Abstract: Methods are provided according to aspects of the present invention for making starch fiber or particle compositions by wet-electrospinning or wet-electrospraying including providing a solution or dispersion of starch in an aqueous or non-aqueous solvent or dispersant, where the starch is present at a concentration above the critical entanglement concentration, with the proviso that the aqueous or non-aqueous solvent or dispersant does not consist only of water; heating the solution or dispersion of starch to a temperature above the crystallization temperature of the starch; electro spinning or electro spraying the heated solution or dispersion of starch to produce starch fibers or starch particles, respectively; and contacting the starch fibers or starch particles with a coagulation bath fluid.

Abstract: A sprayable liquid coating composition, particularly for application to foodstuffs and pharmaceuticals, utilizes gaseous carbon dioxide to reduce the viscosity of a concentrated solution comprising an edible polymer and a solvent, such as ethyl alcohol or isopropyl alcohol. The addition of the gaseous carbon dioxide in the concentrated solution permits a sprayable composition to be produced using a significantly reduced level of solvent in the edible polymer/solvent solution. By reducing the amount of solvent used in the solution, the level of VOCs emission during the coating process also is reduced. Either supercritical carbon dioxide or subcritical carbon dioxide can be used as the gaseous carbon dioxide in the present invention.

Abstract: A sprayable liquid coating composition, particularly for application to foodstuffs and pharmaceuticals, utilizes gaseous carbon dioxide to reduce the viscosity of a concentrated solution comprising an edible polymer and a solvent, such as ethyl alcohol or isopropyl alcohol. The addition of the gaseous carbon dioxide in the concentrated solution permits a sprayable composition to be produced using a significantly reduced level of solvent in the edible polymer/solvent solution. By reducing the amount of solvent used in the solution, the level of VOCs emission during the coating process also is reduced. Either supercritical carbon dioxide or subcritical carbon dioxide can be used as the gaseous carbon dioxide in the present invention.

Abstract: Provided is a method for the use of 10-oxo-trans-8-decenoic acid (ODA) as a fungal growth hormone to stimulate mycelial growth of cultivated mushrooms. A species of cultivated mushroom is selected and grown in a solid or liquid growth medium which has been supplemented with ODA to a concentration of 10.sup.-7 M to about 10.sup.-4 M. After culturing the mushroom the mycelium of cultivated mushroom is harvested. In addition to a method of using ODA, a method for the hormonal stimulation of fruiting in cultivated mushrooms is also disclosed. The ODA in this method is added to the casing layer of the compost which is mixed with mushroom spawn. Further, the ODA is added to the casing layer in aqueous solution after casing the compost.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a process for the manufacture of microparticulated protein from egg white and gelatin protein phases, the product manufactured therefrom, and to the use of the product manufactured in accordance with the process as a replacement of at least a portion of fat in formulated edible foods manufactured for human use.