Abstract: A method of making a molecularly imprinted porous structure makes use of a surfactant analog of the molecule to be imprinted that has the imprint molecule portion serving as the surfactant headgroup. The surfactant analog is allowed to self-assemble in a mixture to create at least one supramolecular structure having exposed imprint groups. The imprinted porous structure is formed by adding reactive monomers to the mixture and allowing the monomers to polymerize, with the supramolecular structure serving as a template. The resulting solid structure has a shape that is complementary to the shape of the supramolecular structure and has cavities that are the mirror image of the imprint group. Similarly, molecularly imprinted particles may be made by using the surfactant to create a water-in-oil microemulsion wherein the imprint groups are exposed to the water phase.

Abstract: A method for derivatizing a compound having a hydroxyl group by back to back acylation is provided. The compound is acylated with a bifunctional acyl donor in the presence of a hydrolase to form an activated acyl ester or carbonate. Preferably the bifunctional acylating donor is a di(vinyl) ester or carbonate. The activated acyl ester or carbonate is then used to acylate a nucleophile in the presence of a lipase. The method of the invention provides regioselective enzymatic acylation of the base compound.

Abstract: Highly specific biocatalytic reactions have been used to create a population of derivatives from a single starting compound. Examples demonstrate synthesis of derivatives of taxol, taxol-2'-adipate, taxol-2'-vinyl adipate, 2,3-(methylenedioxy) benzaldehyde, (.+-.)-(2-endo, 3-exo)-bicyclo (2.2.2)octo-5-ene-2,3-dimethanol, adenosine and erythromycin.

Abstract: A pellet conditioning device (10) for the cooling and/or drying of preformed discrete pellets (148) is provided which includes an upright pellet-receiving bin (12) with a dual grate assembly (18) therein. The assembly (18) includes a stationary first grate comprising a plurality of upright, apertured grate wall members (86), and a shiftable second grate including a plurality of elongated, obliquely oriented plates (106) located between and in spanning relationship to adjacent pairs of the wall members (86). Shifting structure (20) is provided for selective and sequential translational, rectilinear shifting movement of the lower margins (110) of the plates (106) so as to successively open and close a pellet passageway (117) adjacent each lower margin (110). A duct and fan arrangement (38) is also provided with the bin (12) so as to draw cooling air currents through the grate assembly (18) and pellets (148) therein.

Abstract: A pellet conditioning device (10) for the cooling and/or drying of preformed discrete pellets (148) is provided which includes an upright pellet-receiving bin (12) with a dual grate assembly (18) therein. The assembly (18) includes a stationary first grate comprising a plurality of upright, apertured grate wall members (86), and a shiftable second grate including a plurality of elongated, obliquely oriented plates (106) located between and in spanning relationship to adjacent pairs of the wall members (86). Shifting structure (20) is provided for selective and sequential translational, rectilinear shifting movement of the lower margins (110) of the plates (106) so as to successively open and close a pellet passageway (117) adjacent each lower margin (110). A duct and fan arrangement (38) is also provided with the bin (12) so as to draw cooling air currents through the grate assembly (18) and pellets (148) therein.

Abstract: A method for reacting an enzyme in a non-aqueous organic solvent is disclosed. The method comprises preparing a lyophilizate of a salt which activates the enzyme and an enzyme wherein the lyophilizate contains a weight ratio of salt to enzyme of at least 60% salt sufficient to activate the enzyme in an organic solvent. The method then calls for dispersion of the lyophilizate in a non-aqueous organic solvent in the presence of a substrate for the enzyme.

Abstract: An improved diverter apparatus (18) is provided for use in pneumatic conveying systems (16), in order to permit selective diversion of product to waste or recycle. The apparatus (18) includes an elongate tubular body (42) having at least one opening (48) therein; a gate (52) is situated adjacent the opening (48) for normally closing the same. A piston and cylinder assembly (62) is operatively coupled with the gate (52) for selective, remote operation of the gate (52). When the gate (52) is opened, product is diverted and does not pass the gate (52).

Abstract: A commercially feasible, high-output extrusion apparatus and method is provided for producing vegetable protein based meat analogue products characterized by discrete, untwisted, manually separable meat-like layers and at relatively high production rates. The method involves passing hot, moist, pretreated vegetable protein material through an extruder barrel and causing formation of a first choke of the material intermediate the ends of the barrel, subdivision of the material downstream of the first choke point in the presence of steam for thorough cooking and moisturizing of the material, rechoking of the subdivided material adjacent the extrusion end of the barrel, and extrusion of the material as a dense, layered meat analogue product.

Abstract: A commercially feasible, high-output extrusion apparatus and method is provided for producing vegetable protein based meat analogue products characterized by discrete, untwisted, manually separable meat-like layers and at relatively high production rates. The method involves passing hot, moist, pretreated vegetable protein material through an extruder barrel and causing formation of a first choke of the material intermediate the ends of the barrel, subdivision of the material downstream of the first choke point in the presence of steam for thorough cooking and moisturizing of the material, rechoking of the subdivided material adjacent the extrusion end of the barrel, and extrusion of the material as a dense, layered meat analogue product.