Abstract: Intact, viable protoplast are obtained readily and in good quantity from within the cell walls of mature pollen grains. Pollen grains are contacted with an aqueous medium containing an osmolyte, gelatin, or a combination thereof in a concentration to expand the protoplast and force it out through the pore in the cell wall of the pollen grain, while maintaining the protoplast intact and viable.

Abstract: Precooked potato products are prepared by a process wherein the potatoes are washed, peeled, and treated whole or cut into pieces. The so-prepared potatoes are cooked at a temperature below the temperature at which sloughing of the potato surface would occur if the whole potato were cooked to its center at that temperature. Then, the potatoes are heated in air and cooked again at a temperature of about 50.degree. to 100.degree. C. Following the last cooking procedure the potatoes are frozen, chilled, or retorted to preserve them in the absence of starch suspensions. To prepare them for consumption the potatoes can be fried or boiled.

Abstract: Precooked fruits or vegetables are prepared by a process wherein the fruits and vegetables are cooked to their centers at a temperature below the temperature at which sloughing of the surface tissue would occur if the fruits or vegetables were cooked to their centers at that temperature, i.e below about 81.degree.-83.degree. C. Following the cooking procedure the fruits or vegetables are heated in air and are then preserved.

Abstract: Novel process for peeling fruits and vegetables which yields maximum skin removal coupled with minimum weight loss. The primary feature of the invention is loosening the skin by applying multiple heat treatments, each followed by a cooling step. Each of the heatings is ineffective by itself to attain loosening of the skin, but the multiple heatings in aggregate and in conjunction with the coolings yield effective loosening of the skin without cooking the flesh of the fruit or vegetable being peeled.

Abstract: System for peeling fruits or vegetables wherein the peel is loosened by a double treatment with lye, each treatment being followed by a holding period. After the second holding period, the peel is removed directly, that is, without any application of radiant or other heat.

Abstract: Potatoes are converted into convenience food products, using techniques which provide advantages over customary operations. Example: Potatoes are cooked and mashed. The mash is shaped into strips which are then treated with hot air to case-harden their surfaces. The resulting intermediates may be fried directly or held in frozen or cold storage for future use. On frying, they yield products which have the taste, appearance, color, and texture of high-quality conventional French fries plus added advantages of higher solids content, lower fat content, and no tendency to get limp.

Abstract: The invention enables the production of fried potato products of greatly improved texture, flavor, and color from raw stock that exhibits excessive browning tendencies and which would normally yield fried products of excessively dark color. Typically, pieces of raw potato are pre-fried in edible oil for a short period, then leached with water. The leached pieces may be further processed in various ways, e.g., finish-fried, or par-fried and then refrigerated for distribution to the consumer or food service operator.