Abstract: A coffee grinder with a weight device to dose ground coffee includes an electric motor, a grinder group driven by the electric motor and housed inside a grinding chamber, a feed hopper for feeding coffee beans to the grinding chamber, a delivery channel for delivering ground coffee to a support fork of a filter-holder of the ground coffee, a load cell mechanically connected to the fork, and a microprocessor that controls the operation of the motor to determine a desired final dose of ground coffee inside the filter-holder. The microprocessor contains control firmware which, when weighing a new dose of coffee: (a) activates a weighing program that activates the electric motor so that the grinder group grinds the coffee; (b) continuously controls, with the load cell, the detected weight of ground coffee reaching the filter-holder; and (c) shuts the electric motor down when the detected weight reaches a desired value.

Abstract: A plant produced vaccine for Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Virus (PEDV) is provided where the Spike protein of the virus is expressed in a plant by introducing into a plant a construct comprising a promoter preferentially directing expression to seed of said plant, a nucleoic acid encoding the Spike protein and a nucleic acid targeting expression to the endoplasmic reticulum of the plant. The plant expresses the S1 polypeptide at levels of at least 10 mg/kg of seed of said plant. When orally administered to an animal, a protective response is observed including a serum antibody response.

Abstract: Crop processing rolls for operative use in forage harvesters are formed from independent segments having a plurality of first grooves that are oriented in a parallel manner with second smaller grooves intersecting the ridges to form discrete teeth from the ridges. The ridges can be formed vertically, horizontally or in a spiraled pattern with the smaller second grooves oriented into a spiraled pattern to form the discrete teeth. Crop processing roll segments can be formed in this manner and assembled into full processing rolls with the spiraled second grooves being oriented in opposing directions from adjacent segments. The number of segments can vary from two to eight individual segments with the second grooves breaking ridges into discrete teeth on adjacent segments forming a chevron pattern at intersecting positions along the longitudinal length of the processing roll.

Abstract: A grinding unit (12) for selectively grinding beans (20), in particular coffee beans, is disclosed. The grinding unit comprises a plurality of storage containers (16, 18) for storing the beans (20) and a grinding module (14) associated to the storage containers for grinding the beans. The grinding unit comprises a plurality of shutters (28, 30), wherein each of the shutters is associated to one of the storage containers for feeding the beans from a selected storage container to the grinding module, wherein the shutters are movable with respect to each other to selectively feed the beans from the selected container to the grinding module. An actuation unit (46) is associated to the shutters for actuating the shutters and for opening and closing the storage containers independently.

Abstract: In a method for grinding coffee beans (5), the beans (5) are ground off bit by bit by applying a device (1) comprising two tools (20; 40, 42), wherein one of the tools (20; 40, 42) is a grinding tool (20) having an abrasive surface (21), wherein the beans (5) and the abrasive surface (21) are made to contact each other and to perform a relative movement with respect to each other, and wherein another of the tools (20; 40, 42) is a bean delimiting tool (40, 42) having a surface (44) against which the beans (5) are retained during the time that they are in contact with the abrasive surface (21). By grinding off coffee beans (5) instead of crushing coffee beans (5) in a conventional manner, it is achieved that the grinding process can be performed at a relatively high speed and a relatively low torque.

Abstract: This invention pertains to the development of a high protein oil seed flour as a replacement for both wheat based and gluten free flours used in baked, dry and liquid goods which optimizes nutrition. The seed flour is based on the novel use of processing sunflower and other oil type seeds into a flour, meal, or protein isolate to replace a significant portion of traditional and gluten free flours in food goods, including baked, dry and liquid goods. The invention provides composition formulas that significantly optimize and improve the overall nutritional value of processed foods by balancing proteins and carbohydrates through an optimized ratio of seed to grain or tuber flour. The composition formulas also increase the absolute values of protein in processed foods to achieve recommended daily allowances as well as provides for increase satiety, improve blood sugar balance, weight management, and health.

Abstract: To produce flour and/or semolina, raw material is fed into a feed opening of a roller press. The milling gap of the roller press is fixed, or damping of at least one of the rollers with respect to the lateral deflection is set, such that a first subset of the fill containing finer milling material forms a packed particle fill in the milling gap. In addition, the setting is carried out in such a way that individual particles of a second subset of the fill containing coarser milling material are in contact with the first roller and the second roller of the roller press. Subsequently, the bulk material is milled into milled product in the roller press (9) and the milled product is discharged through a discharge opening.

Abstract: A method for producing low Glycemic Index bread and baked products for diabetic dieting and Metabolic Syndrome patients using a selection of ancient cereals, pseudo cereals and grain varieties with high content of complex carbohydrate molecules, low speed and low adiabatic temperature milling, encapsulation of carbon dioxide bubbles created during leavening of dough in a slowly digested denaturalized protein matrix, inclusion of partially milled chunks of cereal and grain into the dough, baking at low temperatures and short time periods, rapid chilling of the bread and freezing for storage.

Abstract: Whole grain flour is produced from a cereal grain such as wheat by removing an outer layer of the grain, and also some of the endosperm. The removed outer layer comprises 5% to 40% of the original weight of the grain. The removed parts of the grain are comminuted during the removal of the outer layer. Both the grain and the comminuted removed outer layer are then conveyed into a milling device and are milled to form whole grain flour.

Abstract: A coffee-measurement apparatus (60) and related methods for precisely measuring and displaying the weight of ground coffee to be used for preparing espresso shots and espresso-based beverages. The coffee-measurement apparatus (60) includes a portafilter platform (80) positionable directly below an output portion (116) of a coffee-grinding apparatus (100). The portafilter platform (80) is coupled to a weight-measurement device (20) as well as to a display (66) so the net weight of the ground coffee in a basket (52) of a portafilter (50) resting on the portafilter platform may be measured and displayed. In some embodiments, the coffee-measurement apparatus (60) may be configured to automatically start the coffee-grinding mechanism (130) of the coffee-grinding apparatus (100) and to stop it when a desired weight of ground coffee has been dispensed into the basket (52) by utilizing an electronic connection and/or an electromechanical actuator (140) communicatively coupled to the coffee-measurement apparatus (60).

Abstract: An apparatus (100) configured to simultaneously sample a plurality of seeds is provided. The apparatus (100) may include a grinder (110) configured to grind each of the seeds of a first plurality of seeds to produce a powder comprising a plurality of seed particles. A sample container (142) may be configured to receive the powder. Further, a cleaning device may be configured to introduce a neutral media to the grinder (110) to substantially prevent cross-contamination with a second plurality of seeds, which may be ground thereafter. The apparatus (100) may further comprise a mixing device (150) configured to mix the powder. Thereby a sample portion of the powder may be tested for the presence of a genetically modified organism, or other tests may be conducted thereon. A related method for high throughput simultaneous sampling of a plurality of seeds is also provided.

Abstract: A coffee grinding apparatus (10) and related methods for precisely measuring the weight of ground coffee to be used for preparing espresso shots and espresso-based beverages. The coffee grinding apparatus (10) includes a coffee grinding mechanism (30) that is operative to grind whole coffee beans into ground coffee. The coffee grinding mechanism (30) also includes a portafilter platform (40) positioned directly below an output portion (16) of the coffee grinding apparatus (10). The portafilter platform (40) is coupled to a weight measurement device (20) so the net weight of the ground coffee in a basket (52) of a portafilter (50) resting on the portafilter platform may be measured. The coffee grinding apparatus (10) may be configured to automatically stop the coffee grinding mechanism (30) when a desired weight of ground coffee has been dispensed into the basket (52) so that a precise weight of coffee may be dispensed.

Abstract: Stabilized whole grain flours having a fine particle size and which exhibit good baking functionality are produced with high throughput using two bran and germ fractions and an endosperm fraction. One bran and germ fraction is a coarse fraction which is subjected to two stage grinding, but the second bran and germ fraction is a low ash, fine bran and germ fraction which is sufficiently fine so that it does not need to be subjected to grinding thereby reducing starch damage and increasing production with reduced grinding equipment load. Portions of the coarse bran and germ fraction which are ground in the first grinding stage to a sufficient fineness are separated out and not subjected to additional grinding further reducing starch damage and increasing production. The bran and germ fractions may be combined, subjected to stabilization, and combined with the endosperm fraction to obtain a stabilized whole grain flour.

Abstract: A system and method for preparing a sample of seeds or representative seed portions are provided. In various embodiments, the system and method include a force applying member and a seed container that includes at least one compartment containing a seed. The force applying member is configured to apply a force to the seed so as to break the seed into two or more seed particles, which in some embodiments may be collected in a seed particle collector. The present invention improves on the prior art by greatly reducing (and in some embodiments eliminating) the manual processes typically involved in generating tissue samples from seeds and preparing the tissue for genetic analysis. Additionally, the present invention is scaleable, and can be configured to generate samples from many seeds in a short period of time. The present invention also minimizes the risk of contamination and cross-contamination of the seed particles.

Abstract: Specifically, a dry corn fractionation system which operates to produce an endosperm fraction which can be concurrently of greater purity at greater yield than obtainable from corn milling or dry corn milling processes.

Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to a system and method for obtaining a test sample from a seed or seeds. The method generally includes placing at least one seed into a seed sampling chamber, breaking the seed into a plurality of seed particles inside the seed sampling chamber, placing a sampling element into the seed sampling chamber, and collecting at least a portion of the plurality of seed particles with the sampling element by attracting at least a portion of the seed particles to a surface of the sampling element or by forcing at least a portion of the seed particles into a feature of the sampling element. In some embodiments, the method further includes using a sampling element transfer device to transfer the sampling element to an extraction well, which may be used to extract DNA or proteins from the collected portion of seed particles.

Abstract: A bran finishing process in grain milling employs a milling machine in which bran that contains some endosperm, including aleurone, is fed into an annular milling chamber defined on an inner side by an eccentric cylindrical rotor and on an outer side by a frame assembly that includes perforated screens and abrasive surfaces. Longitudinal lobes protrude radially from the rotor. The lobes compress the bran as they rotate, while the lesser diameter of the rotor between lobes allows the bran to decompress, causing bran particles to rub together for detaching endosperm from the bran by friction forces. Bran particles also rub against the abrasive surfaces for scraping endosperm off the bran. Air flows through the milling chamber and carries the endosperm through the perforated screens, while the bran particles are discharged without passing through the screens.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed which may be used to homogenize a sample in a container. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a container and a cap with a fracturing member rigidly attached to the cap such that the fracturing member engages a sample as the cap is coupled to the container. In an example embodiment, the container is a test tube and the sample is a seed, such as a corn kernel. Methods of fracturing samples in containers with fracturing members rigidly attached to caps are also disclosed.

Abstract: Wheat grain (Triticum aestivum) comprising an embryo and starch, wherein the embryo comprises two identical alleles of an SBEIIa-A gene, two identical alleles of an SBEIIa-B gene and two identical alleles of an SBEIIa-D gene, wherein each of the SBEIIa genes gives rise to an amount of protein (w/w) or a protein having SBEIIa activity which is lower than the corresponding wild-type gene, and at least one of said genes comprises a point mutation, wherein the starch comprises amylose such that the grain has an amylose content of at least 50% (w/w) as a proportion of the extractable starch of the grain.

Abstract: A coffee beverage system is described including a coffee bean packaging cartridge and a coffee brewing apparatus. The packaging cartridge includes a container holding coffee beans and transportation component for transporting the coffee beans towards an exit opening of the cartridge. The coffee apparatus comprises a grinder for grinding the coffee beans from the cartridge and a brewing device for brewing coffee on the basis of ground coffee obtained by means of the grinder. The system is further provided with a metering chamber for receiving coffee beans which are transported with the aid of the transportation component into the metering chamber. In use, the metering chamber will hold a predetermined amount of coffee beans. The metering chamber comprises a bottom portion which forms a part of the grinder, said bottom portion being arranged in the coffee apparatus for rotating around an axis extending in a vertical direction.

Abstract: A system and method for preparing a sample of seeds or representative seed portions are provided. In various embodiments, the system and method include a force applying member and a seed container that includes at least one compartment containing a seed. The force applying member is configured to apply a force to the seed so as to break the seed into two or more seed particles, which in some embodiments may be collected in a seed particle collector. The present invention improves on the prior art by greatly reducing (and in some embodiments eliminating) the manual processes typically involved in generating tissue samples from seeds and preparing the tissue for genetic analysis. Additionally, the present invention is scaleable, and can be configured to generate samples from many seeds in a short period of time. The present invention also minimizes the risk of contamination and cross-contamination of the seed particles.

Abstract: The invention provides synthetic nucleic acid sequences encoding proteins of interest that are particularly adapted to express well in plants. The claimed synthetic sequences utilize plant-optimized codons roughly in the same frequency at which they are utilized, on average, in genes naturally occurring in the plant species. The invention further includes synthetic DNA sequence for herbicide tolerance, water and/or heat stress tolerance, healthy oil modifications and for transformation marker genes and selectable marker genes are used. DNA construct and transgenic plants containing the synthetic sequences are taught as are methods and compositions for using the plants in agriculture.

Abstract: A method of decontaminating grain, nut, or seed products and a method for conditioning grain in a milling process for decontamination and to produce an improved milled product which will yield baked goods, for example, of increased size and extended shelf life. In the decontamination and/or conditioning procedure, the grain, nut, or seed product is contacted with an aqueous anolyte product which can be undiluted or can be diluted with non-activated water. In undiluted form, the aqueous anolyte product preferably has a pH in the range of from about 4.5 to about 7.5 and a positive oxidation-reduction potential of at least +550 mV.

Abstract: Wheat having a reduced level of SBEIIa activity, that may have a relative high amylose content. Wheat having a mutant SBEIIa gene in the A genome. The wheat might additionally have reduced levels of SBEIIb activity. The wheat grain of this invention can be of a non-shrunken phenotype despite a lesion in the amylopectin synthesis pathway, and may also have a high relative amylose content.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a system for dehusking grains, in particular for removing the spelts and/or the seed coat and the germ bud of grains and/or of malted grains and its processing in the brewing industry. The outer layers/shells are removed from cleaned and malted distiller's grains in a husking machine.

Abstract: A nut grinder includes a nut auger, a stationary grinding plate, and a rotatable grinding plate configured to grind nuts. The nut auger and rotatable grinding plate may be adapted to receive rotational power from a human user or a mechanical source.

Abstract: The process according to the invention for producing flour, in particular whole grain flour, from cereal, in particular from wheat, comprises a plurality of steps. In a first step, there follows the removal of an outer layer of at least one grain, in particular a cereal grain, wherein some of the endosperm is also removed. The removed outer layer comprises 5% by weight to 40% by weight of the grain, based on the grain before the removal, preferably 15% by weight to 30% by weight, particularly preferably 18% by weight to 28% by weight, and very particularly preferably 20% by weight to 25% by weight. These removed parts of the grain are comminuted, in particular during the removal of the outer layer. Then there follows conveying the comminuted removed outer layer and the grain into a milling device and milling the comminuted removed outer layer and the grain, in particular a mixture thereof, in the milling device to form flour, in particular whole grain flour.

Abstract: A recombined whole grain flour for use in preparing whole grain products such that whole grain particulates provide minimal visual impact to the whole grain product. By selectively controlling the particle size of the milled bran and germ constituents used in the recombined whole grain flour, the visual and color impact associated with bran and germ particulates can be substantially eliminated from the whole grain product. In particular, whole grain products such as whole grain breads, dough products, mixes and biscuits can be made with recombined whole grain flour. Whole grain products made with recombined whole grain flour are advantageous in that they incorporate the health advantages associated with whole grains while eliminating the characteristic, visual color differences noticeable within a whole grain crumb due to visually identifiable bran and germ particulates found in traditional whole grain products.

Abstract: The present invention relates to processes for modifying the thermal and/or digestion properties of corn starches and corn flours.

Abstract: The present invention relates to maize starches with an apparent amylose content between 35 wt. % and 90 wt. % and improved processing properties relative to conventional high-amylose maize starches. Furthermore, the present invention relates to maize meals and foodstuffs containing these maize starches or maize meals. In addition, the present invention relates to methods of production of said maize starches/maize meals and maize plants which synthesize these maize starches. Moreover, the present invention relates to wheat starches with an apparent amylose content between 35 wt. % and 90 wt. % and improved processing properties, and wheat meals and foodstuffs containing said wheat starches or wheat meals. Moreover, the present invention relates to methods of production of said wheat starches/wheat meals and wheat plants which synthesize these wheat starches.

Abstract: Methods for processing of grains and the like and products produced by such processing, the invention in preferred embodiments subjects whole grains or portions of grains to rapid pressure and directional changes in a high velocity fluid stream to instantaneously vary forces acting thereon. Flours of reduced particle sizes having low starch value damage result, the present processing also permitting uniform blending of additives such as during comminution of the grains. Processed grains according to the invention are resistant to spoilage and clumping. Whole grain flours and white flours can be produced according to the invention. Bran, germ and endosperm of grains can also be separated.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for crushing grains, and a method thereof. The apparatus includes a driving mechanism, a plurality of shafts and a plurality of rollers. The driving mechanism is coupled to and configured to rotate at least one shaft of the plurality of shafts. Each roller of the plurality of rollers is axially coupled to a shaft of the plurality of shafts. A protruding member of a plurality of protruding members extends from a first roller of the plurality of rollers and intermeshes with two adjacent protruding members of a plurality of protruding members that extend from a second roller of the plurality of rollers to form an intermeshing mechanism. The first roller and the second roller are separated by a predefined clearance distance. The intermeshing mechanism crushes the grains based on the rotation of the first roller and the second roller.

Abstract: A pigment product for use in a coating composition to provide a gloss coating on paper, the pigment product comprising a processed particulate kaolin having a particle size distribution such that at least about 80% by weight of the particles have an equivalent spherical diameter less than about 2 p,m and in the range of from about 10% to about 20% by weight of the particles have an equivalent spherical diameter less than about 0.25 wm, the particles have a shape factor in the range of from about 20 to about 36 and the particles have a particle steepness in the range of about greater than about 35, more preferably in the range of about 35 to about 40, and wherein the kaolin is derived from a secondary kaolin source.

Abstract: Novel corn opaque modifier loci, associated molecular markers and methods for obtaining the loci, markers, and resultant seed are provided. Vitreous seed with reduced alpha-zein storage protein content that contain the opaque modifier loci are also described. Processes for obtaining milled corn seed products from the vitreous seed with reduced alpha-zein storage protein content that contain the opaque modifier loci are also provided.

Abstract: New Brassica Ogura fertility restorer lines with a shortened Raphanus fragment are provided. The new lines lack the OPC2 marker and are capable of fully restoring fertility in Ogura cytoplasmic male sterile (cms) plants. The improved lines were developed using a new breeding method. The new breeding method can be used to shorten an exotic insertion comprising a gene of interest in any plant.

Abstract: A nondenatured ground matter with high quality is produced through efficient grinding while preventing overheating by, even in the case of grinding a material to be ground having a flexible thin film, such as cereal grain, efficiently crushing the thin film of low grindability to thereby obtain a ground matter of fine grains with uniform size by the use of simple apparatus and operation. A raw material is fed through raw material supply channel (55,56) into raw material introduction part (11) between fixed grinding disc (4) and moving grinding disc (5). The moving grinding disc (5) is hung down by means of drive shaft (21), and the gap between the same and the fixed grinding disc (4) is adjusted by means of gap adjusting means (7). While preventing any heat transfer from drive unit (8), power is transmitted to the drive shaft (21) so as to rotate the moving grinding disc (5).

Abstract: Brassica juncea having greater than about 55% oleic acid per weight of total fatty acid and methods of producing same are provided. The new Brassica juncea lines produce oil having the typical canola fatty acid profile. Methods for producing progeny Brassica juncea plants produced by crossing the high oleic acid Brassica juncea line with itself or with other canola plants, and hybrid canola seeds and plants produced by crossing the Brassica juncea high oleic acid line with another canola line or plant, are provided.

Abstract: The invention provides Brassica plants and lines having an improved Sclerotinia sclerotiorum Disease Incidence (SSDI %) score and represented by, or descended from, NCIMB accession number 41397.

Abstract: The invention provides Brassica plants and lines having an improved Sclerotinia sclerotiorum Disease Incidence (SSDI %) score and represented by, or descended from, NCIMB accession number 41398.

Abstract: The invention provides Brassica plants and lines having an improved Sclerotinia sclerotiorum Disease Incidence (SSDI %) score and represented by, or descended from, NCIMB Accession Number 41396.

Abstract: The invention provides Brassica plants and lines having an improved Sclerotinia sclerotiorum Disease Incidence (SSDI %) score and represented by, or descended from, NCIMB Accession Number 41388 or 41390.

Abstract: The invention provides Brassica plants and lines having an improved Sclerotinia sclerotiorum Disease Incidence (SSDI %) score and represented by, or descended from, NCIMB accession number 41395.

Abstract: The invention provides Brassica plants and lines having an improved Sclerotinia sclerotiorum Disease Incidence (SSDI %) score and represented by, or descended from, NCIMB accession number 41289 or 41391.

Abstract: The invention provides Brassica plants and lines having an improved Sclerotinia sclerotiorum Disease Incidence (SSDI %) score and represented by, or descended from, NCIMB accession number 41394.

Abstract: The invention provides Brassica plants and lines having an improved Sclerotinia sclerotiorum Disease Incidence (SSDI %) score and represented by, or descended from, NCIMB accession number 41393.

Abstract: The invention provides Brassica plants and lines having an improved Sclerotinia sclerotiorum Disease Incidence (SSDI %) score and represented by, or descended from, ATCC accession number PTA-6779 or PTA-6778.

Abstract: The invention provides Brassica plants and lines having an improved Sclerotinia sclerotiorum Disease Incidence (SSDI %) score and represented by, or descended from, NCIMB accession number 41392.

Abstract: The invention provides Brassica plants and lines having an improved Sclerotinia sclerotiorum Disease Incidence (SSDI %) score and represented by, or descended from, ATCC accession number PTA-6777 or PTA-6781.

Abstract: The invention provides Brassica plants and lines having an improved Sclerotinia sclerotiorum Disease Incidence (SSDI %) score and represented by, or descended from, ATCC accession number PTA-6776 or PTA-6780.

Abstract: A transgenic maize plant and methods of using the transgenic maize plant having at least a portion of a coding region of one or more lignin biosynthesis pathway enzymes. In one embodiment, the transgenic plant expresses short interfering RNA (siRNA) for the one or more lignin biosynthesis pathway enzymes that forms a double-strand to activate RNA interference (RNAi). The RNAi decreases expression of the one or more lignin biosynthesis pathway enzymes in the transgenic plant. In a second embodiment, the transgenic plant has a cDNA for the one or more lignin biosynthesis pathway enzymes to increase expression of the one or more lignin biosynthesis pathway enzymes in the transgenic plant.