Abstract: The invention concerns an isomerisation process, wherein materials comprising non-congugated long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids are subjected to base in the presence of an alcohol with .gtoreq.3 C-atoms and .gtoreq.2 OH groups and having ratio C-atoms: OH-groups of .gtoreq.1.25. The resulting reaction product, containing the conjugated isomers is obtained in higher yield at lower temperatures and are not contaminated by presence of non food grade solvent.

Abstract: An assay device incorporates a composite strip comprising at least two bodies of porous liquid-conductive material in liquid-flow contact with each other via an interface and together defining at least part of a liquid flow path through which liquid must flow during the performance of an assay, wherein at said interface the lateral dimension, relative to the direction of the liquid flow path, of the contact area of the upstream body is narrowed such that liquid flow from the upstream body into the downstream body is focused towards the centre-line of the flow path in the downstream body, thereby reducing the likelihood that liquid will deviate from the intended flow path. The upstream body can be a sample-collecting wick, terminating at the interface as a point or prow (FIG. 7).

Abstract: The invention provides a salt-inducible promoter present in SEQ ID NO: 10 and derivable from a lactic acid bacterium in isolation from the coding sequence normally controlled by said promoter in a wild-type lactic acid bacterium, with modifications and important parts thereof. Also provided are a recombinant vector and a transformed lactic acid bacterium comprising such promoter, and the production of a desired protein by such transformed bacterium, whereby the gene encoding said desired protein or a precursor thereof is expressed under control of such promoter. The desired protein can be secreted by the bacterium due to the presence of a signal sequence. The action of the salt-inducible promoter is enhanced at a pH of about 4-4.5 and/or by the presence of glutamic acid. Such process can be used in a fermentation process, in which the desired protein is a lytic protein causing lysis of the cells and release of the cell content. Or the desired protein can be an enzyme involved in flavour formation, e.g.

Abstract: The invention relates to laundry detergents containing lipase and new perfumes and to the new perfumes themselves. Such new perfumes counteract residual malodors of lipase treated laundry. They comprise at least 25% by weight of one or more fragrance materials chosen from: aliphatic ketones with m(olecular) w(eight) between 200 and 350 A(tomic) M(ass) U(nits), aromatic ketones with mw between 150 and 350 AMU, aliphatic aldehydes with mw between 160 and 350 AMU, aromatic aldehydes with mw between 130 and 350 AMU, nitriles with mw between 150 and 350 AMU, condensation products of aldehydes and amines with mw between 190 and 350 AMU, macrocyclic lactones with mw below 350 AMU and aromatic nitromusks, and less than 50% by weight of esters from fatty acids with 1-7 carbon atoms. Preferably they contain more than 30% of the specified fragrance materials and less than 30% of the esters.

Abstract: A reagent useful in immunoassays, comprising a direct particulate level co-sensitized with a specific binding agent having specificity for an analyte or analyte analog and with a non-specific protein which can participate in a control reaction with another specific binding agent which does not bind to the first specific binding agent nor participate in the formation of a complex by means of which detection of the analyte or analyte analog is accomplished. Preferably the first specific binding agent is an antibody raised in a first species and the non-specific protein is an immunoglobulin from another species. Optionally, the reagent additionally comprises a second population of the direct particulate label sensitized solely with the non-specific protein.

Abstract: A process of manufacturing test strips of the type comprising a length of porous carrier material capable of acting as a liquid flow path for a sample liquid and having at least zone downstream from a first end of the strip which zone contains an immobilized specific binding agent to act as a capture means during an assay to reveal the presence of an analyte in applied sample liquid, and in which process the specific binding agent is deposited onto a sheet of the porous carrier material which is then blocked and subdivided into a plurality of individual identical test strips, wherein blocking of the porous carrier material is achieved by applying a solution of blocking agent to the sheet upstream from the zone in an amount sufficient to ensure that the solution permeates downstream to beyond the zone.

Abstract: Blends of wax-esters with beneficial health properties comprise: .gtoreq. two different wax-esters in amounts of 5-95% and each having m.pt -10.degree. C. to 80.degree. C. blend displaying m.pt: 15 to 45% while >80 wt % of wax-esters in blend have m.pt 20 to 60.degree. C.; wax-esters derived from linear alcohols and linear carboxyl acids either of them having .gtoreq.8 C-atoms.

Abstract: A component assembly, or fan, comprises a hub having secured thereto a plurality of radially extending components. The hub, which is generally of semi-circular configuration, includes planar raised portions constructed and arranged to be vacuum gripped by a rotary indexing support, or turret, and holes which accommodate guide rods of a hopper for storing a supply of the fans. The components are connected to the hub at angularly spaced intervals by severable linkage portions.

Abstract: A water continuous, acidified dairy base product is provided having a dry matter content of 19-40% that contains 7-18% fat and 7-18% protein, the protein contains casein and whey protein and contains at least 50% casein, the protein that is undissolved being 80-100%, that has a pH of 5.9-6.5, a firmness as indicated by the Stevens value at 10.degree. C. of at least 40 g and a particle size D3.2 as measured by laser diffraction of at most 15 micron. The product can be used for similar purposes as creme fraiche but it contains more protein and less fat and calories. A process for preparing the product is provided as well.

Abstract: A method is provided for immobilizing a binding protein capable of binding to a specific compound, using recombinant DNA techniques for producing said binding protein or a functional part thereof. The binding protein is immobilized by producing it as part of a chimeric protein also comprising an anchoring part derivable from the C-terminal part of an anchoring protein, thereby ensuring that the binding protein is localized in or at the exterior of the cell wall of the host cell. Suitable anchoring proteins are yeast .alpha.-agglutinin, FLO1 (a protein associated with the flocculation phenotype in S. cerevisiae), the Major Cell Wall Protein of lower eukaryotes, and a proteinase of lactic acid bacteria. For secretion the chimeric protein can comprises a signal peptide including those of .alpha.-mating factor of yeast, .alpha.-agglutinin of yeast, invertase of Saccharomyces, inulinase of Kluyveromyces, .alpha.-amylase of Bacillus, and proteinase of lactic acid bacteria.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for preparing a protein by a eukaryote transformed by multicopy integration of an expression vector into the genome of a yeast, such as Saccharomyces, Hansenula, and Kluyveromyces, or of a mould such as Aspergillus, Rbizopus and Trichoderma, the expression vector containing both an "expressible gene" encoding the protein and a so-called "deficient selection marker meeded for the growth of the yeast or mould in a specific medium", such as the LEU2d, TRP1d or URA3d gene, in combination witha ribosomal DNA sequence, resulting in stable high copy integration of 100-300 copies per cell. This multicopy integration results in an increased production of the desired protein, which can be guar .alpha.-galactosidase, an oxidase or a hydrolytic enzyme such as a lipase.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a browning composition which, when applied to a foodstuff, in particular meat or a meat product, imparts a browning effect to the surface of the substrate to which it is applied. More in particular, the present invention relates to a browning composition which can be applied by spraying on the foodstuff. This is achieved by dissolving or dispersing a browning agent in a water phase, and mix such water phase with an oil or fat phase to form an emulsion.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of a composition rich in sotolon from a source rich in 4-hydroxy-L-iso-leucine.

Abstract: A composite electrode, comprising:a solid non-metallic substrate, (such as ceramic, glass, or epoxy resin,)and, bonded directly or indirectly to said substrate,a non-conducting matrix, incorporating particles which are accessible to the electrode surface and contain an insoluble metal salt (e.g. halide) in direct electrical contact with the metal corresponding to said salt, said metal being present either (i) in the form of metallic particles incorporated in a non-conducting matrix zone disposed so that said metal salt-containing particles are located between said metallic particles and said electrode surface, and/or (ii) a solid metallic surface in the form of an intermediate layer between said matrix and said substrate.

Abstract: The invention provides an electrochemical reaction wherein a controlled amount of a first reagent is generated electrochemically at an electrode in electrical contact with a solution of an electrochemically inert salt, comprising applying a suitable electrical potential to the electrode for a suitable time to generate a controlled amount of the first reagent by electrochemical reaction between the electrode and a species in solution producing a localized thin layer environment comprising the first reagent in the vicinity of the electrode; and monitoring the amount or presence of the first reagent or a further species produced in solution in response to production of the first reagent. The method invention thus involves generating the first reagent in situ at an electrode.

Abstract: Method for substantially decreasing the viability of microorganism and deactivating enzymes in a contaminated substance by exerting a high pressure the substance. The substance is conducted in a steady flow through and open narrow tube while the pressure difference between the entrance and the exit of the tube is maintained at 100 Mpa or more. The temperature rise of the product while passing through the tube can be confined to less than 5.degree. C. The method provides a continuous ultra high pressure preservation process suitable for processing foods.

Abstract: A method is provided for immobilizing an enzyme, comprising immobilizing the enzyme or a functional part thereof to the cell wall of a microbial cell using recombinant DNA techniques. The enzyme is immobilized by linking it to the C-terminal part of a protein that ensures anchoring in the cell wall. Also provided is a recombinant polynucleotide comprising a structural gene encoding an enzyme protein, a part of a gene encoding the C-terminal part of a protein capable of anchoring in a eukaryotic or prokaryotic cell wall, as well as a signal sequence, in addition to a chimeric protein encoded by the recombinant polynucleotide and a vector and a microorganism containing the polynucleotide. The microorganism is suitable for carrying out enzymatic processes on an industrial scale.

Abstract: An ester based lubricant, particularly suitable for 4-stroke engines comprises at least one ester of a saturated, branched chain monohydric alcohol having at least 8 carbon atoms and a saturated branched chain aliphatic monocarboxylic acid having at least 10 carbon atoms. The esters have a kinematic viscosity of at most 35 cSt (40.degree. C.), a non-polarity index of at least 100, a Noack evaporation loss of at most 10% and a pour point below -30.degree. C.