Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a technique for further promoting growth of bacteria belonging to the genus Bifidobacterium. By combining lactoferrin and/or lactoferrin hydrolyzate, and human milk oligosaccharides, a synergistic growth promoting effect of the bacteria belonging to the genus Bifidobacterium is achieved. Preferably, the human milk oligosaccharides include one or more selected from the group consisting of 2?-fucosyllactose, 3-fucosyllactose, and lactodifucotetraose. In addition, preferably, the bacteria belonging to the genus Bifidobacterium include one or more selected from the group consisting of Bifidobacterium breve, Bifidobacterium infantis, and Bifidobacterium longum.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide an agent for improving a mental health disfunction or a composition for improving a mental health disfunction, and a food or drink composition for improving a mental health disfunction which are effective for improving a mental health disfunction, which are highly safe, and which can be continuously ingested on a daily basis, and this object is achieved by an agent for improving a mental health disfunction or a composition for improving a mental health disfunction, or a food or drink composition for improving a mental health disfunction, each comprising as an active ingredient a bacterium belonging to Bifidobacterium longum subsp. infantis.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a technique for preventing infection of pathogenic viruses, which cause infectious diseases in animals or humans. A nutritional composition containing lactoferrin and/or lactoferrin hydrolysate, and human milk oligosaccharide is provided. One or more human milk oligosaccharides are preferably 2?-fucosyllactose, 3-fucosyllactose, 3?-sialyllactose, and 6?-sialyllactose. The nutritional compositions of the present invention can be used for preventing infection, especially for preventing viral infection.

Abstract: The invention provides a composition which contains a bacterial powder and a fatty oil and in which caking of the bacterial powder is suppressed, a method for producing the same, and a method of preventing caking. Provided are a composition including a bacterial powder, a fatty oil, and at least one selected from the group consisting of a microscopic powder and a surfactant, wherein the bacterial powder comprises at least one selected from the group consisting of live cells of lactic acid bacteria, killed cells of lactic acid bacteria, live cells of bifidobacteria, and killed cells of bifidobacteria, a method for producing the same, and a method of preventing caking in a composition containing a fatty oil.

Abstract: A technique for improving heat resistance of a bacterium is provided. By mixing the bacterium with an oil or fat and an emulsifier, heat resistance of the bacterium can be improved.

Abstract: Provided is a novel sleep-promoting composition. Provided is a sleep-promoting composition comprising bacteria belonging to Bifidobacterium breve as an active ingredient. The sleep-promoting composition related to the present technology may prolong a sleep time by prolonging non-REM sleep and REM sleep, reducing a spontaneous behavior amount during sleep, or reducing an awakening time during sleep. The sleep-promoting composition related to the present technology may also reduce difficulty in daytime awakening. The sleep-promoting composition related to the present technology may be used for a medical composition or a food and beverage composition.

Abstract: The object is to provide a method for inducing pili formation in bacterium of genus Bifidobacterium and a method for promoting intestinal colonization of the bacterium. 3-Phenylpropionic acid and/or 3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)propionic acid are an active ingredient of a composition for inducing the pili formation in the bacterium of genus Bifidobacterium and a composition for promoting the intestinal colonization of the bacterium.

Abstract: A problem is to provide a prebiotic which promotes the growth of a butyrate-producing bacterium. A prebiotic composition is described that promotes the growth of a butyrate-producing bacterium which contains alginic acid and/or a salt thereof.

Abstract: A composition includes cells of Lactobacillus paracasei MCC1849 (NITE BP-01633). The composition is in the form of a pharmaceutical composition, a food, a drink, or a feed. The pharmaceutical composition can be used for treating an inflammatory disease, ulcer, food allergies, bronchial asthma, urticaria, pollinosis, anaphylactic shock or an opportunistic infection.

Abstract: An object of this present invention is to provide a composition for inhibiting norovirus infection which can inhibit norovirus from infecting a human, and the object is achieved by a composition for inhibiting norovirus infection containing one or more kinds of bacteria selected from the group consisting of Bifidobacterium breve, Bifidobacterium longum subsp. infantis, Bifidobacterium animalis, Bifidobacterium bifidum, Bifidobacterium catenulatum, Lactobacillus gasseri, Lactobacillus helveticus, Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. Bulgaricus and Lactobacillus paracasei as an active ingredient.

Abstract: Provided are beneficial bacteria that can be beneficially applied across a wide range of age groups and a composition containing the same. Bifidobacterium longum subspecies longum NITE BP-02564 and/or Bifidobacterium longum subspecies longum NITE BP-02565; bacteria classified as Bifidobacterium longum subspecies longum, having utilization ability for sialic acid; and a composition containing the bacteria are also provided. More preferably, a composition containing sialic acid is also provided. More preferably, a composition containing at least one carbohydrate selected from the group consisting of arabinoxylan, arabinan, pectic galactan, and oligosaccharides derived therefrom or containing at least a carbohydrate derived from a gramineous plant or a carbohydrate derived from a solanaceous plant are also provided.

Abstract: Provided are means, methods, and compositions effective for obesity treatment using probiotics such as bifidobacteria or lactobacilli. Also, a method of selecting probiotic bacteria having a body fat reducing effect, and a method of selecting responders to probiotic bacteria having an anti-obesity action are provided. Provided is a composition for reducing body fat, or the like, which contains Bifidobacterium and/or lactobacilli as an active ingredient, and is used for a pre-obesity group or an obesity disease including intestinal flora in which the ratio of the phylum Firmicutes to the phylum Bacteroidetes has a high value.

Abstract: A novel agent useful for improving brain function is provided. The active ingredient in this agent is a Bifidobacterium breve and/or a Bifidobacterium breve-containing cultured material is provided.

Abstract: Provided is a composition for preventing or improving impaired renal function, containing Bifidobacterium breve as an active ingredient. The composition for preventing or improving impaired renal function is capable of reducing blood creatinine levels. The composition for preventing or improving impaired renal function can also be used in a pharmaceutical composition or a food or beverage product composition.

Abstract: Provide are beneficial bacteria that can be beneficially applied across a wide range of age groups and a composition containing the same. Bifidobacterium longum subspecies longum NITE BP-02568 and/or Bifidobacterium longum subspecies longum NITE BP-02569; and Bifidobacterium longum subspecies longum, having utilization ability for 2?-fucosyllactose are also provided. More preferably, bacteria having utilization ability for carbohydrates arabinoxylan, arabinan, and pectic galactan; and a composition containing the bacteria are also provided. More preferably, a composition containing 2?-fucosyllactose are also provided. More preferably, a composition containing at least one carbohydrate selected from the group consisting of arabinoxylan, arabinan, pectic galactan, and oligosaccharides derived therefrom or containing at least a carbohydrate derived from a gramineous plant or a carbohydrate derived from a solanaceous plant are also provided.

Abstract: There is provided a means for sterilizing lactoferrin at a high temperature in a short time while maintaining the activity of the lactoferrin. The present technology provides a method for producing a lactoferrin-containing aqueous solution, including a sterilization step of heat-sterilizing a lactoferrin-containing aqueous solution, in which the total mass content of proteins other than lactoferrin is 1/12 or less of the mass content of lactoferrin, at a temperature of 100° C. or more. The present technology also provides a lactoferrin-containing aqueous solution in which the total mass content of proteins other than lactoferrin is 1/12 or less of the mass content of lactoferrin, and which does not contain living bacteria.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide an edible film that can be kept for a long time in the oral cavity and ingested readily. Additionally, another object of the present invention is to provide an edible film that does not degrade the activity of the enzyme contained in the edible film for a long period of time. The objects are achieved by an edible film comprising lactoperoxidase, glucose oxidase, a glucose source, and a film former.

Abstract: A problem of the present invention is to provide a novel composition for anti-aging. The means for solving the problem is to use one or multiple compounds such as a lophenol compound, and a cyclolanostane compound as active ingredients of the composition for anti-aging.

Abstract: The invention provides a composition which contains a bacterial powder and a fatty oil and in which caking of the bacterial powder is suppressed, a method for producing the same, and a method of preventing caking. Provided are a composition including a bacterial powder, a fatty oil, and at least one selected from the group consisting of a microscopic powder and a surfactant, wherein the bacterial powder comprises at least one selected from the group consisting of live cells of lactic acid bacteria, killed cells of lactic acid bacteria, live cells of bifidobacteria, and killed cells of bifidobacteria, a method for producing the same, and a method of preventing caking in a composition containing a fatty oil.

Abstract: A novel agent useful for improving brain function is provided. The active ingredient in this agent is a Bifidobacterium breve and/or a Bifidobacterium breve-containing cultured material is provided.