This invention relates, inter alia, to various plant-based electrolyte compositions, methods of preparing them and methods of using them. One embodiment concerns a plant-based electrolyte composition comprising a plant-derived electrolyte content high in potassium relative to sodium, and a plant-derived carbohydrate content less than about 6% weight/volume. Another embodiment concerns a method for re-hydrating an individual or preventing dehydration or over-hydration of an individual or or preventing or treating potassium deficiency in an individual, by administering to the individual a plant-based electrolyte composition. The electrolyte compositions can be prepared from sugarcane juice, sugar beet juice, sweet sorghum juice, palm syrup, maple sap, vegetable juice or fruit juice.

An ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) membrane has at least one nanoporous UHMWPE film, where each of the nanoporous UHMWPE film is biaxial oriented with a thickness of 0.1 to 12 μm and pores that exclude particles in excess of 10 nm with a total porosity of 65 to 75 percent. The nanoporous UHMWPE film can be coated or laminated by a hydrophilic polymer to form a Janus membrane and can be made with a multilayer composite structure. The UHMWPE membrane can be used in a device for molecular distillation (MD), reverse osmosis (RO), or forward osmosis (FO).

A method of producing reduced-sugar fruit juice (with or without pulp) and reduced-sugar fruit must. The reduced-sugar fruit juice has similar nutrition, but with less sugar and calories than 100% fruit juice. Reduced-sugar grape must has similar nutrition and flavor profile, but with less sugars and calories than 100% grape must.

The present invention relates to a yarrow fresh plant press juice concentrate and a gentle method for its manufacture. The yarrow fresh plant press juice concentrate is used in cosmetic compositions, pharmaceutical compositions, food compositions or food supplements. This invention also relates to new aspects of the use of yarrow. The invention provides the use of yarrow to stimulate the expression of heat shock proteins and/or antimicrobial peptides in skin cells. It also describes the use of yarrow to increase the thermal tolerance of the skin.

A forward osmosis system is disclosed which use a polymer switchable between a neutral form and an ionized form. The switchable polymer has a higher osmotic pressure at the ionized form than the neutral form, the ratio between the former and the latter is ≥2. There is also disclosed a method for treating the polymer such that the ratio is improved. Use of polymers for forward osmosis is also disclosed.

The present invention pertains to a fruit juice composition wherein the content of an aroma component is reduced but the content of a nutritional functional component and the content of a saccharide are not substantially reduced, a method for producing the composition, and a food or beverage containing the composition.

A method for preparing a plant derived product or a process intermediate or a process input, the method comprising the steps of providing a plant derived starting material, subjecting the starting material to a forward osmosis step against a draw solution so as to produce a plant material concentrate, and subjecting the draw solution to a water removal step. The water removal step may include further forward osmosis in combination with an evaporator system.

Methods and systems are described that produce an ultra-high gravity alcoholic beverage from a high gravity alcoholic beverage stream using an efficient, low waste, combination reverse osmosis and forward osmosis system. Utilizing a reverse osmosis system prior to using a forward osmosis system in removing water content from a high gravity alcoholic beverage stream significantly reduces a draw solution load when compared to a process that utilizes a forward osmosis system alone or prior to using any other dewatering system.

The present invention relates to a yarrow fresh plant press juice concentrate and a gentle method for its manufacture. The yarrow fresh plant press juice concentrate is used in cosmetic compositions, pharmaceutical compositions, food compositions or food supplements. This invention also relates to new aspects of the use of yarrow. The invention provides the use of yarrow to stimulate the expression of heat shock proteins and/or antimicrobial peptides in skin cells. It also describes the use of yarrow to increase the thermal tolerance of the skin.

The present invention relates to a phytocomplex or natural concentrate rich in polyphenolic compounds, such as hydroxytyrosol and 3,4-DHPA-EDA, derived from the vegetation waters of oil-bearing olives or from olive pomace resulting from the olive milling process for use in the treatment and prevention of angiogenesis and inflammation. In particular, the angiogenesis and inflammation to which reference is made is pathologic angiogenesis and inflammation, for example that which sustains the development and spread of a tumor or angiogenesis and inflammation tied to non-tumor pathologies. The present invention further relates to a beverage comprising the polyphenol concentrate and the use thereof in the treatment and prevention of angiogenesis and inflammation.