Abstract: Techniques for processing cocoa mass are provided. In general, the techniques involve solvent extraction of cocoa fat from cocoa mass, to achieve a desirable cocoa butter and low-fat cocoa powder. In one preferred process, the cocoa mass is the result of grinding cocoa nibs, with absence of a mechanical pressing and heating step, to advantage. Preferred products and uses are characterized.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the production of polar lipid-rich materials and preferably phospholipids. Preferably the polar lipid-rich materials are separated and recovered from de-oiled native raw materials by extraction with water and alcohol and use of density separation to separate the resulting mixture. The invention also includes an improved process for de-oiling the native raw material before extraction and recovery of the polar lipids.

Abstract: There is described a method for obtaining pectin from a pectin-containing material that involves treating the pectin-containing material with an enzyme that causes the pectin to be released from the pectin-containing material. Suitable enzymes include, but are not limited to, cellulase enzymes, hemicellulase enzymes, and mixtures thereof. Ethanol and isopropanol are typical alcohols utilized in recovering the pectin. Also decarbohydrates scribed is the pectin produced by the method, and the use of the pectin in foods and beverages.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to methods for producing treated aqueous soy cotyledon fiber suspensions and to the resultant aqueous soy cotyledon fiber suspensions. In some embodiments, the methods involve treating an aqueous soy cotyledon fiber suspension with both an oxidizing agent and a base in any order. The disclosure also relates to use of the treated aqueous soy cotyledon suspensions in preparing foods and beverages.

Abstract: An improved method for increasing the dispersibility of cocoa powder which has been treated with liquid solvent extraction procedures to reduce fat content. A dispersing agent such as lecithin is added to wet cocoa mass comprising remaining cocoa butter and remaining solvent from the liquid extraction. The residual solvent improves the uniformity of mixing between the cocoa mass and the dispersing agent.

Abstract: Techniques for processing cocoa mass are provided. In general, the techniques involve solvent extraction of cocoa fat from cocoa mass, to achieve a desirable cocoa butter and low-fat cocoa powder. In one preferred process, the cocoa mass is the result of grinding cocoa nibs, with absence of a mechanical pressing and heating step, to advantage. Preferred products and uses are characterized.

Abstract: A process for treating cocoa mass which includes mixing cocoa mass with a saturated hydrocarbon solvent to provide a slurry and separating the slurry to provide a stream enriched in cocoa butter and a stream enriched in cocoa solids is provided. The mixing may advantageously be carried out under passive mixing conditions, at relatively low temperature, and/or with short mixing times. An advantage is that multiple cocoa powder products can be produced on substantially the same production line, but having large differences in cocoa butter contents.

Abstract: A process for treating cocoa mass which includes mixing cocoa mass with a saturated hydrocarbon solvent to provide a slurry and separating the slurry to provide a stream enriched in cocoa butter and a stream enriched in cocoa solids is provided. The mixing may advantageously be carried out under passive mixing conditions, at relatively low temperature, and/or with short mixing times.

Abstract: An improved method for increasing the dispersibility of cocoa powder which has been treated with liquid solvent extraction procedures to reduce fat content. A dispersing agent such as lecithin is added to wet cocoa mass comprising remaining cocoa butter and remaining solvent from the liquid extraction. The residual solvent improves the uniformity of mixing between the cocoa mass and the dispersing agent.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for forming popcorn bars utilizing methods according to the preferred teachings of the present invention is disclosed where popcorn popped in an air popper (12) and coated with a molten binder in the form of a caramel syrup in an auger mixer (20) is compressed into a sheet by a device (32). In the sheeting device (32), the coated popped popcorn is drawn into and passes between an input conveyor (30) and a compressing conveyor (34) arranged at a non-parallel angle thereto. An air manifold (37) directs cooled air to the upper surface of the compressing conveyor (34) to cool the belting (36) thereof, with the cooled air being deflected to cool a spreader box (28) which receives the coated popcorn from the auger mixer (20) and distributes it on the input conveyor (30).

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for improving the baking properties of cake flour using either high intensity dielectric heating, (10 GHz to 3 MHz) and/or radio frequency heating (300 MHz to 3 MHz). The treated cake flour is intended as a substitute for chlorinated cake flour. The present unchlorinated, dielectrically heated treated cake flour is an essential ingredient in dry mixes for batter baked goods especially high sugar-to-flour ratio layer cakes. In addition to other dry mix ingredients, preferred dry mixes additionally essentially comprise about 0.15% to 0.45% triglycerol monostearate for even greater enhancement of finished baked goods' volume. The method comprises exposing cake flour having a moisture content of >8% to sufficient amounts of radio frequency energy to heat the flour to a temperature of about 230.degree. to 270.degree. F. and to a finished moisture content of less than 6%.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for improving the baking properties of cake flour using microwave heating. The microwave treated cake flour is intended as a substitute for chlorinated cake flour. The present unchlorinated, microwave treated cake flour is an essential ingredient in dry mixes for batter baked goods especially high sugar-to-flour ratio layer cakes. In addition to other dry mix ingredients, preferred dry mixes additionally essentially comprise about 0.15% to 0.45% triglycerol monostearate for even greater enhancement of finished baked goods' volume. The method comprises exposing undehydrated cake flour having a moisture content of 12%.+-.2% to sufficient amounts of microwave energy to heat the flour to a temperature of about 230.degree. to 270.degree. F. and to a finished moisture content of less than 6%. Preferred microwave flours are additionally characterized by a peak pasting viscosity of at least 400 Stir Number Units.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for improving the baking properties of cake flour using microwave heating. The microwave treated cake flour is intended as a substitute for chlorinated cake flour. The present unchlorinated, microwave treated cake flour is an essential ingredient in dry mixes for batter baked goods especially high sugar-to-flour ratio layer cakes. In addition to other dry mix ingredients, preferred dry mixes additionally essentially comprise about 0.15% to 0.45% triglycerol monostearate for even greater enhancement of finished baked goods' volume. The method comprises exposing undehydrated cake flour having a moisture content of 12%.+-.2% to sufficient amounts of microwave energy to heat the flour to a temperature of about 230.degree. to 270.degree. F. and to a finished moisture content of less than 6%. Preferred microwave flours are additionally characterized by a peak pasting viscosity of at least 400 Stir Number Units.

Abstract: An exocellular protease from Thermomonospora fusca YX and a process for producing the protease which has the following physicochemical properties:(1) Molecular mass:The protease has a molecular mass of from about 10,000 to 14,000 Daltons as measured by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis;(2) Influence of inhibitors:The protease activity is inhibited by serine protease inhibitors;(3) Substrate specificity:A non-specific protease which can hydrolyze food proteins and bovine serum albumin at a rate of 50-100 nmoles peptide bonds/.mu.g enzyme/minute at 55.degree., pH 8.5 in 0.5 M Tris buffer without showing any substrate and/or product inhibition;(4) Reactivity:A broad spectrum serine type protease having activity at least 5 times greater than trypsin or chymotrypsin towards food grade proteins and bovine serum albumin;(5) Optimum activity temperature and temperature range:The optimum activity temperature is 80.degree. C. at pH of 8.0 in 0.05 M Tris buffer at an ionic strength of 0.