Abstract: The invention provides a container (2) with a container shroud (1) which has a base (4) and a top (3) and at least the top (3) is made of plastic and has a reclosable discharge aperture (23), with the top (3) having a lower circumferential edge (26) to connect the top (3) with the container shroud (1), and the discharge aperture (23) being covered by a cap (24) which is connected to the top (3) by film hinge (25) located in the vicinity of the highest point on the top (3) characterised in that the top (3) is substantially convex in form and the cap (24) is substantially concave in form and wherein the cap when in it's open form can be laid against the top (3) and in this state the cap (24) is largely congruent with the surface of the top (3). The container (2) has particular application in the packaging of foodstuffs.

Abstract: Aliphatic, saturated or unsaturated, straight or branched chain C2-C24 monocarboxylic acids and polyhydric alcohols, particularly glycerol are selectively reached to monoesters in the presence of an enzyme which comprises potato lipid acyl hydrolase. The process can be used too for upgrading technical monoglycerides which contain free fatty acids.

Abstract: An adhering element (10) has a sucker (12) made of an elastomeric plastic and a connecting element (14) made of a more rigid plastic. The connecting element (14), which has a flange border (24), is connected non-releasably to the sucker (12) by virtue of the two parts (12), (14) being produced preferably by two-component injection moulding. This increases the stability of the adhering element (10), in particular when the latter is connected to an elongate object, for example a self-supporting toothbrush.

Abstract: Edible fat based flakes containing a flavouring system and displaying an excellent oral and textural properties comprise: i) 0 to 2% moisture ii) 25 to 90 wt % of a fat with a Stevens hardness at 25° C. of more than 65 g iii) 0 to 15% of a flavouring system iv) 0 to 40% of sugar v) 0 to 60 wt % of a filler vi) 0 to 60% of a health component while the total of components iii) to vi) is more than 8 wt % and which flakes have a size of 0.05 mm to 2.5 cm.

Abstract: Fat based flakes with improved product performance and which flakes are easier to make than known flakes have the composition: 0 to 2 wt % moisture 25 to 90 wt % of a bakery compatible fat, which fat displays a (Crystal-5 value of at least 40% and a ratio of (Crystal-5: N20) of at least 0.55 0 to 80 wt % of a sugar 0 to 70 wt % of a filler while the flakes have a size of 0.05 mm to 2.5 cm.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing black leaf tea with improved aroma. The process involves treating freshly plucked tea leaves with jasmonic acid or one of more derivatives thereof, macerating and fermenting the leaves, firing the fermented leaves to arrest fermentation and then drying them to yield black leaf tea. Treating the leaves in this way, preferably prior to a withering step, enhances aroma in the tea and infusions made from it.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of detecting the presence of an analyte of interest in a sample, the method comprising the steps of: providing a binding partner reversibly immobilised on a solid support, said binding partner having binding specificity for the analyte; contacting the sample with the solid support; specifically displacing the binding partner from the solid support in response to the presence of the analyte of interest in the sample, said displacement causing a reduction in the mass of material immobilised on the solid support, thereby generating a detectable change in a mass-dependent property of the solid support; and detecting said change. Also disclosed is an assay device for performing the method of the invention.

Abstract: Novel fat-continous emulsion, containing a blend with emulsifying properties is obtained by the blending of: 0-90% of a partial glyceride (=A); 0-80% of a phospholipid (=B); 0.01-99.98% of a long chain alcohol having >20 C-atoms in the alcohol chain, while the amount of (A)+(B)≧0.02% and incorporating this blend in a fat-continuous emulsion.

Abstract: Aliphatic, saturated or unsaturated, straight or branched chain C2-C24 monocarboxylic acids and polyhydric alcohols, particularly glycerol are selectively reached to monoesters in the presence of an enzyme which comprises potato lipid acyl hydrolase. The process can be used too for upgrading technical monoglycerides which contain free fatty acids.

Abstract: Small specific binding molecules, such as single variable domain antibodies (Dabs) and Fv fragments, can be coupled to solid plastics surfaces or to tracers such as enzymes by means of linkers comprising polypeptides containing from 5 to 20 amino acids and which are hydrophobic and/or contain at least one lysine residue. The coupling can be achieved without significant loss of specific binding activity. The combined Dab/linker or Fv/linker can be prepared by expression in genetically-modified organisms.

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 ≧3 C-atoms and ≧2 OH groups and having ratio C-atoms: OH-groups of ≧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: The invention relates to Agrobacterium mediated transformation of moulds comprising species of the fungal sub-divisions Ascomycotina, Basidiomycotina, Deuteromycotina, Mastigomycotina, and Zygomycotina. Examples demonstrate the transformation of Aspergillus awamori (both protoplasts and conidia), Aspergillus nidulans, Aspergillus niger, Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, Fusarium solani pisi, Neurospora crassa, Trichoderma reesei, Pleurotus ostreatus and Agaricus bisporus (all conidia), and Fusarium graminearum (both conidia and rehydrated freeze dried ATCC material). Especially for Aspergillus awamori the transformation frequency is much higher than with conventional mould transformation techniques. It has further been found that not only one expressable gene can be introduced into these moulds, but even multiple copies of such gene, which, moreover, can be targeted e.g. in the chromosomal pyrG locus, as exemplified for A. awamori.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for refining high acidity vegetable oil that includes a) stripping an optionally bleached vegetable oil with steam at a temperature of 120 to 250° C. and a pressure of 0.7 to 5 mbar for 1 to 60 minutes; b) treating the oil obtained with lye; c) bleaching the oil obtained; d) stripping the bleached oil obtained with steam at a temperature of 120-250° C. and a pressure of 0.7-5 mbar for 5-120 minutes. The resulting oil is bland, transparent and colorless. Refined olive oil is suited for blending with a virgin olive oil or to be used as an ingredient for the preparation of spreads, mayonnaises, tomato sauces and salad oils.

Abstract: A multivalent antigen-binding protein comprises a first polypeptide comprising, in series, three or more variable domains of an antibody heavy chain and a second polypeptide comprising, in series, three of more variable domains of an antibody light chain, said first and second polypeptides being linked by association of the respective heavy chain and light chain variable domains, each associated variable domain pair forming an antigen binding site. Methods for their production and uses thereof, in particular for therapeutic and diagnostic applications, are disclosed.

Abstract: A housing for a freezer installation for storing frozen foodstuffs comprises a rectangular base unit, a rectangular top frame of plastic which encloses an access opening and bears a movable cover arrangement which closes or releases the access opening of the top frame, two mutually opposite side-part members of essentially the same outline, each having an opening and side panels of metal, arranged on one side of the housing with their surfaces visible through the openings in the side-part members. The housing also includes a rear-wall panel of metal, and a front-wall panel of metal. A modular housing system for housings of different volumes is provided.

Abstract: A method of monitoring the status of a current ovulation cycle of an individual human female subject, involving testing of the body fluid concentration of an analyte of significance in relation to the status of the ovulation cycle, such as urinary E3G, during at least part of the pre-ovulation phase of the current ovulation cycle of the individual subject, and identification from the results of such testing an analyte concentration change indicative of imminent ovulation, relative to an analyte concentration reference value that has been adapted to the individual human subject on the basis of analyte concentration test data obtained from the individual human subject during one or more previous ovulation cycles.

Abstract: Disclosed are nucleic acids from tomato encoding polypeptides having xyloglucan endo-transglycosylase (XET) activity, comprising residues 21-289 of the amino acid sequence shown in FIG. 1 (SEQ ID NO:2) or or comprising residues 19-287 of the amino acid sequence shown in FIG. 5 (SEQ ID NO:8), and transgenic plants comprising said nucleic acids.

Abstract: Described is a time release fragrance sachet for air freshening, particularly for use in clothing storage cabinets. The sachets comprise a container fabricated from a substance either sufficiently porous for perfumes to pass therethrough or having openings capable of permitting fragrances to pass through the walls thereof. The sachets each contain thermoplastic particles which have contained in the interstices thereof fragrance materials. The polymer particles can be foamed particles produced using chemical blowing agents or direct gas extrusion processes. Also described are methods for fabricating such sachets and methods of using same.

Abstract: A reshaped human antibody or reshaped human antibody fragment having specificity for human polymorphic epithelial mucin (PEM) is produced by transferring the complementarity determining regions (CDRS) from a murine anti-HMFG hybridoma cell line HMFG1 into a human antibody variable region framework. The reshaped molecule can be used in the treatment or diagnosis of cancer.

Abstract: Process for debittering olive oil comprising the exposure of olive oil which contains bitter polyphenols for at least 30 seconds to a finely dispersed aqueous phase, preferably consisting of hard drinking water, of which the pH is at least 5.5.