Abstract: A composition for reducing the weight loss and/or preserving the natural gloss of post-harvest edible plant matter, and methods for applying the compositions to the surface of the plant matter. The compositions include an edible wax having a melting temperature below 70° C.; a hydrocolloid; a fatty acid; an emulsifier; and water, wherein the edible wax is present in a weight percent ranging from about 10% to about 25% of the total weight of the composition.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for forming a protective coating on a plant tissue following the consecutives steps of: (a) providing a plant having an external surface, wherein a portion of the external surface includes an exposed surface; (b) applying a first aqueous solution that contains a crosslinking agent to the external surface of the plant; and (c) applying to the external surface of the plant a second aqueous solution that contains a polysaccharide which is susceptible to crosslinking by the crosslinking agent, thereby forming a protective coating on the exposed surface of the plant. Further provided is a postharvest plant matter that includes a first segment covered by natural skin, and a second segment having an exposed surface that is coated by a protective coating that contains a polysaccharide with the first segment being essentially free of the protective coating.

Abstract: Provided are hydrocolloid core-shell capsules including a liquid core including a non-crosslinked alginate solution and a solid or semi-solid shell including a hydrocolloid other than alginate crosslinked with metal ions, which do not crosslink alginate. Further provided is a method for the preparation of the liquid-core capsules including non-crosslinked alginate. The subject matter further provides the use of the capsules, inter alia, in the water treatment technology.

Abstract: Provided are coating compositions for, and methods for reducing weight loss and improving the shelf life of, post-harvest edible and non-edible plant matter. In particular, the compositions may include a hydrocolloid polymer, an edible wax, a fatty acid, an edible alkaline component essentially free of morpholine and/or ammonia, and water. The edible alkaline component allows formation of a homogeneous emulsion without the need for any additional emulsifier. The methods include applying the compositions to the surface of plant matter, and more specifically to plant matter having a natural skin, shell or tunic.

Abstract: Provided are hydrocolloid core-shell capsules including a liquid core including a non-crosslinked alginate solution and a solid or semi-solid shell including a hydrocolloid other than alginate crosslinked with metal ions, which do not crosslink alginate. Further provided is a method for the preparation of the liquid-core capsules including non-crosslinked alginate. The subject matter further provides the use of the capsules, inter alia, in the water treatment technology.

Abstract: Provided are fortified beverages, in particular fruit or vegetable juices, enriched with fruit or vegetable fiber in a nutritionally effective amount, and methods of manufacture thereof. In particular, the provided are methods for increasing the percentage of dietary fiber in fruit or vegetable tissue mass added to fruit or vegetable juice, thereby providing a fruit or vegetable juice enriched with fruit or vegetable fiber, the methods including at least one step of washing followed by a step of centrifugation, and excluding steps of drying at elevated temperatures or exposure to any chemical treatment.

Abstract: Provided is a composition and methods for reducing the weight loss and/or preserving the natural gloss of post-harvest edible plant matter. In particular, the methods including applying to the surface of the plant matter a composition including an edible wax having a melting temperature below 70° C.; a hydrocolloid; a fatty acid; an emulsifier; and water, wherein said edible wax is present in a weight percent ranging from about 10% to about 25% of the total weight of the composition.

Abstract: The present invention discloses composition and methods for reducing the weight loss and/or preserving the natural gloss of post-harvest edible plant matter. In particular, the methods comprising applying to the surface of the plant matter a composition comprising an edible wax having a melting temperature below 70° C.; a hydrocolloid; a fatty acid; an emulsifier; and water, wherein said edible wax is present in a weight percent ranging from about 10% to about 25% of the total weight of the composition.

Abstract: The present invention discloses composition and methods for reducing the weight loss and/or preserving the natural gloss of post-harvest edible plant matter. In particular, the methods comprising applying to the surface of the plant matter a composition comprising an edible wax having a melting temperature below 70° C.; a hydrocolloid; a fatty acid; an emulsifier; and water, wherein said edible wax is present in a weight percent ranging from about 10% to about 25% of the total weight of the composition.

Abstract: The present invention relates to dermal patches comprising natural polysaccharides without the need for any pressure sensitive synthetic polymers. Particularly, the present invention relates to patches comprising a bioadhesive composition comprising a polysaccharide exudate and an essential oil useful for transdermal delivery of therapeutic or cosmetic agents.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel polysaccharide-based adhesive hydrogel compositions useful for wound healing and topical and transdermal delivery of therapeutic and cosmetic agents, methods of preparation and uses thereof. The hydrogel includes modified polysaccharides which bestow superior cohesion and adhesiveness to the hydrogel. The present invention further provides methods and a device useful for the testing the adhesive properties of hydrogels.

Abstract: This invention discloses electrified freeze-dried hydrocolloid gels, having modified structures with improved properties, as well as methods for the preparation of these modified gels and their uses. Specifically gels modified by electrification and freeze-drying undergo changes including creation of concentric layers of gel and intervening spaces.

Abstract: The present invention provides cellular solid carriers comprising viable microorganisms capable of controlling plant pathogens. The cellular solid carriers are formed from water-soluble hydrocolloid beads dried under conditions which preserve their porosity, thereby allowing efficient release of microorganisms or diffusion of products derived from the microorganisms from the beads to the surrounding environment.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel polysaccharide-based adhesive hydrogel compositions useful for wound healing and topical and transdermal delivery of therapeutic and cosmetic agents, methods of preparation and uses thereof. The hydrogel includes modified polysaccharides which bestow superior cohesion and adhesiveness to the hydrogel. The present invention further provides methods and a device useful for the testing the adhesive properties of hydrogels.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for treating biological organic tissue, particularly plant tissue, by applying a direct current preferably of low voltage electrical field for short duration, with minimal detrimental influence on the treated tissue and to further beneficial uses of the residual tissue mass. The system and methods are useful for extraction and separation of substances of interest from the biological tissue, with optional concomitant reduction in enzyme activity, resulting in delayed or arrested browning of the tissue, and for production of imprint marks on the treated tissue. The present invention further relates to substances including pigments, minerals, oils, fragrances, vitamins, amino acids, alkaloids, extracted using the direct current treatment system, and to apparatus for performing the treatment.

Abstract: The present invention provides coated single cells or embryos having a protective micro-coating of hydrocolloid. The present invention further provides methods of coating single cells or embryos with a hydrocolloid such as an alginate, low-methoxy pectin (LMP), and carrageenans to provide a micro-coating. The coating serves as a barrier to pathogenic contamination and hazardous materials and protects against damage during freezing and thawing, thus improving survival prospects.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for testing tack of Pressure Sensitive Adhesives (PSA) and other sticky materials is disclosed to simplify the measurement of bonding and debonding procedures. A modified rolling tack test is applied using a device attached on to an Instron Universal Testing machine. By predetermining the angle (position) of a cylindrical probe-roller hanging down to the Instron's cross-head and leaning parallel to a rotary drum covered with tacky substance, the pressure of the probe and its rolling velocity (as an expression for dwell time) can be controlled independently. The ease of execution and its high reproducibility enable the use of the new method to study the experimental tack of adhesive materials.

Abstract: A temperature-stable droplet is provided containing a temperature-stable hydrocolloid membrane. The hydrocolloid membrane encapsulates a liquid that contains at least one enzyme, a cell, a biological agent, a pharmaceutical agent, an immunological agent, or mixtures thereof, and at least one of a locust bean gum, a natural thickening agent, a guar, polyvinylpyrrolidone, Konjac mannan, methylcellulose, hydroxymethylcellulose, calcium gluconate, glucomannan, or mixtures thereof. Preferably, the hydrocolloid membrane comprises at least one of methoxy pectin, Konjac mannan, sodium alginate, or mixtures thereof, and at least one of a locust bean gum, methylcellulose, hydroxymethylcellulose, glucomannan, or mixtures thereof. The hydrocolloid membrane encapsulating the liquid is a thickness capable of holding the liquid without bursting through a temperature range of about −20° C. to about 90° C.

Abstract: The invention relates to novel hydrocolloid cellular solid matrices having predetermined moisture absorption properties, caloric value, biodegradability, pore size, pore density, pore distribution and structure. Certain cellular solid matrices of the invention can be used as edibles, and these can be produced as calorie-less, low calorie, high calorie and ultra-high calorie content cellular solids. Certain types of cellular solid matrices can be used in medicine and also in a variety of industries.

Abstract: The invention provides sponges (foams) produced from hydrocolloids by the expansion of gels of these. The foams have properties which can be varied, such as water absorption, biodegradibility, pore size and structure. Edible products can be produced which may contain an edible plasticizer, a sugar or sugar substitute and possibly also a flavoring agent or taste enhancer. The novel sponges are produced by preparing a gel of a hydrocolloid, and either sealing it in a closed vessel with a liquid of similar composition, pressurizing the vessel and abruptly releasing the pressure, followed by freeze drying, or by incorporating in such a gel a suitable microorganism, such as a yeast and inducing fermentation in the presence of a suitable nutrient medium, so that the carbon dioxide formed results in the expansion and foam formation, which is processed to the final product. The sponges-foams of the invention are such, that the initial network of the gel is maintained.