Abstract: A method and apparatus for isolation of a barely volatile organic compound in a sample suspected to contain the same, e.g. a dioxin, which includes continuously adding superheated steam and a volatile and hardly water-soluble/water-insoluble solvent to a liquid or solid sample suspected to contain said organic compound to be isolated, a solid sample being dissolved in said solvent which can dissolve said organic compound to be isolated, distilling off an azeotropic mixture of said organic compound and said solvent by steam distillation, separating a solvent phase of said solvent dissolving said organic compound and said water phase, and recovering quantitatively said organic compound from said solvent. The dioxins are then further subjected to analysis, for example, GC, HRGC-MS and the like.

Abstract: A method of measurement of catalase activity in a sample suspected of containing such activity which comprises treating said sample with a peroxide, an alcohol, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) and an aldehyde dehydrogenase, thereby producing an aldehyde corresponding to said alcohol and converting NAD to its reduced form (NADH), measuring absorption of radiation having a wave length at the characteristic absorption band of NADH in relation to said activity.

Abstract: A health food comprising acid- and alkali-insoluble substances obtained as an unextractable residue on extracting defatted seeds of leguminous plants with acid and alkali. Said health food is useful in prophylactic and therapeutic treatment of obesity.

Abstract: A medicinal composition which comprises a compound of the formula:CH.sub.3 (CH.sub.2)nCH.dbd.CHCO.sub.2 Hwherein n represents 10, 12, 14 or 16, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier; a method for testing diabetes or improving lipid metabolism by the administration of said composition to a human being; and a process for the separation of said compounds from freshwater clam which comprises subjecting freshwater clam to the extraction with hot water and/or an aprotic solvent and then purifying the resultant.

Abstract: A plant growth regulating composition which comprises as an active ingredient at least one diterpene glucoside of the formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 is a hydrogen atom or any other cation and R.sup.2 is .beta.-glucopyranosyl-(1-2)-.beta.-glucopyranosyl or 2,3-di-O-(.beta.-glucopyranosyl-.beta.-glucopyranosyl, or R.sup.1 is .beta.-glucopyranosyl and R.sup.2 is .alpha.-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-2)-.beta.-glucopyranosyl, .beta.-glucopyranosyl-(1-2)-.beta.-glucopyranosyl, 2,3-di-O-(.beta.-glucopyranosyl)-.beta.-glucopyranosyl or (3-O-.beta.-glucopyranosyl)-(2-O-.alpha.-rhamnosyl-.beta.-glcopyranosyl).

Abstract: A process for isolating saponins and flavonoids from leguminous plant which comprises extracting a part or the whole of the said plant with an aqueous alkaline solution, separating the extract from insoluble matters comprising fibrous materials, applying the extract on non-polar or slightly polar adsorbent resin to adsorb the saponins and flavonoids on the said resin, and treating the resin with a polar solvent to elute the saponins and the flavonoids adsorbed on the said resin.

Abstract: A vacuum sampling container of a refractory material which comprises a small diameter cylindrical section and a large diameter cylindrical section coaxially connected in mutual communication and is evacuated and sealed, the free end of said small diameter cylindrical section being provided with a portion thinned to the extent that it is broken by virtue of the heat and pressure of the molten metal when the vacuum sampling container is immersed in a molten metal is disclosed. Also a sampler comprising said vacuum sampling container and a protective tube therefor is disclosed.

Abstract: A sweetening compound is recovered from Stevia rebaudiana plant material in the form of colorless crystals having 450 times the sweetness of sucrose. Sweetened products for oral ingestion are provided by admixing the sweetening compound with a foodstuff or a pharmaceutical. The sweetening compound is recovered from the plant material by extraction with water, concentration, extraction with an alkanol, chromatography, and collection of fractions rich in the compound, preferably followed by concentration of the rich fractions and recrystallization of the product.