The present invention comprises a freeze-dried, aerated fruit and/or vegetable composition comprising a fruit and/or vegetable ingredient and an emulsifier and methods of making thereof.

The invention relates to methods of forming coated metal oxide particles, suspensions of such coated particles, particles comprising functionalized surface coatings and to fortification of food crops with coated metal oxide particles. Embodiments disclosed include a method of fortifying a food crop with a trace element, the method comprising growing the food crop in a growth medium comprising the trace element in the form of metal oxide particles coated with an organic compound, and a food crop fortified with a trace element in the form of metal oxide particles. Also disclosed is a method of forming coated particles, the method comprising: providing a first quantity of metal oxide particles; providing a second quantity of a coating material comprising an organic compound; and mechanically mixing the metal oxide particles with the coating material in a dry mixing process to provide a mixture comprising the metal oxide particles coated with the organic compound.

Provided is a compound and composition capable of increasing a sugar content in a fruit by a simple method, without being restricted by a cultivation area of a plant or a climatic environment. The agent for increasing a sugar content in a fruit of a plant comprises a compound represented by the formula MX as an active ingredient, wherein M represents alkali metal ion or alkaline earth metal ion, and X represents carbonate ion, hydrogen carbonate ion, acetate ion, citrate ion, succinate ion, phosphate ion, hydrogen phosphate ion, or pyrophosphate ion.

An apparatus, system and method for changing the positional orientations of peppers or other individual food product items or pieces on an open conveyor belt as the product items or pieces are being continuously conveyed through an apparatus for flame roasting, cooking, searing or otherwise treating the product. The open conveyor belt carries the peppers or other products over one or more air knives which are installed in the apparatus beneath the open conveyor belt for rolling, rotating, and/or momentarily lifting the product items or pieces.

The invention concerns a powder consisting of 0.5 to 8% by weight of water and a dry material consisting of 88 to 95% by weight of an acerola fruit dry extract and 5 to 12% by weight of magnesium, calcium, zinc, sodium or potassium hydroxide or carbonate, the method of preparing same and the applications thereof for stabilizing a natural dye.

The present invention relates to isolated nucleic acid molecules and their corresponding encoded polypeptides. The present invention further relates to the uses of these nucleic acid molecules and polypeptides. For example, the nucleic acid molecules and polypeptides could be used in making enzymes or used to make plants, plant cells, plant materials or seeds of a plant having such modulated growth or phenotype characteristics that are altered with respect to wild type plants grown under similar conditions.

The present invention relates to isolated nucleic acid molecules and their corresponding encoded polypeptides. The present invention further relates to the uses of these nucleic acid molecules and polypeptides. For example, the nucleic acid molecules and polypeptides could be used in making enzymes or used to make plants, plant cells, plant materials or seeds of a plant having such modulated growth or phenotype characteristics that are altered with respect to wild type plants grown under similar conditions.

A method of preparing genipin-rich materials from the fruit of Genipa americana fruit for their use as a cross-linking agent and as a raw material to produce colors is disclosed. The genipin-rich materials can be used in a broad range of applications including personal care, cosmetics, dietary supplements, packaging, textiles, beverages, foodstuffs, drugs, and animal feeds.

A method of preparing genipin-rich materials from the fruit of Genipa americana fruit for their use as a cross-linking agent and as a raw material to produce colors is disclosed. The genipin-rich materials can be used in a broad range of applications including personal care, cosmetics, dietary supplements, packaging, textiles, beverages, foodstuffs, drugs, and animal feeds.

A method is provided for making a banana or plantain product comprising providing at least one unpeeled banana or plantain comprising banana or plantain peel and banana or plantain pulp, subjecting the at least one unpeeled banana or plantain to a heat treatment at a temperature and for a time sufficient to gelatinize starch present in the at least one unpeeled banana or plantain to form at least one heat treated unpeeled banana or plantain, and comminuting the at least one heat treated unpeeled banana or plantain to form a banana or plantain puree. A functional food ingredient is also provided comprising a banana or plantain puree including banana or plantain pulp and optionally banana or plantain peel. Foods containing banana or plantain puree or powder are provided, including crackers, snack bars, cereals, smoothies, and cookies.