Eminate Limited

Revolugen Limited

Stephen John Minter

Sarah Maude

Georgios Patsos

Warren L Nehmer

Sarah Gaunt

Edna Elaine Best

Methods of isolating nucleic acids comprising DNA from biological material are disclosed. The methods comprise a lysis step using an aqueous composition which comprises lithium at a concentration of 0.05 to 1.0M, a chelating agent, and a surfactant to produce a lysed composition. The lysed composition is treated with a solid support that is capable of immobilising DNA in the presence of a dissolved chaotropic agent at a concentration of 0.05 to 2M and 25% to 60% by volume of a Calkanol. The support is then washed with a first wash solution containing lithium dissolved in a Calkanol. Subsequently, the support is washed with a liquid comprising at least 80% by volume of a Calkanol. The nucleic acid comprising DNA is then eluted from the support.

Isolation of nucleic acids

An assay device () for determining the presence and/or amount of an analyte present or potentially present in a liquid sample comprises: (i) a capillary tube () having an upstream region () into which the sample to be assayed is introduced for transfer by capillary action along the capillary tube to a downstream region thereof; (ii) a collection of first binding partners () immobilized within the capillary tube (), said first binding partners () being capable of specifically binding to the analyte; (iii) a collection of second binding partners () displaceabley bound to a fraction of said first binding partners () whereby there are free first binding partners () immobilized within the capillary tube, said second binding partners () having a label and being displaceable from the first binding partners () by the analyte to be detected; and (iv) a detection region () for sample that has transferred to said downstream region of said capillary tube, said detection region being adapted to generate a detectable signal from the label on displaced second binding partners () that have transferred to the downstream region.

Assay device

A sodium bicarbonate product comprises particles containing sodium bicarbonate and an organic material that is a solid at ambient temperature. The particles have a structure comprised of individual crystallites of sodium bicarbonate attached together in the particle. More than 95% by volume of the particles have a size less than 200 &#x3bc;m. Particles of the product are hollow and are formed of an outer shell of the crystallites. The product may be used, for example, as a leavening agent in the production of cooked foods. The product may be produced by spray drying a solution or slurry dissolved organic material and dissolved sodium bicarbonate. The sodium bicarbonate may be present as a suspension.

Sodium bicarbonate product

A method of preparing a salt product comprises the steps of: (i) providing a mixture which comprises salt dissolved in a solvent, said mixture further containing an organic material that is solid under ambient temperature conditions; and (ii) atomizing said mixture and evaporating said solvent to produce a salt product comprised of particles of salt incorporating said organic material. The organic material may be a polymer such as a carbohydrate (e.g. maltodextrin or Gum Arabic). Novel salt products are disclosed which comprise hollow particles having a shell formed for individual crystallites of salt. The salt product is useful as a seasoning for food and may be used in lower amounts than conventional salt to provide the same taste. Particular advantages are obtained in the baking of bread.

Salt product

A method of preparing a salt product comprises the steps of: (i) providing a mixture which comprises salt dissolved in a solvent, said mixture further containing an organic material that is solid under ambient temperature conditions; and (ii) atomising said mixture and evaporating said solvent to produce a salt product comprised of particles of salt incorporating said organic material. The organic material may be a polymer such as a carbohydrate (e.g. maltodextrin or Gum Arabic). Novel salt products are disclosed which comprise hollow particles having a shell formed for individual crystallites of salt. The salt product is useful as a seasoning for food and may be used in lower amounts than conventional salt to provide the same taste. Particular advantages are obtained in the baking of bread.

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Derbyshire, United Kingdom

Stephen John Minter