Abstract: The invention relates to a granulated maltitol of concentration greater than or equal to 97%, preferably between 98 and 99%, characterized in that it has a water content less than 1%, preferably less than 0.5%, more preferably less than or equal to 0.4%, a compressibility greater than or equal to 300 N, preferably between 300 and 500 N, and a hygroscopicity less than or equal to 2.5%, preferably between 0.15 and 2.5%.

Abstract: A method for preparing a sugar syrup having high fructose content, is implemented using at least one fruit containing sorbitol, particularly apples, pears, plums, prunes, peaches, nectarines, apricots and grapes, from which a first juice is extracted. The first juice is processed in order to obtain a clarified and demineralised sweet juice having a colour lower than 45 ICUMSA and having a conductometric ash content lower than 0.4%. The clarified and demineralised sweet juice is then processed in order to hydrolyse the saccharose into fructose and glucose. The method further includes an isomerisation of the glucose in fructose, and removing the sorbitol naturally occurring in the starting material.

Abstract: An air-lift dryer for processing a high-lactose aqueous fluid (HLAF), such as permeate from ultrafiltration of whey fluid, is provided. The air-lift dryer has an enclosed drying chamber with diverging interior sidewalls that define an intermediate interior space having a cross-sectional area that increases as the diverging interior sidewalls extend away from a lower portion toward an upper portion.

Abstract: The invention relates to a granulated maltitol of concentration greater than or equal to 97%, preferably between 98 and 99%, characterized in that it has a water content less than 1%, preferably less than 0.5%, more preferably less than or equal to 0.4%, a compressibility greater than or equal to 300 N, preferably between 300 and 500 N, and a hygroscopicity less than or equal to 2.5%, preferably between 0.15 and 2.5%.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for drying a liquid predominately containing solid matter of carbohydrates to a non-sticky powder. The apparatus comprises a spray drying chamber (5) in the upper part of which a spraying element (4) capable of atomizing liquid predominately containing solid matter of carbohydrates to droplets is positioned, means (6) for supplying a drying gas to the atomized droplets for partially drying thereof to moist particles, and a residence device (9) for post-crystallisation of the moist particles received from the drying chamber to a non-sticky powder. The apparatus further comprises a filter element (7) arranged internally in the spraying chamber, and means (16) for withdrawing the spent drying gas through the filter element. The apparatus is suitable for treating liquids with a high content of carbohydrates such as whey and whey permeate. Also disclosed is a process for producing non-sticky powders.

Abstract: Disclosed is a lecithinated sugar composition wherein lecithin is present in the sugar composition at not more than about 200 parts per million. Also disclosed is a process for increasing the yield of raw sugar from a clarified sugar juice stream. Further disclosed is a process for increasing the yield of refined sugar from raw sugar.

Abstract: Disclosed is a lecithinated sugar composition wherein lecithin is present in the sugar composition at not more than about 200 parts per million. Also disclosed is a process for increasing the yield of raw sugar from a clarified sugar juice stream. Further disclosed is a process for increasing the yield of refined sugar from raw sugar.

Abstract: Systems and methods for processing a high-lactose aqueous fluid (HLAF), such as permeate from ultrafiltration of whey fluid, are described. The preferred process includes concentrating HLAF containing from about 1 to about 35% solids, wherein at least 50% of the solids are lactose, to form a concentrated HLAF containing from about 45 to about 65% solids; further concentrating the HLAF to form a highly concentrated HLAF containing from about 70 to about 80% solids; cooling the highly concentrated HLAF with a gaseous fluid to create a cooling, concentrating, crystallizing cascade to further concentrate the HLAF to form a partially crystallized HLAF containing from about 78 to about 88% solids; and drying the partially crystallized HLAF in an air-lift dryer to form a product rich in crystalline alpha-lactose monohydrate. An air-lift dryer having diverging sidewalls and methods of using same are also disclosed.

Abstract: A crystalline ?-D-glucosyl ?-D-galactoside which has a melting point of 119–123° C.; a saccharide composition comprising the same; a process for producing the same or the saccharide composition comprising the same, which comprises (i) crystallizing ?-D-glucosyl ?-D-galactoside from its solution and (ii) collecting the grown crystalline ?-D-glucosyl ?-D-galactoside; a method for converting amorphous ?-D-glucosyl ?-D-galactoside to crystalline ?-D-glucosyl ?-D-galactoside in the presence of moisture; and a composition comprising the crystalline ?-D-glucosyl ?-D-galactoside or the saccharide composition comprising the same.

Abstract: Crystalline fructose, from sugar cane sucrose, having particles composed of microcrystals which exhibit a narrow size distribution with a mean diameter of 250 to 350 microns. A process comprising chemical conversion of sucrose by acid hydrolysis; chromatographic separation of the fructose from the glucose; preparing fructose-rich syrup; crystallization of the fructose from an aqueous alcoholic medium, recovery by centrifugation; washing and; drying of the crystals.

Abstract: An acid recovery system used in a hydrolysis operation includes a chromatographic unit to provide initial separation of sugar and acid. The sugar product provided by the chromatographic unit is processed to produce higher value products, such as ethanol. The remaining acid is contaminated by sugar. A nanofiltration unit containing a nanofilter membrane processes the sugar contaminated acid. The acid is allowed to permeate across the nanofilter membrane while sugar is rejected. The permeate is provided to a conventional acid recovery system and recycled for use in the hydrolysis process.

Abstract: Method for producing refined sugar from sugared juice, such as raw juice from sugar cane or from sugar beet, containing sugar and impurities, which comprises the operations of: tangential filtration of the sugared juice in order to obtain a retentate and a filtrate, softening of the filtrate in order to obtain a softened filtrate, concentration of the softened filtrate in order to obtain a softened syrup, chromatography of the softened syrup in order to obtain an extract enriched in sugars and a raffinate enriched in impurities, crystallisation of the extract in two or more crystallisation/separation steps in order to obtain refined sugar and a run-off, and combination of the run-off with the softened syrup in order that they are both subjected to the chromatography operation.

Abstract: A crystalline mixture solid containing maltitol having an oil absorptivity of 0.1 to 6.9 wt % and a bulk density of 0.60 to 0.75 g/cc when it is ground and classified to ensure that at least 70 wt % of the obtained particles should have a particle size of 16 to 50 mesh and a process for producing a crystalline mixture solid containing maltitol, comprising introducing air bubbles into a maltitol aqueous solution. According to this process, a crystalline mixture solid containing maltitol having high solubility and almost no moisture absorption is produced at a high work efficiency and a low cost in a short period of time.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of white and brown sugar from raw diffuser beet juice. The juice is purified by membrane filtration at 70-95° C. on a filter having a molecular weight cut-off between 2,000 and 500,000 Dalton and evaporated to a dry matter content of between 60 and 80% by weight under vacuum to a thick juice. A conventional multi-step evaporative crystallisation of the thick juice gives crops of white and brown sugar crystals. The brown sugar obtained have valuable organoleptic properties.

Abstract: Crystalline &agr;-lactose monohydrate is recovered from a viscous lactose-containing aqueous liquid by subjecting said liquid to simultaneous heating, removal of evaporated vapor and mechanical agitation at high shear rate to provide a crystallization promoting decrease of the viscosity of the liquid with crystals formed and suspended therein to progressively concentrate the agitated liquid and simultaneously crystallize lactose therefrom. Subsequent cooling, drying, and disintegration yield particulate &agr;-lactose monohydrate.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of crystallizing maltitol from a maltitol solution by supersaturating the solution in repsect of maltitol and crystallizing the maltitol from the solution. In the process of the invention, the maltitol-containing solution is brought to a supersaturated state, and the solution is subjected to evaporation, until a crystallization mass is obtained which has a crystal yield of 1 to 80% on maltitol, and a dry solids content of over 50%. After bringing the solution to a supersaturated state, the solution is preferably seeded by adding maltitol seed crystals. In one embodiment of the invention, additional feed liquid is added during the crystallization by evaporation.

Abstract: A crystalline mixture solid composition which has almost no hygroscopicity, is easy to handle and dissolve and hardly worn by abrasion, and comprises &agr;-D-glucopyranosyl-1,1-mannitol and &agr;-D-glucopyranosyl-1,6-sorbitol and may further comprise &agr;-D-glucopyranosyl-1,1-sorbitol in a certain case is obtained in an extremely short period of time by a power-saving and labor-saving process with a small-scale apparatus. A composition which comprises 20 to 75 wt % of &agr;-D-glucopyranosyl-1,1-mannitol, 23 to 70 wt % of &agr;-D-glucopyranosyl-1,6-sorbitol and 2 to 25 wt % of &agr;-D-glucopyranosyl-1,1-sorbitol and is in a crystalline mixture solid state or has a specific surface area of 0.07 to 0.1 m2/g, and a composition which comprises 30 to 75 wt % of &agr;-D-glucopyranosyl-l,1-mannitol, 25 to 70 wt % of &agr;-D-glucopyranosyl-1,6-sorbitol and has a specific surface area of 0.07 to 0.1 m2/g.

Abstract: A process for preparing crystalline sugar by providing a solution of a solvent and sugar, exposing the solution to a magentic field having a strength which is sufficient to impart improvements in the processing of the sugar or the properties of the resulting crystalline sugar product, and providing conditions suitable for crystallization to obtain a substantially crystalline sugar product. The magnetic field strength is sufficient to influence at least one of morphology, size, nucleation rate or, crystallinity of the crystalline sugar product.

Abstract: The deposition of calcium salts, including calcium carbonate and calcium oxalate and the formation of foam, during the evaporation of sugar streams can be prevented or restricted by ding 0.1-200 ppm of a carboxyalkylfructan that contains 0.5-3 carboxyl groups per monosaccharide unit, 0.4-2.5 of which carboxyl groups are in the form of carboxyalkyl groups, to the sugar streams. The carboxyalkyl groups are, in particular, carboxymethyl groups. The other carboxyl groups can be carboxyl groups obtained by oxidation.

Abstract: A process for preparing crystalline sugar by providing a solution of a solvent and sugar, exposing the solution to a magnetic field having a strength which is sufficient to impart improvements in the processing of the sugar or the properties of the resulting crystalline sugar product, and providing conditions suitable for crystallization to obtain a substantially crystalline sugar product. The magnetic field strength is sufficient to influence at least one of morphology, size, nucleation rate or, crystallinity of the crystalline sugar product.

Abstract: The invention provides a gelling agent comprising at least one sugar compound selected from the group consisting of sugar compounds represented by the formula (1) and sugar compounds represented by the formula (2). wherein R1 and R2 are the same or different and each represents an alkyl group having 1 to 3 carbon atoms, an alkoxyl group having 1 to 3 carbon atoms or a halogen atom, and p is 0 or 1. The gelling agent of the invention is very useful as a gelling agent for an aqueous medium.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the recovery of xylose from xylose-containing aqueous solutions containing 30-60% by weight of xylose on dissolved solids, in which method the solution is treated to produce a solution supersaturated with xylose, xylose is crystallized from the supersaturated solution and the xylose crystals are recovered.

Abstract: A method of providing a stabilized sugar cane juice product for use in soft drinks, that includes providing cleaned sugar cane sticks and extracting cane juice from the sticks. Thereafter, the extracted cane juice is acidified immediately upon extraction by feeding it into a solution comprising ascorbic acid for preventing discoloration of the cane juice and also by feeding it simultaneously into an acidic solution of one of citric acid, malic acid, tartaric acid, phosphoric acid and a mixture thereof, for lowering the pH of the cane juice below a pH of 5. Furthermore, one of a sodium citrate solution, a potassium citrate solution, a sodium phosphate di-basic solution or a mixture thereof, is added to the cane juice for stabilizing it. The cane juice is then coagulated and flocculated to remove unwanted foulants and aromas.

Abstract: A composition containing sugar microcrystals is disclosed. Essentially, the crystals are uniform unbroken single crystals with a regular geometrical shape and a grain size following a Gaussian distribution of which the median is of around 20-220 .mu.m, while the coefficient of variation is of around 20-50%, particularly 30-45%, 35-45% or 30-40%. The term "sugar" designates mono-, di- and oligosaccharides, as well as the polyols obtained by their reduction.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for the preparation of a noncentrifugal sugar composition. The process comprises the following steps: cane juice is filtered; a pH of the juice is adjusted to 5.0-6.0; sucrose or liquid sucrose or both is added to adjust a purity of the mixture to a range of 87.0 to 95.1% by weight; the mixture is heated and evaporated; and then the mixture is cooled to solidify with a strong shearing force being applied to obtain granules.

Abstract: The invention relates to a new anhydrous lactitol crystalline composition exhibiting essentially a porous and cellular structure and possessing a very high lactitol crystalline purity. This composition has remarkable functional properties, making its use particularly recommended in the manufacture of tablets or various powders to be dissolved in water. The invention also relates to a new process which makes it possible to manufacture the crystalline lactitol composition.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for recovering a crystallizable organic compound from solutions containing said compound. In accordance with the method, the compound is crystallized substantially by way of nucleation from a solution having high viscosity and high supersaturation in respect of the compound to be recovered, and the formed crystals are recovered.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the recovery of xylose from xylose-containing aqueous solutions that contain over 30% by weight of xylose on dissolved dry solids. The solution is evaporated at low pressure to a solution supersaturated in respect of xylose, the solution is seeded, and the evaporation is continued at the boiling point of the solution until a crystal mass is obtained in which the xylose yield is 1 to 60%, and the xylose crystals are recovered.

Abstract: A stable crystalline powdery saccharide having a crystallinity of 40% or more, less hygroscopicity, satisfactory fluidity, and beneficial handleability, which is obtainable from an aqueous solution, containing trehalose and a different saccharide(s) crystallizable in the presence of trehalose, by crystallizing the trehalose along with the different saccharide(s).

Abstract: To provide an economically advantageous process for manufacturing crystalline maltitol and crystalline mixture solid containing crystalline maltitol. The process of this invention uses the syrup having a maltose purity of 81 to 90% as the starting material. The syrup is hydrogenated under the existence of catalyst, and then subjected to a chromatographic separation by using cation-exchange resin, resulting in an aqueous solution of maltitol having a maltitol purity of 94 to 99.9%. The aqueous solution, is further crystallized in the presence of a seed crystal, subjected to a separation, cooled and kneaded so as to manufacture both crystalline maltitol and crystalline mixture solid containing crystalline maltitol at the same time.

Abstract: The invention relates to a novel crystalline anhydrous lactitol, a process for the preparation thereof, and the use thereof. The novel crystalline anhydrous lactitol belongs to the monoclinic crystal system and has the unit cell constants: (a)=7.614 .ANG., (b)=10.757 .ANG., (c)=9.370 .ANG., and .beta.=108.2.degree.. Its melting point is between 149.degree. C. and 152.degree. C., water content below 0.5% and lactitol content more than 99%; it has a low hygroscopicity.

Abstract: A method for purifying non-branched beta cyclodextrin from aqueous solutions is disclosed. The process entails a plurality of independent crystallization steps.

Abstract: An integrated process is disclosed which produces both crystalline fructose and a liquid-phase sweetener such as High Fructose Corn Syrup from a feed stream comprising dextrose. A portion of the dextrose in the feed stream is isomerized to fructose and the resulting dextrose/fructose stream is fractionated to produce a high fructose stream. A portion of the fructose in the high fructose stream is crystallized out and the mother liquor remaining after crystallization is blended with dextrose-containing streams to produce the liquid-phase sweetener.

Abstract: The invention relates to a novel crystalline anhydrous lactitol, a process for the preparation thereof, and the use thereof. The novel crystalline anhydrous lactitol belongs to the monoclinic crystal system and has the unit cell constants: (a)=7.614 A; (b)=10.757 A; (c)=9.370 A and .beta.=108.2.degree.. Its melting point is between 149.degree. C. and 152.degree. C., water content below 0.5% and lactitol content more than 99%; it has a low hygroscopicity.

Abstract: The following description sets forth a new process for the preparation of .gtoreq.98.5% pure crystalline lactulose from commercially available aqueous syrups having the following composition: 50-70% by weight of lactulose, 3-9% by weight of lactose, 3-14% by weight of galactose, 4-7% by weight of other carbohydrates, the total content of carbohydrates different from lactulose being of from 10% to 30%.

Abstract: A process for producing xylose from a ligno-cellulosic material comprising xylan-containing hemicellulose in which the ligno-cellulosic material is subjected initially to the three steps (1) hydrolysis to produce an aqueous xylose-containing medium and an insoluble residue; (2) separation of the insoluble residue from the medium; and (3) treatment of the medium to remove organic and/or inorganic nutrients therefrom. The medium is thereafter concentrated to a syrup having a water content in the range 20% to 40% by weight which is then mixed with ethanol and the xylose is separated from the ethanolic solution.

Abstract: The present invention is concerned with a method for the preparation of crystal-water-free crystalline lactulose by subjecting an aqeous solution or suspension of lactulose to simultaneous reduction of the water content by evaporation and continuous stirring, optionally in the presence of seed crystals, until a free-flowing solid powder is obtained.

Abstract: A process for producing refined sugar directly from plants of cane or beet raw juices which bypasses the traditional manufacturing of an intermediate product called "raw sugar". After treatment of the sugar juice with a flocculant, the juice has pressurized air dissolved in it, followed by rapid lowering of the pressure to ambient in a dissolved air flotation cell to separate impurities by aeration. Further amounts of flocculant are added, and the juice is passed through a serpentine flocculator comprising a pipe containing a plurality of relatively straight section interrupted by sharp bends to expose the juice sequentially to different turbulent regimes defined by different ranges of Reynolds numbers to form flocs containing undissolved solids. Flocs and other undissolved solids are separated from the juice by flotation and settling. The sugar juice or liquor is partially evaporated to a concentration between about 45.degree. and 50.degree.

Abstract: A method for inhibiting silica scale formation in aqueous systems using selected low molecular weight (meth)acrylic or maleic acid based copolymers or terpolymers, magnesium ion alone, or the selected copolymers and terpolymers with aluminum ion or magnesium ion, or polyacrylic or polymaleic acid with aluminum ion or magnesium ion.

Abstract: An integrated process is disclosed which produces both crystalline fructose and a liquid-phase sweetener such as High Fructose Corn Syrup from a feed stream comprising dextrose. A portion of the dextrose in the feed stream is isomerized to fructose and the resulting dextrose/fructose stream is fractionated to produce a high fructose stream. A portion of the fructose in the high fructose stream is crystallized out and the mother liquor remaining after crystallization is blended with dextrose-containing streams to produce the liquid-phase sweetener.

Abstract: An integrated process is disclosed which produces both crystalline fructose and a liquid-phase sweetener such as High Fructose Corn Syrup from a feed stream comprising dextrose. A portion of the dextrose in the feed stream is isomerized to fructose and the resulting dextrose/fructose stream is fractionated to produce a high fructose stream. A portion of the fructose in the high fructose stream is crystallized out and the mother liquor remaining after crystallization is blended with dextrose-containing streams to produce the liquid-phase sweetener.

Abstract: A batch process of producing sugar crystals from syrup in a discontinuously operated crystallization apparatus comprising a heating calandria, comprises the steps of graining a batch of concentrated syrup by adding seed crystals thereto to form a magma, causing sugar crystals in the magma to grow by subjecting it to evaporation in heat exchange with the calandria and adding syrup while maintaining the mother liquor at a desired coefficient of supersaturation to obtain massecuite, increasing the brix of the massecuite to a desired value to obtain a final volume of massecuite which is substantially equal to the volume of the magma, and controlling the flow of steam to the calandria and the flow of added syrup at least during the growing phase of the sugar crystals so that the mother liquor is maintained at supersaturation and the level of the massecuite remains substantially constant.

Abstract: Apparatus are set forth for particularly dehydrating products such as corn syrups, fruit and vegetable extracts, dairy products, or other temperature-sensitive or hard-to-handle products. The apparatus include using a pulse combustor to generate a hot, turbulent, gaseous environment in a dehydration chamber and spraying the feedstock into the chamber. As the feedstock droplets travel through the chamber, they are dehydrated and thereafter collected by suitable devices. Temperature and feedstock residence time in the chamber are controlled to prevent product degradation. Where the dehydrated product is hygroscopic, processing aids may be added to control hygroscopicity.

Abstract: A two-stage crystallization for the continuous production of sugar crystals from syrup comprises crystallizing the syrup in a first stage by subjecting the syrup to a sufficient heat of evaporation to produce a massecuite comprising water and a small content of dry material and having a low supersaturation coefficient, and subjecting the massecuite to flash evaporation of a certain volume of water and a notable increase in the supersaturation, and subsequently effectuating crystallization of the massecuite produced in the first stage by cooling in a second stage.

Abstract: A mass constituted by glucose syrup and anhydrous dextrose crystals is led to pass through from top to bottom and with malaxation of crystallization zone 1 of axis preferably substantially vertical in which said mass is subject to a temperature gradient globally decreasing by 0.2.degree. to 2.degree. C./hour from top to bottom possibly modulated, said zone being supplied through pipe 2 with glucose syrup and through pipe 7 with mass subject to crystallization M taken up at 8 and recycled at 9.

Abstract: Method for the production of anhydrous crystalline fructose in which the mass M subjected to crystallization traverses from top to bottom, continuously and with malaxation, a vessel 1 inside which it is subjected to a temperature gradient decreasing overall from top to bottom, the crystalline mass being recovered continuously at the bottom of the vessel, means being provided to take up at an intermediate level 8 a fraction of the mass M and to recycle it to a level 9 situated in the vicinity of the upper end of the vessel.

Abstract: A process for crystallizing an aqueous fructose feed stream uses an alcohol mixture which may be crystallized in either a vacuum evaporator chamber or a cooled atmospheric pressure crystallizer. Various cooling cycles are described. When the atmospheric pressure crystallizer is used, the mixture is stirred continuously; therefore, the temperature of the mixture is held low enough to cause crystals to form, but also high enough not to be too viscous to stir and pump.

Abstract: A method of recovering lactose from milk whey or cheese whey with a high yield, wherein the whey is concentrated, part of the lactose is crystallized, and the crystals are separated and dried; the mother liquor is purified by heating it to about 60.degree. to 70.degree. C. at a pH of about 5.8 to 7.0 and by removing the resultant precipitate by centrifugation; the purified mother liquor is fractionated chromatographically, using sulphonated polystyrene resin which is in sodium ion form and cross-linked by a 3-6% per weight divinylbenzene and which is even-grained, the flow rate is about 0.4 to 1.5 m.sup.3 /h, the temperature about 50.degree. to 75.degree. C., and the pH about 5.5 to 7; whereafter elution is carried out with water, and the following fractions are recovered: a protein fraction which may also contain salts, an intermediate fraction which is recirculated to the fractionating step, and a lactose fraction which is passed to the crystallization step.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the production of crystalline fructose. The method comprises the steps of adding ethanol to a concentrated fructose solution; evaporating the mixture to a degree of supersaturation of at least 1.02; and adding anhydrous fructose seed crystals; removing ethanol-water azeotrope at a reduced pressure while maintaining the solution at a substantially constant temperature ranging from 50.degree. C. to 75.degree. C. so as to crystallize fructose; and recovering crystallized fructose, e.g. by centrifugation.

Abstract: A process for purifying the raw .Iadd.sugar .Iaddend.juice (diffusion juice).Iadd., such as that .Iaddend.obtained from sugar beets.Iadd., .Iaddend.replaces the traditional liming and carbonation purification methods with ion exchange softening and chromatographic separation operations.