Abstract: Processes for the preparation of an insoluble biomass gel involving: (a) mixing ground agricultural materials and hexane to produce de-oiled agricultural materials, (b) treating the de-oiled agricultural materials with thermostable ?-amylase to produce de-oiled and de-starched agricultural materials, (c) mixing alkali with the de-oiled and de-starched agricultural materials to produce a first residue, (d) mixing hydrogen peroxide with the first residue to form a second residue, and (e) mixing the second residue in water and collecting an insoluble material which is an insoluble biomass gel.

Abstract: Processes for the preparation of an insoluble biomass gel involving: (a) mixing ground agricultural materials and hexane to produce de-oiled agricultural materials, (b) treating the de-oiled agricultural materials with thermostable ?-amylase to produce de-oiled and de-starched agricultural materials, (c) mixing alkali with the de-oiled and de-starched agricultural materials to produce a first residue, (d) mixing hydrogen peroxide with the first residue to form a second residue, and (e) mixing the second residue in water and collecting an insoluble material which is an insoluble biomass gel.

Abstract: Processes for the preparation of cellulosic arabinoxylan fiber. Cellulosic arabinoxylan fiber prepared by the processes. Edible formulations, containing the cellulose arabinoxylan fiber, wherein the cellulosic arabinoxylan fiber function as bulking agents in the edible formulation. Methods of stabilizing an emulsion, involving mixing an effective stabilizing amount of the cellulosic arabinoxylan fiber with an emulsion to stabilize said emulsion. Methods of increasing the water holding capacity of a composition, involving mixing an effective water holding increasing amount of the cellulosic arabinoxylan fiber with a composition to increase the water holding capacity of said composition. Method of increasing the bulk of a composition, involving mixing an effective bulk increasing amount of the cellulosic arabinoxylan fiber with a composition to increase the water holding capacity of said composition.

Abstract: Methods for obtaining corn oil from milled corn germ (e.g., dry milled corn germ), involving adding water, at least one acidic cellulase, at least one acidic protease, and at least one phytase to milled corn germ to obtain corn oil.

Abstract: Processes for the preparation of bio-based fiber gums and products produced by these processes and some of their uses.

Abstract: Methods for obtaining corn oil from milled corn germ (e.g., dry milled corn germ), involving adding water, at least one acidic cellulase, at least one acidic protease, and at least one phytase to milled corn germ to obtain corn oil.

Abstract: Processes for the preparation of cellulosic arabinoxylan fiber. Cellulosic arabinoxylan fiber prepared by the processes. Edible formulations, containing the cellulosic arabinoxylan fiber, wherein the cellulosic arabinoxylan fiber functions as bulking agents in the edible formulation. Methods of stabilizing an emulsion, involving mixing an effective stabilizing amount of the cellulosic arabinoxylan fiber with an emulsion to stabilize said emulsion. Methods of increasing the water holding capacity of a composition, involving mixing an effective water holding increasing amount of the cellulosic arabinoxylan fiber with a composition to increase the water holding capacity of said composition. Method of increasing the bulk of a composition, involving mixing an effective bulk increasing amount of the cellulosic arabinoxylan fiber with a composition to increase the water holding capacity of said composition.

Abstract: Processes for the preparation of an insoluble biomass gel involving: (a) mixing ground agricultural materials and hexane to produce de-oiled agricultural materials, (b) treating the de-oiled agricultural materials with thermostable ?-amylase to produce de-oiled and de-starched agricultural materials, (c) mixing alkali with the de-oiled and de-starched agricultural materials to produce a first residue, (d) mixing hydrogen peroxide with the first residue to form a second residue, and (e) mixing the second residue in water and collecting an insoluble material which is an insoluble biomass gel.

Abstract: The barley-based biorefinery process comprises a method of optimizing the production of ethanol and value-added products from barley feedstock. Specifically, the biorefinery process is an integrated barley treatment process that utilizes essentially all components of barley (including the barley hulls) to efficiently produce ethanol and other value-added liquids and solids.

Abstract: A composition containing poly(lactic acid), at least one bacteriocin (e.g., nisin, generally in the form of Nisaplin®), and at least one plasticizer (e.g., lactic acid, lactide, triacetin, glycerol triacetate), and optionally at least one pore forming agent. A method of making the composition, involving mixing about 100% of the total of the poly(lactic acid), about 50% to about 90% of the total of the at least one plasticizer, and optionally at least one pore forming agent at a first temperature of about 150° to about 170° C. to form a mixture, cooling the mixture to a second temperature of about 115° to about 125° C., adding at least one bacteriocin and about 10% to about 50% of the total of the at least one plasticizer and the remainder of the total of the poly(lactic acid) to the mixture and mixing to form the composition.

Abstract: A method for improving the bioavailability of polysaccharides in lignocellulosic materials, involving reacting lignocellulosic materials with ammonia and ethanol.

Abstract: A porous polymeric matrix containing at least one natural polymer and at least one synthetic polymer and optionally at least one cation. Furthermore, a method of making a porous polymeric matrix involving mixing at least one natural polymer and inorganic salts with a solution comprising at least one solvent and at least one synthetic polymer to form a slurry, casting the slurry in a mold and removing the solvent to form solid matrices, immersing the solid matrices in deionized water to allow natural polymer cross-linking and pore creation to occur simultaneously, and drying the matrices to create a porous polymeric matrix; wherein the matrix contains a cation.

Abstract: A porous polymeric matrix containing at least one natural polymer and at least one synthetic polymer and optionally at least one cation. Furthermore, a method of making a porous polymeric matrix involving mixing at least one natural polymer and inorganic salts with a solution comprising at least one solvent and at least one synthetic polymer to form a slurry, casting the slurry in a mold and removing the solvent to form solid matrices, immersing the solid matrices in deionized water to allow natural polymer cross-linking and pore creation to occur simultaneously, and drying the matrices to create a porous polymeric matrix; wherein the matrix contains a cation.

Abstract: The arachidonic acid-metabolizing hopanoid tetrahydroxybacteriohopane (THBH) was isolated from Zymomonas mobilis and was found to inhibit soybean 15-lipoxygenase, and thus lipoxin biosynthesis, with an IC50 of about 10 &mgr;M. The activities of two other arachidonic acid-metabolizing enzymes, human 5-lipoxygenase (involved in prostaglandin biosynthesis) and prostaglandin H synthase, were unaffected by THBH. Subsequent studies showed that THBH was effective as an anti-inflammatory agent in topical applications.

Abstract: This invention pertains to a high yield process for producing high quality corn fiber gum by hydrogen peroxide treatment of corn fiber during alkaline extraction and/or after obtaining the alkaline extract of milled corn fiber. This process comprises the steps:a) mixing corn fiber with an alkaline solution to form a slurry and extract hemicellulose;b) treating the slurry with hydrogen peroxide at a pH of about 10.0 to 12.5; andc) separating out the insoluble fractions from the corn fiber slurry to yield corn fiber gum.The corn fiber gum produced by this process is highly soluble in water and provides low viscosity solutions which are nearly devoid of color over a wide pH range. The corn fiber gum lacks objectionable flavor and aroma. The corn fiber gum is useful for a variety of applications, including film formation and to thicken, emulsify, stabilize and/or extend aqueous solutions and suspensions.

Abstract: The present invention is drawn to inhibiting browning of raw fruit juice and/or raw vegetable juice. The juice is treated with at least one sulfated polysaccharide in an amount sufficient to inhibit browning. A promoter may also be present, which promoter is selected from the group consisting of chelating agents, acidulents, or mixtures thereof.

Abstract: A method is described for the preparation of lactulose by isomerizing lactose to lactulose, followed by complexing lactulose to boric acid. The isomerization reaction is carried out in alkaline solution, and it is followed by splitting the lactulose-borate complex in acidic solution and separating the two components. Separation is achieved by crystallizing boric acid, filtering the crystals out of the product mixture, evaporating the product mixture to form a concentrate, recirculating the concentrate to the crystallization step where it is mixed with fresh reaction mixture in order to provide volume and nuclei for the crystallization of the boric acid in the reaction mixture, then passing the resulting mixture through another filtration step followed by an additional separation step by column chromatography.

Abstract: An oil extractable from corn fiber contains ferulate esters, in particular sitostanyl ester, which has been shown to have cholesterol-lowering activity. The oil is extracted by a novel process which includes a grinding step carried out before extraction with an effective organic solvent such as hexane. The corn fiber oil may be combined with an ingestible and/or edible carrier for administration as a dietary supplement for cholesterol-lowering purposes.

Abstract: The present invention is drawn to inhibiting browning of raw fruit juice and/or raw vegetable juice. The juice is treated with at least one sulfated polysaccharide in an amount sufficient to inhibit browning. A promoter may also be present, which promoter is selected from the group consisting of chelating agents, acidulents, or mixtures thereof.

Abstract: A method of tracking fluids flowing along a flow path is disclosed. A flow path is initially described corresponding to the flow path geometry which can be subdivided in real time to correspond to actual fluid volumes which are moved through the flow path. A recursive operation is used to account for moved volumes which exceed segment volumes during one tracking time period. An improved definition of a curved flow path segment is also disclosed. The disclosed method also pertains to maintaining a well pressure balanced by compensating for free fall.