Abstract: The present application includes a method for improving human and animal health comprising administering an effective amount of a linus cyclopeptide (LCP) extract from flaxseed to a subject in need thereof. Also included are feeds, foodstuffs, functional food compositions, natural product compositions nutraceuticals and food additive compositions comprising an LCP extract from flaxseed.

Abstract: A biorefining method of processing a lignocellulosic biomass to separate lignin and hemicellulose from cellulose includes the steps of (a) reacting the biomass in an aqueous slurry having a pH less than 7, comprising a transition metal catalyst, hydrogen peroxide; and (b) separating a solid cellulose fraction from dissolved lignin and hemicellulose fractions. The method may also be used to treat cellulose and produce microcrystalline or nanocrystalline cellulose. The transition metal catalyst may be a nanoparticulate catalyst including multivalent iron, iron oxides and iron hydroxides. The nanoparticulate catalyst may be formed by oxidizing a highly reduced solution of iron, such as groundwater that has not been exposed to oxygen.

Abstract: Crystalline cellulose gels useful in the stabilization of emulsions, including nanoemulsions, and for acting as cryptands or clathrates, and methods for their use and production are provided. In some embodiments, the emulsion is an oil-in-water emulsion. In some embodiments, such emulsions and/or vesicles produced in such emulsions, and/or the crystalline cellulose gel itself 15 are useful in the fields of drug delivery, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, feed and food, paints and coatings, mining, or oil and gas recovery.

Abstract: A process for producing desired compounds from biomass, including treating a lignocellulosic waste stream in some embodiments. The waste stream is conditioned under acidic or basic conditions, and is then treated in a catalytic reaction step using a transition metal catalyst and an oxidant. The transition metal catalyst can be an iron-based nanoparticulate catalyst. In some embodiments, useful compounds such as lignin, crystalline cellulose and various platform chemicals are produced from the waste stream. In some embodiments, the waste stream is lignocellulosic agricultural or forestry waste. In some embodiments, the waste stream is manure. In some embodiments, desirable bioproducts are obtained from lignocellulosic biomasses using an iron-based nanoparticulate-catalyzed reaction conducted at alkaline pH.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a process of obtaining a simplified flax extract by water extraction followed by mechanical extraction. The disclosure further provides compositions comprising the flax extract produced by the process and methods and uses thereof for treating parasitic infections and inflammatory conditions.

Abstract: A biorefining method of processing a lignocellulosic biomass to separate lignin and hemicellulose from cellulose includes the steps of (a) reacting the biomass in an aqueous slurry having a pH less than 7, comprising a transition metal catalyst, hydrogen peroxide; and (b) separating a solid cellulose fraction from dissolved lignin and hemicellulose fractions. The method may also be used to treat cellulose and produce microcrystalline or nanocrystalline cellulose. The transition metal catalyst may be a nanoparticulate catalyst including multivalent iron, iron oxides and iron hydroxides. The nanoparticulate catalyst may be formed by oxidizing a highly reduced solution of iron, such as groundwater that has not been exposed to oxygen.

Abstract: The present application pertains to compositions for enhancing or controlling the germination of seeds. The compositions comprise i) a transition metal catalyst such as nanoparticulate catalyst bearing one or more transition metals, a carbon nanotube impregnated with Fe, Cu, Mo, Rh or Co, or a transition metal salt (FeSO4, CuSO4 or a cobalt salt) and ii) an oxidant such as hydrogen peroxide. The composition may further comprise a buffer. Methods of enhancing or controlling the germination of seeds using the composition are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present application includes a method for improving human and animal health comprising administering an effective amount of a linus cyclopeptide (LCP) extract from flaxseed to a subject in need thereof. Also included are feeds, foodstuffs, functional food compositions, natural product compositions nutraceuticals and food additive compositions comprising an LCP extract from flaxseed.

Abstract: A biorefining method of processing a lignocellulosic biomass to separate lignin and hemicellulose from cellulose includes the steps of (a) reacting the biomass in an aqueous slurry having a pH less than 7, comprising a transition metal catalyst, hydrogen peroxide; and (b) separating a solid cellulose fraction from dissolved lignin and hemicellulose fractions. The method may also be used to treat cellulose and produce microcrystalline or nanocrystalline cellulose. The transition metal catalyst may be a nanoparticulate catalyst including multivalent iron, iron oxides and iron hydroxides. The nanoparticulate catalyst may be formed by oxidizing a highly reduced solution of iron, such as groundwater that has not been exposed to oxygen.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a direct correlation between milk production in livestock animals and the presence of alleles of a gene encoding an adipocyte-specific polypeptide, termed leptin, which gene is hereinafter referred to as ob. The invention also provides novel compositions consisting essentially of specific oligonucleotides that are useful as primers to amplify particular regions of the genome during enzymatic nucleic acid amplification, thus providing a rapid, sensitive and specific method for the detection of the ob-gene polymorphism which may be present in a specimen. The invention further provides for methods of screening bovine to determine those having predictably more milk productivity and advantageously selecting those livestock for future breeding and management purposes based on the ob polymorphisms.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a direct correlation between milk production in livestock animals and the presence of alleles of a gene encoding an adipocyte-specific polypeptide, termed leptin, which gene is hereinafter referred to as ob. The invention also provides novel compositions consisting essentially of specific oligonucleotides that are useful as primers to amplify particular regions of the genome during enzymatic nucleic acid amplification, thus providing a rapid, sensitive and specific method for the detection of the ob-gene polymorphism which may be present in a specimen. The invention further provides for methods of screening bovine to determine those having predictably more milk productivity and advantageously selecting those livestock for future breeding and management purposes based on the ob polymorphisms.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a direct correlation between milk production in livestock animals and the presence of alleles of a gene encoding an adipocyte-specific polypeptide, termed leptin, which gene is hereinafter referred to as ob. The invention also provides novel compositions consisting essentially of specific oligonucleotides that are useful as primers to amplify particular regions of the genome during enzymatic nucleic acid amplification, thus providing a rapid, sensitive and specific method for the detection of the ob-gene polymorphism which may be present in a specimen. The invention further provides for methods of screening bovine to determine those having predictably more milk productivity and advantageously selecting those livestock for future breeding and management purposes based on the ob polymorphisms.

Abstract: Novel Polygala senega saponin pharmaceutical compositions are disclosed. The P. senega saponins are useful as immunological adjuvants to enhance immune responses to a co-administered antigen.

Abstract: Novel Quinoa saponin pharmaceutical compositions are disclosed. The compositions are useful for enhancing mucosal absorption of a drug administered therewith.

Abstract: Novel Quinoa saponin pharmaceutical compositions are disclosed. The compositions are useful as immunological adjuvants, to stimulate nonspecific immunity, as well as to enhance an immunological response to a selected antigen. The Quinoa saponin compositions can also be used to enhance mucosal absorption of a drug administered therewith.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for modulating SRIF activity as well as enhancing the reproductive performance and immunological function in vertebrates are disclosed. Compositions containing SRIF-related peptides or antibodies thereto can be administered to animals to modulate endogenous SRIF-like activity. The SRIF-related peptides can be linked to a carrier such as ovalbumin, and administered in an Al(OH).sub.3 adjuvant, to enhance the immunogenicity of the SRIF-related peptides.