Novel active compositions having antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory activity are described, the activity provided by an active component prepared in a suspension, the active component being at least a single chain fatty acid having a carbon length of 12, or between 12 and no more than 18. The fatty acid may be esterified and/or ethylated or methylated. As an antimicrobial the active component has activity against one or more microorganisms including Staphylococcus spp., Streptococcus spp., Mycobacterium spp., Clostridium spp., and Candida spp., with an MIC as low as 0.0018 g/ml. As an anti-inflammatory, it is at least as or is more effective than cyclosporine in preventing T-cell proliferation in response to a trigger, such as stimulation by the one or more microorganisms. The active component is more active when combined with a phospholipid (e.g., lecithin, phosphatidylcholine) and caused to form liposomal nanoparticles. It is also more active when caused to form coated liposomal nanoparticles. Compositions with said active components may be provided internally and/or topically on a surface or on skin.

Embodiments of the present invention provide a method, comprising obtaining a lecithin-containing material, in some aspects derived from a crude refining stream, comprising 20-80 wt % acetone insoluble matter, 1-30 wt % free fatty acid, and less than 10 wt % water, adding a fatty acid or carboxylic source to the lecithin-containing material to obtain a lecithin fatty acid blend or lecithin carboxylic acid blend and incorporating the blend into asphalt or oil field applications.

The present invention relates to the field of the manufacture of food compounds derived from processing plant species, more specifically the process taught here provides products resulting from a process for obtaining compounds derived from vegetable raw material. The present invention describes the recovery of lecithin from the micelle/soy molasses, a residue obtained during the soy carrier concentrate (SPC) process. In a first aspect of the invention it describes a process for extracting phospholipids in conjunction with extraction of soluble sugars during the industrial process of obtaining (SPC). In a second aspect, the present invention describes an industrial process for recovering/removing such micelle phospholipids/soy molasses, cleaning and use for the production of soy lecithin.

Embodiments of the present invention provide a method, comprising obtaining a lecithin-containing material, in some aspects derived from a crude refining stream, comprising 20-80 wt % acetone insoluble matter, 1-30 wt % free fatty acid, and less than 10 wt % water, adding a fatty acid or carboxylic source to the lecithin-containing material to obtain a lecithin fatty acid blend or lecithin carboxylic acid blend and incorporating the blend into asphalt or oil field applications.

A liposome composition having a lipid bilayer membrane, made of a crude or de-oiled lecithin, at least one triglyceride, a non-triglyceride active agent, and conditioned water. The liposome composition may be utilized for purposes and treatments including increased plant growth, insecticide or insect repellant, inhibiting fruit decay, forensic labeling of plants, wound treatment, and cosmetic applications.

The present invention relates to a method for the purification of lecithin, comprising the steps of (a) mixing lecithin with active carbon to form a dispersion; then (b) mixing an organic solvent into the dispersion; then (c) separating the active carbon and contaminants from the lecithin preferably through gravitational forces. The invention further relates to a lecithin substantially free of contaminants, and a food or feed product comprising said lecithin.

Processes of fractionating phospholipids are disclosed. In one embodiment, the process includes placing a phospholipid containing material in contact with an adsorbent, such that the adsorbent associates with at least one phospholipid of the phospholipid containing material. The process may further include eluting the at least one phospholipid from the adsorbent.

The present invention provides methods for quantifying an amount of plasmalogens in samples with high accuracy in an easy, convenient and inexpensive manner by using a hydrolysis processing to samples and a lipid extraction followed by the measurement using High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) with Evaporative Light Scattering Detector (ELSD) or Mass Spectrometer (MS), a fluorescence plate reader or a plate reader. The present invention also relates to a method for examining a subject by using the above method, a biomarker for disease detection, a method for using the biomarker for the disease detection, as well as a kit for the disease detection.

A process for the purification of L--glycerophosphorylcholine is described, wherein L--glycerophosphorylcholine is crystallized from DMSO or from a mixture of DMSO with at least another solvent, preferably selected from water, alcohol, halogenated solvents, ethers, esters and/or amides. Such a process allows to obtain L--glycerophosphorylcholine having a purity greater than 99.5%, preferably greater than 99.7%, even more preferably greater than or equal to 99.9%. A method for determining the purity of L--glycerophosphorylcholine is also described, comprising the elution of L--glycerophosphorylcholine through an HPLC column having an amino stationary phase, and subsequent detection of L--glycerophosphorylcholine itself, and any impurity thereof, by means of an Evaporative Light Scattering Detector type.

The present invention provides methods for quantifying an amount of plasmalogens in samples with high accuracy in an easy, convenient and inexpensive manner by using a hydrolysis processing to samples and a lipid extraction followed by the measurement using High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) with Evaporative Light Scattering Detector (ELSD) or Mass Spectrometer (MS), a fluorescence plate reader or a plate reader. The present invention also relates to a method for examining a subject by using the above method, a biomarker for disease detection, a method for using the biomarker for the disease detection, as well as a kit for the disease detection.