A liquid nutritional composition including 5-methyltetrahydrofolic acid (5-MTHF) is provided. The liquid nutritional composition also includes ascorbic acid and a protein system containing methionine to inhibit or reduce oxidation of the 5-MTHF and provide an active folate level of the liquid nutritional composition that remains stable over the shelf life of the liquid nutritional composition.

A supplement for preventing and/or treating gastrointestinal distress, including ulcer conditions, in animals is disclosed. The supplement is in a gel form and comprises mastic gum and an emulsifying agent such as lecithin. The supplement may also comprise a vegetable oil, B vitamins, one or more prebiotics or probiotics, and one or more minerals as well as, pH buffers and flavoring. The amount of mastic gum is from about 1 to about 6 grams per 10 cubic centimeters of gel.

Described is a nutritional formula, also referred to as a nutritional formulation, for dietary management of a propionic metabolism disorder, such as propionic acidemia.

Described is a nutritional formula, also referred to as a nutritional formulation, for dietary management of a propionic metabolism disorder, such as propionic acidemia.

Gender specific synthetic nutritional compositions for infants 4 to 8 months of age, 1 to 2 months of age, or up to 1 month of age. The concentration of methionine is adapted based on that found in human milk produced for an infant of the same gender and age. Also provided are nutritional systems including the gender specific synthetic nutritional compositions, and methods of using the compositions and the systems.

Gender specific synthetic nutritional compositions for infants 4 to 8 months of age, 1 to 2 months of age, or up to 1 month of age. The concentration of methionine is adapted based on that found in human milk produced for an infant of the same gender and age. Also provided are nutritional systems including the gender specific synthetic nutritional compositions, and methods of using the compositions and the systems.

Embodiments of a method and supplement for preventing and/or treating gastrointestinal distress, including ulcer conditions, in animals are disclosed. The supplement comprises mastic gum and an emulsifying agent such as lecithin. The supplement may also comprise B vitamins, one or more prebiotics or probiotics, and one or more minerals as well as, pH buffers and flavoring. A disclosed method of preventing and/or treating gastrointestinal distress comprises orally dosing an animal with the supplement at least one daily.

The invention relates in particular to a process for the preparation of DL/LD-methionine diketopiperazine (I) characterized in that a DD/LL-methionylmethionine-containing aqueous solution or suspension, which has a pH of 3 to 7, measured using a pH electrode at 20 C., is reacted at a temperature of 150 to 220 C., preferably at 170 to 210 C., until an aqueous solution or suspension has formed containing at least a proportion of 30 mol %, preferably 50 mol %, especially 60 mol % of DL/LD-methionine diketopiperazine, based on the total content of DL/LD- and DD/LL-methionine diketopiperazine in the reaction mixture. This process forms part of an overall process for the preparation of DL/LD-methionylmethionine, which is obtained by hydrolysis from the DL/LD-methionine diketopiperazine (I) produced initially.

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The invention relates in particular to a process for the preparation of DL/LD-methionine diketopiperazine (I) characterized in that a DD/LL-methionylmethionine-containing aqueous solution or suspension, which has a pH of 3 to 7, measured using a pH electrode at 20 C., is reacted at a temperature of 150 to 220 C., preferably at 170 to 210 C., until an aqueous solution or suspension has formed containing at least a proportion of 30 mol %, preferably 50 mol %, especially 60 mol % of DL/LD-methionine diketopiperazine, based on the total content of DL/LD- and DD/LL-methionine diketopiperazine in the reaction mixture. This process forms part of an overall process for the preparation of DL/LD-methionylmethionine, which is obtained by hydrolysis from the DL/LD-methionine diketopiperazine (I) produced initially.

##STR00001##

A liquid nutritional composition including 5-methyltetrahydrofolic acid (5-MTHF) is provided. The liquid nutritional composition also includes ascorbic acid and a protein system containing methionine to inhibit or reduce oxidation of the 5-MTHF and provide an active folate level of the liquid nutritional composition that remains stable over the shelf life of the liquid nutritional composition.