Abstract: The method of the invention comprises the production of highly digestible hydrolysed keratinaceous material comprising the steps of (i) partly hydrolysing keratinaceous material with heat and pressure and (ii) optionally drying the resultant partly hydrolysed material comprising at least partly insoluble material and (iii) subjecting the optionally dried partly hydrolysed keratinaceous material to a chemical hydrolysis step with acid or base to obtain a highly digestible hydrolysed material, and (iv) purifying the highly digestible material. The invention further provides highly digestible keratinaceous material with an amino acid composition reflecting the amino acid composition of the raw material, wherein the amount of de-carboxylated amino acids is less than 500 ppm. Preferably all of the highly digestible material has a molecular weight lower than 10000 dalton, and preferably more than 95 wt % of the highly digestible keratinaceous material has a molecular weight of less than 5000 dalton.

Abstract: The invention relates to a potassium sulphate powder wherein about 80 wt % or more of the powder has a particle size of about 0.2 mm or lower, preferably about 0.13 mm or less. The particle size preferably is such, that about 80 wt % or more is about 0.02 mm or higher, more preferably about 0.04 mm or higher. This potassium sulphate powder dissolves easily in water, more in particular, 50 gram of said potassium sulphate powder dissolves in 1 liter of water without stirring within 1 minute, preferably within 30 sec. This potassium sulphate powder is very suitable as foliar fertilizer, in particular for broad acre crops. Further, the invention relates to the use of foliar potassium fertilizer, to enhance the uptake of potassium from the soil.

Abstract: An enzymatic hydrolysate having a high di- and tripeptide content is prepared by subjecting to enzymatic proteolysis a protein mixture preliminarily prepared by means of a thermal treatment. The hydrolysate having a high di- and tripeptide content is extracted by liquid-solid separation, followed by ultrafiltration. The hydrolysate is then subjected to a sterilization and drying operation.

Abstract: A process for the .alpha.-monoalkylation of arylacetonitriles, arylacetoesters and arylacetic acids with dialkyl carbonates in liquid phase, in the presence of bases at temperatures ranging from about 100.degree. C. to about 270.degree. C.