proximity search

[John W. Miescher]

Thanks for a very useful tip from Juan Suros.
I am now trying to reduce it all to a clever REGEX algorithm. However...
 
Is there an easy way to isolate the searched for word directly from all
found strings? In other terms I'm searching for the word 'apple' which
appears inside numerous strings in the searched field (apple juice,
apple pie, sandwhich with apples, raw apple etc.)?
 
thanks for your help.
 
rgs, john m.