Abstract: The present invention relates to an antihypertensive agent including a boysenberry seed extract as an active ingredient. According to the invention, there can be provided an effective and highly safe antihypertensive agent having antihypertensive effect so that the agent can contribute to the prevention and amelioration of hypertension and having very little risk of side effects even in continuous intake, and a method for producing the antihypertensive agent at low cost and efficiently.

Abstract: A transformant is prepared to insert at least a gene expression cassette comprising a gene involved in the synthesis of 2-deoxy-scyllo-inosose into E. coli as host cells. A 2-deoxy-scyllo-inosose is synthesized from D-glucose, oligosaccharide, polysaccharide, starch and rice bran, using the transformant. A culture solution containing the 2-deoxy-scyllo-inosose is treated with a mixed bed or double bed type column comprising a hydrogen form of strong acidic cation exchange resin and an organic ion form of basic anion exchange resin. The 2-deoxy-scyllo-inosose as purified is reacted with trimethoxymethane to convert into 2-deoxy-scyllo-inosose dimethylketal, and the dimethylketal is crystallized and purified. Then, DOI is highly purified through hydrolyzing the dimethylketal in the presence of acid.

Abstract: A transformant is prepared to insert at least a gene expression cassette comprising a gene involved in the synthesis of 2-deoxy-scyllo-inosose into E. coli as host cells. A 2-deoxy-scyllo-inosose is synthesized from D-glucose, oligosaccharide, polysaccharide, starch and rice bran, using the transformant. A culture solution containing the 2-deoxy-scyllo-inosose is treated with a mixed bed or double bed type column comprising a hydrogen form of strong acidic cation exchange resin and an organic ion form of basic anion exchange resin. The 2-deoxy-scyllo-inosose as purified is reacted with trimethoxymethane to convert into 2-deoxy-scyllo-inosose dimethylketal, and the dimethylketal is crystallized and purified. Then, DOI is highly purified through hydrolyzing the dimethylketal in the presence of acid.

Abstract: Black currant anthocyanin-containing compositions for foods comprising 1 to 25% by weight of black currant anthocyanin on the basis of solid matters; a process for producing a black currant anthocyanin-containing composition for foods characterized by purifying and concentrating black currant juice employed as a starting material by using a charged reverse osmosis membrane; functional foods and drinks characterized by containing the above compositions for foods; and the above-described compositions for foods and the above-described functional foods and drinks having an effect of improving visual function, a function of improving blood fluidity, and/or a function of lowering blood pressure. The conventional black currant anthocyanin compositions have a low black currant anthocyanin content, strong acidity and poor stability, which makes them unsuitable as additives for foods and drinks.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an antihypertensive agent including a boysenberry seed extract as an active ingredient. According to the invention, there can be provided an effective and highly safe antihypertensive agent having antihypertensive effect so that the agent can contribute to the prevention and amelioration of hypertension and having very little risk of side effects even in continuous intake, and a method for producing the antihypertensive agent at low cost and efficiently.

Abstract: Black currant anthocyanin-containing compositions for foods comprising 1 to 25% by weight of black currant anthocyanin on the basis of solid matters; a process for producing a black currant anthocyanin-containing composition for foods characterized by purifying and concentrating black currant juice employed as a starting material by using a charged reverse osmosis membrane; functional foods and drinks characterized by containing the above compositions for foods; and the above-described compositions for foods and the above-described functional foods and drinks having an effect of improving visual function, a function of improving blood fluidity, and/or a function of lowering blood pressure. The conventional black currant anthocyanin compositions have a low black currant anthocyanin content, strong acidity and poor stability, which makes them unsuitable as additives for foods and drinks.

Abstract: A transformant is prepared to insert at least a gene expression cassette comprising a gene involved in the synthesis of 2-deoxy-scyllo-inosose into E. coli as host cells. A 2-deoxy-scyllo-inosose is synthesized from D-glucose, oligosaccharide, polysaccharide, starch and rice bran, using the transformant. A culture solution containing the 2-deoxy-scyllo-inosose is treated with a mixed bed or double bed type column comprising a hydrogen form of strong acidic cation exchange resin and an organic ion form of basic anion exchange resin. The 2-deoxy-scyllo-inosose as purified is reacted with trimethoxymethane to convert into 2-deoxy-scyllo-inosose dimethylketal, and the dimethylketal is crystallized and purified. Then, DOI is highly purified through hydrolyzing the dimethylketal in the presence of acid.

Abstract: Black currant anthocyanin-containing compositions for foods comprising 1 to 25% by weight of black currant anthocyanin on the basis of solid matters; a process for producing a black currant anthocyanin-containing composition for foods characterized by purifying and concentrating black currant juice employed as a starting material by using a charged reverse osmosis membrane; functional foods and drinks characterized by containing the above compositions for foods; and the above-described compositions for foods and the above-described functional foods and drinks having an effect of improving visual function, a function of improving blood fluidity, and/or a function of lowering blood pressure. The conventional black currant anthocyanin compositions have a low black currant anthocyanin content, strong acidity and poor stability, which makes them unsuitable as additives for foods and drinks.

Abstract: Provided are a process for producing purified anthocyanidin glucoside in which a rhamnose end of anthocyanidin rutinoside is cleaved using rhamnosidase to convert the anthocyanidin rutinoside component into anthocyanidin glucoside, the anthocyanidin glucoside component being then purified and isolated; or a crystalline anthocyanidin glucoside salt obtained by further crystallizing the purified anthocyanidin glucoside and a process for producing the same. Also provided are a process for producing purified anthocyanidin rutinoside in which a glucose end of anthocyanidin glucoside is cleaved using ?-glucosidase to degrade and remove the end, the anthocyanidin rutinoside component being then purified and isolated; or a crystalline anthocyanidin rutinoside salt obtained by further crystallizing the purified anthocyanidin rutinoside and a process for producing the same.

Abstract: Provided are a process for producing purified anthocyanidin glucoside in which a rhamnose end of anthocyanidin rutinoside is cleaved using rhamnosidase to convert the anthocyanidin rutinoside component into anthocyanidin glucoside, the anthocyanidin glucoside component being then purified and isolated; or a crystalline anthocyanidin glucoside salt obtained by further crystallizing the purified anthocyanidin glucoside and a process for producing the same. Also provided are a process for producing purified anthocyanidin rutinoside in which a glucose end of anthocyanidin glucoside is cleaved using ?-glucosidase to degrade and remove the end, the anthocyanidin rutinoside component being then purified and isolated; or a crystalline anthocyanidin rutinoside salt obtained by further crystallizing the purified anthocyanidin rutinoside and a process for producing the same.

Abstract: Provided are a process for producing purified anthocyanidin glucoside in which a rhamnose end of anthocyanidin rutinoside is cleaved using rhamnosidase to convert the anthocyanidin rutinoside component into anthocyanidin glucoside, the anthocyanidin glucoside component being then purified and isolated; or a crystalline anthocyanidin glucoside salt obtained by further crystallizing the purified anthocyanidin glucoside and a process for producing the same.

Abstract: A novel &bgr;-fructofuranosidase gene and a &bgr;-fructofuranosidase encoded by the gene, a process for isolating a &bgr;-fructofuranosidase gene using the novel &bgr;-fructofuranosidase gene, and a novel &bgr;-fructofuranosidase obtained by this isolation process are disclosed. A novel mold fungus having no &bgr;-fructofuranosidase activity suitable for the production of &bgr;-fructofuranosidase, and a system for producing a recombinant &bgr;-fructofuranosidase using the novel mold fungus as a host is disclosed. Further, a &bgr;-fructofuranosidase variant which selectively and efficiently produces a specific fructooligosaccharide such as 1-kestose from sucrose is disclosed.

Abstract: A process for producing crystal 1-kestose wherein granular crystal 1-kestose in the form of large crystals can be produced at a high yield is disclosed. A highly pure solution of 1-kestose is concentrated to a Brix of 75 or higher; either seed crystals are added, or the solution is vacuum-concentrated to generate microcrystals for use as nuclei; then, a crystal growing step by vacuum-concentration and a microcrystal dissolving step for redissolving microcrystals which have formed in the concentrate are repeated at least twice each. Alternatively, a highly pure solution of 1-kestose is concentrated to a Brix of 80 or higher; either seed crystals are added, or the solution is allowed to initiate crystallization; after crystals are allowed to grow, a cooling step where the temperature is lowered by 5° C. to 20° C. from the previous step and a crystal growing step where the concentrate is maintained at the temperature to allow the crystals to grow are repeated at least twice each.

Abstract: The prophylactic, therapeutic agent for osteoporosis of the invention is a combination of an indigestible oligosaccharide with phytoestrogen which inhibits bone loss. The action of inhibiting the reduction of bone density can be improved remarkably by combining the indigestible oligosaccharide with phytoestrogen.

Abstract: A novel &bgr;-fructofuranosidase gene and a &bgr;-fructofuranosidase encoded by the gene, a process for isolating a &bgr;-fructofuranosidase gene using the novel &bgr;-fructofuranosidase gene, and a novel &bgr;-fructofuranosidase obtained by this isolation process are disclosed. A novel mold fungus having no &bgr;-fructofuranosidase activity suitable for the production of &bgr;-fructofuranosidase, and a system for producing a recombinant &bgr;-fructofuranosidase using the novel mold fungus as a host is disclosed. Further, a &bgr;-fructofuranosidase variant which selectively and efficiently produces a specific fructooligosaccharide such as 1-kestose from sucrose is disclosed.

Abstract: A desiccant comprising crystalline, anhydrated nystose, which contains 70% or more of nystose and 2% or less of moisture and is in the form of a crystalline powder, is capable of maintaining water activity of a food at an extremely low level without heat drying the food or drying the food with silica gel or the like and can safely prevent deteriorations of foods and maintain the qualities at a low cost. The desiccant can be produced by anhydrating crystalline nystose hydrate under reduced pressure or in the presence of a dehydrating agent. The desiccant is used for lowering water activity of a food and maintaining the same, by directly contacting the desiccant with the food or mixing the same with the food.

Abstract: An adsorbent having high adsorption properties and a good strength, which comprises a plurality of sintered sheets of activated carbon, said sheets being those prepared by sintering activated carbon which may contain a carbonaceous binding material infusible under sintering conditions, a pulp for papers or a heat-meltable synthetic resin, and being arranged in layers so as to form a space between the adjacent sheets.

Abstract: An adsorbent having high adsorption characteristics and high heat conductivity, which comprises a heat conductive sheet and at least one adsorbing sheet provided on at least one surface of the heat conductive sheet in contact therewith and which can perform a removal or supply of a heat through the heat conductive sheet to improve the adsorption or desorption efficiency, and an assembly comprising at least two adsorbents arranged in layers so as to form spaces between the adjacent adsorbents.

Abstract: New 3-[N-(mercaptoacyl)]amino-4-arylbutanoic acid derivatives are now provided, which exhibit analgesic activity and are effective to enhance the analgesia induced by a known analgesic compound, ]D-ala.sup.2,met.sup.5 ]-enkephalin (DAME).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for causing a flexible tubular lining material to be fixed to the inner surface of a pipe line wherein the tubular lining material is initially attached to the inner surface of the pipe line by a binder provided on the surface of the tubular lining material which comprises providing a flexible hose material having a porous structure inside the pipe line which has been lined with the tubular lining material and introducing a heated gaseous fluid stream into the interior of the flexible hose whereby the heated gaseous fluid stream is introduced through the pores of the flexible hose along the inner surface of the lined pipe line, the flexible tubular lining material being warmed to accelerate the curing of the binder interposed between the inner surface of the pipe line and the flexible lining material.