Abstract: The present invention relates to a food foaming agent composition which imparts good taste and good texture in the mouth to the food product and imparts good foaming property and good foaming stability. This food foaming agent composition is characterized in that (1) the taste of the product is not deteriorated regardless of excellent foaming property and excellent foaming stability because it contains a glycerin fatty acid ester as an emulsifier but does not contain a sorbitan fatty acid ester, a propylene glycol fatty acid ester and a sucrose fatty acid ester. More specifically, the food foaming agent composition is characterized in that (2) a glycerin saturated fatty acid monoester and a polyglycerin saturated fatty acid ester are used as the glycerin fatty acid ester in a weight ratio within the range from 1:0.

Abstract: Liquid, nutritionally complete formulas are disclosed with improved physical stability. The nutritionally complete formulas are pourable, yet are able to hold minerals, insoluble fiber and flavoring agents such as cocoa powder in suspension without the formation of a sediment that is not readily redispersible. The invention comprises the use of gellan gum at a concentration of between 10-500 parts per million. Although gellan gum alone is sufficient, the nutritionally complete formula may also comprise other stabilizers such as carrageenan and/or carboxymethylcellulose.

Abstract: A biological reactor including a settler assembly for reducing loss of biological material during high-turbulence treatment of liquid in the biological reactor. The settler assembly is comprised of plates, tubes, or other porous materials placed between a system of baffles and a collection trough. The settler assembly reduces turbulence near the overflow weir edge of the collection trough, thereby reducing biological material carry over with the treated liquid into the collection trough. The trough baffle settler assembly will allow higher treatment rates with the same or lower losses of biological material than experienced with previous trough-baffle designs, thereby reducing costs of construction and operation of biological reactor systems.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for removing arsenic from aqueous systems containing arsenic which includes contacting said aqueous system with an adsorbent material comprising (i) activated bauxite and (ii) aluminum trihydrate, until the arsenic is substantially removed from said aqueous system. The adsorbent material is prepared by the steps including (i) mixing powders of activated bauxite and aluminum trihydrate in the presence of water to form granules; (ii) drying said granules; and (iii) calcining said dried granules.

Abstract: The apparatus treats storm water and includes a cylindrical basket that has a housing with a circumferentially extending air slot near the base of the housing. The basket contains an annular bed of absorbent material surrounded by a filter cartridge. Water flows radially inward through the filter and the bed into a cylindrical inner drainage space which has an outlet at its lower end, covered by a float valve. The drainage space is also in fluid communication with a one-way valve that allows air to pass from the housing into the environment. During operation, the float valve lifts when the water level rises and air is expelled from the drainage space through the one-way valve. As a result, water is continuously siphoned through the basket apparatus. When the water level drops, air enters through the air inlet slot of the housing and rises in turbulent fashion along the filter, scouring the filter and dislodging particulates.

Abstract: An apparatus, such as a granular media filter, for treating liquid, such as wastewater, including a settler assembly for reducing media loss during high-turbulence washing of media in the granular media filter. The settler assembly is comprised of plates, tubes, or other porous materials placed between a system of baffles and a backwash trough. The settler assembly reduces turbulence near the overflow weir edge of the backwash trough, thereby reducing media carry over with the backwash water into the backwash trough. The trough baffle settler assembly will allow higher backwash rates per backwash with the same or lower media losses than experienced with previous trough-baffle designs, thereby reducing costs of construction and operation of granular media filter systems. The settler assembly is particularly adapted for use with granular media filters employing simultaneous application of air and water to produce a high turbulence backwash.

Abstract: A process for regenerating a solvent from a waste extract after use in a remediation process includes monitoring the water content and the amount of organic contaminants in the extract. If the water content in the extract is above a predetermined threshold value, the extract is distilled to yield the solvent therefrom for reuse in the remediation process. If the water content is below the threshold value but the amount of organic contaminants is above a predetermined limit, the extract is also distilled to yield the solvent therefrom for reuse. If the water content and amount of organic contaminants are both below their respective predetermined parameters, the extract is filtered through a molecular sieve to yield the solvent therefrom. The yield solvent is then collected from the distillation and filtering processes, and the regenerated solvent is then reused in the remediation process.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an improved method for applying sugarfree hard coatings to cores consisting of edible, chewable or pharmaceutical components. The present invention discloses a process for coating cores wherein the sorbitol syrup is applied to a rotating mass of cores and then at least one other of the selected polyols is added in a crystalline form. The coated cores are dried and the process is repeated until a coating of the desired thickness and composition is obtained. The crunchiness of the coatings according to the process of this invention is at least comparable to that obtained with sucrose.

Abstract: Principal components of spice and herb plant solids are simultaneously extracted and concentrated with an edible solvent in a series of mixing and high temperature and pressure mechanical pressing steps using edible solvent and a countercurrent extraction procedure. The extract may be hydrated and then centrifuged to remove fine particulate solids and gums. A solution having several times the concentration of pigments and other flavor and aroma and/or antioxidant components of the starting raw material is obtained. The residual press solids may be cooled and hydrated following the last pressing operation. The residual press solids and extract have significantly reduced bacterial counts as a result of the temperatures, high pressure, and high shear utilized, as well as the low moisture levels employed, thus producing not only a food grade extract but also a food grade residual solid having low bacterial counts and predictable, standardized levels of the principal components of interest.

Abstract: Oil-in-water dispersions of .beta.-carotene and other carotenoids that are stable against oxidation, even in the presence of polyphosphates, especially sodium hexametaphosphate. These oil-in-water dispersions are typically prepared by contacting a water-dispersible beadlet comprising at least about 5% colloidal carotenoid with the water phase to form droplets of the carotenoid that are in intimate contact with sufficient oil phase such that the carotenoid is stable against oxidation, even in the absence of an effective antioxidant such as ascorbic acid. The oil-in-water carotenoid dispersions of the present invention are especially useful in dilute juice beverages for providing vitamin A fortification and color, as well as other oil/water food and beverage products where vitamin A fortification and/or color are desired.

Abstract: Physically modified starch products are prepared using pressure and heat such as by extruding starting material starch which optionally can be admixed with gums and/or surfactants. The properties of the products can be adjusted by varying the moisture content of the materials in the extruder and the temperature and pressure at a die plate provided at the discharge end of the extruder. The screw elements in the extruder are selected with the goal of using enough mixing elements at the discharge end to keep the pressure in the extruder barrel as high as possible over a short distance. The physically modified starch products are made up of partially to fully cooked starch and some raw starch particles. They are highly dispersible in cold or hot water with hot or cold swelling viscosity.

Abstract: A device for introducing ozone uniformly into water flowing through a conduit for disinfecting the water. An ozone contacting vessel is provided and includes a downflow tube through which water is caused to flow. The downflow tube is positioned vertically within a diffusion chamber. Within the downflow tube are a plurality of layers of transversely extending porous elements that are in communication with a source of ozone to provide a relatively uniform distribution of fine ozone bubbles over the cross-sectional area of the downflow tube. The porous elements are carried by an ozone conduit that is substantially coaxially positioned within the downflow tube. Spacer members are provided to space the porous elements from the downflow tube wall, and the entire ozone distributor assembly can be easily removed form the downflow tube for servicing the porous elements and can then be easily reinstalled thereafter.

Abstract: A water treating apparatus for raising oxygen solubility in high-purity drinking water includes a high pressure pump for conveying high-purity drinking water treated by an R. O. treatment, or a U. F. treatment, or a distillation treatment, or a purity treatment into a closed container. An ozone injecter injects ozone in the drinking water conveyed by the high pressure pump. A cooler affixed around the closed container cools the water stored therein to a preset value. A supersonic vibrator stirs the stored drinking water so as to raise oxygen solubility in the drinking water stored in the closed container, and to prolong period of time for sterilization.

Abstract: A saponified marigold extract having a zeaxanthin content between about 20% to 80% of the total xantophylls, as well as a formulation and a method of dosing, comprising incorporating about 10 to 55 ppm. of the saponified marigold xantophylls having a zeaxanthin content of about 20% to 80% in the bird feed or beverage, for the pigmentation of the broiler skin and yolk egg, to impart them the right hue as the market requires.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for fixing and/or preserving labile materials, especially food materials, in an extruded glassy substrate. A minor component containing of a high molecular weight water-soluble polymeric carbohydrate is dry-blended with a major component comprising of a low molecular weight water-soluble carbohydrate, sugar alcohol or food acid. Typically, the carbohydrate admixture comprises between about 15% to 40% high molecular weight carbohydrate material and at least about 40% low molecular weight carbohydrate, sugar alcohols or adipic, malic or citric acids or combinations thereof. A labile material like omega-3 oils or .beta.-carotene is combined with this substrate mixture. The dry-blended admixture is extruded so that the temperature of the material in the extruder is between about the glass transition state of the substrate and the melting point of the major ingredient. The free-flowing product is relatively non-hygroscopic and has a high fix.

Abstract: To incorporate water into a chocolate, chocolate and an emulsion or dispersion of a thickening or gelling substance in water, particularly a dispersion of microcrystalline cellulose in water, are introduced into an extruder and mixed and passed to an extruder nozzle so that the chocolate mass extrudate from the nozzle has a temperature of from 0.degree. C. to 28.degree. C.

Abstract: Process and apparatus for the production of confectionary mass from the components of milk proteins, sugar, glucose, fat and water. The components are homogenized in a closed tank under controlled pressure and temperature and are transferred from the closed tank to a scraped surface rotor cooker at a pressure between 0.2 and 0.9 bar absolute. The components are retained in the cooker for a period of 4 to 10 seconds, then transferred from the cooker to an evaporation chamber that is in open connection with the cooker and that is at a pressure of 0.2 to 0.9 bar absolute. Steam from the evaporation chamber is condensed in a condenser connected to a vacuum chamber. The product is withdrawn from the vacuum chamber at a temperature below 100.degree. C. When little or no Maillard reaction is desired, the closed tank is maintained at a pressure no more than 1 bar absolute at a temperature between 40.degree. C. and 90.degree. C.

Abstract: An ion exchange separation, recovery and regeneration process for the control of iron is disclosed that can replace the conventional bleed stream process used in copper electrowinning. The disclosed process minimizes the loss of cobalt from the electrowinning circuit and can effect a lowering of the total iron concentration in the electrolyte circuit with an associated increase in current efficiency. The process captures the iron as iron(III) on an ion exchange medium containing a plurality of --CH(PO.sub.3 R.sub.2).sub.2 or --C(PO.sub.3 R.sub.2).sub.2 -- groups through which the divalvent metal ions pass. The iron(III) is then reduced with copper(I) to form iron(II) that is freed from the exchange medium, thereby permitting regeneration of the medium.

Abstract: An ozone generator injects and entrains ozone enriched air into water to be used by a dentist or technician during a dental procedure. The ozone entrained in the water will eliminate the motility and viability of any microbes and pathogens present in the water or in biofilm present in the water lines or channels conveying water to a patient's oral cavity. The ozone generator may be used in combination with water from a municipal water source or from bottled water. Alternatively, the ozone generator may be incorporated within a bottle supplying distilled or otherwise puritied water.

Abstract: A cold process bake fruit paste including a fruit concentrate, water, a corn syrup sweetener, and a stabilizer system including a blend of first instant granular modified corn starch hydratable into a highly viscose free standing mass when exposed to free water and a second instant granular natural corn starch hydratable by free water to form a resilient, colloidal gel structure with the first and second starches hydrated after being fully dispersed in fruit paste.