Abstract: The present case relates to a process for the purification of lactide from a crude lactide vapor product stream which process comprises a rectification/condensation step leading to a lactide-enriched condensate.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved form of crystalline sucralose.

Abstract: A blend of a multiply branched lactic acid polymer of one steric configuration with a linear lactic acid polymer of the opposite steric configuration has different and more useful properties than either component alone.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method for preparing an environmentally degradable polymeric compound as well as to such a compound per se and to its use. A compound of the present invention includes a polycondensated lactic acid containing polymer, having a molecular weight (Mw) of from 500 to 50,000 g/mol, to which a flexibilizing aliphatic polyester having a molecular weight of from 500 to 50,000 g/mol is coupled. The amount of lactic acid including groups in the polymeric compound ranges from 50 to 99% and the amount of flexibilizing polyester groups ranges from 1 to 50%.

Abstract: Poly(lactic acid) blends having a relatively high heat distortion temperature can be prepared by simple blending of PLA polymers of opposite stereoforms, followed by processing, e.g. by injection molding, under specific conditions of temperature and pressure, so as to produce a blend which, on differential scanning calorimetry, exhibits two peaks within the melting range of the stereocomplex. Moreover, by careful selection of these conditions of temperature and pressure, it is possible to use PLA polymers of significantly higher molecular weights than previously thought possible.

Abstract: A process for preparing a hyperbranched polymer having a weight-average molar mass of at least 30,000, includes coupling a first prepolymer having at least three functional end groups with a second prepolymer having at least two functional end groups by a dehydration condensation reaction between the end groups in the prepolymers. The number of arms and/or molar mass of the functionalized prepolymers can accurately be adjusted, thus affecting the properties of the resulting hyperbranched polymer in a desired way. The polymer can be equipped e.g. with hydrophobic and hydrophilic parts. Also, the number of functional end groups, that optionally can be used for further chemical reactions, in the hyperbranched polymer can easily be adjusted to a desired level. The hyperbranched high molar mass polymer can be prepared in high yields without the use of organic solvents or linking compounds, which is advantageous from an environmental as well as an economical point of view.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method for preparing an environmentally degradable polymeric compound as well as to such a compound per se and to its use. A compound of the present invention includes a polycondensated lactic acid containing polymer, having a molecular weight (Mw) of from 500 to 50,000 g/mol, to which a flexibilizing aliphatic polyester having a molecular weight of from 500 to 50,000 g/mol is coupled. The amount of lactic acid including groups in the polymeric compound ranges from 50 to 99% and the amount of flexibilizing polyester groups ranges from 1 to 50%.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a chewing gum, including a gum base and at least one other conventional chewing gum component, said chewing gum including as gum base at least one branched polymer mainly based on biodegradable and/or hydrolyzable ester groups.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel extractive methods for purifying sucralose. The present invention also relates to compositions comprising the sucralose preparations made by the methods of the present invention.

Abstract: The present invention provides a meltable sucralose and acesulfame-k sweetener. This sweetener may be incorporated in a wide variety of reduced calorie food products such as cooked and hard candies, microwaveable food products, glazed food products, deep fried food products and as a substitute for sugar in applications that require melt sugar.

Abstract: This invention relates to processes for purifying sucralose by the use of an initial non-crystallization purification procedure followed by three or more sequential crystallization steps and recycle of the mother liquor remaining from each crystallization step to the feed of another crystallization or purification step. This invention also relates to sucralose compositions as well as compositions comprising the sucralose compositions of the present invention. These compositions may be highly pure and have a superior taste profile.

Abstract: A crystalline form of sucralose, and a method of making it. The method involves continuously crystallizing sucralose from an aqueous solution by a process providing continuous removal and recirculation of the vessel contents, and providing a long residence time for sucralose in the system. The crystals thus formed are of a relatively low length/diameter ratio, have an unsymmetrical shape, and exhibit good stability. The larger crystals in particular are tapered as compared to the rod-like larger crystals in prior art product.

Abstract: There is described a process for the synthesis of a sucrose-6-ester comprising: (a) reacting a mixture comprising sucrose and a polar aprotic solvent with an organotin-based acylation promoter, while adding a solvent capable of removing water by co-distillation, and removing water by co-distillation, to afford a first reaction mixture which is substantially free from water, followed by (b) adding a carboxylic anhydride to said first reaction mixture to afford a second reaction mixture, and maintaining said second reaction mixture at a temperature and for a period of time sufficient to produce a sucrose-6-ester, characterised in that step (a) is performed at a temperature of from 85 to 125° C. and at a pressure of from 20 to 80 kPa. In the most preferred embodiment, the polar aprotic solvent is DMF, the solvent capable of removing water by co-distillation is cyclohexane, the organotion-based acylation promoter is a 1,3-diacyloxy-1,1,3,3-tetrabutyldistannoxane, and step (a) is performed at approximately 97° C.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel methods for stabilizing aqueous deacylation, via use of buffers in the production of sucralose. The present invention provides a process for producing sucralose from an acyl-sucralose compound whereby the acyl-sucralose compound is deacylated in the presence of a buffering agent, which stabilizes the pH of the feed mixture and decreases the accumulation of undesired anhydro compounds. Further, the present invention provides a process whereby the acyl-sucralose compound is deacylated directly either prior to or after removal of the tertiary amide reaction vehicle from the neutralized chlorination feed mixture. An aqueous solution of sucralose including salts and other compounds is produced, from which sucralose is recovered by extraction and purified by crystallization.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved form of sucralose and a process for making it.

Abstract: The present invention provides a fractionation process for treating an aqueous sucrose syrup having, on a dry basis, an initial sucrose content of at least 30 w/w % comprising combining the syrup with a solvent selected from the group consisting of alkanols, ketones, and esters having 3 to 8 carbon atoms and mixtures thereof to form a system having at least two liquid phases in contact with a sucrose-containing solid phase and separating the phases, whereby there are obtained at least two products from the liquid phases, a first of which is characterized by a sucrose content, on a dry basis, greater than the initial content and a second of which is characterized by a sucrose content, on a dry basis, less than the initial content, in addition to a product obtained from the sucrose-containing solid phase.

Abstract: The flowability of crystalline sucralose can be increased by treating the crystalline material in a fluidised bed at ambient temperature with additions of water, followed by a fluidised drying phase. Fluidisation by means of an upward current of air at 25-35.degree. C. and added water at 20-50% by weight, e.g., 25-40%, is preferred.

Abstract: A sweetened extruded food product based on a vegetable material containing a sweetener incorporated before extrusion is formulated so that the sweetener contains a significant proportion of sucralose. In particular, the sucralose provides at least 50%, preferably at least about 75%, of the sweetness.

Abstract: Synergy is is obtained by combining sucralose and a sweet saccharide selected from fructose; glucose; maltose and other glucooligosaccharides; fructose mixed with glucose and/or gluco-oligosaccharides; lactose; isomaltulose; and sugar alcohols.

Abstract: Sucrose or derivatives thereof such as esters are acylated at the 4'- and/or the 6- position by reaction with a donor acyl ester, e.g. a reactive ester of an alkanoic acid or benzoic acid, in the presence of lipase. Sucrose 6,4' so produced can be chlorinated and deacylated to produce the sweetener sucralose.