Abstract: A method of preparing vegetables for marketing which involves the steps of:(a) vacuum conditioning of the comestible in its raw state in plastic pouches, i.e. a vacuum packing thereof;(b) a first pasteurization at a temperature ranging from above 85.degree. C. and up to 95.degree. C.;(c) a bacterial development or incubation treatment for a period of 24 to 27 hours at a temperature comprised between 25.degree. and 30.degree. C.;(d) a second pasteurization for 20 to 40 minutes at a temperature comprised between 85.degree. and 93.degree. C.; and(e) refrigeration of the packaged product.The method is especially applicable to fruits and vegetables which are sensitive to heat and, particularly, onions, leeks, garlic, shallots and the like.

Abstract: Methods of preparing pickled foods are provided which comprise processing raw or cooked produce in an aqueous pickling solution of acetic and/or lactic acid and ethanol having an osmolarity equivalent to that normally used in brine pickling processes.

Abstract: There are provided novel branched alkenylnitroguanidine compounds. A method for inducing cytokinin plant growth regulant activity in crop plants by applying to the crop plants certain alkyl-, alkenyl- and alkynylnitroguanidine compounds is provided.

Abstract: Aqueous guar gum compositions having a very low content of insolubles, the compositions being formed by impregnating free-flowing solid, particulate guar gum with one or more hydrolytic enzymes and thereafter dissolving the particles of guar gum in water.

Abstract: A process for preparing pectin, which is useful for foods and medicines or the like, by subjecting a plant tissue containing pectic substances to the action of a microorganism which belongs to the genus Endomyces, Endomycopsis, Saccharomyces, Shizosaccharomyces, Pichia, Hansenula, Debaryomyces, Hanseniaspora, Torulopsis, Candida or Kluyveromyces and possesses an activity liberating pectin from a plant tissue; or of a culture broth or processed material thereof to liberate pectin from said plant tissue; and recovering pectin.

Abstract: Bloating of brine fermented cucumbers can be greatly reduced by using lactic acid bacteria which do not decarboxylate malic acid and therefore do not produce carbon dioxide during fermentation. Also, certain high acid wines can be improved by fermenting fruit with bacteria which do decarboxylate malic acid.A method has been discovered of differentiating between species of lactic acid bacteria which do and do not decarboxylate malic acid. This method comprises growing a lactic acid bacterium in a suitable malic acid-containing nutritive growth medium under conditions suitable for growth and monitoring the pH of the medium during growth. The pH will decrease only when a lactic acid bacterium is present which does not decarboxylate malic acid.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for producing an all-grain, enzyme-saccharified cereal derived from cereal grain components. The process involves saccharifying an endosperm fraction to form a syrup containing soluble saccharides and adding to the saccharified endosperm a matrix-forming ingredient which is either a modified bran material, a toasted ground germ or a combination of these two ingredients to form a cereal dough, and subsequently processing the cereal dough to obtain a ready-to-eat cereal.

Abstract: A method for the production of non-odorous garlic paste is disclosed. This method comprises (i) subjecting garlic bulbs as wrapped in the skin to a heating treatment, adding water to the garlic bulbs, coarsely crushing the garlic bulbs, and separating the skin and the unwanted part of garlic bulbs from the resultant crushed mass of garlic and leaving behind a garlic clove-containing liquid, (ii) heating the clove-containing liquid together with vitamin B.sub.1, rice bran, or yeast added thereto, (iii) heating the resultant blend in the presence of a cellulase or in the absence of the cellulase thereby obtaining a mixture, and (iv) heating either the liquid part of the mixture resulting from the removal of solids therefrom or the mixture in its unmodified form together with soybean flour, soybean milk, or soybean milk flour.The cellulase used in this method is produced by a microorganism belonging to genus Trichoderma or the genus Aspergillus.

Abstract: A newly discoverd microorganism having characteristics of an Arthrobacter and having the ability to utilize peanut hull lignin as a sole source of carbon is disclosed. Peanut hulls have a higher lignin content than hardwoods and softwoods. The newly discovered microorganism makes the biodegradation of peanut hulls and other similar lignin containing biological waste products commercially feasible. Specifically, a process for converting peanut hulls and other similar lignin containing biological waste products to animal feed is disclosed.

Abstract: A process for the enzymatic treatment of black tea leaf is disclosed. In particular, black tea leaf is wetted with water containing tannase and one or more cell-wall-digesting enzymes, such as cellulase, pectinase, papain, or hemicellulase, prior to extraction. The enzyme-moistened tea leaf is incubated in a closed system at room temperature for a few hours. The enzyme-treated tea is then neutralized with a suitable food grade base and the enzymes are inactivated by heating. The resulting treated tea can be extracted and processed in the usual manner or dried for use in tea bags in the usual manner. As a result, a higher yield of tea is obtained and the resulting instant tea has better solubility in cold water than conventional teas. The bag tea products an infusion which does not form haze at cold temperatures.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of pickles which are salt free and taste nice, comprising adding to a vegetable such as radish, cucumber or the like, a pickling agent consisting of strained lees obtained by the brewing of natural rice vinegar, a suitable amount of a sweetening material and a small amount of an acid-neutralizing agent, and putting weight on the vegetable at a cold place of about 0.degree.-10.degree. C.

Abstract: A process is provided for preparing an improved natural citrus fruit flavor from citrus rinds.

Abstract: A new protein product, namely fermented sunflower meal, prepared by the lactic fermentation of de-oiled meal originating from sunflower seeds, and characterized, in comparison with the starting material, by better chemical, physical and nutritional properties, such as increased protein solubility, a lower level of chlorogenic acid, the phenolic pigment responsible for darkening the meal, the absence of fermentable sugars (raffinose), and a higher content of lysin, the main limiting amino acid of the sunflower. The lactic fermentation, which is not spontaneous for sunflower meal in water, as in the case of various cereals, is developed by suitably acidifying an aqueous suspension of meal and allowing it to incubate for some days.

Abstract: A process for the production of flavored vegetables which comprises fermenting a vegetable in the presence of a powdered hydrolysed protein wherein the total amount of salt present in the process is from 1.0% to 4.5% by weight based on the weight of the vegetable.

Abstract: Enzymatic method for production of instant tea, comprising treating tea leaves with an SPS-ase preparation, whereby the extract yield is improved, and instant tea made with the extract exhibits superior clarity.

Abstract: Hydrolysis of plant kingdom polysaccharides by treatment with SPS-ase preparations.SPS-ase is an enzyme adapted to hydrolyzing the water-soluble protein binding polysaccharide present in soy flour decomposed by use of conventional pectinases, which polysaccharide is believed to be widespread in plant kingdom substances. Treatment with an SPS-ase preparation can clarify juices, wines and beers, hydrolyze process wastes such as sugar beet pulp, pomace, and soy milk remanence, improve the digestability of silage, and reduce the viscosity of wort.

Abstract: A process for recovering purified vegetable protein particularly soymeal protein by enzymatic treatment to dissolve the remanence employing a novel enzyme composition agent adapted to decompose a hitherto unreported pectic-like polysaccharide capable of binding to proteins. The process can recover protein from corn gluten, cotton seed meal, sunflower meal, rape meal etc.

Abstract: Purified vegetable protein particularly from soymeal produced by enzymatic treatment to dissolve the remanence employing a novel enzyme composition agent adapted to decompose a hitherto unreported pectic-like polysaccharide capable of binding to proteins.

Abstract: SPS--A novel pectic-like polysaccharide derived from soy plant cell walls characterized by capability to bind to proteins.SPS-ase--The carbohydrase complex capable of decomposing SPS into decomposition products incapable of attaching to protein, and method for producing SPS-ase by cultivation of an SPS-ase producing microorganism for which preferred microorganism strains are Aspergillus aculeatus CBS 101.43 and Aspergillus japonicus IFO 4408.

Abstract: A flavoring composition comprising a mixture prepared(a) from 10 to 80% by weight of a fermented vegetable juice and from 20 to 90% by weight of a hydrolyzed protein based on the weight of the mixture or(b) from 2 to 80% by weight of a dehydrated fermented vegetable and from 20 to 98% by weight of a hydrolyzed protein based on the weight of the mixture. Flavoring agents with appetizing sour notes and with meat and vegetable flavor characteristics are described.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the production of branching enzyme, and a method for improving the qualities of food products therewith. According to the present invention, a large amount of branching enzyme with a high specific activity can be easily obtained, and employment of the branching enzyme in food processing remarkably improves the qualities of food products without changing the desirable inherent properties of their amylaceous constituent(s); thus, said food products retain their qualities over a long period of time, prolonging extremely their shelf lives.

Abstract: Extracting anthocyanin-containing pulp from a vegetable source with sulfur dioxide to form an extract, treating the extract with enzymes to reduce suspended solids, reducing the sulfur dioxide content of the extract, acidifying and recovering the anthocyanin by ion exchange resin.

Abstract: Flavored sauerkraut is produced by fermenting cabbage in the presence of salt and a powdered hydrolyzed protein. The salt is preferably present in an amount of from 1.0% to 4.5% by weight based on the cabbage and the hydrolyzed protein is preferably preset in an amount of from 1% to 10% by weight based on the weight of the cabbage.

Abstract: Discloed herein is a new method of producing ethanol from the Jerusalem Artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus) by removing the sugar juices from the stalk before the sugar moves down into the tubers and directly fermenting the sugar to produce ethanol, thereby eliminating the necessity of converting the resulting starches found in the tubes to fermentable sugars before fermenting the sugar to produce ethanol.

Abstract: An improved process for producing a salty seasoning by fermentation, wherein the improvement is characterized in that the feeding of raw materials, fermentation or ripening is carried out in the co-presence of potassium chloride and sodium chloride.As compared with the product obtained by a conventional process, the salty seasoning obtained by the above process has a better flavor and has a much lower sodium chloride content so that it is suitable for use in a low sodium diet.

Abstract: The invention comprises a method for producing a protein enriched food or feed product and products thereof. The method entails forming a mixture of water and a food or feed product, sterilizing the mixture, innoculating the sterilized mixture with a spawn culture of the genus Pleurotus, maintaining the innoculated mixture in the presence of air at a temperature of from about 5.degree. to about 46.degree. C. so as to enable the mycelium of the spawn culture to grow, and later terminating the growth of the mycelium. The food or feed product resulting from this process has an increased protein content.

Abstract: Fresh whole produce is placed in a container and continuously purged for about 30 to 120 minutes with oxygen or carbon dioxide gas. The container is then filled with a brine solution and the produce allowed to stand for a period of about 2-24 hours, thus resulting in superior pickled produce.

Abstract: A process for producing a tear grass soy sauce, which comprises inoculating a koji mold for soy sauce in a koji substrate comprising a denatured proteinous material and a denatured carbohydrate material, at least a part of said carbohydrate material being tear grass, cultivating the koji mold to form a koji for soy sauce, adding water and sodium chloride to the koji to prepare moromi, fermenting the moromi, and separating the liquid layer from the fermentation product; and a tear grass soy sauce obtained by aforesaid process.

Abstract: A method of breeding yeast on residual solution containing lactose from dairies, and ground cereals, leguminous products and/or other raw materials, containing sugars and polysaccharides, ammonia being added as the sole inorganic substance.

Abstract: A method for producing a fertilizer and decay promoting substance by subjecting grape marc to aerobic decay so that in a first phase, the sugar content is converted to alcohol and bacterial fermentation produces organic acids. During the first phase, the alcohol and acids react to produce aromatic esters and a decay stabilized mass. In a second phase, the mass is rearranged to facilitate access of air and promote penetration of the mycelia of a thermophilic actinomycete into the mass. In a third step, the mass is rearranged to effect microbial degradation by the actinomycete mycelia and the mass is dried and the pip-containing fraction is separated. The thus obtained pips or seeds are infested with mycelia and still contain their natural oil content and constitute an excellent high-grade fertilizer and aerobic decay promoting agent for the decay of vegetable and animal waste materials.

Abstract: A method for producing a fertilizer and decay promoting substance by subjecting grape marc to aerobic decay so that in a first phase, the sugar content is converted to alcohol and microbial fermentation produces organic acids. During the first phase, the alcohol and acids react to produce aromatic esters and a decay stabilized mass. In a second phase, the mass is rearranged to facilitate access of air and promote penetration of the mycelia of Humicola lanuginusa and thermophilic actinomycetes into the mass. In a third step, the mass is rearranged to effect microbial degradation of the mycelia and the mass is dried and the pip-containing fraction is separated. The thus obtained pips or seeds are infested with spores of the above-mentioned microorganisms and still contain their natural oil content and constitute an excellent high-grade fertilizer and aerobic decay promoting agent for the decay of vegetable and animal waste materials.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for ensilaging and fermenting vegetable and animal materials, in particular cabbage, which comprises recycling liquid removed from the bottom of the ensilaging container, recycling it and distributing it on top of the material being ensilaged. The device comprises means for effecting the recycle and distribution as well as means for heating and cooling the material being recycled. Additionally, means are provided for adding desired materials prior to and during the recycle.

Abstract: Biochemically degradable organic material, for example, animal waste matter, such as manure produced by hogs, sheep, cattle, chickens and humans is aerobically digested at thermophilic digestion temperatures to produce various digested products, including single cell proteinaceous material suitable for feeding to animals as part of the animals' nutritive diet. Biodegradable material is introduced into a digesting zone that is sufficiently insulated to prevent any substantial heat loss from the digesting material during the digestion process. An oxygenating gas such as air is introduced into the digesting material during all phases of the digestion. The digesting material is simultaneously vigorously agitated. The waste material is placed into the digester at ambient temperatures and is contacted with the oxygenating gas at a rate and is agitated at a level effective to cause thermogenic microbial digestion of the materials present in the waste matter.

Abstract: Palatable and edible food products are prepared from a fruit precursor comprising substantially non-edible and substantially non-palatable portions of fruits by comminuting the precursor and digesting the comminuted precursor by combining an edible, water-soluble digesting agent with the comminuted precursor. The digesting agent serves to adjust the pH of the precursor to a value at which the precursor cells rupture and enzymes in the precursor are active.Thereafter, the digested precursor is neutralized by changing the pH of the digested precursor with an edible, water-soluble neutralizing agent to about the value of the pH of the comminuted precursor prior to digestion. Fruits for which this process can be used include citrus fruits, pineapple, banana, papaya, mango, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: In a process for producing a foodstuff, more particularly a fodder from cereal, it is disclosed to saccharify the starch contained in the cereal to form dextrose by enzymatic degradation of the starch in the cereal grain. All the cereal substances, both those containing starch and those not containing starch, are treated together in the process of enzymatic degradation of the starch in the cereal grain until the starch has been converted to dextrose in the cereal grain. The product is then dried.

Abstract: A process for the detoxification of rapeseed which involves (a) autolyzing an aqueous mixture of rapeseed meal in the presence of myrosinase and ascorbic acid to achieve hydrolysis of glucosinolates present in the meal and (b) extracting the toxic products resulting from the hydrolysis of said glucosinolates using a polar, organic solvent. The detoxified rapeseed protein concentrate obtained according to the invention is a useful ingredient in foodstuffs for both human and animal consumption.

Abstract: When fermenting and ensilaging material such cabbage to produce sauerkraut, liquid is recycled during fermentation from the bottom of an ensilaging container to the top of the container and evenly distributed over the top of material in the container to prevent dehydration of the material being fermented.The temperature of the recycled liquid can be controlled and various substances can be added to the recycled liquid.

Abstract: The process consists of cultivating, at a temperature below 28.degree. C., the fungus Trichoderma Album in liquid nutrient media, the pH of said media being kept at a value comprised between about 3.7 and 4.8, the dissolved oxygen content being from about 6 to 10 mg/l. The cultivation is carried out with non-traumatizing, efficient stirring and under conditions such that multiplication is practically nil.

Abstract: A food for carnivorous lower animals which is fermented by certain lactic acid producing bacteria that produce a desirable flavor or which has an added flavoring from an edible material fermentate of lactic acid producing bacteria is described. The pet food has a pH of from about 3 to less than 6 and is particularly palatable to dogs.

Abstract: A novel light-brown seasoning liquor with high nitrogen and alcohol contents, and a method for producing the same by using, as the main raw material, a protein aqueous solution or dispersion which contains starch and is obtained from corn. The production method comprises the steps of: performing lactic fermentation by adding lactic acid bacteria to the raw material, then pasteurizing it, and decomposing the protein and starch by adding an enzyme solution extracted from koji with a saline solution, further performing alcohol fermentation by adding yeast, thereby finishing the fermentation and ripening within a short period of only 20-35 days. The fermented material is then filtered and sodium chloride is added to the filtrate to obtain the above seasoning liquor.

Abstract: A novel seasoning liquor having excellent seasoning effect with high nitrogen and alcohol contents, and a method for producing the same by using, as the main raw material, a protein aqueous solution or dispersion containing starch and being obtained from corn. The production method comprises the steps of: saccharifying the starch by adding amylolytic enzyme such as .alpha.-amylase to the raw material, performing lactic fermentation by adding lactic acid bacteria, then pasteurizing and deactivating said enzyme by heating, and decomposing the protein and starch by adding koji containing, as substrates, corn starch, wheat and the like, further performing alcohol fermentation by adding yeast. The concentration of sodium chloride is increased step by step according to the increase of alcohol concentration, and the fermentation and ripening can be finished within a short time of about 25-35 days.

Abstract: A food for carnivorous lower animals which is fermented by certain lactic acid producing bacteria that produce a desirable flavor or which has an added flavoring from an edible material fermentate of lactic acid producing bacteria is described. The pet food has a pH of from about 3 to less than 6 and is particularly palatable to dogs.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for producing an improved modified plant protein having thermoplastic and forming properties similar to casein and caseinate salts. The process comprises making an aqueous slurry of a carbohydrate containing plant protein material, fermenting the slurry with yeast to generate carbon dioxide, reacting the carbon dioxide with a hydroxide to form a carbonate, adjusting the pH, reacting the carbonate with the protein, admixing the slurry with a peroxide, neutralizing the slurry, and then removing steam volatile flavor components. The process produces a liquid product which is improved in odor, taste and color.

Abstract: There are disclosed prefermented, dehydrated potatoes having a low moisture content and a relatively low tendency to brown during frying. Potatoes of undesirably high reducing sugar content are fermented to lower their reducing sugar level before they are extensively dehydrated to a low moisture content, and the resulting products may exhibit less browning upon subsequent rehydration and frying than potatoes whose reducing sugar content is relatively high and is decreased by fermentation after being highly dehydrated to the low moisture content. Also, the potatoes which are fermented before dehydration exhibit a good rate of reducing sugar decline during fermentation, and may have less yeasty or fermentation taste upon frying, than potatoes which are fermented after drying to a low moisture level. Fermentation before extensive dehydration can be adequately and readily achieved even though the potatoes have a relatively high ratio of reducing sugar to total sugar.

Abstract: Tea compositions having improved color and flavor are produced by adding water-soluble aluminum salt(s) to the compositions or precursors during any stage of the manufacture up to the point of consumption, or even by coating or spraying the tea leaves prior to plucking and processing. Enhanced characteristics obtained as a result of this addition include increased redness and brightness and improved flavor.

Abstract: Soybean beverages are prepared by grinding dry, whole soybeans to a powder having a particle size less than about 420 microns. The powder is mixed with hot water to form a slurry, to soften the particles and to inactivate lipoxygenase. The slurry is homogenized and the pectin and cellulose components and the flatulence factors of the homogenized slurry are broken down by adding enzymes to the homogenized slurry.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for producing an improved modified plant protein having thermoplastic and forming properties similar to casein and caseinate salts. The process comprises making an aqueous slurry of a carbohydrate containing plant protein material, fermenting the slurry with yeast to generate carbon dioxide, reacting the carbon dioxide with a hydroxide to form a carbonate, adjusting the pH, reacting the carbonate with the protein, admixing the slurry with a peroxide, neutralizing the slurry, removing steam volatile flavor components, drying the neutralized slurry, and then blending the dried modified proteinaceous slurry with an unmodified proteinaceous material. The process produces a product which is improved in odor, taste and color.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for producing an improved modified plant protein having thermoplastic and forming properties similar to casein and caseinate salts. The process comprises making an aqueous slurry of a carbohydrate containing plant protein material, fermenting the slurry with yeast to generate carbon dioxide, reacting the carbon dioxide with a hydroxide to form a carbonate, adjusting the pH, reacting the carbonate with the protein, admixing the slurry with a peroxide, neutralizing the slurry, removing steam volatile flavor components, and then drying the neutralized slurry. The process produces a product which is improved in odor, taste and color.

Abstract: Producing koji for fermented food products by modifying an unmodified koji-substrate composed of a vegetable protein material and a vegetable carbohydrate material, inoculating a koji mold in the resulting modified koji-substrate, and cultivating it, wherein said cultivation is carried out in the presence of 0.1 to 1.2% by weight, based on the water content of the modified koji-substrate, of acetic acid added. This process is suitable for use in the manufacture of fermented foods such as soy sauce, miso, or sake.

Abstract: Fried chips comprising potato solids are made by blanching pieces of raw potatoes containing in excess of 0.2 percent reducing sugar to gel starch contained therein, drying said pieces to a moisture content of about 25 to 60 percent, forming a dough comprising at least about 60 percent by weight of potato solids from said pieces, mixing said dough with yeast and allowing said mixture to ferment for a time sufficient to lower the sugar content below about .[.0.27.]. .Iadd.0.2 .Iaddend.percent by weight of original raw potatoes, forming said dough into chips, drying said chips to a moisture content of from 6-20 percent by weight and frying said chips.