Abstract: An atypical Bacillus subtilis strain NRRL B-21974 from Pozol, a Mexican beverage, is used in controlling molds and other spoilage flora in various materials, particularly foods including dough, tortillas, moist grains and cheese. The Bacillus subtilis strain can be used in living or non-living form in the materials. The materials can include packaging for foods.

Abstract: A volatile substance dispenser including an inner open-top container for receiving and holding a heat source, such as a candle, and an outer open-top container for receiving and holding a gel containing a vaporizable or diffusable substance that passes from the gel into the surrounding atmosphere after exposure to the thermal energy from the lighted heat source, e.g. candle. The inner container can be glass, ceramic, earthenware or metal, preferably glass with a roughened outer surface.

Abstract: A substrate (e.g. skin of unknown type, fabric, or hard surfaces) is characterized by analyzing chemicals emanating from the substrate or from a substance (e.g. a test formulation comprising a mixture of volatile chemicals) applied to the substrate. Analysis is preferably done using a volatile chemicals sensor, desirably a sensor comprising an array of conducting polymer sensors. The chemical analysis data obtained in this way may be statistically analyzed, e.g. by Euclidian distance mapping or principal component analysis, for ease of handling. Having characterized a surface in this way, products, e.g. cosmetic and cleaning products, may be formulated for optimized performance on that substrate.

Abstract: The invention provides the novel cyclic acetal 2-isobutyl-5-methyl-1,3-dioxane. This compound has attractive fragrance characteristics, i.e. a strong chamomile and fruity odor with aniseed, minty, camphor and green notes. The compound finds application as a fragrance material in a wide range of perfumes and perfumed products.

Abstract: The amide N-ethyl-N-(3-methylphenyl)propionamide has been found to have attractive fragrance characteristics of the woody, vetiver type and so is used for imparting useful fragrance properties to fragrance compositions and to fragranced products.

Abstract: The cyclic acetals of the 1,5-dioxaspiro?4,5!decane type which are substituted in the dioxane ring with 1-4 alkyl groups have organoleptic properties which make them useful as a fragrance materials. The alkyl groups each have 1-4 carbon atoms with the total number of carbon atoms in all alkyl groups together not exceeding 7. Preferably the cyclic acetals should have at least one alkyl group in the 4 position. A particularly preferred cyclic acetal is 3,3-dimethyl-4-isopropyl-1,5-dioxaspiro?4,5!decane.

Abstract: Dihydromyrcene is reacted with a carboxylic acid, eg acetic acid, to produce an ester which is then reacted with an alcohol in a transesterification reaction to produce (dihydro)myrcenol and another ester. The preferred alcohol is 4-tertiarybutylcyclohexanol. Myrcenol can be produced in a similar way.

Abstract: The invention concerns perfumed, free flowing concentrated laundry detergent powders (concentrates), having a ratio of total solid constituents to total liquid constituents of less than 30:1, wherein the perfume is sorbed onto carrier particles which release at least 60% w/w/ of the perfume in the Perfume Release Test and which are inert as defined by the Perfume Stability Test. The invention also concerns perfume-on-carrier systems designed for perfuming free flowing concentrated laundry detergent powders. Preferably the carrier particles are inorganic and have a perfume content of at least 25% w/w.

Abstract: New Lactobacillus sake like strains are provided obtainable from meat products, which strains are capable of producing an exopolysaccharide having shear-thinning properties, even at low concentrations, and/or thickening and/or emulsion-stabilizing properties.

Abstract: The invention concerns 14-methyl-hexadecen-11-olide, 14-methyl-hexadecen-12-olide and 14-methyl-hexadecanolide and the use of these compounds as fragrance materials with musk odour. The invention also concerns 14-methyl-12-hydroxy-hexasecanolide, which is an intermediate in a novel process to prepare these compounds.

Abstract: The invention relates to oral care compositions with colloidal anti-plaque agents which have been coated with particular polymers containing carbohydrate (saccharide) or peptide structures which are specifically recognised by bacterial adhesins, more particularly carbohydrate containing polymers recognized by bacterial lectins, or with antibodies or antibody fragments which recognize plaque bacterial antigens. Such coated colloidal anti-plaque agents, e.g. coated colloidal zinc oxide, can be target to specific sites in the human mouth where the anti-plaque agent is then released at acidic pH.

Abstract: The invention concerns a process for preparing (-)-norlabdane oxide from sclareol oxide comprising the steps of:I converting sclareol oxide to 12-acetylnorlabdane oxide by oxidation with an organic hydroperoxide;II converting 12-acetylnorlabdane oxide to 12-acetoxy-norlabdane oxide by oxidation with an organic peracid.Step I is preferably performed with tert-butyl hydroperoxide and step II with peracetic acid.Sclareol oxide may be prepared from sclareol by ozonolysis followed by treatment with alkaline hydrogen peroxide. 12-Acetoxy-norlabdane oxide is preferably converted to norlabdane oxide by reduction with NaBH.sub.4 in the presence of a transition metal salt.

Abstract: The invention concerns a process for preparing mercapto compounds comprising the step of demethylating an S-methyl-mercapto compound of Formula I to the corresponding mercapto compound of Formula II, using a microorganism which is capable of demethylating S-methyl-3-mercapto-propionate (MMPA) to 3-mercaptopropionate (MPA) or using an enzyme preparation derivable from such microorganism. ##STR1## Preferably the group R denotes CH.sub.2 --CH.sub.2 --COOH (I is MMPA), CH.sub.2 --CH(NH.sub.2)--COOH (I is S-methyl-cystein), CH.sub.2 --CH.sub.2 --CH(NH.sub.2)--COOH (I is methionine) and CH.sub.2 --COOH (I is methylmercapto-acetate) or a salt or ester of any of these. Preferably the microorganisms are methanogenic archaea of the genus Methanosarcina or obtained by inocculating a suitable medium containing MMPA with salt marsh or marine sediment followed by one or more transfers into fresh medium containing MMPA and suppression of the growth of Bacteria, but not of Archaea in the culture e.g. with an antibiotic.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of 2-cyclopentylidene-cyclopentanol as fragrance and flavour material. The compound has an indolic odour and is therefore very useful for replacing indole in perfumes and flavourings. Unlike indole it is stable to light and in alkaline media and gives no discolouration.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of dibutyl malate as an attractant for domestically occurring flies, particularly of the species Musca domestica and Fannia canicularis, and to insect traps characterized by emanating dibutyl malate vapors. Preferably the dibutyl malate is diluted before evaporation with a liquid diluent or a solid diluent or carrier such that the concentration in or on the trap is below 10% by weight.

Abstract: Suspensions of hydrated gelled biopolymer particles obtainable by hydrating dry biopolymer particles at a temperature below T.sub.gel. Such suspensions may be used in food products such as edible spreads and ice creams or in personal care products such as skin creams and moisturizers, to impart a fatty-like character to the product.

Abstract: Process for preparing S-methylmercapto and mercapto compounds comprising the step of demethylating a dimethylsulfonium compound of formula I to the corresponding S-methylmercapto compound of formula II, using a microorganism or alga which is capable of demethylating 3-dimethylsulfonium propionate (DMSP) to S-methyl-3-mercaptopropionate (MMPA), but which is incapable of further demethylating the latter compound to 3-mercaptopropionate with the same speed, or using an enzyme preparation derivable from such microorganism or alga: ##STR1## Preferably the group R denotes CH.sub.2 --CH.sub.2 --COOH (I is DMSP), CH.sub.2 --CH(NH.sub.2)--COOH (I is S-dimethyl-cystein), CH.sub.2 --Ch.sub.2 --CH (NH.sub.2) --COOH (I is S-methyl-methionine) or CH.sub.2 --COOH (I is 2-dimethylsulfonium acetate), or a salt or ester of any of these. The microorganisms are preferably marine Desulfobacterium strains, especially a Desulfobacterium autotrophicum, Desulfobacterium vacuolatum or similar strain.

Abstract: The invention is a process for preparing 4-hydroxy-cinnamyl alcohols by enzymatically oxidizing 4-allyl-phenols using vanillyl alcohol oxidase. The oxidase converts eugenol and chavicol to coniferyl alcohol and coumaryl alcohol, respectively. The vanillyl alcohol oxidase may be obtained from Penicillium simplicissimum.

Abstract: A lactose-fermenting (Lac.sup.+), mucoid (Muc.sup.+) Streptococcus lactis transconjugant designated ML-3/2.230 was obtained by conjugative co-transfer of Lac.sup.+ Muc.sup.+ phenotypes from Lac.sup.+ Muc.sup.+ Streptococcus cremoris MS to lactose-negative (Lac.sup.-), non-mucoid S. lactis ML-3/2.2. Curing studies on the transconjugant ML-3/2.230 showed that Muc.sup.+ phenotype in the strain was encoded on two plasmids, pSRQ2203 and pSRQ2204. DNA hybridization experiments also indicated the involvement of two plasmids in the expression of the mucoid phenotype. Plasmid pSRQ2203 also contained genetic information for lactose utilization (Lac.sup.+).

Abstract: A class of pseudoceramide having the formula shown in which: R1 is a hydrocarbon group; R2-R8 are each independently H or CH.sub.3 ; R9 and R10 are each independently H or hydrocarbon group of up to 24 C atoms; X1 and X2, are independently H or OH; Y1 and Y2 are H or OH, at least one of Y1 and Y2 being OH; wherein the C atom Z, with associated R9 and R10, can be absent; and the C atoms W, with associated R7 and Y2, can be absent, is disclosed. These find use in compositions, particularly cosmetic compositions, suitable for topical application to skin, hair or nails.