Abstract: Amorphous silica prepared by the gel route requires washing to remove electrolyte. The gel is formed into small particles by shearing and then washed while being transported by water through stages which separate larger size material. The washing is more rapid than conventional methods and allows the ageing steps to be decoupled from the wash stage.

Abstract: Supported lactic acid bacteria are produced by culturing lactic acid bacteria in a medium containing an aqueous dispersion of an expanded, pre-gelatinized, starch containing cereal adsorbent obtained by extrusion of a cereal product under a pressure of less than 50 bar at a temperature of at least 150.degree. C. The dispersion has a viscosity at 25.degree. C. of from 30 to 60 mPas when measured as a 10% aqueous dispersion. After culturing, the supported bacteria are separated from the medium and the medium may be recovered as flavor or aroma material for use in baking. In another embodiment, the supported lactic acid bacteria are cultured in a medium to produce a flavor or aroma material.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method of reducing the organoleptic effect of undesirable aldehydic components in a triglyceride or derivative thereof by addition of a reaction product of an amine and an organoleptically acceptable aldehyde. The triglyceride may be a food or food component such as an edible fat or a surface active agent such as a detergent. The reaction product may be incorporated in the perfume or flavor to be added to the triglyceride or derivative thereof without distorting their organoleptic effect.

Abstract: A container or vessel useful in the preparation of bacterial extracts or similar analytical samples, constructed of resilient flexible plastics material and having a releasably engageable cap (3) incorporating a nozzle (8) through which liquid contents of the container may be expressed by squeezing the container, the cap being linked to the container by a double hinge comprising two strips (14a, 14b) of material which fold back upon themselves when the container is closed by the cap, the apices (18a, 18b) of the folded hinge strips together providing contact points upon which the capped end of the container may be rested on a horizontal surface such as a work bench.

Abstract: The invention concerns a process for incorporating a perfume into a personal product, wherein the perfume is first combined with one or more non-ionic emulsifiers and an aqueous phase to form a structured emulsion containing liquid crystal structures, which surround the dispersed perfume, and thereafter this structured emulsion is dispersed into a personal product base. The invention also concerns the personal products thus obtained and the structured emulsions used in the process. The structured emulsions comprise 1-30% by weight of one or more non-ionic emulsifiers, 1-50% by weight of a perfume and 20-98% by weight of an aqueous phase. Preferably low shear mixing is used in preparing the emulsions.

Abstract: An encapsulation process employs an aqueous dispersion of silica having a particle size not substantially greater than 100 nm. An emulsion is formed by high shear mixing of the silica dispersion with the material to be encapsulated and the emulsion is gelled. The process allows hydrophobic materials to be encapsulated in structures which have a high loading of the material and a good degree of imperviousness in the presence of other materials such as surfactants and mineral oils. Using the process, hydrophobic materials such as flavors, fragrances and cosmetic ingredients can be encapsulated for delayed release in a wide variety of products.

Abstract: In a simultaneous marking specific binding assay for an analyte is a liquid sample, such as urine during pregnancy or fertile period test, wherein the liquid sample is simultaneously incubated with a first specific binding reagent immobilized on a solid phase carrier surface and with a second specific binding reagent dissolved or dispersed in the liquid sample and which bears a label by means of which the result of the assay can be determined, the improvement that prior to the incubation the second specific binding reagent is contained within a layer (2a) of readily soluble or dispersible solid material superimposed on the solid phase carrier surface (2a) on which the first specific binding reagent is immobilized.

Abstract: A microwave heating apparatus comprises a heating chamber with a hemispherical reflecting cover (24). Microwave energy is thereby focussed onto foodstuff (34) contained in the chamber from at least two magnetrons (10 and 12) which feed microwave energy through flared metal waveguides (14 and 16).

Abstract: The invention concerns a process for the preparation of flavoring mixtures by heating of fatty acids or fatty acid derivatives with an oxidizing agent in the presence of at least 0.1% by weight of an antioxidant. Polyunsaturated fatty acids or animal or vegetable fats which are rich in such acids are preferred as starting materials. The preferred oxidizing agent is oxygen. The oxidation mixtures obtained are rich in aldehydes and can be used to improve the organoleptic properties of foods.

Abstract: Novel perfumery chemicals having a cyclic acetal structure and providing a variety of perfume notes, especially amber, are described. They are prepared by reacting specified diols and aldehydes/ketones.

Abstract: Foodstuffs comprising a bakery component and a moist filling or other component, in the form of crumbs for coating a moist filling are described which contain a heat set protein, which reduces the problems associated with moisture when the foodstuff is stored over long periods of time, under conditions of high humidity, or when heated in a microwave oven.

Abstract: A process of the microbiological preparation of 1,3 propane diol from glycerol in growth media of suitable bacterial strains is described, accompanied by the addition of a cosubstrate in the form of a H-donor and the separation of the propane diol formed. It is characterized in that a) biomass is formed in a growth phase from the selected bacterial strain and accompanied by feeding with glycerol and, if necessary, while substantially excluding the H-donor until a stationary growth phase occurs and b) further glycerol and H-donor matched to the biomass are added to the resulting stationary cell suspension for increased 1,3-propane diol formation. This process makes it possible to produce 1,3-propane diol in a high yield from glycerol with a small amount of unobjectionable by-products in a batchwise manner or in continuous form, following immobilization.

Abstract: The invention concerns emulsions based on non-ionic emulsifiers, with improved stability achieved by the addition of selected perfumery materials, and a process for preparing such emulsions. The emulsions comprise 1-30% by weight of one or more non-ionic emulsifiers 30-98% of an aqueous phase and 0.01-50% of hydrophobic materials. The stabilizing perfumery materials are present in 0.5-25% by weight based on the non-ionic emulsifiers. The emulsions are preferably prepared under low shear.

Abstract: Lithium silicate solution having a SiO.sub.2 :Li.sub.2 O weight ratio from 7.5:1 to 9:1 is usable as the sole silicate binder. This silicate binder is of particular value in preparing welding rods having reduced chromium emission the fumes.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for the preparation of natural 5-methyl- and 2,5-dimethyl-4-hydroxy-2,3-dihydrofuran-3-one, by heating and reacting a pentose or 6-deoxyhexose in the presence of an amino acid and directly separating, the hydroxyfuranone from the reaction mixture by distillation under reduced pressure. Preferably the distillation is carried out in the presence of a high boiling organic solvent, particularly propylene glycol and glycerol. The amino acid is preferably lysine, proline or hydroxyproline.

Abstract: Blends of mid-fractions and olein fractions of the wet-fractionation of hardened soybean oil and optionally hardened palm oil olein and/or hardened cottonseed oil containing fat mixtures show improved Rancimat Induction Period (RIP) values.

Abstract: A non-aqueous drug-free composition for topical application to human skin comprises:(i) a special ester of pyroglutamic acid; and(ii) a cosmetically acceptable non-aqueous vehicle.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for removing fatty acid metal soaps derived from metals with an atomic number from 27 to 29 from hydrogenated fatty products comprising separating solid metal precipitated under the influence of hydrogen at a pressure ranging between 0.05 and 10 MPa from the hydrogenated fatty products. Preferably the hydrogen pressure is between 0.2 and 5 MPa. Preferably the metal is nickel. It is recommended to effect the separation by filtration, using a filter comprising vertical pressure leaves. Also it is possible to treat the hydrogenated fatty product with hydrogen under a pressure between 0.05 and 10 MPa before separating the metal from the fatty product.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a spread, to a process for preparing the spread, to a cream from which the spread can be prepared, and, to equipment for performing the abovementioned process. An object of the invention is to prepare spreads with an inhomogeneous structure and improve properties. The invention provides a process for the preparation of a spread by churning of a cream wherein the cream is formed by admixture of two creams at differing temperature shortly before churning, and does not equilibrate before churning begins.

Abstract: Porous spheroidal silica having a particle size in the range 1 to 400 microns, axial ratios of 1:1 to 1:12 has up to 50% by weight of the SiO.sub.2 of included material, such as for example perfumes, flavoring materials, pigments, germicides, bactericides, fungicides, bleaching agents, skin benefit agents, therapeutic agents, dispersed in the silica as particles or droplets in the size range 0.01 to 10 .mu.m. The spheroids can be made by mixing together an aqueous, stabilized silica sol containing dispersed therein up to 50% by weight of the silica of an included material and an aqueous solution of a non-adsorbing polymer to form a phase separated system comprising silica droplets containing included material in a polymer-rich continuous phase and condensing the silica sol to aggregate the droplets to form silica spheroids containing the dispersed included material. The included material can be released in use by e.g. wetting, attrition, dissolution, pH change, heating.