Glucosamine suitable for human or animal consumption is disclosed. The glucosamine is derived from microbial biomass containing chitin. Suitable starting materials include substantially uniform microbial fungal sources, such as fungal sources derived from Aspergillus sp., Penicillium sp., Mucor sp. and combinations thereof. Methods of producing glucosamine by acid hydrolysis of fermented fungal biomass are also disclosed.

Glucosamine and method of making glucosamine from microbial biomass

The use of chitosan as a food additive or as a pharmaceutical preparation to reduce the absorption of lipids is disclosed. The chitosan, as such or in the form of fatty acid complex, may be admixed with food in a minor quantity; for example, an amount of about 1 to 10 percent by weight may be incorporated in a pharmaceutical preparation or composition for oral administration in an effective amount to reduce lipid absorption.

Nonabsorbable lipid binder

A reduced calorie peanut butter product containing from about 15 to about 40% by weight of a solid bulking agent having from 0 to about 3 calories per gram, an oil-binding capacity from about 20 to about 45%, and a particle size less than about 50 microns. Preferred solid bulking agents are polydextrose and microcrystalline cellulose. The polydextrose is preferably neutralized by a compound containing calcium or magnesium. The microcrystalline cellulose preferably comprises aggregates having a particle size from about 5 to about 35 microns. Mixtures of the polydextrose and the microcrystalline cellulose may be used.

Reduced calorie peanut butter product

In a first aspect, the present invention relates to a method for isolating cell wall derivatives from fungal or yeast biomass. According to this method, chitin polymers or chitin-glucan copolymers can be obtained. In another aspect, the invention relates to a method for preparing chitosan from chitin. The invention further relates to chitin polymers, chitin-glucan polymers and chitosan polymers obtainable by the methods according to the invention. Moreover, the invention relates to the use of chitin polymers, chitin-glucan copolymers or chitosan polymers obtainable by the method according to the present invention in medical, pharmaceutical, agricultural, nutraceutical, food, textile, cosmetic, industrial and/or environmental applications.

Cell wall derivatives from biomass and preparation thereof

Glucosamine, N-acetylglucosamine and β-glucan compositions suitable for human or animal consumption or use are disclosed. The glucosamine, N-acetylglucosamine and β-glucan compositions are derived from fungal biomass containing chitin. Various methods of producing glucosamine, N- Acetylglucosamine and β-glucan compositions are also disclosed.

Water soluble β-glucan, glucosamine, and N-acetylglucosamine compositions and methods for making the same

Microcrystalline chitin is prepared by subjecting chitin to controlled acid hydrolysis and high shear while suspended in an aqueous medium.

Foods with microcrystalline chitin

METHOD OF DEWATERING AQUEOUS, WASTE SLUDGE Abstract of the Disclosure A method of dewatering proteinaceous aqueous waste sludge having a high fat content from food cannery waste water wherein the solids concentration of the sludge is increased from about 10% to about 40% by weight is disclosed. The method comprises adjusting the pH of the sludge to the isoelectric point of the proteinaceous material present in the sludge, adding an organic polymer and separating the solids by high gravity centrifugation so that a concentration of about 20 to about 40% by weight is obtained. The process is particularly suitable for concentrating the solids of sludge derived from fish waste water.

M. Paul Farr

Papers

Foods with microcrystalline chitin

Method of dewatering aqueous waste sludge