Abstract: Crushed and de-fatted oilseed is extracted with water at neutral, mildly basic or mildly acidic pH; and is filtered. The filter media allows passage of small fragments of solid cell meat into the filtrate. The filtrate is treated with a base to increase pH to over pH 9, and solids are separated out. Protein is separated from other constituents of the liquid and concentrated, for example by heat-induced or isoelectric precipitation and/or ultrafiltration. The remaining liquid is rich in sugars. The process results in one or more protein products suited for human or animal food ingredients or for production of cosmetics, a sugar rich product suitable for fermentation or use as a feed ingredient, and a fiber-protein animal feed ingredient.

Abstract: An improved processing method and system for producing tomato paste and other food products affected by viscosity. Tomatoes are processed into tomato juice. The juice is provided to a decanter that separates or fractionates the juice into two portions—a thicker, more viscous cake portion and a thinner, less viscous serum portion. The serum portion is concentrated by removing a portion of water using an evaporator such as a thin film or juice evaporator. The cake portion can be concentrated if necessary with a drier. The serum and cake portions are recombined to produce a tomato paste having improved color, texture, flavor and nutrition.

Abstract: A method and system for processing citrus peel to produce food grade products and environmentally safe liquid discharge, by cutting mixing, heating, separating, pressing and drying the citrus peel.

Abstract: The present invention includes a high lignan concentrate (3% to 5% or greater) flax seed product, and product by process, which can be produced by 1) supplying a uniformly colored quantity of flax seeds with less than 5 percent visually darker seeds; 2) milling the selected seeds of a visually uniform color; 3) sifting the milled selected seeds into a second portion and a third portion using a preferred screen size from US# 12 up to an including US #18; 4) selecting the coarser fraction of the sifted, milled flax meal and aspirating it into a fourth lighter density portion and a fifth coarser portion, wherein the fourth lighter portion contains the valuable high lignan concentrate. As an added advantage, the high lignan flax seed meal can include approximately 40–50% insoluble dietary fiber and 50–60% soluble dietary fiber.

Abstract: The present invention relates to new processes useful for separating whey proteins from whey protein-containing solutions using a novel anion exchanger which comprises a water insoluble, hydrophilic, water swellable, hydroxy (C2–C4) alkylated and cross-linked regenerated cellulose, derivatized with quaternary amino (QA) groups where the level of substitution of the QA groups is 1.4 milli-equivalents per dry gram of anion exchanger (meq/g) or greater.

Abstract: A Cutting Machine for processing leafy vegetables such as collard greens is provided. The Cutting Machine is adjustable to accommodate vegetables of varying thicknesses. An enclosure with a cover has an input opening in the cover to feed material to be cut between the rollers. An actuating shaft which is rotated includes an offset wheel and an offset shaft. An actuating rod on the offset wheel swings a pivoting knife back and forth to cut the material. An actuating shaft which is connected to the offset shaft moves a roller cog mounted on the drive roller.

Abstract: A method is described for processing fruit or vegetables, e.g., cranberries, into two different juices. One of the two juices has a relatively high level of acids. The other of the two juices has a relatively low level of acids. The method of the invention entails providing three juice streams. The first juice stream is passed through a nanofiltration apparatus or some other apparatus that is capable of preferentially removing acidic compounds from the raw fruit or vegetable juice feedstock. This process creates two juice fractions: a juice fraction that is relatively enriched in acids and a juice fraction that is relatively reduced in acids. The second juice stream is combined with the juice fraction that is relatively enriched in acids to create a juice that has a relatively high level of acids. The third juice stream is combined with the juice fraction that is relatively reduced in acids to create a juice that has a relatively low level of acids.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for pitting olives (or other fruit) and slicing the pitted fruit. In preferred embodiments, a pitting knife and a coring knife horizontally translate each olive to be pitted while the pitting knife, coring knife, and olive revolve together about a horizontal axis, the pitting knife pushes out the pit horizontally as the olive and cup translate along a segment of a circular first path around the axis, the apparatus includes slicing pockets (in positions horizontally separated from the first path) which translate along a circular second path parallel to the first path, after pitting, a pitting knife pulls the pitted olive horizontally away from the first path and into one of the pockets, and the pitted olive in the pocket is sliced by slicing knives as the pitted olive and pocket translate around the axis along a segment of the second path into engagement with the slicing knives.

Abstract: A low temperature rendering process for converting animal trimmings to meat product which can be classified as finely textured meal. The low temperature rendering process includes steps of surface treating the trimmings to kill organisms which may be present on the surface of the trimmings; heating the surface treated animal trimmings in a heat exchanger having a first-in and first-out arrangement to form a heated slurry; separating a solids stream and a liquids stream from the heated slurry, the solids stream containing an increased amount of protein and the liquids stream containing an increased amount of tallow, separating a heavy phase and a light phase from the liquids stream, the heavy phase containing an increased amount of moisture and water soluble protein, and the light phase containing an increased amount of tallow, and combining the solids stream and the heavy phase to form a meat product.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for evacuating pockets of injected fluid in meat products involves the structure and use of a machine which has a longitudinal movable conveyor surface on the machine; a fluid injection station on the machine for injecting fluid into a meat product on the conveyor surface; a second station on the machine downstream of the fluid injection station; the second station comprising an assembly for applying compressive pressure to the injected meat and penetrating the meat with a plurality of projecting elements to create a plurality of fluid conduits in the injected meat wherein the compressive pressure will force fluid out of the injected meat through the fluid conduits when the projecting elements penetrate the pockets of fluid.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for extracting minerals from mineral-rich oysters and furthermore provides an oyster extract containing the minerals, and taurine, glycogen, and nucleotides. First, raw oysters are subjected to hot water extraction to obtain soluble ingredients and to remove unwanted components, and then the residue is extracted with acid solution of pH 2 to 4. The extract is neutralized with alkali to obtain a precipitate having a high content of minerals such as zinc. The oyster extract obtained by this process contains zinc in the amount of 6% to 13% by dry weight.

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: The present invention provides isoflavone compositions exhibiting improved solubility (e.g., light transmittance), taste, color, and texture characteristics, and methods for making the same. The isoflavone compositions are useful for incorporation in a variety of foodstuffs, beverages, dietary supplements, and pharmaceutical compositions allowing for improved taste, texture, color, and optical properties of the same.

Abstract: The present invention discloses methods for preparing a processed peanut product containing high levels of peanut hearts material, with the peanut heart material being substantially stripped of bitter taste so as to provide debittered peanut hearts of comparable taste to actual peanuts or as being flavorless without adversely affecting the taste of a foodstuff end product. The processed product includes whole or fragmented peanut hearts and peanut heart powder processed using alkaline wash, neutralization, and drying for inactivating enzymes and removing bitter flavoring components. The peanut heart materials are debittered by adjusting the pH to about 8 to about 12 with an alkali material (e.g., sodium hydroxide) to solubilize the protein content and release the bitter flavor compounds making it possible to separate such compounds by ultrafiltration. The alkali treated peanut heart material is neutralized with an acidic aqueous solution.

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: A method for fractionating or separating a cheese uses heat and mixing of the cheese to separate the cheese into three phases. The three phases include a butterfat phase, an aqueous phase, and a cheese product from which some fat and flavor have been removed. The process may be hastened by adding water, and may be further hastened by using enhanced gravitational forces to effect separation of the portions. The process may also be used to remove undesirable flavor components from the cheese or to make a dairy spread.

Abstract: Dairy product having a total fats content lower than or equal to 400 g/kg and the fat globule distribution of which is such that globules of lower diameter than 2.0 &mgr;m represent 10% to 60%, preferably 20% to 40%, in weight of the total fats, and the fat globules of higher diameter than to 6 &mgr;m represent 10% to 30%, preferably 15% to 20%, in weight of the total fats useful for converting milk into cheese or yogurt, light creams or consumption milks.

Abstract: A general process for the extraction of carotenoids from a carotenoid source such as a biomass, which may be various biomasses including the yeast Phaffia rhodozyma, comprises treating the carotenoid source at an elevated temperature with a solvent mixture comprising water, a hydrophobic carotenoid solvent such as vegetable oil and a water soluble co-solvent such as ethanol so as to extract the carotenoid source into the hydrophobic solvent. Benefits include (a) the ease of incorporation into the diet, (b) the increased bioavailability achieved and, (c) the ease of stabilization against oxidation.

Abstract: This invention relates to phytosterols and phytostanols, in particular to fatty acid esters of phytosterols and phytostanols with a specified fatty acid composition. The invention further relates to methods for preparation of the phytosterol and phytostanol esters and their uses.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for fractionating cooking oil, in particular frying oil, using a solvent with supercritical pressure. The method is characterized in that it comprises steps which consist in: contacting, in a mixer, the cooking oil with the solvent with supercritical pressure; separating the resulting mixture into two phases in a decanter, namely a light phase and a heavy phase; decompressing the light phase and the heavy phase so as to recuperate the solvent, and the treated oil and the treatment residues respectively.

Abstract: A method of vacuum drying sludge or slurry input material comprises providing a closed-ended vacuum tunnel with at least two interior augers. The tunnel has an interior bed recessed with adjacent troughs separated by a low partition for accommodating the two augers in closely-spaced generally-horizontal side-by-side relation. The augers are driven counter-rotating such the input material re-circulates in an endless loop down one auger, over to the other and back again. The augers have screws formed with stubby flights to form a cut-and-fold arrangement and disintegrate the material. The chamber is heated up to or over 70° C. and a current of air is suctioned into the tunnel through inlets and out through ports in part pull a slight vacuum in the tunnel as well as to suction up and draw out disintegrating fractions of the material including gasified fractions, waftable finely divided particulate fractions and other waftable fractions.

Abstract: A method is described for processing fruit or vegetables, e.g., cranberries, into two different juices. One of the two juices has a relatively high level of acids. The other of the two juices has a relatively low level of acids. The method of the invention entails providing three juice streams. The first juice stream is passed through a nanofiltration apparatus or some other apparatus that is capable of preferentially removing acidic compounds from the raw fruit or vegetable juice feedstock. This process creates two juice fractions: a juice fraction that is relatively enriched in acids and a juice fraction that is relatively reduced in acids. The second juice stream is combined with the juice fraction that is relatively enriched in acids to create a juice that has a relatively high level of acids. The third juice stream is combined with the juice fraction that is relatively reduced in acids to create a juice that has a relatively low level of acids.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a simple, and economical process for the preparation of rice bran oil low in phosphorous content (<10 ppm) by treatment of crude rice bran oil to substantially remove the phosphoglycolipids responsible for the residual phosphorus in degummed rice bran oil, said process comprising: a) treating the crude rice bran oil at ambient temperature with 5% of boiling water and separating the sludge formed to obtain a clarified oil, b) treating the clarified oil thus obtained with 0.5% to 10% of a reagent selected from the group consisting of mono-, di- or triethanolamine to obtain said low phosphorous content oil.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for evacuating pockets of injected fluid in meat products involves the structure and use of a machine which has a longitudinal movable conveyor surface on the machine; a fluid injection station on the machine for injecting fluid into a meat product on the conveyor surface; a second station on the machine downstream of the fluid injection station; the second station comprising an assembly for applying compressive pressure to the injected meat and penetrating the meat with a plurality of projecting elements to create a plurality of fluid conduits in the injected meat wherein the compressive pressure will force fluid out of the injected meat through the fluid conduits when the projecting elements penetrate the pockets of fluid.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are provided herein for reducing the level of acrylamide in heat-processed or cooked starchy food to a safe level. The methods and apparatuses described herein generally involve applying a vacuum to the starchy food and/or applying a light radiation to the starchy food. The starchy food can be flushed with a stream of gas such as air, oxygen, nitrogen, carbon dioxide, ozone, or a combination thereof. The starchy food can be heated at a temperature between the ambient temperature to about the boiling point of acrylamide.

Abstract: Plant phenolics are extracted from macerated fruits and vegetables, particularly from apple peels and apple cores, by agitating the macerated fruit material with hot water of sufficiently high temperature to deactivate naturally present polyphenol oxidase enzyme. The aqueous extract of plant phenolics is separated from the bulk of solid fruit material by physical means, such as filtration. The aqueous extract is treated with pectinase enzyme to remove substantially all pectin, where after the pectinase enzyme is deactivated by heat. The plant phenolics are adsorbed from the depectinized aqueous extract by treatment with solid polyvinylpolypyrrolidone (PVPP) adsorbent, and the plant phenolics are eluted from the adsorbent by treatment with a nutritionally acceptable base, such as sodium hydroxide.

Abstract: The invention relates to starch-based dehydrated flakes comprising 0,05% glycolipid(s) which, when reconstituted, are similar in quality, taste and texture to freshly prepared mashed material.

Abstract: The temperature sensitive differential of solubilities of various isoflavone fractions is used to initially separate the fractions, preferably by heating an aqueous soy molasses or soy whey feed stream. The temperature of the feed stream is selected according to the temperature at which a desired isoflavone fraction or fractions become soluble. Then, the heated feed stream is passed through an ultrafiltration membrane in order to concentrate the isoflavones. The feed stream is put through a resin adsorption process. The isoflavone fractions are treated with either reverse osmosis or ultrafiltration (or both) to complete a solvent removal and to achieve a higher isoflavone concentration in the end product. Then, the feed stream is dried, preferably by spray drying, to produce dry particles.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for selectively separating, according to size, fat globules present in food or biological medium, which consists in subjecting the medium to be treated to at least tangential flow microfiltration with a cut-point threshold ranging between 1.8 and 10 &mgr;m in substantially uniform transmembrane differential pressure and in recuperating the resulting concentrate and permeate.

Abstract: A process and system for extracting a solute from a solid material, such as oil from oil-bearing foodstuffs, utilize a substantially tubular membrane filter to separate a mass of the extracting medium and the foodstuffs into a miscella and foodstuffs of reduced oil content. In a batch or continuous process, after each extracting stage, the mass from the extraction vessel is conveyed to a membrane filter, which has pores along its cylindrical walls suitably sized to allow a miscella to pass as the permeate, while causing the foodstuffs of reduced oil content to be conveyed axially along the tubes and out of its ends as the retentate. In a continuous process, extractor cells, or stages, consisting of an extraction vessel, pump, and membrane filter, are used in sequential stages, preferably using a miscella from the subsequent stage as the extracting medium. In a batch process, miscella storage tanks may be used to store miscella from the final stage for use in the next batch.

Abstract: Citrus pulp products are provided which incorporate components from pulp material separated from a citrus juice source. Naringin, limonin or other bitterant levels are reduced substantially in the pulp components. In particular applications, the debittered citrus pulp is a grapefruit-originating bland clouding agent, a citrus pulp wash bland clouding agent, or a citrus peel juice bland clouding agent.

Abstract: A dietary fiber product obtained from the Indian mulberry (Morinda citrifolia) plant and the process of extracting and purifying the fiber is disclosed. According to one embodiment, the Indian mulberry pulp is washed and separated from the juice by filtration. The wet pulp is pasteurized. The wet pulp can be further processed by drying. A high fiber products can be prepared by mixing the pulp with ingredients, such as supplemental dietary fiber, water, sweeteners, flavoring agents, coloring agents, and nutritional ingredients.

Abstract: Plant phenolics are extracted from macerated fruits and vegetables, particularly from apple peels and apple cores, by agitating the macerated fruit material with an organic solvent that is acceptable in the food processing industry. After extraction and removal of the bulk of the solid fruit material the solvent is concentrated by distillation to provide a crude concentrate. Undissolved solids are separated from the crude concentrate the liquid portion of which is mixed with a carrier and spray dried to provide a solid concentrate of plant phenolics. Solids which had been removed from the crude concentrate are agitated with water to provide, after filtration, a clear aqueous concentrate of plant phenolics.

Abstract: Process for the manufacture of a mixture of fatty acid esters comprising the steps of: (a) hydrolysing a sterol ester or a mixture of sterol esters such that a mixture is obtained comprising phenolic acids and/or fatty acids, and free sterols; and (b) optionally, separating the phenolic acids and/or fatty from the reaction mixture; and (c) esterifying the so obtained free sterols with particular fatty acids.

Abstract: Lipid compositions enriched in unsaturated fatty acid-containing triacylglycerols are made from menhaden oil (MO) and partially hydrogenated menhaden oil (PHMO) to provide a lipid composition containing enriched monounsaturated fatty acid esters (MUFAs) and polyunsaturated fatty acid esters (PUFAs).

Abstract: A new natural mixture of primary fatty acids of high molecular weight ranging from 24 to 38 carbon atoms, especially those ranging between 26 and 36 carbon atoms and more especially those of straight chain of 26, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35 and 36 carbon atoms. This mixture has a relative composition of each fatty acid that is highly reproducible batch to batch and it is extracted from sugar cane (Saccharum officinarum, L.) wax. This mixture of fatty acids has specific pharmacological properties that supports its use as an active component of pharmaceutical formulations used as hypocholesterolemic and against hypercholesterolaemia type II, as antiplatelet, anti-thrombotic and anti-ischemic. This mixture of primary fatty acids is also effective in the inhibition of the development of gastric ulcers induced by different agents.

Abstract: A method for making a dairy product, the method including the steps of filtering milk produce retentate and permeate from the milk and forming a mixture including at least one of the retentate and the permeate, in combination with a preservative and an acid in an amount sufficient to make the preservative effective, to make the dairy product.

Abstract: A low-foaming clear composition for cleaning fruit, vegetables, or meat that can be diluted by the user before use and/or directly sprayed on and that shows high cleaning performance, particularly in dissolving wax, and also high wetting power. The compositions contain C4-9 alkyl polyglycosides.

Abstract: The method for abstracting high levels of &bgr;-glucan from a grain product such as oat or barley grain should produce a &bgr;-glucan product containing as least about 18% by weight &bgr;-glucan is provided. The &bgr;-glucan product can be produced as an agglomerated food additive having at least about 18% by weight &bgr;-glucan. Methods are providing for enriching a food product with the &bgr;-glucan agglomerated food additive and resulting food products results are provided.

Abstract: A method for treating colostrum to reduce the bioburden while retaining a high active protein content is described. The method is especially useful for recovering maximum immunoglobulin activity. The colostrum treated by the method is useful in the manufacture of clinical nutritive preparation, functional foods and food supplements.

Abstract: The process for preparing the novel inulin products includes extracting inulin with water from subdivided plant materials, holding the inulin rich extraction water in a settling tank while maintaining the temperature from about 0° C. to 7° C. which causes higher molecular weight polysaccharides to separate from water soluble lower molecular weight polysaccharides, and separating the higher molecular weight inulin fructose fractions from the more water soluble lower molecular weight inulin fractions.

Abstract: A tomato peel material pH level adjustment system (10) including a plurality of peel material receiving tanks (32, 33), pumps (36, 37), acid injection devices (71, 46, 48), mixing devices (34, 35) and mixing conduits (40, 41) extending to a system output such as storage holding tank or process equipment (42). A plurality of pH sensors (56, 58, 60) sense the pH level of the tomato peel material and acid mixture in the receiving tanks (32, 33) and in the mixing conduits (40, 41) and a controller (PC) responsive to pH level sensing signals causes acid injection into the peel material (22) while in the receiving tanks (32, 33) and/or while in the mixing conduits (40, 41). Base material optionally also can be added to the mixing conduits (40, 41) to correct pH level overshoots. Rather than adding acid or a base, the tomato peel material (22) can be diverted back from the mixing conduits (40, 41) to the receiving tanks (32, 33).

Abstract: Described is a method for recovering aroma concentrate from a caffeine- or theobromine-comprising food base material, such as coffee or tea, and in particular cocoa, at least comprising the steps of:

Abstract: Provided are products including trihydroxystilbenes and glycosylated derivatives thereof. Also provided are compositions containing these products with an aqueous solvent, particularly and alcohol-water mixture, and reverse phase chromatographic methods for isolating and purifying the compositions from plant materials. The products have biological activity, including anti-tumor activity.

Abstract: A method and product for decaffeinating an aqueous solution, such as a cup of coffee or tea, includes exposing the aqueous solution (that is to be decaffeinated) to a plurality of molecularly imprinted polymer beads (MIPS) that have receptor sites on the surfaces thereof that include imprints that match the physical shape of at least a portion of a caffeine molecule. A quantity of the caffeine molecules align with and adhere to some of the receptor sites and, accordingly, they are removed from the aqueous solution producing a decaffeinated aqueous solution. The MIPS are contained in an enclosure having a plurality of openings large enough to permit the aqueous solution to pass through and small enough so as to prevent the MIPS from passing through. Accordingly, the MIPS are absent from the decaffeinated aqueous solution.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of recovering essence from a mash. The method includes providing a mash which includes essence, treating the mash to produce a vapor stream and a mash stream, where the vapor stream includes the essence, and condensing the vapor stream which includes the essence under conditions effective to recover the essence. The present invention further relates to an essence recovery system.

Abstract: A method and product for decaffeinating an aqueous solution, such as a cup of coffee or tea, includes exposing the aqueous solution (that is to be decaffeinated) to a plurality of molecularly imprinted polymer beads (MIPS) that have receptor sites on the surfaces thereof that include imprints that match the physical shape of at least a portion of a caffeine molecule. A quantity of the caffeine molecules align with and adhere to some of the receptor sites and, accordingly, they are removed from the aqueous solution producing a decaffeinated aqueous solution. The MIPS are contained in an enclosure having a plurality of openings large enough to permit the aqueous solution to pass through and small enough so as to prevent the MIPS from passing through. Accordingly, the MIPS are absent from the decaffeinated aqueous solution.

Abstract: The present invention provides a container for packaging solid food that is stored in the container in a liquid environment, such as tuna fish. One end of the container has a foraminous drain lid for draining the liquid from the container. The drain lid may have a rim to prevent a user from being splashed while draining the contents of the container. The container is sealed to prevent contamination of the contents of the container. The container may be made of a flexible material so that the user may squeeze the container to facilitate draining the liquid from the container. Once the liquid has been drained from the container, the drain lid is removed to allow extraction of the solid food from the container.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are described for separating and cooking egg whites. A heat resistant bowl includes a bottom portion and a wall portion, a lid for removably engaging the wall portion of the bowl in a snug fit, and a separator for separating liquid egg whites from eggs, the separator being connected to the lid, whereupon the egg whites are cooked in the bowl by subjecting the bowl to microwaves.

Abstract: Dough products are stored in a fermentation chamber on a rack system in which in each of a multiplicity of horizontal planes located one above the other, the palettes carrying the dough products are substantially contiguous and are pushed from rack to rack section from the upstream side to the downstream side upon the insertion of a palette at the upstream side. The empty palettes are recirculated below the palettes carrying the dough products and the displacement is effected solely by pressing of each upstream palette against the next downstream palette.