Lycopene for Food Use

“Helping Make Products More Nutritious™” is BASF's slogan. Toward this goal, the company announces GRAS status for its LycoVit® lycopene. An external panel of experts has determined that LycoVit, a synthetic product, is substantially similar to naturally-occurring lycopene, and is safe to use for nutritional fortification. The ingredient can be used in breakfast cereals, drinks, instant soups, lowfat dressings, meal replacements, meatless meat products, nutrient bars, salty snacks and crackers, and yogurts.

Three products are available: LycoVit 10% for use in “compressed” products such as extruded snacks and cereals, LycoVit 10% CWD (Cold Water Dispersible) and LycoVit Dispersion 20% for use in oil-based products.
nutrition@basf.com
BASF Write in 234

Solutions Through Wheat Starch

Pregel™ 40 and 46, pregelatinized wheat starches, hydrate rapidly and contribute high viscosity to batters. For cake mixes, they help control grain, cell structure and volume of the finished products. They impart desirable cell structure, texture and extended shelf life to biscuit mixes. Pregel™ 10 unmodified wheat starch controls fat absorption and viscosity and provides thickening to a variety of bakery products. For more information on premium wheat starches and wheat proteins, call 800-255-0302 or visit www.midwestgrain.com.
Midwest Grain Products Inc. Write in 235

Simulating Production Processes

MicroThermics simulates production processes such as UHT/HTST, aseptic, pasteurization, hot-fill, and continuous cooking in the lab. Come learn how the company's new Focussed Microwave Heating for UHT/HTST processing can help solve processing problems. Another new item is the expanded Miniature Plant Trial Services with steam injection, tubular or plate heating, microwave heating, in-line homogenization and more. MicroThermics processes meal replacements, soy/milk beverages, juices, puddings and more.
MicroThermics Write in 236

Vitamin C for Drinks and Functional Foods

Mineralis C™, a mineral chelated form of vitamin C, contains calcium, magnesium, manganese and potassium bound with ascorbic acid. The product was designed for beverage applications and functional food applications. AnMar Nutrition also provides raw materials for the nutraceutical, functional and dietary foods industries. The company's product line includes a full line of water-soluble vitamins and can provide specialty blends to customer specifications.
AnMar International Ltd. Write in 237

Finessing Fiber

Fibersol-2 is a completely soluble, readily dispersible, tasteless source of dietary fiber (90% min. dry solid bases) with many beneficial physiological properties. Fibersol-2 is perfect for beverages, including sports drinks and fortified waters, processed foods, baked goods, dairy products, fiber supplements, and functional foods. Bob Heard at 217-875-9819, bheard@matsutaniamerica.com, www.matsutaniamerica.com
Matsutani America Inc. Write in 238

Freeze-Dried Dairy Culture

Chr. Hansen, North American headquarters located in Milwaukee, Wisc., has introduced a new freeze-dried version of the Yo-Fast® program. The new culture, called Yo-Fast 88, is a mildly-flavored culture with a high viscosity and has a fast acidification time. For the dairy manufacturer, this means shortened make times for drinkable, set and stirred yogurts.

Yo-Fast 88 contains Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium, two cultures known for their potential probiotic benefits, along with Streptococcus thermophilus, and L. delbrueckii ssp. bulgaricus.

Chr. Hansen developed the Yo-Fast culture line for the production of a mild, moderately viscous yogurt during a four-hour fermentation period with low post-acidification. The company is a primary supplier of cultures, probiotics, enzymes, natural colors, natural flavors, seasonings, and sweeteners. Marilyn Stieve at 800-558-0802, x5885.

Powder Thickens and Stabilizes

A hydrocolloid system that functions as an acid-stable thickener has proven effective for a variety of uses, including sauces, beverages and liquid egg products. TIC Gums' Pretested® Pre-Hydrated® Stabilizer XC-8444 Powder was first developed for suspending particulates in liquid egg products, and often is used as a partial egg white replacement. The innovative hydrocolloid system has been expanded to other applications, such as stabilizing foams, and suspending, thickening and stabilizing emulsions.

Founded in 1909, TIC Gums (ISO 9001-certified) is America's oldest supplier of hydrocolloids to food and other companies worldwide. www.ticgums.com.

Chandler Buys Grabner

Chandler Instruments Company L.L.C., Tulsa, a manufacturer of specialized test instruments for the energy industry, purchased Grabner Instruments Messtechnik GmbH, Vienna.

Grabner Instruments is a world leader in the design and manufacture of test instruments for analyzing fuels and other liquids. The Petrolab Company is the exclusive distributor for Grabner instruments in the U.S., Canada and Mexico, and offers Grabner products for the food and flavors industries. Angel L. Schell at 518-783-5133, www.petrolab.com

Sidebar: Soy Good to Taste

Showcasing both the talents of local chefs and the culinary merits of soy-based ingredients, the Illinois Soybean Promotion Board, along with the Soyfoods Council, recently sponsored a press luncheon featuring soy-based cuisine.

Chef Susan Goss of Zinfandel, a Chicago restaurant, prepared a gourmet Sesame Tofu Dressing.

Sesame Tofu Dressing
8 oz. soft tofu, drained
1 large clove garlic, minced
1/4 c water
2 Tbsp lemon juice
4 Tbsp rice wine vinegar
3 Tbsp dark sesame oil
1/2 tsp salt, to taste
Freshly ground pepper to taste

Combine tofu, garlic and water and blend to smooth puree. Add lemon juice, rice wine vinegar and sesame oil and blend until smooth. Season with salt and pepper. Thin with water, if needed. Keep covered in refrigerator for up to five days. Makes 5 cups.