Abstract: The invention relates to an improved method for the production of 2,3,5-trimethylhydroquinone by rearranging 4-oxo-isophorone (keto-isophorone, 3,5,5-trimethylcyclohex-2-en[e]-1,4-dione) to a trimethylhydroquinone diester and by its subsequent saponification.

Abstract: A method of producing 3,5,5-trimethylcyclohexa-3-ene-1-one (.beta.-isophorone) including a catalyst of an oxide or mixed oxide of at least one element of the groups IIa, VIII, Ib, IIIa and Va of the periodic system. Isomerization is carried out without the addition of an organic base. The space-time yield in the production of .beta.-isophorone by the isomerization of .alpha.-isophorone is at a level suitable for an industrial application. .beta.-isophorone is especially suitable as an intermediate product for producing ketoisophorone.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of methionine or a salt of methionine by reaction of the components 3-methylmercaptopropionaldhyde, hydrogen cyanide, ammonia and carbon dioxide or components from which the above-mentioned components can be prepared, optionally in the presence of water, to 5-(2-methylmercaptoethyl)-hydantoin and further reaction thereof to methionine or the salt thereof, characterised in that the reaction of the components is initiated by means of at least one premixture in such a way that a first mixture is formed containing at least the predominant proportion (at least 5/10) of the 3-methylmercaptopropionaldeyde and at least 1/10 of the hydrogen cyanide component or corresponding quantities of components from which these components can be prepared, and less than 5/10 of one of the components ammonia, carbon dioxide or of the components from which ammonia or carbon dioxide can be prepared, and in that this first mixture is combined with the other component(s) for the reactive conversion to 5-(2

Abstract: The present invention is relative to a method of producing dry thioctic acid in which a raw material in which concentrated thioctic acid is present is treated with liquid or supercritical CO.sub.2, thus yielding thioctic acid with low residual solvent contents in a simple industrial method.

Abstract: It is known to isolate MHA from a reaction mixture obtained by the addition of hydrocyanic acid (HCN) to methyl mercaptopropionic aldehyde (MMP) and the hydrolysis of the methyl mercapto propionic aldehyde cyanohydrine (MMP-CH) obtained thereby with sulphuric acid, in which the reaction mixture is brought into contact with a substantially non-water-miscible organic solvent, in order to form an extraction solution having the solvent and MHA transferred from the reaction mixture, and the MHA is obtained as an extract from this extraction solution by concentration. The simplest and most economical process of the invention concerning the processing of the reaction product which facilitates the production of a highly concentrated product with an extremely low dimer, oligomer and by-product content, is characterised in that the concentration is conducted in such a way that the remaining extract contains less than 4 wt % and preferably less than 2 wt % of water.

Abstract: There is provided a process for the work-up of this material having the formula ##STR1## because of its poor crystallizability has heretofore been available only with large yield losses. The yield losses are due to the fact that the crystals of this compound are associated with large amounts of residual solvent material which gives rise to complex and expensive drying procedures. In accordance with the present invention the crude LPE is dried by means of fluid or supercritical carbon dioxide which maces it possible to reduce drying times from the previous range of about 124 hours to about 10 hours for the same amount of product and thus produce a dry LPE which has smaller amounts of residual solvent, as well as smaller by-products than that obtained by conventional drying.

Abstract: A method of producing 3,5,5-trimethylcyclohexa-3-ene-1-one (.beta.-isophorone) by isomerization of 3,5,5-trimethylcyclohexa-2-ene-1-one (.alpha.-isophorone) in a liquid phase in the presence of a homogeneous or heterogeneous catalyst in which a mixture with a relatively low concentration of .beta.-isophorone is drawn off from the reaction container and the .beta.-isophorone isolated by vacuum distillation. .beta.-isophorone is an important synthetic structural element for the production of carotinoids, vitamins and pharmaceutical products.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of methionine or a salt of methionine by reaction of the components 3-methylmercaptopropionaldhyde, hydrogen cyanide, ammonia and carbon dioxide or components from which the above-mentioned components can be prepared, optionally in the presence of water, to 5-(2-methylmercaptoethyl)-hydantoin and further reaction thereof to methionine or the salt thereof, characterised in that the reaction of the components is initiated by means of at least one premixture in such a way that a first mixture is formed containing at least the predominant proportion (at least 5/10) of the 3-methylmercaptopropionaldeyde and at least 1/10 of the hydrogen cyanide component or corresponding quantities of components from which these components can be prepared, and less than 5/10 of one of the components ammonia, carbon dioxide or of the components from which ammonia or carbon dioxide can be prepared, and in that this first mixture is combined with the other component(s) for the reactive conversion to 5-(2

Abstract: An animal feed supplement and processes for its production which provide an inexpensive, not excessively hygroscopic or sticky supplement amino acid whose content should be standardizable. The animal feed supplement is based on a fermentation broth and contains the predominant proportion of its contents, optionally with the exclusion of part of the biomass. The biomass is preferably present in an amount of at most 10% by weight in the dry state. Proteins are preferably present in a maximum amount of 10% by weight. For the production, the sugar content is adjusted to a maximum of 4 g/l during fermentation, at least towards the end thereof, and at least part of the biomass is optionally removed during the working up.

Abstract: A dosage form for administering physiologically active substances to animals, especially ruminant animals. The dosage unit includes a core which contains the active substance and a coating. The coating has selected areas which are thinner than the average thickness of the coating and/or areas which are predetermined rupture sites. These thin areas or predetermined rupture sites are constructed and arranged so as to detach and/or rupture under the conditions which are present after oral administration of the dosage form. As a result, the delayed release of the physiologically-active substance is accelerated. For example, the coating may be formulated to not be affected in the first stomach of a ruminant but to rapidly disintegrate in the animal's second stomach.

Abstract: To supplement feeds and industrially produced mixed feeds with L-lysine, there are used aqueous L-lysine solutions having a L-lysine content between 30 and 80 weight percent, preferably between 50 and 70 weight percent. In comparison with crystallized L-lysine, they are clearly more stable and in equimolar amounts show the same L-lysine activity as the known forms presently offered.

Abstract: In place of using solid DL-methionine for supplementing mixed fodders there are used sodium or potassium methioninate solutions. In comparison to solid methionine they are more easily dosable and can be more easily homogeneously mixed with the remaining components. Employing equimolar amounts they show the same methionine activity as solid methionine.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a process for the hydrolysis of 5-(.beta.-methylmercaptoethyl)-hydantoin by reaction at elevated temperature and pressure in an aqueous alkaline medium. There are obtained alkali methioninate solutions from which there can be separated methionine.

Abstract: Aqueous sodium methioninate solutions having a low content of sodium carbonate can be recovered from the crude hydrolysis mixture resulting from the saponification of 5-(.beta.-methylmercaptoethyl)-hydantoin with 1.1 to 6 equivalents of sodium hydroxide and/or sodium carbonate by distilling off the water from the crude hydrolysis mixture until the sodium methioninate content is 40 to 65 weight percent, and after cooling to at most room temperature separating off the precipitated sodium carbonate.

Abstract: Aqueous sodium methioninate solutions having a low content of sodium carbonate can be recovered from the crude hydrolysis mixture resulting from the saponification of 5-(.beta.-methylmercaptoethyl)hydantoin with 1.1 to 6 equivalents of sodium hydroxide and/or sodium carbonate by cooling the crude hydrolysis mixture to a temperature below 10.degree. C., separating off the precipitated sodium carbonate and concentrating the sodium methioninate solution remaining to 40 to 65 weight percent.

Abstract: The calcium salts of mono-hydroxymethyl lysine and bis(hydroxymethyl) lysine are prepared by reacting lysine and formaldehyde in water containing calcium ions at a pH of at least 8 and at most 12.5. The compounds are useful as fodder for ruminants.

Abstract: In a continuous process 5-(.beta.-methylmercaptoethyl)-hydantoin is subjected to hydrolysis at an elevated temperature and elevated pressure in an aqueous solution of alkali carbonate or alkali bicarbonate or a mixture of these two compounds. The ammonia and carbon dioxide which form during the hydrolysis are removed and when the hydrolysis is complete the methionine is separated by means of carbon dioxide and the mother liquor is recirculated into the process after replenishing with fresh amounts of said hydantoin.

Abstract: Lithium phosphate catalysts for the rearrangement of alkene oxides to the corresponding alkenols are prepared as overcoats on inert carriers. The catalysts are prepared for example by overcoating the inert carrier with the lithium phosphate in the presence of moisture.

Abstract: N-hydroxymethyl methionine is incorporated in feeds for ruminants.

Abstract: Fodder, mixed fodder and silage are preserved with acrylic acid, methacrylic acid or esters or salts of such acids.