Abstract: The present invention provides for compositions comprising poly N-vinyl pyrrolidone (PVPP) with improved capability to remove polyphenols, methods of producing and using the same. Producing the PVPP with improved capability to remove polyphenols may comprise adding a quantity of hydrogen peroxide to a composition comprising the PVPP, mixing the hydrogen peroxide and the composition comprising the PVPP and removing from the mixture, the PVPP with improved capability to remove polyphenols. The PVPP with improved capability to remove polyphenols may be useful for reducing the formation of colloidal haze in beverages such as beer.

Abstract: A method and article for removing a selected metal-ion from a solution. The method included providing a container for holding a liquid, the container having an internal surface having a metal-ion sequestering agent provided on at least a portion of the internal surface for removing a designated metal-ions from the liquid; filling the container with the liquid in an open environment; closing the container with the liquid contained therein; and shipping the container for use of the liquid without any further processing of the container containing the liquid.

Abstract: A filter aid for use in connection with the filtration of liquids is provided. In particular, a filter useful in connection with the filtration of beer is provided. In addition, a method of filtering liquids is provided. According to the method, a filter aid comprising angular, isotropic particles is introduced to a liquid before the liquid is passed through a filter. In particular, a method for filtering beer comprising the introduction of angular, isotropic particles as a filter aid to a stream of unfiltered beer such that a filtration cake comprising filter aid and solids filtered from the beer is formed.

Abstract: A process is provided for the recovery of useful products, including fertilizers and nutritional supplements, from the organic matter and minerals contained in seawater and other brines. The dissolved organic carbon-based chemicals and suspended particulate carbon-based organic matter are co-precipitated together with the contained magnesium and/or calcium, along with incidental trace minerals, entrained water and water of hydration. An alkali base and/or alkaline earth base are added to the brine until a pH of 10.75 to 11.0 is achieved. The settled or non-dry filtered or centrifuged precipitate is utilized as a slurry and the supernatant brine is discarded.

Abstract: A fluid container and method for inhibiting the growth of microbes in liquid nutrient in a container, the container having an interior surface having a metal-ion sequestering agent for removing a designated metal ion from the liquid nutrient for inhibiting growth of microbes in the liquid nutrient.

Abstract: A process for treating a composition comprising one or more undesired compounds and one or more desired compounds so as to reduce the concentration of the one or more undesired compounds is described. The process comprises the steps of (1) contacting the composition with a solid adsorbent, (2) eluting the solid adsorbent on which the composition is retained with an extraction solvent comprising a (hydro)fluorocarbon, and (3) collecting a solvent eluate containing a composition having a reduced concentration of the undesired compounds from the solid adsorbent. The process is particularly suited to reducing the terpene content of an essential oil.

Abstract: A silica xerogel, a process for making it, and a process for using it to reduce chill haze in beer includes incorporation in the xerogel of one or more alkali metals, optionally in combination with one or more alkaline earth metals. The pH of the xerogel is between 8.0 and 10.5, preferably between 8.5 and 10.0.

Abstract: Soy derived materials such as soy milk, soy flour, soy concentrates, and soy protein isolates, are deflavored by adjusting the pH of an aqueous composition of such soy derived materials using membrane electrodialysis to a pH of about 9 to about 12 to solubilize the soy proteins and to release the flavoring compounds and thereafter passing the pH-adjusted composition to an ultrafiltration membrane having a molecular weight cutoff up to about 50,000 Daltons under conditions at which the flavoring compounds pass through the membrane, leaving the retained soy material with improved flavor.

Abstract: Relatively low molecular weight components which contribute undesirable flavor, odor, appearance, functionality, and/or other characteristics to soy protein materials may be removed, in accordance with the present invention, by treating the materials with a size exclusion resin selective for removal of the low molecular weight components.

Abstract: The method of separating reversibly thermally precipitable oligomeric N-substituted (meth)acrylamides and conjugates thereof from aqueous solution includes thermally precipitating the oligomeric N-substituted (meth)acrylamides and the conjugates thereof from an aqueous solution in the presence of at least one salt and then filtering in the presence of at least one filter aid. The filter aid has a wet density of 0.2–0.3 g/cc and comprises?99% cellulose with fiber lengths<75 ?m (99%) and=?m (65%). The salt can be a potassium, sodium, ammonium, calcium and/or magnesium chloride, acetate and/or sulfate salt and can be present in the aqueous solution in a concentration between 0.01 M and 3 M.

Abstract: A premix composition for clarifying beverages like beer includes, by weight, (a) about 40 to 90%, preferably 60–85%, of silica xerogel having less than 10% water therein, preferably 5% or less, and a particle size, as defined by its mean volume average diameter MV, in both the dry state and as a 10% aqueous slurry, of less than 50?, preferably about 5–30?, and (b) about 10 to 60%, preferably 15–40%, of crosslinked polyvinylpyrrolidone having a particle size as defined, in the dry state, of about 10 to 50?, and about 30–60? in a 10% aqueous slurry, and a process of obtaining, chill-haze stabilized beer with substantial reduction in high molecular weight proteins, as well as polyphenols, flavanoids and tannins, in an efficient and effective single-step process at a rapid filter-flow rate, with undetectable residual soluble plyvinylpyrrolidone thereafter, and no microbiological growth in the premix, effective haze stability after time, and advantageous redispersibility of the premix used in the process.

Abstract: Soy-containing fermented products, especially soy-containing yogurts, beverage, as well as methods for producing such products, are provided. The soy-containing fermented products are prepared using deflavored soy protein material, preferably deflavored soy milk.

Abstract: Whey protein materials such as whey from cheese making processes, whey protein concentrates, and whey protein isolates, are deflavored by adjusting the pH of an aqueous composition of such whey protein materials to about 8 to about 12 to solubilize the whey proteins and to release the flavoring compounds and thereafter passing the pH-adjusted composition to an ultrafiltration membrane having a molecular weight cutoff up to about 50,000 Daltons under conditions at which the flavoring compounds pass through the membrane, leaving the retained whey protein material with improved flavor.

Abstract: Soy derived materials such as soy milk, soy flour, soy concentrates, and soy protein isolates, are deflavored by adjusting the pH of an aqueous composition of such soy derived materials to about 9 to about 12 to solubilize the soy proteins and to release the flavoring compounds and thereafter passing the pH-adjusted composition to an ultrafiltration membrane having a molecular weight cutoff up to about 50,000 Daltons under conditions at which the flavoring compounds pass through the membrane, leaving the retained soy material with improved flavor.

Abstract: Soy-containing beverage comprising an aqueous liquid containing deflavored soy protein material are provided. Especially preferred beverage include flavored soymilk beverage and soymilk smoothies.

Abstract: A concentrated vegetable and/or fruit product is obtained by reverse osmosis by a method of first preparing a vegetable and/or fruit product including seeds, epidermis and/or sarcocarp as a solid component, causing it to flow down under a pressured condition to a concentration unit having an inlet, an outlet and tubular membrane modules connected in series such that it is supplied to the tubular membrane modules through a single-axis eccentric screw pump attached to the inlet and discharging a concentrated product from the tubular membrane modules through another single-axis eccentric screw pump which is attached to the outlet.

Abstract: A filter aid for use in connection with the filtration of liquids is provided. In particular, a filter useful in connection with the filtration of beer is provided. In addition, a method of filtering liquids is provided. According to the method, a filter aid comprising angular, isotropic particles is introduced to a liquid before the liquid is passed through a filter. In particular, a method for filtering beer comprising the introduction of angular, isotropic particles as a filter aid to a stream of unfiltered beer such that a filtration cake comprising filter aid and solids filtered from the beer is formed.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for producing a lactose-free milk which does not confer a sweet taste to the milk normally resulting from the hydrolysis of lactose into monosaccharides. The process comprises the step of reducing the lactose content of the milk to about 3% prior to hydrolysis with lactase. When the milk is skimmed milk, the protein content may be increased to about 3.8-4.0% or greater, which further improves the organoleptic properties of the milk. Milk so processed and dairy products derived therefrom are also disclosed and claimed.

Abstract: The invention concerns the use of an oyster enzymatic hydrolysate for preparing a composition eliminating free radicals. The invention is characterized in that said hydrolysate is obtainable by hydrolysis of oyster flesh by a protease. The invention is applicable in therapy, dietetics and cosmetology.

Abstract: A method for processing vegetable oil miscella is provided. The method includes steps of feeding vegetable oil miscella to a conditioned polymeric microfiltration membrane, and recovering a permeate stream having a decreased weight percent of phospholipids compared with the weight percent of phospholipids provided in the miscella. The retentate stream can be further processed for the recovery of lecithin. The polymeric microfiltration membrane can be conditioned for the selective separation of phospholipids in the miscella. A method for conditioning a membrane for selective separation of phospholipids from vegetable oil miscella, and the resulting membrane, are provided. The membrane which can be conditioned can be characterized as having an average pore size of between about 0.1&mgr; and about 2&mgr;.

Abstract: Soy derived materials such as soy milk, soy flour, soy concentrates and soy protein isolates, are deflavored by adjusting the pH of an aqueous composition of such soy derived materials to about 9 to 12 to solubilize the soy proteins and to release the flavoring compounds and thereafter passing the pH-adjusted composition to an ultrafiltration membrane having a molecular weight cutoff up to about 50,000 Daltons under conditions at which the flavoring compounds pass through the membrane, leaving the retained soy material with improved flavor.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for separation of milk and milk products, e.g., involving sequential separation of milk, clostrum, and whey components by cross-flow filtration. The apparatus and method in a preferred aspect employ cross-flow filtration, chromatography and fermentation to separate and fully utilize the components of milk, clostrum, and whey to generate numerous individual components, minimize waste, lower adverse environmental issues and provide enhanced economic benefits to dairy producers. A wide variety of consumer and nutraceutical products can be produced from the fractions and/or sub-fractions of milk products obtained from such separation. The invention further contemplates a methodology for selecting optimum membrane, device, and operating conditions to achieve a desired separation.

Abstract: A novel method is described for selectively precipitating casein fractions from skimmed milk or caseinates by the addition of calcium salt at alkaline pH. In particular, the invention describes a process with allows casein to be fractionated to yield two fractions of &agr;s-casein and &bgr;-casein and, for the first time, preparation of material highly enriched in &kgr;-casein. The &kgr;-casein can be further processed to manufacture pure CMP, which can be used as nutrition for sufferers of the metabolic disease phenyalketonuria.

Abstract: A low pulp beverage is made by passing a feed juice through a filter aid to form a retentate and a filtrate. The filtrate has from between 0.01% to about 2% solids by volume. Substantial portions of the solids are particles sized from between 30 to about 200 microns, and the low pulp beverage has a cloud stable for at least 15 days.

Abstract: The deacidification of citrus juice with ion exchange resin is described. Maintaining a high acid condition of the juice is achieved by passing the juice through regenerated resin that is preconditioned with an aqueous food-grade acid, preferably citric acid. Additionally or optionally, an early bed volume or multiple early bed volumes of juice flow are at a rapid flow rate. The products obtained also are described, and they may be any deacidified citrus juice or juice blend where the pH of the juice does not rise above that of an acid food pH for the juice during deacidification. In preferred embodiments, the juice product is orange juice. In another preferred embodiment, the conditioning process is used to provide a deacidified citrus juice product while avoiding raising the pH of any portion of the juice to 4.6 or above so as to control microbial growth of the juice.

Abstract: Soy-containing cheese products as well as methods for producing such products, are provided. The soy-containing cheese products are prepared using deflavored soy protein material.

Abstract: Soy derived materials such as soy milk, soy flour, soy concentrates and soy protein isolates, are deflavored by adjusting the pH of an aqueous composition of such soy derived materials to about 9 to 12 to solubilize the soy proteins and to release the flavoring compounds and thereafter passing the pH-adjusted composition to an ultrafiltration membrane having a molecular weight cutoff up to about 50,000 Daltons under conditions at which the flavoring compounds pass through the membrane, leaving the retained soy material with improved flavor.

Abstract: Juice is concentrated by passing a feed juice over a reverse osmosis membrane to form a retentate. The retentate is recirculated over the membrane until the feed juice and the retentate reach from between 20° Brix to about 25° Brix to form a juice concentrate.

Abstract: Soy-containing dough-based and baked product containing deflavored soy protein material are provided. Soy-containing baked products such as pizza crusts, cookies, crackers, and cereals are especially preferred.

Abstract: Whey protein materials such as whey from cheese making processes, whey protein concentrates, and whey protein isolates, are deflavored by adjusting the pH of an aqueous composition of such whey protein materials to about 8 to about 12 to solubilize the whey proteins and to release the flavoring compounds and thereafter passing the pH-adjusted composition to an ultrafiltration membrane having a molecular weight cutoff up to about 50,000 Daltons under conditions at which the flavoring compounds pass through the membrane, leaving the retained whey protein material with improved flavor.

Abstract: Soy-containing meat or meat analog products as well as methods for producing such products, are provided. The soy-containing meat or meat analog products are prepared using deflavored soy protein material.

Abstract: Method for the removal of particulate matter from aqueous suspension comprising steps of establishing value of pH and of Zeta potential of particles in the suspension; providing a porous filter having a membrane layer consisting of at least a metal-oxide with a Zeta potential at the pH value of the suspension having same polarity of the Zeta potential as the particles in the suspension; passing the suspension through the porous filter; and withdrawing a filtrate.

Abstract: The use is described of particulate, water-insoluble and scarcely swellable polymers of ethylenically unsaturated monomers, which polymers contain, copolymerized, at least 20% by weight, based on the total weight of the monomers, of at least one &agr;,&bgr;-monoethylenically unsaturated monocarboxylic acid having from 3 to 6 carbons as filter aid for filtering aqueous liquids. Subject-matter of the invention are also water-insoluble, scarcely swellable polymers (popcorn polymers) that contain, copolymerized, &agr;,&bgr;-monoethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acids and styrene or styrene derivatives, and also a process for their preparation.

Abstract: A milk calcium composition which is highly dispersible and tasty can be obtained by adjusting the pH of a permeate containing lactic acid and lactic acid ion, which was obtained by treating whey with a UF membrane or NF membrane, to recover milk calcium as a slurry-like precipitate and then admixing this milk calcium with milk proteins.

Abstract: A process for producing an aged beverage, preferably a distilled spirit that is aged in contact with wood, in which raw or partially aged beverage is processed in a closed system with controlled heat and oxygen levels, and in contact with a beverage aging wood product. In certain embodiments ethyl acetate is added to the raw beverage prior to the aging process.

Abstract: A premix composition for clarifying beverages like beer includes, by weight, (a) about 40 to 90%, preferably 60-85%, of silica xerogel having less than 10% water therein, preferably 5% or less, and a particle size, as defined by its mean volume average diameter MV, in both the dry state and as a 10% aqueous slurry, of less than 50&mgr;, preferably about 5-30&mgr;, and (b) about 10 to 60%, preferably 15-40%, of crosslinked polyvinylpyrrolidone having a particle size as defined, in the dry state, of about 10 to 50&mgr;, and about 30-60&mgr;in a 10% aqueous slurry, and a process of obtaining, chill-haze stabilized beer with substantial reduction in high molecular weight proteins, as well as polyphenols, flavanoids and tannins, in an efficient and effective single-step process at a rapid filter-flow rate, with undetectable residual soluble plyvinylpyrrolidone thereafter, and no microbiological growth in the premix, effective haze stability after time, and advantageous redispersibility of the premix used in the pr

Abstract: An alcoholic beverage, such as rum, is aged in a non permeable metal container containing suspended wooden staves. During the aging process oxygen is injected into the aging beverage, so as to maintain a preselected dissolved oxygen concentration in the beverage, preferably in the range of 7.25 and 8.2 milligrams of oxygen per liter of beverage.

Abstract: The invention deals with a process for the manufacture of a milk or whey product having a reduced spores and bacteria content, especially for the treatment of milk for the manufacture of standardized consumer milk or cheese milk and skim milk powder or whole milk powder. The invention enables the manufacture of the desired milk product using skim milk having a reduced content of microorganisms (spores and bacteria) relative to the prior art processes. Furthermore, the invention can be applied in connection with the manufacture of whey or pre-concentrated whey having a reduced spores and bacteria content.

Abstract: A plant and method of treating low-fat milk, such as skim milk, so as to obtain with a low content of spores and bacteria, wherein the milk is subject to a first microfiltration causing a separation into a first permeate, the first permeate being subjected to an additional microfiltration. This double microfiltration ensures that the acceptable limits for bacterial counts in milk products are not exceeded in case of a membrane breakdown.

Abstract: An adsorbent removes certain undesirable components from beverages, such as beer, and has a low beverage soluble iron (BSI) content. These undesirable components include contaminants which cause chill haze. The adsorbent includes two components, a silica component and a polyphosphate sequestering agent component, such as sodium tripolyphosphate (STPP). The process for using the adsorbent involves first contacting a beverage with an adsorbent to adsorb at least a portion of the undesirable components then separating the adsorbent from the beverage. The adsorbent may be formed by one of two methods or a combination of both. The first method involves adding the polyphosphate sequestering agent to a reactant, such as a sodium or potassium silicate solution, prior to or during the gelation stage. A second method involves adding the polyphosphate sequestering agent to the water wash after a hydrogel is formed.

Abstract: A process of removing off-flavors and off-odors, such as caused by TCA, from food or beverage products by contacting the food or beverage with one or more aliphatic synthetic polymers so as to sufficiently lower the concentration of the off-flavors and off-odors that they are undetectable by taste or smell.

Abstract: The use of polystyrene-containing popcorn polymers as filter aid and/or stabilizer for filtering or stabilizing aqueous liquids, a process for filtration or stabilization, and novel only slightly swellable popcorn polymers are described.

Abstract: An adsorbent removes certain undesirable components from beverages, such as beer, and has a low beverage soluble iron (BSI) content. These undesirable components include contaminants which cause chill haze. The adsorbent includes two components, a silica component and a polyphosphate sequestering agent component, such as sodium tripolyphosphate (STPP). The process for using the adsorbent involves first contacting a beverage with an adsorbent to adsorb at least a portion of the undesirable components then separating the adsorbent from the beverage. The adsorbent may be formed by one of two methods or a combination of both. The first method involves adding the polyphosphate sequestering agent to a reactant, such as a sodium or potassium silicate solution, prior to or during the gelation stage. A second method involves adding the polyphosphate sequestering agent to the water wash after a hydrogel is formed.

Abstract: In the beer-making process, the wort is treated with a processing aid which is a composite of Carrageenan and polyvinyl polypyrrolidone (PVPP).

Abstract: A process for the preparation of an essentially bacteria-free colostrum by means of microfiltration, which process includes that defatted, natural colostrum (first milk) is poured into a balance tank; subsequently the feeding pump is pumping the concentrate to a booster pump; the booster pump circulates the concentrate across a filter membrane wherein the pressure difference in the membrane rendered filtration of the concentrate possible; the concentrate is flowing across a heating/cooling unit to keep a constant process temperature before the concentrate returns to the booster pump; filtrated colostrum (the filtrate) circulates across the filter membrane to keep a constant transmembrane pressure; the filtrate is drained without pressure loss on the filtrate side of the filter.

Abstract: This invention describes heretofore unknown forms of dihydro (DHIA) and hexahydro (HHIA) isoalpha acids having a high ratio of trans to cis isomers and a process for their production. Also, non-precipitating clear 5, 10, 20% and higher aqueous solutions thereof, since they are soluble at room temperature in soft water. This is due to the high ratio of trans to cis isomers. Unlike prior art essentially all cis isomer products, they remain haze free both at a neutral pH in water and at 1% to 2% and higher concentrations. This invention has the advantage over the prior art in that DHIA and HHIA can be provided as stable, non-separating liquids, at practical concentrations in the range of 5% to about 40%, which do not require heating to about 50° to 90° C. and above with stirring to effect dissolution of precipitates. The high trans products described herein can be admixed with isoalpha- and tetrahydro-isoalpha acids.

Abstract: A method for recovering supercritical extractant, such as supercritical CO2, from a mixture containing the supercritical extractant and a solute is disclosed, which includes contacting the mixture with a molecular sieve membrane at a temperature and a pressure in a critical region of the extractant and near a critical point of the extractant so that a permeate rich in the extractant and a retentate having a enriched concentration of the solute in the extractant are generated. The molecular sieve membrane has a pore size significantly larger than a size of the extractant provided that the pore size is less than and close to sizes of clusters formed of the solute and the extractant at the temperature and the pressure.

Abstract: The invention deals with a process for the manufacture of a milk or whey product having a reduced spores and bacteria content, especially for the treatment of milk for the manufacture of standardized consumer milk or cheese milk and skim milk powder or whole milk powder, as well as a plant for carrying out the process. The invention enables the manufacture of the desired milk product using skim milk having a reduced content of microorganisms (spores and bacteria) relative to the prior art processes. Further more, the invention can be applied in connection with the manufacture of whey or pre-concentrated whey having a reduced spores and bacteria content.

Abstract: An apparatus for concentrating a vegetable and/or fruit product has a concentration unit having a plurality of tubular membrane modules connected in series, a single-axis eccentric screw pump connected to its inlet for supplying the product and another single-axis eccentric screw pump connected to its outlet for discharging the product concentrated by reverse osmosis by the concentration unit. The product is supplied under a high-pressure condition such that the pressure at the inlet is within a specified range, and the apparatus is operated such that the pressure at the outlet is also within another specified range and the pressure difference between the inlet and the outlet be greater than a certain minimum pressure value. By a method of this invention, concentrated vegetable and/or fruit products with solid components approximately in their original forms can be obtained.

Abstract: An adsorbent removes certain undesirable components from beverages, such as beer, and has a low beverage soluble iron (BSI) content. These undesirable components include contaminants which cause chill haze. The adsorbent includes two components, a silica component and a polyphosphate sequestering agent component, such as sodium tripolyphosphate (STPP). The process for using the adsorbent involves first contacting a beverage with an adsorbent to adsorb at least a portion of the undesirable components then separating the adsorbent from the beverage. The adsorbent may be formed by one of two methods or a combination of both. The first method involves adding the polyphosphate sequestering agent to a reactant, such as a sodium or potassium silicate solution, prior to or during the gelation stage. A second method involves adding the polyphosphate sequestering agent to the water wash after a hydrogel is formed.