Water extraction of tomato seed meal proteins was studied to find optimal conditions for protein extraction and isolation. A central composite design including temperature, pH, time and water/solids was used and second order models were employed. Optimum conditions were: 5O"C, pH 11.5, 20 min and water/solids = 30/l (v/w). Experimental values were: extraction yield (extracted protein to that in raw material) 66.1%, protein content of product 72.0%, and total protein yield (protein in isolated product to that in raw material) 43.6%. Estimated values were in good agreement with experimental values. Optimum conditions were confirmed by a larger scale experiment.

Salt solutions were used in isolating tomato seed meal proteins. Na 2 SO 3 and NaCl solutions at different concentrations, and pH were included in a central composite design to find optimum conditions of protein isolation. The highest total protein yield was achieved with water extraction (no salt present). Salt extraction at pH 7.5 produced isolates with protein content of 93.4% (NaCl 5% w/v) and 77.1% (Na 2 SO 3 0.5% w/v). Observed values were in good agreement with predicted values. Isolates extracted with different salt solutions ranged from less soluble but very resistant to heat and Ca 2ϩ , to very surface active with functional properties comparable to commercial soy isolates.

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A new combined interrupted-continuous microvascular anastomotic technique is introduced, using four interrupted stay stitches and continuous suturing in between. Its efficacy is compared with the simple interrupted and continuous techniques. Microanastomoses were performed in the femoral artery and vein of rats. The patency, anastomosis time, and blood loss from the suture line of all anastomoses were recorded. Also, the sites of all anastomoses were harvested and histologically examined for lumen stenosis, media regeneration, and endothelial lining. Experimentation findings showed 100% patency rate in all groups. The combined and the continuous techniques were significantly faster and watertight compared with the simple interrupted. The only difference in pathology findings was the development of significant lumen stenosis in vein anastomoses performed with the continuous technique, compared with the other two techniques. The combined technique was clinically used in 16 free flap transfers and ensured 100% patency in all arterial and vein anastomoses, as well as survival of all flaps. In conclusion, the combined technique was found to be fast and easy to perform and ensured the same patency rate as the simple interrupted and continuous techniques. It also diminished the lumen stenosis effect of the continuous technique in vein anastomoses. Therefore, we suggest its use in both experimental studies and clinical cases.