Abstract: Disclosed herein is a microemulsifying system consisting essentially of coconut oil and Polysorbate 80 in a specific weight ratio. Also disclosed herein are microemulsion preconcentrates and microemulsions that contain a lipophilic functional ingredient formulated with the microemulsifying system. Processes for preparing the microemulsion preconcentrates and microemulsions are also disclosed herein.

Abstract: The present invention concerns the uses of an azaphilone compound of formula (I): formula (I): or a pharmaceutically acceptable derivative thereof as described in the specification for modulation of the activity of a nuclear hormone receptor and for prevention and/or treatment of a disease or disorder related to nuclear hormone receptor activity.

Abstract: Provided is a soybean oligosaccharide product containing acidic soluble saccharides of soybean and probiotics, which at least include fructose, glucose, sucrose, raffinose, and stachyose, with a percentage of the combined weight of raffinose and stachyose being at least 46%, a weight percentage of fructose being not greater than 8.5%, and a weight percentage of glucose being not greater than 1.0%, based on the total weight of fructose, glucose, sucrose, raffinose, and stachyose. The soybean oligosaccharide product is prepared by extracting a soybean raw material with water under a pH of 3-6 and at a temperature of 50-70° C. to obtain an extract containing acidic soluble saccharides of soybean, and inoculating and fermenting the extract with probiotics that are able to decompose monosaccharides and disaccharides, but substantially not able to decompose trisaccharides or tetrasaccharides.

Abstract: A composite of bacterial cellulose and capsules embedded therein is prepared, for example calcium alginate capsules encapsulating functional components being discretely embedded in a matrix of Gluconacetobacter xylinus cellulose. The functional components may be drugs, probiotics or nutrients, such as fungal polysaccharide.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for forming a fermented composition of mung bean hulls, including: mixing mung bean hulls and water to form a mixture; adding a fungus into the mixture, wherein the fungus includes Rhizopus spp. or Aspergillus spp.; and fermenting the mixture to form a fermented composition. The invention also includes a fermented composition of mung bean hulls by the method and an anti-oxidation and anti-inflammation composition containing the fermented composition of mung bean hulls.

Abstract: A method for removing pests from harvested vegetables has steps of extracting a first portion of harvested vegetables to obtain a vegetable cleanser, and cleaning a second portion of harvested vegetables with the vegetable cleanser, such that pests residing on the second portion of harvested vegetables are removed from the second portion of harvested vegetables, wherein the first portion of harvested vegetables and the second portion of harvested vegetables independently contain vegetables selected from the group consisting of vegetables belonging to the families of Cruciferae, Compositae, Chenopodiaceae and Amaranthaceae. The aforementioned method is effective at removing pests from harvested vegetables and satisfies urgent needs to reduce use of chemical pesticides.

Abstract: Peptides useful as angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors are provided. Also provided are compositions comprising one or more of the peptides and methods for preventing, treating and/or diminishing one or more syndromes associated with angiotensin converting enzyme by using the peptides.

Abstract: Peptides useful as angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors are provided. Also provided are compositions comprising one or more of the peptides and methods for preventing, treating and/or diminishing one or more syndromes associated with angiotensin converting enzyme by using the peptides.

Abstract: A method for producing stinky brine for use in production of stinky tofu and a fermentation broth used therefore is provided. The method for producing stinky brine includes steps of inoculating a fermentation broth with microflora for producing the stinky brine. The fermentation broth includes at least 85˜153 g/L of tryptone and 15˜27 g/L of soytone, which may further include a trace amount of glucose, sodium chloride, dipotassium phosphate or a combination thereof.

Abstract: A technique for producing microbial cellulose is provided, including: preparing a liquid medium for microbial cultivation in a container; horizontally rotating multiple hollow tubes that are fitted together or separated from one another, so that each of the hollow tubes is alternately partially immersed in the liquid medium and partially exposed above the horizontal surface of the liquid medium; wherein each of the hollow tubes has a rough outer surface and a smooth inner surface, so as to allow microorganisms to form microbial cellulose on the outer surface of each hollow tube, as well as forming sheets of microbial cellulose on the horizontal surface of the liquid medium not being disturbed by the hollow tubes, and removing the microbial cellulose from the outer surfaces of the hollow tubes in order to obtain tubular microbial cellulose. In addition, the sheets of microbial cellulose are also harvested from the liquid medium.

Abstract: A process for producing a peptide product having cholecystokinin secretion promoting effect, said process comprising hydrolyzing soybean residues with one or more proteases so that the peptide product having cholecystokinin secretion promoting effect is obtained. Also disclosed is the composition containing the peptide product and the use thereof.

Abstract: A new thermotolerant Actinomadura sp., which is capable of degrading polyesters, is provided. Compositions comprising the species for use in degrading polyesters are also provided. The invention also relates to methods for degrading polyesters by using the strain and the composition.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of reducing the purine content of an edible material, including treating an edible material having a first level of purine content with a microorganism capable of digesting purine compounds, such that the thus treated edible material has a second level of purine content lower than the first level of purine content, wherein the microorganism is selected from Aspergillus oryzae ATCC 11493, Aspergillus oryzae ATCC 26850, Aspergillus oryzae ATCC 44193, Aspergillus oryzae ATCC 26831, Rhizopus oryzae ATCC 52362, and combinations thereof. An edible material obtained from the aforementioned method is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to extracts of Eleutherococcus spp. and the preparation process thereof. The present invention also relates to the use of the Eleutherococcus spp. extracts of the present invention for the treatment or prevention of at least one condition of metabolic syndrome.

Abstract: A composite of bacterial cellulose and capsules embedded therein is prepared, for example calcium alginate capsules encapsulating functional components being discretely embedded in a matrix of Gluconacetobacter xylinus cellulose. The functional components may be drugs, probiotics or nutrients, such as fungal polysaccharide.

Abstract: A process for producing a peptide product having cholecystokinin secretion promoting effect, said process comprising hydrolyzing soybean residues with one or more proteases so that the peptide product having cholecystokinin secretion promoting effect is obtained. Also disclosed is the composition containing the peptide product and the use thereof.

Abstract: An extract of Polygonum multiflorum Thunb. ex Murray var. hypoleucum (Ohwi) or of Polygonum hypoleucum (Ohwi) for improving metabolic syndrome is prepared by the following method: (a) providing fresh or dry Polygonum multiflorum Thunb. ex Murray var. hypoleucum (Ohwi) or Polygonum hypoleucum (Ohwi) in partial or whole plant; (b) extracting the partial or whole plant by a solvent to obtain a crude extract; (c) condensing and drying the crude extract to obtain an extract product; and (d) collecting the extract product. The present invention also relates to a pharmaceutical and a food composition having the above extract for improving the metabolic syndromes. The extract of the present invention can be easily prepared and is demonstrated to modulate the levels of both blood glucose and blood lipid, to inhibit the activities of glycolytic enzymes and acetyl-CoA carboxylase, and to stimulate acyl-CoA oxidase. The extract of the present invention is capable of improving metabolic syndromes.

Abstract: A method for preparing chitosan nanoparticles in water phase is provided. The method comprises the following steps: (a) providing a chitosan solution having a concentration of about 0.05 w/v % to about 1 w/v %, (b) adding water first and then followed by acetic anhydride to the chitosan solution to carry out acetylation, wherein the concentration of acetic anhydride is from about 10 v/v % to about 30 v/v % of the total volume of the whole solution, and (c) subjecting the solution from step (b) to physical dispersion.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel monascuspurpurone compound of formula (I): or a pharmaceutically acceptable derivative thereof as described in the specification, the process for preparation of the same, and the composition comprising the same. The uses of a monascuspurpurone compound for promoting adipocyte differentiation, for increasing the activity of PPAR? and/or C/EBP?, for lowering blood glucose, for preventing and/or treating a disease or disorder related to insulin resistance, and for preventing and/or treating metabolic syndrome or its complications are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for fermenting fish skin by using Aspergillus. Also provided is a use of the fermentation product obtained from the method in inhibiting the activity of tyrosinase, inhibiting the activity of angiotensin-converting enzyme and/or improving the survival of fibroblasts.