Abstract: 6,6'-Dichloro-6,6'-dideoxysucrose is obtained directly in high yield by reacting sucrose with methanesulphonyl chloride in N,N-dimethylformamide. 1',6,6'-Trichloro-1',6,6'-trideoxysucrose is obtained as a by-product and its formation can be suppressed by starting the reaction at -40.degree. C to -15.degree. C. The dichlorodideoxy and trichloro-trideoxy compounds, which are useful as intermediates for preparing other sucrose derivates, are most conveniently isolated from the reaction mixture in the form of their hexa-acetate and penta-acetate respectively, which are then deacetylated to give the free compounds.

Abstract: Polysaccharide is produced in good yields with good control by continuous culture of a polysaccharide-producing strain of Azotobacter vinelandii under carbon-limited conditions, preferably with restricted oxygen uptake, with the advantage that the effluents produced are non-polluting having a low biological oxygen demand (B.O.D.).

Abstract: A soap-free sucrose ester-containing surfactant is obtained by transesterifying sucrose with at least one fatty acid triglyceride to produce a solid material containing sucrose esters, glycerides and fatty acid soaps, and treating this material with a solution of a metal salt in water or an alkanol to produce a second solid material and separating the soap-free product containing sucrose esters by dissolving the esters present in an alkanol and evaporating the alkanolic solution to dryness. Glycerides are removed, where desired, by extracting with an organic solvent.

Abstract: A sweetening composition containing at least one sweetener selected from a protein sweetener, and saccharin, together with a sweetness modifier comprising an aldohexuronic acid or a salt, amide or lactone thereof possesses enhanced sweetening properties as compared with a composition containing no sweetness modifier; the sweetness profile is more rounded and unpleasant aftertastes are minimized.

Abstract: A pusher plate for a horizontally discharging semi-trailer is formed with a forwardly and downwardly extending support on the material engaging face thereof arranged to slidably engage the floor of the semi-trailer so as to hold the pusher plate in a vertical position in the semi-trailer body in which it is movably positioned.

Abstract: A horizontally discharging semi-trailer is formed with a body structure capable of resisting distortion from loads and the operation of a longitudinally movable pusher plate arranged to move the contents of the semi-trailer horizontally so as to discharge the same therefrom.

Abstract: Monosaccharides and disaccharides in which one or more of the hydroxy groups has been replaced by a p-vinylbenzoyloxy group are provided as new compounds. These may be copolymerized with such monomers as styrene or methyl methacrylate to provide novel copolymers.

Abstract: An icing composition which can be stored and which is ready for use comprises a mixture obtained by admixture of a first component comprising powdered sucrose optionally together with one or more other sugars of lower molecular weight in powder or syrup form, and a second component comprising an aqueous gel of xanthan gum containing up to 10% dry weight of xanthan gum, said mixture containing at least 82% by weight of sugar or sugars; the icing composition containing from 6.0 to 10.5% by weight of water and from 0.15 to 0.7% by weight of dry xanthan gum.

Abstract: A surface active material is prepared by reacting solid particulate sucrose with at least one alkyl ester of a fatty acid in the presence of a basic trans-esterification catalyst, at a temperature from 110.degree. to 140.degree. C, at atmospheric pressure and in the absence of any solvent. The reaction product may be purified by conversion of fatty acids and salts thereof into soaps, extracting the water-insoluble material with a ketone or ester solvent and extracting the residue with an alcohol.

Abstract: A sweet substance is obtained from the fruit of Thaumatococcus daniellii by extraction with an aqueous aluminum salt. The extract is purified by ion-exchange techniques and ultra-filtration. The substance extracted is an aluminum adduct of thaumatin. The extract is sweeter and more stable than other aqueous extracts and swelling of the fruit is minimized.

Abstract: Two sucrose hepta-acetates, useful as synthetic intermediates in the preparation of functional sucrose derivatives, are obtained by tritylating sucrose, acetylating the resulting mixture of monotritylsucroses, and detritylating the resulting mixture of monotritylsucrose hepta-acetates. The previously known compound, 1',2,3,3',4,4',6-hepta-O-acetylsucrose, can be recovered by crystallization from the solution obtained in the detritylation step. When the remaining solution is subjected to retritylation and chromatography, it yields a new compound, 1',2,3,3',4',6,6'-hepta-O-acetylsucrose.

Abstract: A surface active composition is prepared by reacting solid particulate sucrose with at least one triglyceride, in the presence of a basic transesterification catalyst, at a temperature of from 110.degree. to 140.degree. C, at atmospheric pressure and in the absence of any solvent. The preferred temperature range is 120.degree. to 130.degree. C, most preferably about 125.degree. C. The preferred catalyst is potassium carbonate. The reaction can be accelerated by adding a suitable emulsifier, such as a diglyceride, a monoglyceride or a surfactant product of the reaction, to the reaction mixture.

Abstract: A supersaturated sugar syrup is crystallized following the catastrophic homogeneous nucleation induced by application of a shear force having a velocity gradient of at least 5000 cm/sec/cm, e.g. by a colloid mill or a homogenizer.