Abstract: The objects of the present invention are to provide a method for inhibiting the coloration of a syrupy sweetener, comprising a reducing saccharide together with a non-reducing oligosaccharide having a ?-fructofuranosidic linkage, without deteriorating the taste inherent to the syrupy sweetener; and to provide a syrupy sweetener, comprising a reducing saccharide together with a non-reducing oligosaccharide having a ?-fructofuranosidic linkage, which is stabilized by the method. The present invention attains the above objects by providing a method for inhibiting the coloring of a syrupy sweetener, comprising a reducing saccharide together with a non-reducing oligosaccharide having a ?-fructofuranosidic linkage, which comprises a step of incorporating a lactate into the syrupy sweetener, and by providing a syrupy sweetener, comprising a reducing saccharide together with a non-reducing oligosaccharide having a ?-fructofuranosidic linkage, which is stabilized by the method.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a means for improving hepatic function of mammals including humans to normal condition. The present invention achieves the above object by providing a hepatic function-improving agent comprising ?-glucosyl-hesperidin as an effective ingredient.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide an immunomodulating agent in gut that can be ingested continuously in daily diet without adverse side effect. The object is attained by providing an immunomodulating agent in gut comprising a cyclic tetrasaccharide as an effective ingredient.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a novel ketose 3-epimerase, a process for producing the same, a DNA encoding the enzyme, a recombinant DNA and transformant comprising the DNA, and a process for producing a ketose by using the enzyme. The present invention solves the above objects by providing a ketose 3-epimerase which is obtainable from a microorganism of the genus Rhizobium, a process for producing the same, a DNA encoding the enzyme, a recombinant DNA and transformant comprising the DNA, and a process for converting D- or L-ketohexose into corresponding D- or L-ketohexose by epimerizing the hydroxyl group at the C-3 position of the D- or L-ketohexose; and D- or L-ketopentose into corresponding D- or L-ketopentose by epimerizing the hydroxyl group at the C-3 position of the D- or L-ketopentose; by using the enzyme.

Abstract: The present invention has objects to provide a glucan useful as water-soluble dietary fiber, its preparation and uses. The present invention solves the above objects by providing a branched ?-glucan, which is constructed by glucose molecules and characterized by methylation analysis as follows: (1) Ratio of 2,3,6-trimethyl-1,4,5-triacetyl-glucitol to 2,3,4-trimethyl-1,5,6-triacetyl-glucitol is in the range of 1:0.6 to 1:4; (2) Total content of 2,3,6-trimethyl-1,4,5-triacetyl-glucitol and 2,3,4-trimethyl-1,5,6-triacetyl-glucitol is 60% or higher in the partially methylated glucitol acetates; (3) Content of 2,4,6-trimethyl-1,3,5-triacetyl-glucitol is 0.5% or higher but less than 10% in the partially methylated glucitol acetates; and (4) Content of 2,4-dimethyl-1,3,5,6-tetraacetyl-glucitol is 0.5% or higher in the partially methylated glucitol acetates; a novel ?-glucosyltransferase which forms the branched ?-glucan, processes for producing them, and their uses.

Abstract: A process for producing rice flour, which comprises the steps of soaking material rice grains in water, crushing the resulting rice grains, penetrating ?,?-trehalose or maltitol into the rice grains, partially drying the resulting rice grains, and milling the partially dried rice grains; rice flours obtainable by the process; and uses thereof for producing bakery products and noodles.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a novel starchy substance having a retrogradation-resistance, a process for producing the starchy substance efficiently from a material starch by enzymatic reaction, and uses thereof. The present invention attains the above object by providing branched starch having 6-?-maltosyl- and/or 6-?-maltotetraosyl-structure(s) with a marked retrogradation-resistance, a process for producing the branched starch without lowering the molecular weight of material starch, and uses thereof.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is to establish a volatile sulfide production inhibitor that can inhibit the production of volatile sulfides from a composition and to provide a method for inhibiting the production of volatile sulfides from a composition by using the inhibitor. The object are solved by providing a volatile sulfide production inhibitor comprising L-ascorbic acid 2-glucoside as an effective ingredient and a method for inhibiting the production of volatile sulfides from a composition by incorporating the volatile sulfide production inhibitor into the composition.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a means for improving hepatic function of mammals including humans to normal condition. The present invention achieves the above object by providing a hepatic function-improving agent comprising ?-glucosyl-hesperidin as an effective ingredient.

Abstract: A polypeptide having &bgr;-fructofuranosidase activity is obtained by the expression of a microbial gene, which polypeptide contains the amino acid sequences of SEQ ID NO:1 and SEQ ID NO:2 in whole or in part as an amino acid sequence. This polypeptide is useful for producing fructofuranosyl transferred saccharides.

Abstract: Disclosed are a crystalline trehalose dehydrate which has an elongated crystalline structure with a proportion of the length in the c axis to that in the b axis less than 2.0, its preparation and uses. The crystal has insubstantial hygroscopicity and solidification, and satisfactory stability, free-flowing ability, and handleability; it can be easily processed without fracture in the drying and sieving steps.

Abstract: Disclosed are a method for inhibiting trimethylamine formation per se from raw fishery products by incorporating trehalose and/or maltitol, an agent having trehalose and/or maltitol as effective ingredients to inhibit trimethylamine formation per se from raw fishery products, and an edible fishery product with satisfactory flavor and taste obtained by using the method or the agent.

Abstract: A polypeptide having &bgr;-fructofuranosidase activity is obtained by the expression of a microbial gene, which polypeptide contains the amino acid sequences of SEQ ID NO:1 and SEQ ID NO:2 in whole or in part as an amino acid sequence. This polypeptide is useful for producing fructofuranosyl transferred saccharides.

Abstract: A method for improving the aftertaste of sucrose without lowering the sweetening power of sucrose, which comprises incorporating trehalose into sucrose in an amount of 2-12% to the sucrose, on a dry solid basis. The method produces saccharide compositions and food products having improved aftertaste of sucrose without lowering the sweetening power of sucrose.

Abstract: Disclosed are a crystalline trehalose dihydrate which has an elongated crystalline structure with a proportion of the length in the c axis to that in the b axis less than 2.0, its preparation and uses. The crystal has insubstantial hygroscopicity and solidification, and satisfactory stability, free-flowing ability, and handleability; it can be easily processed without fracture in the drying and sieving steps.

Abstract: Disclosed are a polypeptide having a &bgr;-fructofuranosidase activity obtainable by the expression of a microbial gene, a DNA encoding the polypeptide, a transformant obtained by introducing the DNA into an appropriate host, a process for producing the polypeptide comprising culturing the transformant to produce the polypeptide and collecting the produced polypeptide from the culture, and a method for fructofuranosyl transfer comprising a step of reacting a fructofuranosyl donor with a fructofuranosyl acceptor in the presence of the polypeptide.

Abstract: A method for improving the aftertaste of sucrose without lowering the sweetening power of sucrose, which comprises incorporating trehalose into sucrose in an amount of 2-12% to the sucrose, on a dry solid basis. The method produces saccharide compositions and food products having improved aftertaste of sucrose without lowering the sweetening power of sucrose.

Abstract: Disclosed are a crystalline trehalose dehydrate which has an elongated crystalline structure with a proportion of the length in the c axis to that in the b axis less than 2.0, its preparation and uses. The crystal has insubstantial hygroscopicity and solidification, and satisfactory stability, free-flowing ability, and handleability; it can be easily processed without fracture in the drying and sieving steps.

Abstract: A saccharide composition containing trehalulose, which is obtainable by allowing a maltose/trehalose converting enzyme to act on a sucrose solution to produce trehalulose, and collecting the resulting trehalulose-containing mixture. Since the enzyme converts sucrose into trehalulose in a relatively high yield and the conversion rate is controllable, a saccharide composition rich in trehalulose is readily obtained on an industrial scale.

Abstract: A method for inhibiting the formation of volatile aldehydes including their related compounds and/or the decomposition of fatty acids including their related compounds by incorporating trehalose and/or maltitol. Using the method, compositions such as foods, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals comprising fatty acids can be prepared and stably stored for a relatively-long period of time without fear of forming volatile aldehydes and/or decomposing the fatty acids.