Abstract: To prevent or alleviate various pathologies caused by lifestyle-related diseases, etc., the present invention provides a substance having an effect of promoting the expression and elevating the expression level of adiponectin, and applications thereof. An adiponectin expression promoting agent containing, as an active ingredient, at least one cyanidin compound selected from the group consisting of cyanidin and cyanidin glycosides can be applied to pharmaceutical or food compositions for use in applications in which the pharmacological effects of adiponectin are utilized.

Abstract: A method for producing a phytosterol/phytostanol-containing composition is provided that facilitates dispersion in-water of a phytosterol and/or phytostanol (phytosterol/phytostanol), which are difficult to dissolve in water, inhibits the occurrence of precipitation and coagulation (ring formation) for a long period of time even when incorporated in water, and can maintain a stable dispersed state.

Abstract: The present invention provides a water-soluble modified gum arabic with a weight average molecular weight not less than 0.9 million and arabinogalactan protein not less than 17% by weight obtained by heating Acacia Senegal gum arabic and modified water-soluble gum arabic with a weight average molecular weight not less than 2.5 million and with protein containing high molecular weight components of not less than 25% by weight. Moreover, the present invention provides modified gum arabic with standardized and predictable molecular properties and methods for providing the modified gum arabic endowed with high emulsification efficiency and stability and for uniforming natural variations in unmodified gum arabic. The present invention changes the natural protein distribution of gum arabic, and increases AGP content.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel compositions having an eating texture similar to that of a natural fruit flesh, an artificial fruit flesh having an eating texture similar to that of natural fruit flesh prepared by using the compositions, and a food product containing artificial fruit flesh. The aforementioned compositions are the gel-containing liquid composition containing a pectin with a degree of esterification of 20% or less, a divalent metal ion and water, and the heterogeneous gel composition containing a negatively-charged gelling agent in addition to the above-mentioned ingredients.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for producing isoquercitrin, ?-glycosylisoquercitrin, and rhamnose, the method comprising a step of naringin-degrading enzyme treatment during the isoquercitrin production from rutin in the presence of an edible component, such as gelatin, wheat gluten, chitosan, lecithin, a glycerol fatty acid ester, xanthan gum, carrageenan, sodium chondroitin sulfate, casein, enzymatically decomposed gelatin, sodium alginate, konjac extract, gellan gum, guar gum, soybean protein, agar, pectin, yeast extract, egg-white peptide, cluster dextrin, gum arabic, arginine, sodium metaphosphate, karaya gum, locust bean gum, sodium pyrophosphate, glucosamine, chitin, sodium glutamate, dextrin, trehalose, or a grain-based food ingredients. According to the present invention, isoquercitrin and ?-glycosylisoquercitrin, which are of use as antioxidants, anti-fading agents, flavor change inhibitors, etc., can be produced in enhanced yields.

Abstract: Disclosed is an anti-atherogenic composition or an atherosclerosis progression inhibitory composition which can be used effectively for preventing or ameliorating atherosclerosis. The anti-atherogenic composition or atherosclerosis progression inhibitory composition comprises an enzyme-treated isoquercitrin as the active ingredient.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel thiophene compound as a synthetic intermediate that is useful for efficient production of kahweofuran or an analogue thereof. The present invention also provides a process for producing kahweofuran or an analogue thereof using the novel thiophene compound as an intermediate material. Of novel thiophene compounds represented by Formula (1): wherein R1 is a hydrogen atom or a C1-C4 lower alkyl group; R2 is a hydrogen atom or an alcohol-protecting group; R3 is a hydrogen atom, —COR4 or —C(OH)R5 (wherein R4 and R5 each represent a C1-C4 lower alkyl group); provided that when R2 and R3 are hydrogen atoms, R1 is not any of a hydrogen atom, methyl group, or n-propyl group; a thiophene compound represented by Formula (2) is reduced and cyclized in the presence of a transition metal catalyst to produce kahweofuran or kahweofuran analogue (3a) shown below: wherein R1 is a hydrogen atom or a C1-C4 lower alkyl group, and R4 is a C1-C4 lower alkyl group.

Abstract: The present invention provides a carotenoids color preparation which itself has a high emulsion stability, so that there are no problems such as precipitation of an insoluble matter or neck ring formation even when this preparation is used in water-based products. The preparation is obtained by emulsifying a carotenoids color of natural origin, which has an acid value of 10 or less and an acetone-insoluble content of 5 wt % or less when adjusted so that the color value E10%1cm is 2550.

Abstract: Novel gel compositions having a sarcocarp-like texture and taste (mouth feelings): and foods having a sarcocarp-like texture with the use the same. These novel gel compositions comprise pectin, a divalent metal ion and water optionally together with negatively charged gelling agent. The above-described pectin contains at least one member selected from among pectinic acid and its salts and forms heat-stable particles having a diameter of at least 100 ?m in the presence of water, or particles having an average diameter of 10 to 5000 ?m in the presence of water and calcium ion.

Abstract: The invention provides a cochineal color, a colorant product containing the cochineal color and the method of its production, wherein the cochineal color is free of allergenic proteins and contaminants derived from the raw material Coccus cacti L. insect and can be added with safety to products taken by mouth, such as foods, pharmaceutical products, etc. The invention relates to a cochineal color substantially free of proteins of molecular weight not less than 6000. The invention also relates to a process for producing a cochineal color which comprises subjecting a cochineal extract solution to proteolysis and then to at least one treatment selected from the group consisting of adsorption treatment, ion exchange treatment, acid treatment, extraction treatment and membrane treatment.

Abstract: Novel utilization of sucralose which is a high intense sweetener. Compositions containing sucralose including: sweetening compositions having excellent sweetness qualities based on the characteristics of sucralose; foods with a masked unpleasant smell and unpleasant taste; performance food compositions (viscous food compositions, gel food compositions, emulsified food compositions); foods with improved flavors; preservatives and foods with improved quality of taste; and flavor compositions with improved flavors. Novel utilization of sucralose as a sweetness improver, a masking agent for unpleasant smell/unpleasant taste, a flavor improver, a function improver (viscosity, gelling properties, emulsification properties), a taste characteristic improver, and a flavor improver/enhancer.

Abstract: A method of preparing a purified purple corn coloring agent comprising passing a purple corn color extract solution through an adsorption resin, washing with water, and releasing the purple corn color from the resin with the use of an aqueous solution containing alcohol of 25 to 45 v/vt %.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for efficiently improving emulsifying ability of gum arabic, in other words, a method for producing gum arabic with excellent emulsifying ability. Further, the present invention provides a method by which a gum arabic modified so as to have a high emulsifying ability can be obtained without involving the problem of forming syrupy masses or sticking to the vessel or the trouble of excessive dehydration or charring. The above-described methods can be carried out by heating gum arabic (unmodified) under dry conditions. Preferably, the method is carried out by heating gum arabic in such a manner that the loss-on-drying is not more than 3%.

Abstract: Provided is a tetraphenylbacteriochlorin derivative represented by the formula (I): [wherein R1, R2, R3 and R4, independently from each other, are a residue of a monosaccharide represented by the formulae: (wherein, R is a hydrogen or a protecting group)], or its salt. The tetraphenylbacteriochlorin derivative or its salt has a large molar extinction coefficient at long wavelengths which are expected to have a high tissue-penetrating property, and exhibits high selectivity to tumor cells and hydrophilicity.

Abstract: The invention provides a native gellan gum-containing composition, and particularly based on the multifunctionality thereof, provides freeze/thaw-resistant gel compositions and dehydrated gels and jellies available therefrom, rice cake-like gels and rice cake substitutes, copy foods, cold retention compositions and cooling agents. The invention further provides the use of the above composition as additives for the expression of unique functions, for example a dispersion stabilizer, an additive for thickened compositions, a heat resistance-imparting agent, a syneresis inhibitor, a foam stabilizer, and a food palatability/body-improving agent.

Abstract: A colorant of a plant belonging to the family Brassicaceae which has no or significantly reduced smell originating in the Brassicaceae plant, a colorant formulation containing this colorant, and a process for producing the odorless or almost odorless colorant of the Brassicaceae plant. This colorant can be prepared by treating an adsorption-treated Brassicaceae plant colorant extract by at least one method selected from among adsorption, ion exchange, acid treatment, and membrane separation to thereby give an aroma component concentration of 100 ppm or less in case where the color value E10%1 cm is 80.

Abstract: A composition which is obtained by causing a specific compound to be present together with sucralose. The composition provides a sucralose in a stable form, more particularly, a sucralose which is still stable and thus is significantly suppressed with respect to the decrease in sweetness and discoloration (browning blackening), even when it is subjected to a warming treatment under a condition wherein temperature is high and especially water content is low and/or pH is low. The stabilized sucralose-containing composition can be used a sweetener by itself and as a compound with a food or a drug.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of suppressing fading of a tar colorant. More specifically, the present invention provides a method of suppressing a tar colorant fading phenomenon that occurs specifically in compositions containing (a) the tar colorant, and (b) at least one of reducing sugars, ascorbic acid compounds, or metals. This method can be attained by mixing (c) at least one selected from the group consisting of isoquercitrin, enzymatically modified isoquercitrin, rutin, enzymatically modified rutin, Chinese bayberry extract, and rosemary extract into such a composition, thus making the component (a), the component (b) and the component (c) coexist. The present invention further provides a composition for which fading of a tar colorant is suppressed using the above method, more specifically a composition containing at least one of reducing sugars, ascorbic acid compounds, or metals in addition to the tar colorant.

Abstract: Provided is a tetraphenylbacteriochlorin derivative represented by the formula (I): [wherein R1, R2, R3 and R4, independently from each other, are a residue of a monosaccharide represented by the formulae: (wherein, R is a hydrogen or a protecting group)], or its salt. The tetraphenylbacteriochlorin derivative or its salt has a large molar extinction coefficient at long wavelengths which are expected to have a high tissue-penetrating property, and exhibits high selectivity to tumor cells and hydrophilicity.

Abstract: A Carthamus yellow colorant which has no or significantly smell originating in safflower, and a colorant formulation containing this colorant. Namely, a Carthamus yellow colorant which has a concentration of aroma components (acetic acid, isovaleric acid, phenylethyl alcohol, phenol, 4-vinyl phenol) contained therein of 100 ppm or less in case where the color value E10%1 cm is 160.