Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the production of xylitol. Specifically the process comprises two reaction steps. The first step is the fermentative conversion of a hexose to a pentitol. The second step is the catalytic chemical isomerisation of the pentitol to xylitol. Optionally, the xylitol is separated from the other pentitols.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an isotonic beverage product for direct increase of the muscular ATP level consisting essentially of a solution of D-ribose and blood glucose increasing monosaccharides and oligosaccharides and/or hydrogenated glucose syrups. These drinks serve to increase the overall performance during physical exercise and at the same time diminish fatigue.

Abstract: This process for the production of 2-keto-D-gluconic acid starts from D-glucose. D-glucose is catalytically oxidised using molecular oxygen in a one-pot process. The oxidation is performed in the presence of well-known Pt/Pb catalysts. The initial reaction to D-gluconic acid is performed at constant pH between 7 and 10. There after the reaction is continued without pH control. This process results in a high selectivity compared with known processes.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for producing a pentitol. The disclosed method more particularly relates to producing arabinitol from hexoses, e.g. galactose and/or glucose, and/or fructose, or lactose hydrolysate, or invert sugar, or starch hydrolysates. The hexose is oxidatively decarboxylated to a C.sub.5 -aldonic acid which is thereafter catalytically hydrogenated to obtain the desired arabinitol.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the regeneration of a supported molybdenum catalyst which has been used for the epimerisation of a saccharide. The preferred epimerisation is the conversion of glucose to mannose. The catalyst is regenerated by using an oxidising agent such as a peroxide. The regeneration step can be repeated several times. A further extension of the useful lifetime of the catalyst is obtained by including one or more washing steps.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a chemical method for producing meso-erythritol. The method comprises catalytic hydrogenation of tartaric acid. The tetritol mixture resulting from the hydrogenation can be separated into its components. Alternatively selected components can be isomerized prior to such a separation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for preparing alkylpolyglycoside compositions. Specifically the process is a direct synthesis producing compositions of highly polymerized alkylpolyglycosides in high yield. The invention further relates to alkylpolyglycoside compositions having enhanced surfactant properties. The invention also relates to mixtures of alkylpolyglycosides of preselected average alkyl chain length and controlled average degree of polymerization (DP).

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for direct decarbonylation of sugars. The method is based on the conversion of the sugars in the presence of a phosphine metal complex. These complexes are added in catalytic amounts if at the same time urea or an azide such as DPPA (diphenylphosphorylazide) or sodium azide is added. Through the use of other ligands the decarbonylation reaction can also be performed in water.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method of producing a pentitol from a hexaldonic acid. The hexaldonic acid is decarboxylated for example in the presence of sodium hypochlorite or hydrogen peroxide. After hydrogenation and optionally isomerisation the desired pentitol, which is obtained in high yield, can be purified. The present invention starts from gluconic acid in free or salt form or as a lactone, xylitol is the final product.

Abstract: A process for increasing the bleaching efficiency of an inorganic persalt or hydrogen peroxide by adding to said persalt or H.sub.2 O.sub.2 an activating agent. The activating agent is an acetylated gluconic acid derivative, such as N-methyl-N-acetyl pentaacetyl gluconamide, N-methyl-N-acetyl pentaacetyl gluconamide or tetraacetyl gluconolactone. The invention also relates to the acetylated gluconic acid derivatives themselves.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for increasing the bleaching efficiency of an inorganic persalt and to bleaching and/or detergent compositions suitable for removing stains from textiles or from other products such as paper, cellulose, cork, hair etc. These bleaching and/or detergent and/or anti-incrusting compositions comprise an inorganic persalt and an activating agent comprising an acetylated mixture of sorbitol and mannitol wherein the molar ratio between the bleaching activator and the persalt is usually from 10:90 to 50:50. The bleaching activator having an acetylation degree ranging from 1 to 6 and the weight ratio of sorbitol to mannitol in the mixture is within the range of from 2.5:1 to 4:1.