Abstract: An alkali-treated bagasse is prepared by softening a bagasse with calcium oxide together with or without sodium hydroxide while preventing the substantial decomposition of cellulose and hemicellulose, a bagasse feed and a fermented bagasse feed prepared from the alkali-treated bagasse, and their preparations and uses as well as bacteria for fermenting the alkali-treated bagasse.

Abstract: An enzyme, which has a molecular weight of about 57,000-120,000 daltons on SDS-PAGE and a pI of about 3.8-5.1 on isoelectrophoresis using ampholyte, converts maltose into trehalose and vice versa. The enzyme was isolated from microorganisms of the genera Pimelobacter, Pseudomonas and Thermus. By using the enzyme, trehalose is readily formed from a commercially available maltose in an industrial scale and a relatively-low cost. Trehalose and saccharide compositions containing the same, which are preparable with the enzyme, are suitably used in food products, cosmetic compositions and pharmaceutical compositions.

Abstract: An amylase is preferrably obtained from Alcaligenes latus FERM BP-4578. The amylase has an activity of mainly forming maltohexaose and maltoheptaose from starch, but does not substantially have an activity of hydrolyzing maltohexaose and an oligosaccharide having a molecular weight lower than maltohexaose. The amylase does not substantially act on maltoheptaose and has a molecular weight of about 43,000+3,000 daltons as measured by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. It has an isoelectric point of about 7.6+0.5 as measured on isoelectrophoresis using an ampholyte, an optimum pH of about 5.0 in the presence of calcium ion, an optimum temperature of about 70.degree. C. in the presence of calcium ion as measured in terms of relative enzyme activity, a pH stability of about 4.5-10.5 in the presence of calcium ion and a thermal stability up to about 60.degree. C. in the presence of calcium ion as measured in terms of residual enzyme activity.

Abstract: Neotrehalose is prepared in a relatively high-yield by a process comprising allowing .beta.-galactosidase to act on a solution containing lactoneotrehalose to form neotrehalose and recovering the resultant neotrehalose. The neotrehalose is a non-reducing oligosaccharide having a satisfiable stability and a rich- and high-quality-sweetness and is assimilated and utilized as energy source in vivo when orally administered. Neotrehalose in the form of crystal has a satisfiable handleability because it is readily soluble in water and substantially free of hygroscopicity. These render neotrehalose very useful in the fields of food-, cosmetic- and pharmaceutical-industries.

Abstract: Lactoneotrehalose, a novel saccharide shown by the formula O-.beta.-D-galactopyranosyl-(1.fwdarw.4)-O-.beta.-D-glucopyranosyl .alpha.-D-glucopyranoside, is prepared by allowing a saccharide-transferring enzyme to act on an aqueous solution containing lactose and amylaceous substance. Lactoneotrehalose is a non-reducing oligosaccharide, extremely stable, readily soluble in water, and substantially free of hygroscopicity, as well as having a satisfiable quality and moderate sweetness. These render lactoneotrehalose very useful in the preparations of orally-administrable products, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals.

Abstract: Lactoneotrehalose, a novel saccharide shown by the formula O-.beta.-D-galactopyranosyl-(1.fwdarw.4)-O-.beta.-D-glucopyranosyl .alpha.-D-glucopyranoside, is prepared by allowing a saccharide-transferring enzyme to act on an aqueous solution containing lactose and amylaceous substance. Lactoneotrehalose is a non-reducing oligosaccharide, extremely stable, readily soluble in water, and substantially free of hygroscopicity, as well as having a satisfiable quality and moderate sweetness. These render lactoneotrehalose very useful in the preparations of orally-administrable products, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals.