Europe: Researchers study coffee DNA for stronger beans
A global team of researchers have sequenced the deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) of the Robusta coffee bean that could lead to future developments to improve the bean’s yield, quality and resistance to disease and drought, and to increase farmer incomes. The study was led by the French Institute of Research for Development, the French National Sequencing Centre and the University of...
Americas: Mangoes may lower blood sugar in obese adults, say researchers
Research published in the journal Nutrition and Metabolic Insights found that regular consumption of mango by obese adults may lower blood sugar levels and does not negatively impact body weight. Approximately 34% of US adults have been classified as obese and given the health concerns related to obesity, such as type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome. "We are excited about these...
Americas: FMC Corp to buy corp protection company Cheminova
FMC Corporation has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Cheminova A/S, a wholly owned subsidiary of Auriga Industries A/S. Cheminova is a multinational crop protection company based in Denmark. FMC will fund the all-cash acquisition through a mixture of debt and existing cash reserves. "Cheminova's direct market access in Europe, combined with its position in Latin America, will help bring greater...
Americas: Ajinomoto North America to acquire Texas-based frozen food manufacturer
Ajinomoto North America, Inc. (AJINA), a consolidated subsidiary of Ajinomoto Co., Inc. has entered into an agreement to acquire Texas-based frozen food manufacturer Windsor Quality Holdings for approximately US$800 million. With the acquisition, AJINA expects to accelerate its growth to achieve its fiscal 2020 sales target of JPY 100 billion (US$0.94 billion) for its frozen food business in North America...
Americas: DuPont Nutrition & Health’s PCR Assay receives PTM certification
The AOAC Research Institute has certified the DuPont BAX System Real-Time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) Assay for Genus Listeria as a performance tested method (PTM). This assay has been validated on frankfurters, cooked shrimp, spinach, queso fresco and environmental surfaces using reference method media, as well as proprietary media for a shorter, single-stage enrichment. The institute, a subsidiary of AOAC International,...
Americas: Bluestar Silicones launches products for labels at US exhibition
Bluestar Silicones introduced a premium release additive and a crosslinking agent for solvent-borne silicone systems for a range of label applications at Labelexpo Americas 2014 from September 9 to 11, 2014 in Rosemont, Illinois, US. Bluestar Silicones ADD 398 is a premium release additive that is designed to reduce release force and provide a premium release for a range of solvent polymers. It...
Americas: Scientists found metals in chocolates purchased in Brazil, may affect children
Scientists have found that commercial samples of chocolate purchased in Brazil contain varying levels of lead and cadmium, which can cause health problems, and that those levels are linked to how much cocoa a product contains. They reported their findings, which could have health implications — particularly for children — in American Chemical Society's (ACS’) Journal of Agricultural and Food...
Europe: WILD launches intense color range for confectionery products
WILD offers a prism of intense shades for use in confectionery products: the Rainbow Range of concentrates and extracts is available in red, orange, yellow, blue, green and purple. The company has made use of extraction technologies in processing the microalgae spirulina, particularly in creating greens, and a wide variety of green tones can be generated by combining it with...
Europe: Blendhub opens center, NIR library for food powder blends sector
Blendhub Corp. has opened its sixth Quality Excellence Center with near infra-red (NIR) libraries for food additives. It has more than 10,000 samples of over 300 raw materials, and offers users with open formulas or, individually, using the center as an external quality laboratory. The center is designed to meet the food safety standards and carries out NIR analysis, both qualitative...
Europe: Scientists studies ways to prevent germination of Clostridium botulinum bacteria
Scientists from the Institute of Food Research (IFR) have discovered genes that are crucial for the germination of Clostridium (C) botulinum bacteria, which may present a new way of stopping these deadly bacteria growing in food. Botulinum spores are found throughout the environment. If they contaminate food, under certain conditions they can germinate and reproduce in food, and generate a neurotoxin. They...