Abstract: Lactic acid is prepared by fermenting a carbohydrate source in the presence of a calcium hydroxide-based pH control agent that comprises from about 0.1 to about 10 wt % silica to form a fermentation broth comprising lactic acid and calcium lactate. The fermentation broth is processed by a sequence of hydrocyclones to remove silica from the feed streams to avoid fouling of equipment and to avoid damage to filtration or centrifugation equipment. The biomass component of the fermentation broth is separated out prior to acidulation of the fermentation broth, and therefore itself is a viable product for use since it can be provided without filter aid components that were previously required when the biomass was removed during acidulation. Gypsum is recovered after the acidulation step, and can be available as a product by itself, or combined with the biomass as a mixed product.

Abstract: Carbohydrate compositions having lower digestibility and lower sugar compared to traditional nutritive sweeteners, methods of making the carbohydrate compositions, and food products comprising the carbohydrate compositions are disclosed.

Abstract: Beta-glucan compositions and methods of making and using the same, such as for treatment of a subterranean formation. A beta-glucan composition includes a beta-glucan and water. Shearing the beta-glucan composition at a shear rate of up to a maximum shear rate of about 300,000 s?1 or less provides a sheared beta-glucan composition having a viscosity at standard temperature and pressure at 6 rpm of at least about 30 cps and a Filterability Ratio of less or equal to than about 1.5.

Abstract: Refined beta-glucans, such as scleroglucan or schizophyllan, and methods of making and using the same, such as for treating subterranean formations. A method of making a refined beta-glucan includes filtering a solution of a crude beta-glucan.

Abstract: Readily water-miscible beta-glucan suspensions and methods of making and using the same. A readily water-miscible beta-glucan suspension includes a beta-glucan and a water-miscible organic fluid that comprises an alcohol, an alpha-hydroxy acid alkyl ester, a polyalkylene glycol alkyl ether, or a combination thereof, wherein the suspension is sufficient such that mixing with water at a shear rate of 40,000 s?1 or more forms a homogeneous mixture of the suspension and the water. The present invention also provides methods of dispersing the water-miscible beta-glucan suspension in water to form homogenous mixtures of the suspension and the water, methods of treating subterranean formations with such homogeneous mixtures, and methods of making the suspension.

Abstract: Readily water-miscible beta-glucan suspensions and methods of making and using the same. A readily water-miscible beta-glucan suspension includes a beta-glucan and a water-miscible organic fluid that comprises an alcohol, an alpha-hydroxy acid alkyl ester, a polyalkylene glycol alkyl ether, or a combination thereof, wherein the suspension is sufficient such that mixing with water at a shear rate of 40,000 s-1 or more forms a homogeneous mixture of the suspension and the water. The present invention also provides methods of dispersing the water-miscible beta-glucan suspension in water to form homogenous mixtures of the suspension and the water, methods of treating subterranean formations with such homogeneous mixtures, and methods of making the suspension.

Abstract: Various aspects relate to refined beta-glucans and methods of maintaining filterability of compositions including beta-glucans at various salinities. A refined beta-glucan forms an aqueous beta-glucan composition including 1 g/L of the refined beta-glucan, the aqueous beta-glucan composition having a salinity of 100,000 ppm TDS or less and having a Filterability Ratio of less than 2 at a temperature of at least 50° C.

Abstract: Described herein is a beta glucan material, comprising 1,3-1,6 beta glucan, that when solubilized achieves a filterability ratio ranging from 1 to 2, preferably 1 to 1.5, and a viscosity ratio ranging from 1.5 to 4. The solubilized beta glucan materials has desired viscosity build and filterability property for EOR applications.

Abstract: Described herein is a flowable suspension comprising about 10-60 wt % of beta glucan with desirable swelling and dispersion properties.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a process for reducing viscosity of an aqueous composition comprising a biopolymer, comprising: obtaining an aqueous composition comprising 1,3 beta glucan wherein the aqueous composition has an initial viscosity and heating the aqueous composition to a desired temperature, preferably in combination with a desired shear rate, to reduce viscosity by at least 50%.

Abstract: Described herein is a pumpable and/or flowable suspension comprising about 10-60 wt % of beta glucan (BG) that when diluted achieves a filterability ratio less than about 1.5. Further described herein is a pumpable and/or flowable suspension comprising about 10-60 wt % of BG wherein greater than 50% of ultimate viscosity can be recovered after running specified dilution procedure for one pass and greater than 70% of ultimate viscosity after two passes.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method to rapidly solubilize beta glucan (BG) material comprising passing the beta glucan material, in solution, through an in-line high shear system, wherein viscosity of the solubilized beta glucan material is 90% or greater of ultimate viscosity and wherein filterability ratio of the solubilized beta glucan material ranges from about 1-2.

Abstract: Described herein is a beta glucan material, comprising solid 1,3-1,6 beta glucan, that when solubilized, under specified solubilization procedure, has a filterability ratio less than about 1.5. Further described herein is beta glucan material wherein greater than 50% of ultimate viscosity can be recovered after running specified solubilization procedure for one pass and greater than 70% after two passes. Also described herein is a beta glucan material that when solubilized, under specified solubilization procedure, has less than 10% viscosity loss during filtration.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a process for reducing viscosity of an aqueous composition comprising a biopolymer, comprising: obtaining an aqueous composition comprising 1,3 beta glucan wherein the aqueous composition has an initial viscosity and heating the aqueous composition to a desired temperature, preferably in combination with a desired shear rate, to reduce viscosity by at least 50%.

Abstract: Carbohydrate compositions having lower digestibility and lower sugar compared to traditional nutritive sweeteners, methods of making the carbohydrate compositions, and food products comprising the carbohydrate compositions are disclosed.