Abstract: A process for producing fried starch-containing foodstuffs is described, comprising a thermal treatment resulting in gelatinization of starch, partial frying, cooling, optional freezing and optional finishing, wherein the foodstuff is subjected to a mechanical surface treatment between the thermal treatment and the partial frying. The mechanical treatment may consist of sanding, brushing, combined heat and pressure drop and other treatments. The foodstuff obtained has improved crispness, even after a holding time after finish frying.

Abstract: A polymer is fed upstream into an extruder. The polymer is melted and mixed in a zone (A). Cellulosic fibres are fed into the extruder in a zone (B). A mixture of the polymer and the fibres obtained in zone (B) is transported through a degassing zone (C) and then through a pressure building zone (D). The mixture is released from zone (D) into a die. Each of zones (A), (C) and (D) includes at least one positive transportation screw element. The zone (B) includes at least one positive transportation screw element, at least one kneading section and at least one negative transportation screw element such that the cellulosic fibres are fibrillated to obtain cellulosic fibres with an aspect ratio as high as possible while simultaneously mixing the cellulosic fibres with the melted polymer.

Abstract: An encapsulated material is described of which at least a part of the material is kept encapsulated during heat treatment in an aqueous environment and is released during cooling after a heat treatment. The material is encapsulated in a layer of a hydrophobic film-forming material and a layer of a material having a low critical solution temperature (LCST) below the treatment temperature. The layer containing the hydrophobic material may be situated inside the layer having the LCST and have a melting point below the LCST, but it may also be situated outside the layer having the LCST and have a melting point above the LCST of said layer. Said layers may also be applied together.

Abstract: System for treating pumpable products by electrical pulses comprising at least one treatment chamber formed by at least two modules and comprising a flow channel through which product can be pumped, an end electrode at the one end of the treatment chamber to which a low voltage has to be applied, another end electrode at the other end of the chamber to which a high voltage has to be applied, a generator circuit for generating voltage pulses to be applied to said electrodes. The treatment chamber is provided with at least one intermediate electrode which is located in between the end electrodes and to which a voltage in between the voltages of the two end electrodes has to be applied.

Abstract: A reactor vessel comprising (a) a cylindrically shaped, hollow core element as the inner wall, which element is open at both ends; and (b) at least one layer of high performance fibers, preferably having a tensile strength of at least 100 MPa, arranged around the core element in an essentially circumferential orientation, wherein the fibers are embedded in a rigid polymeric or resinous matrix. The reactor vessel is suitably part of a high pressure reactor, which further includes two plugging elements arranged in the opposing open ends of the vessel, which plugging elements are mounted on a common frame for balancing the forces exerted on the plugging elements. The reactor is very suitable for use in high pressure operations.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for determining the quality of a crop, comprising the determination of at least one characteristic parameter of the photosynthesis process of the crop, which parameter serves as a quality indicator for the crop, wherein the parameter belongs to the photosystem I (PSI), which is known per se, and wherein the determination of the parameter comprises the following steps: (a) bringing at least some of a number of types of molecules which are located on the donor side of PSI into an oxidised state; (b) allowing at least some of the oxidised molecules to be reduced; and (c) determining a relaxation parameter which contains information on the rate of the reduction, wherein step (c) comprises at least the following sub-steps: (1) measurement of absorption of light in a predetermined wavelength region by the oxidised molecules in the crop during the reduction, and (2) calculation of a rate parameter which contains information on the rate of a change in the measured absorption as a fun

Abstract: Poly(3-hydroxyalkanoates) (PHAs) are used as binders for drying paint systems, wherein the poly (3-hydroxyalkanoate) component comprises poly (3-hydroxyalkanoate) containing mono- and/or poly-unsaturated side groups. Medium chain length PHAs based on unsaturated vegetable fatty acids are preferred. PHAs are used in the form of a solution in organic solvents and in the form of a dispersion in water. The PHA binders are used for the formulation of solvent-based PHA paint systems and for the formulations of PHA latexes.

Abstract: System for controlling the air composition within a storage room for breathing vegetable products. The storage room is connected to elements for controlling the oxygen content of the atmosphere in the storage room and comprises one or more sensors for sensing the air composition in the storage room. A processor is available for receiving the sensor signals and supplying control signals to oxygen content controlling elements. Furthermore the storage room comprises sensors for determining the development of metabolites in the vegetable products at the transfer of normal breathing to fermentation. The processor based on the signals, delivered by the sensors, controls the oxygen content controlling elements such that the vegetable products are stored in an air composition in which the oxygen contents is as low as possible without fermentation occurring.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for the oxidation of carbohydrates with periodate in an aqueous medium, with which method a less than equivalent amount of periodate is used and the periodate is regenerated during the reaction in a separate reaction chamber. The periodate is preferably regenerated electrochemically. The oxidation leads to dialdehyde carbohydrates in which advantageously 30-85% of the available diol groups are oxidized to dialdehyde groups.