Abstract: The invention provides a method for the formation of small-size titanium oxide particles, comprising the steps of a) preparing a starting aqueous solution comprising at least one of titanic ions and complexes thereof, at a concentration of at least 0.1% w/w titanium; b) maintaining the solution at a temperature lower than 70° C. for a retention time in which hydrolysis takes place, the extent of the hydrolysis being sufficient to produce 0.1 mmol protons per mmol of titanium present in solution, wherein the time does not exceed 14 days, to form a system containing a retained solution; and c) adjusting the conditions in the system by at least one of the steps of: i) heating the retained solution to elevate the temperature thereof by at least 1° C.; ii) changing the pH of the retained solution by at least 0.1 units; and iii) diluting the retained solution by at least 20% whereby there are formed particles, wherein the majority of the particles formed are between about 2 nm and about 500 nm in size.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for the recovery of citric acid from an aqueous solution feed stream originating in fermentation of carbohydrates and utilizing an amine solvent extraction step for separation of impurities comprising: subjecting said aqueous solution feed stream A to a treatment for partial recovery of citric acid, wherein said treatment is other than amine solvent extraction, to form a first portion of purified citric acid B and a secondary feed stream F; subjecting at least a portion G of said secondary feed stream F to a treatment consisting of amine solvent extraction to form a second portion of purified citric acid solution and to reject substantial of impurities initially present in said portion of said secondary feed stream; subjecting said second portion of purified citric acid solution to crystallization; and recycling mother liquor from said crystallization.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for the recovery of citric acid from an aqueous solution feed stream originating in germination of carbohydrates and utilizing an amine solvent extraction step for separation of impurities comprising: subjecting said aqueous solution feed stream A to a treatment for partial recovery of citric acid, wherein said treatment is other than amine solvent extraction, to form a first portion of purified citric acid B and a secondary feed stream F; subjecting at least a portion G of said secondary feed stream F to a treatment consisting of amine solvent extraction to form a second portion of purified citric acid solution and to reject substantial of impurities initially present in said portion of said secondary feed stream; subjecting said second portion of purified citric acid solution to crystallization; and recycling mother liquor from said crystallization.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for the formation of small-size iron oxide particles comprising the steps of preparing a starting aqueous solution comprising at least one of ferric ions and complexes thereof, at a concentration of at least 0.1% W/W iron and a pH greater than about 1.5; maintaining said solution at a temperature lower than 55° C. for a retention time in which hydrolysis takes place, the extent of said hydrolysis being insufficient to decrease the pH by at least 0.2 units, wherein said time does not exceed 14 days, to form a system containing a modified solution; and adjusting the conditions in said system by at least one of the steps of heating the modified solution to elevate the temperature thereof by at least 10° C; elevating the pH of the modified solution by at least 0.3 units; and diluting the modified solution by at least 20%; whereby there are formed particles; wherein the majority of the particles formed are between about 2 nm and about 500 nm in size.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for depositing a stable anti-corrosive metal oxide and/or metal hydroxide layer onto a metal surface. The invention further provides a stable anti-corrosive coating layer on a metal object, which layer comprises metal oxide and/or metal hydroxide.

Abstract: A method for preparing a heat-treated food from a raw ingredient derived from a plant material and containing asparagine and at least one reducing sugar is disclosed. The method includes contacting with the raw ingredient a reagent comprising an amino acid having a relatively low asparagine concentration so that a coating layer is formed. The method also includes heat treating such raw ingredient after such contacting or simultaneously with it. An oil for frying a raw ingredient from a plant material is also disclosed. A food product comprising a matrix of plant-based material having a reaction interface, and a layer at least partially covering the interface wherein the layer has undergone a Maillard reaction due to heat treatment is also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for the recovery of citric acid from an aqueous solution feed stream originating in fermentation of carbohydrates and utilizing an amine solvent extraction step for separation of impurities comprising: subjecting said aqueous solution feed stream A to a treatment for partial recovery of citric acid, wherein said treatment is other than amine solvent extraction, to form a first portion of purified citric acid B and a secondary feed stream F; subjecting at least a portion G of said secondary feed stream F to a treatment consisting of amine solvent extraction to form a second portion of purified citric acid solution and to reject substantial of impurities initially present in said portion of said secondary feed stream; subjecting said second portion of purified citric acid solution to crystallization; and recycling mother liquor from said crystallization.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are processes for the recovery of 1,3-propanediol from an aqueous feed stream. The present invention involves contacting an aqueous feed stream that comprises water, 1,3-propanediol, and at least one contaminant with at least one solvent extractant to form a mixture. The mixture is separated into a first phase and a second phase. The second phase comprises a majority of the water from the aqueous feed stream. The first phase comprises solvent extractant and at least some of the 1,3-propanediol that was present in the aqueous feed stream. The weight ratio in the first phase of 1,3-propanediol to any one contaminant present is greater than the weight ratio of 1,3-propanediol to the same contaminant in the aqueous feed stream prior to the aqueous feed stream being contacted with the solvent extractant. The first phase can be removed from the separated second phase in order to recover the 1,3-propanediol.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are processes for the recovery of 1,3-propanediol from an aqueous feed stream. The present invention involves contacting an aqueous feed stream that comprises water, 1,3-propanediol, and at least one contaminant with at least one solvent extractant to form a mixture. The mixture is separated into a first phase and a second phase. The second phase comprises a majority of the water from the aqueous feed stream. The first phase comprises solvent extractant and at least some of the 1,3-propanediol that was present in the aqueous feed stream. The weight ratio in the first phase of 1,3-propanediol to any one contaminant present is greater than the weight ratio of 1,3-propanediol to the same contaminant in the aqueous feed stream prior to the aqueous feed stream being contacted with the solvent extractant. The first phase can be removed from the separated second phase in order to recover the 1,3-propanediol.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for the separation and recovery of at least one selected salt from a mixture of salts containing at least one salt, the solubility of which increases with increase in temperature, comprising providing a pond having a dark bottom surface and a plurality of stratified salt solution layers wherein the solution closest to the bottom contains a salt concentration higher than that in the upper layers, the solution closest to the bottom is hotter than those in the upper layers and at least some of the layers are saturated with at least one salt; introducing a feed solution containing at least one salt, the solubility of which increases with increase in temperature into the pond thereby resulting in an increased ratio of the at least one salt in the bottom layer; withdrawing a solution from the bottom zone; and withdrawing a solution from the upper zone.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are processes for the recovery of 1,3-propanediol from an aqueous feed stream. The present invention involves contacting an aqueous feed stream that comprises water, 1,3-propanediol, and at least one contaminant with at least one solvent extractant to form a mixture. The mixture is separated into a first phase and a second phase. The second phase comprises a majority of the water from the aqueous feed stream. The first phase comprises solvent extractant and at least some of the 1,3-propanediol that was present in the aqueous feed stream. The weight ratio in the first phase of 1,3-propanediol to any one contaminant present is greater than the weight ratio of 1,3-propanediol to the same contaminant in the aqueous feed stream prior to the aqueous feed stream being contacted with the solvent extractant. The first phase can be removed from the separated second phase in order to recover the 1,3-propanediol.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for the production of aspartic acid poly-condensate from a carbohydrate comprising the steps of: fermenting a carbohydrate-containing medium by means of a fumaric acid-producing microorganism, whereby a fumarate-containing fermentation liquor is formed; forming a purified ammonium fumarate solution from the fumarate-containing fermentation liquor; enzymatically converting the purified ammonium fumarate into purified ammonium aspartate; heating an aqueous solution of an aspartate salt derived from the purified ammonium aspartate whereby water is removed, an aspartic acid condensate is formed and a second product is formed, which second product is basic and contains the cation of the aspartate salt; and removing and using the basic second product as a reagent in another step of the process.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for the preparation of long-chain alkyl glycosides, comprising reacting at least one substrate selected from a group consisting a carbohydrates and carbohydrates sources and at least one fatty alkanol of at least eight carbon atoms in a medium consisting of at least one glycosidase enzyme having a temperature optimum greater than 60° C. and having thermal stability half-life of greater than 24 hours at 80° C.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for the recovery of erythorbic acid from an aqueous feed solution containing values of erythorbic acid at a concentration of less than 0.7 mol/kg, comprising extracting said erythorbic acid with a water-immiscible organic extractant composition comprising at least one secondary or tertiary alkyl amine in which the aggregate number of carbon atoms is at least 20, as a primary extractant, and a polar extraction enhancer compound; wherein said extractant composition comprises at least 2 moles of said polar extraction enhancer compound per one mole of primary extractant; separating said erythorbic acid-containing organic extractant composition from residual aqueous solution, and subjecting said erythorbic acid-containing organic extractant composition to a stripping operation with aqueous solution at a temperature of at least 20° C.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for the recovery of erythorbic acid from an aqueous feed solution containing values of erythorbic acid at a concentration of less than 0.7 mol/kg, comprising adsorbing a major portion of said erythorbic acid with a solid phase adsorbent resin selected from resins carrying a pyridine function and resins of similar or weaker basicity; separating said erythorbic acid-containing resin from residual aqueous solution, and subjecting said erythorbic acid-containing resin to a desorbing operation with a neutral solvent at a temperature of at least 20.degree. C. higher than the temperature at which said adsorption is carried out, whereby there is obtained a solution of erythorbic acid in solvent in which the concentration of erythorbic acid is at least equal to its concentration in said aqueous feed solution.