the carboxylated pendant groups.