Abstract: A method is described for minimizing material mixing of a first fluid material and a second fluid material in a material processing system that includes a pipeline. The method includes introducing into an upstream portion of the pipeline a sufficient amount of a material mixing inhibitor using, in some instances a cartridge for delivery of the material mixing inhibitor composition to the material processing system.

Abstract: A process and system to produce a fruit or vegetable juice concentrate having clean flavor, color, and aroma with a Brix value between about 30 to about 70 The process includes crushing raw fruit or vegetable to form a juice puree that is enzymatically treated to improve overall yield of juice concentrate. The enzymatically treated juice puree is directed to a separator to separate the liquid juice from the solids. The liquid juice is pasteurized, clarified, and then treated to remove or reduce off-flavor and/or off-flavor precursor compounds to produce the fruit or vegetable juice concentrate.

Abstract: A material mixing inhibitor composition, a method of minimizing material mixing of a first fluid material and a second fluid material in a material processing system that includes a pipeline, and a cartridge for delivery of a material mixing inhibitor composition to the material processing system are described.

Abstract: A shoulder protector device that is releasably attachable to a ladder. The shoulder protector device includes a body having a first portion, a second portion and a third portion disposed between and integral with the first portion and the second portion. The protector device further includes a first longitudinal portion spanning the longitudinal length of the body and an opposed second longitudinal portion spanning the longitudinal length of the body. The first longitudinal portion includes a slot. The slot has a first section provided in the first portion of the body and a second section provided in the second portion of the body. The first section of the slot is configured to receive an edge of a rung of a ladder and the second section of the slot is configured to receive an edge of a rail of the ladder such that the edge of the rung and the edge of the rail can concurrently be disposed within the first section of the slot and second section of the slot, respectively.

Abstract: A fiber extracted from a fruit or vegetable byproduct is provided, the extracted fiber having a molecular weight of between about 5000 grams/mol (g/mol) and about 8000 g/mol, or a pectic oligosaccharide comprising a molecular weight of between about 300 g/mol and about 2500 g/mol. The fiber may be extracted using physical methods or a combination of a physical method to break the fruit or vegetable byproduct cell walls and enzymatic hydrolysis. Also, a comestible comprising the extracted fiber is provided. A method for producing a soluble fiber is further provided including reducing the particle size of a fruit or vegetable byproduct, subjecting the byproduct particles to a physical process to break cell walls of the byproduct particles, adding one or more enzymes, mixing or agitating the byproduct particles, and filtering the byproduct particles to provide a retentate and a permeate. The permeate contains the soluble fiber, which is optionally a prebiotic fiber.

Abstract: A thermal plant treatment (TPT) machine is configured to apply heated air to crops to induce commercially beneficial effects in the target plants. The TPT machine includes a thermal assembly with interchangeable vents for applying the heat treatment. The thermal assembly includes a heater duct, blowers mounted on the heater duct, a heater supported by the blowers, and a vent assembly mounted to the heater duct. The blower is configured to generate and provide an airstream to the heater duct. The heater is configured to increase a temperature of the heater duct at a location downstream of the blower to generate a heated airstream. The vent assembly is configured to receive the heated airstream from the heater duct and eject the heated airstream onto a target. The vent assembly includes interchangeable vents configured to alter the flow of the airstream exiting the vent assembly.

Abstract: Naturally sweetened reduced calorie, light, or low-calorie beverage products and methods for making the same are disclosed. The beverage products comprise at least one fruit juice, at least one natural non-nutritive sweetener, and homogenized pulp.

Abstract: Co-products from juice extraction, in particular for use in beverage and food products to enhance nutrition and sensory attributes of the products, are provided. The co-product has a number average particle size of between 1 and 2000 microns, a total polyphenol content of at least 2500 parts per million, a moisture content of between 70% and 85% by weight, and a combined peel and seed content between 0.01% and 20% by weight.

Abstract: Co-products from juice extraction, in particular for use in beverage and food products to enhance nutrition and sensory attributes of the products, are provided. The co-product has a number average particle size of between 1 and 2000 microns, a total polyphenol content of at least 2500 parts per million, a moisture content of between 70% and 85% by weight, and a combined peel and seed content between 0.01% and 20% by weight.

Abstract: Juice beverages are disclosed. The juice beverages include a juice base, a first lower-calorie liquid and a second lower-calorie liquid. The juice beverage has fewer calories per serving than the juice base alone, yet retains an organoleptic attribute profile that is similar to the organoleptic attribute profile of the juice base.

Abstract: Comestible products, for example beverage products, are disclosed containing encapsulated probiotic bacteria having resistance to subjection to at least thermal and acidic conditions. Beverage products include at least one aqueous liquid and capsules comprising a gelled mixture of alginate and denatured protein, and probiotic bacteria entrapped within the gelled mixture. The average particle size of the capsules is optionally less than 1000 microns (?m) in diameter, such as less than 500 ?m in diameter. Methods are provided for making such encapsulated probiotics by providing a mixture comprising sodium alginate, denatured protein and active probiotic cells, and combining the mixture with a divalent cation to initiate cold gelation of the sodium alginate and denatured protein to form a second mixture. The second mixture is passed through an opening having a diameter of less than 1000 ?m to form capsules. The weight ratio of protein to alginate is from 1:1 to 9:1.

Abstract: A calcium-fortified beverage and method of making the beverage is provided. A calcium source is included that provides about 40% to about 65% of the calcium from calcium lactate and about 35% to about 60% of the calcium is provided from hydroxyapatite. A component may be included for at least substantially masking the aftertaste of the calcium source.

Abstract: Processing and use of whole fruits and vegetables or side-stream ingredients of juice extraction, paste, or ketchup process, or canning industry, in particular, the processing of the by-products, including pomace, and its use in beverage and food products.

Abstract: A fiber extracted from a fruit or vegetable byproduct is provided, the extracted fiber having a molecular weight of between about 5000 grams/mol (g/mol) and about 8000 g/mol, or a pectic oligosaccharide having a molecular weight of between about 300 g/mol and 2500 g/mol. The fiber may be extracted using physical methods or a combination of a physical method to break the fruit or vegetable byproduct cell walls and enzymatic hydrolysis. Also, a comestible containing the extracted fiber is provided. A method for producing a soluble fiber is further provided including reducing the particle size of a fruit or vegetable byproduct, subjecting the byproduct particles to a physical process to break cell walls of the particles, adding one or more enzymes, mixing or agitating the particles, and filtering the byproduct particles to provide a retentate and a permeate. The permeate contains the soluble fiber, which is optionally a prebiotic fiber.

Abstract: Comestible products, for example beverage products, are disclosed containing encapsulated probiotic bacteria having resistance to subjection to at least thermal and acidic conditions. Beverage products include at least one aqueous liquid and capsules comprising a gelled mixture of alginate and denatured protein, and probiotic bacteria entrapped within the gelled mixture. The average particle size of the capsules is optionally less than 1000 microns (?m) in diameter, such as less than 500 ?m in diameter. Methods are provided for making such encapsulated probiotics by providing a mixture comprising sodium alginate, denatured protein and active probiotic cells, and combining the mixture with a divalent cation to initiate cold gelation of the sodium alginate and denatured protein to form a second mixture. The second mixture is passed through an opening having a diameter of less than 1000 ?m to form capsules. The weight ratio of protein to alginate is from 1:1 to 9:1.

Abstract: Naturally sweetened reduced calorie, light, or low-calorie beverage products and methods for making the same are disclosed. The beverage products comprise at least one fruit juice, at least one natural non-nutritive sweetener, and homogenized pulp.

Abstract: Naturally sweetened reduced calorie, light, or low-calorie beverage products and methods for making the same are disclosed. The beverage products comprise at least one fruit juice, at least one natural non-nutritive sweetener, and homogenized pulp.

Abstract: Comestible products, for example beverage products, are disclosed containing encapsulated probiotic bacteria having resistance to subjection to at least thermal and acidic conditions. Beverage products include at least one aqueous liquid and capsules comprising a gelled mixture of alginate and denatured protein, and probiotic bacteria entrapped within the gelled mixture. The average particle size of the capsules is optionally less than 1000 microns (?m) in diameter, such as less than 500 ?m in diameter. Methods are provided for making such encapsulated probiotics by providing a mixture comprising sodium alginate, denatured protein and active probiotic cells, and combining the mixture with a divalent cation to initiate cold gelation of the sodium alginate and denatured protein to form a second mixture. The second mixture is passed through an opening having a diameter of less than 1000 ?m to form capsules. The weight ratio of protein to alginate is from 1:1 to 9:1.

Abstract: Beverage products are disclosed comprising at least one fruit juice, at least one sweetener, probiotic bacteria, and beta-glucan, where the beverage product has a pH of at most 4.5 and an acid level of 0.5%-1.0%. In certain exemplary and non-limiting embodiments, the beverage product has the characteristic that if tested after 45 days of storage in hermetically sealed individually sized 12 fl. oz. PET vessels stored in the dark or in otherwise UV shielded conditions at a refrigeration temperature of 35° F. the beverage product has an increased shelf life when compared to the same beverage product without beta glucan. Methods are provided for making such beverage products with extended probiotic stability.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for fortifying a beverage with one or more citrus phytochemicals while concealing the bitter taste of these compounds in the beverage. These methods comprise microencapsulating the citrus phytochemicals and adding the microencapsulated citrus phytochemicals to beverages. Also disclosed are beverages fortified with one or more microencapsulated citrus phytochemicals but which do not have the bitter taste characteristics of these compounds.