A method for extending shelf life of a biological soft tissue of an object includes introducing one or more cell protecting agents into the extracellular and intracellular space of the biological soft tissue; by impregnating the biological soft tissue by applying a vacuum to the biological soft tissue and then releasing the vacuum, wherein the step of applying a vacuum is performed while the biological soft tissue is immersed in an impregnation solution containing said one or more cell protecting agents, and by gradually decreasing the pressure from atmospheric pressure to a minimum pressure in a pressure falling step during a time of from 1 second to 15 minutes, then optionally keeping the minimum pressure in a pressure holding step during a certain time, and then rising the pressure to atmospheric pressure again in a pressure rising step during a time of from 1 second to 15 minutes.

A method for extending shelf life of a biological soft tissue of an object includes introducing one or more cell protecting agents into the extracellular and intracellular space of the biological soft tissue; by impregnating the biological soft tissue by applying a vacuum to the biological soft tissue and then releasing the vacuum, wherein the step of applying a vacuum is performed while the biological soft tissue is immersed in an impregnation solution containing said one or more cell protecting agents, and by gradually decreasing the pressure from atmospheric pressure to a minimum pressure in a pressure falling step during a time of from 1 second to 15 minutes, then optionally keeping the minimum pressure in a pressure holding step during a certain time, and then rising the pressure to atmospheric pressure again in a pressure rising step during a time of from 1 second to 15 minutes.

A frozen food product is described to include frozen foodstuffs combined with a polysaccharide, protein, or other water absorber, individually or in combination, separated from the food stuff through one or more mechanisms including but not limited to, suspension of the polysaccharide, protein, or other water absorber in oil, encapsulation of the polysaccharide, protein, or other water absorber, or a dry mixture of the polysaccharide, protein, or other water absorber and seasoning applied to frozen foodstuffs. As the frozen foodstuffs are cooked, water expressed from the foodstuffs activates or hydrates the polysaccharide, protein, or other water absorber.

A process for producing a hemp powder with a preserved full spectrum nutritional complex from the whole plant. The process includes juicing fresh vegetation from the Cannabis sativa plant. The juiced product may be disposed in freezing vessels and flash-frozen at a temperature that preserves the molecular integrity of the molecular structure of the nutrients. In turn, the frozen juiced product may be freeze-dried to prepare a water-soluble powder that provides a synergistic entourage effect by preserving the full spectrum nutritional complex of the whole plant from which the powder is derived. In turn, the powder may be used in a variety of contexts.

The present invention relates to methods for preventing or inhibiting ice recrystallisation in substances (e.g. biological materials and food products) which are susceptible to ice crystal growth upon cryopreservation and/or thawing therefrom. The methods relate to the use of compositions comprising poly(proline) or a variant or derivative thereof. Also provided are kits and compositions comprising poly(proline) which can be used in the methods of the invention.

The present invention relates to methods for preventing or inhibiting ice recrystallisation in substances (e.g. biological materials and food products) which are susceptible to ice crystal growth upon cryopreservation and/or thawing therefrom. The methods relate to the use of compositions comprising poly(proline) or a variant or derivative thereof. Also provided are kits and compositions comprising poly(proline) which can be used in the methods of the invention.

A method for preparing cut and frozen vegetables including the step of washing the vegetables in order to eliminate any residues of soil or other substances and materials that may have accumulated during picking. In a subsequent step, it is necessary to subject the vegetables to a mechanical treatment in order to isolate their edible part. One then proceeds by cutting the vegetables into granules with sizes comprised between 30 mm.sup.3 and 60 mm.sup.3 by using a cutting device. At this point, one proceeds by immersing the granules in water for a predefined limited time. At a later time, one proceeds by scalding, with jets of hot water, the granules and air drying them.

A method for preparing cut and frozen vegetables including the step of washing the vegetables in order to eliminate any residues of soil or other substances and materials that may have accumulated during picking. In a subsequent step, it is necessary to subject the vegetables to a mechanical treatment in order to isolate their edible part. One then proceeds by cutting the vegetables into granules with sizes comprised between 30 mm.sup.3 and 60 mm.sup.3 by using a cutting device. At this point, one proceeds by immersing the granules in water for a predefined limited time. At a later time, one proceeds by scalding, with jets of hot water, the granules and air drying them.

A frozen food product is described to include frozen foodstuffs combined with a polysaccharide, protein, or other water absorber, individually or in combination, separated from the food stuff through one or more mechanisms including but not limited to, suspension of the polysaccharide, protein, or other water absorber in oil, encapsulation of the polysaccharide, protein, or other water absorber, or a dry mixture of the polysaccharide, protein, or other water absorber and seasoning applied to frozen foodstuffs. As the frozen foodstuffs are cooked, water expressed from the foodstuffs activates or hydrates the polysaccharide, protein, or other water absorber.

An artificial produce includes a housing with at least one shell. At least one data logger for temperature measurement is placed in an area of a core of the housing and a pulp simulant is integrated at least partly in the housing of the artificial produce to show optimized simulation of thermal behavior of real produce. The form and outer surface of the at least one shell replicate the form and surface texture of the real produce simulated. The at least one shell forms at least one fluidtight chamber accessible from the outside by at least one opening which are closable with plugs. The at least one chamber is filled with the pulp simulant in the form of a gel-like filling composition comprising a water-carbohydrate mixture and a gelling agent showing similar thermal conductivity, density, heat capacity and freezing point as the pulp of the produce to be simulated.