Abstract: A composite seafood product is made by assembling smaller butterflied shrimp into composites of two to four shrimp, all but/one of which are tailless, resembling in appearance a single large butterflied shrimp. The shrimp composites are dusted and frozen apart from each other to retain individuality. The individual composites can then be coated with batter and deep fried to yield a food product seemingly consisting of large individual shrimp.

Abstract: Food products and methods of making them from the vertebral column and some contiguous flesh of a sport fish, e.g., a swordfish. The food product is a transverse section of the fish to simulate beef or pork spare ribs. In one embodiment the transverse section comprises portions of two immediately adjacent vertebrae, associated ribs, and a thin layer of the flesh contiguous therewith. In the other embodiment the transverse section comprises a vertebra, an associated rib, and a thin layer of flesh contiguous therewith. Both embodiments are formed by cutting away portions of the flesh and all of skin of the fish and severing the vertebrae to expose the interior cavity/cavities within the vertebra/vertebrae making up the transverse section so that the marrow is removed therefrom. The food product can be packaged either individually or in multiples within a sealed package, and can be frozen. The food product may also be marinated, e.g., provided with a barbecue sauce thereon.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the treatment of dried aspartame characterised in that, in a first separation step, particles smaller than 50 .mu.m are removed, with the aid of a stream of air, from aspartame having a particle size distribution with which more than 5 wt. % of the aspartame has a particle size of less than 20 .mu.m and more than 10 wt. % of the aspartame has a particle size of more than 400 .mu.m, and that in a second separation step the product resulting from the first step is subjected to a screening step using a screen that separates at a value between 150 and 250 .mu.m, after which the fraction of the smaller particles thus obtained is recovered as a first product and the fraction of the larger particles is recovered as a second product or is optionally subjected to a further separation step using a screen that separates at a value between 400 and 1000 .mu.m, the fraction of smaller particles thus obtained being recovered as the second product.

Abstract: A method for improving the quality of an aliment, such as an alcoholic liquor, by removing impurities such as carbamates, sulfites and bioamines, includes contacting an aliment containing the impurity with a container formed of a membrane permeable to the impurity. The container encloses a non-diffusible reactant such as binding agents, neutralizing agents, oxidizing agents, transesterifying agents and hydrolyzing agents. The container and the contents are separated from the aliment after a period of time sufficient for the reactants to react with the impurity.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and device for peeling food such as fish, complete or not, for example sardines, herrings, anchovies, etc.; fruits such as peaches or vegetables such as tomatoes whose skin has been previously subjected to a surface treatment. The method according to the invention is characterized in that the food products are displaced inside a conduit (54) wherein circulates an air flow generated by compression or depression. Application to the food industry.

Abstract: Air-classification of flours with a particle size of 5-160 .mu.m is best performed on flours that are remilled at least once to give a remilled flour with an x-50 of less than 40 .mu.m.The remilling, preferably being carried out by using a jet air mill, a Retsch mill or an extruder. In this way a higher yield of a fraction, enriched in protein (up to 40% protein) and a higher yield of a starch fraction with a low protein content (even less than 3 wt %) can be obtained. Wetting of the remilled flour, prior to remilling and drying of the remilled flour, prior to air classification lead to improved results.

Abstract: A method of effectively producing minced fish meat in a large quantity from fish bodies having hard meat comprising supplying a substantially fixed and large quantity of fish bodies having hard meat to a fish body cutting means for constantly cutting all the fish bodies into a plurality of cut pieces, feeding the cut pieces of the fish bodies to a washing means for removing impurities such as scales, dirts, blood and internal organs, etc. from said cut pieces, crushing said cut pieces by a crusher for softening the fish meat, and then collecting the fish meat by a fish meat collecting means for obtaining the minced fish meat.

Abstract: A rice product prepared from brown rice grains bymilling brown rice grains to remove a controlled proportion of the bran layer therefrom whereby from 2% to 10% of the total weight of the rice grains is removed;hydrating the grains to increase their moisture content to between 20-40%, preferably 25-35%;cooking the grains to gelatinize the starch therein;removing moisture from at least the outer layers of the grains;milling the grains to remove the residual bran layer and germ therefrom.

Abstract: A method, system and apparatus are disclosed for sorting, cryogenically freezing and wrapping soft-shelled blue crabs.

Abstract: A process for extracting cocoa butter and cake from cocoa beans comprises cleaning a predetermined volume of cocoa beans by multiple screening and gravity separation. Subjecting the cleaned beans to heat and subsequently to cooling for a predetermined length of time to reduce the natural moisture trapped in the beans and concomitantly loosen affixed shell or hull particles surrounding the beans inner portion or nib. Passing the heated and cooled beans through a sizing station to divided the beans into different groups according to their size. Fracturing the cocoa beans along the natural fracture line of the beans inner portions or nib by passing each size group of beans in a controlled manner through centrifugal shattering unit. Separating the fractured nib and affixed hull fragments from each other. Preheating the fractured nib particles to a predetermined temperature. Compressing the preheated nib particles to extract unfiltered cocoa butter and cocoa cake.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing frozen food. The apparatus of the invention applies super high pressure water jets (at pressure on the order of 2000 p.s.i. or greater) to frozen food at a grazing incidence angle, to apply a shearing force to the food. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes two sets of water jets. The first set simultaneously thaws a surface portion of a frozen food item and cleans the item. The second set further thaws the item and shears off a surface portion thereof (such as the scales of a frozen fish). To clean and scale frozen fish, the jets in the first set are typically oriented at an incidence angle in the range 45-60 degrees, and the jets in the second set are typically oriented at an incidence angle in the range 20-29 degrees.

Abstract: A process for treating Artemia brine shrimp cysts, which are deemed unhatchable, by the following steps: rehydrating the cysts in clear water until they are approximately double their weight; mechanically rupturing the rehydrated cysts without destroying the internal embryo content of the cysts; centrifuging the resulting slurry to extract the content of the cysts from fragmented casings; and processing the slurry to stabilize the contained nutritional values thereof.

Abstract: A process for the removal of agricultural chemicals from seed grain kernels. The process includes removal of chemicals adsorbed to the surface of the seed by abrasion and removal of chemicals absorbed into the seed by extraction with organic solvents. Removal of such chemicals to a level of less than 1.0 ppm is possible.

Abstract: A method for the preparation of high-quality leached fish flesh having excellent gel formation ability is here disclosed which comprises first adding a leaching liquid, comprising a solution of a phosphate and/or sodium bicarbonate to fillets or chops obtained from fresh fish or frozen fish, then mashing the fish down to the level of muscle fiber by means of a homogenizer, allowing the solution containing the thus mashed fish, under a reduced pressure of 100 mmHg or less, to leach out impurities from the fish, and dehydrating the remaining fish flesh.

Abstract: A composite cheese product having a first colored outer form and an inner plug having a desired decorative shape of a second, variegated color extending continuously through the outer form. The composite cheese product is manufactured by cutting first and second cheese products of variegated colors to a desired thickness so as to create preforms having the exterior contour of the outer form. A plug cutter having the shape of the inner plug is inserted into the preforms and plugs are withdrawn from the preforms with the plug cutter. The plugs are then removed from the plug cutter, interchanged and reinserted into the preforms of variegated color.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for opening a mollusk (e.g., oysters) by rapidly cooling said mollusk to a surface temperature of about -100.degree. F. followed by mechanically agitating said mollusk whereby the mollusk shell opens and at least one eye of the mollusk meat is detached from the shell. Subsequent to cooling and prior to agitating, the mollusk can be rapidly immersed in a water bath to raise the surface temperature of the mollusk to no more than about -50.degree. F. Individually quick frozen mollusk meat can be prepared rapidly either as an individual portion of meat or on the half shell.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for preparing a plurality of whole deviled eggs. The eggs are first oriented and stored collectively in a refrigerated area for a prolonged period of time in order to cause the egg yolk to float to a select side of each egg. The eggs are preferably oriented within a container turned upon its side to cause the sides of each egg to face upwardly. An egg carton is but one example. In this manner the egg yolks rise against the upward facing side. The oriented eggs are then steamed in a specialized platter to facilitate the hard cooking of the egg white in the preselected position. The egg yolk is then removed from the peeled egg through the thin portion of egg white exposed thereon. A whole deviled egg is then prepared by removing the egg yolk and stuffing the remaining whole egg with a preselect mix. The specialized platter is then used as a serving tray, wherein the bottom of each egg is flattened to prevent the egg from easily rolling over in the user's plate.

Abstract: A device for removing a portion of a roll, comprising an elongated hollow shaft having a handle at one end thereof. The other end is formed into two separated jaws, with one jaw extending beyond the other jaw. The edges of the jaws are sharpened and serrated. The device is inserted in an elongated roll, wiggled with the roll, and a portion of the soft interior of the roll is then removed. Sandwich filling, such as hot meat balls, luncheon meats, cheese, vegetables, or any mixture of the same, is then inserted into the roll, and tamped in place. The invention also contemplates the method of removing a portion of the roll and filling the roll to from a sandwich.

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 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: An improved shrimp peeling, deveining and blanching process that is effective in removing the entire vein from the shrimp and that ensures that the entire exterior surface of the shrimp undergoes a desired color change. The vein is removed by making a longitudinal cut into the backside of only a few intermediate body segments and by pulling on the exposed portion of the vein, to remove that portion as well as the portions located in the uncut body segments. A subsequent blanching of the shrimp and the retention of uncut body segments at opposite ends of the shrimp ensure that the shrimp will retain its general shape and eliminate the possibility that portions of the shrimp will remain at their unappetizing blue-grey color when later cooked.

Abstract: The process for producing a ground meat of the present invention comprises grinding fish bodies or a fish meat together with water containing a protease inhibitor and/or a chelating agent and having an adjusted ionic strength; filtering the ground mixture thus obtained to thereby remove fine bones, skin and pieces of the internals and binding tissues therefrom; and then centrifuging the obtained liquid phase.

Abstract: A system and corresponding process for cleaning sugarbeet pulp comprising: (a) a tank wherein a sufficient amount of water is added to the pulp to form a first slurry containing about 0.1 to 4 wt-% pulp; (b) a screening apparatus for separating the first slurry into a top portion containing substantially all of the pulp and a bottom portion containing a major proportion of the free foreign material; (c) a mill for reducing the particle size and loosening of adherent foreign material from the pulp; (d) a tank for adding a sufficient amount of water to the top portion to form a second slurry containing about 0.1 to 4 wt-% pulp (e) a screening apparatus for separating the second slurry into a upper portion containing substantially all of the pulp and a minor proportion of the loosened foreign material and a lower portion containing a major proportion of the loosened foreign material; (f) a tank for adding a sufficient amount of water to the upper portion to form a third slurry containing about 0.

Abstract: The subject matter of this invention relates to a process for removing the soluble metal cations contained in iron oxide pigments comprising washing said iron oxide pigments with a ligand compound having a pH greater than 6.0. The pigments can be used as colorants for substances ingested by man and animals, and they can also be used to stabilize plastics against ultraviolet degradation, and as pigments in base-coat clear-coat automotive finishing operations.

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: An extract of squid liver in a brine is prepared and the cleaned and eviscerated squid is immersed in the extract to dissolve the thin and resistant membrane situated between the flesh and the skin of the squid.

Abstract: Cheese is melted under heating and an emulsion of air or a non toxic gas in an aqueous albumin solution is incorporated therein, by providing a laminar and non-turbulent mixing under heating.

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 novel process for the more efficient extraction with an edible oil of the red carotenoid pigment astaxanthin, from the chitinous shells and proteinaceous tissues of shellfish to provide an astaxanthin enriched dietary food ingredient, and other food products. A crustacean waste, e.g. a crawfish waste, is ground in an attrition mill to separate the soft proteinaceous tissue from the chitinous shell, the chitinous shell is removed, and the separated proteinaceous tissue is acidified to pH ranging from about 4 to 5.5 sufficient to suppress microbial degradation and improve overall pigment recovery. The acidified proteinaceous tissue is cooked, as a puree, in a kettle and extracted with certain edible oils at critical concentrations, at specified critical temperature-time relationships.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the removal of skin from fish, such as tuna, in which an aqueous dispersion of an at least partially hydrolyzed, modified starch is applied to the skin of a precooked fish. Drying of the dispersion causes the skin to peel, thereby facilitating removal of the skin from the fish.

Abstract: A method of producing rice of superhigh gloss wherein rice grains which have been polished to a yield of below 96% with respect to brown rice are cooled below 25.degree. C. by supplying to the rice grains a current of cooling and humidifying air of a humidity capable of maintaining the rice grains at an equilibrium moisture content, and then the rice grains are polished while being humidified and exposed to an air current. An apparatus for producing rice of superhigh gloss comprising rice grain cooling and humidifying means, and rice polishing means connected to the rice grain cooling and humidifying means for polishing the rice grains by rubbing while humidifying and applying air current to the rice grains.

Abstract: A method for shucking an oyster, or other bivalve mollusk, by selectively heating the adductor muscle or muscles thereof with microwaves.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of separating fish meat from bone with showering water or an aqueous solutions of alkaline salts, saccharide and/or amino acids thereon. Hitherto the fish meat has been separated from bone in the air, so that the freshness of meat has rapidly deteriorated, but the present invention can prevent such a drawback. When the boiled fish paste is produced by use of fish meat which has been prevented from the deterioration of freshness, it is possible to obtain a boiled fish paste of a higher gel strength, in other words, one of a higher quality having good tooth touch.

Abstract: A method for cooking shellfish, particularly crabs, lobsters, shrimp, and other crustaceans having skeletal portions from which the edible portions are removed prior to consumption, the present method provides substantially increased shelf life to the cooked shellfish and facilitates mechanical removal of the edible portions from the exoskeleton and/or skeletal portions thereof. The present method comprises the steps of: (1) subjecting the shellfish to steam at a gauge-pressure of between one and fifteen pounds and at temperatures between 175 and 240 degrees F. for one to thirty minutes; and, (2) subsequently applying a vacuum to the cooked shellfish in a range between one and twenty-six inches of mercury for a period of one to thirty minutes to withdraw moisture therefrom.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of separating meat from fish while immersed in water or an aqueous solution of alkaline salts, saccharide and/or amino acids. Hitherto the fish meat has been separated from fish in air, so that the freshness of meat has rapidly deteriorated, but the present invention can prevent such a drawback. When the boiled fish paste is produced by use of fish meat which has been prevented from the deterioration of freshness, it is possible to obtain a boiled fish paste of a higher gel strength, in other words, one of a higher quality having good mouth feel.

Abstract: A process for fractionating the whole wheat kernel into its gluten, starch and bran-germ components including the steps of tempering the whole wheat kernel in water to increase its moisture content, flaking the tempered wheat kernel, disintegrating the flakes to a particle size range such that 20% to 90% of the particles will be retained on a 30 mesh U.S. Standard screen and in a manner that the resulting bran-germ particles are larger than the resulting endosperm particles, hydrating and agitating the kernel particles to just saturate them and to form a thick, dough-like mass and subjecting the mass to tumbling and/or manipulation together with water washing to separate and recover the gluten, starch and bran-germ components of the kernel.

Abstract: A process for fractionating the whole wheat kernel into it gluten, starch and bran-germ components including the steps of tempering the whole wheat kernel in water to increase its moisture content, flaking the tempered wheat kernel, disintegrating the flakes to a particle size range such that 25-75% of the particles will be retained on a 50 mesh screen and in a manner that the resulting bran-germ particles are larger than the resulting endosperm particles, hydrating and agitating the kernel particles to just saturate them and to form a thick, dough-like mass and subjecting the mass to tumbling and/or manipulation together with water washing to separate and recover the gluten, starch and bran-germ components of the kernel.

Abstract: Riboflavin is recovered from fermentation broth by diluting the broth with a predetermined quantity of water, centrifuging the diluted broth to form a sludge, resuspending the sludge with a predetermined quantity of water, and centrifuging the resuspended sludge to yield a product usuable directly as an animal feed supplement or suitable for further purification for pharmaceutical use. Optionally the broth or resuspended sludge is treated with an enzyme before centrifugation.

Abstract: A process for fractionating the whole wheat kernel into its gluten, starch and bran-germ components including the steps of tempering the whole wheat kernel in water to increase its moisture content, milling the tempered kernel to reduce the particle sizes of the kernel components, forming a homogeneous slurry of the particles and water, the wheat to water ratio of the slurry being in the range 1:3 to 1:10, by weight, vigorously admixing the slurry to achieve uniform dispersion of the particles in the water, applying centrifugal forces to the slurry to cause it to separate into its gluten, starch and water phases, separating the gluten and starch phases and purifying them by conventional techniques to recover gluten, starch and bran-germ in very high yield fractions.

Abstract: A dressed body of a fish, which is obtained by cutting off the head part and removing the internal organs of the fish therefrom, is sliced into upper and lower fish fillets and a part mainly consisting of the vertebra thereof. The thus obtained upper and lower fish fillets are heated by means of very hot water, or steam or the like and then cooled forcibly by a coolant with the result that the connective tissues of the fish meats can be hardened in a short time, consumption of heat energy for hardening them is small, the quality deterioration thereof is little and high yield of product is obtained. The upper and lower fillets are heated on a plate with the fillet skins against the plate. The part containing the vertebra is heated, and white meat is later separated from bone.

Abstract: A process for enhancing the detection of larvae or worms in shelled pecans for separation and removal therefrom. In carrying out the process, the shelled pecans are soaked in a solution comprising a water soluble, edible, non-fluorescent material dissolved in water to coat the pecans with the material. The pecans are removed from the solution, dried, and illuminated with ultraviolet light. The material does not adhere to the worms whereby it does not affect their fluorescence but prevents the pecans from fluorescing whereby the worms may be readily detected and separated. The color of the material used is such that it does not significantly affect the appearance of the pecans when coated therewith.

Abstract: Disclosed are processes for preparing hard shelled crustaceans for extraction of their body meat from their shells, as well as, processes for extraction of the body meat from hard shelled crustaceans.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to an improved method and machine for peeling shrimp for the fantail and butterfly shrimp market in which only certain desired segments of the shrimp shell are removed from the raw uncooked shrimp. The method assumes that prior to peeling the desired shell segments 1 through 5 from the raw shrimp that the back of the shrimp shell of segments 1 through 5 has been cut open and the condyle hinges between shell segments 5 and 6 have been broken. In the method of this disclosure the shrimp are fed lengthwise and individually one after another to a friction type peeling nip of short length.

Abstract: Material obtained from animals, poultry, or fish and containing edible flesh along with normally inedible relatively hard or tough components, such as bone, gristle, tendons, etc., is fed in ground condition into one end of a perforated conduit that has a conveyor screw therein which progressively decreases in conveying capacity from the feed end of the conduit to an imperforate discharge end thereof. Such inedible components are compacted within the imperforate discharge end of the conduit by an extension of the conveyor screw prior to discharge following build-up and conveyance along the interior surface of the perforate portion of the conduit as a filter mat through which edible flesh is forced toward and through the perforations of the conduit to provide a substantially bonefree edible product.

Abstract: Material obtained from animals, poultry, or fish and containing edible flesh along with normally inedible relatively hard or tough components, such as bone, gristle, tendons, etc., is fed in ground condition into one end of a perforated conduit that has a conveyor screw therein which progressively decreases in conveying capacity from the feed end of the conduit to an imperforate discharge end thereof. Such inedible components are compacted within the imperforate discharge end of the conduit by an extension of the conveyor screw prior to discharge following build-up and conveyance along the interior surface of the perforate portion of the conduit as a filter mat through which edible flesh is forced toward and through the perforations of the conduit to provide a substantially bonefree edible product.