Abstract: Cosmetic method for reducing or preventing malodour by topically applying to human skin an active agent capable of inactivating body malodour-causing microorganisms comprising corynebacteria, characterised in that the agent is capable of inactivating, of the corynebacteria, only those corynebacteria capable of catabolising fatty acids.

Abstract: A new medicine vial holding device for holding a medicine vial so that a user may extract medicine from the vial with a syringe. The inventive device includes a base and a support member which is upwardly extended from the upper surface of the base member. The back portion of a clip member is coupled to the first surface of the support member so that the clip member is positioned towards the top side of the support member. The clip member also has a pair of spaced apart arms adapted to hold a medicine vial therebetween.

Abstract: Disclosed are certain novel polyunsaturated dioic acids having between 8 and 16 carbon atoms (inclusive), excluding those compounds in the group consisting of: 2,5 octadienedioic acid; 1,7 octadienedioic acid; 2,4,6 octatrienedioic acid; and 1,3,5,7 nonatetraenedioic acid; 2,5,8 decatrienedioic acid; 3,6 dodecadienedioic acid; 3,13 hexadecadienedioic acid. Also disclosed are pharmaceutical or cosmetic compositions comprising unsaturated dioic acids and certain of their derivatives. Also disclosed are methods of treating human skin and a method of preparing unsaturated dioic acids.

Abstract: Esters in which the alcohol part is sterically hindered around the ester bond, i.e. derived from tertiary alcohols are enzymatically prepared under low water conditions using Candida antarctica lipase A or a lipase species having a substrate activity similar to that of Candida antarctica lipase A with respect to tertiary alcohol esters.

Abstract: An efficient method of producing phytosphingosine-containing ceramide one comprising: (a) obtaining a phytosphingosine base from tetraacetylphytosphingosine (TAPS) by a deacetylation reaction wherein the TAPS is produced by fermentation of cells of the F-60-10 mating type strain of Hansenula ciferrii using a fed-batch mode and a non-fermentable carbon source; and (b) coupling together the phytosphingosine base and a fatty acid/.omega.-hydroxy fatty acid component wherein the .omega.-hydroxy fatty acid component is prepared by a process which includes Kolbe synthesis.

Abstract: The invention concerns a process for preparing tetraacetylphytospingosine (TAPS) using F-60-10 mating type strain of Pichia ciferrii. Such strain is subjected to mutagenesis and the high TAPS producing strains are selected by a special procedure. These strains are grown in a fed batch mode on a non-fermentative carbon source at a temperature above 26.degree. C and the TAPS collected from the fermentation medium. Glycerol is a preferred carbon source and preferably L-serine is added to the culture medium.

Abstract: A wheel-housing shell for incorporation in mudguards of a motor vehicle extends at least approximately parallel to the mudguard and over a considerable part of the inner periphery of the mudguard; the shell forms a hoselike channel having an air inlet at its end at the front in the driving direction and at its other end an air outlet directed towards the roadway, is improved in that the wheel-housing shell is equipped with orifices which assist and make easier the passage of water splashes into the channel; and such a wheel-housing shell is covered with a sound attenuating filter mat on the side of the respective shell facing the wheel and over the respective entire surface that extends parallel to the mudguard.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for preparing medium chain dicarboxylic acids by biochemical oxidation so that in particular C.sub.8 and C.sub.10 dicarboxylic acids are prepared from nontoxic levels of C.sub.8 -C.sub.14 fatty acids using a nitrogen-restricted yeast propagated in a carbon substrate containing growth medium. Preferably the fatty material is supplied to the yeast in the form of a glyceride. Also it is preferred that the amount of nitrogen in the biomass is between 4 and 9%, in particular between 5.5 and 7% (w/w).

Abstract: A solid-liquid slurry, particularly sugar juice, is flocculated and clarified in an arrangement including a clarifier tank containing therein a mud bed of concentrated removed solids. A preflocculating vessel extends into the top of the clarifier tank and includes upper and lower chambers. The slurry is introduced into the upper chamber to flow turbulently therein, thereby deaerating the slurry. The slurry is transferred from the upper chamber to the lower chamber while the turbulent flow of the slurry is changed to a laminar flow. A flocculating agent, for example a suitable polymer, is introduced into the slurry, such that solids of the slurry coagulate as flocs in the lower chamber. The thus preflocculated slurry is introduced directly into the clarifier tank at a level beneath the surface of the mud bed therein. The liquid of the slurry percolates upwardly through the mud bed and is filtered, thus forming clarified liquid, and the flocs of solids settle downwardly into and form the mud bed.

Abstract: A mill roll includes a roll body, a plurality of circumferentially extending grooves formed in the periphery of the roll body, a plurality of channels extending axially through the roll body at positions inwardly of the grooves, a plurality of inserts fitted within the roll body at the radial bottoms of the grooves, and each insert having extending substantially radially therethrough an opening connecting the respective groove with a respective channel. Each opening has an elongated, substantially rectangular circumferential cross-section with a longer dimension extending substantially circumferentially of the roll body and a narrower dimension extending axially of the roll body.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for enhancing growth of precipitates in systems requiring separation of undesirable contaminants. Cane sugar juice, as exemplary, is introduced at an elevated temperature into an apparatus having means for separately introducing chemical treating agents, such as milk of lime and coagulants. The juice flows through a treating zone where the agents are introduced, into a holding zone and over a dispersion cone before being withdrawn from the holding zone by a siphoning means. The dispersion cone and holding zone bottom permit rapid growth of the insoluble particles while simultaneously diverting the flow direction gently so as to prevent breakup of the particles. The flow down through the treating zone, over the dispersion cone, down the conical holding zone bottom, and back up the siphoning means permits sufficient residence time for rapid growth of the insoluble particles so that coagulants need not be added in the subsequent clarification process.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for controlled growth of precipitates in systems requiring separation of undesirable contaminants from a solution prior to treatment with a coagulant aid. Cane sugar juice, as exemplary, is introduced at an elevated temperature into an apparatus having means for maintaining a mildly reduced pressure. The apparatus has a conical funnel with a downwardly extending tubular outlet. Means are provided for incrementally and continuously introducing a chemical treating agent into the juice, as it flows down the funnel toward the outlet. Juice discharge means allows for control of the retention time in the tower. The method of treating cane sugar juice is as follows. Cane sugar juice, preferably partially limed, is introduced into the top of the funnel at an elevated temperature and allowed to flow by gravity flow through the funnel, while additional milk of lime is incrementally and continuously introduced into the cane sugar.