Abstract: Provided are a beverage, food, and a food flavor composition which are characterized by containing 3,7-dimethyl-2-methylene-6-octen-1-ol or by having 3,7-dimethyl-2-methylene-6-octen-1-ol added thereto.

Abstract: The purpose of the present invention is to provide a flavor deterioration inhibitor which is capable of significantly suppressing a flavor deterioration phenomenon caused by light, heat or the like. The present invention relates to a flavor deterioration inhibitor which contains a solvent extract of parsley leaves.

Abstract: The object of the invention is to provides a process in which a high-molecular-weight &bgr;-butyrolactone homopolymer or copolymer being biodegradable, absorbable into the living body, useful as a functional polymeric material and superior in physical characteristics is produced with high yield and good productivity.

Abstract: The object of the invention is to provides a process in which a high-molecular-weight &bgr;-butyrolactone homopolymer or copolymer being biodegradable, absorbable into the living body, useful as a functional polymeric material and superior in physical characteristics is produced with high yield and good productivity.

Abstract: Provided are a novel ammonium (3R,5S)-3,5,6-trihydroxyhexanoate derivative represented by the following formula (I): 1

Abstract: Provided are a novel ammonium (3R,5S)-3,5,6-trihydroxyhexanoate derivative represented by the following formula (I): wherein R1 represents a benzyl group which may have a substituent, a triphenylmethyl group which may have a substituent, an organosilyl group or a C1-5 acyl group; and A means a specific amine; and a preparation process of the derivative.

Abstract: A novel phosphine compound usable as a catalyst in various asymmetric synthetic reactions is disclosed. The compound is a 2,2'-bis(diarylphosphino)-6,6'-bis(trifluoromethyl)-1,1'-biphenyl of (1): ##STR1## where R is a phenyl group or a phenyl group substituted by lower alkyl group, lower alkoxy group, halogen atom, or lower haloalkyl group.

Abstract: A biodegradable optically active copolymer is disclosed, which is represented by the general formula (I): ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 each represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group; m and n each represents a natural number wherein the sum thereof gives 10 to 5,000; and C* represents an asymmetric carbon atom, and a process for producing the copolymer by ring-opening copolymerization of optically active .beta.-butyrolactone with a cyclic carbonate in the presence of catalyst. The biodegradable optically active copolymer of the present invention provides excellent biodegradability (enzyme degradability) and hydrolyzability.

Abstract: A process for preparing optically active 4-methyl-2-oxetanone which comprises asymmetrically hydrogenating 4-methylene-2-oxetanone in the presence of a ruthenium-optically active phosphine complex. Optically active 4-methyl-2-oxetanone can easily and economically be obtained at high optical purity.