Abstract: A process for producing a protein concentrate from grain is described. The process includes the steps of dehulling the grain to produce dehulled grain, milling the dehulled grain to produce whole grain flour, removing fiber from the whole grain flour to produce fiber-depleted flour, and removing starch from the fiber-depleted flour, thereby producing a fibre reduced protein concentrate. The protein concentrate is significantly reduced in fiber, making it suitable for further refinement via aqueous salt or alkali extraction or other purification methods.

Abstract: A method for fractionating a milled grain product into coarse and fine fractions includes providing a sieving apparatus with a bottom chamber divided from a top chamber by a sieve, an inlet port in the top chamber, a top chamber cover defined by a plurality of openings, and a first exit port in the bottom chamber, and applying vacuum suction to the sieving apparatus.

Abstract: A method for fractionating a milled grain product into coarse and fine fractions includes providing a sieving apparatus with a bottom chamber divided from a top chamber by a sieve, an inlet port in the top chamber, a top chamber cover defined by a plurality of openings, and a first exit port in the bottom chamber, and applying vacuum suction to the sieving apparatus.

Abstract: A sieving apparatus for fractionating a grain product comprises a top chamber separated from a bottom chamber by a sieve; a top chamber cover defined by a plurality of openings that allow substantially vertical entry of an air stream into the top chamber when the interior of the sieving apparatus is under vacuum via first exit port in a side wall of the bottom chamber for exit of air; an inlet port in a sidewall of the top chamber, the inlet port configured for feeding of dry grain particles into the top chamber and for substantially horizontal entry of air into the top chamber; and a first exit port in a sidewall of the bottom chamber for exit of air and exit of a first grain fraction from the bottom chamber when the interior of the sieving apparatus is under vacuum via the exit port.

Abstract: A sieving apparatus for fractionating a grain product comprises a top chamber separated from a bottom chamber by a sieve; a top chamber cover defined by a plurality of openings that allow substantially vertical entry of an air stream into the top chamber when the interior of the sieving apparatus is under vacuum via first exit port in a side wall of the bottom chamber for exit of air; an inlet port in a sidewall of the top chamber, the inlet port configured for feeding of dry grain particles into the top chamber and for substantially horizontal entry of air into the top chamber; and a first exit port in a sidewall of the bottom chamber for exit of air and exit of a first grain fraction from the bottom chamber when the interior of the sieving apparatus is under vacuum via the exit port.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods for secondary processing of plant material and in particular for the recovery of valuable products such as fiber including beta-glucan, starch, and ethanol solubles from plant material containing starch and fiber. In particular, the invention relates to the preparation of high viscosity beta-glucan products through methods involving sonication/sonification and enzymes.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to a method for fractionating plant material into valuable components including beta-glucan. The method uses an organic solvent and water instead of water alone, acidified water and/or aqueous alkali as a solvent for the slurrying of a grain flour. In addition to concentrating beta-glucan, other product fractions produced by the method include starch concentrate, and organic solvent solubles. If enzyme treatments are used, other product fractions include dextrin, protein hydrolysates and organic solvent solubles. The process is particularly effective in concentrating beta-glucans in a state close to its native form from the endosperm of barley and oat grains.

Abstract: The invention describes improved methods of preparing high concentration and high viscosity beta-glucan concentrates. More specifically, the invention describes methods wherein beta-glucan is concentrated from bran, whole grain and endosperm flours through various slurrying steps in a high concentration alcohol media utilizing various combinations of enzyme and alkali treatment steps.

Abstract: Solutions and methods of preparing aqueous solutions containing beta-glucans and gums are described. The solutions demonstrate enhanced rheological properties including improved shear tolerance that provide improved viscosity characteristics enabling the use of the solutions in a number of applications including the beverage industry.