Abstract: Microspherical cogel particles comprising silica and at least one other metal oxide are prepared by forming a slurry of porous particulate material comprising silica and a liquid medium comprising at least 90%, by weight of the liquid medium, of an organic liquid and subjecting the slurry to spray drying. The method enables agglomeration of particulate material of especially small particle size to obtain microspherical particles of a size especially suitable for us as a catalyst support. The particles have a pore size of at least 2 cc/g and, especially when the particles contain titanium atoms, are especially suitable for use in the preparation of a catalyst for the polymerization of olefins.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the production of .alpha.-acetolactate and/or diacetyl, wherein a recombinant micro-organism containing an .alpha.-acetolactate synthase-encoding sequence is incubated in a medium containing an .alpha.-acetolactate precursor. The invention also provides a recombinant vector comprising a nucleotide sequence coding for an enzyme, which vector upon transfer into a host micro-organism enables expression of the nucleotide sequence in the host micro-organism, wherein the enzyme has .alpha.-acetolactate synthase activity.

Abstract: A fabric softening composition which comprises a water insoluble cationic fabric softening agent of formula (I) ##STR1## in which R.sub.1 R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 are selected from C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl, or hydroxyalkyl groups or C.sub.2-4 alkenyl groups, R.sub.4 and R.sub.5 are independently selected from C.sub.7-27 alkyl or alkenyl groups; and n is an integer from 0-5 and X is methyl sulphate. The claimed fabric softening composition exhibits good stability on storage.

Abstract: A novel process for the preparation of food products comprising rapid total surface heating via high intensity short wave infra-red. A variety of food products can benefit from such a preparation, for example coated products, meat products and vegetables which are heat treated before packaging in order to seal the product and produce a crisp outer layer, those products are then further heated/cooked by the consumer before consumption.

Abstract: A baked composite dough product comprising a puff pastry dough sheet having attached thereto, at least at one side, a sheet of pastry dough which acts as an anchoring layer for a moisture-barrier coating which is applied on to the pastry layer after baking.The invention also relates to said baked products with a moist filling material applied on to the moisture-barrier coating.

Abstract: Processes and apparatus are provided for selectively culturing motile bacteria such as Salmonella, Camplylobacter, and others. One embodiment entails providing a carrier partly dipping into the liquid nutrient medium but projecting above a surface of the liquid nutrient medium, the carrier containing supported (e.g. gelled) nutrient medium and having an opening below the surface of the liquid nutrient medium for contact between the liquid medium in the culture vessel and the supported medium of the carrier. Migration of the motile bacteria from the liquid into the supported medium during the culture is thereby facilitated. The sample and the nutrient media are incubated to allow growth of any motile bacteria present in the sample in the liquid medium, and to allow migration of the motile bacteria during the culture into the supported medium.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for improving HCl-hydrolysed protein by subjecting an aqueous solution thereof to hydrolysis (of monochloropropanediols and dichloropropanols) at a pH between 5.5 and 8.0 at a temperature between 20.degree. and 180.degree. C. for a period between 10 days to 15 minutes. Preferably the pH lies between 6.5 and 8.0, the temperature lies between 80.degree. and 120.degree. C. and the aqueous mixture contains 10 to 85% of solid material Also it is preferred to carry out the hydrolysis is carried out in the presence of 0.1 to 10% (w.w.) of added phosphate, C2-C6 carboxylic acid or salt thereof.

Abstract: The characteristics of compacted sodium silicate, in particular the bulk density, are improved by heating the material at an elevated temperature in an agitated bed. Bulk density in the region of 1 kg/liter can be obtained.

Abstract: A stable aqueous detergent composition is provided in liquid or gel form containing from 10 to 80% by weight of an active detergent mixture comprising primary alkyl sulphate in an amount of 15 to 75% by weight of the active detergent plus betaine and/or amine oxide in an amount of 10 to 40% by weight of the active detergent mixture. Primary alkyl sulphate having chains of 10 or 11 carbon atoms provides at least 25% by weight of the primary alkyl sulphate present. The betaine and/or amine oxide is at least two thirds of the amount by weight of any primary alkyl sulphate having carbon atom chains of 12 carbon atoms or longer. The C.sub.10 and/or C.sub.11 alkyl sulphate is surprisingly effective as a detergent in such compositions despite higher water solubility than longer chain alkyl sulphate. It can enhance mildness compared to longer chain alkyl sulphate, and can replace or partially replace alkyl ether sulphate. Nonionic detergent may be included to enhance mildness further.

Abstract: Enhanced extraction of solubilized antigens is obtained from bacteria such as Chlamydia and Neisseri by the use of a buffer containing a zwitterionic surface active agent, especially CHAPS or CHAPSO, in the absence of divalent cations. The extraction is conducted at elevated temperature, and provides a sample useful in assays for the presence of the bacteria.

Abstract: A dispenser for dispensing flat objects, particularly susceptibility or sensitivity test discs (38), from a stack of similar objects housed in a cartridge (22) comprises a body portion (10); a plurality of receptacles (20) within the body portion, each receptacle being adapted to receive a respective object-containing cartridge; a plurality of dispensing ports (32), one associated with each receptacle; a plurality of tamping pins (50), one associated with each dispensing port, for tamping an object through the associated dispensing port; a transport plate arranged for rotary motion to transport an object from each cartridge in a receptacle to a dispensing position in alignment with the associated tamping pin and dispensing port; and a retaining plate (44) fixed with respect to the receptacles, for retaining the objects in position during transport from a cartridge to the associated dispensing position.

Abstract: Aluminosilicates in the form of P type zeolites are used as detergency builders and have a silicon to aluminium ratio not greater than 1.33, preferably above 0.9. These zeolites will usually have a calcium binding capacity of at least 150 mg CaO per gram of anhydrous aluminosilicate. A preferred form of the zeolite P has a silicon to aluminium ratio up to 1.15, and preferably above 0.9, with a tetragonally distorted cubic crystal structure. A process of the preparation of these zeolite P builders is described.

Abstract: A biodegradable oil and water emulsion release composition for facilitating the unmoulding of hydraulic bonding material comprises as the oil component an ester of a hindered polyhydric alcohol having no hydrogen atoms attached to any carbon atom in a beta-position to any hydroxyl group and a straight or branched chain, saturated or unsaturated C.sub.4 -C.sub.24 monocarboxylic acid. The ester may be partial and the partial ester may be alkoxylated. In a preferred embodiment also a straight or branched chain, saturated or unsaturated C.sub.8 -C.sub.24 monohydric alcohol is present. Also a method of unmoulding has been described.

Abstract: A non-aqueous liquid cleaning composition comprising a particulate solid phase suspended in a non-aqueous liquid phase, wherein the solid phase includes a metal oxide having a bulk density of 200 to 1,000 g/l.

Abstract: Rinse aid compositions based on alkyl polyglycoside surfactants attack plastics, in particular polycarbonate, to a much lesser degree than rinse aid compositions based on other types of nonionic surfactants. It is preferred that the compositions also comprise an anti-foam agent, preferably a ketone having more than 25 carbon atoms.

Abstract: A copolymer emulsion suitable for use as a sizing agent for glass fibre is formed by microfluidising an emulsion containing at least 90% by weight of C1 to C10 alkyl(meth)acrylate monomer and stabilised by a protective colloid, e.g. polyvinyl alcohol, prior to initiation by the polymerisation reaction.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for producing methyl-alkyl ketones using micro-organisms which convert fatty acids or their esters into the corresponding methyl ketones having one carbon atom less. Suitable micro-organisms are those which produce at least 0.1% w/w methylketones in the culture broth. Preferred micro-organisms are Aureobasidium pullulans species. The process is especially suitable to produce pentan-2-one, heptan-2-one, nonan-2-one and undecan-2-one or mixtures thereof. The compounds produced are suitable for use in food flavors.

Abstract: The invention describes a process for preparing P zeolites in which aluminate and silicate solutions are reacted in the presence of a P-zeolite seed.