Abstract: A method and a plant for the separation of fat from proteins in a whey material to obtain a whey protein isolate (WPI) with a low fat content comprising the combination of a centrifugal separator and microfiltration (MF). The material fed to the separator contains the MF-retentate not passing through the microfilter. The combination improves the efficiency of the centrifugal separator and increases the yield of valuable WPI.

Abstract: Disclosed is a multi-layer gel-based food product, such as pudding, in which color migration from one layer to an adjacent layer is minimized. The multi-layer food product comprises a first milk-based, gel-based layer containing a dispersed oil phase and an oil soluble color within the oil phase. The first gel-based layer has a first color. A second gel-based layer, preferably also a milk-based layer, is adjacent the first gel-based layer. The second gel-based layer has a second color different from the first color. To further minimize color migration, the second gel-based layer can also contain a dispersed oil phase and an oil soluble color within the oil phase.

Abstract: Nutritionally improved cultured dairy products, such as milk beverages and yogurt products, include a fine powdered calcium phosphate salt of reduced particle size having a mean diameter ≦6&mgr;m in amounts sufficient to provide a total calcium content of 0.25% to 0.75%. A method for producing the calcium fortified products is also provided wherein an fine powdered insoluble calcium salt is admixed with a milk blend prior to fermentation. A yogurt can then be prepared by conventional fermentation. Both stirred style and cup set style yogurt products can be prepared.

Abstract: Described is a method for selectively isolating tryptophan containing peptides from an aqueous peptide mixture, including the steps of controlling the pH of the aqueous peptide mixture to 4.0-6.0, forming a precipitate of tryptophan containing peptides, and isolating the precipitated peptides.

Abstract: A complete food or nutritional supplement consumable without addition of water and rich in lipids has not more than 2%-10% water by weight and has an osmolality of less than 100 mOsm/kg after immersion in a volume of water four times greater than its own weight. The supplement has a mixture of food grade products in powdered, granular or particulate form and has at least one powdered dairy product. It may also optionally have at least one product providing digestible carbohydrates and a vitamin and mineral salt supplement. The mixture is coated with at least one substance rich in vegetable fat including an emulsifier. It may also optionally have an antioxidant. The mixture does not include the protein, indigestible carbohydrate, and mineral of oleaginous seeds.

Abstract: The invention deals with a process for the manufacture of a milk or whey product having a reduced spores and bacteria content, especially for the treatment of milk for the manufacture of standardized consumer milk or cheese milk and skim milk powder or whole milk powder. The invention enables the manufacture of the desired milk product using skim milk having a reduced content of microorganisms (spores and bacteria) relative to the prior art processes. Furthermore, the invention can be applied in connection with the manufacture of whey or pre-concentrated whey having a reduced spores and bacteria content.

Abstract: Acidic milk based beverage products which do not precipitate over time and are physically stable, and a process for preparing these products, are disclosed. These products contain from about 0.5% to 5.0% milk proteins and 0.1 to 2.0% of a food stabilizer and a food acid sufficient to lower the pH below 4.5. The first step of the process involves mixing milk proteins with a food grade weak base to raise the pH above 7.0. Food grade stabilizers are added to the elevated pH mixture of milk proteins and base under low shear conditions. Other ingredients are then added to provide the desired sweetness, flavor, color and microbiological stability. This mixture is homogenized before acidification. A chilled food grade acid is then added at a temperature below 30° c. under low to moderate shear conditions.

Abstract: The invention relates to a composition comprising emulsifier, cold hydrating viscosifying agent, and optionally fat and protein, which composition is suitable for use in the preparation of an oil in water emulsion.

Abstract: Methods of preparation for cultured milk based products and products prepared thereby are provided wherein a yogurt base is produced having a viscosity of at least 75,000 cps. at time of manufacture and a total solids content of 27% to 31% by weight. The process involves rapid cooling to arrest fermentation under reduced backpressure by dispensing into a zone at atmospheric pressure followed by a shear step to modify viscosity to provide a high solids, high viscosity yogurt product. The high viscosity yogurt is particularly suitable for use as a component in parfait style yogurt products with at least one intermediate fruit layer. The high viscosity yogurt more effectively supports a fruit layer and facilitates fabrication of such parfait yogurt products. The yogurt base can further be characterized as increasing in viscosity by up to 25% from time of manufacture to time of consumption.

Abstract: Disclosed is a multi-layered, gel-based dessert product, such as a pudding product, formed of a gel-based layer containing a first colorant and an adjacent gel-based layer containing a second, different colorant, at least one of the colorants being a negatively charged caramel colorant. The dessert product is made by introducing gel-based dessert product containing the first colorant into the bottom of a transparent container to form a first layer and then introducing additional gel-based product containing the container to form a second layer on top to the first. The resulting multi-layer product exhibits reduced color migration between the two layers.

Abstract: A plant and method of treating low-fat milk, such as skim milk, so as to obtain with a low content of spores and bacteria, wherein the milk is subject to a first microfiltration causing a separation into a first permeate, the first permeate being subjected to an additional microfiltration. This double microfiltration ensures that the acceptable limits for bacterial counts in milk products are not exceeded in case of a membrane breakdown.

Abstract: The invention concerns dairy product capsules and the method for making them. The capsules contain a coating including a food polymer, reactive to multivalent ions, inside which is confined a dairy product. The capsules are characterised in that they have a breaking force higher than 0.5 N. The invention is applicable in the food processing industry.

Abstract: Microfiltration of skim milk is carried out in combination with in-process pH reduction to provide a retentate useful for cheese making which is concentrated to a concentration factor of 7× to 12× and contains a ratio of calcium to total protein which is desired for the cheese, and a permeate which contains 40 to 80% of the whey protein of the skim milk being processed which is highly functional and typically contains little or no casein. Composition containing highly functional whey protein with no measurable fat or casein and no glycomacropeptides, rennet or starter cultures can be obtained; fruit beverages are disclosed which contain this composition.

Abstract: A method of making an &agr;-lactalbumin enriched whey protein product is described. The method involves the treatment of a whey protein product with an acid to lower the pH of the whey protein product to 4.0 or below. This pH-lowering step allows the &agr;-lactalbumin molecules to be concentrated more efficiently.

Abstract: The present invention provides a stabilized meat product of cooked meat comprising cooked meat and nisin-containing whey. The present invention also provides a stabilized food product comprising cooked meat, vegetables, sauce, and nisin-containing whey. The nisin-containing whey can be prepared by (1) inoculating a pasteurized dairy composition with a culture of a nisin-producing microorganism, incubating the composition until the pH attains a value between about 6.2 and about 4.0 and a whey and curd mixture is formed, and separating the whey from the whey and curd mixture to give the separated whey which is the nisin-containing whey or by (2) the fermentation of a fortified cheese whey composition using a nisin-producing microorganism. The invention also provides a method of making a stabilized food product of cooked meat, vegetables, and sauce that includes preparing a composition including meat, vegetables, sauce, and nisin-containing whey, and cooking the composition.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to synthesis of essential fatty acids and their derivatives, long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFAs) and eicosanoids in transfected cells and in transgenic animals.

Abstract: A textured whey protein product for use as a meat extender or meat analog is prepared by thermoplastic extrusion of a composition containing whey protein concentrate and optionally an edible polysaccharide, such as cornstarch. Puffing of the extruded product results in a snack food product. Methods of making the meat extender product and the snack food product are also included.

Abstract: A process for preparing a free alkylphenol flavor concentrate, including the steps of reacting an aqueous solution having a raw material containing bound alkylphenol conjugates with a mineral acid, and the use of free alkylphenols and free alkylphenol concentrates as flavor enhancers in a wide variety of food products.

Abstract: A composition for a nutritional supplement for convalescing patients recovering from illness or surgery, those with limited appetite such as the elderly, children or anorexic patients, or those who have impaired ability to digest other sources of protein such as persons having chronic gastritis who have a reduced gastric pepsin digestion. The supplement comprises: (i) a protein source which provides at least about 8% total calories of the composition and which includes at least about 50% by weight whey protein; (ii) a lipid source having an omega 3:6 fatty acid ratio of about 5:1 to about 10:1 and which provides at least about 18% total calories of the composition; (iii) a carbohydrate source; and (iv) a balanced macronutrient profile comprising at least vitamin E and vitamin C. The supplement has reduced capacity to induce satiety.

Abstract: A beverage system for providing a coffee beverage is described which contains a coffee base concentrate and an aromatized soluble coffee creamer. The coffee base concentrate has a soluble coffee solids concentration of at least about 10% by weight and is free of coffee aroma. The coffee base concentrate and the aromatized soluble coffee aroma are stored separately and are combined upon reconstitution for providing a coffee beverage. Separate storage of the coffee base concentrate and the aromatized soluble coffee creamer increases the stability of the system and provides a coffee beverage which closely assimilates a freshly brewed coffee drinks such as latte macchiato and cappuccino.

Abstract: An improved snack food product in the form of resilient, molded, self-sustaining bodies preferably made from a heated mixture comprising a dairy product (cheese, yogurt or pudding), gelatin, fat and water. The product bodies are small and bite sized, having a mass to surface area ratio of from about 0.05-5 g/cm2, which facilitates molding thereof. Preferred food products are prepared by first creating a heated flowable mixture of including cheese, gelatin, fat and water, and depositing small quantities of the mixture into molding depressions formed in powdered starch; after hardening, the resultant products are separated from the starch and packaged.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a new &bgr;-galactosidase with transgalactosylating activity isolated from Bifidobacterium bifidum and a truncated enzyme where the C-terminal end of the &bgr;-galactosidase protein has been deleted, resulting in an enzyme with a higher transgalactosylating activity than hydrolase activity. When lactose is used as a substrate, galacto-oligosaccharides are products of the transgalactosylase activity. Galacto-oligosaccharides enhance growth of health-promoting Bifidobacterium that may be used in a number of applications in the dairy industry.

Abstract: The present invention relates to liquid, sterilized food compositions including about 20 to 45% by weight of a milk, between about 10 to 20% by weight of egg, between about 10 to 20% by weight of cream, between about 15 to 30% by weight of a sugar, and whey protein in an amount of about 4 to 10% by weight, wherein the compositions are suitable for making heat-set gelled food products. The invention also relates to a process for making such compositions by preparing an acid phase of an acid, the whey protein and water; preparing a neutral phase of the milk, sugar, egg and cream components; sterilizing the acid phase and neutral phase separately from one another; and then combining the sterilized acid phase and the sterilized neutral phase to obtain the compositions.

Abstract: A process for preparing yogurt takes advantage of the discovery that a form of modified whey characterized by a calcium content of at least 3%, protein content of from 10 to 20%, and a phospholipid content of at least 2%, has the ability to impart a creamy texture to yogurt while increasing its calcium content, Preferred products have calcium contents such that each serving contains from about 25 to about 50% of the Daily Value figure of 1000 mg per day.

Abstract: An improved snack food product in the form of resilient, molded, self-sustaining bodies preferably made from a heated mixture comprising a dairy product (cheese, yogurt or pudding), gelatin, fat and water. The product bodies are small and bite sized, having a mass to surface area ratio of from about 0.05-5 g/cm2, which facilitates molding thereof. Preferred food products are prepared by first creating a heated flowable mixture of including cheese, gelatin, fat and water, and depositing small quantities of the mixture into molding depressions formed in powdered starch or a resilient rubber mold; after hardening, the resultant products are separated from the starch or rubber mold and packaged.

Abstract: A milk product providing an individual at least 31 IU (International Units) of vitamin E per serving, or an ingestible blend of at least one mammalian milk protein or fragment thereof, and vitamin E or other fat-soluble micronutrient or pharmacological agent is described. The vitamin E is uniformly microdispersed throughout the milk product, and ingestion of at least 100 IU of vitamin E per day in the product is sufficient to cause the fasting plasma vitamin E/cholesterol ratio in human subjects to be elevated at least 50% above the basal fasting level of vitamin E measured in the same subjects consuming no vitamin E dietary supplements. A method for elevating the plasma vitamin E level at least 50% in human subjects is also described. The method includes ingesting a milk product as described. A method for increasing the bioavailability of an orally administered fat-soluble micronutrient or pharmaceutical agent is also described.

Abstract: A processed whey protein with an improved shelf life comprising partially heat-denatured whey protein and casein protein is provided. The partially heat-denatured whey protein can be prepared by heating a solution with a protein concentration of 0.5 to 15% by weight and pH 6-8 at 55 to 120° C. for 1 to 120 minutes. A process for the preparation of processed whey protein is also provided and comprises adding casein protein to partially heat-denatured whey protein, or adding casein protein to non-denatured whey protein and heating the mixture to partially denature the non-denatured whey protein. The processed whey protein has an improved shelf life. The gel obtained from the processed whey protein exhibits high water retention capacity and superior elasticity. The product is useful as a raw material of foods.

Abstract: Live strains of Lactobacillus acidophilus HY2177 and Lactobacillus casei HY2743 maintained in nutritious foods, such as yogurt, imbue them with prophylactic and/or therapeutic properties. Such foods are beneficial in the prevention and/or treatment of gastritis, duodenal and gastric ulcers caused by infection from Helicobacter pylori (also referred to as H. pylori). The properties of these bacteria are boosted by the addition of egg yolk containing antibodies specific to H. pylori antigen derived from “fractionated H. pylori” and may be administered as active strains alone in a food supplement, or the active strains may be combined with H. pylori-antibodies (IgY).

Abstract: A Fermented milk product is described having an ACE inhibitory effect of at least 35 U/ml, wherein the milk product is produced from milk fermented with Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. lactis. Further a food product is described comprising an amount of 0.003 mg/g protein, or more a peptide or peptide salt having 2-15 amino acids, comprising the peptide sequence Asp-Lys and/or Ile-His-Pro-Phe.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a low pH nutritional formula that contains high levels of macronutrients, vitamins and minerals. The pH of the enteral formula is from about 3.0-4.6 and delivers at least 25% of the RDI for selected vitamins and minerals in a 237 ml. serving. The enteral formula uses a stabilizing system comprising high methoxy pectin to stabilize the protein and a unique process to produce the formula.

Abstract: An L-carnitine agent has an indispensable function in the body and utility as a material for pharmaceutical agents or food and drink. By subjecting milk or modified milk products of mammals from which casein is removed, to the treatment of desalting and partial removal of lactose followed by drying, L-carnitine content, lactose content, and ash content are adjusted to 0.1˜100 mmol/100 g, 20˜95 g/100 g, and 5 g/100 g or less, respectively.

Abstract: Food product 17 obtained by extrusion baking of a mixture of dairy or cheese origin with a fibrous structure characterised in that the fibres form a network of macroscopic fibres whose diameters are in the order of 0.1 mm to 1 mm, ramified into microscopic fibres with diameters in the order of 1 &mgr;m to 0.1 mm, with the dry matter of the product at least partially originating from whey.

Abstract: A mineral or vitamin fortification ingredient which does not deleteriously affect palatability and appearance of foods is obtained by encapsulation of the mineral or vitamin in a grindable, glassy matrix composition. The glassy matrix composition includes an oligosaccharide, such as &bgr;-2-1 fructofuranose materials, preferably fructooligosaccharides (FOS) and inulin, which not only forms a glassy matrix, but also beneficially increases the fiber content of the food. At least one edible oil is included in the encapsulating composition to prevent substantial adverse interaction between the mineral or vitamin encapsulant and the glass-forming oligosaccharide matrix material, and to achieve controlled release of the encapsulant from the glassy matrix.

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 calcium-fortified milk or dairy-based product containing a calcium source and a food-grade polyphosphate having at least six phosphate groups.

Abstract: Methods for the production of whey protein dispersions using a two-step heating process are described. A whey protein solution of a predetermined concentration is heated at a first temperature and pH, allowed to cool, and heated at a second temperature and pH. The whey protein solution may be diluted between the first and second heating.

Abstract: Yogurt containing encapsulated lactic acid bacteria wherein the lactic acid bacteria 1 is encapsulated within acid resistant and intestine-soluble capsules, and wherein the specific gravity of the liquid yogurt is the same or substantially the same as the specific gravity of the lactic acid bacteria containing capsules whereby the capsules are uniformly distributed in the liquid yogurt.

Abstract: Granules and tablets for oral administration, containing angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibiting peptides and treated whey with a mixing fluid bed processor, wherein said whey is obtained from lactic acid fermentation liquid. The granules have properties of narrow particle distributions, low moisture absorption, and heavy specific gravity, as well as high free flowing. A process is also provided for producing the granules by the steps of: a) onto seed granules obtained in an earlier operation in a mixing fluid bed processor, spraying purified whey of lactic acid fermentation liquid to form preliminary granules; b) treating the preliminary granules thus obtained to reduce particle size in a size reduction mill; c) returning the treated powder to the mixing fluid bed processor, and, d) spraying additional purified whey onto the returned powder in the mixing fluid bed processor to form granules, while fluidizing the said powder.

Abstract: The present invention encompasses a Streptococcus thermophilus strain that has been deposited at the Collection Nationale de Cultures de Microorganismes (CNCM) under No. I-it 1477 and mutants that share similar milk acidification characteristics. The invention also covers processes for using the novel strain to prepare fermented dairy products and fermented products produced by these processes. Strain No. I-1477 possesses unique milk acidification properties that distinguish it from other related bacterial strains. Most importantly, the claimed Streptococcus strain exhibits both a rapid rate of acidification, which reduces the risk of bacterial contamination and extremely low post-acidification activity following fermentation, which helps preserve the fermentation products.

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: Refrigerated cultured dairy products such as yogurt having enhanced anti-mold stability are prepared by including minute quantities of a cultured dairy ingredient having been cultured with a propionic acid forming culture. The propionic bearing cultured dairy ingredient such as whey is added to a milk base that is then heat treated prior to inoculation and fermentation with a yogurt culture. Premature protein coagulation that can occur during the heat treatment step is minimized by adding minute quantities of a calcium sequestrant to the milk base.

Abstract: A novel meat extender composition for boosting the nutritional value of meat contains a four component dry mix system of whey protein concentrate, maltodextrin, a starch and non-fat dry milk. Additional vitamins, minerals, spices and a flavor enhancer may also be added to improve the organoleptic characteristics of the meat which is preferably ground or chopped for easier consumption.

Abstract: Nutritionally improved cultured dairy products such as yogurt products include a fine powdered calcium phosphate salt of reduced particle size having a mean diameter ≦6 &mgr;m in amounts sufficient to provide a total calcium content of 0.25% to 0.75%.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for decreasing the time required for production of yogurt without compromise of product quality. More particularly, the invention relates to a process for decreasing the time required for yogurt production without compromise of quality by fermentation at about 105° F. to about 115° F. followed by direct acidification. The yogurt composition is directly acidified when the pH of the composition reaches a pH of about 4.8 to about 5.2. The composition can be acidified while the temperature is at about 105° F. to about 115° F., or the composition can be acidified during or after cooling.

Abstract: The invention relates to a whey salt product, which is not bitter in taste, and which is characterized by containing 19 to 27% potassium, 0.5 to 2% calcium, 5 to 7% sodium, 0.1 to 1% magnesium, 17 to 37% chloride and 0.5 to 3 % phosphorus and further 10 to 20% protein and 10 to 35% lactose, to a process for its production and its use as a table salt substitute. According to the invention, the whey salt powder is prepared in such a way that whey or an ultrafiltration. permeate with a dry matter content of 20% by weight at the most, obtained from milk or whey, is filtered through membranes by using nanofiltration membranes, the permeate with a dry matter content of 0.1 to 1.0% by weight obtained from nanofiltration is concentrated and finally dried to powder.

Abstract: A method for producing a peptide mixture from a starting protein by (1) adding at least one protease to an aqueous solution of at least one starting protein to hydrolyse the starting protein, (2) measuring the amount of a free amino acid selected from the group consisting of lysine, phenylalanine, leucine and arginine produced during the hydrolysis of the starting protein, (3) calculating the amount of the free amino acid with respect to the total amount of amino acid contained in the starting protein, and (4) terminating the hydrolysis when the calculated amount of the free amino acid with respect to the total amount of the amino acid contained in the starting protein falls within a predetermined range. The inventive method provides a starting protein hydrolysate of uniform and consistent quality.

Abstract: A modified whey protein isolate having the ability to fully replace egg whites in many food applications requiring foaming is prepared by a process which involves heat treating to obtain a unique balance of overrun and foam stability properties. The process entails heating an aqueous solution of whey protein isolate at from 70 to 85° C., and can include holding ath this temperature and pH adjustment prior to heating to obtain the desired properties. Food mixes employing the modified whey protein isolate and processes for making food products employing the modified whey protein isolate are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for preparing an aqueous composition useful as a stabilizing and texturizing agent in dairy products, the composition obtainable by said process and a food composition comprising a dairy product base and said aqueous composition.

Abstract: A process for preparing a free alkylphenol flavor concentrate, including the steps of reacting an aqueous solution comprising a raw material containing bound alkylphenol conjugates with a mineral acid, and the use of free alkylphenols and free alkylphenol concentrates as flavor enhancers in a wide variety of food products.

Abstract: Preparations are disclosed containing the 3R-3′R stereoisomer of zeaxanthin as a sole detectable isomer, packaged for oral ingestion by humans as a therapeutic drug or nutritional supplement. Zeaxanthin is a yellow carotenoid pigment found in the macula (in the center of the human retina), which helps protect retinal cells against phototoxic damage. The pure R-R stereoisomer can be prepared by fermenting cells, such as Flavobacterium multivorum (ATCC 55238), which do not create any detectable quantity of the undesired and potentially toxic S-S or S-R isomers, and which do not synthesize any other carotenoids. The R-R isomer can be concentrated, in large quantities and at low cost, into a viscous oily fluid containing about 5 to 20% zeaxanthin, by means of a simple solvent extraction process. This oily fluid can be mixed with a carrier such as vegetable oil and enclosed within a digestible capsule, comparable to a conventional capsule containing Vitamin E.