Abstract: Arabinogalactan compositions are provided which are useful in a wide variety of different biomedical applications. In one embodiment, water soluble lipidated arabinogalactans are provided which include arabinogalactan with a limited proportion of lipophilic groups, such as long-chain hydrocarbon groups, covalently attached to free hydroxyl groups on the arabinogalactan. The lipidated arabinogalactans are water soluble and biocompatible and are useful for a wide variety of different biomedical applications. The lipidated arabinogalactans can be used, for example, to inhibit cell adhesion, and to inhibit infection or inflammation. The lipidated arabinogalactans further may be used as adjuvants, to inhibit metastasis, and in other therapeutic applications.

Abstract: Arabinogalactan compositions are provided which are useful in a wide variety of different biomedical applications. In one embodiment, water soluble lipidated arabinogalactans are provided which include arabinogalactan with a limited proportion of lipophilic groups, such as long-chain hydrocarbon groups, covalently attached to free hydroxyl groups on the arabinogalactan. The lipidated arabinogalactans are water soluble and biocompatible and are useful for a wide variety of different biomedical applications. The lipidated arabinogalactans can be used, for example, to inhibit cell adhesion, and to inhibit infection or inflammation. The lipidated arabinogalactans further may be used as adjuvants, to inhibit metastasis, and in other therapeutic applications.

Abstract: Arabinogalactan compositions are provided which are useful in a wide variety of different biomedical applications. In one embodiment, water soluble lipidated arabinogalactans are provided which include arabinogalactan with a limited proportion of lipophilic groups, such as long-chain hydrocarbon groups, covalently attached to free hydroxyl groups on the arabinogalactan. The lipidated arabinogalactans are water soluble and biocompatible and are useful for a wide variety of different biomedical applications. The lipidated arabinogalactans can be used, for example, to inhibit cell adhesion, and to inhibit infection or inflammation. The lipidated arabinogalactans further may be used as adjuvants, to inhibit metastasis, and in other therapeutic applications.

Abstract: A composition is provided for reducing bacterial growth in food products. The composition includes a wood extract containing polyphenols and may contain arabinogalactan. The composition suppresses or prevents the growth of E. coli and of Salmonella sp. The wood extract imparts little or no residual taste to the food product. However, it can readily be removed if desired by washing before use of the food. The composition may be essentially arabinogalactan-free to further reduce bacterial growth.

Abstract: Compositions containing hemicelluloses in combination with polyphenols, methods of preparing the compositions, and methods of treating humans or animals with the composition are provided. Also provided is a method for increasing growth rate, improving feed efficiency and decreasing scour after weaning in an animal by administering an effective amount of the composition to the animal. The hemicelluloses preferably are not consumed by human alimentary enzymes or harmful bacteria, such as putrefactive or pathogenic bacteria, in the gastrointestinal tract, and are consumed by beneficial bacteria, such as bifidobacteria, in the gastrointestinal tract. The polyphenols preferably decrease the amount of harmful bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract. The compositions can optionally contain a carrier or be used as a feed addition and are administered to humans or other animals in an amount sufficient to treat the gastrointestinal disorder.

Abstract: Inulins are pyrolyzed to di-D-fructose dianhydrides in good yield by heating at atmospheric pressure to a temperature sufficiently high to melt the inulin, or pyrolyzing in the presence of a hydroxy carboxylic acid such as citric acid, to melt temperatures of the mixture. The pyrolyzed inulins are used in foodstuffs to increase the relative proportions of bifido bacteria in the digestive tracts of humans and domesticated animals.

Abstract: Aqueous two phase systems are provided which permit the extractive separation of biological materials. In a preferred embodiment, an aqueous solution of arabinogalactan defines at least one phase, and an aqueous solution of a second solute, such as a polyether, defines at least one other phase. In one embodiment, an aqueous two phase system is provided in which one phase is defined by an aqueous solution containing predominantly ultrarefined arabinogalactan, and the other phase is defined by an aqueous solution containing predominantly a polymer such as a poly(ethylene glycol). Biological materials which can be extracted and separated from mixtures using the aqueous two phase systems include cells, organelles, macromolecules and organic molecules. The aqueous two phase systems can be used in wide range of different applications including in bioconversions for the production and separation of enzyme reaction products.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for the recovery of organic compounds from fibrous plant materials. Organic compounds which can be recovered from the fibrous plant materials include plant metabolites, such as arabinogalactan and phenols, which can be isolated from the wood, for example, of the Western Larch and Tamarack tree varieties. In addition to the recovery of organic compounds from wood, fibrous wood products also may be isolated, in the form of a clean fiber that can be used, for example, as raw material in wood processing applications or in the manufacture of high quality paper products. In one embodiment, a fibrous plant material first is compressed, to recover a liquid exudate and a first pressed plant fiber product. Optionally, the fibrous plant material, such as wood particles, is compressed in the substantial absence of any added solvent, to produce a pure normal liquid exudate and a first pressed plant product.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and composition for animal husbandry comprising administering to livestock and other animals at least one composition selected from the group consisting of a caramel composition comprising a high content of fructose oligosaccharides, termed sucrose thermal oligosaccharides (STO), and a product comprising sucrose thermal kestoses. The growth of livestock and other animals may be greatly increased by administering STO caramel or sucrose thermal kestoses. The compositions alter specific microflora within the gastrointestinal tract to enhance the health of the animal by increasing the numbers of bifidobacteria and lactobacilli, and decreasing the numbers of undesirable microorganisms.

Abstract: Compositions containing hemicelluloses in combination with polyphenols, methods of preparing the compositions, and methods of treating humans or animals with the composition are provided. Also provided is a method for increasing growth rate, improving feed efficiency and decreasing scour after weaning in an animal by administering an effective amount of the composition to the animal. The hemicelluloses preferably are not consumed by human alimentary enzymes or harmful bacteria, such as putrefactive or pathogenic bacteria, in the gastrointestinal tract, and are consumed by beneficial bacteria, such as bifidobacteria, in the gastrointestinal tract. The polyphenols preferably decrease the amount of harmful bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract. The compositions can optionally contain a carrier or be used as a feed addition and are administered to humans or other animals in an amount sufficient to treat the gastrointestinal disorder.

Abstract: A caramel having a high content of fructose oligosaccharides is produced by mixing sucrose and an acid and pulverizing as in a ball mill for approximately 0.5 to 4 hours, then heating at a temperature of 130.degree.-160.degree. C. for 0.5 to 30 minutes, and cooling quickly to produce the caramel product. The pulverizing step intimately mixes the sucrose and organic acid and lowers the thermolization temperature. The caramel process is carried out under substantially anhydrous conditions. The product contains a high proportion of fructose oligosaccharides (D.P. .about.2-10).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the treatment and prevention of diarrhea comprising administering to humans a sugar selected from the group consisting of a caramel composition comprising a high content of fructose oligosaccharides, termed sucrose thermal oligosaccharides (STO), a composition comprising sucrose thermal kestoses, and fructoglucan polymers. The sugars are a natural product and greatly speed recovery from diarrhea and reduce the recurrence of diarrhea.

Abstract: A method for producing caramel having a high content of fructose oligosaccharides and caramel product produced thereby is disclosed which comprises mixing sucrose and an organic acid in a ball mill for approximately 0.5 to 4 hours, heating to a temperature of 130.degree.-160.degree. C. for 0.5 to 15 minutes and cooling quickly to produce a caramel product. The ball milling reduces crystallinity and intimately mixes the sucrose and organic acid, lowering the thermolization temperature. The product contains a high proportion of fructose oligosaccharides (D.P. .about.3-10).

Abstract: Sucrose is treated with an acid catalyst to form an amorphous sucrose anhydrous melt. Heating of the anhydrous melt at 80.degree.-100.degree. C. forms three known kestoses and the novel products, viz. .alpha.-fructosylsucrose anomers of 6-kestose, neokestose, and 1-kestose. Heating of the anhydrous melt at 125.degree.-175.degree. C. produces a fructoglucan sucrose polymer having a molecular weight of about 2,000 to 10,000 Daltons. All of these products are useful as sweeteners, food additives, additives for animal food, and bulking agents.