Abstract: Provided is a method of treating feed water comprising the step of passing the feed water through a biostratum that comprises resin beads and living microorganisms to produce biostratum-treated water, wherein (a) the area-normalized free void volume in the biostratum is 0.018 m3/m2 or less; (b) the packing density in the biostratum is 0.68 to 0.96; (c) the ratio of the exterior surface area of the resin beads to the total free void volume in the biostratum is less than 2.0 to 50 m2/L; (d) the velocity of the water through the biostratum is 1 to 1,500 biostratum volumes per hour; and (e) the Reynolds number of the flow through the biostratum is 0.10 to 3.0.

Abstract: A method for visualizing biofilm on a solid surface. The method comprises steps of: (a) providing a solid surface which has been in contact with an aqueous medium and at least a portion of the solid surface potentially is covered with biofilm, (b) maintaining the solid surface in a horizontal position and covering the solid surface with an aqueous dispersion of carbon particles, (c) tilting the solid surface at an angle of at least 5° from horizontal to allow excess aqueous dispersion of carbon particles to flow from the surface, (d) detecting any biofilm present on the solid surface by determining whether there are areas not covered by aqueous dispersion of carbon particles.

Abstract: Provided is a method of treating feed water comprising the step of passing the feed water through a biostratum that comprises resin beads and living microorganisms to produce biostratum-treated water, wherein (a) the area-normalized free void volume in the biostratum is 0.018 m3/m2 or less; (b) the packing density in the biostratum is 0.68 to 0.96; (c) the ratio of the exterior surface area of the resin beads to the total free void volume in the biostratum is less than 2.0 to 50 m2/L; (d) the velocity of the water through the biostratum is 1 to 1,500 biostratum volumes per hour; and (e) the Reynolds number of the flow through the biostratum is 0.10 to 3.0.

Abstract: A nutritional formula for PKU patients. The nutritional formula has, as a protein source, a mixture of caseino-glyco-macropeptide and complementary essential amino acids other than Phe to provide a balanced amino acid profile. Vitamins and minerals sufficient to meet daily requirements are also included. When used as a complete diet, the nutritional formula includes a carbohydrate source and a fat source. However the nutrutional formula may also be used as a protein supplement in which case the carbohydrate source and the fat source may be omitted. The nutritional formula has a pleasant taste.

Abstract: Powders that have been obtained from a homogenized and dehydrated oil-in-water emulsion containing (a) a structuring and emulsifying agent, (b) at least one fat, (c) at least one cosmetically active substance, and (d) an aqueous phase, may be reconstituted to regive the oil-in-water emulsion by hydration. The powder can be used, as is, in cosmetic or dermatological products.

Abstract: A dehydrated particulate food product is made by preparing an aqueous mixture containing albumen and a food acid and combining and mixing the aqueous mixture with a fat in amounts sufficient to obtain an emulsion containing albumen and fat in a ratio of between 0.14:1 and 1.5:1 and having a pH below 5. The emulsion is homogenized and then dehydrated.

Abstract: An egg yolk fortified with exogenous soybean lysophosphatidylcholine contained in exogenous soybean lysophospholipids is employed as an emulsification agent in oil and water emulsions, particularly in emulsions which are sterilized. The agent may be obtained by hydrolyzing phospholipids derived from soybeans with phospholipase A2, deactivating the phospholipase A2 with a proteolytic enzyme and then inactivating the proteolytic enzyme by heat-treatment at a temperature of from 80.degree. C. to 90.degree. C., and then, egg yolk is fortified by combining and homogenizing the so-obtained lysophospholipids, or exogenous phospholipids containing lysophosphatidylcholine otherwise obtained, with egg yolk.

Abstract: The subject of the present invention is a process for treating highly environmentally polluting residues such as for example residues derived from dry or wet filtration. The process consists in mixing the residues with a product containing iron oxide, in placing the mixture in a crucible, in protecting the crucible with insulating fibers, in putting the crucible in a microwave oven and in exposing the mixture to microwaves for a time of between 2 and 15 minutes at a temperature of between 1000.degree. and 1300.degree. C. in order to produce a dry fusion of the mixture and to obtain a solid material. The present invention is applicable to the reclaiming of sludge from the iron and steel industry.

Abstract: A nutritional composition in the form of an oil-in-water emulsion containing an amino acid source and a glucide is stabilized by the presence of a combination of kappa-carrageenan and xanthan gum. The composition is prepared by mixing a colloidal solution containing an amino acid source and a glucide with an oil-in-water emulsion. The stabilizers may be incorporated into the composition by adding them to the colloidal solution prior to mixing the solution with the emulsion or by adding them after mixing the colloidal solution with the emulsion. The composition also may be sterilized.