Abstract: Process for the production of a food or feed product, comprising adding an enzyme to the surface of an intermediate form of the food or feed product, and subsequently applying at least one heating step, whereby the enzyme is capable of modifying amino acids present in the intermediate form of the food or feed product. The invention also relates to food or feed products obtained by the process of the invention.

Abstract: Edible formulations, such as polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) such as pharmaceutical compositions or nutritional supplements, are disclosed comprising arachidonic acid (ARA). They are adapted to deliver from 150 mg to 1 g per day of ARA and may contain other PUFAs, for example docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). The DHA dosage is from 400 to 600 mg per day, and the ratio of ARA:DHA may be from 1:5 to 5:1. Pharmaceutical compositions comprising ARA and DHA at a ratio of ARA:DHA of 1:1 to 1:2 are also disclosed, as are foodstuffs comprising 0.1 to 5% ARA. Such formulations can be used to increase ARA levels in vivo, for example in pregnant women or for people who have diseases or conditions associated with low ARA levels.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process to identify microorganisms that are capable of converting exogenous phytosphingosine into sphingosine. The microorganism possess a dehydratase activity. The process comprises the steps of providing a series of candidate microorganisms, incubating said series of candidate microorganisms in the presence of a suitable amount of phytosphingosine, analyzing the composition of the sphingoid base obtained from each incubated microorganism, and identifying a microorganism that is able to convert at least part of the phytosphingosine into sphingosine. The microorganisms may be used for the production of sphingosine.

Abstract: The invention relates to a preparation comprising an active phytase, a phytate and an essential cation, said preparation being characterized in that at least part of the essential cation is bound to phytate. The preparation may comprise between 1 and 100 FTU phytase per gram phytate, between 1 and 50 g essential cation bound to phytate and between 50 and 99 g of phytate per 100 g of essential cation bound to phytate. The essential cations are selected from the group consisting of calcium, zinc, iron, magnesium, cobalt, molybdenum, manganese, chromium, copper or a combination thereof. The preparation may comprise an additional component such as a chelating agent and/or an antioxidant. The invention also relates to a method for making the preparation of the invention and to its use for making a fortified food product. The invention also relates to a condiment, a cereal product or a soymilk comprising an active phytase.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for the production of a microbial oil comprising culturing a micro-organism in a two stage fermentation process where, in a last stage that precedes the end of fermentation, the carbon source is: consumed by the micro-organisms at a rate greater than it is added to the medium; added at a rate ?0.30 M carbon/kg medium; or is rate limiting on the growth of the micro-organism. The micro-organisms thus have the carbon source restricted so that they preferentially metabolise fats or lipids other than arachidonic acid (ARA), so increasing the proportion of ARA in the cells. A microbial oil is then recovered from the micro-organism, using hexane as a solvent, that has at least 50% ARA and at least 90% triglycerides.

Abstract: The present invention discloses that topically occurring microbial growth is inhibited by applying a topical composition comprising a sphingoid base. Specifically, said sphingoid base is effectively formulated in combination with a surfactant.