Process for suppressing the foaming of an aqueous system

A process for suppressing the foaming of an aqueous system containing at least one item which is suitable for human consumption chosen from a sugar beet, a potato and molasses, the process comprising combining:

• A) water;
• and
• B) at least one defoamer composition comprising the reaction product of:
• i) at least one starter compound which has active hydrogen atoms;
• and
• ii) at least one alkylene oxide chosen from ethylene oxide, propylene oxide, butylene oxide and a mixture or mixtures thereof;
• wherein i) and ii) have been reacted in the presence of at least one catalyst and wherein the defoamer has a hydroxyl equivalent molecular weight of at least 4000 Da and a cloud point less than or equal to 30° C. in 1% aqueous solution, and wherein propylene oxide is present in the defoamer in an amount within the range of from about 70 to about 90 wt. %, based on the total weight of the defoamer and ethylene oxide is present in the defoamer in an amount within the range of from about 10 to about 30 wt. %, based on the total weight of the defoamer.

In a process for preparing a food item comprising:

• combining:
• A) water;
• B) at least one defoamer composition comprising the reaction product of:
• i) at least one starter compound which has active hydrogen atoms;
• and
• ii) at least one alkylene oxide or a mixture or mixtures of oxides;
• and
• C) at least one item which is suitable for human consumption chosen from a sugar beet, a potato or molasses;
• wherein i) and ii) have been reacted in the presence of at least one catalyst and wherein the defoamer has a hydroxyl equivalent molecular weight of at least 4000 Da and a cloud point less than or equal to 30° C. in 1% aqueous solution.

In a process for preparing a food item chosen from sugar, potato chips, French fries and baker's yeast, the process comprising comprising:

• combining:
• A) water;
• B) at least one defoamer composition comprising the reaction product of:
• i) at least one starter compound which has active hydrogen atoms;
• and
• ii) at least one alkylene oxide or a mixture or mixtures of oxides;
• and
• C) at least one item which is suitable for human consumption;
• wherein i) and ii) have been reacted in the presence of at least one catalyst and wherein the defoamer has a hydroxyl equivalent molecular weight of at least 4000 Da and a cloud point less than or equal to 30° C. in 1% aqueous solution.