Abstract: Precipitation fractionation of an aqueous extract of soybeans by addition of an organic solvent such as ethanol or molecular weight fractionation of the extract by ultrafiltration or size exclusion chromatography is appropriately combined with activated carbon filtration, cation- or anion-exchange resin treatment or other adsorbent (e.g., polyamide or octadecylsilica) treatment to provide a nicotianamine product of desired purity. The product is added to food and drink to provide health foods.

Abstract: Precipitation fractionation of an aqueous extract of soybeans by addition of an organic solvent such as ethanol or molecular weight fractionation of the extract by ultrafiltration or size exclusion chromatography is appropriately combined with activated carbon filtration, cation- or anion-exchange resin treatment or other adsorbent (e.g., polyamide or octadecylsilica) treatment to provide a nicotianamine product of desired purity. The product is added to food and drink to provide health foods.

Abstract: Precipitation fractionation of an aqueous extract of soybeans by addition of an organic solvent such as ethanol or molecular weight fractionation of the extract by ultrafiltration or size exclusion chromatography is appropriately combined with activated carbon filtration, cation- or anion-exchange resin treatment or other adsorbent (e.g., polyamide or octadecylsilica) treatment to provide a nicotianamine product of desired purity. The product is added to food and drink to provide health foods.

Abstract: An isoflavone aglycone-containing composition having genistein as a main aglycone is produced by a process comprising allowing a protease and &bgr;-glucosidase to act on a soy protein raw material, an extract of a soy protein raw material or a by-product of a soy protein raw material to water-solubilize the protein of soybean origin and to convert isoflavone glycosides to the corresponding aglycones, separating water-soluble components from the enzymatic reaction mixture, and recovering water-insoluble matter.

Abstract: A high-protein food of plate form having a protein content of 40% by weight or more and a bulk density of 0.02 to 0.40 g/cm3, which is obtained by puffing-molding a compound protein raw material having a protein content of 40% by weight or more.

Abstract: A high-protein food of plate form having a protein content of 40% by weight or more and a bulk density of 0.02 to 0.40 g/cm3, which is obtained by puffing-molding a compound protein raw material having a protein content of 40% by weight or more.

Abstract: An isoflavone aglycone-containing composition having genistein as a main aglycone is produced by a process comprising allowing a protease and &bgr;-glucosidase to act on a soy protein raw material, an extract of a soy protein raw material or a by-product of a soy protein raw material to water-solubilize the protein of soybean origin and to convert isoflavone glycosides to the corresponding aglycones, separating water-soluble components from the enzymatic reaction mixture, and recovering water-insoluble matter.

Abstract: The present invention relates to biotinated firefly luciferase comprising a biotinated peptide and firefly luciferase linked therein, biotinated firefly luciferase having a specific amino acid sequence, a biotinated firefly luciferase gene comprising a gene coding for a biotinated peptide and a firefly luciferase gene linked therein, a biotinated firefly luciferase gene comprising a biotinated peptide gene coding for a specific amino acid sequence and a firefly luciferase gene linked therein, a recombinant DNA comprising said biotinated firefly luciferase gene inserted into a vector DNA, a process for producing biotinated firefly luciferase comprising culturing a microorganism belonging to the genus Escherichia carrying said recombinant DNA and then recovering the resulting biotinated firefly luciferase from the culture, a bioluminescent analysis method comprising using said biotinated firefly luciferase, and a bioluminescent analysis method comprising quantifying a ligand by measuring a biotinated receptor b

Abstract: The present invention relates to biotinated firefly luciferase comprising a biotinated peptide and firefly luciferase linked therein, biotinated firefly luciferase having a specific amino acid sequence, a biotinated firefly luciferase gene comprising a gene coding for a biotinated peptide and a firefly luciferase gene linked therein, a biotinated firefly luciferase gene comprising a biotinated peptide gene coding for a specific amino acid sequence and a firefly luciferase gene linked therein, a recombinant DNA comprising said biotinated firefly luciferase gene inserted into a vector DNA, a process for producing biotinated firefly luciferase comprising culturing a microorganism belonging to the genus Escherichia carrying said recombinant DNA and then recovering the resulting biotinated firefly luciferase from the culture, a bioluminescent analysis method comprising using said biotinated firefly luciferase, and a bioluminescent analysis method comprising quantifying a ligand by measuring a biotinated receptor b

Abstract: An agent for the prevention or treatment of cataracts comprising a proanthocyanidin oligomer is provided. The oral administration or application to the eyes of the agent of the invention produces a sufficient preventive or therapeutic effect against cataracts caused by oxidative disorders.

Abstract: In order to prevent or treat cataract, present invention features 3(2H)-furanone derivatives having 3(2H)-furanone skeleton as a main structure and/or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, pharmaceutical preparations containing the derivatives and/or the salts thereof, treatment methods of cataract, and their use. The 3(2H)-furanone derivatives have excellent effects for the prevention and/or treatment of cataract, for instance, senile cataract caused by oxidation disorder. Particularly, the pharmaceutical preparations have good effect for the prevention and/or treatment of cataract when they are administrated as ophtalmics.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the preparation of a cylodextrinase having specific physicochemical characteristics relating to action, substrate specificities, optimum pH, stable pH, inhibition, activation and molecular weight by culturing a specified microorganism belonging to the genus Bacillus, and also provides a process for preparing maltooligosaccharides by using the present enzyme on cylodextrins.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel cyclodextrinase having the specific physicochemical characteristics relating to action, substrate specificities, optimum pH, stable pH, inhibition, activation and molecular, weight. This novel enzyme can be produced by culturing a specified microorganism belonging to the genus Bacillus. The invention also provides a process for preparing maltooligosaccharides by acting the present enzyme to cyclodextrins.