Abstract: The present invention describes a process to preserve a water-containing product such as a foodstuff, which comprises adding natamycin and nisin to the product, whereby at least 90% (w/v) of natamycin is dissolved and/or less than 10% (w/v) of natamycin is present in crystal form.

Abstract: Disclosed is a proofed, cooked corrugated dough crust. The crust may include a top surface. Opposite the top surface is a bottom surface intended to be in contact with rollers of a roller grill. The bottom surface defines at least one parallel groove or at least one parallel ridge or both. A roller grill system for a proofed, cooked corrugated dough crust is also disclosed. The system may include a roller grill including a plurality of parallel rollers and spaces in an alternating series. At least one corrugated crust is also included. Any grooves rest on top of the rollers and any ridges are in the spaces between the rollers. A forming assembly system for proofing and cooking a corrugated dough crust is also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention provides a food and water thickener and a method for preparing the food and water thickener. The food thickener comprises pretreated mineral water, xanthan, food preservative, a first antimicrobial and chelating agent, and a sequestering agent, wherein the food thickener has a density of between 750 and 1250 grams per liter. The method for producing the thickener incorporates pretreatment of mineral water and xanthan, and specific heating steps. Also provided is method for producing thickened alcoholic beverages. The invention further provides a method for invoking a swallow response in dysphagic patients, the method comprising increasing the mass of food to between 750 mg per liter and 1500 mg per liter; and orally administering the food to dysphagic patients.

Abstract: A method for making a coated food product having a heat susceptible coating is disclosed. In one aspect, the invention is directed towards a nut having a proteinaceous or fruit-based coating with no visible scorching in the outer, visible coating layer. In one aspect, the food center is par-coated with or without a heat susceptible coating, pre-roasted, finished coated with or without a heat susceptible coating, and cooked. In another aspect, the food center is first coated with a heat susceptible coating, then coated with a non-heat susceptible coating and cooked. In yet another aspect, the food center is coated with a heat susceptible coating and then cooked in a two-stage process whereby the first stage is at a hotter temperature than the second stage.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a flake having a high level of whole grains, such as oat groats, nuts and/or other particulate. An embodiment of the present invention provides a flake having a low degree of degradation giving the flake a granola appearance and texture, a relatively large thickness of the flake, which further contributes to the appearance and the crunchy texture, and/or uses a low degree of cook to the binding constituent that provides the high viscosity for binding and a resultant crunchy texture.

Abstract: A chocolate composition having a fat phase, characterized in that said fat phase: has a slip melting point of at least 27.5° C., preferably of between 30 and 37° C.; and comprises both modified and unmodified fats, wherein said modified fats comprise an interesterified fat consisting of interesterified cocoa butter.

Abstract: Provision of a packaged milk coffee beverage having excellent hypertensive effects. A packaged milk coffee beverage satisfying the following conditions (A) to (C): (A) from 0.01 to 1 wt % of chlorogenic acids, (B) less than 0.1 wt % of hydroxyhydroquinone based on a content of the chlorogenic acids, and (C) a pH of from 5.0 to 6.4.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an indulgent edible composition that provides an orally pleasurable eating experience similar to chocolate as the chocolate melts in the oral cavity comprising (a) a starch that when combined with water in a weight ratio of 5:95 starch to water, has a viscosity at 22° C. of about 0.03 Pa-s to about 2 Pa-s at a shear rate of 10 sec?1; (b) a protein-containing component that will substantially hydrate in water and will not coagulate; (c) a sweetener that when substantially hydrated is at least 90% free of crystals in said edible composition; (d) a fat-containing component that melts at a temperature of about 45° C. or less; (e) a hydrocolloid gelling agent that facilitates the formation of a gel matrix that will break down at a temperature of about 45° C.

Abstract: Disclosed is a container-packed milk coffee beverage which has an excellent hypertension ameliorating effect and can be ingested in an ordinary manner. A container-packed milk coffee which has a pH falling within the range from 5 to 7 and satisfies the following requirements (A) to (C): (A) a chlorogenic acid: 0.01 to 1% by mass; (B) hydroxyhydroquinone: 0.08% by mass or less relative to the mass of the chlorogenic acid; and (C) the chlorogenic acid/a coffee solid content?0.03 (by mass).

Abstract: The invention relates to high performance gellan gum compositions having a 0.1% curdmeter gel strength of at least about 117 g/cm2, i.e. from about 117 g/cm2 to about 400 g/cm2. The high performance gellan gums have a low acyl content but an increased molecular weight. One embodiment of the invention also relates to processes for producing high performance gellan gums having high clarity. The invention further relates to food and non-food industrial products comprising high performance gellan gums.

Abstract: Bipolar membrane electrodialysis (BMED) was used to separate lipids from biological solutions. The lipids are separated from animal as well as vegetable solutions. Particularly, bipolar membrane precipitates high levels of lipids from a biological solution. The BMED single step process improves significantly lipid precipitation rates in several biological solutions of different natures.

Abstract: An improved method for preparing a shortening composition comprising the steps of blending a non-hydrogenated vegetable oil with an emulsifier to form a liquid mixture, the emulsifier comprising monoglycerides and diglycerides; utilizing a pre-determined minimum cooling rate, a nucleation temperature and a nucleation time for the mixture; blending an inert gas into the liquid mixture until the mixture comprises at least 5% by volume inert gas; pumping the mixture through a scraped surface heat exchanger to rapidly cool the mixture, wherein the temperature of the mixture changes at a rate of at least the minimum cooling rate; controlling the cooling rate of the mixture within the scraped surface heat exchanger such that the mixture is cooled to the nucleation temperature before the mixture exits the scraped surface heat exchanger; pumping the cooled mixture from the scraped surface heat exchanger to a working unit before the nucleation time has elapsed, wherein the nucleation time is measured from the moment a

Abstract: The present invention is predicated upon methods and devices for forming numerous articles for various applications including nutritional applications, medicinal applications, or other useful applications for plants, animals or otherwise. In one aspect, the present invention provides methods and devices for forming high quality pellets using alginates as a retention agent for the ingredients. This may be achieved through the creation or modification of pre-existing forming devices, wherein an alginate applicator is provided for applying the alginate to the ingredients, before, during or after formation of the articles, or combinations thereof, to retain the ingredients of the articles together.

Abstract: Disclosed is a fast-hydratable konjac composition and a process of modifying regular konjac. The invention further discloses the formulation of a synergistic composition with modified konjac and other supporting agents. The resulted product is readily hydrated in water to form a stable, highly viscous gel and solution.

Abstract: The confectionary product described herein has an enhanced solids and fiber content and the method described herein permits higher loading of fiber, sweetener and other solids in a soft chewy confectionary product. In another aspect, the product and method contemplate high loading fiber, solids and sweetener where the sweetener masks poor tasting active ingredients, such a vitamins and minerals.