Abstract: The present invention provides a novel apparatus to grow cells or microorganisms where the cultivation chamber is partially filled with liquid cultivation medium and cells. The wave induction mechanism lifts up between 5 and 50 % of the length of the culture chamber. Mixing and aeration is achieved by inducing intermittently waves from one extremity of the bioreactor to the other. As the design of the invention is very simple, it is possible to manufacture it with flexible plastic material and use the apparatus as a disposable system. Moreover, such a mixing/aeration principle minimizes cell damages usually due to shear stress and small bubbles. Since the waves induction mechanism is very simple, it allows easy and efficient scale-up from small scale to a larger one. Such a large-scale, efficient and disposable culture system can largely reduce production costs.

Abstract: The invention relates to a coffee beverage base being substantially non-alcoholic and comprising a fermented coffee component comprising coffee aroma, which fermented coffee component, has a modulated coffee aroma with fruity and/or floral notes due to the fermentation of the coffee aroma. Further the invention relates to a ready-to-drink coffee beverage which when prepared for consumption form a beer like beverage with a foam. The invention also relates to a process for making such products.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reconstituting consumable powder(s) with a liquid to provide a food liquid such as milk, cappuccino-type beverage, or soup with or without froth. The powder is introduced into a container and pre-wetted by an intersecting liquid spray. Further mixing occurs in the container. The container may have additional liquid streams feeding into the container for increased mixing. This food liquid can then be aspirated by the Venturi effect by steam generation to produce a frothed/aerated food liquid.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of an oral composition comprising meat extract and peptones, separately or in combination, in the manufacture of an oral composition to treat the effects of infection by pathogenic bacteria such as Clostridium difficile. Such effects may include the failure of the integrity of the gut epithelial cells and diarrhoea as well as other COX-2 mediated effects.

Abstract: The present invention is related to a device and method for dispensing dual component liquids or concentrates packaged in separate containers to provide protection from effects such as oxidation and moisture loss. The liquids or concentrates can be dispensed through a pumping system, preferably including a peristaltic pump, mixed together, and optionally diluted with another liquid, such as water, to provide a consumable beverage. In addition, the device of the present invention can dispense liquids or concentrates having different viscosities, such that they are mixed together in the proper ratio.

Abstract: This invention concerns a fat-based confectionery product which is coated with a film forming agent and characterised in that it is heat resistant and in that it retains its shape when submitted to heat. This invention also discloses the use of this coated fat-based confectionery in food product, as well as a food product comprising this coated fat-based confectionery, especially chocolate or baked food.

Abstract: A DNA fragment derived from coffee encoding at least one enzyme involved in the hydrolysis of polysaccharides comprising pure or branched mannan molecules linked to each other via a ? (1?4) linkage, and which has the the nucleic acid sequence SEQ ID NO.:1 or which is homologous to or hybridizes to a fragment of DNA having the nucleic acid sequence SEQ ID NO.:1.

Abstract: Products that are aerated multiphase systems containing an aqueous continuous fluid phase which may include solutes thus forming an aqueous syrup and disperse phases like gas/air cells, water ice crystals and solid/semi-solid fat globules or aggregates thereof, whereas the disperse phases are that finely structured that their mean diameters are below phase specific critical maximum values and thereby generate a most preferred by consumers, full rich silky-creamy mouth feel at much lower fat content than usual in conventional related products like premium and super premium ice creams.

Abstract: Percolating device, for example intended to equip a coffee machine, comprising a percolating chamber mounted in such a way that it can carry out a displacement in the vertical direction when a control handle is operated. A cap receiving a capsule of product to be infused is also displaced, when the handle is operated, towards the inside of the percolating chamber. A percolating head sliding freely inside the percolating chamber can occupy different relative positions inside the percolating chamber according to the size of the capsule loaded into the cap. A stop device makes it possible to lock the percolating head in a definite position in order to inject steam and/or water through the percolating head.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of lactic acid bacteria capable of adhering to the mucosa of the intestine and especially colonizing it for the prevention of peritonitis. In particular, the present invention relates to the use of such lactic acid bacteria for the prevention of peritonitis caused by cirrhosis of the liver. Specifically, the present invention relates to a method for preventing peritonitis in a patient in need of such prevention. This method includes administering to the patient a lactic acid bacterium that is capable of adhering to the intestine's mucosa and essentially colonizing it for the preparation of an ingestable carrier. The invention also relates to a peritonitis preventing composition of a lactic acid bacterium that is capable of adhering to the intestine's mucosa and essentially colonizing it for the preparation of an ingestable carrier. The carrier is preferably a food or pharmaceutical composition.

Abstract: A flexible container and method for making same are provided. The container comprises a base portion including a bottom, side walls, and an interior, the bottom defining a substantially flat planar surface when the container houses product and the container rests on its bottom, an upper panel portion, that is designed to be received within the interior of the base portion and includes side panels that define a closure member, the upper panel being so constructed and arranged to define a substantially flat surface when the closure member is closed and portions of the upper panel are folded over, the upper panel includes a portion that is sealed to the base portion, and a pair of handles may also be coupled to the base portion.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a shelf stable vegetable composition that includes a vegetable having a green color and a water-soluble compound in an amount sufficient to impart to the composition a water activity of 0.65 or less and a pH of 6.5 to 7.5 at ambient conditions for preservation of the green color of the vegetable. Advantageously, the water-soluble compound is present in an amount to preserve the green color of the vegetable for at least 6 months, and to impart a water activity of 0.6 to 0.65. The invention also relates to a method for increasing shelf stability of a vegetable composition that includes a vegetable having a green color, by adding effective amounts of such water-soluble compounds thereto.

Abstract: The invention relates to a confectionery product that includes at least one functional ingredient that has a casing and a filling enclosed within the casing. The filling includes at least one confectionery material having properties that confer to the filling a perceivable effect when the filling is released in the mouth. The casing is capable of releasing the filling when contacting saliva in the mouth. This liberates the filling out of the casing while allowing the casing to be left substantially as an empty shell before it entirely dissolves in the mouth.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an espresso coffee machine designed for a low-voltage vehicle that includes a water tank connected to a pump for pumping the water to a heating element which is itself connected to a brewing head in which a cartridge of coffee is brewed, a moveable closure for closing the head with a mechanism for moving the closure from an open position to a closed position and vice versa, a coffee dispensing pipe associated with the closure and a connection for the electric power supply, in which machine the heating of the heating element is switched off or reduced when the pump is running.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a primary composition that includes at least one carotenoid-containing extract, concentrate or oleoresin enriched in cis-isomers of the carotenoid compound, and process of forming the same. It also relates to an oral composition that contains the primary composition in a foodstuff, in a food supplement, in a cosmetic preparation or in a pharmaceutical preparation.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for modulating immunity and vaccine efficacy in animals are disclosed. The compositions and methods utilize probiotic organisms, specifically probiotic Enterococcus strains, and are particularly applicable to felines.

Abstract: A method is provided for improving the condition and/or increasing the longevity of elderly pets. The elderly pet is administered an effective amount of a nutritional composition which contains a calcium source and an antioxidant source, such as of vitamins or vitamin precursors which have antioxidant properties. Examples of such vitamins and precursors include ?-carotene and vitamin E.

Abstract: A food product that includes a casing of a gelatin-free, water-based, set hydrocolloid gel that forms an enclosure, and at least one solid, liquid, soft or particulate center enclosed by the casing. The casing is made of a carageenan, alginate, agarose, gellan gum, pectin or cellulose compound, and the food product can withstand changes in temperature. Also, a process for the production of such a food product, wherein a liquid hydrocolloid mass is partially set and a hard, liquid, soft or particulate center is injected therein with the final completing or the setting of the hydrocolloid mass providing the encapsulation of the center.

Abstract: The present invention relates to phage isolates having a strong lytic activity against pathogenic Enterobacteriaceae such as Escherichia coli and/or Salmonella strains and their use in various human or pet food products for the treatment or prevention of bacterial diseases caused by pathogenic Enterobacteriaceae such as Escherichia coli, in particular for phage therapy of pediatric gastroenteritis, or Salmonella infection. It also relates to human or pet food products prepared thereof.

Abstract: A tropicalizing agent including a liquid fat component and a plurality of gel beads that include a sugar or polyol in an amount of about 20 to 50 weight percent of the gel beads, an emulsifier component to facilitate uniform gel bead distribution, and the remainder being water present in an amount sufficient to ensure that the sugar or polyol is present in aqueous form. Preferably, the liquid fat component is present in an amount sufficient to disperse the gel beads therein and wherein a majority of the gel beads remain substantially intact for at least about 4 hours after being cooled below about 30° C. Methods of making tropicalizing agents and using the agents to tropicalize chocolate products or analogues thereof, as well as the resultant chocolate or chocolate analogue articles, are also included.