Abstract: The invention relates to a method for decontaminating a preform made of thermoplastic material by exposing at least part of the preform to reactive species obtained by mixing a precursor agent with a plasma, the plasma being generated by injection of a carrier gas into a reactor, the method including mixing of the precursor agent with the plasma is carried out exclusively outside the reactor before it is in contact with the preform. The invention also relates to a decontamination device for carrying out the method.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments include systems and methods for the solvent extraction of a substance from a material. The disclosed systems include multiple tanks and an extraction column in communication with the tanks. Solvent transport is accomplished via pressure differentials that are established between or among tanks to cause the solvent to be transported between or among said tanks.

Abstract: The present disclosure is generally related to devices, methods and systems for cleaning, disinfecting and/or sterilizing a medical device, medical hoses and tubes and accessories thereof with ozone gas, in particular the disclosure relates to devices, methods and systems with multiple receptacles for providing closed-loop fluid pathways to distribute ozone gas to inner passageways and the outer compartments of medical devices. The devices in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure have two or more receptacles for distributing ozone gas, a gas-tight compartment, an ozone operating system, and one or more connector units configured to fluidly migrate ozone in closed-loop treatment systems.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a device comprising: at least one opening, the at least one opening being configured receive an object; an inner cavity within the at least one opening, the inner cavity comprising: a light emitting diode (LED), a heat sink connecting the LED to a thermal reservoir, and an insulating layer arranged on the thermal reservoir, the insulating layer comprising an orifice arranged over the LED such that light from the LED passes through the orifice of the insulating layer; and a power source configured to power the LED.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a composition comprising an oil phase, and particles of puffed maize kernel endosperm, dispersed in said oil phase, wherein upon sieving at least 80 wt % of said particles passes a sieve with apertures of 500???. The invention also provides a method to prepare such compositions and use of particles of puffed maize kernel endosperm to structure the oil phase of a composition comprising an oil phase.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for decontaminating substantially enclosed environments by using ultrasonic cavitation of a cleaning fluid to produce a low pressure, low air flow mist that can be activated by a nonthermal plasma actuator to create a cloud of activated hydroxyl species with the capacity to decontaminate articles, open surfaces or substantially enclosed spaces of pathogens, including bacteria, and other pathogenic microorganisms. An automated system and related non-transitory computer medium are also disclosed.

Abstract: 1. A composition, which is an anthocyanin-based colorant composition comprising 50-90 mol-%, based on the total amount of anthocyanins, of pelargonidin-based anthocyanins, and wherein (i) >70 mol-% of all anthocyanins are acylated with at least one phenolic acid; and (ii) >20 mol-% of all anthocyanins are acylated with at least one hydroxycinnamic acid; and wherein the composition has a red color with a hue value H? in the L*C*h* color system in the range of 10-30, measured at an L*-value of (70.0±0.1) in a 0.1 mol/l trisodium citrate dihydrate buffer at pH 3 in a 1 cm-length quartz cell using Spectraflash 650 (Datacolor) in transmission mode under D65 illuminant 10 Deg. Also, the present invention relates to use of the above compositions as a food colorant.

Abstract: A method for producing alcoholic beverages from alkaline cooking, using as a basis the increase in pH in the medium to cook cacahuazintle corn grains, other similar mealy corn or any other grain, which offers a different proposal due to the generation of flavors, aromas and sensory characteristics that differentiate the products obtained by the methods herein disclosed from existing alcoholic beverages. A method for producing alcohol for human consumption and/or industrial use from the recovery and treatment of nejayote obtained from alkaline cooking residues, also known as nixtamalization of corn, applied to any alkaline cooking residue in the alimentary field.

Abstract: The use of ultrasound or acoustics applied at a level below that which causes cavitation to control the energy balance between particles and the liquid phase in a metastable liquid.

Abstract: A wearable device takes potentially contaminated air from the environment, sterilizes it with UVC light, and transports the sterilized air to a headgear. In the headgear it provides an air curtain at a slight overpressure, flowing from the top down. Used air exits the headgear at its bottom. The headgear includes a helmet or a full-face mask. An inline system connects to the headgear using an air hose. The inline system has two or more connecting pipes on the inside of which are UVC light sources. Air flows from an air inlet filter through the connecting pipes, where it is disinfected by the UVC light, to the air hose and headgear. Mounting brackets mount the connecting pipes, and may include fans, and brackets for the UVC light sources.

Abstract: The present invention provides a sanitiser (10) for sanitising a user, having a plasma generator (20), for generating a plasma (22), a reservoir (30), for storing plasma (22) generated by the plasma generator 20 and having one or more inlets (32) connected to the plasma generator (20) and a first and second outlet (34), (36). One or more fluid movers (40), (42) cause movement of the plasma (2) from the first and second outlets under the control of a controller (50) such as to cause the flow of plasma (22) out of one or other or both of said outlets (34), (36).

Abstract: A sterilizing storage device may include a housing defining an interior chamber and having an opening defined in the housing to enable access to the interior chamber, the interior chamber divided into a plurality of storage compartments, each storage compartment of the plurality of storage compartments configured to slidably receive a carrier holding a plurality of laboratory consumables. A door may be affixed to the housing and selectively movable between a closed and opened position. A plurality of ultraviolet (UV) lamps may be positioned such that each storage compartment of the plurality of storage compartments receives UV light from a UV lamp of the plurality of UV lamps. At least one fan may draw air into the housing. A plurality of carriers configured to hold the plurality of laboratory consumables suspended from an upper surface of the carrier such that a distal end of each laboratory consumable hangs down into an open interior portion of the carrier.

Abstract: The device for evaporating volatile substances comprises a heater (1) which heats a wick (2) impregnated in said volatile substances and characterised in that said heater (1) is formed from a printed circuit board (10) provided with at least one resistor (11). It allows a device for evaporating volatile substances to be provided which comprises a heater with a very low thermal mass which allows a rapid increase in the temperature and variation of the working cycles.

Abstract: High meat content extruded pet feeds and methods of preparation thereof, make use of relatively high meat contents which include quantities of previously dewatered meat. In an embodiment, the total meat content of the feeds consists essentially of dewatered emulsified poultry meat or other meat sources commonly used in the pet food industry. In the methods, mixtures containing starch, fat, and meat, the latter including dewatered meat, are passed through an extruder followed by staged drying. The extruder may be of twin screw design having hollow core screws permitting introduction of steam or other heat exchange media into the screws.

Abstract: An improved dry grind system and method for producing a sugar stream from grains or similar carbohydrate sources and/or residues, such as for biochemical production, with front end oil separation. Prior to or after saccharification, oil can be removed from a sugar/carbohydrate stream. After saccharification and prior to a sugar conversion process, the sugar/carbohydrate stream includes a desired Dextrose Equivalent (DE) where DE describes the degree of conversion of starch to dextrose can be produced, with such sugar stream being available for biochemical production, e.g., alcohol production, or other processes. In addition, the systems and methods also can involve the removal of certain grain components, e.g., corn kernel components, including protein and/or fiber. In other words, oil separation and sugar stream production occurs on the front end of the system and method.

Abstract: A deodorizing method includes a first rinsing step of supplying first rinse water for a first circulation system to a first circulation system (25a) including at least a heat sterilizer (3) that heats a drink, a chemical circulation step of supplying and circulating a chemical for a first circulation system in the first circulation system (25a), and a second rinsing step of supplying second rinse water for a first circulation system to the first circulation system (25a). At the chemical circulation step, the chemical for a first circulation system is heated to a temperature of 70° C. or higher and 150° C. or lower in the first circulation system (25a).

Abstract: A vehicle system includes a vehicle body defining a vehicle interior and a vehicle exterior, one or more detection devices including at least one of a microphone and a camera structurally configured to receive data indicative of conditions within the vehicle interior or on the vehicle exterior, a sanitization device, and a controller communicatively coupled to the one or more detection devices and the sanitization device, the controller including a processor and a non-transitory computer readable and executable instruction set, which when executed, causes the processor to receives data from the one or more detection devices, determine a surface at least one of within the vehicle interior or on the vehicle exterior contacted by a user based at least in part on the data from the one or more detection devices, and direct the sanitization device to sanitize the surface.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for optimizing the full utilization of cacao pod husks comprising the steps of debacterizing the pod surface and opening cacao the pods, separating the cacao pod husks from, cacao pulp, cacao placenta, cacao beans and cacao bean hulls, and drying separated cacao pod husks wherein separated and dried cacao pod husks are further processed by a method comprising the steps of a) grinding the cacao pod husks; b) optional acid extraction; c) a first enzymatic treatment; d) alkaline solubilization; e) a first decantation with centrifuge; f) ultrafiltration; g) acid extraction; h) a second decantation with centrifuge; i) a second enzymatic treatment; j) ultrafiltration and extract purification; k) concentration of the extract; l) drying of the concentrated extract. The invention also relates to extracts and compositions obtained thereof and their applications.

Abstract: A fat composition comprises: from 48% to 58% by weight of lauric acid (C12:0); from 5% to 15% by weight palmitic acid (C16:0); from 5% to 20% by weight stearic acid (C18:0); and a weight ratio of stearic acid (C18:0) to palmitic acid (C16:0) of from 0.5:1 to 2.5:1; the percentages of acids referring to acids bound as acyl groups in glycerides in the fat composition and being based on the total weight of C8 to C24 fatty acids; and at least 40 solid fat content at 30° C.; at most 5 solid fat content at 40° C.; solid fat content measured on unstabilized fat according to ISO 8292-1.

Abstract: The invention provides cereal plants having a high level of fructan useful for the production of a range of food, beverage, nutraceutical and pharmaceutical products. The invention provides methods of producing high-fructan products from plants modified to comprise a reduced level of an endogenous polypeptide with starch synthase activity, and products so produced. In some embodiments, plants are modified by introduction of an agent such as a nucleic acid molecule which down regulates endogenous starch synthase II gene expression.