Abstract: The present invention is related to a method for the prevention or retarding of staling during the baking process of bakery products which comprises the step of adding a sufficiently effective amount of at least one intermediate thermostable and/or thermostable serine protease in said bakery products. The present invention further relates to an improver composition for the prevention or retarding of staling during the baking process of bakery products, characterised in that it comprises at least one intermediate thermostable and/or thermostable serine protease.

Abstract: The present invention is related to a method for the prevention or retarding of staling during the baking process of bakery products which comprises the step of adding a sufficiently effective amount of at least one intermediate thermostable and/or thermostable serine protease in the bakery products. The present invention further relates to an improver for the prevention or retarding of staling during the baking process of bakery products, which comprises at least one intermediate thermostable and/or thermostable serine protease.

Abstract: The invention relates to method for preparing a chocolate composition comprising at least 10% cocoa butter, said method comprising the steps of: (a) Preparing a chocolate mixture comprising at least 10% cocoa butter by admixing a chocolate mass with a blend of an oil and/or fat having a Solid Fat Content higher than 2% when measured at 30° C. with IUPAC method 2.150 a, and having a Trans Fatty Acid Content below 4%, preferably below 2%, (b) Feeding this mixture in molten state to a scraped surface heat exchanger, wherein the temperature of the scraped surface is below +10° C., advantageously is below 0° C., (c) Crystallization and stabilization of said melt with the aid of said scraped surface heat exchanger, (d) Optionally, extrusion of the thus chilled mixture in block shape. This method advantageously allows the preparation of trans-free chocolate fillings, advantageously without the need of specialty products.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel method for conching chocolate, whereby a chocolate mass is submitted to a conching method that comprises the following steps: —a dry conching step performed at a temperature of between 50° C. and 70° C., —and subsequent a wet conching step performed at a temperature of between 60° C. and 110° C., more in particular at a temperature between 60° C. and 90° C., wherein the dry conching temperature and the wet conching temperature are comprised within the range(s) defined by the graph of FIG. 13 (see shaded or hatched regions). Most preferably the dry conching step is performed at about 60° C. and the wet conching step at about 60° C. or about 90° C. Advantageously, this adapted conching process conserves and even increases the antioxidant activity of a chocolate, in particular a dark chocolate. Consequently, the present invention further relates to a method of conserving and/or increasing the antioxidant activity of chocolate and to chocolates processed accordingly.

Abstract: The present invention is related to a method of making a bread improver in the form of a powder, characterized in that it is made of agglomerated particles having a mean particle size less than 200 &mgr;m.

Abstract: The present invention is related to an isolated and purified enzyme with inulinolytic activity having more than 75% sequence identity with the amino acid sequence SEQ ID NO 12 to its encoding nucleotidic sequence to a cell producing the enzyme and to the use for the degradation of inulin or inulin-containing plant material, especially for the production of fructose syrups and for the production of oligomers of fructose.

Abstract: A process for obtaining improved structure build-up of baked products includes the steps of incorporating a sufficient amount of exopolysaccharides into a dough to show a rise in viscosity with time and thereafter maintaining the achieved viscosity. New dextrans and new micro-organisms producing them can be used in the process. Thus, the dough and baked products containing these dextrans are produced.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the preparation and for the precooking of whole or crushed softened seeds which are used as an ingredient in food compositions, in particular in bakery products. The process involves mixing the seeds to be steeped with water; acidifying the mixture of seeds and of water to a pH of less than about 4.5; cooking the thus acidified mixture of seeds and of water; and packaging the moist product. The present invention also relates to the packaging, preferably vacuum packaging, containing the products thus treated.

Abstract: Disclosed is a powdered composition including an emulsifier and at least one anti-caking additive selected from the group consisting of earth alkali oxides, earth alkali hydroxides or a mixture thereof. Further disclosed is a method for preventing caking of a powdered composition comprising emulsifiers.