Abstract: The present invention generally relates to the protection and repair of connective tissues. In particular, the present invention relates to the use of chondroitin sulfates and its derivatives in connective tissue protection and repair. The present inventors have found that unsaturated disaccharidic chondroitin sulfate can be used for the preparation of a composition to develop, protect and/or repair connective tissues. This allows it for example to treat or prevent osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis, and/or the symptoms thereof as well as to treat or prevent signs of skin ageing such as the appearance of wrinkles effectively.

Abstract: A process for preparing aerated ice confection particles by manufacturing an aerated ice confection in a mass; further freezing the mass cryogenically to a temperature close to the glass transition temperature (Tg) of the aerated ice confection to form a aerated frozen mass, and comminuting the frozen mass to aerated ice confection particles with a high surface area to volume ratio. These particles can be used for a variety of purposes but preferably are used for forming frozen ice drinks in a simple, rapid and convenient manner. This is particularly useful when a single serving of such drinks is desired as no special equipment to make the drink is required. The invention also relates to packaging for the aerated ice confection particles and methods of making frozen ice drinks from the aerated ice confection particles.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of preparing a wafer by baking a batter which comprises preparing a batter mix comprising at least flour and water, feeding the batter mix intermittently in a batter stream to a batter depositor (22) which deposits batter onto a heated baking surface (23) wherein at an injection point in the batter stream immediately upstream of the batter depositor, at least one further batter ingredient is added to the batter mix to form the batter, depositing a portion of the batter onto the heated baking surface (23) to bake the batter in contact with the heated baking surface for a period of from 20 seconds to 5 minutes, at 130° C. to 220° C. to form the wafer, and removing the wafer from the heated baking surface characterized in that the batter is fed through an in-line mixing device (19) fitted at or downstream of the injection point.

Abstract: The present invention relates in general to maternal food compositions. In particular, the present invention relates to maternal food compositions comprising LC-PUFA and their uses. Embodiments of the present invention relate to maternal food compositions comprising a source of lipids, wherein the source of lipids includes at least one LC-PUFA in the form selected from the group consisting of phospholipids (PL), phosphotidylcholine (PC), phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), N-Acylphosphatidylethanolamine (NAPE), phosphatidylinositol (Pl), phosphatidylserine (PS) or their lyso derivatives and their uses in brain development and eye development of neonates.

Abstract: The invention relates to a thermally processed ready to drink liquid coffee product having an improved flavor quality after thermal processing and storage due to the incorporation of a thioester flavor precursor at a concentration of 0.005 to 7 mg/kg. Preferably, the flavor precursor is furfurylthioacetate, methylthioacetate or prenylthioacetate or combinations thereof and not limited to the above. The invention also relates to a process for preparing the improved flavor quality of a thermally processed coffee product.

Abstract: A method of continuously reducing the circulating level of insulin like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) in the first few months of the life of an infant comprises administering to the 5 infant a nutritional composition comprising proteins in an amount such that the composition contains less than 2.25 g of protein per 100 kcal. As IGF-1 is known to be a key control point in nutritional regulation of growth, this may offer a method of reducing the risk of developing obesity in later life.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for maintenance of bone health or prevention, alleviation and/or treatment of bone disorders are presented. The present invention also provides the manufacture of a nutritional product, a supplement or a medicament for promoting bone growth or for the maintenance of bone health and methods regarding same. In an embodiment, the present invention provides a composition comprising an active ingredient having an effective amount of a plant or plant extract containing at least one phytochemical having the ability to induce bone morphogenic protein expression.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a dispensing device for a viscous edible product, comprising a storing unit for storing the said viscous product, and a dispensing unit with: (i) a flexible packing tube for packing and dispensing said food product, disposed within said dispensing unit such that it comprises a substantially linear portion adjacent its dispensing opening, (ii) compression means for pinching said linear portion of tube, said means being movable in substantially perpendicular and parallel directions relative to the longitudinal axis of the tube, (iii) actuation means for reversibly moving said compression means firstly in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the packing tube to releasably pinch at least one portion of said flexible tube, and secondly in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the tube towards its dispensing opening, so as to dispense at least one portion of the product packed in the tube.

Abstract: The invention provides an orally-administrable nutritional product comprising a dipeptide including a branched chain amino acids (BCAA). In one embodiment, the nutritional product comprises a dipeptide selected from at least one of the following: alanyl-leucine, alanyl-isoleucine, alanyl-valine, glycyl-leucine, glycyl-isoleucine, and glycyl-valine.

Abstract: The invention relates to a disposable packaging, for the distribution of at least one nutritional preparation, based on a nutritional liquid, comprising at least one closed chamber, containing the nutritional liquid, with means for housing a sub-assembly for aspiration and mixing of the venturi type and means for sealing the package. The invention is particularly characterized by a duct, passing through the base seal, said duct provided for a venturi nozzle which permits the extraction of the nutritional liquid inside the packaging by piercing or removal of the seal. The invention is particularly of application to the production of hot and/or emulsified drinks of the cappuccino type or similar.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of probiotic on expecting female mammals to boost the immune status of off-spring. The use can induce an enhanced response of the offspring after birth to an infectious antigenic exposure. Ultimately the use of probiotic in expecting females can induce a better protection of offspring against infectious diseases.

Abstract: The invention proposes a capsule (9) for use in a beverage production device, the capsule containing ingredients for producing a nutritional liquid when a liquid is fed into the capsule (9) at an inlet face (8) thereof, the capsule (9) furthermore containing heat sensitive bioactive ingredients such as probiotic microorganisms (21) which are physically separated from the other nutritional ingredients in the capsule.

Abstract: A sealed capsule contains a beverage ingredient in powder form, in particular, ground coffee. The capsule comprises a base body (4) and a foil member (5) tightly attached to the base body (4), the foil member (5) being made from a material allowing the production of a multitude of perforations in the foil member (5) when the foil member (5) is thrust, via the pressure caused by injecting a liquid or a liquid/gas mix into the capsule, against a relief plate of a beverage production machine, wherein the capsule is provided with a flow control porous member (80), the flow control porous member (80) being positioned between at least a portion of ingredients (3) and the foil member (5). The flow control porous member provides a faster and more consistent flow of the liquid extract through the capsule and significantly reduces the resurgence of non-soluble solids.

Abstract: A nutritional composition comprising a partially hydrolysed milk protein having a degree of hydrolysis between 15 and 25% and 50 to 1000 nanograms of TGF-? per 100 ml of ready to consume composition and methods for the primary prevention of allergic reactions to newly introduced dietary protein at weaning and the prevention of development of atopic diseases in a young mammal at weaning comprising feeding to the young mammal a therapeutic amount of the composition are disclosed.

Abstract: This invention relates to a preparation comprising N-acetyl-lactosamine and/or an oligosaccharide containing N-acetyl-lactosamine and a probiotic Lactobacillus sp. The invention extends to nutritional compositions comprising said preparation and to the use of the preparation in the prevention and treatment of pathogenic infections of the gastro-intestinal and upper respiratory tracts.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to the use of the DNA sequence of a Lactobacillus johnsonii strain, in particular to its genomic sequence for elucidating interactions of micro-organism with hosts they colonize, and moreover for elucidating the basis of probiotic properties exhibited by such strain. In addition, the present invention also relates to methods of detecting nucleic acids or polypeptides of Lactobacilli and related species, respectively. A data carrier is provided comprising nucleotide sequences and/or polypeptide sequences of La1.

Abstract: Beverage production device for producing a beverage from a single-use capsule containing a beverage ingredient, comprising: a brewing unit (1) for receiving the capsule (8) therein upon relative closing of a first and second engaging members (6, 7) forming a cavity for encasing the capsule and pressing it at a flange-like rim (9) in a liquid seal-tight manner, wherein at least one of the first and second engaging members comprises a substantially annular pressing portion (14) for applying a sealing pressure on the flange-like rim of the capsule, the first and second engaging members being configured in relative closure at the nip to leak to a liquid injected in the cavity when a capsule is not present, wherein one of at least the first or second engaging members comprises, at its annular pressing portion, flow directing means comprising at least one passage (37) arranged for controlling liquid leakage only within a limited angular radial direction when the first and second engaging members are closed at the n

Abstract: A cartridge (1) containing a food substance adapted to interact with water injected in the cartridge to produce a food liquid comprising: a cup (2) having a chamber for holding the food substance (10) and a lid (7), a puncturable delivery wall (8) that holds the substance in the chamber, a puncturing structure (11) to puncture at least one opening in the delivery wall as a response of water filling the chamber, a collecting area (5) for collecting the liquid passing through the delivery wall in a substantially axial direction; said collecting area being placed downstream the puncturable delivery wall (8), at least one liquid outlet (15) in the collecting area for allowing the liquid to leave the collecting area, wherein the cartridge comprises a support structure (12) comprising at least one support surface (14, 17, 18, 19) configured to support at least one portion of the delivery wall to maintain a flow gap between the puncture structure (11) and the at least one outlet (15).

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a secondary packaging (4) comprising a plurality of individual primary packages (1) and at least one envelope (2) that gathers and holds the said primary packages together, characterized in that at least two adjacent individual primary packages within the envelope (2) comprise attaching means (6) so as to prevent any movement of one primary package relative to the other.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a flexible or semi-flexible stackable package (1) for flowable products, comprising a package body (2) with side (3), top (4) and bottom (5) walls, and a neck (6) adapted to receive closing and/or dispensing means (15) that extends outwardly from one of said walls (3, 4, 5) characterized in that: (i) said neck (6) is off-centred and tilted relative to the vertical axis (V) of said package (1) with an angle (?) comprised between 1° and 179°, preferably comprised between 20° and 60°, more preferably an angle of 45°, and (ii) the package body walls (3, 4, 5) comprise at least one flattened, rounded, or recessed portion (7), such that when stacked in a package assembly (10), the neck (6) of said package (1) fits in between a space (8) defined by similar packages disposed adjacent to said neck (6).