Patents by Inventor Kazuaki Hirasawa

Kazuaki Hirasawa has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20230157271
    Abstract: A chemical agent-spraying device is provided with a chemical agent tank and chemical agent-jetting parts that jet out a chemical agent supplied from the chemical agent tank. The chemical agent-jetting parts include a first chemical agent-jetting part that jets out the chemical agent onto the reverse surfaces of crop leaves as an area to which the chemical agent is to be jetted, and a second chemical agent-jetting part that jets out the chemical agent onto the obverse surfaces of crop leaves as an area to which the chemical agent is to be jetted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2021
    Publication date: May 25, 2023
    Applicants: Yanmar Power Technology Co., Ltd., Arimitsu Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuaki HIRASAWA, Soichiro IKEGAMI, Hirofumi UKAI, Yoshihiro YOSHIDA
  • Publication number: 20220379327
    Abstract: A spraying machine includes a machine body, a support frame, and a spraying portion. The support frame includes a horizontal frame having a length along a left-right direction, and a pair of vertical frames and each having a length along an up-down direction, and protruding downward from both ends of the horizontal frame. The spraying portion is supported by the support frame, and sprays a spraying material. The support frame is supported by the machine body to be rotatable around a rotation axis passing through a fulcrum portion provided on the horizontal frame and extending along a front-back direction, while maintaining a relative positional relationship between the pair of vertical frames and the horizontal frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2022
    Publication date: December 1, 2022
    Applicant: c/o Yanmar Holdings
    Inventors: Hirofumi Ukai, Toshihiko Ibe, Kazuaki Hirasawa
  • Patent number: 10947574
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for high yield and stable production of carotenoids through microbial culture. The present invention provides a method for culture of carotenoid-producing bacteria, which comprises culturing carotenoid-producing bacteria in a medium containing cobalt or a cobalt salt at a concentration of 0.005 ?mol/L to 20 ?mol/L.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: ENEOS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tetsuhisa Yata, Hisashi Yoneda, Mitsutoshi Azuma, Kazuaki Hirasawa
  • Publication number: 20190112628
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for high yield and stable production of carotenoids through microbial culture. The present invention provides a method for culture of carotenoid-producing bacteria, which comprises culturing carotenoid-producing bacteria in a medium containing cobalt or a cobalt salt at a concentration of 0.005 ?mol/L to 20 ?mol/L.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2016
    Publication date: April 18, 2019
    Applicant: JXTG NIPPON OIL & ENERGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tetsuhisa YATA, Hisashi YONEDA, Mitsutoshi AZUMA, Kazuaki HIRASAWA
  • Patent number: 10240215
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a method for microbioiogically producing astaxanthin of high concentration at low cost while suppressing production of canthaxanthin. Specifically, the present invention relates to a method for producing carotenoids including astaxanthin comprising culturing a bacterium that concurrently produces astaxanthin and canthaxanthin in a medium containing biotin, wherein a ratio of concentration of produced canthaxanthin to concentration of produced astaxanthin in a culture product after the end of culture in the medium is lower than that in a culture product alter the end of culture in a biotin-free medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: JX Nippon Oil & Energy Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuaki Hirasawa, Hiroshi Satoh, Hisashi Yoneda, Tetsuhisa Yata, Mitsutoshi Azuma
  • Patent number: 9687422
    Abstract: Methods of obtaining a carotenoid-containing composition were developed, in which degradation of carotenoids is suppressed even though extraction and purification are performed on a culture of microorganism that produces carotenoids including astaxanthin by simple steps using a lower alcohol which is a conventionally known solvent, and the compositions have high astaxanthin content and contain highly pure carotenoids and also have satisfactory crystal properties. Further addition of a simple step that promotes isomerization of astaxanthin successfully improved the carotenoid yield.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignees: JX NIPPON OIL & ENERGY CORPORATION, DAICEL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kazuya Mitsuhashi, Takanori Someya, Motoko Hayashi, Manabu Yamada, Shotaro Uchizawa, Kazuaki Hirasawa, Yuki Kawashima
  • Patent number: 9605323
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a method for microbiologically producing astaxanthin of high concentration at low cost while suppressing production of canthaxanthin. Specifically, the present invention relates to a method for producing carotenoids including astaxanthin comprising culturing a bacterium that concurrently produces astaxanthin and canthaxanthin in a medium containing biotin, wherein a ratio of concentration of produced canthaxanthin to concentration of produced astaxanthin in a culture product after the end of culture in the medium is lower than that in a culture product after the end of culture in a biotin-free medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: JX Nippon Oil & Energy Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuaki Hirasawa, Hiroshi Satoh, Hisashi Yoneda, Tetsuhisa Yata, Mitsutoshi Azuma
  • Publication number: 20170029862
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a method for microbioiogically producing astaxanthin of high concentration at low cost while suppressing production of canthaxanthin. Specifically, the present invention relates to a method for producing carotenoids including astaxanthin comprising culturing a bacterium that concurrently produces astaxanthin and canthaxanthin in a medium containing biotin, wherein a ratio of concentration of produced canthaxanthin to concentration of produced astaxanthin in a culture product after the end of culture in the medium is lower than that in a culture product alter the end of culture in a biotin-free medium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2016
    Publication date: February 2, 2017
    Applicant: JX Nippon Oil & Energy Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuaki Hirasawa, Hiroshi Satoh, Hisashi Yoneda, Tetsuhisa Yata, Matsutoshi Azuma
  • Publication number: 20150272835
    Abstract: Methods of obtaining a carotenoid-containing composition were developed, in which degradation of carotenoids is suppressed even though extraction and purification are performed on a culture of microorganism that produces carotenoids including astaxanthin by simple steps using a lower alcohol which is a conventionally known solvent, and the compositions have high astaxanthin content and contain highly pure carotenoids and also have satisfactory crystal properties. Further addition of a simple step that promotes isomerization of astaxanthin successfully improved the carotenoid yield.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2013
    Publication date: October 1, 2015
    Applicants: JX NIPPON OIL & ENERGY CORPORATION, DAICEL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kazuya Mitsuhashi, Takanori Someya, Motoko Hayashi, Manabu Yamada, Shotaro Uchizawa, Kazuaki Hirasawa, Yuki Kawashima
  • Patent number: 8999664
    Abstract: The present invention provides a salmon flesh color improving method and a salmon flesh color improving feed which are usable for producing a salmon having a mild reddish orange flesh color close to the flesh color of wild fish, and a salmon and fish flesh thereof produced by such a flesh color improving method. The present invention also provides a method for producing a salmon having a mild reddish orange flesh color, comprising cultivating the salmon with a feed comprising a carotenoid colorant mixed therein, the carotenoid colorant comprising at least astaxanthin, phoenicoxanthin, canthaxanthin and adonixanthin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: JX Nippon Oil & Energy Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuaki Hirasawa, Akira Tsubokura, Hisashi Yoneda
  • Patent number: 8993282
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for producing a carotenoid, which comprises culturing a carotenoid-producing bacterium in an amino acid-supplemented medium, and collecting the carotenoid from the resulting cultured product, wherein the amino acid is at least one selected, from the group consisting of glutamic acid, aspartic acid, glutamine, asparagine, alanine, glycine, serine, threonine, arginine, tyrosine, proline, phenylalanine and leucine, and salts thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: JX Nippon Oil & Energy Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuaki Hirasawa, Akira Tsubokura, Hiroshi Satou, Tetsuhisa Yata
  • Patent number: 8883443
    Abstract: A method for microbiologically producing zeaxanthin at high concentration and low cost while suppressing production of gluconic acid is presented. Specifically, a method for producing carotenoids containing zeaxanthin by culturing a bacterium producing carotenoids containing zeaxanthin in a medium containing biotin is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: JX Nippon Oil & Energy Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuaki Hirasawa, Hiroshi Satoh, Hisashi Yoneda, Tetsuhisa Yata, Mitsutoshi Azuma
  • Patent number: 8853460
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for collecting a carotenoid from a culture of a carotenoid-producing bacterium at high yield. Specifically, the present invention provides a method for separating a carotenoid comprising a step of precipitating a concentrate containing the carotenoid from a culture of a carotenoid-producing bacterium under acidic conditions; and a method for producing a carotenoid comprising the steps of precipitating a concentrate containing the carotenoid from a culture of a carotenoid-producing bacterium under acidic conditions and collecting the carotenoid from the obtained precipitate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: JX Nippon Oil & Energy Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuaki Hirasawa, Akira Tsubokura
  • Publication number: 20130030218
    Abstract: A method for microbiologically producing zeaxanthin at high concentration and low cost while suppressing production of gluconic acid is presented. Specifically, a method for producing carotenoids containing zeaxanthin by culturing a bacterium producing carotenoids containing zeaxanthin in a medium containing biotin is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2011
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Applicant: JX Nippon Oil & Energy Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuaki Hirasawa, Hiroshi Satoh, Hisashi Yoneda, Tetsuhisa Yata, Mitsutoshi Azuma
  • Publication number: 20130012594
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a method for microbiologically producing astaxanthin of high concentration at low cost while suppressing production of canthaxanthin. Specifically, the present invention relates to a method for producing carotenoids including astaxanthin comprising culturing a bacterium that concurrently produces astaxanthin and canthaxanthin in a medium containing biotin, wherein a ratio of concentration of produced canthaxanthin to concentration of produced astaxanthin in a culture product after the end of culture in the medium is lower than that in a culture product after the end of culture in a biotin-free medium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2011
    Publication date: January 10, 2013
    Applicant: JX Nippon Oil & Energy Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuaki Hirasawa, Hiroshi Satoh, Hisashi Yoneda, Tetsuhisa Yata, Matsutoshi Azuma
  • Publication number: 20120059192
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for collecting a carotenoid from a culture of a carotenoid-producing bacterium at high yield. Specifically, the present invention provides a method for separating a carotenoid comprising a step of precipitating a concentrate containing the carotenoid from a culture of a carotenoid-producing bacterium under acidic conditions; and a method for producing a carotenoid comprising the steps of precipitating a concentrate containing the carotenoid from a culture of a carotenoid-producing bacterium under acidic conditions and collecting the carotenoid from the obtained precipitate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2010
    Publication date: March 8, 2012
    Applicant: JX Nippon Oil & Energy Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuaki Hirasawa, Akira Tsubokura
  • Patent number: 8097761
    Abstract: A method for producing a composition containing carotenoid at a content of 80% or greater, characterized in performing extraction on a culture of a microorganism, a concentrate of the culture, or a dried substance thereof with at least one selected from the group consisting of lower alcohols, water-containing lower alcohols, lower dialkylketones and ethers; and then washing a precipitate, obtained by concentrating the extract solution, with at least one selected from the group consisting of lower alcohols, water-containing lower alcohols, hydrocarbon-based solvents and lower dialkylketones; and food, a pharmaceutical composition or a cosmetic substance comprising the carotenoid-containing composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: JX Nippon Oil & Energy Corporation
    Inventors: Tomoyuki Ishizaki, Satoru Ishikawa, Akira Tsubokura, Kazuaki Hirasawa
  • Publication number: 20110262981
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for producing a carotenoid, which comprises culturing a carotenoid-producing bacterium in an amino acid-supplemented medium, and collecting the carotenoid from the resulting cultured product, wherein the amino acid is at least one selected, from the group consisting of glutamic acid, aspartic acid, glutamine, asparagine, alanine, glycine, serine, threonine, arginine, tyrosine, proline, phenylalanine and leucine, and salts thereof
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2009
    Publication date: October 27, 2011
    Applicant: JX NIPPON OIL & ENERGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kazuaki Hirasawa, Akira Tsubokura, Hiroshi Satou, Tetsuhisa Yata
  • Publication number: 20100319077
    Abstract: The present invention provides a salmon flesh color improving method and a salmon flesh color improving feed which are usable for producing a salmon having a mild reddish orange flesh color close to the flesh color of wild fish, and a salmon and fish flesh thereof produced by such a flesh color improving method. The present invention also provides a method for producing a salmon having a mild reddish orange flesh color, comprising cultivating the salmon with a feed comprising a carotenoid colorant mixed therein, the carotenoid colorant comprising at least astaxanthin, phoenicoxanthin, canthaxanthin and adonixanthin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2007
    Publication date: December 16, 2010
    Applicant: Nippon Oil Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuaki Hirasawa, Akira Tsubokura, Hisashi Yoneda
  • Patent number: 7745170
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for producing zeaxanthin, ?-carotene, or lycopene, comprising inducing mutation in a carotenoid-producing microorganism in which the base sequence of DNA corresponding to 16S ribosomal RNA is substantially homologous to the base sequence described in SEQ ID NO: 1; screening for a mutant strain having a high product proportion of zeaxanthin, ?-carotene, or lycopene to the whole production amount of carotenoids to provide a microorganism producing zeaxanthin, ?-carotene, or lycopene; culturing the mutant microorganism; and harvesting zeaxanthin, ?-carotene, lycopene or a carotenoid mixture containing the same from the resultant culture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: Nippon Oil Corporation
    Inventors: Akira Tsubokura, Hisashi Yoneda, Kazuaki Hirasawa