Abstract: In a pretreatment instrument and a pretreatment method of saliva, used for identification and quantitation of Streptococcus mutans in saliva by the immunochromatographic method utilizing an antigen-antibody reaction, the instrument includes a swab and a mixing container for saliva and a treatment liquid, the swab having a stick and a soft synthetic resin-made sponge capable of absorbing a predetermined amount or more of saliva, and the mixing container being made of a transparent or translucent soft synthetic resin and comprising a bag-like portion formed integrally with and continuously to a constricted portion as the end of a tapering introduction portion having an opening thoroughly larger than the sponge, wherein the constricted portion and the bag-like portion have elasticity such that the sponge can be squashed by a finger pressure in a state that the sponge is inserted therein; the constricted portion has a width such that a pressure can be applied by fingers and has a shape such that when the sponge i

Abstract: To provide a pre-treatment kit for saliva and a pre-treatment method for saliva for identification and quantitation of mutans streptococci in human saliva by the immunochromatographic method, which can eliminate mucin in saliva and prevent mutans streptococci from chaining and aggregation in a simple method, the pre-treatment kit is constructed of (A) an aqueous solution containing sodium hydroxide, (B) a tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane buffer solution containing tartaric acid and/or citric acid, and (C) a nonionic surfactant and/or an amphoteric surfactant, wherein the component (C) is previously mixed with or prepared separately from the component (A) and/or the component (B), and further (D) a pH indicator having a color transition range of pH 5 to 9 is previously mixed with or prepared separately from the component (A) or the component (A) having the component (C) previously mixed therewith, and/or the component (B) or the component (B) having the component (C) previously mixed therewith.

Abstract: This invention provides a plant that can synthesize copolyesters consisting of short chain fatty acid-derived monomers having 4 to 7 carbon atoms and a process for producing copolyesters.

Abstract: To provide a pre-treatment kit for saliva and a pre-treatment method for saliva for identification and quantitation of mutans streptococci in human saliva by the immunochromatographic method, which can eliminate mucin in saliva and prevent mutans streptococci from chaining and aggregation in a simple method, the pre-treatment kit is constructed of (A) an aqueous solution containing sodium hydroxide, (B) a tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane buffer solution containing tartaric acid and/or citric acid, and (C) a nonionic surfactant and/or an amphoteric surfactant, wherein the component (C) is previously mixed with or prepared separately from the component (A) and/or the component (B), and further (D) a pH indicator having a color transition range of pH 5 to 9 is previously mixed with or prepared separately from the component (A) or the component (A) having the component (C) previously mixed therewith, and/or the component (B) or the component (B) having the component (C) previously mixed therewith.

Abstract: In a pretreatment instrument and a pretreatment method of saliva, used for identification and quantitation of Streptococcus mutans in saliva by the immunochromatographic method utilizing an antigen-antibody reaction, the instrument includes a swab and a mixing container for saliva and a treatment liquid, the swab having a stick and a soft synthetic resin-made sponge capable of absorbing a predetermined amount or more of saliva, and the mixing container being made of a transparent or translucent soft synthetic resin and comprising a bag-like portion formed integrally with and continuously to a constricted portion as the end of a tapering introduction portion having an opening thoroughly larger than the sponge, wherein the constricted portion and the bag-like portion have elasticity such that the sponge can be squashed by a finger pressure in a state that the sponge is inserted therein; the constricted portion has a width such that a pressure can be applied by fingers and has a shape such that when the sponge i