Abstract: Process and apparatus for the control and the adjustment of a press during a juice extraction operating having at least one pressure increase sequence and measuring and comparing to a predetermined value the rate or the amount of liquid extracted before, during or after the pressing, or the partially pressed materials to be pressed remaining in the press after the pressing, and then using the resulting value of the difference of the rates or the amounts of extracted liquid and the value of the expected rates or amounts or the amount of materials to be pressed remaining in the press, if applicable, partially pressed, to begin, continue, interrupt, modify or complete the process of extracting the juice. The process is at least partially programmed.

Abstract: Coffee aroma gases are conveyed to a cryogenic collector in which liquid nitrogen is sprayed directly into the aroma gas stream to rapidly condense the aroma gas and form finely divided particles of coffee aroma frost suspended in a stream of nitrogen gas, while minimizing contact of the cooled gas with the walls of the collector. The suspension of aroma frost particles in gaseous nitrogen is passed through a tubular porous filter to remove the aroma frost particles which collect on the outer surface of the tubular filter, with the nitrogen gas passing through the porous filter and being exhausted from the collector. The porous filter is periodically back pulsed to dislodge aroma frost particles collected on the outer surface of the tubular filter, with the particles being recovered for incorporation in soluble coffee products.

Abstract: A protein-rich composition of brewer's spent grain origin is disclosed, which includes products separated from the husks of BSG and which contains 40 to 60% by weight of proteins, 12 to 18% by weight of lipids, 2 to 6% by weight of fibrous materials, and 1 to 4% by weight of ashes based on dry weight.

Abstract: A method for enhancing supercritical fluid extraction of sample matrices which contain water. The method involves mixing the samples with an extraction enhancing aid comprising flux-calcined diatomaceous earth which increases the permeability of the sample in a supercritical fluid and controls water during the extraction procedure.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for removing impurities from plant fibrous material which constitutes residual products in the refining of tuber or root vegetables, fruits etc. The plant fibrous material is, for forming a first substance, adjusted to a TS content of at least approx. 25% whereafter the first substance is fractionated in a first screening device to form a first fraction. The TS content of the first fraction is reduced, for the formation of a first mass, whereafter the mass is dried, for the formation of a second substance. This is fractionated in a second screening device to form a second fraction which substantially exclusively consists of plant fibres.

Abstract: A process for producing a protein-rich product and/or a fibrous product is disclosed which includes the steps of pressing brewer's spent grain (BSG) in a wet state, and sieving the resulting pressed BSG in the presence of water to thereby separate it into a protein-containing fraction and a fibrous fraction.

Abstract: A process for extracting spice to obtain oleoresin and fractionating the oleoresin into fixed and essential oil components is described. The extraction is performed on the ground spice using supercritical fluid carbon dioxide under a pressure of from about 400 bar to about 600 bar and at a temperature of from about 80.degree. C. to about 120.degree. C. A cascading continuous extraction method is preferred. Oleoresin fractions are precipitated from the supercritical fluid at reduced pressures in the ranges 280-380 bar and 100-200 bar at 80.degree.-100.degree. C., while a last fraction is obtained from the non-critical fluid at a pressure of 30-50 bar and a temperature of 0.degree.-30.degree. C.

Abstract: To extract the juice from fruits and vegetables, a process is used in which first the raw material is crushed in a mill (1) and then fed to a pulping machine (2) and a membrane filtration device (4). Before membrane filtration device (4), a liquefaction stage (3) is provided in which the raw material is liquefied enzymatically or physically only to the extent that a considerable portion of the mash can be run through membrane filtration device (4). The main breakdown of the cells occurs in the retentate of membrane filtration device (4) by a downstream device (5) for chemical or physical cell breakdown.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a process for the production of an improved purified short fiber cellulose suitable for human consumption from agricultural by-product materials, such as legume hulls, preferably soybean hulls. The legume hulls are comminuted into a particulate feed which is admixed with water to form a slurry. The slurried particulate legume hulls are oxidized, hydrolyzed and extracted with a caustic oxidizing agent utilizing an initial pH of about 12 to effect solubilization of the greater portion of non-cellulose material in the feed. A solid cellulose containing material is thereafter removed from the slurry, for example, by filtration or centrifugation. The recovered solid mass is slurried in water and the resulting slurry if pH adjusted to about 7 by the addition of phosphoric acid. The resulting suspension is agitated and H.sub.2 O.sub.2 is added, and the mixture is heated to promote bleaching and breakdown of the non-cellulose components.

Abstract: Oilseed, particularly whole canola seed, is separated under non-oxidizing conditions, in a non-aqueous solvent system, into high quality oil and proteinaceous flour food components, and a seed coat meal (hull) byproduct. Maceration in a solvent, sequential liquid cyclone separations, and recovery of components and solvent all take place in completely enclosed liquid flow-through systems with solvent recycle, in a relatively short time. This rapid processing avoids oilseed exposure to elevated temperatures and substantially prevents breakdown of certain of its chemical components into antinutritional compounds. Flaking, cooking and pressing stages are not required.

Abstract: A process for recovering volatile aroma components from aroma-bearing vegetable materials such as roast and ground coffee. A carrier gas is passed through the vegetable material to strip aromas therefrom, and the resulting aroma-laden gas is contacted with a cryogenic liquid such as liquid nitrogen to condense the aromas from the gas. The carrier gas has a boiling point equal to or lower than that of the cryogenic liquid. Because the efficacy of the condensation step is substantially independent of the gas flow rate, the optimum gas flow rate for effective stripping may be used without loss of aromas at the condensation step.

Abstract: The product is an egg oil which is extracted from dried eggs yolks, primarily, the yolks of chicken eggs and the method associated therewith to produce a high quality capsule of egg oil (lecithin).

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 method and apparatus for controlling the foam in a vinegar fermentation process. As in the prior art, the foam accumulating on the upper surface of the fermentation substrate is moved along a given path axially through a rotor of the apparatus and revolved about the path by the rotor so as to be subjected to centrifugal forces and broken up into a gas portion which is exhausted in the direction of movement along the path and a liquid portion, possibly still including some foam particles, which is separated from the gas portion in a direction radially of the path. According to the invention, in order to minimize the foam accumulation in the fermentation tank, it is proposed to completely eliminante the liquid portion of the broken-up foam from the fermentation process, i.e., not to recycle the separated liquid portion into the fermentation tank, either by disposing of it or by further processing it and/or mixing it with the recovered vinegar end product apart from the fermentation process.

Abstract: A stepwise process for the treatment of wheat as an adjunct to conventional milling is provided which permits recovery of substantial quantities of wheat embryo and scutellum, to thereby increase the yield of premium germ while enhancing the storability of the resultant flour by virtue of removal of the high oil germ fractions. The process involves initial temperating of wheat followed by impact scouring to remove intact embryo; thereupon, the deembryonated wheat is subjected to a second tempering step prior to milling. The break system of the mill is appropriately modified by judicious selection of milling gap so as to permit recovery of intact scutellum, especially from hard red winter wheat.

Abstract: A method of cracking eggs in which many eggs are simultaneously cracked and fed onto a roasting pan or vessel quickly without breaking down of the shape thereof. The eggs are cracked by a cutter which ascends into an egg supporting frame through which a lower portion of each egg protrudes.

Abstract: A screen is mounted in an apparatus for contacting particulate solids with a fluid. The apparatus comprises an elongate column for holding a bed of particulate solids for contact with a fluid, the column being designed to be oriented substantially vertically in use and having a fluid inlet near the bottom for admitting a fluid into the column and a fluid outlet near the top for permitting the fluid to exit the column after passing upwardly through a bed of particulate solids in the column. The purpose of the screen is to screen solids from the fluid exiting the column through the fluid outlet. The screen comprises a plurality of vertical screen wires, and the screen is located within the column such that all of the fluid passing through the column passes through the screen and then through the fluid outlet. Each pair of adjacent vertical screen wires defines a substantially vertical screen slot therebetween.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for contacting particulate solid matter with a fluid in a pressure vessel through which the fluid continuously moves at high, supercritical, pressure while the particulate solid matter is periodically moved via isolatable pressurizable vessels which are periodically pressurized and de-pressurized to and from the supercritical pressure to facilitate periodic movement of the particulate solids between the pressure vessel and the isolatable pressurizable vessels. A supply of the fluid is maintained at an intermediate pressure at which the fluid exists in both the liquid and gaseous states. The pressurizable vessels are raised to supercritical pressure by first using intermediate pressure fluid in the gaseous state and then in the liquid state, followed by introducing fluid at the supercritical pressure. The vessels are de-pressurized by first venting and then pumping to the intermediate pressure fluid supply.

Abstract: A method of continuously decaffeinating moistened, green coffee solids with supercritical carbon dioxide. Moistened, green coffee beans are moved periodically through an extraction vessel and contacted with continuously flowing supercritical carbon dioxide which extracts caffeine from the moist, green coffee beans. Caffeine is removed from the supercritical carbon dioxide by counter-current contact with wash water in an open vessel. The caffeine-depleted supercritical carbon dioxide is recirculated back to the extraction vessel and the caffeine-bearing wash water is subjected to concentration by reverse osmosis. Acidic, substantially caffeine-free permeate is directed back to the extraction system as wash water, or to moisturize the green coffee beans prior to extraction, or both.

Abstract: A method of dephospholipidating whey to separate the lipoproteins out of it and/or decrease its residual fat content by adding calcium to the whey, heating it and keeping it hot to aggregate the lipoproteins, and then centrifuging it. The pH of the whey is increased before it is heated by adding sodium-hydroxide solution, and the calcium is not added until after the whey is heated.

Abstract: A method of extracting caffeine from green coffee beans whereby an essentially caffeine-free supercritical fluid is continuously fed to one end of an extraction vessel containing green coffee beans and caffeine-laden supercritical fluid is continuously withdrawn from the opposite end. A portion of decaffeinated beans is periodically discharged while a fresh portion of undecaffeinated beans is essentially simultaneously charged to the extraction vessel. The caffeine-laden supercritical fluid is fed to a countercurrent water absorber. Supercritical carbon dioxide is the preferred supercritical fluid. The method of the present invention is more efficient than batch processes and produces an improved decaffeinated coffee.

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: A supplementary wort removal device in lauter tuns is provided, in order to avoid tight and solidly constructed discharge pipe assemblies with check valves for the wort, and the supplementary wort removal device preferably has a plurality of annularly segmented and vertically movable hollow members with screen walls, and the hollow members are open on the bottom. Preferably, the hollow members have a transverse section in the form of an inverted U or V. Before the pumping of the mash into the lauter tun, the hollow members are simply placed with their open bottoms on the screen and/or perforated floor of the lauter tun. The wort which is being discharged from the draff layer and flowing through the screen walls into the inside chambers of hollow members flows further through the open bottoms of hollow members directly through the screen and/or perforated floor of the lauter tun and into a collection chamber between the screen and/or perforated floor and the tun floor.

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: An apparatus for collecting albumen drippings or stringers from conveyor-mounted egg breaking and separating units. The apparatus includes a collection container with an exhaust opening connected to a vacuum pump, an albumen discharge opening and an albumen and air intake opening. A vacuum pickup head includes an opening positioned in the travel path of the egg breaking and separating units. The albumen drippings or stringers are drawn through the pickup head inlet opening and into the collection container. An exhaust valve assembly in the collection container closes the exhaust opening when the albumen reaches a predetermined full level, which releases the partial vacuum for discharging the albumen contents.

Abstract: A process is disclosed whereby a depyrogenated solution comprising one or more amino acids is converted to a dried, amorphous product by spray drying. The solution optionally may contain one or more additional components, such as salts, buffers, lipids, vitamins, trace elements and electrolytes. Products may be prepared according to this method which are suitable for enteral or parenteral nutritive therapeutic use.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for refining foodstuffs, and to plant for the implementation of such a process. The basic process is one in which foodstuff is fed into a depressurized environment and refined therein, whereupon the refined end-product, and any waste matter separated during the process, are both drawn off. Plant for the purpose substantially comprises an environment in which a vacuum is created and maintained, such as will house conventional types of machinery which refine the foodstuff, separate any waste matter, and collect the end-product which is then drawn off by a pump. Such a process and plant serve in particular for extracting juice and puree from fruit, vegetable, and market garden produce in general, as well as for reducing meat of all kinds to a paste.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for preserving raw meat products are described. The meat products are lightly salted and placed atop each other in a compressive vessel. The vessel has a lid which is movable in the vertical direction and capable of exerting pressure on the meat products. The meat products are subjected to periods of increasing and then decreasing pressures. In this way, juices from the meat are squeezed out. These juices act as a preservation brine for the meat.

Abstract: A method of dewatering food items, such as salad greens. The method comprises the steps of placing the food items in a compartment formed of flexible thinwall sheet material, said compartment having an open top and an opening opposite the open top sized to permit passage of liquid but substantially to prevent passage of food items therethrough. The compartment is twirled by its open top to cause water from the food items to be expelled through the opening by centrifugal force.

Abstract: Mixtures of substances containing organic components are segregated by extraction with a gaseous solvent in high pressure extraction. One additive component is admixed to the charged solvent, whereby the solvent capacity of the solvent is strongly reduced and consequently a precipitation is achieved for at least a portion of the components to be captured as an extract.

Abstract: A pan insert for removing and draining food from within a cooking receptacle. The insert has a flat tray which holds a roast or the like with the tray dimensioned to fit within the cooking receptacle. The tray has three side panels which hold the food on the tray when tilting and removing the tray with a free side for sliding the roast or the like off of the tray.

Abstract: Flatulence-causing sugars can be removed from beans that contain such sugars through ultrafiltration. An ultrafiltration membrane system with a molecular weight cut-off between 30,000 and 100,000 daltons will permit the sugars to permeate through it, but it will retain most proteins.

Abstract: A method of refining edible oil which protects the oil from auto-oxidation and hydrolysis. The method of refining is of the type which includes a degumming stage where acid-water are blended with the oil to capture phosphatides in the oil and then separated from the oil to carry away the phosphatides. The method comprises deaerating the acid-water prior to blending with the oil so that as the acid-water removes phosphatides it also removes oxygen from the oil. Subsequent to the degumming stage, it is preferable that the processed oil be protected against any further contact with oxygen or water. If it is desired to remove all traces of oxygen an oxygen scavenger such as sodium sulfite can be added to the acid-water used in degumming.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for distilling, especially vacuum refining and deodorizing edible oils and fats utilizing sheets of oil driven downwardly in a distiller with a vacuum source at its top. A nozzle includes pressure equalization chambers, cantilever adjustment screws, and a central drag sheet to produce longer lasting and more uniform thin oil sheets to be driven in the distiller. A continuous process deaerates, dehydrates, degums, bleaches, refines, removes tocopherol, deodorizes, and strips peroxides and hydroperoxides from raw oil in a series of isothermal stages utilizing driven sheet distillers. No stripping steam is used except in the stage which strips peroxides and hydroperoxides. The method produces valuable, pure products such as tocopherol and fractionated fatty acids. It is especially efficient in heat exchange and low in waste and pollution producing products.

Abstract: A method and device is disclosed for the release and separation of substances such as parasites or parasite eggs from meat. In the method, meat is agitated with pepsin and filtered through a series of at least two filters, the last of which retains the parasites or parasite eggs. The device includes a reactor which tapers downwardly, and which has in its lower part an outlet valve connected via a conically widening part with a separator device. The separator device includes a cylindrical connecting piece which accepts holder rings for holding one or more filters or sieves in releasable connection.

Abstract: A multiplicity of shell eggs to be broken are first transported in transverse rows on an infeed conveyor, from which they are loaded onto a transfer conveyor. This transfer conveyor extends at a right angle to the infeed conveyor, so that the successive transverse rows of shell eggs on the infeed conveyor are rearranged into a longitudinal row on the transfer conveyor. The shell eggs are subsequently transferred from transfer conveyor onto respective egg breaker assemblies mounted at longitudinal spacings on an endless breaker conveyor, while the breaker assemblies are traveling side by side with the transfer conveyor. The breaker assemblies break the shell eggs, and the white and yolk recovered therefrom are separated by recovery cup assemblies also carried by the breaker conveyor under the respective breaker assemblies. As an incidental feature an air nozzle assembly is mounted on the breaker conveyor in the vicinity of each breaker assembly.

Abstract: A method of making a pressed curd having a closed rind by introducing curd in a cheese mould and pressing same with timed pressure variations, with separation of whey. According to the invention the curd in the cheese mould is subjected to a pressing cycle of intermittent pressing operations, whereby pressure is exerted on the curd in a number of periods, alternated by pressureless periods.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for removal of residual solvent from decaffeinated coffee beans. In particular, differential pressure stripping comprises a method of flash evaporation of solvent from the beans by means of an alternating cycle of pressure variations. The time and steam requirements for desolventizing are reduced when compared to traditional methods for removal of the same solvent. This reduces the residence time of the coffee beans in conditions of high temperature and high moisture, thereby preventing negative flavor changes in the resultant coffee products.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for producing a pineapple core bulking agent comprising coarsely grinding or slicing pineapple core to obtain particles or slices of 1/4 inch or less, water-washing to remove soluble carbohydrates, contacting with alcohol to remove colors and flavor constituents, removing water and alcohol, and finally milling to the consistency of flour. The pineapple core bulking agent obtained from this process is especially useful as a partial replacement for high-caloric ingredients such as flour, fat and/or sugar to prepare a food product with at least a one-third reduction in calories, more preferably from 50% to 75% or higher. The pineapple core bulking agent has a high water binding capacity of from 10 to 30 grams of water per 1 gram of pineapple core bulking agent.

Abstract: A process for canning vegetables characterized in that vegetables in the form of pieces of thin cross-section are treated osmotically to remove liquid, then pressed mechanically to remove further liquid, filled into cans and sauced, after which the cans are sealed and sterilized.

Abstract: A process for extracting caffeine from raw coffee, roast coffee, tea and the like. Super-critical carbon dioxide is used as extracting agent, and ion-exchangers are used to absorb the caffeine, and are subsequently regenerated by use of aqueous regenerating agents.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for isolating and concentrating a natural colorant of bland taste found in plants containing betanin. The process involves adjusting the pH of an aqueous extract of the betanin-containing plant to the isoelectric point of betanin, contacting the pH-adjusted extract with a non-ionic adsorbent to concentrate the betanin pigment on the adsorbent, eluting the adsorbent to remove the betanin pigment, and separating the pigment from the eluting agent.

Abstract: Method for obtaining aromatics and/or dyestuffs from bell peppers wherein red pepper is extracted with a solvent which is in a supercritical state and is gaseous under normal conditions. The extraction takes place at a pressure of >P.sub.k to 350 bar and a temperature of >T.sub.k to 70.degree. C. The extracted aromatics and/or dyestuffs are separated from the separated supercritical gas phase by lowering the density of the gas phase.

Abstract: In a batch method for the heat treatment of particular solid material, especially food materials, the vessel in which the heat treatment takes place is essentially a jacketed pressure vessel (1) in which the material is tumbled while being heated, and in order to obtain an increase in throughput the solids and cooking liquor are removed to a second vessel (2) after cooling. In the second tumbling vessel there is a reversible strainer (12) which is used in the position illustrated to separate the liquor from the solids and then inverted after withdrawal of the liquor so that they may be blended with a different liquor, such as a sauce, introduced via a line (14).

Abstract: A process for the direct decaffeination of aqueous coffee extract solutions by contacting the surface of a thin film of an aqueous coffee extract solution with carbon dioxide under supercritical conditions of temperature and pressure to thereby remove the caffeine into the CO.sub.2 and directly recover the aqueous coffee extract solution substantially free from caffeine. The contacting of the aqueous coffee extract solution and the CO.sub.2 is preferably effected by passing the aqueous coffee extract solution downwardly through a packed column, while passing the CO.sub.2 upwardly in countercurrent contact therewith.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for recovery of meal of high protein quality and oil from fish. To obtain a high protein quality in fish meal, one or both of the conditions of short process time and low temperature are essential factors. In the process according to the invention, the heating of the fish mass is carried out in any conventional way, and oil is separated from the heated fish mass by means of a centrifuge provided with a separate outlet for separated oil phase. The new and characterizing feature of the invention is that the stick water and sludge discharged from the centrifuge are fed together to an evaporation unit where the mixture of sludge and stick water is fed through one or several indirectly heated tubes, the internal walls of which are continuously cleaned by means of a scraping device and the outlet of which is connected to a separation space for steam and evaporated product. Finally, the evaporated product is dried in any known way.

Abstract: A process for extracting caffeine from raw coffee by circulating humid nitrogen oxide N.sub.2 O gas in a hypercritical condition under predetermined pressure and temperature conditions through the raw coffee. Optionally the caffeine is separated from the extractor gas by an ion exchanger such as a three-dimensional cross-linked polysaccharide.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for continuously producing salted cheese curd loaves by separating cheese curd from whey, blending salt with the separated curd in essentially the amount of salt desired in the final cheese being produced, forming the salted curd into a compacted outwardly tapered column and further separating whey from the curd, sequentially severing and discharging cheese curd loaves from the column, pressing the cheese curd loaves while in forms, immersing the pressed loaves into a brine solution for a time sufficient to form a rind on the loaves but insufficient to substantially alter the salt content of the loaves, and curing the rinded cheese curd loaves for a period of time required for the type of cheese being produced. This method shortens the brine curing time for hard cured cheese, and the method and apparatus enable semi-automated and continuous production of cheese curd loaves.

Abstract: A process is provided for the processing of certain organic agricultural foodstuff by-products normally having little commercial value to produce a cellulosic product suitable for human consumption or use in various products. The process of the present invention is characterized by subjecting a variety of certain agricultural by-products having little commercial value, such as, for example, soy bean hulls, to a series of separate steps utilizing certain chemical treating to effect a solubilizing and removal of the non-cellulosic components of the by-product agricultural material to produce residue solids which consist essentially of cellulose. The cellulose residue solids are subjected to specified purification procedures and thereafter dried to produce a short, fine fibered cellulose which may be processed to a fine powdered state suitable for use as a component part in a wide variety of edible or otherwise useable products by humans, an example of such a product being a low calorie bread.

Abstract: Soluble coffee is produced by steaming an elongated bed of roasted and ground coffee at atmospheric pressure or above and collecting an aromatic flavor condensate. Thereafter the steamed bed is swept for at least 15 minutes with a gaseous stream having a superficial velocity through the bed in excess of 3 meters/min. in order to entrain and remove liquid acid components. The coffee is next subjected to aqueous extraction, the extract is then combined with at least a portion of the condensate and dried. The resulting soluble coffee is much reduced in undesirable acid content compared to soluble coffee obtained from steamed coffee which had not been swept with gas.