Selected Patents 2015

The following list contains brief details of current patents, which appeared to the editor to be especially relevant. Inevitably, there is an element of subjectivity in the choice. Topics included in the list are based on the Divisions of the AOCS and the topical sessions held at the AOCS annual meetings. Patents are listed here at intervals as they are published in INFORM.

Process for purification of vegetable oils upon withdrawal of solids by centrifugation in the miscella stage (Diego Ferres Dellapiane, J., and J. Anterho Catanio Pelloso, Granol Industria Comercio e Exportacao SA, US8692004, April 8, 2004).

Process for purification of vegetable oils upon withdrawal of solids by centrifugation in the miscella stage consists of the industrial extraction of vegetable oils, including the soybean oil by using a solvent, usually a mixture of hydrocarbons, in which the main constituent is hexane. The percolation extractors that operate continuously and in countercurrent provide an optimized extraction and a good performance. The replacement of the traditional miscella purification processes by a process of centrifugation in the mixture of oil and solvent (miscella) within the process with the removal of solids contained therein, returning it to the extractor results in final products as oil and lecithin of a better quality, also providing a better functioning of the process by avoiding fouling in heat exchangers and distillation of solvent, reducing downtime and lower fuel consumption resulting in lower production costs.

Catalyst for esteramine production (Nepras, M.J., et al., Stepan Co., US8692005, April 8, 2014).

Provided are methods for decreasing the reaction time between an alkanolamine such as triethanolamine and a fatty acid alkyl ester, such as a triglyceride, a vegetable oil, a methyl ester, an ethyl ester, and the like; a fatty acid; or a mixture thereof. The methods utilize a divalent zinc catalyst to facilitate and accelerate an esterification or transesterification reaction between the alkanolamine and the fatty acid, or fatty acid alkyl ester.

Enzyme interesterification process (Kellens, M., et al., DeSmet Ballestra Engineering S.A., US8697393, April 15, 2014).

A fatty material enzyme interesterification process comprising the steps of: (i) providing a fatty material that has optionally undergone at least one prior purification treatment; (ii) introducing soap into said fatty material to form a soap-containing fatty material mixture; (iii) homogenizing said soap-containing fatty material mixture by mixing, (iv) contacting said soapcontaining fatty material mixture with lipase to produce a soap-containing interesterified fatty material, (v) removing soaps from said soap-containing interesterified fatty material to yield interesterified fatty material, wherein said soap is either formed in situ by addition of aqueous alkali to said fatty material or said soap is introduced directly into said fatty material.

Solid soap (Nishina, T., et al., P & PF Co., Ltd., US8697620, April 15, 2014).

The object of the present invention is to improve the solidification point and the hardness of a soap of the fatty acid soap series wherein the percentage of potassium used as the counter ion is large. The solid soap of the present invention to achieve the above-described object is characterized by comprising 1–5 mass percent of a betaine, and in that sodium and potassium are contained as the fatty acid counterion, and potassium is 20 mole percent or more of the counterion.

Compositions for internal application of microorganisms (Chen, C.-C., et al., DSM IP Assets B.V., US8697126, April 15, 2014).

The present invention describes a process for the manufacture of a solid composition comprising a microorganism, which process comprises a first step of blending and/or compacting the microorganism with a salt of a medium- or long-chain fatty acid to prepare a powderous mixture or compacted granulate, and a second step of providing said powderous mixture or compacted granulate with a coating. The microorganisms are preferably probiotics. The invention also relates to the solid composition obtained by said process and to its use in food.

Thermoplastic linoleum (Knoll, K., and M. Pepers, US8697795, April 15, 2014).

The present invention relates to a thermoplastic molding composition at least comprising particles made of nonoxidatively polymerized vegetable oil that has been crosslinked by way of functional groups, as component (A), at least one thermoplastic polymer, as component (B), optionally at least one resin, as component (C), optionally at least one filler, as component (D), and optionally further additives, use thereof, and a process for production thereof.

Method for preparing fatty acyl amido carboxylic acid based surfactants (Harichian, B., et al., Conopco, Inc., US8697897, April 15, 2014).

A process is provided for preparing C8–C22 acyl glycinate acid or salt thereof via reacting and heating a mixture of glycine or salt thereof with a C1–C3 alkyl ester of a C8–C22 fatty acid in a medium of glycerol or propylene glycol. The reaction proceeds well where the mixture is formulated to have a pKa ranging from 9.5 to 13.

Fluorogenic sensors for phospholipase C isozymes (Zhang, Q., et al., University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, US8703437, April 22, 2014 The present invention provides fluorogenic substrates and methods of use in detecting and analyzing phospholipase C isozyme (PLC) activity.

Lubricating composition containing friction modifier blend (Suen, Y.F., Chevron Oronite Co. LLC, US8703680, April 22, 2014).

Disclosed are friction modifier compositions and a method of lubricating an internal combustion engine, comprising supplying to said engine an oil of lubricating viscosity and from 0.25 to 5 wt% based upon the total mass of the lubricating oil composition of a friction modifier composition containing: (i) an amino alcohol reaction product prepared by isomerizing a C12–C30 normal alpha olefin using at least one of a solid or liquid catalyst to form an internal olefin; epoxidizing said olefin; and reacting with a monohydroxyl amine; (ii) an ester of glycerol and a C12–C22 carboxylic acid containing 0–3 double bonds.

Processes for making high purity renewable source-based plasticizers and products made therefrom (Hagberg, E., et al., Archer Daniels Midland Co., US8703849, April 22, 2014).

Presently disclosed are high-purity unsaturated fatty acid esters with an ester moiety characterized by having from five to seven members in a ring structure, which esters when epoxidized find particular utility as primary plasticizers in flexible polyvinyl halide applications. Also disclosed are processes for making the high-purity esters.

High-molecular weight conjugate of steroids (Kitagawa, M., and T. Murata, Nippon Kayaku Kabushiki Kaisha, US8703878, April 22, 2014).

Enzymes in the body vary among different species, and also vary among individuals of the same species. Thus, it has been demanded to develop a novel steroid-containing pharmaceutical preparation which can release a drug in a manner independent of the enzymes present in the body, and which is expected to have an efficacious therapeutic effect. Disclosed is a high molecular weight conjugate of a steroid, comprising a structure in which a carboxylic acid group of a polymer having a polyethylene glycol moiety and a succinic acid monoamide moiety having two or more succinic acid monoamide units is ester-bonded to a hydroxy group in the steroid.

Biodiesels useful for improving cloud point (Miller, S.J., Chevron USA Inc., US8709107).

The instant invention pertains to new biodiesels which may be blended with petrodiesel. The biodiesels may comprise a fatty acid C1–C2 alkyl ester and a fatty acid branched C3–C4 alkyl ester. Blends of the novel biodiesel and petrodiesel often exhibit advantageous cloud point properties.

Fuel compositions (Claydon, D.J., Afton Chemical Corp., US8709108, April 29, 2014).

There is disclosed a fuel composition comprising (i) a major amount of a middle distillate fuel comprising from about 0.5% to about 30% by weight fatty acid methyl esters, relative to the total amount of the fuel composition; and (ii) a minor amount of an additive composition comprising an antioxidant system comprising at least one cyclic amine antioxidant and at least one phenolic antioxidant, and at least one ashless dispersant, wherein said fuel composition demonstrates reduced sediment formation as compared to a fuel composition devoid of the additive composition, and methods of use thereof.

Cosmetic product including vegetable oil blend (Cap, D.S., US8709453, April 29, 2014).

A cosmetic product includes a vegetable oil blend having an iodine value of 20–80 and including a partially hydrogenated vegetable oil and a fatty acid. The vegetable oil blend can be used alone or in combination with other ingredients. The vegetable oil blend moisturizes human skin, provides a protective barrier to dirt and weather, acts as an emollient, and may promote healing of cracked, dry, or otherwise damaged skin.

System and method for the analysis of biodiesel (Lynn, T.B., and L.M. Sacramone, Dexsil Corp., US8709815, April 29, 2014).

Methods and devices are disclosed providing techniques for measuring the amount of biodiesel in a fuel sample. The methods may be used in the field without the use of laboratory equipment. The biodiesel in the sample is converted to the corresponding free acid, which can be isolated and quantified to provide information regarding the amount of biodiesel in the original sample.

Enzymatically catalyzed method of preparing mono-acylated polyols (Hauer, B., et al., BASF S.E., US8715970, May 6, 2014).

The present invention relates to a biocatalytic method of preparing a monoacylated polyol catalyzed by triacylglycerol lipase mutants, as for example derived from Candida antarctica lipase B (CALB); a biocatalytic method of enantioselectively preparing an asymmetric monoacylated polyol, catalyzed by the same enzyme mutants; as well as the use of a mutated triacylglycerol lipase in a method of preparing monoacylated polyols. The invention also provides novel mutants, coding sequences thereof, and recombinant microorganisms carrying said coding sequences.

Cottonseed and oil uses (Liu, Q., et al., Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, US8716555, May 6, 2014).

The present specification relates to the production of cotton plants and seeds and oil prepared therefrom having elevated levels of oleic and reduced levels of palmitic and linoleic acids. Furthermore, cottonseeds having low levels of cyclopropane and/or cyclopropene fatty acids and/or reduced levels of gossypol are described herein. The specification also describe FatB [acyl-ACP thioesterase] and CPA-FAS [cyclopropane fatty acid synthase] nucleotide and amino acid sequences derived from cotton facilitating, inter alia, the direct modification of plant oil content and/or composition.

Biodegradable putty compositions and implant devices, methods, and kits relating to the same (Kunjachan, V., Globus Medical, Inc., US8716363, May 6, 2014).

Disclosed are phospholipid-based compositions and implant devices, as well as methods and kits that include such compositions or components thereof. In particular, the present compositions include a polymer component such as a poloxamer or PEG [polyethylene glycol] component and a phospholipid component, such as a Phosal. The present compositions may include at least one additional component, such as granules, powder, and/or particulates. The present compositions may further include one or more bone graft materials and/or active ingredients. The compositions may be used on their own or incorporated on or in a surgical implant.

Lubricating oil compositions (Bhalla, G., et al., Chevron Oronite Co. LLC, US8709984, April 29, 2014).

A lubricating oil composition is disclosed that comprises (i) a major amount of an oil of lubricating viscosity; (ii) one or more non-halogen-containing oil-soluble titanium complexes comprising at least one ligand comprising an anion of a carboxylic acid; (iii) one or more dispersants; and (iv) one or more detergents, wherein the lubricating oil composition is free of any zinc dialkyldithiophosphate.

Refining of edible oil (Hashim, K., et al., Sime Darby Research Sdn. Bhd., US8716505, May 6, 2014).

The present invention discloses a commercial process for the production of refined palm oil rich in natural carotene. The process for the production of natural carotene-rich refined oil comprises the steps of: (i) fractionating crude palm oil to form a liquid fraction and a solid portion; (ii) separating the liquid fraction from the solid portion; (iii) degumming the liquid fraction; (iv) neutralizing the degummed liquid fraction to substantially remove free fatty acids and impurities; (v) washing off the soap resulting from the neutralization step; and (vi) deodorizing the neutralized the product of step (v) to remove remaining free fatty acids and other impurities contained therein, thus forming a refined palm oil that contains less than 0.1% free fatty acid, has a carotene content retained of about 75%, an iodine value of less than 60, and a peroxide value of zero.

Biodiesel automatic titration system (Gracia, J., et al., US8722413, May 13, 2014).

An automated system and process for the titration of either waste vegetable oil (WVO) or virgin vegetable oil during its chemical conversion into biodiesel. A system capable of automatically measuring and controlling the addition of a suitable amount of titration fluid is controlled in reaction to a pH level measurement tool, as determined by sensors and software. The process comprises forming a single phase solution of WVO and titrant in a ratio of between 10:1 to 50:1.

Biodiesel lighter fluid (Marlin, J., US8722591, May 13, 2014).

Disclosed is an environmentally conscious, odor-free lighter fluid mixture comprising a 50–70% ethanol and 30–50% biodiesel combination. Combined with an ethanol accelerant, the mixture provides a lighter fluid that is easily ignitable without risk of detonation or explosion, and one that brings charcoal briquettes up to temperature quicker than traditional methods. The mixture is petroleum free, which eliminates the associated unpleasant odors and potential health risks of traditional lighter fluid, including a reduction in the emission of volatile organic compounds into the environment. The mixture offers a renewable, sustainable, and efficient ignition source for charcoal that does not sacrifice utility compared to traditional lighter fluid and that does not impart undesirable flavors onto grilled food.

Method of making polyclycerol esters (Bevinakatti, H.S., et al., Croda International PLC, US8722814, May 13, 2014).

Polyglycerol carboxylic acid esters are made by reaction of a, typically, C2 to C30, particularly C6 to C22, carboxylic acid with glycerol carbonate, particularly with base catalyst, and desirably at temperatures from 170°C to 250°C. Other carbonates, for example cyclic diol carbonates such as ethylene or propylene carbonates, may be used in combination with the glycerol carbonate to make novel mixed polymeric esters. The molar ratio of carboxylic acid group to glycerol carbonate is typically from 2 to 30, but can be up to 100. The base catalyst is desirably alkali metal hydroxide, carbonate, or alkoxide. The reaction is desirably carried out in an inert atmosphere, and reducing agent such as phosphorous acid, hypophosphorous acid, or borohydride and/or activated carbon, may be included to improve product color.

Lighter fluid compositions with n-butanol and biodiesel (Moe, D.E., and R.E. Oshel, Greenflame Products, LLC, US8728178, May 20, 2014).

An improved, environmentally friendly lighter fluid composition made from renewable resources is described that includes n-butanol and biodiesel. This lighter fluid has reduced volatile organic compounds (VOCs) compared to a petroleum-based lighter fluid. The fuel sources such as charcoal ignited with the lighter fluid composition maintain desirable temperature profiles. Foods cooked using the lighter fluid composition as the ignition source have improved taste characteristics due to reduced VOCs. Methods of using the lighter fluid compositions are also described.

Polyricinoleate composition and process for producing the same (Ebata, H., and S. Matsumura, Keio University, US8729176, May 20, 2014).

A process is disclosed wherein ricinoleic acid from petroleum alternative vegetable castor oil that has a hydroxyl group at the 12-position or a derivative thereof (an ester or a hydrogenated compound thereof) is polymerized in the presence of a synthetic zeolite and an immobilized lipase at around normal temperature without using any harmful polymerization catalysts or organic solvents which can cause environmental pollution whereby a polyester useful in the industry that has a weight average molecular weight of 20,000 or more is obtained. This high-molecular weight polyester is crosslinked to give a cross-linked elastomer that is comparable to synthetic rubbers.

Diesel fuel formulation (Felix-Moore, A., et al., Shell Oil Co., US8734541, May 27, 2014).

A diesel fuel formulation containing a triethoxypropane and a palm oil methyl ester (POME), and a diesel fuel supplement containing a premix of a triethoxypropane and a POME is disclosed. The triethoxypropane may be 1,2,3-triethoxypropane or 1,1,3-triethoxypropane.

Compositions based on polyester in an oily phase and uses thereof (Barba, C., and A. Ricard, L’Oreal, US8734765, May 27, 2014).

The present invention relates to a cosmetic make-up or care composition comprising an oily phase comprising at least one liquid polyester obtained by condensation of unsaturated fatty acid dimer and/or trimer and diol, said composition being free from lipophilic gelling agent or comprising at the most 10 wt% thereof, relative to the weight of the composition. The present invention also relates to a method of make-up of the face and body comprising the use of said composition.

Pseudomona aeruginosa strain developed for improving fatty acid content, and method of manufacturing the same (Lee, J.-W., et al., Industry–University Cooperation Foundation Sogang University, US8735110, May 27, 2014).

Disclosed are novel Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains capable of producing in high yield and preparation methods thereof. The strains anchor an expression vector carrying either or both of a nucleotide sequence coding for acetyl-CoA carboxylase carboxytransferase subunit alpha of P. aeruginosa and a nucleotide sequence coding for malonyl-CoA-[acyl-carrier-protein] trans-acylase of P. aeruginosa, and/or a nucleotide sequence coding for acyl-acyl carrier protein thioesterase of Streptococcus pyogenes. The recombinant P. aeruginosa strains are genetically stable and have high lipid or fatty acid contents, thus being applicable to the mass production of fatty acids.

Cocoa bean processing methods and techniques (Huhn, T., and R. Laux, Unico-First AG and Zürcher Hoch-schule für Angewandte Wissenschaten Grüental, US8734888, May 27, 2014).

Improved methods and/or techniques for processing and/or extracting materials from cocoa beans. In certain embodiments, cocoa bean processing methods (e.g., using unfermented or fermented or roasted or nonroasted beans) which result in cocoa products with improved taste characteristics and/or increased levels of anti-oxidants and/or vitamins.

Eco-friendly cleaners for oilfield equipment (Perusalsamy, J., and C. Tate, Halliburton Energy Services, Inc., US8735336, May 27, 2014).

Methods for removing an organic material from a portion of oilfield equipment are described. The methods include forming a composition that includes a hybrid polymer and introducing the composition to the portion of the oilfield equipment from which the organic material is to be removed. The hybrid polymer includes a synthetic component formed from at least one or more olefinically unsaturated carboxylic acid monomers or salts thereof, and a natural component formed from a hydroxyl-containing natural moiety.

Method for extracting unsaponifiables from renewable raw materials (Piccirilli, A., Valagro Carbone Renouvelable Poitou-Charentes, US8735615, May 27, 2014).

A method for extracting an unsaponifiable fraction from a renewable raw material selected among oilfruits, oleaginous seeds, oleoproteaginous seeds, seed husks, oil-yielding almonds, sprouts, stones and cuticles of fruits, high-fat raw materials from animals, algae, fungus or yeast, includes the following steps: (i) dehydrating and packaging the renewable raw material, not resulting in any extraction of the fat; (ii) reactive crushing of the fatty packaged raw material in the presence of a light alcohol and a catalyst; (iii) evaporating the light alcohol; (iv) concentrating the liquid phase such as to obtain a concentrate including the unsaponifiable fraction diluted in fatty acid alkyl esters; (v) saponifying the unsaponifiable concentrate; (vi) extracting the unsaponifiable fraction from the saponified mixture. The use of an unsaponifiable fraction or co-products obtained by implementing the method for preparing a composition such as a cosmetic, drug, food, or food additive or supplement is also described.

Conversion of crude tall oil to renewable feedstock for diesel range fuel compositions (Stigsson, L., and V. Naydenov, Sunpine AB, US8735637, May 27, 2014).

A method for converting crude tall oil into high-quality diesel fuels include the steps of (i) removal of nonoil contaminants present in the crude tall oil and recovery of valuable organic, (ii) heating and removing the volatile fractions of the refined tall oil stream from step (i) and forming a volatiles-free oil stream comprising organic components with boiling points of 170°C and higher, (iii) vacuum distilling the volatiles-free oil stream of from step (ii) to produce a first and second stream the first stream including components with boiling points between 170 and 400°C and the second stream comprising components having boiling points greater than 400°C and (iv) passing the first stream into a catalytic reactor wherein hydrogenation and deoxygenation take place to produce a diesel range fuel depleted in oxygen.

Vegetable oil of high dielectric purity, method for obtaining same and use in an electrical device (Pulido Sanchez, A.J., et al., Ragasa Industrias, S.A. de C.V. and Prolec-GE Internacional, S. de R.L. de C.V., US8741186, June 3, 2014 ).

A dielectric high-vegetable oil—free from antioxidants and/or external additives to be used in electric equipment such as transformers, as isolating element and as cooling means and a method for obtaining the same in which the dielectric high-purity vegetable oil—is obtained by means of the optimization of the bleaching steps—and deodorizing—from the refining process—known as modified caustic refining long-mix (RBD).

Water-repellant admixtures for cementitious materials (Walloch, C.G., et al., ACM Chemistries, Inc., US8747550, June 10, 2014).

The present disclosure provides improved water-repellent admixtures for cementitious materials. The water-repellent admixtures are incorporated during masonry processing to improve the water resistance of the final product. Solid water-repellent admixtures may be conveniently incorporated into pre-blended dry mortar mixes. In some variations, a pre-blended dry mortar mix comprises a cementitious material, an aggregate, and a dry water-repellent admixture, wherein the water-repellent admixture contains one or more materials selected from the group consisting of silanes, siloxanes, free fatty acids, fatty acid derivatives, particulated polymers, and particulated copolymers, and wherein the water-repellent admixture is present in the pre-blended dry mortar mix in a dosage from about 0.01% to about 1.00% by weight of the pre-blended dry mortar mix. Water repellency is achieved while maintaining workability as well as the properties of the hardened mortar, including compressive strength and bond strength to other substrates, such as clay or concrete masonry units.

Method from, recovering a solvent from a fluid volume and methods of removing at least one compound from a nonpolar solvent (Ginosar, D.M., et al., Batt elle Energy Alliance, LLC, US8747673, June 10, 2014).

A method of removing a nonpolar solvent from a fluid volume that includes at least one nonpolar compound, such as a fat, an oil or a triglyceride, is provided. The method comprises contacting a fluid volume with an expanding gas to expand the nonpolar solvent and form a gas-expanded solvent. The gasexpanded solvent may have a substantially reduced density in comparison to the at least one nonpolar compound and/or a substantially reduced capacity to solubilize the nonpolar com-pound, causing the nonpolar compounds to separate from the gas-expanded nonpolar solvent into a separate liquid phase. The liquid phase including the at least one nonpolar compound may be separated from the gas-expanded solvent using conventional techniques. After separation of the liquid phase, at least one of the temperature and pressure may be reduced to separate the nonpolar solvent from the expanding gas such that the nonpolar solvent may be recovered and reused.

Encapsulation of oxidatively unstable compounds (Hendrickson, W.A., et al., Aveka, Inc., US8741337, June 3, 2014).

An encapsulated material containing an oxidation-sensitive core is covered by at least a dried phospholipid layer, and contains at least one phytosterol in the core, the phospholipid layer or in a further layer or layers. By using microencapsulation, oxidatively unstable materials may be provided with a synthetic protective barrier and rendered less susceptible to oxidative degradation.

Method for stabilizing diesel engine lubricating oil against degradation by biodiesel fuel (Habeeb, J.J., et al., ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Co., US8748357, June 10, 2014).

The lubricating oil used to lubricate diesel engines is stabilized against the detrimental degradation effects of biodiesel fuel by the addition to the lubricating oil of an additive concentrate comprising a premix of a first antioxidant, a second anti-oxidant of a type different from the first and an organometallic compound.

Ultrasonic and megasonic method for extracting palm oil (Goodson, J.M., and L.T. Kheng, Megasonic Sweeping Inc., US8748642, June 10, 2014).

A process for extracting palm oil includes an ultrasonic horn press and a megasonic clarifier. The ultrasonic horn press uses ultrasonic vibrations to rupture and heat the palm fruit. After pressing and filtering the palm oil from the ultrasonic horn press, the megasonic clarifier applies megasonic vibrations to clarify the palm oil.

Methods for improving tolerance, digestion, and lipid soluble nutrient absorption in an infant, toddler, or child (Lai, C.-S., et al., Abbott Laboratories, US8754126, June 17, 2014).

Disclosed are nutritional formulations including predigested fats that can be administered to preterm infants, infants, toddlers, and children for improving tolerance, digestion, and absorption of nutrients and for reducing the incidence of necrotizing enterocolitis, colic, and short bowel syndrome. The Predigested fats include fatty acid-containing monoglycerides and/or a fatty acid component. Degradable perforation balls and associated methods of use in subterranean applications Luo, H., and D.D. Fulton, Halliburton Energy Services, Inc., US8757260, June 24, 2014 Methods and compositions that include a method of treating a subterranean formation comprising the steps of providing a carrier fluid comprising degradable balls that comprise a carboxylic acid, a fatty alcohol, a fatty acid salt, a fatty ester, a fatty acid salt, or a combination thereof, and introducing the carrier fluid to the subterranean formation during a treatment.

Method for obtaining a fraction enriched with functionalized fatty acid esters from seeds of oleaginous plants (Piccirilli, A., et al., US8759556, June 24, 2014).

The invention relates to a method for the selective extraction of functionalized fatty acid esters from seeds of oleaginous plants, wherein said method includes: (i) at least one step of extracting fatty acid esters that comprises simultaneously feeding into a reactor containing said seeds a light anhydrous alcohol, a basic catalyst, and an extraction solvent nonmiscible with said light alcohol and in which said functionalized fatty ester is not soluble in order to obtain a mixture of esters and glycerol; (ii) and at least one step of selectively extracting hydroxylated fatty acid esters by feeding into the reactor said extraction solvent in a backflush direction relative to the light alcohol in order to obtain an alcohol phase enriched with fatty acid esters, a glycerol phase, and a cake. The invention can be used for obtaining a fraction having a high concentration of hydroxylated or epoxidized functionalized fatty acid esters, and a solvent phase containing the other nonfunctionalized fatty acid esters directly from the seeds of oleaginous plants.

Heat transfer fluid, additive package, system and method (Yang, B., et al., Prestone Products Corp., US8771542, July 8, 2014).

Disclosed herein is a heat transfer fluid, comprising a hydroxylated carboxylic acid of formula (OH)x(R1)(COOH) , wherein x is 2 to 10, y is 3 to 10, and R1 is a C2–50 aliphatic group, a C6–50 aromatic group, or a combination thereof; and wherein the hydroxylated carboxylic acid comprises the hydroxylated carboxylic acid, an ester thereof, a salt thereof, an anhydride thereof, or a combination thereof. A heat transfer system comprises an aluminum component, a magnesium component, or an aluminum component and a magnesium component; and the foregoing heat transfer fluid.

Process for making thermoplastic polyesters (Bashir, Z., Saudi Basic Industries Corp., US8772436, July 8, 2014).

The invention relates to a process for making a thermoplastic polyester, which comprises contacting at least one carboxylic acid-based compound and at least one alcohol-based compound in esterification and subsequent polycondensation reactions, in the presence of certain exfoliated inorganic nano-layered titanates acting as a catalyst.

Safflower oil emulsion as dietary supplement and preparation thereof (Fujiwara, K., et al., Shiseido Co., Ltd., US8778363, July 15, 2014).

To provide an oil-in-water emulsion skin care cosmetic composition which, without the addition of a pharmaceutical agent and a film-forming agent or the like thereto, effects an excellent elastic or resilient feeling to skin and is excellent in non-stickiness and stability. An oil-in-water emulsion skin care cosmetic composition, comprising (a) a paraffin wax and/or a polyethylene wax, (b) a microcrystalline wax, and (c) an animal/plant-derived wax which contains, as the main ingredient thereof, an ester of a higher fatty acid having from 20 to 32 carbon atoms and an alcohol having from 28 to 34 carbon atoms, and has a melting point of from 75 to 100 ˚C, in which the ratio of component (a) to component (b) is from 70/30 to 95/5 (by mass).

Method of making nutritional emulsions containing process-encapsulated oils (Walton, J.E., et al., Abbott Laboratories, US8778439, July 15, 2014).

Disclosed is a method of making nutritional emulsions, comprising: (a) heating and blending together an emulsifying agent having a melt point above about 25 ˚C and oil having hydrophobic off-notes (e.g. non-encapsulated polyunsaturated fatty acid) in a weight ratio of at least about 1:15; (b) adding the heated blend to a fat, protein, and carbohydrate mixture comprising a maltodextrin (DE of about 10 or less), in a weight ratio of the maltodextrin to the oil having hydrophobic off-notes of at least about 1:2; and (c) homogenizing, and then cooling the combination below the melt point of the emulsifying agent to form a nutritional emulsion comprising from about 0.01 percent to about 5 percent by weight of process-encapsulated polyunsaturated fatty acid. The resulting nutritional emulsions effectively mask off-notes commonly associated with certain oils, e.g., polyunsaturated fatty acids, soy oil, beta-hydroxy-beta-methylbutyrate oils.

Method for concentrating lipids (Yoshikawa, K., Nippon Suisan Kaisha Ltd., US8784921, July 22, 2014).

As a method for an efficient concentration of lipid components from food materials, a method for concentrating lipids contained in a crustacean, which comprises heating squeezed liquid prepared by squeezing the whole crustacean or a part thereof and separating the heated squeezed liquid into solids containing lipid components and liquid containing water-soluble components. Those are useful as the method by which lipids abundantly containing the phospholipid are prepared easily and at a low cost. Furthermore, the solids containing the lipids prepared by said method or a dried product thereof, lipids extracted therefrom and a composition abundantly containing the useful lipids derived from crustaceans are useful as materials for pharmaceuticals, ingredients for foods or feed, etc.

Toughening cross-linked thermosets (Lascala, J. J, et al., Drexel University, U.S. Government represented by Secretary of Army, US8785547, July 22, 2014).

Grafted triglycerides comprising an acrylated triglyceride grafted with a fatty acid residue containing 4 to 28 carbon atoms. Also described are methods for making a grafted tri-glyceride and for curing a material selected from vinyl esters and unsaturated polyesters and mixtures thereof and option-ally a reactive diluent. The method includes the steps of mixing a grafted triglyceride of the present invention with a material selected from vinyl esters, unsaturated polyesters and mixtures thereof to form a mixture, and curing the mixture to form a cured resin system. A cured resin system comprising a cured product obtained by the foregoing method and composites containing the cured product and a filler or reinforcing material are also disclosed. This method also includes use of the grafted tri-glycerides to make toughened resin and composite systems with reduced hazardous air pollutants without significantly reducing the glass transition temperature and significantly increasing the viscosity.

Controlled-release fertilizers made from cross-linked glyceride mixtures (Maruvada, S., et al., Agriium Advanced Technologies, US8790437, July 29, 2014).

A controlled release fertilizer material comprising a particulate plant nutrient surrounded by a coating which is the reaction product of a mixture including a cross-linked polyol, an isocyanate and a wax is described. The cross-linked polyol is a reaction product of a polyhydroxyl compound, such as glycerol, and a triglyceride and the monoglyceride and/or diglyceride products are cross-linked with sulfur, oxygen and/or a peroxide cross-linking moiety, or are directly cross-linked at unsaturated sites in the monoglycerides and/or diglycerides.

Chocolate with agglomerate structure and the method for preparing thereof (Mendez, P.S., T et al., Natra Cacao SL Unipersonal, US8790737, July 29, 2014).

The present invention relates to a method for preparing chocolate with agglomerate structure. It also relates to the chocolate obtained by said method characterized in that has the organoleptic characteristics of the conventional chocolate, it is physico-chemically stable at a temperature greater than or equal to 40 degrees centigrade, maintains its flowability at a temperature of up to 50 ThCµ and is crunchy.

Process for fractionating refined triglyceride oil (Yeoh, C.B. and C.L Chong, Malaysian Palm Oil Board, US8791283, July 29, 2014).

The present invention relates to a process for fractioning refined triglyceride oil. The process according to the present invention attains a reproducible crystallization by introducing a controlled temperature profile and ensuing crystal development that reduce the amount of entrapped olein inside the crystals or crystal aggregates. The process of the present invention may be used to fractionate refined and or refined, bleached and deodorized vegetable oils especially refined and or refined, bleached and deodorized palm oil.

Compositions comprising lecithin oils and NSAIDS for protecting the gastrointestinal tract and providing enhanced therapeutic activity (Lichtenberger, L.M., University of Texas System, US8865187, October 21, 2014).

A novel pharmaceutical composition is provided by which nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are added directly to phospholipid-containing oil such as lecithin oils or to a biocompatible oil to which an phospholipid has been added to make a NSAID-containing formulation that possess low gastrointestinal (GI) toxicity and enhanced therapeutic activity to treat or prevent inflammation, pain, fever, platelet aggregation, tissue ulcerations and/or other tissue disorders. The composition of the invention are in the form of a non-aqueous solution, paste, suspension, dispersion, colloidal suspension, or in the form of an aqueous emulsion or microemulstion for internal, oral, direct, or topical administration.

Method for making carbon nanotube-based composite (Wang, L., et al., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd. and Tsin-ghua University, US8871300, October 28, 2014).

A method for making a carbon nanotube based composite is provided. In the method, carriers, solution containing metal ions, and a carboxylic acid solution are mixed to form a mixed solution containing a complex compound. A reducing agent is added into the mixed solution. The metal ions are reduced to metal particles absorbed on the surface of the carriers. The carriers having the metal particles absorbed thereon are purified to obtain the carbon nanotube based composite.

Grease-like gel for repelling insects and preventing undesirable behavior in hoofed animals (Willey, R. and R. Numata, Pacific Tech Industries, Inc., US8871814, October 28, 2014).

Grease-like compositions are provided for repelling insects and preventing undesirable behavior in hoofed animals. The compositions utilize nontoxic mineral, synthetic, or vegetable oil based gels containing silica, clay, urea, polytetrafluoroethylene, or metallic soap thickeners and capsaicin.

Adhesive Cream (Bogaert, J.P., US8871828, October 28, 2014).

Improved composition of a fixing cream, in particular for tooth prostheses, containing at least one oil and/or fat, prefer-ably of a plant type, at least one water-soluble polymer selected from the group of cellulose derivatives, at least one alkyl vinyl ether/maleic acid anhydride copolymer, the fatty acid content of the plant oil or fat contained consisting of at least 20 % bwt of unsaturated fatty acids.

Method for the froth flotation of coal (Hines, J.B., et al., Georgia Pacific Chemicals LLC, US8875898, November 4, 2014).

The present invention relates to the beneficiation of coal by the process of froth flotation and specifically relates to a process for the froth flotation of coal using a collector consisting essentially of a fatty acid monoester of a polyol, a fatty acid diester of a polyol, or a mixture thereof.

Biobased wax compositions and applications (McKeown, S., et al., Galacta Chemicals LLC and Collateral Agent A/S, US8876918, November 4, 2014).

Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) compositions and EPA-rich polar lipids for prophylactic or therapeutic applications are described. Production from certain cultured micro-organisms (like Nitzschia laevis) promotes synthesis of EPA, including polar lipids including EPA. The EPA-rich polar lipids themselves may be used as polar compounds. EPA can be selectively hydrolysed from particular positions in isolated polar lipids by lipase activity, then optionally further purified. The process bypasses reliance on diminishing fish stocks and on physico-chemical processes that may not adequately separate desirable n-3 HUFAs from unwanted products like DHA also found in fish oil and cultured organisms.

Production of ultrapure EPA and polar lipids from largely heterotrophic culture (Griffiths, H.D. and K.T. Geiringer, Photonz Corp., Ltd., US8877465, November 4, 2014).

Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) compositions and EPA-rich polar lipids for prophylactic or therapeutic applications are described. Production from certain cultured micro-organisms (like Nitzschia laevis) promotes synthesis of EPA, including polar lipids including EPA. The EPA-rich polar lipids them-selves may be used as polar compounds. EPA can be selectively hydrolysed from particular positions in isolated polar lipids by lipase activity, then optionally further purified. The process bypasses reliance on diminishing fish stocks and on physico-chemical processes that may not adequately separate desirable n-3 HUFAs from unwanted products like DHA also found in fish oil and cultured organisms.

Method to prepare β-functionalized aliphatic esters (Dierker, M., et al., Cognis IP Management GmbH, US8877958, November 4, 2014).

The invention pertains to a new route to prepare -functionalized carboxylic acid esters in a one-pot reaction, by reacting an olefinic acid ester in the presence of a catalyst system, comprising a Rh(I)-complex, together with an aryl boron or a diamine as nucleophilic compounds, and under oxygen-free conditions and elevated temperatures.

Deoxygenation of fatty acids for preparation of hydrocarbons (White, J.F., et al., Battelle Memorial Institute, US8882990, November 11, 2014).

Embodiments of methods for making renewable diesel by deoxygenating (decarboxylating/decarbonylating/dehydrating) fatty acids to produce hydrocarbons are disclosed. Fatty acids are exposed to a catalyst selected from a) Pt and MO3 on ZrO2 (M is W, Mo, or a combination thereof), or b) Pt/Ge or Pt/Sn on carbon, and the catalyst decarboxylates at least 10% of the fatty acids. In particular embodiments, the catalyst consists essentially of 0.7 wt% Pt and 12 wt% WO3, relative to a mass of catalyst, or the catalyst consists essentially of a) 5 wt% Pt and b) 0.5 wt% Ge or 0.5 wt% Sn, relative to a mass of catalyst. Deoxygenation is performed without added hydrogen and at less than 100 psi. Dis-closed embodiments of the catalysts deoxygenate at least 10% of fatty acids in a fatty acid feed, and remain capable of deoxygenating fatty acids for at least 200 min. to more than 350 hr.

Oil or fat composition (Abe, T., et al., Kao Corp., US8884043, November 11, 2014).

Provided is an oil or fat composition, which has an MCPD-FS content (ppm) of 13 ppm or less, the content being measured by a Deutsche Gesellschaft fuer Fettwissenschaft (DGF) standard method C-III 18(09), has a diacylglycerol content of 15 mass% or more, and is subjected to deodoriza-tion treatment.

Process for producing fatty alcohols from fatty acids (Wild, R., et al., Davy Process Technology, Ltd., US8884078, November 11, 2014).

In a process for the production of fatty alcohol(s) a fatty acid or fatty acid mixture is subjected to esterification with a lower alkanol to form a stream comprising the corresponding lower alkyl ester or esters. The stream is vaporized and subjected to hydrogenation to form a stream comprising fatty alcohol(s) and an amount of unconverted lower alkyl ester(s). This stream is subjected to transesterification in a wax ester reactor in the presence of a solid transesterification catalyst. Fatty alcohol(s) and wax ester(s) are then separated by distillation to yield a fatty alcohol(s) product and a stream comprising wax ester(s). The stream of wax ester(s) is passed to a second hydrogenation zone to effect hydrogenation in the liquid phase to revert the wax ester(s) to fatty alcohol(s), which are returned to the distillation separation step.

Hydrogenation of fatty acids using a promoted supported nickel catalyst (Bouwman H.J., et al, BASF Corp., US8884042, November 11, 2014).

The invention is directed to a process for the hydrogenation of unsaturated fatty acids to produce saturated fatty acids, said process comprising hydrogenating the unsaturated fatty acid in the presence of hydrogen and a supported nickel catalyst, said supported nickel catalyst comprising an oxidic support, 5 to 80 weight percent of nickel, calculated as atomic nickel on the weight of the catalyst, 0.1 to 10 weight percent of a copper promoter, calculated as atomic copper on the weight of the catalyst and 1 to 10 weight percent of a group II metal, calculated as metallic oxide on the weight of the catalyst.

Methods for decreasing the incidence of necrotizing enterocolitis, colic, and short bowel syndrome in an infant, toddler, or child (Davis, S.R., et al., Abbott Laboratories, US8877812, November 4, 2014).

Disclosed are nutritional formulations including predigested fats that can be administered to preterm infants, infants, toddlers, and children for improving tolerance, digestion, and absorption of nutrients and for reducing the incidence of necrotizing enterocolitis, colic, and short bowel syndrome. The predigested fats include fatty acid-containing monoglycerides and/or a fatty acid component.

Plastic implant impregnated with a degradation protector (Kunze, A., et al., Rush University Medical Center, US8889166, November 18, 2014).

A plastic implant device for a mammal that contains a rare earth metal compound tracer and a method for detecting degradation such as wear of the implanted device are disclosed. The tracer can also be present with a separate antioxidant or the tracer compound can be can be the salt of a C6-C22 unsaturated carboxylic acid. The rare earth metal compound tracer is released when the prosthetic is worn down or otherwise degraded in the mammalian body in which it was implanted. The presence and amount of released tracer present in a body fluid or tissue sample measured and is proportional to the degree of degradation of the implant.

Process for the distillation of fatty acid esters (Horlacher, P. and D. Hietsch, Cognis IP Management GmbH, US8889895, November 18, 2014).

The present invention relates to a method for working up a mixture which contains esters of EPA and/or DHA with monohydric alcohols having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, esters of other fatty acids with monohydric alcohols having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, and free cholesterol, wherein the method comprises adding a transesterification catalyst to the mixture, converting at least some of the free cholesterol into esterified cholesterol and thereafter distilling the mixture, wherein the distillation is carried out in such a manner that a product is obtained which contains EPA and/or DHA, both in the form of esters thereof with monohydric alcohols having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, in a higher relative amount, based on all fatty acids in free or bound form present in the product, than said mixture. In addition, the present invention relates to a product which is obtainable by the method according to the invention, wherein the product contains 10 to 99.99% bwt of esters of EPA and/or of DHA with monohydric alcohols having 1 to 6 carbon atoms and 0.0001 to a maximum of 0.3% bwt weight of cholesterol in free or bound form.

Environmentally benign anti-icing or deicing fluids (Sapienza, R., et al., MLI Associates LLC, US8906251, December 9, 2014).

Deicing compositions comprised of glycerol-containing by-products of triglyceride processing processes are disclosed.

Methods for joint lubrication and cartilage wear prevention making use of glycerophospholipids (Halperin, G., et al., Hadasit Medical Research Services and Development Ltd., Technion Research and Development Foundation Ltd., and Yissum Research Development Co. of Hebrew University Jerusalem, US8895054, November 25, 2014).

The present invention concerns methods of joint lubrication and/or prevention of cartilage wear making use of liposomes having membranes with at least one phospholipid (PL) of the group consisting of a glycerophospholipid (GPL) having two, being the same or different, C12-C16 hydrocarbon chain and a sphingolipid (SPL) having a C12-C18 hydrocarbon chain, the one or more membranes having a phase transition temperature in which solid ordered (SO) to liquid disordered (LD) phase transition occurs, the phase transition temperature being within a temperature of about 20 ˚C to about 39 ˚C for lubrication of joints.

Agglomerated oil impregnated psyllium husk (Jacobsen, G. and H.T. Hesselballe, Biofiber Damino A/S, US8895085, November 25, 2014).

There is provided agglomerated oil impregnated psyllium husk and to a method for manufacturing the agglomerated oil impregnated psyllium husk. Specifically the present invention provides compositions comprising agglomerates of psyllium husks, wherein the husks have been subjected to treatment with an oily component (e.g. vegetable oil, such as rapeseed oil) prior to a drying process, such as a fluidized bed process, wherein the husks are agglomerated with a saccharide containing aqueous suspension/solution sprayed onto the husks.

Zno nanoparticle catalysts for use in biodiesel production and method of making (Yan, S., et al., US. Department of Energy and Wayne State University, US8895764, November 25, 2014).

A method of forming a biodiesel product and a heterogeneous catalyst system used to form said product that has a high tolerance for the presence of water and free fatty acids (FFA) in the oil feedstock is disclosed. This catalyst system may simultaneously catalyze both the esterification of FAA and the transesterification of triglycerides present in the oil feed-stock. The catalyst system is comprised of a mixture of zinc oxide and a second metal oxide. The zinc oxide includes a mixture of amorphous zinc oxide and zinc oxide nanocrystals, the zinc nanocrystals having a mean grain size between about 20 and 80 nm with at least one of the nanocrystals including a mesopore having a diameter of about 5 to 15 nm. Preferably, the second metal oxide is a lanthanum oxide, the lanthanum oxide being selected as one from the group of La2CO5, LaOOH, and combinations or mixtures thereof.

Biodiesel cold flow improver (Scanlon, E., et al., BASF Corp. and Ciba Corp., US8900333, December 2, 2014).

The present invention is directed to the use of alkyl(meth) acrylate polymers or copolymers of the formula (I) In-Poly-(E) y (I) as cold flow improvers in biodiesel fuel (or bio-fuel) and biodiesel compositions incorporating said polymers or copolymers, obtained by nitroxyl mediated controlled free radical polymerization, wherein In is the initiator fragment starting the polymerization reaction; E is an end group bearing at least one stable free nitroxyl radical, which is bound via an oxygen atom to the polymer or copolymer; or a group which results from a substitution or elimination reaction of the attached stable free nitroxyl radical; Poly is any polymer or copolymer formed from ethylenically unsaturated monomer(s); and y is a number 1 or greater than 1 indicating the average number of end groups E attached to Poly.

Multifunctional wood preservatives based on a borate/fatty acid combination (Coleman R.D., Summerdale Inc., US8900720, December 2, 2014).

Wood preservatives, methods for protecting wood and wood-based products and/or structures utilizing the preservatives, and treated wood and wood-based articles and/or structures incorporating the preservatives are described. Methods are also provided for remediating structures already infected with mold. The subject wood preservative formulation includes a borate compound and a fatty acid. The addition of an emulsifier to the formulation further facilitates application of the treatment. The combination of a borate compound and fatty acid combination typically provide a synergistic effect compared to the additive result provided by the combination’s individual components.

Enzyme-containing mini-emulsions (Hagenbucher, M., et al., Henkel and Co. KGaA AG, Max Planck Institutes, US8883465, November 11, 2014).

The present invention relates to a mini-emulsion which comprises at least one hydrolase, where the continuous phase of the mini-emulsion contains at least one oxidant, while the dispersed phase comprises at least one C6-60 carboxylic acid and optionally at least one reactant. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a method of preparing the mini-emulsion and to a process for the preparation of C6-60 percarboxylic acids and to a process for the preparation of an oxidized reactant, in each case using the abovementioned mini-emulsions. Process for making a crystalline structurant comprising a molten hydrogenated castor oil De Meirleir, N., et al., Procter & Gamble Co., US8901062, December 2, 2014 An oil-in-water emulsion comprising droplets of a molten hydrogenated castor oil, the droplets having a mean diameter of between 0.1 µm and 4 µm; and an anionic surfactant; and wherein the mean diameter is measured when the emulsion is at a temperature of between 85 ˚C and 95˚C.

Process for refining a triglyceride oil (Schmid, U., et al., Lipid Nutrition B.V. and Stepan Specialty Products LLC, US8901331, December 2, 2014).

A process for refining a triglyceride oil comprises: providing a triglyceride oil; bleaching the oil in the presence of an added antioxidant in a first bleaching step; bleaching the oil in a second bleaching step; and deodorizing the bleached oil, wherein the antioxidant comprises a rosemary extract.

Fatty acid dehydratases and uses thereof (Qiu, X., et al., BASF Plant Science GmbH and Bioriginal Food and Science Corp., US8901374, December 2, 2014).

The invention provides isolated nucleic acid molecules which encode novel fatty acid dehydratase family members. The invention also provides recombinant expression vectors containing dehydratase nucleic acid molecules, host cells into which the expression vectors have been introduced, and methods for large-scale production of long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFAs), e.g., SDA, EPA and DHA.

Peanut spread (Bugg Jr., D.M., et al., Conopco, Inc., dba Unilever and Hormel Foods Corp., US8906441, December 9, 2014).

Nut spreads having a stabilizer which is a blend of certain palm oil fraction stabilizers with certain cocoa butters and/or cocoa butter equivalents and/or replacers and/or substitutes and/or extenders (with similar fatty acid profile to cocoa butter). When these fats are used in combination, particularly at ratios preferred herein, they impart a smooth creamy texture to the final nut butter or nut butter based products and more impor-tantly provide enhanced stability during storage, preventing oil separation in the final product during prolonged storage. The texture and spreadability of the final nut spread based product achieved by using this blend is also superior to the texture and spreadability obtained by using conventional palm oil alone. Preferably the cocoa butters, equivalents, replacers and substitutes are not hydrogenated.

Process for producing dark chocolate (Bussmann, C., et al., Chocoladefabriken Lindt and Sprungli AG, US8906442, December 9, 2014).

A process and a plant are proposed for producing dark chocolate which make it possible to produce dark chocolate, in particular also single-variety dark chocolate, having a high cocoa content without cocoa powder needing to be produced and/or added. By means of a partial defatting of the cocoa mass in a process step which is connected upstream of the mixing, grinding and/or conching, the fat content in the cocoa mass is reduced to the extent that dark chocolates can be produced having a high cocoa content without cocoa powder needing to be added. The partial defatting of the cocoa mass is preferably carried out using a decanter (50). The cocoa butter fraction (2) according to the invention occurs on decanting as a high-fat fraction which still contains a fraction of 17 to 21% bwt, a maximum of 30% bwt, of fat-free cocoa dry matter. In the novel process according to the present invention, the expenditure for producing a highly defatted cocoa powder is avoided, since the cocoa mass (11) is only defatted to the point that the mass produced therefrom can be comminuted without problem using rollers (30) and can subsequently be conched. The cocoa butter fraction is added during conching after the comminution in a ball mill.

Sealing material and method for preparing the same (Yamamoto T., Bridgestone Corp., US8906274, December 9, 2014).

A sealing material is provided, which has excellent sealing property, with cracks, fracture, and deformation being minimized. The sealing material of the invention is prepared by vulcanizing and foaming a mixture containing a rubber component containing a copolymer rubber of ethylene, an α-olefin having 3 or more carbon atoms, and a non-conjugated diene, a vulcanizing agent, and a blowing agent, and then subjecting the mixture to a cell breakage treatment, characterized in that the mixture further includes a fatty acid calcium salt and a fatty acid zinc salt.

Frozen aerated confections (Greenacre, J.H., et al., Conopco, Inc. and Unilever, US8906443, December 9, 2014).

A frozen aerated confection having an overrun of at least 40 percent and a fat component in an amount of 2 to 20% (by weight of the frozen aerated confection), said fat component comprising triglycerides of fatty acids wherein no more than 55 percent (by weight of the fatty acids) of the fatty acids in the triglycerides are saturated, less than 8% (by weight of the triglycerides) of the triglycerides are long-chain SSS triglycerides; characterized in that the ratio of the percentage of fat that is solid at 5 ˚C to the percentage of the fatty acids in the triglycerides that are saturated (by weight of the fatty acids) is greater than 1 and in that the fat component comprises at most 60% bwt cocoa butter or shea nut oil.

Methods of making compositions comprising lecithin oils and NSAIDs for protecting the gastrointestinal tract and providing enhanced therapeutic activity (Lichtenberger, L.M., University of Texas System, US8911752, December 16, 2014).

A novel pharmaceutical composition is provided by which nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are added directly to phospholipid-containing oil such as lecithin oils or to a biocompatible oil to which an phospholipid has been added to make a NSAID-containing formulation that possess low gastrointestinal (GI) toxicity and enhanced therapeutic activity to treat or prevent inflammation, pain, fever, platelet aggregation, tissue ulcerations, and/or other tissue disorders. The composition of the invention are in the form of a non-aqueous solution, paste, suspension, dispersion, colloidal suspension, or in the form of an aqueous emulsion or microemulstion for internal, oral, direct, or topical administration.

Biogenic fuel and method of making same (Rusek, J.J., Swift Development Renewable Fuels LLC, Swift Enterprises, Ltd., and Swift Fuels LLC, US8907150, December 9, 2014).

A method of producing from a biomass mesityleneiso-pentane fuel is provided. A biomass may be fermented to form acetone. The acetone is converted in a catalytic reactor to mesitylene and mesityl oxide. The mesitylene is separated in a phase separator and the organic face containing mesityl oxide is sent to a dehydration reactor, then to a demethylation reactor, and finally to a hydrogenation reactor from which isopentane is recovered. This isopentane is then mixed with the mesitylene to form the final mesitylene-isopentane fuel. The catalytic reaction with acetone employs catalysts of either niobium, vanadium or tantalum.

Enzymes useful for peracid production (Payne, M.S. and R. Dicosimo, E.I. Du Pont De Nemours and Co., US8911977, December 16, 2014).

Acetyl xylan esterases and variants thereof having perhydrolytic activity are provided for producing peroxycarboxylic acids from carboxylic acid esters and a source of peroxygen. Multi-component peracid generation systems comprising an enzyme catalyst having perhydrolytic activity are also provided, as are methods of using the present enzyme catalyst to produce peroxycarboxylic acids. The polypeptide having perhydrolytic activity may be used to produce peroxycarboxylic acids suitable for use in a variety of applications such as cleaning, disinfecting, sanitizing, bleaching, wood pulp processing, paper pulp processing, and personal care applications.

Enhanced biodiesel process (Roa-Espinosa, A. and H. Lin, Soilnet LLC, US8907113, December 9, 2014).

A process for separating glycerin from methyl ester at an enhanced rate is disclosed. The improved process results from carrying out the transesterification reaction in a substantially nonpolar and water free environment. A polymer selected from a group of polymers shown to be effective in such an environment is added to the product mixture which greatly improves the rate of separation between the methyl ester and the glycerin and reduces the number of required steps to accomplish the separation.

Edible water in oil emulsion (De Man, T., Conopco, Inc., US8993035, March 31, 2015).

A sealing material is provided, which has excellent sealing propThe invention relates to an edible water in oil emulsion wrapper product wherein the amount of oil exudation is less than 1% at the temperature at which the amount of solid fat content on total product is 3%, wherein the fat is essentially free of hydrogenated fat and wherein said fat comprises less than 35 wt% saturated fatty acid (calculated on total fat) and less than 1 wt% trans unsaturated fatty acid (calculated on total product). The invention also relates to a process for the preparation of an edible water in oil emulsion wrapper product according to the invention. .

Making epoxidized esters from epoxidized natural fats and oils (Hagberg, E., et al., Archer Daniels Midland Co., US20150407, April 7, 2015).

Processes are described for making epoxidized fatty acid esters from epoxidized natural fats and oils, wherein low moisture fats and oils are identified and selected or made and used in a transesterification process. The prod-ucts undergo phase separation, and reduced molar excesses of alcohol may be employed compared to processes not employing a low moisture feedstock.

Encapsulated acid, method for the preparation thereof, and chewing gum comprising same (Boghani, N., et al., Intercontinental Great Brands LLC, US9011946, April 21, 2015).

Delayed release in chewing gum of a food-grade acid, is provided by encapsulating the food-grade acid in spe-cific amounts of a poly(vinyl acetate) and a fatty acid salt. When incorporated into a chewing gum, the food-grade acid encapsulated in poly(vinyl acetate) and fatty acid salt provides a more delayed release of a sour flavor than food-grade acid encapsulated in poly(vinyl acetate) alone.

Crispy French fries (Bilet, M.J.J., et al., Elwha LLC, US9011950, April 21, 2015).

Crispy French fry-style food products are prepared by modification of the water content and the texture of the products' surface layers prior to deep frying. The surface modifications include surface firming, enzyme treatments, starch infusion and/or ultrasound treatment.

Low-fat water-in-oil emulsion containing substantial amounts of HOH triglycerides (Bartoccini, M., et al., Conopco, Inc., US9011960, April 21, 2015).

The invention relates to water-in-oil emulsion comprising 50 to 85 wt% of an aqueous phase and 15 to 50 wt% of a fat phase, wherein said fat phase comprises HOH triglycerides in an amount of 8 to 50% of the total weight of the fat phase, and HHH triglycerides in an amount of 1 to 6% of the total weight of the fat phase, wherein at least 25% of said HHH triglycerides contain at least two different fatty acid residues, where “H” denotes a saturated fatty acid res-idue with 16 to 24 carbon atoms and “O” an oleic acid residue. The invention further relates to a process for the prep-aration of an edible water-in-oil emulsion according to the invention. The invention also relates to the use of a HHH triglyceride fat to promote inversion of an oil-in-water-emulsion comprising 15 to 50 wt% of a fat phase, into a wa-ter-in-oil emulsion, wherein said fat phase comprises HOH triglycerides.

Method for producing regenerated clay, regenerated clay, and method for producing purified fats and oils (Negishi, S., et al., The Nisshin Oillio Group, Ltd., US9023749, May 5, 2015).

The present invention provides a method for performing regeneration of a decolorization capacity of waste clay that has been used for purification of fats and oils, and production of a thermally recyclable compound as a biofuel from oily ingredients in the waste clay at the same time in a convenient manner. That is, a method for pro-ducing purified fats and oils of the invention includes: a method for producing regenerated clay including the steps of mixing waste clay that has been used for purification of fats and oils, lower alcohol, and an acidic catalyst; and performing extraction of oily ingredients from the waste clay, and an esterification reaction between the fats and oils and/or a free fatty acid in the oily ingredients and the lower alcohol at the same time so as to regenerate a decolori-zation capacity of the waste clay; regenerated clay that is produced by the method for producing the regenerated clay; and a process of decolorizing the fats and oils using the regenerated clay.

Type A gelatin capsule containing PUFA in free acid form (Sachetto, J.-P., et al., Chrysalis Pharma AG, US9012501, Apr. 21, 2015).

A pharmaceutical formulation comprising at least one omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid in free acid form or a pharmacologically acceptable derivative thereof is contained in a soft gelatin capsule characterized in that the cap-sule comprises gelatin extracted by an extraction process comprising acid pre-treatment of a collagen source. One advantage of the present invention over a soft to gelatin capsule containing the same formulation but comprising gelatin extracted by an extraction process comprising alkali pretreatment of the collagen source is that the present invention does not harden significantly over time and thus has a longer shelf life.

Cocoa and sugar agglomerate for flavored beverages and method of forming same (Wang, X., The Hershey Co., US9017750, Apr. 28, 2015).

A method of forming cocoa and sugar base agglomerates is disclosed in which cocoa powder and sugar is mixed with an aqueous ethanol solution to form a dough and the dough is dried to form agglomerates of a porous dried dough having less than 0.5%t bwt residual ethanol. The dried dough may be broken into pieces or formed into pieces by cutting prior to drying. The resulting pieces of the agglomerate disintegrate instantly in a cold aqueous liquid, such as water or milk, to form a flavored beverage.

Shortening composition (Doucet, J., Dupont Nutrition Biosciences APS, US9017752, Apr. 28, 2015).

The present invention relates to a shortening system for use as dough fat or filling fat. The shortening system contains unhydrogenated or nonhydrogenated vegetable oil, such as a highly unsaturated, nonhydrogenated, or un-hydrogenated vegetable oil, e.g., soybean oil, sunflower oil, corn oil, ricebran oil, or cottonseed oil and a minimum or minor amount (e.g., by weight about 3–10%, advantageously about 3–7%, more advantageously about 3–6% or about 3–5% or less than about 6% or less than about 8% of an emulsifier composition The emulsifier composition comprises a monoglyceride and/or diglyceride, an alpha tending emulsifier and an ionic emulsifier. Methods for making and using such a shortening system and products from the use of such a shortening system are also dis-closed.

Oil or fat composition containing diglycerides (Saito, K., et al., Kao Corp., US9017753, Apr. 28, 2015).

Provided is an oil or fat composition rich in diacylglycerol, including a high content of oleic acid in a constituent fatty acid thereof and having a good appearance at normal temperature. Specifically, the oil or fat composition sat-isfies the following items (1) to (4): (1) the oil or fat composition includes diacylglycerol in an amount of 20 mass% or more; (2) constituent fatty acids of the diacylglycerol include oleic acid in an amount of 30 mass% or more; (3) the mass ratio of the content of (B) 1,3-dipalmitin diacylglycerol to the content of (A) 1,2-dipalmitin diacylglycerol, [(B)/(A)], in the diacylglycerol is 1.45 or less; and (4) the mass ratio of the content of (D) 1,3-diacylglycerol to the content of (C) 1,2-diacylglycerol, [(D)/(C)], in the diacylglycerol is 1.2 or more.

Methods for enzymatic decolorization of chlorophyll (Lam, D., et al., DSM IP Assets B.V., US9017990, Apr. 28, 2015).

The invention provides the invention provides compositions and methods for the enzymatic treatment (“bleach-ing” or “de-colorizing”) of chlorophyll-comprising compositions, e.g., algae preparations, chlorophyll-containing or chlorophyll-contaminated feeds, foods or oils, for example, vegetable oils, including oils processed from oilseeds, such as canola (rapeseed) oil or soybean oil, or oil fruits, such as palm oil. In one aspect, the invention provides methods using a chlorophyllase enzyme for the enzymatic hydrolysis of chlorophyll in an algaal, an animal (e.g., a fish) or plant preparation, a food or an oil. In one aspect, the chlorophyllase is immobilized onto a silica. The inven-tion also provides compositions of manufacture and detergents.

Fatty acid pharmaceutical foam (Abram, A.Z., et al., Stiefel Research Australia Pty Ltd., US9023863, May 5, 2015).

The present invention provides a foamable composition comprising water and an organic solvent, wherein the organic solvent comprises a fatty acid. The composition may further comprise a pharmaceutically active agent. The composition of the invention is also useful for the treatment of a dermatological disorder in a mammal by the topical administration of the composition.

Purification of crude glycerol (Macret, R., et al., Rhodia Poliamida e Especialidades LTDA, US9024081, May 5, 2015).

Crude glycerol obtained from raw materials, such as the glycerol obtained during the production of biodiesel or glycerol obtained during the conversion of fats or oils, is purified by forming a dioxolane therefrom by reacting the crude glycerol with a ketone or aldehyde, separating the dioxolane thus formed, converting the dioxolane into puri-fied glycerol and ketone/aldehyde, and recovering the glycerol thus purified.

Methods and apparatus for controlling moisture in plant oils and liquid biofuels (Matsumura, M., Knobbe Martens Olson and Bear LLP; Ohana Investment Works LLC, US9028697, May 12, 2015).

The moisture absorption capacity of biofuels can be more or less 10 times that of fossil diesel oil, causing bio-fuels to form acids that induce metal corrosion and form deposits in the fuel tank and pipe lines. Methods for re-moving moisture from stored biofuels and plant oils are described wherein glycerol is used as a solvent to extract the moisture from the bioliquid or oil, comprising the steps of placing the biofuel or oil in fluid contact with glycerol, incubating for a time, and then removing the glycerol. A cellulous ester dialysis or other semi-permeable membrane may be used to prevent the glycerol from contaminating the biofuel while allowing moisture to pass. Crude glycerol produced as a byproduct of biodiesel production may be used in the method of the disclosed invention with good result. Preferred embodiments of apparatus that employ the method of the subject invention are described.

Method for producing oil containing highly unsaturated fatty acid using lipase (Doisaki, N., et al., Nippon Suisan Kaisha, Ltd., US9029584, May 12, 2015).

A method for lowering content of a sterol in a highly unsaturated fatty acid-concentrated oil in a method to con-centrate a highly unsaturated fatty acid by using a lipase reaction, may include removing the free form of the sterol from a raw material oil that includes a highly unsaturated fatty acid-containing glyceride prior to performing the lipase reaction; and thereafter concentrating the highly unsaturated fatty acid in the glyceride by using a lipase that is less reactive for the highly unsaturated fatty acid.

Burner for unprocessed waste oils (Leue, T.S., Homestead Engineering Inc., US9033698, May 19, 2015).

A system and techniques for waste oil combustion are provided. The techniques include straining waste oil, sep-arating contaminants from the strained waste oil to produce segregated layers of waste oil, selectively drawing a segregated layer of the waste oil, entraining the drawn waste oil to a burner for combustion, and regulating flow rate to produce a controllable amount of heat output. The system includes a container for straining waste oil, a storage drum for separating contaminants from the strained waste oil via gravity separation to produce segregated waste oil, an oil uptake channel for entraining the waste oil from the storage drum, a fuel regulator for controlling rate of flow of the waste oil from the storage drum to a burner head via the oil uptake channel, and a burner head control for reposi-tioning a burner head under the input stream to produce a controllable amount of heat output.

Product based on conjugated linoleic acid and a method for the manufacture thereof (Lorenzon, M., SILA S.R.L., US9034385, May 19, 2015).

A product based on conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) comprises an inner core in which the conjugated linoleic acid is substantially concentrated as well as a coating for covering and protecting the inner core; the coating in turn com-prises a fraction greater than 80% bwt relative to the coating of a lipid matrix formed by glycerides of C16, C18, C20 and C22 saturated fatty acids.

Compositions and methods for making and modifying oils (Lam, D., et al., DSM IP Assets B.V., US9034612, May 19, 2015).

The invention provides novel methods for making or modifying oils, e.g., plant animal or microbial oils, such as vegetable oils or related compounds, that are low in a particular fatty acid(s), for example, low linoleic oils, linolenic oils, low palmitic oils, low stearic oils or oils low in a combination thereof.