Abstract: Novel liquid food products are disclosed which contain water, and inulin fractions having at least about 75% by weight of polysaccharides extracted from inulin-containing plant materials in which the polysaccharides have molecular weights in the range from about 2288 and below. The food products also may contain sweeteners, for example, artificial sweeteners, such as aspartame, saccharin, sucralose, or one or more of the polyols.

Abstract: An aqueous two-phase system for extracting glycosides from a herb includes the extractive solution, about 5 wt %-30 wt % of salt, about 5 wt %-30 wt % of polyol and selectively about 0 wt %-30 wt % of alcohols. The salt can be dihydrogen phosphate, hydrogen phosphate and phosphate or a mixture thereof, and it also can be sulfates, chlorides, oxalates, or acetates. In addition, a process for extracting glycosides using an aqueous two-phase system is disclosed. The procedures includes preparation of extractive solution, concentration, phase separation, drying, washing with solvent, cooling, filtration and drying of the final products.

Abstract: The present invention includes a process for extracting a stereoisomer fro biomass. The method comprises providing biomass and subjecting the biomass to substantially instantaneous pressurization and depressurization to separate cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin from the biomass. The hemicellulose is hydrolyzed to form hemicellulose hydrolysates. The hydrolysates are separated using chromatography.

Abstract: An aqueous two-phase system for extracting glycosides from a herb includes the extractive solution, about 5 wt %-30 wt % of salt, about 5 wt %-30 wt % of polyol and about 0.5 wt %-30 wt % of alcohols. The salt can be dihydrogen phosphate, hydrogen phosphate and phosphate or a mixture thereof, and it also can be sulfates, chlorides, oxalates, or acetates. In addition, a process for extracting glycosides using an aqueous two-phase system is disclosed. The procedures includes preparation of extractive solution, concentration and drying, phase separation, concentration of the water layer and drying, washing with solvent, sonication, centrifugation, concentration of filtrate and drying of the final products.

Abstract: A new method for producing a fractionated vegetable oil from a plant material. The plant material is extracted with a non-polar solvent and the solvent is evaporated giving a crude oil which includes non-polar and polar lipids. The crude oil is mixed with an alcohol at a controlled temperature and a resulting alcoholic phase is separated and evaporated to recover a polar lipid rich fractionated vegetable oil. The invention also refers to the use of the polar lipid rich fractionated vegetable oil as a surface active agent.

Abstract: A method for processing guar endosperm in which guar splits are brought into contact with an amount of liquid ammonia at least sufficient to wet the guar splits at a pressure higher than atmospheric pressure and at a temperature of at least 25° C. The remaining available guar split/liquid ammonia system volume is increased in an explosion like manner by reducing the pressure by at least about 5 bars resulting in the sheaths of the guar splits being torn open to result in a product that can be processed more easily, such as by grinding.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of chitosan-glucan complexes from biological sources by treating said biological sources with solutions, characterized in that a) chitin-containing microorganisms as said biological sources are treated at least once with a first alkaline solution; b) thereafter, the product obtained from step a) is treated with diluted mineral acid; c) followed by a further treatment with a second alkaline solution the alkalinity of which is higher than that of the alkaline solution of step a) to incomplete deacetylation of the fraction obtained step b); d) separating the solid components, discarding the supernatant, neutralizing and washing the residue with water.

Abstract: Methods of isolating &bgr;(1-3)-glucan or &bgr;(1-3)-glucan-containing organisms in a sample, or of detecting the presence of &bgr;(1-3)-glucan or &bgr;(1-3)-glucan-containing organisms in a sample, utilizing binding agents for &bgr;(1-3)-glucan, such as LacCer, GalCer, globotriaosylceramide and asialoganglioside-GM1, are described. Methods of diagnosing fungal infection, by detecting &bgr;(1-3)-glucan or &bgr;(1-3)-glucan-containing organisms, are also described. Antibodies and kits useful in the methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a method of preparing a natural resin by liquefying wood, bark, forest residues, wood industry residues, or other biomass using rapid destructive distillation (fast pyrolysis). Fast pyrolysis produces both vapors and char from biomass, and following removal of the char from the product vapors, a liquid pitch product is recovered and processed by distillation, evaporation, or a combination thereof, in order to obtain a natural resin which may be in either liquid or solid form. The natural resin comprises a total phenolic content from about 30% to about 80% (w/w), and is a highly-reactive ligninic compound that has been found to be suitable for use within resin formulations without requiring any further extraction or fractionation procedures. Resins comprising up to 60% natural resin have been prepared and tested in board production and found to exhibit similar properties associated with commercially available resins.

Abstract: An entirely aqueous method for concentrating beta-glucan from a beta-glucan source, such as milled cereal bran, grain or distiller's dried grain. The method comprises providing an alkaline aqueous extract of a beta-glucan source; acidifying or neutralizing the extract and heating the extract to between about 60° C. and 100° C.; cooling the extract, whereby a flocculate is formed; acidifing the cooled extract if the extract was neutralized; and removing the flocculate from the aqueous solution to form an intermediate solution. The intermediate solution may be subjected to ultrafiltration for further purification of beta-glucan, or may be evaporated, resulting in formation of a solid film enriched in beta-glucan. Beta-glucan has cholesterol-lowering properties and is a topical immunostimulant.

Abstract: Methods for recovering isoflavones and derivatives thereof from soy molasses are disclosed. In a first embodiment, a method is disclosed in which isoflavones are recovered without any significant conversion of isoflavone conjugates to other forms. In a second embodiment, a method is disclosed whereby isoflavone conjugates are converted to glucosides while in the soy material prior to their recovery. In a third embodiment, a method is disclosed in which isoflavones are converted to their aglucone form while in the soy material and prior to their recovery. Also disclosed are various isoflavone enriched products obtained from soy molasses.

Abstract: Contact lens care compositions for the treatment of hard contact lenses arc disclosed. The compositions are useful for rinsing, cleaning, disinfecting and storing of hard contact lenses. The compositions contain an unique gelling system involving galactomannan polysaccharides and borates to allow for the conditioning of the lens when it is reinserted in the eye of the user. Methods of using these compositions are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a novel process for the recovery of potassium bitartrate and pectin, sugars, fruit acids as by-products from tamarind pulp.

Abstract: The present invention features a method for isolating and purifying vitamins and sugars from a plant host which is applicable on a large scale. Moreover, the present invention provides a more efficient method for isolating vitamins and sugars than those methods described in the prior art. In general, the present method of isolating vitamins and sugars comprises the steps of homogenizing a plant to produce a green juice, adjusting the pH of and heating the green juice, separating the target species, either vitamins or sugars, from other components of the green juice by one or more cycles of centrifugation, resuspension, and ultrafiltration, and finally purifying vitamins or sugars by such procedure as PEG-precipitation, chromatography and/or salt precipitation.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a new fractionated polydisperse carbohydrate composition having the following definition: an av. DP which is significantly higher than the av. DP of a native polydisperse carbohydrate composition, significantly free of low molecular monomers, dimers, and oligomers, significantly free of impurities chosen among the group consisting of colourings, salts, proteins and organic acids, significantly free of technological aids such as solubility affecting products. The present invention concerns also the preparation process of the composition according to the invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel class of glycoside indoles. More specifically, the present invention relates to a novel class of glycoside indoles isolated from Calanthe discolor Lindl. and derivatives thereof.

Abstract: A purified form of a gel-forming component of psyllium seed husks is disclosed, along with a process for obtaining the gel-forming fraction from psyllium seed husks. Methods of using this gel-forming fraction as a laxative and hypocholesterolemic agent are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of making paper, utilizing glucans, produced by the glucosyltransferase B, C or D enzyme of the species Streptococcus mutans, instead of modified starches. The present glucans are functionally similar to currently utilized modified starches and are particularly useful in the coating step of paper manufacture. The present glucans also exhibit thermoplastic properties and impart gloss to the paper during the coating step.

Abstract: A method for extracting proteins from the intercellular space of plants is provided. The method is applicable to the large scale isolation of many active proteins of interest synthesized by plant cells. The method may be used commercially to recover recombinantly produced proteins from plant hosts thereby making the large scale use of plants as sources for recombinant protein production feasible.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for preparing a polydispersed saccharide composition poor in glucose (G), fructose (F) and saccharose (GF) containing at least 93.5% by weight per dry matter of fructo-oligosaccharides constituted by a chain of fructose units with a terminal glucose of formula GFn, n and m being between 2 and 20 and comprising a content of glucose, fructose and saccharose in total less than 5% by weight per dry matter. The method consists in subjecting a substance containing fructanes to partial hydrolysis, the said substance containing fructanes of an average degree of polymerisation not less than 7 and containing glucose, fructose and saccharose in total at most 3.5% by weight per dry matter.

Abstract: A process for producing cellullose acetate by acetylation reaction with cellulose as a raw material, wherein acetate is used as an acetylating agent.

Abstract: A substanially pure chemically bound complex is derived from flax containing secoisolariciresinol diglucoside, cinnamic acid glycosides and hydroxy methyl glutaric acid. The complex is obtained by preparing an aqueous aliphatic alcoholic extract from flax and subjecting this aqueous extract to ultrafiltration whereby low molecular weight species remain with a filtrate and higher molecular weight species comprising the separated complex are retained.

Abstract: A method of recovering corn coarse fiber by flotation, which features the use of a hydrocyclone, or other separating machinery, in which the specific gravity of the slurry contained therein has been increased to approximately 12-14 Baumé so that the corn coarse fiber is of a lighter density than the remainder of the slurry. Therefore, the corn coarse fiber can be separated from the remainder of the slurry because it floats to the top of the slurry. If the present pericarp recovery process is added to a modified dry-grind ethanol production line, a high value co-product (the pericarp) is added to the other co-products and the end-product of ethanol, which can all be sold, and the economic efficiency of the plant is increased.

Abstract: A recording paper coated or impregnated with a sizing agent containing a water-soluble soybean polysaccharide as an indispensable component, and optionally a cationic polymer and a surfactant, preferably a nonionic surfactant having HLB of 5-15. The water-soluble soybean polysaccharide is a water-soluble polysaccharide extracted from soybean or soybean extraction residue and subjected to desalinating purification.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of producing xylose by chromatographic separation of the xylose from a sulphite cooking liquor containing for example xylose and xylonic acid. The xylose yield of the separation is affected by the xylonic acid and xylose content in the cooking liquor used in the separation and the amount of base cation used in the sulphite cooking.

Abstract: A method for causing gelling or increase of viscosity of an aqueous medium containing a gellable polymeric material having substituents with phenolic hydroxy groups comprises adding an oxidase, particularly a laccase, to the aqueous medium.

Abstract: A process is provided for obtaining diterpene glycosides which process extracts such diterpene glycosides from plant or botanical material so as to provide a product which is high in content of such diterpene glycosides, and substantially free of bitter tasting tannins. This advantageously provides a product which can be used as a sweetener material.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for preparing a water-soluble tricarboxypolysaccharide which includes the step of oxidizing an &agr;-bonding type polysaccharide with a ruthenium compound and an oxidizing agent. The water-soluble tricarboxypolysaccharide, having a high carboxyl group content, can easily and inexpensively be prepared in a high yield without any problem of a post-treatment after the reaction, and thus the present invention is desirable as an industrial preparation process of the water-soluble tricarboxpolysaccharide.

Abstract: Disclosed are long chained beta glucan isolates containing beta glucan fibers from about 1 to about 6 mm in length, with purity greater than 50%. Also described are the methods to produce these compositions.

Abstract: The invention discloses a starch graft poly(meth)acrylate blast media which is effective in paint removal. The media is superior to a physical blend of the components (i.e., starch and acrylic polymers) and to either a starch polymer or an acrylic polymer used singly. The hardness of the media is between 65-90 Shore D.

Abstract: Gels are produced from an aqueous soluble hemicellulosic starting medium which is free of glucans and obtainable from testaceous plant material. The starting medium is extracted with a non-acidic reagent and reacted with an oxidizing system comprising a peroxide, together with an oxygenase. The gel material is substantially free of glucans and pectins, and comprises a polysaccharide network comprising a matrix of polysaccharide chain segments with a multiplicity of cross-linking ferulate bridges at regularly spaced intervals along the cross-linked chain segments.

Abstract: The isolation and purification of lipopolysaccharides from several related strains of eukaryotic algae is disclosed. These lipopolysaccharides have been shown to be structurally and functionally similar to the lipopolysaccharides of gram negative bacteria, or endotoxins, which have been shown to be a cause of sepsis or septic shock. The present invention also relates to the use of these algal lipopolysaccharides to inhibit the release of TNF-a from macrophages, which has been associated with the initiation and escalation of sepsis as a result of bacterial endotoxins.

Abstract: The present invention describes isolated Fagopyritol A1, isolated Fagopyritol A2, and isolated Fagopyritol B3. Compositions which include two or more of Fagopyritol A1, Fagopyritol A2, Fagopyritol B1, Fagopyritol B2, Fagopyritol B3, and D-chiro-inositol, at least one of which is an isolated Fagopyritol A1, isolated Fagopyritol A2, or isolated Fagopyritol B3, are also disclosed. Methods for preparing substantially pure Fagopyritol A1, Fagopyritol A2, Fagopyritol B1, Fagopyritol B2, Fagopyritol B3, or mixtures thereof from buckwheat are also described. The fagopyritols can be used to prepare pharmaceutical compositions, the administration of which can be used to treat diabetes.

Abstract: An agent for dehydrating corneas, in particular eye corneas for organ culture, contains the culture medium and as dehydrating substance hydroxyethylstarch with a mean molecular weight Mw from 070,000 to 200,000, an MS substitution degree from 0.15 to 0.5, a DS substitution degree from 0.15 to 0.5 and a C2-C6 substitution ratio at the anhydroglucose units .ltoreq.8. The dehydrating substance is preferably hydroxyethylstarch with a mean molecular weight Mw 130,000.+-.20,000, an MS substitution degree from 0.38 to 0.45, a DS substitution degree from 0.32 to 0.40 and a C2-C6 substitution ratio at the anhydroglucose units from 8 to 20. The hydroxyethylstarch is used in a concentration from 1 to 20 (weight/vol.) %, preferably from 2 to 15 (weight/vol.) %, and in particular of 7.5% (weight/vol.).

Abstract: A composition comprising a dry, clarified, water-soluble, konjac-derived glucomannan substantially free of insoluble impurities, having a nitrogen content of not greater than about 0.25 wt %, which has a turbidity potential as a 1.0% aqueous sol of not greater than about 20 turbidity units, as measured by the Formazin Turbidity Standard, as well as gels thereof; and methods for the preparation of the foregoing.

Abstract: This invention pertains to a high yield process for producing high quality corn fiber gum by hydrogen peroxide treatment of corn fiber during alkaline extraction and/or after obtaining the alkaline extract of milled corn fiber. This process comprises the steps:a) mixing corn fiber with an alkaline solution to form a slurry and extract hemicellulose;b) treating the slurry with hydrogen peroxide at a pH of about 10.0 to 12.5; andc) separating out the insoluble fractions from the corn fiber slurry to yield corn fiber gum.The corn fiber gum produced by this process is highly soluble in water and provides low viscosity solutions which are nearly devoid of color over a wide pH range. The corn fiber gum lacks objectionable flavor and aroma. The corn fiber gum is useful for a variety of applications, including film formation and to thicken, emulsify, stabilize and/or extend aqueous solutions and suspensions.

Abstract: The present invention provides a rapid and efficient method for the preparation and isolation of biologically active polysaccharides from Aloe. The present invention includes the activated mixture of polysaccharides (referred to herein as "Immuno-10"), produced by the methods of the invention. The invention also includes the use of the polysaccharides as immunostimulating, immunomodulating and wound healing agents. The resulting immunomodulatory complex has a higher activity and is more stable than bulk carbohydrates isolated using prior art alcohol precipitation schemes.

Abstract: Methods of treating dehulled or hull-less oat, i.e. oat groats, to produce oat pearlings, oat flour and oat bran products are described. Oat groats are abrasion milled to remove up to 15% by weight and produce pearled oat groats and pearlings. The pearlings are extracted sequentially with aqueous ethanol and hexane to produce an anti-irritant and a light oat oil, or with hexane to produce a dark oat oil and lipase. The pearled oat groats are steeped in an aqueous medium for up to 4 hours and then macerated to produce an enriched oat bran, from which an enriched beta glucan may be extracted; a refined oat flour, from which oat starch and oat protein may be extracted; and a pearled oat groat extract from which further products, such as an oat anti-irritant can be recovered.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of producing altered starch from transformed potato plants or their progeny, comprising extracting starch from a potato plant, at least the tubers of which comprise at least an effective portion of a starch branching enzyme (SBE) cDNA sequence operably linked in the antisense orientation to a suitable promoter, such that the level of SBE activity is limited to less than 0.8 units per gram tuber. Also disclosed are potato plants comprising altered starch in accordance with the invention.

Abstract: The present invention provides a pharmaceutical composition comprising an extract or combination of extracts having an antiviral, antibacterial, or immunomodulating property, wherein the extract or combination of extracts is obtained from a combination of plants wherein at least one plant is selected from each of the genuses Labiatae, Caprifoliaceae, and Oleaceae. A preferred extract is obtained from Radix scutellaria, Flos lonicera, and Fructus forsythiae. The present invention further provides a pharmaceutical composition comprising baicalin, chlorogenic acid and forsythiaside in isolated and purified form. The present invention further provides certain novel derivatives of baicalin, chlorogenic acid and forsythiaside. The present invention additionally provides processes for preparing the extracts as well as baicalin, chlorogenic acid, and forsythiaside in isolated and purified forms.

Abstract: Carrageenan compostions comprising from about from about 79 mol % to about 95 mol % iota carrageenan and from about 0.1 mol % to about 10 mol % nu carrageenan, and carrageenan and compositions which exhibit elastic modulus, G'--1 Hz at 5.degree. C., of greater than about 200 Pa, elastic modulus, G'--1 Hz at 25.degree. C., of less than about 200 Pa, viscous modulus, G"--0.2 Hz at 5.degree. C., of from about 5 Pa to about 25 Pa, and melting point of less than 60.degree. C., in a 1.2 wt % aqueous gel, and methods of producing the same.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for upgrading paper-grade wood pulp to dissolving grade pulp which is suitable for use in the preparation of viscose rayon, cellulose ethers and cellulose esters such as cellulose acetate. The process utilizes a sequence of caustic extraction, xylanase treatment and caustic extraction to remove most of the xylan, which may be recovered for use in the production of xylose, xylitol, and furans.

Abstract: A cholesterol oxide adsorbing agent whose effective component is a plant-derived water-soluble polysaccharide, a process for producing the cholesterol oxide adsorbing agent characterized by extraction of the polysaccharide from the plant at from 80.degree. C. to 130.degree. C., a method of adsorbing cholesterol oxide using the plant-derived water-soluble polysaccharide, and a process for producing foods characterized by adding the plant-derived water-soluble polysaccharide to foods containing cholesterol or cholesterol oxide.

Abstract: A method for preparing hydrophobic starch derivatives wherein starch and an anhydride are reacted in a slurry with the anhydride reagent being added to the slurry in pre-emulsified form to provide a significantly faster and more efficient reaction.

Abstract: The present invention features a method for isolating and purifying viruses, proteins and peptides of interest from a plant host which is applicable on a large scale. Moreover, the present invention provides a more efficient method for isolating viruses, proteins and peptides of interest than those methods described in the prior art. In general, the present method of isolating viruses, proteins and peptides of interest comprises the steps of homogenizing a plant to produce a green juice, adjusting the pH of and heating the green juice, separating the target species, either virus or protein/peptide, from other components of the green juice by one or more cycles of centrifugation, resuspenion, and ultrafiltration, and finally purifying virus particles by such procedure as PEG-precipitation or purifying proteins and peptides by such procedures as chromatography and/or salt precipitation.

Abstract: Gels are produced from an aqueous soluble hemicellulosic starting medium which is free of glucans and obtainable from testaceous plant material. The starting medium is extracted with a non-acidic reagent and reacted with an oxidizing system comprising a peroxide, together with an oxygenase.The gel material is substantially free of glucans and pectins, and comprises a polysaccharide network comprising a matrix of polysaccharide chain segments with a multiplicity of cross-linking ferulate bridges at regularly spaced intervals along the cross-linked chain segments.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition (a marrow cell proliferation accelerator, a radioprotective agent, a therapeutic agent for thrombocytopenia) comprising a compound represented by the following formula (A), and to a therapeutic or prophylactic method (a method for accelerating marrow cell proliferation, a method for protecting human against radiation damage, a method for the treatment of thrombocytopenia) characterized in that an effective amount of a compound represented by the following formula (A) is administered to human: ##STR1## wherein R represents ##STR2## (wherein R.sub.2 represents H or OH, X is an integer of 0-26) or --(CH.sub.2).sub.7 CH.dbd.CH(CH.sub.2).sub.7 CH.sub.3, and R.sub.1 is one of the substituents defined by the following (a) to (d):--CH.sub.2 (CH.sub.2).sub.Y CH.sub.3, (a)--CH(OH)(CH.sub.2).sub.Y CH.sub.3, (b)--CH(OH)(CH.sub.2).sub.Y CH(CH.sub.3).sub.2, (c)and--CH.dbd.CH(CH.sub.2).sub.Y CH.sub.3 (d)(wherein Y is an integer of 5-17).

Abstract: There is described a polycarboxylic acid or a salt thereof obtained by oxidation of a polysaccharide containing an anhydrous glucose as a constituent unit, wherein the carboxyl group content thereof is high and the weight average molecular weight thereof is not less than 2000. This polycarboxylic acid is suitable for use as a builder for detergent because the amount of an alkali required to perform neutralization titration of the polycarboxylic acid is not less than 435 mg in terms of sodium hydroxide and because the chelate force thereof to a polyvalent cation is high.The polycarboxylic acid is produced by oxidizing a polysaccharide with an oxidizing agent in the presence of a transition metal catalyst.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing xylitol from a material containing xylose and xylonic acid. According to the method, xylose and xylonic acid are separated from the material containing xylose and xylonic acid, whereafter the separated xylose and xylonic acid are reduced to xylitol, and the xylitol is recovered.

Abstract: The invention provides Potassium bitartrate, pectin, L(+) tartaric acid and fruit sugars present in tamarind pulp, which are recovered sequentially by extracting the pulp in water, concentrating and chilling the extract, filtering out potassium bitartrate, precipitating out pectin from the filtrate by addition of acetone, extracting L(+) tartaric acid selectively by complexation with tertiary amine and recovering from the amine layer by back extraction into aqueous layer in the presence of a diluent at around 70.degree. C. followed by concentration and drying of the aqueous layer and treating the raffinate layer from solvent extraction with activated carbon, anion exchange resin, and concentrating to yield sugar containing 70% sugars.