Abstract: A process for forming an ester from 1,3-propanediol comprising providing 1,3-propanediol with at least 90% biobased carbon, contacting the 1,3-propanediol with an acid, thereby forming the ester, and recovering the ester is provided. The acid can be an organic acid. Additionally, a process for producing an ester, either or both a monoester and a diester, from biologically-produced 1,3-propanediol is provided. This process includes providing 1,3-propanediol produced biologically through fermentation and catalytic conversion of atmospheric carbon, contacting the 1,3-propanediol with an organic acid, wherein said ester is produced; and recovering the ester. In this process the 1,3-propanediol can have has at least 95% biobased carbon, or can have 100% biobased carbon.

Abstract: A process for producing an enzyme-resistant starch uses an aqueous feed composition that comprises (i) starch that contains at least about 50% by weight amylose, (ii) water, and (iii) alcohol. The concentration of starch in the feed composition is between about 5% and about 50% by weight, and the pH of the feed composition is between about 3.5 and about 6.5. In a first heating step, the feed composition is heated to a temperature between about 130-170° C. for about 0.1-3.0 hours. The feed composition is cooled to a temperature between about 4-70° C. for about 0.1-6.0 hours. In a second heating step, the feed composition is heated to a temperature between about 110-150° C. for about 0.1-10.0 hours. The starch is separated from the majority of the water and alcohol and is dried.

Abstract: A process for the production of sucrose-6-ester is disclosed. The process includes, in order, the steps of: (a) providing a first reaction mixture including sucrose, a reaction vehicle, and an organotin-based acylation promoter; (b) removing water from the first reaction mixture to afford a second reaction mixture that is substantially free from water; and (c) adding a carboxylic acid anhydride to the second reaction mixture to afford a third reaction mixture, thereby producing a sucrose-6-ester; wherein: during step (b), the removing of water includes distillation of water with the reaction vehicle using an apparatus supplying a heat flux of from 500 to 25,000 BTU/hrft2 (1577 to 78865 W/m2) selected from the group consisting of wiped film evaporators, agitated thin film evaporators, falling film evaporators and rising film evaporators.

Abstract: A method for the preparation of a sucrose-6-ester is disclosed. In a first step of the method, sucrose in a polar aprotic solvent is reacted with an organotin-based acylation promoter. The water of reaction is removed at a temperature that does not exceed about 80° C. In one aspect, the water is removed by distillation of part of the polar aprotic solvent at reduced pressure. In a second step, a carboxylic acid anhydride is added. In one aspect, the resulting reaction mixture is maintained at a temperature of 10° C. or less for a period of time sufficient to produce a sucrose-6-ester. The sucrose-6-ester can be converted to 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: Poppable granules each including a heat-expandable core encapsulated by a solid coating layer including a polymer. For at least 90 wt% of the granules: a) the core includes at least 50 wt% starch, exclusive of moisture, and has a spherical or oval shape having an aspect ratio not exceeding 3.0:1; b) all components of the granules are food-safe; c) the core includes moisture in a range from 1 wt% to 15 wt%; d) the weight of the coating layer is in a range from 2% to 50% of the weight of the core; and e) the smallest dimension of the core is in a range from 1 mm to 10 mm. A foodstuff may be prepared by popping a multiplicity of the poppable granules.

Abstract: Compositions for improving the health of a subject comprise alpha-(1,2)-branched alpha-(1,6) oligodextrans, preferably with an average molecular weight between about 10 kDa and 70 kDa, between about 10% and 50% alpha-(1,2)-osidic side chains, and having at least partial indigestibility in the subject. Methods for improving the health of a subject comprise administering the composition to a subject in an amount effective to improve gut health, or to prevent or treat a gastrointestinal disorder, a cholesterol-related disorder, diabetes, or obesity. Methods for making oligodextrans having controlled size and controlled degree of branching comprise providing alpha-(1,6) oligodextrans having an average molecular weight between 0.5 and 100 kDa and introducing at least 10% alpha-(1,2)-osidic side chains onto the alpha-(1,6) oligodextrans.

Abstract: Processes are disclosed for the purification and recovery of polysaccharide gums from an aqueous solution, particularly xanthan gum from a fermentation broth. An aqueous solution of at least one polysaccharide gum is mixed with a non-solvent stream comprising water and a subprecipitant level of a non-solvent of the polysaccharide gum. The mixture is concentrated to increase the polysaccharide gum concentration, and optionally undergoes a heat treatment. Additional non-solvent is added to the concentrated mixture to precipitate the polysaccharide gum. The precipitated gum is dried after being separated from the liquid component of the mixture. The removed liquid component can be recycled to the earlier step in the process in which the polysaccharide gum solution is mixed with the non-solvent stream.

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: We report herein a composition comprising tricalcium citrate, wherein the tricalcium citrate has an X-ray powder diffraction pattern comprising peaks at 2-theta (2?) values of about 8.236, about 16.02, about 17.97, about 19.75, about 21.42, about 25.74, and about 28.65. This tricalcium citrate is produced at high temperatures in a low-water environment. This composition is highly soluble (more than about 200 mg per 8 fluid ounces) in potable aqueous solutions (beverages), and can be used to fortify beverages (such as fruit juices) or foods with calcium at higher doses than seen when using previously-known compositions of tricalcium citrate.

Abstract: Compositions containing 1,3-propanediol and an extraction product are provided, and the 1,3-propanediol in the composition is biologically derived. Also provided are processes for extracting an extract from a source. These processes include providing an ester of 1,3-propanediol and mixing the 1,3-propanediol ester with the source. This serves to extract the extract from the source into the ester. The processes also include separating the source from the ester and extract. Also provided are compositions containing an ester of 1,3-propanediol and an extraction product. In these compositions, the ester can have at least 3% biobased carbon.

Abstract: A process for producing an enzyme-resistant starch uses an aqueous feed composition that comprises (i) starch that contains at least about 50% by weight amylose, (ii) water, and (iii) alcohol. The concentration of starch in the feed composition is between about 5% and about 50% by weight, and the pH of the feed composition is between about 3.5 and about 6.5. In a first heating step, the feed composition is heated to a temperature between about 130-170° C. for about 0.1-3.0 hours. The feed composition is cooled to a temperature between about 4-70° C. for about 0.1-6.0 hours. In a second heating step, the feed composition is heated to a temperature between about 110-150° C. for about 0.1-10.0 hours. The starch is separated from the majority of the water and alcohol and is dried.

Abstract: Granular sucralose-containing particles are produced by the methods of the invention, which involve coating sucralose from solution to form granules with this coated sucralose on an outer region thereof. The granules may incorporate agglomerated sucralose particles, with the solution-coated sucralose adding mass and generally resulting in a granule having a relatively smoothed and rounded. The granules have good flow properties, are low dusting, and resist caking. Methods of making the granules involve spraying an aqueous sucralose solution onto a fluidized bed of sucralose particles, followed by drying to form the granules.

Abstract: Recombinant P. pastoris producing natural sweet proteins and methods for engineering these recombinant yeast are described. Methods for enhancing foreign protein production in yeast fermentation and improved methods for purification of foreign proteins produced in yeast fermentation are presented.

Abstract: A process for the purification of aqueous feed streams containing sucralose comprises: a) extracting an aqueous feed stream comprising sucralose with a first organic solvent and producing a first organic extract and a first aqueous extract, in which the organic solvent is immiscible with water, and a portion of the sucralose passes into the first organic extract; b) optionally extracting the first organic extract with an aqueous solvent to produce a second organic extract and a second aqueous extract, in which the sucralose preferentially passes into the second aqueous extract, and in which the second aqueous extract is recycled to step a); c) concentrating the first aqueous extract to form a concentrated aqueous feed stream; and d) extracting the concentrated aqueous feed stream with a second organic solvent and producing a third organic extract and a third aqueous extract, in which the second organic solvent is immiscible with water, and in which the sucralose preferentially passes into the third organic

Abstract: A process for producing a starch comprises treating a feed starch that comprises amylopectin with glucanotransferase to produce a chain-extended starch, and treating the chain-extended starch with a debranching enzyme to produce a starch product that comprises amylose fragments. At least about 38% by weight of the amylose fragments have a degree of polymerization (DP) of at least about 35.

Abstract: A process for producing a starch comprises treating a feed starch that comprises amylopectin with glucanotransferase to produce a chain-extended starch, and treating the chain-extended starch with a debranching enzyme to produce a starch product that comprises amylose fragments. At least about 38% by weight of the amylose fragments have a degree of polymerization (DP) of at least about 35.