Abstract: The present invention provides an effective method of removing off-flavor from foods such as seafood, meat products and vegetables, which comprises causing a polymer of phenol compounds having a styrene structure and/or a reaction mixture produced by conducting an oxidation reaction of the phenol compounds having a styrene structure in the presence of oxygen to be present in the food. Also provided is a deodorizer comprising a polymer of phenol compounds having a styrene structure.

Abstract: This patent pertains to a resistant starch prepared by fully debranching a low amylose starch using isoamylase. Such resistant starch is useful in edible products, including nutritional supplements.

Abstract: A fast, effective, and economical process of obtaining high contents of bound-phenolic acid rich dietary fibre from cereal malts in time duration ranging between 36–48 hours by step-wise increase in temperature by about 8–12° C. for every 10–14 hours of incubation, thereby activating in situ amylases, with net temperature during incubation ranging between 43–77° C., with said stepwise increase in temperature helping to overcome the need of using exogenous enzymes.

Abstract: A process for producing a fermentation product by effecting fermentation with the use of a bioreactor having an immobilized microorganism located therein, characterized in that a non-flocculent yeast is employed as the microorganism.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for producing bread, said process being suitable for obtaining a bread having a shelf-life of at least seven days, the process comprising providing a dough based upon a flour and adding a specific enzyme mixture. The present invention further relates to a bread having a shelf-life of at least seven days and to an enzyme mixture for use in obtaining such a bread.

Abstract: The present invention provides an effective method of removing off-flavor from foods such as seafood, meat products and vegetables, which comprises causing a polymer of phenol compounds having a styrene structure and/or a reaction mixture produced by conducting an oxidation reaction of the phenol compounds having a styrene structure in the presence of oxygen to be present in the food. Also provided is a deodorizer comprising a polymer of phenol compounds having a styrene structure.

Abstract: This patent pertains to a slowly digestible starch prepared by debranching low amylose starches, particularly by isoamylase. Such slowly digestible starches are useful in edible products, including nutritional supplements.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of non-maltogenic exoamylases of retarding the detrimental retrogradation of starch. Furthermore, the invention relates to a novel non-maltogenic exoamylase from Bacillus Clausii.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the preparation of compound fertilizer granules containing at least two of the plant nutrients nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, said process including the steps of: providing a solid fee material including at least one solid fertilizer raw material and optionally recycle material, feeding the feed material or a part thereof into a melter for melting a desired portion thereof and keeping said portion in molten state, feeding the molten or partly molten material and optionally other desired solid raw materials to a granulator to obtain a granulated product, and cooling and optionally screening the granulated product to obtain dry compound fertilizer granules having a desired size distribution, provided that no water or aqueous liquid is introduced into the process.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of non-maltogenic exoamylases of retarding the detrimental retrogradation of starch. Furthermore, the invention relates to a novel non-maltogenic exoamylase from Bacillus Clausii.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for obtaining food products with reduced post-fermentation acidification, by fermenting mixtures of soy milk and either grain meal or almond milk with Streptococcus thermophilus and, optionally, other lactic acid bacteria.

Abstract: A process for preparing an oat-based functional syrup. The process includes milling an oat material to produce a base formulation. Material having a granulation of more than U.S. #100 mesh is separated from the base formulation. The base formulation is then blended with water to form a slurry. Effective amounts of alpha-amylase enzyme and glucoamylase enzyme are mixed into the slurry. The slurry is then cooked to convert the slurry into a syrup. The syrup is substantially flavorless.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for making a bread product. The process includes the addition of a non-maltogenic exoamylase that hydrolyses starch to a starch medium, and the application of heat to the starch medium. The non-maltogenic exomylase cleaves one or more linear malto-oligosaccharides, predominantly consisting of from four to eight D-glucopyranosyl units, from non-reducing ends of amylopectin side chains. The non-maltogenic exoamylase has an endoamylase activity of less than 0.5 endoamylase units (EAU) per unit of exoamylase activity.

Abstract: Dough useful for the preparation of dry bakery products, particulary crackers, is prepared by the addition to the dough of a bakery ingredient prepared by fermentation of cereal germs with lactic acid producing bacteria. The fermentation is preferably carried out with Lactobacilli, such as Lactobacillus plantarum. During the fermentation yeast and/or enzymes such as proteases and carbohydrases may be added to the fermentation mixture. After fermentation, the mixture is preferably concentrated or converted into a dry product which can be easily shipped, stored and handled. The bakery ingredient leads to a simplified and shorter process for preparing dry cereal products and improved product properties. For cracker manufacture, the traditional sponge step can be omitted.

Abstract: A fast, effective, and economical process of obtaining high contents of bound-phenolic acid rich dietary fibre from cereal malts in time duration ranging between 36-48 hours by step-wise increase in temperature by about 8-12° C. for every 10-14 hours of incubation, thereby activating in situ amylases, with net temperature during incubation ranging between 43-77° C., with said stepwise increase in temperature helping to overcome the need of using exogenous enzymes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for preparing resistant starch, the resistant starch obtainable from this process and use thereof.

Abstract: An enzyme resistant starch type III which has a melting point or endothermic peak of at least about 140° C. as determined by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) is produced in yields of at least about 25% by weight, based upon the weight of the original starch ingredient. A gelatinization stage, nucleation/propagation stage, and preferably a heat-treatment stage are used to produce reduced calorie starch-based compositions which contain the enzyme resistant starch type III. The high melting point of the enzyme resistant starch permits its use in baked good formulations without substantial loss of enzyme resistance upon baking. Agelatinezed, starch-based bulking agent having at least 30% by weight of the enzyme-resistant starch may be used in bar-type, extruded, sheeted, or rotary molded food products. The melting enthalypy of the bulking agent may be from about 0.5 to about 4 Joules/g and its water-holding capacity may be less than 3 grams.

Abstract: A method for producing, from an oats flour fraction, a water soluble &bgr;-glucan composition having a high &bgr;-glucan/glucose weight ratio, preferably a ratio of 15:1 or more, involves the use of &bgr;-amylase in an amount sufficient to transform more than 50% by weight, preferably more than 65% by weight, of the starch contained in the oats flour fraction to maltose. The enzymes pullulanase and/or protease may be used in combination with &bgr;-amylase. Also disclosed are corresponding compositions which may be further processed, as well as food products provided with them.

Abstract: A plant and a process for crushing and mash production is provided wherein the raw material to be processed is broken up and mashed in a mill system. Prior to the mill system (1) being filled with the material (6) to be crushed the mill system is filled with an inert gas from a gas reservoir (13) so that the atmospheric oxygen in the mill system (1) is substantially displaced. After the mill system (1) has been filled, the latter is sealed in substantially gas-tight manner and the raw material (6) is ground and mashed in, subject to exclusion of atmospheric oxygen.

Abstract: This invention is a new type of fermented drink (food) made with effective microorganisms and its method of production. The drink is produced through fermentation by adding effective microorganisms including lactobacillus plantarum and saccharomyces cerevisiae to the heated culture extract of malt, rice bran, seaweeds, purified glucose and yeast extracts. This drink (product) contains many vitalizing ingredients including natural antioxidants, octacosanol and &bgr;-glucan.

Abstract: The present invention provides a composition for the improvement of the quality of a flour-baked composition such as bread and sponge cake, which comprises, (a) 0.005 to 2 parts by weight of a cereal protein partial decomposition product having a weight average molecular weight (Mw) of about 5,000 to about 90,000, and (b) 1 to 1,500 units of at least one enzyme selected from an amylase, a lipase, and ascorbate oxidase. The present invention also provides the method for improving the quality of a flour-baked composition, quality improved dough using the same, and quality improved baked composition using the same.

Abstract: A process for obtaining &bgr;-glucan from cereal by extracting with water and without deactivation of enzymes associated with the cereal. A process for controlling the average molecular weight of &bgr;-glucan extracted from cereal by controlling the extraction time. A process for recovering &bgr;-glucan from an aqueous solution of &bgr;-glucan comprising freezing the solution, allowing the solution to thaw and separating solids from the resultant suspension. A &bgr;-glucan produced by any of these processes. A &bgr;-glucan which forms a gel when a heated solution of the &bgr;-glucan cools. The use of &bgr;-glucan in treating various health disorders, as an additive in cosmetics and foods, and as a film forming agent. A cereal from which &bgr;-glucan has been extracted for use as animal feed or in brewing processes.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for hygienically preparing dried peppers by continuously sterilizing and drying fresh peppers are provided. The method includes: screening fresh peppers, removing the stems of the peppers, and aging the peppers; washing the peppers to remove foreign materials and pesticide residue from the surfaces of the peppers; optionally sterilizing the surfaces of the washed peppers using a chemical sterilant solution; cutting and separating seeds from the washed or sterilized peppers; sterilizing the cut peppers using a chemical sterilant solution and/or high-temperature and high-pressure steam; drying the sterilized peppers by hot air or freeze-drying; and grinding the dried peppers into a product. The preparation method includes repeated sterilization and drying processes so that a sanitary problem common to dried peppers can be solved.

Abstract: A method for producing elastic and glutinous noodles is provided that includes adding transglutaminase and either gliadin or glutenin to cereal. The noodles keep their original elasticity and glutinosity for a long period of time, even after having been boiled and acid-processed or retorted. A composition and a dough mixture that include transglutaminase and gliadin or glutenin are also described.

Abstract: A process for forming a syrup product that is suitable for use as a non-dairy frozen confection. The non-dairy frozen confection exhibits selected sweetness, texture, and mouthfeel characteristics while being devoid of exogenous sweeteners, stabilizers, emulsifiers, and proteins. The process includes blending a base formulation and water to form a slurry, the base formulation having a major amount of an oat material or waxy barley hybrid flour. The process also includes liquefying and saccharifying the slurry to produce the syrup product.

Abstract: A method of stabilizing a useful protein by mixing a useful protein and an aqueous solution of a compound having the basic structure of arabic acid, and a stabilizied useful protein compositon containing a useful protein and a compound having the basic structure of arabic acid; gum arabic is preferred as a compound having the basic structure of arabic acid, and examples of a useful protein include cytokine and interferon; and a production method for canine interferon-&ggr; and stabilization thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel baked goods having incorporated therein a delivery vehicle that provides protection to an alpha-amylase enzyme from thermal denaturation and continuously releases the alpha-amylase enzyme during, and following the baking process. Essentially, dry, food-grade alpha-amylase particles are mixed with a food grade lipid in a quantity sufficient to envelop the alpha-amylase particles thereby forming a loaded delivery vehicle or enveloped alpha-amylase. The enveloped alpha-amylase is subsequently added to a dough comprising flour, water, and other dough forming ingredients near the end of the mix cycle. Once the enveloped alpha-amylase is incorporated, the dough continues through the normal production process for that particular baked product. The food grade lipid enveloping the alpha-amylase provides thermal protection to the enzyme. No other production or packaging modifications need be made.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for preparing a dough or a baked product from the dough which process involves incorporating into the dough an anti-staling amylase and a phospholipase. The bread made by the combined use of an anti-staling amylase and a phospholipase has improved softness, both when eaten on the same day and when stored for several days after baking. There is no significant change in the taste or smell of the baked product.

Abstract: An enzyme resistant starch type III which has a melting point or endothermic peak of at least about 140° C. as determined by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) is produced in yields of at least about 25% by weight, based upon the weight of the original starch ingredient. A gelatinization stage, nucleation/propagation stage, and preferably a heat-treatment stage are used to produce reduced calorie starch-based compositions which contain the enzyme resistant starch type III. The enzyme resistant starch is produced using crystal nucleation and propagation temperatures which avoid substantial production of lower melting amylopectin crystals, lower melting amylose crystals, and lower melting amylose-lipid complexes. The nucleating temperature used is above the melting point of amylopectin crystals. The propagating temperature used is above the melting point of any amylose-lipid complexes but below the melting point of the enzyme resistant starch.

Abstract: A process for preparing an oat-based functional syrup. The process includes milling an oat material to produce a base formulation. Material having a granulation of more than U.S. #100 mesh is separated from the base formulation. The base formulation is then blended with water to form a slurry. Effective amounts of alpha-amylase enzyme and glucoamylase enzyme are mixed into the slurry. The slurry is then cooked to convert the slurry into a syrup. The syrup is substantially flavorless.

Abstract: The present invention has for its object to provide a method for obtaining a barley malt oil abundantly containing ceramide derivatives of plant origin which is highly safe and gives a good image as a material in an efficient, simple and easy manner as well as to provide a barley malt oil which is obtained by such method above and is enriched in highly safe ceramide derivatives. The present invention provides a method for producing barley malt oil containing ceramide derivatives, comprising the steps of: dipping spent grains obtained in a process of beer production in a polar organic solvent as a dipping solution, separating an extract liquid from the dipping solution, and concentrating the extract liquid and also provides a barley malt oil containing ceramide derivatives obtainable by dipping spent grains obtained in a process of beer production in a polar organic solvent, separating an extract liquid from the resulting solution, and concentrating the extract liquid.

Abstract: A process for the production of a fermenting material which includes the steps of forming a dough by adding water to a dried gluten in an amount of from at least 19% to 60% by weight, pelletizing the dough to form pellets, and sterilizing the pellets by steam treatment. The gluten may be rice gluten, corn gluten, wheat gluten or combinations thereof. Also, a fermenting material obtained by this process. This fermenting material can be inoculated with a microorganism and fermented to form a fermention product that can be used as a food sauce, flavoring or seasoning additive.

Abstract: A process is provided for the production of a novel carbonated alcoholic beverage having a characteristic flavor. A mixture of malt and an amylaceous raw material is added with a koji which has been prepared using a mold selected from the group consisting of yellow Aspergillus and white Aspergillus. The mixture is then saccharified by the koji to obtain a saccharified malt liquor. An output from production of an alcoholic beverage, which is of a type different from the saccharified malt liquor, is incorporated in the saccharified malt liquor. Prior to the incorporation of the output in the saccharified malt liquor, a hop flavor can be added to the saccharified malt liquor by adding hops to the saccharified malt liquor and heating the hops and the saccharified malt liquor.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the production of baked goods from cereal products with use of enzymes, with the aim of preventing the baked goods from going stale. To this effect, a Thermoactinomyces vulgaris alpha amylase is added, which makes possible targeted partial hydrolysis of the starch, and in the process prevents its retrogradation to a large extent, and is simultaneously deactivated by the baking process.

Abstract: Proces for the preparation of malted cereals, wherein the steeping step includes one or more wetting stages at a temperature and 30° C. preferably between 10 and 20° C., until the material has a moisture content between 20 and 60% by weight, preferably between 38 and 47%, wherein aftr a germination period between 2 and 7 days, preferably between 3 to 6 days at a temperature between 10 and 30° C., preferably between 14 and 18° C., the steeped and germinated cereals are preferably kilned by increasing the temperature to values between 40 and 150° C. until the material has a moisture content between 2 and 15% by weight, and wherein one or more microbial cultures selected from the group consisting of one or more bacteria and/or one of more activated spores are added in one or more times during the process.

Abstract: The invention relates to specific bacterium and proteins with xylanase activity derived from the bacteria, in particular to xylanases which are free of any significant cellulase activity and which are active at high temperature and at neutral to alkaline pH. Xylanases having these characteristics are particularly useful in the bleaching of wood pulps, such as kraft pulps. The preferred bacterium designated B230 was isolated from white-rotted kerri wood in Western Australia; a sample of which has been deposited under the provision of the Budapest Treaty in the Australian Government Analytical Laboratories under the accession number N94/41262. This preferred bacterium is a gram positive, obligatively aerobic, rod-shaped with a centrally-located spore and has the taxomonic characteristics of Bacillus subtilis (by VITEK method).

Abstract: Film forming colloidal dispersions containing gluten-derived proteins and peptides and their methods of manufacture are described. The colloidal dispersion can be coated onto a variety of substrates to provide a glossy sheen to the substrate. The colloidal dispersions can function as an adhesive for adhering particles onto the substrate. Foods coated with the colloidal dispersion are also described.

Abstract: The present invention provides efficient, selective and economical methods for producing cereal suspensions having the aroma and/or flavor of natural cereals and for modifying the viscosity and/or sugar kind of cereal suspensions. The methods include treating a cereal substrate suspension with an enzyme preparation which comprises at least one hydrolase having the ability to hydrolyze &agr;-glycosidic bonds and having no glucanase and proteinase effect. The hydrolase may be selected from the group consisting of &bgr;-amylase, &agr;-amylase, amyloglucosidase and pullulanase, with the proviso that when the enzyme preparation comprises &bgr;-amylase or (&agr;-amylase there is always a mixture of at least one other of the &agr;-glycosidic hydrolases. In addition to the above-identified hydrolases, the enzyme preparations of the present invention may further comprise an isomerase, such as glucose isomerase.

Abstract: A quality improver for producing bread, comprising at least one component (i) selected from malt, rice fermentation product, and wheat fermentation product and (ii) biotin. Preferably it further contains mevalonolactone and/or mevalonic acid or a lactic acid fermentation product of soy bean. A seed dough is obtained by kneading cereal powder, yeast, and the quality improver for producing bread and subjecting the mixture to primary fermentation. The bread has a sufficient volume, a good shape, a soft feeling upon eating, a good flavor (fragrance and taste), excellent storage stability and contains vitamins, proteins and minerals abundantly. The seed dough containing the quality improver can be circulated.

Abstract: A method for producing a food product of wheat includes the step of adding a bacillus lactase enzyme having activity for transferring sugar to lipid to raw material of wheat, where the food product of wheat produced by the method maintains its freshness for a longer period of time than a food product of wheat produced by a method including no step of adding the enzyme to the material.

Abstract: Film forming colloidal dispersions containing gluten-derived proteins and peptides and their methods of manufacture are described. The colloidal dispersion can be coated onto a variety of substrates to provide a glossy sheen to the substrate. The colloidal dispersions can function as an adhesive for adhering particles onto the substrate. Foods coated with the colloidal dispersion are also described.

Abstract: An acidic fruit or vegetable beverage having improved nutritional value. The beverage includes the addition of natural fiber, glucans and a flavoring agent to the beverage. The glucans are substantially derived from a natural grain, such as oats. The flavoring agent includes vanilla flavoring. The vanilla flavoring may be natural vanilla and/or artificial vanilla. The pH of said beverage is typically 3.7-7. The glucans are present in the beverages in amounts up to 5 gram per liter and the glucans contain a substantial amount of water soluble &bgr;-glucans. The beverage is typically a ready-to-drink beverage.

Abstract: Flavoring agent obtained by a process in which seeds of an edible plant are germinated, the sprouts obtained are matured under the effect of their endogenous enzymes, an optional fermentation of these sprouts is envisaged with at least one microorganism, the enzymes and/or microorganism are inactivated and all or part of the matured and/or fermented sprouts is recovered, and use of this flavoring agent as raw material for the preparation of products of the Maillard reaction, alone or mixed with other materials rich in flavor precursors and/or enhancers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a buckwheat starch syrup prepared by liquefying, saccharisfying, and proteolyzing starch from buckwheat flour, a method for preparing the buckwheat starch syrup, and various foods containing the same. The buckwheat starch syrup of the present invention contains various amino acids and minerals, as well as rutin which is effective in preventing arteriosclerosis, and hence it is healthy and excellent in nutritive balance. Thus, the buckwheat starch syrup of the present invention can be suitably used in various foods.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of nutritionally valuable products from cereals by means of an enzymatic degradation of the starch present in the cereals is provided. Gelatinization and degradation of the starch to soluble dextrines and their continued degradation to more simple oligosaccharides is carried out in a single step. Additionally, a plant for carrying out the process is provided.

Abstract: Bread products are prepared by treating a starch material in water with a carbohydrase so that the carbohydrase liquefies the starch material and so that starch of the starch material is gelatinized, combining the product of the treatment with water, a starch material, a vegetable oil and lecithin so that an emulsion is obtained, heating the emulsion to gelatinize starch material and to stabilize the emulsion, drying the emulsion to obtain a powder and combining the powder with wheat flour, sugar, raising agent and water ingredients to obtain a dough, and thereafter, the dough may be stored at a temperature of from -40.degree. C. to +10.degree. C., or the dough may be baked and the baked product also may be stored at a temperature of from -40.degree. C. to +10.degree. C.

Abstract: An acidic fruit or vegetable beverage having improved nutritional value. The beverage includes the addition of natural fiber, glucans and a flavoring agent to the beverage. The glucans are substantially derived from a natural grain, such as oats. The flavoring agent includes vanilla flavoring. The vanilla flavoring may be natural vanilla and/or artificial vanilla. The pH of said beverage is typically 3.7-7. The glucans are present in the beverages in amounts up to 5 gram per liter and the glucans contain a substantial amount of water soluble .beta.-glucans. The beverage is typically a ready-to-drink beverage.

Abstract: A hydrolyzed cereal product containing honey or whole fruit or pieces of fruit is obtained by preparing a mixture of cereal flour and alpha-amylase and also honey or fruit, the fruit being whole or in pieces, passing a stream of the mixture through an assembly so that the mixture is treated successively by jets of steam which are injected to envelope the mixture stream to heat the stream first to hydrolyze starch of the cereal flour and so that after the first steam-treatment, wherein the steam jet may be directed to the mixture stream co- or counter-currently, the subsequent successive steam jet or jets are directed to the hydrolyzed product stream counter-currently. Apparatus for carrying out the process includes two nozzles which have conically-shaped ends positioned to form a channel which communicates which a steam-supply passage of a T-shaped body.

Abstract: An enzyme resistant starch type III which has a melting point or endothermic peak of at least about 140.degree. C. as determined by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) is produced in yields of at least about 25% by weight, based upon the weight of the original starch ingredient. A gelatinization stage, nucleation/propagation stage, and preferably a heat-treatment stage are used to produce reduced calorie starch-based compositions which contain the enzyme resistant starch type III. The enzyme resistant starch is produced using crystal nucleation and propagation temperatures which avoid substantial production of lower melting amylopectin crystals, lower melting amylose crystals, and lower melting amylose-lipid complexes. The nucleating temperature used is above the melting point of amylopectin crystals. The propagating temperature used is above the melting point of any amylose-lipid complexes but below the melting point of the enzyme resistant starch.

Abstract: Soil microorganisms are obtained that produce a hemicellulase which is particularly useful in increasing the available energy content of hemicellulosic foodstuffs. These microorganisms can be cultured per se or can be used as sources of genetic information with which to engineer other microorganisms to produce the enzyme. Thus, commercially useful quantities of native or recombinant hemicellulase can be produced with cultures consisting essentially of microorganisms that produce the enzyme. The hemicellulase can then be employed in a feed composition containing complex carbohydrates which the enzyme degrades, enhancing the nutritional value of the composition.