Abstract: The present invention provides a powdered vinegar that comprises partly neutralized vinegar, i.e. vinegar derived acid that is partly neutralized with e.g. sodium and/or potassium hydroxide, and free vinegar derived acid. The invention also provides a process for producing such a powdered vinegar and the use of this powdered vinegar in a foodstuff or a beverage, e.g. as a preservative. The present process offers the advantage that it yields a stable, free flowing powdered vinegar that can suitably be used as a preservative in e.g. processed meat products. The powdered vinegar has a high content of free acid, is easy to dissolve and acts as an acidulant.

Abstract: The present invention relates to preservation of meat products. In particular new additives are provided for effective inhibition or prevention of bacterial outgrowth in meat products. The present inventors found that a combination of carvacrol and a cationic surfactant was effective in the inhibition or prevention of bacterial outgrowth in meat products. The combinations, more in particular, proved to be effective at levels that do not result in significant effects on the flavor and/or taste of the products. The present inventors furthermore found that treatment of meat products with the combinations of this invention had a favorable effect on the visual appearance (color) of the meat products. The present invention provides preservative compositions, the use of thereof as well as the meat products containing them.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a method for providing a succinic acid solution, comprising the steps of —providing a first magnesium succinate containing medium with a magnesium succinate concentration of 18-23 wt. % to a first acidification reactor where it is contacted with hydrogen chloride to form a solution of succinic acid, magnesium chloride and hydrogen chloride, —providing a second magnesium succinate containing medium with a magnesium succinate concentration of 25-50 wt. %, and contacting it in a second acidification reactor with the solution of succinic acid, magnesium chloride and hydrogen chloride withdrawn from the first acidification reactor, to form an aqueous mixture comprising magnesium chloride and succinic acid with a succinic acid concentration of at least 18 wt. %. The method according to the invention makes it possible to obtain a solution comprising succinic acid and magnesium 20 chloride with an increased succinic acid concentration.

Abstract: The present invention relates to fermentation processes. The objective of the invention was to provide methods for producing nisin containing ferments and formulating such ferments into preservatives. It was in particular an object of the present invention to provide improved processes for producing nisin containing ferments by simple and efficient (batch) culturing and allowing for simple down-stream processing either into a liquid, semi-liquid or a dry powder product, having sufficient nisin content and stability, good handling properties and satisfactory organoleptic properties. Such processes are provided, as well as the products that can be obtained with it and their use as food preservative.

Abstract: The present invention provides a powdered vinegar that comprises partly neutralized vinegar, i.e. vinegar derived acid that is partly neutralized with e.g. sodium and/or potassium hydroxide, and free vinegar derived acid. The invention also provides a process for producing such a powdered vinegar and the use of this powdered vinegar in a foodstuff or a beverage, e.g. as a preservative. The present process offers the advantage that it yields a stable, free flowing powdered vinegar that can suitably be used as a preservative in e.g. processed meat products. The powdered vinegar has a high content of free acid, is easy to dissolve and acts as an acidulant.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of genetic engineering and more particularly to nucleic acid editing and genome modification. The present invention provides an isolated Cas protein or polypeptide fragment thereof having an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1 or a sequence of at least 77% identity therewith, wherein the Cas protein or polypeptide is capable of DNA cleavage at a temperature in the range 50° C. and 100° C. inclusive. The invention further provides isolated nucleic acid molecules encoding said Cas9 nucleases, expression vectors and host cells. The Cas9 nucleases disclosed herein provide novel tools for genetic engineering at elevated temperatures and are of particular value in the genetic manipulation of thermophilic organisms; particularly microorganisms.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing purified glycerol including the steps of providing a starting glycerol fraction comprising glycerol, water, and fatty acid methyl esters, subjecting the glycerol fraction to a partial evaporation to form an evaporated fraction including glycerol, water, and fatty acid methyl esters, and a remainder fraction including glycerol, condensing the evaporated fraction to form a liquid, subjecting the liquid evaporated fraction including glycerol, water, and fatty acid methyl esters to a liquid-liquid separation step, resulting in the formation of a fatty acid methyl ester fraction and a glycerol-based fraction including glycerol and water. The process makes it possible to efficiently separate the fatty acid methyl esters from glycerol, without the need for complete glycerol distillation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of genetic engineering and more particularly to nucleic acid editing and genome modification. The present invention provides an isolated Cas protein or polypeptide fragment thereof having an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1 or a sequence of at least 77% identity therewith, wherein the Cas protein or polypeptide is capable of DNA cleavage at a temperature in the range 50° C. and 100° C. inclusive. The invention further provides isolated nucleic acid molecules encoding said Cas9 nucleases, expression vectors and host cells. The Cas9 nucleases disclosed herein provide novel tools for genetic engineering at elevated temperatures and are of particular value in the genetic manipulation of thermophilic organisms; particularly microorganisms.

Abstract: The present invention relates to fermentation processes. The objective of the invention was to provide methods for producing ferments and formulating such ferments into preservatives. It was in particular an object of the present invention to provide improved processes for producing lactic acid containing ferments by simple and efficient (batch) culturing and allowing for simple down-stream processing either into a liquid, semi-liquid or a dry powder product, having sufficient stability, good handling properties and satisfactory organoleptic properties. Such processes are provided, as well as the products that can be obtained with it and their use as food preservative.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a lactate powder, more particularly a lactate powder having a lactate content of at least 20 wt. % and a water content of less than 3.5 wt. %, said powder comprising calcium cations as well as sodium cations. According to the invention, a calcium lactate powder combining high stability with excellent water dissolution properties can be obtained even though anhydrous calcium lactate represents the bulk of the powder if the powder additionally contains a certain amount of sodium lactate. The inventors have found that the presence of sodium lactate greatly improves the dissolution behavior of the anhydrous calcium lactate while maintaining the storage stability of the powder. The present inventors also established that the dissolution behavior of the powder can be further improved by the addition of a fast-dissolving carbohydrate material.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a process for preparing methyl lactate including the steps of: bringing an aqueous liquid comprising lactic acid, methanol, and at least 5 wt. % of a dissolved chloride salt selected from magnesium chloride, calcium chloride, and zinc chloride to reaction conditions, thereby obtaining methyl lactate, wherein an extractant is provided to the reaction mixture before, during, and/or after formation of methyl lactate; subjecting the reaction mixture to a liquid-liquid separation step wherein an organic phase comprising methyl lactate and extractant is separated from an aqueous phase comprising dissolved chloride salt. The extractant preferably includes one or more compounds selected from C5+ ketones and C3-C10 ethers, in particular C5-C8 ketones, more in particular methyl isobutyl ketone. It has been found that the process according to the invention makes it possible to manufacture methyl lactate efficiently and in high yield.

Abstract: An essentially biobased and optionally biodegradable, thermoformable composition containing a) as thermoformable resin at least one poly-L-lactide with less than 1 mol % of D-lactoyl units (PLLA) or at least one poly-L-lactide with 1-5 mol % of D-lactoyl units (PLA) and b) a nucleating combination of ?) 1 to 10% Wt. of at least one poly-D-lactide with less than 1 mol % of L-lactoyl-units (PDLA) or of 0.5 to 5% Wt. of PLLA/PDLA or PLA/PDLA stereocomplex crystallites, ?) 0.1 to 25% Wt. of an inorganic nucleating agent, and ?) 0.1 to 30% Wt. of at least an inorganic filler with lamellar structure, and thermoformed, essentially biobased and optionally biodegradable containers formed of the inventive compositions.

Abstract: The invention relates to fungal cells for the production of FDCA. The fungal cell has genetic modification that reduces specific 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA) decarboxylating monooxygenase activity in the cell, as compared to a corresponding parent cell lacking the genetic modification. The fungal cell can further be genetically modified to increase the cell's ability to oxidize furanic aldehydes to the corresponding furanic carboxylic acids. The invention also relates to a process for the production of 2,5-furan-dicarboxylic acid (FDCA) wherein the cells of the invention are used for oxidation of a furanic precursors of FDCA to FDCA.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for quantification of the amount of lactide in a lactide-based polymeric matrix by means of Infra Red Spectroscopy measurement. According to the invention the quantification is based on measurements performed on absorptions in the near Infra Red region of the electromagnetic spectrum. The invented method allows a rapid, easy and cheap quantification of lactide in a polymeric matrix, especially in PLA.

Abstract: Set forth is a process for preparing acrylic acid and/or the ester of acrylic acid and lactic acid from a lactic acid oligomer or polymer. As a result of the use of a bromide source and/or a chloride source in combination with a specific acid, a process that can be operated to obtain a high yield, and is relatively easy to perform, is realized.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for preparing a carboxylic acid, which method includes the steps of providing magnesium carboxylate, wherein the carboxylic acid corresponding with the carboxylate has a solubility in water at 20° C. of 80 g/100 g water or less; acidifying the magnesium carboxylate with HCl, thereby obtaining a solution comprising carboxylic acid and magnesium chloride (MgCl2); optionally a concentration step, wherein the solution comprising carboxylic acid and MgCl2 is concentrated; precipitating the carboxylic acid from the solution comprising the carboxylic acid and MgCl2, thereby obtaining a carboxylic acid precipitate and a MgCl2 solution.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing particles including a stereocomplex of poly-D-lactide (PDLA) and poly-L-lactide (PLLA), including the steps of: extruding a melt including 30-70 wt. % of PDLA and 70-30 wt. % of PLLA through an sc-PLA formation zone in a twin-screw extruder, wherein the formation zone is operated at a barrel temperature above the melting temperature of the PDLA and PLLA and below 220° C.; wherein the sc-PLA formation zone is followed by a finishing zone which is operated at a barrel temperature below 160° C.; wherein the finishing zone is followed by the end of the extruder which has a die-head resistance of 0; and recovering solid stereocomplex particles from the end of the extruder. The stereocomplex particles find use in various applications, e.g., in fracking fluids, as filler, as nucleating agent, in particular in the molding of semi-crystalline PLA, or as a starting material for the manufacture of sc-PLA products.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a method for manufacturing a feed product comprising the steps of: providing a lactylate product, wherein the lactylate product comprises at least 30 wt. % of C10-C16-fatty acid lactylates, in liquid form at a first location; transferring lactylate product in the liquid form to a transport unit; transporting the lactylate product in the transport unit to a second location, with the lactylate product being in solid form, in liquid form, or in an intermediate state during transport; if the lactylate product is solidified or partly solidified, converting the lactylate product to the liquid form in the transport unit; removing the lactylate product from the transport unit in liquid form at the second location; and, contacting the lactylate product in liquid form with a feed product.

Abstract: The invention relates to a cell expressing a polypeptide having 5-hydroxymethyl-2-furancarboxylic acid dehydrogenase activity, as well as to a cell expressing a polypeptide having furanic compound transport capabilities. The invention also relates to a process for the production of 2,5-furan-dicarboxylic acid (FDCA) wherein the cells of the invention are used for oxidation of a furanic precursors of FDCA.

Abstract: A polylactic acid nano-fiber membrane and preparation method thereof. In particular, the membrane has PLA nanofibers with an average diameter between 50 nm and 200 nm, wherein the nanofibers contain a crystal phase with a volume fraction between 45% and 85% and the crystal phase contains PLA stereocomplex crystals with a volume fraction between 85% and 95%. The method of preparation includes mixing dried PDLA and PLLA in a specific PLLA/PDLA ratio of between 95/5 and 99/1; producing continuous fibers or nonwovens in a extrusion and spinning device, and producing woven fabrics or nonwovens with the continuous fibers; heat treating the woven fabrics or nonwovens; washing the heat treated woven fabrics or nonwovens with a solvent; removing the solvent and drying the woven fabrics or nonwovens; and pressing the dried woven fabrics or nonwovens for making the membrane.