Abstract: A plant fiber product for use in food products is prepared from straw by cutting and cooking in sodium hydroxide containing liquor, followed by a treatment with ClO.sub.2 in an acid medium, treatment with H.sub.2 O.sub.2 in a basic medium, and again treatment with ClO.sub.2 in an acid medium, said processing steps being carried out for such a period and with such an intensity that substantially all lignin is removed, that the final product is obtained with great whiteness and purity, thereby making the product suitable for the intended purpose.

Abstract: A process for separating sterols from lipids, (e.g. cholesterol from butter fat) using sub or supercritical fluids (such as CO.sub.2) by dissolving the sterol/lipid mixture in a high pressure physiologically acceptable fluid (either as a high pressure liquid or as a high pressure sub or supercritical gas), to form a high pressure fluid mixture, and then contacting the high pressure fluid mixture with an adsorbent material chosen from the group consisting of calcium hydroxide, calcium oxide, calcium carbonate, magnesium carbonate and magnesium hydroxide to selectively adsorb sterols on the adsorbent material, and then removing the substantially sterol free lipids from the high pressure fluid.

Abstract: A non-pungent dijon mustard flavoring has been isolated as a water soluble extract of brown mustard seed bran. This non-pungent dijon mustard flavoring is useful in a variety of foods and, particularly, in mustard pastes containing yellow mustard seed, brown mustard seed, or mixtures thereof, because the addition of the extract to such mustard pastes increases their dijon flavor character without altering pungency. The extract can be isolated by contacting the brown mustard seed bran with water or an aqueous solution and separating the residual bran solids from the extract-containing water. The extract can then be blended with any food product in which a dijon flavoring is desirable. With respect to mustard paste, brown mustard seed bran can alternatively be mixed with the other conventional mustard ingredients (which include water) and ground to withdraw the water soluble bran extract.

Abstract: The present invention contemplates a method for treating oils having undesirable color impurities and an oil bleaching composition suitable for use in this method. The method comprises contacting the oil with the oil bleaching composition for a time period sufficient to reduce the amount of color impurities of the oil. The oil bleaching composition includes a neutral bleaching clay and a chelating polycarboxylic acid. The spent bleaching composition resists spontaneous combustion.

Abstract: A natural fruit flavor extract is produced by preparing an infusion solution and immersing a fruit in the solution for a period of time to infuse the fruit with the solution. The infusion solution is an aqueous solution containing a disaccharide, an edible acid to inhibit non-enzymatic and enzymatic browning, a reducing agent, an anti-microbial agent and a chelating agent to remove trace metal ions. During infusion, the components of the solution infuse the fruit and components from the fruit diffuse into the solution. After infusion, the solution contains comparatively small amounts of the disaccharide, acid and chelating agents and significant portions of the fruit sugars, colors, flavors and pectins from the fruit. The solution is recovered and used as a flavoring or a sweetener without additional treatment, concentrating or supplementing with additional sweeteners, flavors or colors.

Abstract: A process for extracting spices in liquid carbon dioxide in the presence of an alimentarily acceptable cosolvent which does not degrade the flavors of the spices. The process is particularly applicable to the extraction of piperine and aromatic compounds of pepper.

Abstract: A method for producing a coffee extract which comprises: (1) contacting an aqueous mixture of ground roast coffee with steam under pressure at elevated temperatures followed by rapid decompression at atmospheric levels; and (2) treatment of the resulting mixture with a hydrolytic enzyme or with a mixture of hydrolytic enzymes. The coffee extract thus obtained is a concentrated liquid which can be made into a beverage by the addition of water or it may be dried to a soluble solid and reconstituted with water to provide instant coffee.

Abstract: The edible composition having improved water solubility and dispersibility of a useful hydrophobic edible material obtained from an animal or plant natural raw material, improved absorption of the hydrophobic edible material into the body, as well as improved taste and palatability, which comprises the hydrophobic edible material and a water soluble ingredient selected from the group consisting of water soluble low molecular weight peptides, water soluble concentrated extracts and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: An improved process of gum extraction from whole yellow mustard seed is described. The process is time temperature interdependent. In a first step the seed is treated in water, preferably at elevated temperature, the extract is then separated, preferably mechanically, more preferably by a perforated centrifuge, or even more preferably by a slitted centrifuge. The aqueous extract on precipitation and drying gives a gum with pseudoplastic properties similar to those of xanthan gum. The extraction using mechanical separation, especially by a perforated bowl centrifuge, which can be slitted, is suitable for industrial scale extraction of the yellow mustard seed. A centrifuge adapted for juice extraction is suitable. The gum produced under these conditions exhibits unique properties dramatically different from those reported from other previous processes, in both composition and viscosities.

Abstract: A process for enhancing a natural vanilla flavor, comprising; freezing mature green vanilla beans at a temperature between -5.degree. C. and -30.degree. C., thawing the frozen beans, and then extracting the flavor constituents from the beans.

Abstract: A membrane process for producing a juice product with improved quality comprising feeding a single strength juice to a plurality of microfiltration/ultrafiltration stages wherein the first stage is a microfilter having a membrane pore size smaller than the spoilage microorganisms but substantially larger than the flavor and aroma molecules and wherein subsequent stages are ultrafilters having membranes of decreasing pore size.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing durable odorless garlic comprising the steps of deodorizing bulbs of raw garlic by immersing them in a deodorizing solution containing at least one of mesoinositol hexaphosphate and silicic acid sol, and then drying the bulbs of raw garlic until the water content thereof is reduced to 50-65% by weight. The thus treated garlic bulbs can be stored for a long time with no deterioration and putrefaction and without losing germinability.

Abstract: A process for preparing vegetable or fruit juices which utilizes mcrofiltration followed by ultrafiltration and/or reverse osmosis, which can be practiced e.g., without entailing a reduction in filtration rate due to the contamination of the membrane, so that ultrafiltration or reverse osmosis unit can be smaller than the one conventionally used and can be cleaned with greater ease.

Abstract: The present application is directed to a process for producing a processed soybean food having a phosphorus and potassium content reduced by 30% or more. The process comprises heating 1 part by weight of soybean at 70.degree.-150.degree. C. for 1 to 60 minutes in the presence of water, soaking the heated soybean in 5-100 parts by weight of water at a pH of 3 to 6.5 and a temperature of 10.degree.-80.degree. C. for 5 to 36 hours, separating the soybean from the soaking liquor and washing the separated soybean with 1-100 parts by weight of water at a pH of 5 to 9 and a temperature of 10.degree.-80.degree. C. for 10 minutes to 3 hours.

Abstract: Apparatus and method of removing desirable constituents from an infusible material by infusion extraction, where a piston operating in a first chamber draws a solvent into the first chamber where it may be heated, and then moves the heated solvent into a second chamber containing the infusible material, and where infusion extraction takes place. The piston then moves the solvent containing the extract through a filter into the first chamber, leaving the extraction residue in the second chamber.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of extracting natural materials with carbon dioxide, in which the materials are used in the form of pellets of a diameter of 1.5 to 4.0 mm and a length of 1.5 to 10 mm, and of a bulk density of 0.4 to 0.6 kg/l, this method being highly suitable for the carbon dioxide extraction of hop constituents, so that the commonly practiced second grinding becomes unnecessary.

Abstract: A process for producing a natural flavorant, green leaf essence, containing leaf aldehyde, leaf alcohol and at least 10% cis-3-hexenal is disclosed. The process comprises homogenizing strawberry leaves with or without stems attached thereto in water to form a slurry. Prior to homogenization or concurrently therewith, from 1 to 10 mM of linolenic acid is added. The homogenate is then fed to a scraped or wiped surface evaporator and subsequently fractionated and concentrated to form a green leaf essence. The essence may be added to a food product to impart a fresh green fruity flavor and/or enhance the fresh flavor impact of the food product.

Abstract: Low-ethanol wines and other alcoholic beverages are produced by treating ordinary alcoholic beverages with novel membrane extraction methods. Semipermeable membranes and extraction fluids comprised either of a non-toxic, water-immiscible organic solvent or an aqueous solution of a low-molecular-weight but membrane-impermeable solute are used under mild conditions to selectively extract ethanol from alcoholic beverages, while leaving substantially intact the complement of other organic constituents that contribute to the color, aroma, and taste of the beverage. The methods disclosed may be adapted to continuous processing of alcohol-containing beverages, in which an ethanol-rich product is continuously recovered from the organic or aqueous extraction fluid and the latter is continuously regenerated and subsequently recycled to the membrane extraction unit.

Abstract: Legumes and other plants can be dried quickly by contacting them with an aqueous solution of a mixture of carbonates consisting essentially of at least about 20% by weight of sodium sesquicarbonate, at least about 20% by weight of sodium carbonate and at least about 5% by weight of potassium carbonate, all based upon the total dry carbonate weight. The solution desirably is free of undissolved materials.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to improvements in processes and apparatus for effecting solvent extractions using liquefied gas or gases in the supercritical state as the solvents and specifically to continuous processes for carrying out such extractions at high pressures. Further, the present invention relates to an apparatus which is a long vertical cylinder of relatively small diameter, wherein the solvent gas and the material to be extracted are continuously circulated through the long vertical reactor.

Abstract: The invention is a method for the removal of off-flavor from a textured vegetable product by extraction with a gas in the supercritical fluid or liquid state. The method for supercritical fluid extraction of off-flavors comprises the steps of: (a) extracting off-flavors from the textured vegetable product by contacting it with a supercritical fluid gas in a pressurized container; and (b) removing the gas and off-flavors from the textured vegetable product. Liquid extraction comprises the steps of: (a) extracting the off-flavors from the textured vegetable product by contacting it with a liquid gas in a pressurized container; and (b) removing the gas and off-flavors from the textured vegetable product. The temperature and pressure of the gas may be varied to maintain it in the supercritical fluid or liquid state. Carbon dioxide is a preferred gas.

Abstract: Wheat gluten products may be processed to remove their components which cause undesirable flavors and color. The processing can include extraction with an aqueous solution of alcohol, alkali, or mixtures thereof, and can optionally also include ultrafiltration.

Abstract: There is provided a novel procedure for the extraction of a high proportion of the potential bitterness resins from hops by extracting the hops with super critical carbon dioxide at pressures of about 100 to 300 bar temperatures above 100.degree. C.

Abstract: A process for the removal of nitrate and nitrite ions from a plant material containing such ions which comprises treating the plant material at a temperature of at least 70.degree. C. with a food acceptable ferrous salt in an aqueous acid medium having a pH no greater than 3.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for the production of concentrated extracts from fresh plants or parts thereof by extraction with carbon dioxide at supercritical pressure, wherein the extraction is carried out at 0.degree. to 40.degree. C. and the separation of the concentrated extract is carried out at a subcritical temperature and subcritical pressure.

Abstract: An extraction vessel A is charged with a particulate solid, e.g. oilseed, and a transfer liquid, e.g. water, in an amount sufficient to pressurize vessel A to an elevated pressure. Extraction solvent, e.g. carbon dioxide, is introduced, preferably from a storage vessel B, to displace transfer liquid from vessel A. After extraction by the solvent, the latter may be displaced into vessel B by transfer liquid which is preferably stored under pressure in vessel B during the extraction.The extraction solvent is gaseous at ambient conditions but preferably is liquid or a supercritical fluid at the displacement conditions.

Abstract: A process for reducing the cafestol content of coffee oil in which the coffee oil is initially heated, then extracted with an aqueous isopropanol solution, after which the oil layer is separated from the aqueous isopropanol layer.

Abstract: A method is described for drying extracts of natural substances obtained by high-pressure extraction with liquefied gases or gases in the supercritical state; it consists in treating the gas stream that is charged with the extract with a solid drying agent, preferably calcium sulfate, in powder or granular form.

Abstract: A process for producing a mixture of triglycerides displaying butter-like properties by fractionating fats with a liquefied gas or a gas under supercritical conditions. Said mixture of triglycerides predominantly consists of triglycerides with a carbon number ranging from 24 to 42 and can be used as one of the fat components of a margarine fat blend in order to improve its butter-like properties.

Abstract: The sodium content of a food is reduced and the potassium content simultaneously increased by a process wherein an aqueous solution of a sodium-containing food and an aqueous solution containing potassium ions are circulated on opposite sides of a cation exchange membrane for a time and at a rate sufficient to exchange at least a portion of the sodium and potassium ions.

Abstract: Grape pomace is contacted with an aqueous extraction solvent containing HSO.sub.3.sup.- ions to form anthocyanin-(HSO.sub.3) complex. The complex is recovered by treating the liquid extract phase with a non-ionic adsorbent to adsorb the complex. Anthocyanin colorant, free of the HSO.sub.3.sup.- ions is recovered by elution with an acidified organic solvent for anthocyanin. The anthocyanin colorant may be provided in dry form by drying the solvent solution. This process allows us to remove sugars, organic acids, polymerized anthocyanin pigment and other water soluble material, thus providing a highly "colored" monomeric anthocyanin pigment. The anthocyanin colorant produced by this process is at least 10 times more concentrated than that produced by conventional methods and about two times stronger than most of the concentrated pigment.

Abstract: The raw grassy and bitter principles in soybeans are reduced to acceptable levels for purposes of human consumption without significant degradation of the nutritional properties. This result is achieved by a lipid extraction process in which raw soybean material is treated with carbon dioxide under carefully controlled supercritical conditions. Of particular importance are the moisture content of the bean material as well as the pressure, temperature, and contact time of the carbon dioxide extractant.

Abstract: Apparatus for the extraction of fruit and vegetable pressings and plant raw materials in a closed system. The extraction is effected by simultaneous mechanical and hydrodynamic effects on the materials, the fruit or plant mass being subjected to several extractions in two cyclically alternating modes of fountain-type and turbulent agitation with different intensities with bladed agitator tip speeds in an over-all range of 3 to 25 m/sec. The apparatus has a closed heat-insulated vessel with internal draining wall, a conical bottom, a cover having a ventilation opening, and an opening for the raw material, with a driving unit mounted on the cover with two driving speeds. The driving unit is a shaft on the lower end of which there is mounted an impeller, the shaft resting on a special bearing supported on a grid of blades rectifying the material flow, an elongated diffuser surrounding the impeller, the impeller together with a suction unit leading to the diffuser being fixed to the bottom of the vessel.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for extracting mycotoxins from vegetable flours, wherein an organic solvent containing at least one polar group is used conjointly with an aqueous solution of an electrolyte.

Abstract: Locust Bean Pod Powder, Locust Bean Gum Powder and Guar Gum Powder originally having odor and taste characteristics making them unsuitable as food additives, can be made suitable therefor by extraction with gases at supercritical temperatures.

Abstract: Method for the extraction of fruit and vegetable pressings and plant raw materials in a closed system. The extraction is effected by simultaneous mechanical and hydrodynamic effects on the materials, the fruit or plant mass being subjected to several extractions in two cyclically alternating modes of fountain-type and turbulent agitation with different intensities with bladed agitator tip speeds in an over-all range of 3 to 25 m/sec. The apparatus disclosed for practicing the method has a closed heat-insulated vessel with internal draining wall, a conical bottom, a cover having a ventilation opening, and an opening for the raw material, with a driving unit mounted on the cover with two driving speeds.

Abstract: A method of extracting coffee oil containing aromatic constituents in high yield and in stable form by extracting solid, roasted coffee with dry carbon dioxide under super-critical conditions of temperature and pressure.

Abstract: A method of preparing an extract from hops comprises contacting the hops to be extracted with carbon dioxide in the liquid state to dissolve the matter to be extracted in the liquid carbon dioxide, heating the solution of extract to evaporate carbon dioxide from the solution of extract, compressing and condensing the evaporated carbon dioxide vapor to re-form liquid carbon dioxide, and re-cycling the liquid carbon dioxide to contact the material to be extracted. At least part of the heat evolved from the carbon dioxide vapor after its compression and during its change of state from vapor to liquid carbon dioxide is used to cause the change of state of the liquid carbon dioxide in the solution of the extract to evaporate the carbon dioxide from the solution of the extract.A plant for the preparation of an extract of hops by extraction with liquid carbon dioxide is also disclosed together with modifications of the plant to enhance the recovery of hop oils or to obtain a separate extraction of the hop oils.

Abstract: A juice extractor comprises a carrier defining a plurality of circumferentially spaced extracting stations. The carrier includes a reciprocable plunger at each station. A rotary head is mounted for rotation within the carrier and includes a plurality of cells alignable with the extracting stations. The cells are arranged to carry charges of plant material. An indexing mechanism rotates the head in step-by-step fashion to sequentially align the cells with successive ones of the extracting stations. The plungers are extended into compression relationship with plant material in the cells to express juice.

Abstract: An aqueous concentrate for the cleansing of foodstuffs of animal or vegetable origin, consisting of:(a) from 0.1% to 10% by weight of water-soluble to water-dispersible proteins,(b) from 0.01% to 3% by weight of water-soluble polymers having a molecular weight of at least 10,000,(c) from 1% to 15% by weight of a water-soluble sequestering agent,(d) from 0.01% to 1% by weight of water-soluble food preservatives,(e) from 0 to 0.5% by weight of food colors and food odorants, and(f) the remainder to 100%, water.

Abstract: Crude coffee oil is purified by removing substantially all of the diterpene esters by such means as acid treatment, chromatographic separation, steam vacuum distillation or high vacuum distillation. The purified coffee oil is then contacted with aqueous coffee extract in order to extract naturally-occurring antioxidants which will improve the stability of the purified coffee oil. The crude coffee oil may be obtained by pressing roasted coffee and/or water-extracted roasted coffee.

Abstract: Bakery-type wastes as they occur in the food industry and which contain substantial amounts of fats, sugar, proteins and starch are recovered by removing the fat- and oil-component from the waste by a solvent extraction-filtration step followed by recovery of the sugar and starch protein mixture for reuse in the industry.

Abstract: A salad dressing containing an extract derived from red cabbage is prepared by combining coarsely-divided pieces of red cabbage with a mixture of mayonnaise, vinegar, sugar and salt. After agitation and refrigeration, the liquid portion is withdrawn and used as the salad dressing.

Abstract: Cellular food materials have been found to possess a relatively soft texture when they are frozen while under a gas pressure of greater than about 50 psig. This pressure freezing treatment also renders the foodstuff more permeable and porous, resulting in a product that will cook faster, can be dehydrated and rehydrated more quickly, and is more responsive to infusion or extraction processes.

Abstract: Process for removing residual solvent from materials containing the same which involves extracting the material with liquid CO.sub.2, separating the phases, and evaporating CO.sub.2 from the treated material. For example, residual hexane can be removed from de-fatted soybeans by this procedure.

Abstract: A new anthocyanin recovery system from plant materials such as grape wastes based on tartaric acid-alkanol extraction followed by controlled precipitation of excess tartaric acid as potassium hydrogen tartrate is described. An artificial grape drink colored with the anthocyanin extract thus prepared was found to be acceptable.

Abstract: Fat is removed from starch-containing vegetable material such as cereal grains, potatoes or tapioca by a process involving crushing the vegetable material, contacting the crushed material with a normally gaseous inert solvent under supercritical condition at a temperature of about 20.degree. to 100.degree.C and a pressure of about 30 to 1000 atmospheres to dissolve fat from the vegetable material into the solvent, separating the fat-containing solvent from the resultant substantially fat-free vegetable residue, and separating the dissolved fat from the solvent by raising the temperature and/or lowering the pressure to separate vaporized solvent from the fat. The vaporized solvent may be liquefied and recycled. The fat-free residue may be treated to dissolve away gluten, to form glucose by enzymatic hydrolysis and/or subjected to alcoholic fermentation.

Abstract: Process for reducing the nucleic acid content in the production of an edible protein-containing substance comprising contacting a grown non-toxic microfungus of the class Fungi Imperfecti with a solvent comprising between 40% and 100% (by volume) of a lower alkanol containing up to three carbon atoms and thereafter incubating at a pH between 5 and 9.5 and at a temperature between 30.degree.C. and 80.degree.C. for a time of at least 90 seconds.