Abstract: The present invention includes biodegradable plant protein composites.

Abstract: Methods of reducing cystine containing animal and plant proteins, and improving dough and baked goods' characteristics is provided which includes the steps of mixing dough ingredients with a thiol redox protein to form a dough and baking the dough to form a baked good. The method of the present invention preferably uses reduced thioredoxin with wheat flour which imparts a stronger dough and higher loaf volumes. Methods for reducing snake, bee and scorpion toxin proteins with a thiol redox (SH) agent and thereby inactivating the protein or detoxifying the protein in an individual are also provided. Protease inhibitors, including the, Kunitz and Bowman-Birk trypsin inhibitors of soybean, were also reduced by the NADP/thioredoxin system (NADPH, thioredoxin, and NADP-thioredoxin reductase) from either E. coli or wheat germ. When reduced by thioredoxin, the Kunitz and Bowman-Birk soybean trypsin inhibitors lose their ability to inhibit trypsin.

Abstract: Methods of reducing cystine containing animal and plant proteins, and improving dough and baked goods' characteristics is provided which includes the steps of mixing dough ingredients with a thiol redox protein to form a dough and baking the dough to form a baked good. The method of the present invention preferably uses reduced thioredoxin with wheat flour which imparts a stronger dough and higher loaf volumes. Methods for reducing snake, bee and scorpion toxin proteins with a thiol redox (SH) agent and thereby inactivating the protein or detoxifying the protein in an individual are also provided. Protease inhibitors, including the Kunitz and Bowman-Birk trypsin inhibitors of soybean, were also reduced by the NADP/thioredoxin system (NADPH, thioredoxin, and NADP-thioredoxin reductase) from either E. coli or wheat germ. When reduced by thioredoxin, the Kunitz and Bowman-Birk soybean trypsin inhibitors lose their ability to inhibit trypsin.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the separation of flour into one gluten fraction and at least one other fraction, comprising the steps of: mixing the flour and a liquid to obtain a dough, separating the dough into a fraction comprising gluten and at least one other fraction, recovering at least the gluten fraction, wherein an oxidoreductase is added at any of steps a), b) or c).

Abstract: Additive for use in any energy supplementation or metabolic nutrient in the form of a beverage or other nutrient for athletes or other persons in need of increased glycogen level, use of a protein hydrolysate to the preparation of such an energy supplementation and an energy supplement containing such an additive. The protein hydrolysate can be of animal or vegetable origin.

Abstract: Plant cell expansion is regulated by wall relaxation and yielding, which is thought to be catalyzed by elusive “wall loosening” enzymes. By employing a reconstitution approach, we initially found that a crude protein extract from the cell walls of growing cucumber seedlings possessed the ability to induce the extension of isolated cell walls. This activity was restricted to the growing region of the stem and could induce the extension of isolated cell walls from various dicots and monocots, but was less effective on grass coleoptile walls. Sequential HPLC fractionation of the active wall extract revealed two proteins with molecular masses of 29 and 30 kD, as measured by SDS-PAGE, associated with such activity. Each protein, by itself, could induce wall extension without detectable hydrolytic breakdown of the wall. We proposed the name “expansins” for this class of proteins.

Abstract: Methods for maintaining, improving or increasing the synthesis of mucins by administering a nutritional composition or supplement that contains a therapeutically effective amount of threonine are provided. The present invention further provides methods for treating a variety of disease states characterized by alterations to the mucin levels, such as, intestinal inflammatory and bacterial infections or other like disease states.

Abstract: The present invention provides a nucleic acid sequences coding for the ryegrass pollen allergens Lol pIa and Lol pIb, purified Lol pIa and Lol pIb protein and fragments thereof, methods of producing recombinant Lol pIa and Lol pIb or at least one fragment thereof or derivative or homologue thereof, and methods of using the nucleic acid sequences, proteins and peptides of the invention.

Abstract: Methods of reducing cystine containing animal and plant proteins, and improving dough and baked goods' characteristics is provided which includes the steps of mixing dough ingredients with a thiol redox protein to form a dough and baking the dough to form a baked good. The method of the present invention preferably uses reduced thioredoxin with wheat flour which imparts a stronger dough and higher loaf volumes. Methods for reducing snake, bee and scorpion toxin proteins with a thiol redox (SH) agent and thereby inactivating the protein or detoxifying the protein in an individual are also provided. Protease inhibitors, including the Kunitz and Bowman-Birk trypsin inhibitors of soybean, were also reduced by the NADP/thioredoxin system (NADPH, thioredoxin, and NADP-thioredoxin reductase). When reduced by thioredoxin, the Kunitz and Bowman-Birk soybean trypsin inhibitors lose their ability to inhibit trypsin.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of obtaining a highly soluble protein which method generally includes at least the step of contacting the protein with an amount of antioxidant suitable to raise the solubility of the protein, which method may also be utilized to raise the protein yield of the process. Antioxidants suitable for use in the present invention include substituted and unsubstituted quinones, anisoles, toluenes and tocopherols. Also disclosed is a highly soluble protein which includes a protein and added antioxidant. Further disclosed are food products made from a highly soluble protein. Finally, a method of processing food products is disclosed which at least includes the step of incorporating a highly soluble protein into the food product.

Abstract: Wheat gluten protein-based biodegradable or edible films are produced using aqueous, essentially alcohol-free casting dispersions containing modified wheat protein and a plasticizer. The modified wheat protein is prepared by treating purified naturally occurring wheat protein with a reducing agent (e.g., sodium metabisulfite) in order to reduce the average molecular weight of the wheat protein and to cleave disulfide bonds therein. Such modified wheat gluten protein lowers the viscosity and allows increased solid contents in the casting dispersions, allowing fabrication of improved films.

Abstract: A new class of proteins and methods related thereto are presented. The proteins, which can be characterized as catalysts of the extension of plant cell walls and the weakening of the hydrogen bonds in pure cellulose, are referred to as expansins. Two proteins have been isolated by fractionation techniques from washed wall fragments of cucumber hypocotyls, referred to as "cucumber expansin-29" and "cucumber expansin-30" (abbreviated cEx-29 and cEx-30, with respect to their apparent relative masses as determined by SDS-PAGE). Moreover, three peptide fragments from the purified cEx-29 protein were sequenced, then oligonucleotide primers were designed to amplify a portion of the expansin cDNA using polymerase chain reaction with a cDNA template derived from cucumber seedlings, and then the PCR fragment was used to screen a cDNA library to identify full length clones.

Abstract: Disclosed is a chimeric isoprenoid synthase polypeptide including a first domain from a first isoprenoid synthase joined to a second domain from a second, heterologous isoprenoid synthase, whereby the chimeric isoprenoid synthase is capable of catalyzing the production of isoprenoid reaction products that are not produced in the absence of the second domain of the second, heterologous isoprenoid synthase. Also disclosed is a chimeric isoprenoid synthase polypeptide including an assymetrically positioned homologous domain, whereby the chimeric isoprenoid synthase is capable of catalyzing the production of isoprenoid reaction products that are not produced when the domain is positioned at its naturally-occurring site in the isoprenoid synthase polypeptide.

Abstract: In the method described, a protein-containing substance is first taken up in an alkaline solvent to give a solution. Insoluble constituents of the substance are separated off, the solution is neutralized and desalinated, and then the proteins contained in the solution are concentrated. The solubilization or disintegration of the protein-containing substance is carried out at room temperature using homogenization equipment. The heat dissipated into the protein-containing substance during homogenization is simultaneously removed. The pH of the alkaline solvent during the decomposition is over 11.5 and/or decomposition is carried out in the presence of a detergent, in particular sodium dodecylsulfate (SDS).

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of obtaining a highly soluble protein which method generally includes at least the step of contacting the protein with an amount of antioxidant suitable to raise the solubility of the protein, which method may also be utilized to raise the protein yield of the process. Antioxidants suitable for use in the present invention include substituted and unsubstituted quinones, anisoles, toluenes and tocopherols. Also disclosed is a highly soluble protein which includes a protein and added antioxidant. Further disclosed are food products made from a highly soluble protein. Finally, a method of processing food products is disclosed which at least includes the step of incorporating a highly soluble protein into the food product.

Abstract: The present invention relates to three novel genes which have been isolated from cold-tolerant wheat species and which are induced by low temperature. The first gene, Wcs19, is preferentially expressed in green leaf tissues of tolerant gramineae species and requires both light and low temperature for maximal induction. The second gene, Wcs120, is induced only by low temperature. Different from the protein encoded by Wcs19, the protein encoded by Wcs120 contains two repeated domains that are highly conserved among RAB (rice abscisic acid-induced) and dehydrin families and appears to be light-independent. The Wcs120 protein does not however contain a serine-rich sequence present in RAB and dehydrin families. Finally, the present invention also relates to a third gene, Wcor410, also induced by low temperature as well as water stress and, to a lesser extend, by ABA. Its expression is light-independent. The protein encoded by this gene contains a serine-rich stretch as found in several drought induced proteins.

Abstract: An amylase inhibitor consisting of a protein constructed of 244 amino acid residues having two subunits each identified as SEQ ID NO:1, in which a single band is observed at a mobility of 0.26 by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, and having a high inhibitory activity against human pancreatic .alpha.-amylase to inhibit an increase in blood glucose level, control an insulin secretion or maintain the duration in a feeling of satiety for diet. The amylase inhibitor can be used alone or in combination with other known amylase inhibitors.

Abstract: An improved alcohol-free method for fractionating gluten into gliadin and glutenin fractions is provided where an acidic dispersion of gluten is formed with a reducing agent (e.g., sodium metabisulfite) operable for breaking disulfide bonds in the gluten protein. Thereafter, the pH of the dispersion is raised to cause glutenin to precipitate while leaving gliadin suspended in the dispersion. The respective fractions can then be separated by decanting or centrifugation. In preferred processing, the dispersion is reacidified prior to separation in order to achieve a higher degree of separation of the glutenin and gliadin.

Abstract: Character of the envelope transmembrane protein of human immunodeficiency virus type 2 (HIV-2) was carried out using murine polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies or patient sera specific for HIV-2 proteins. A 80-Mr glycoprotein (gp80) was produced in HIV-2 infected cells along with three other glycoproteins that were recently reported: the extracellular glycoprotein (gp125), the envelope glycoprotein precursor (gp140), and the transient dimeric form of gp140 (gp300). The gp125 and gp80 were detectable after the synthesis of gp140 and the formation of gp300. Among these four glycoproteins, only gp80 and gp125 were associated with HIV-2 virions. As the other glycoproteins, gp80 was recognized by all HIV-2 positive sera. A murine polyclonal antibody raised against the purified gp300 recognized all four glycoproteins.

Abstract: A method for separating a composition containing glycolipids, lysopholipids, sphingolipids and ceramides of plant origin is described. A liquid alcohol is heated to a temperature of between 50.degree. and 80.degree. C., a plant composition or plant extract is introduced into the alcohol to form a mixture, the mixture is hot-filtered so as to separate the filtrate from a dilapidated filter cake, and the alcohol is evaporated from the filtrate such that a lipid residue which contains glycolipids, lysophospholipids, sphingolipids, and ceramides is obtained. The lipid residue can be used in cosmetology or dermatology.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a series of novel crosslinked polymers. The compounds of the present invention are prepared by the reaction of chloracetic acid with a pendant hydroxyl group which is present on a polyoxyalkylene polymer, followed by the reaction of the halo-ester with a protein or amino acid to give a crosslinked protein compound. In a preferred embodiment the polyoxyalkylene glycol has been prepared by the reaction of both ethylene oxide and propylene oxide. In a more preferred embodiment, the ethylene oxide is at the terminal portion of the molecule and the propylene oxide is in the center. The proteins of the present invention plate out on the surface of hair skin and once dry act as humectants, trapping moisture to the hair. This results in hair which is fuller, has less static and is cosmetically more appealing. This combination of properties makes these polymers ideally suited for use in personal care applications.

Abstract: A process of producing an amylase inhibitor from an amylase inhibitor-containing solution extracted from wheat flour, etc with water, a dilute acid, a dilute alkali or from an amylase inhibitor-containing starch waste solution, by utilization of an adsorption of the amylase inhibitor on a calcium phosphate gel, while removing impure proteins contained in the solution. The process can produce in economy and high yields the amylase inhibitor having a very high amylase inhibitory activity but no or very little trypsin inhibitory activity.

Abstract: Organofunctional silicone chains having an organic moiety on at least one end of the chains, are covalently linked to free amino groups of proteins by the organic moieties to provide a useful ingredient for cosmetic formulations.

Abstract: The protein/starch bond is broken mechanically by wet attrition milling rather than by cooking or with chemicals alone. The grain particles are milled to a particle size sufficiently small to break the bond between starch and protein and sufficiently large to retain substantially all of the starch granules intact. The protein is then extracted with ethanol and alkali solvents, separated and dried to form protein and/or protein isolate. The intact starch granules are cleaned and dried.

Abstract: Selected plant lectins have been found to be larvicidal against a number of common insect pests of agricultural crops. In a preferred embodiment, plant resistance to these insects is produced by inserting into the cells of a plant a gene whose expression causes production of one or more of these lectins in larvicidal amounts.

Abstract: A method for forming a stabilized aqueous dispersion which is useful for reducing viscosity of a stabilized aqueous dispersion wherein various water-insoluble or sparingly soluble inorganic and/or organic particles for food stuffs are suspended, accelerating suspension and dispersion of the various particles, and preventing sedimentation of the suspended particles.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of an amylase inhibitor is disclosed which comprises the steps of:(a) extracting wheat, wheat flour or wheat gluten with water, a dilute acid, a dilute alkali or an aqueous alcohol to produce a solution containing the amylase inhibitor;(b) adding a polysaccharide to said solution to form an insoluble complex of the amylase inhibitor with the polysaccharide and separating the insoluble complex from the solution;(c) dissolving or dispersing said complex in a solution, then separating the polysaccharide from the solution to collect a solution containing the amylase inhibitor; and(d) treating the collected solution with a cation exchanger to recover the amylase inhibitor from fractions that have not been adsorbed on the cation exchanger.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for the specific determination of the serum fructosamine content in blood or samples derived from blood by reaction with an appropriate color reagent and measurement of the color change thereby brought about, wherein, before the color reaction, non-specific reducing-acting and/or turbidity-causing sample components are removed at approximately neutral pH value, subsequently the pH is adjusted to a value of from 10 to 12 and the color reagent is added thereto.The present invention also provides a reagent mixture for the specific determination of the serum fructosamine content in blood or samples derived from blood, wherein it comprises a reagent for the removal of non-specific reducing-acting and/or turbidity-causing sample components, a rebuffering reagent with a buffer which has a pH value in the range of from 10.5 to 12.5 and a color reagent for the detection of fructosamine.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for preparing a carbohydrate-binding lectin derivative for use as immune modulators or immunoconjugates. The polymer-lectin conjugate produced in accordance with the process is polyethylene glycol Ricinus communis agglutinin I (PEG-RCAI). The lectin is coupled to the polymer by activating the polymer with a coupling agent such as 1,1-carbonyldiimidazole. The polymer-lectin conjugate is biologically active, biocompatible and is expected to be substantially non-immunogenic.

Abstract: Novel protein partial degradation products obtainable from grain proteins such as wheat protein, maize protein, soya bean protein, etc., by specific degradation treatments, which are useful as a quality-improving agent for various food stuffs, a surface active agent, a dispersing agent for particles, etc.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a series of novel silicone proteins which are high substantive to fiber and hair. They are cationic materials which contain an ester linkage. A chloroester of a dimethicone copolyol is reacted with the amino group of a protein or amino acid. The compounds contain both a silicone portion and protein portion in a covalent bone one molecule. Since the compounds of the present invention are high molecular weight silicone polymers, they have a high degree of oxidative stability, even at elevated temperatures and are nonirritating to skin and eyes. The proteins of the present invention plate out on and form a film on the surface of hair skin and textile fibers. In addition, these compounds are non volatile and exhibit a inverse cloud point. These combination of properties makes these polymers ideally suited for use in personal care applications.

Abstract: A process for enhancing the functional properties of denatured proteinaceous material of vegetable origin. The enhanced properties include at least one property selected from the group consisting of water absorption, water binding capacity, oil binding capacity, fat binding capacity, and the ability to produce viscous aqueous suspensions. The process includes the steps of obtaining the denatured proteinaceous material by treating undenatured proteinaceous material with aqueous alcohol and maintaining a slurry of the denatured proteinaceous material in warm aqueous ammonia in which the weight ratio of the aqueous phase to solids is between 3:1 and 15:1 at a temperature between 75.degree. C. to 100.degree. C. and within a pH range of from 8.0 to 9.5.

Abstract: Characterization of the envelope transmembrane protein of human immunodeficiency virus type 2 (HIV-2) was carried out using murine polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies or patient sera specific for HIV-2 proteins. A 80-Mr glycoprotein (gp80) was produced in HIV-2 infected cells along with three other glycoproteins that were recently reported: the extracellular glycoprotein (gp125), the envelope glycoprotein precursor (gp140), and the transient dimeric form of gp140 (gp300). The gp125 and gp80 were detectable after the synthesis of gp140 and the formation of gp300. Among these four glycoproteins, only gp80 and gp125 were associated with HIV-2 virions. As the other glycoproteins, gp80 was recognized by all HIV-2 positive sera. A murine polyclonal antibody raised against the purified gp300 recognized all four glycoproteins.

Abstract: The invention disclosed herein relates to a new and improved means of modifying gluten. The modification process consists of acid hydrolysis at relatively low temperatures for short periods of time to produce a modified gluten having improved physical characteristics of solubility, high water holding capacity, good emulsifying properties and the formation of stable foams.

Abstract: The .alpha.-chlorohydrin content of liquid hydrolysed protein obtained by acid hydrolysis with hydrochloric acid is reduced by adjusting the pH of the liquid hydrolysed protein to a pH of from 8 to 14 and holding the liquid for a time sufficient for the .alpha.-chlorohydrin content of the liquid hydrolysed protein to be reduced.

Abstract: A process of preparing an .alpha.-amylase inhibiting substance from wheat is disclosed which comprises heat treating a supernatant fraction of an aqueous extract of wheat or wheat flour to modify unnecessary protein contaminants in the supernatant fraction, removing a modified protein from said fraction, and subjecting a resulting aqueous solution containing an .alpha.-amylase inhibiting substance to a concentration treatment using an ultrafiltration membrane. As the ultrafiltration membrane is used the membrane of polyacrylonitrile, polyolefin, polysulfone, polyimide or polypropylene materials, each having a fractionation molecular weight of 5,000, 6,000, 8,000, 10,000, 13,000, 20,000, 30,000, 50,000, 100,000 and 200,000 Dalton cut off.

Abstract: A novel procedure for the preparation of a protein which is an inhibitor of alpha-amylase II is described. The protein may be prepared by extracting barley meal with a Tris-HCl buffer and purifying the crude inhibitor thus obtained by a chromatographic procedure. Alternatively, the protein may be prepared by recombinant DNA techniques. The protein can be applied as an additive to sprout-damaged wheat flour which can then be used to provide improved quality bread.

Abstract: Lipoproteins are separated from their aqueous solutions, e.g., blood, by treatment with PFC emulsified with phospholipid and then separating the emulsion containing the apolipoproteins. The latter are readily separated from the emulsion.

Abstract: Food grade protein and dietary fibre concentrates are prepared from wheat millfeed. The process utilizes an efficient alkali extraction to obtain in excess of 75% w/w of the protein present in the millfeed in a solution which is further treated to separate the suspended starch and fat. The clarified liquid containing the protein is passed over a semipermeable membrane during which it is further purified and concentrated. Hydrogen peroxide and heat are introduced to the liquid thereby reducing its color prior to spray drying. The resulting residue from the extraction is dried or further treated with hydrogen peroxide and heat to produce a light colored dietary fibre concentrate.

Abstract: A novel procedure for the preparation of a protein which is an inhibitor of alpha-amylase II is described. The protein may be prepared by extracting barley meal with a Tris-HCl buffer and purifying the crude inhibitor thus obtained by a chromatographic procedure. Alternatively, the protein may be prepared by recombinant DNA techniques. The protein can be applied as an additive to sprout-damaged wheat flour which can then be used to provide improved quality bread.

Abstract: New calcium and magnesium complexes of phytohemagglutinin-polyheteroglycans are distinguished inter alia by cytoprotective, antiinflammatory and immunostimulating properties. They have characteristic molecular weights and distribution thereof, infrared spectra and compositions in respect of calcium and/or magnesium, phosphorus, glycans and amino acids. The preparation is carried out by extraction of the phytohemagglutinin-polyglycans with water of weakly alkaline pH from plants, in particular of the families Compositae, Malvaceae, Cucurbitaceae and Gramineae, and precipitation with an alcohol which is miscible with water. The complexes can be used for the treatment of ulcers, inflammations or viral infections, or as immunostimulant.

Abstract: New .alpha.-amylase inhibitor from wheat (WAI-53). The inhibitor is characterized especially by having molecular weight of 24,000 as determined by gel filtration, giving a single band at an electrophoretic mobility of 0.53 on polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis according to the Davis Disc Electrophoresis Method and producing saturation curves of WAI-53 with human salivary alpha-amylase and with human pancreatic alpha-amylase with a ratio of the amount of WAI-53 required to produce 50% inhibition of human salivary .alpha.-amylase to that of human pancreatic amylase above 1:250. The alpha-amylase inhibitor is used for quantitative analysis of alpha-amylase isozymes in body fluid.

Abstract: A method for fraction fractionation of a vegetable protein such as soybean protein which comprises subjecting a source of the vegetable protein in an aqueous system to reduction conditions such as treatment with a sulfite compound, a glutathione compound or cysteine compound, or electrolytic reduction at pH within a neutral or alkaline range and then bringing the system to pH of 5.5 to 7.0 at a temperature of 20.degree. C. or lower to fractionate the system into a soluble or dispersing fraction and an insoluble or precipitate fraction.

Abstract: A process for the production of grain oil, dehydrated alcohol, grain protein and starch, is disclosed. The invention comprises the steps of (a) drying cracked grain, (b) leaching the dried grain with an ethanol solution of 90 to 100% w/v ethanol and recovering dehydrated alcohol and grain oil, (c) extracting the residue of step (b) with a second ethanol solution containing NaOH and recovering food grade protein, and (d) separating starch and fiber from the residue of step (c) by starch hydrolysis or by grinding the residue and separating the starch and fiber by a screen and/or centrifuge.

Abstract: A process for the production of starch and gluten from wheat flour or similar flour. The flour is extracted with water so as to produce a starch fraction and a gluten fraction. A `B` starch is then separated from either the starch fraction or the gluten fraction and contacted with an aqueous alkali at a pH between 8.5 and 12.5 to give a starch suitable for conversion to starch hydrolyzates by enzymatic hydrolysis.

Abstract: Wheat gluten products may be processed to remove their components which cause undesirable flavors and color. The processing can include extraction with an aqueous solution of alcohol, alkali, or mixtures thereof, and can optionally also include ultrafiltration.

Abstract: A novel amylase inhibitor, obtained from hard wheat and durum wheat by using dye ligand affinity chromatography having an inhibitory activity on human salivary amylase of less than 0.1 of the inhibitory activity on human pancreatic amylase is disclosed which is useful for measuring isoenzymes of amylase in the field of clinical tests.