Abstract: Blends comprising a glyceride and ursolic acid and oleanolic acid in weight ratios of 1:99 to 99:1 that contain less than 20 wt % of natural apolar components and/or low molecular weight components, normally present in natural extract for ursolic acid and oleanolic acid do not display the negative off taste of the natural extracts anymore.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for extracting minerals from mineral-rich oysters and furthermore provides an oyster extract containing the minerals, and taurine, glycogen, and nucleotides. First, raw oysters are subjected to hot water extraction to obtain soluble ingredients and to remove unwanted components, and then the residue is extracted with an acid solution of pH 2 to 4. The extract is neutralized with an alkali to obtain a precipitate having a high content of minerals such as zinc. The oyster extract obtained by this process contains zinc in the amount of 6% to 13% by dry weight.

Abstract: An improved food product having reduced levels of harmful bacteria. The food product includes an effective dose of an inhibitor for reducing the presence of harmful bacteria in the food. The inhibitor is an effective dose of the extract of labiatae plants. In the preferred embodiment, the food also includes an effective dose of bifidobacteria. For example, the bacteria may be selected from the group consisting of: BifidoBacterium breve; BifidoBacterium longum; BifidoBacterium bifidum; and BifidoBacterium infantis.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for skin care by orally administering a skin care agent comprising an ingestible carrier and natural-type N-acetylglucosamine obtainable by hydrolysis of chitin with an acid, an enzyme, or an acid and an enzyme, wherein the natural-type N-acetylglucosamine is contained in an amount of from 0.1 to 99.9% by weight, by which the moisture and tension of skin can be improved and the rough skin and fine wrinkles can be prevented or ameliorated. The skin care agent may be a skin care agent containing chitinoligosaccharide in an amount of from 0.1 to 20% by weight and natural-type N-acetylglucosamine in an amount of from 0.1 to 99.9% by weight; or a skin care agent containing collagen peptide in an amount of from 0.1 to 99.9% by weight and natural-type N-acetylglucosamine in an amount of from 0.1 to 99.9% by weight.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for extracting minerals from mineral-rich oysters and furthermore provides an oyster extract containing the minerals, and taurine, glycogen, and nucleotides. First, raw oysters are subjected to hot water extraction to obtain soluble ingredients and to remove unwanted components, and then the residue is extracted with acid solution of pH 2 to 4. The extract is neutralized with alkali to obtain a precipitate having a high content of minerals such as zinc. The oyster extract obtained by this process contains zinc in the amount of 6% to 13% by dry weight.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for obtaining purified hydroxytyrosol from products and by-products derived from the olive tree by means of two-step chromatographic treatment. The invention uses a non-activated ion exchange resin chromatographic method, followed by a second treatment on an XAD-type absorbent non-ionic resin which concentrates and completely purifies the hydroxytyrosol by means of elution with a methanol or ethanol:water dissolution (from 30 to 33%). The method of the invention can also be applied to two-phase pomaces, three-phase pomaces and stones if they are subjected to a steam explosion process.

Abstract: This invention provides a method for separating and extracting biological products of avian origin. The method allows for the production of avian cartilages and of active ingredients which can be extracted from the cartilages thus obtained.

Abstract: A Fomes japonicus extract is prepared by extracting Fomes japonicus with a mixture of honey and vinegar, heating the resulting extract to a temperature of not less than 95° C. and then filtering the heated extract. The Fomes japonicus extract can be diluted with water to give a drink such as a health beverage. Moreover, the addition of royal jelly to the extract permits the preparation of a royal jelly-supplemented drink additionally having nutritive and restorative effects.

Abstract: The invention relates to artichoke leaf extracts (Cynarae folium) that are characterized by defined absolute percentages and relative inherent percentages of typical constituents of artichoke leaves such as caffeoyl quinic acids and flavonoids The activity spectrum of the inventive leaf extracts is substantially different from known artichoke leaf extracts, said inventive leaf extracts also being different from each other. The invention also relates to methods for producing the extracts and to fields of application thereof.

Abstract: A simple and efficient method for the production of a stable, clear and high-potency oat extract, containing avenanthramide, is disclosed. The method employs the use of a differential dissociation constants and ultra filtration to stabilize extract, prevent the loss of functional activity as an anti-irritant and anti-oxidant.

Abstract: A watery rice gruel and a production method of a watery rice gruel, which can be taken even by patients such as cancer patients who have experienced an extreme loss of appetite, stimulate the hypothalamus in the brains of these patients and enhance their appetite as well as keeping the physical homeostasis of these patients normal.

Abstract: A method of producing a broth or stock, comprising mincing animal bone, mixing meat and/or meat extract and/or bone extract with the minced bone; and heating the mixture to effect coagulation thereof. The heating step may comprise retort sterilization. The coagulated mixture may be provided in a water permeable container, to retain insoluble material. A hydrometer may be provided with the minced bone, to assist in determining soup concentration. The invention provides an extended release of soup into boiling water of a period of hours, allowing replenishment of withdrawn soup stock.

Abstract: A method of producing and using a solution, and the solution itself, for extending the shelf life of fresh flowers, fruits and vegetables after they are harvested which includes the steps of extracting juice from the flowers, flowering plant parts, fruits or vegetables, filtering the juice, disintegrating the parts from which the juice is extracted, extracting an enzyme or enzymes from the parts using a solvent without the denaturing the enzymes, removing the parts and mixing the remaining ingredients with the extracted juice.

Abstract: Providing a manufacturing process of tea beverages that the secondary sediment does not occur even during the long-term storage. In the manufacturing process, determining the strictinin content in a tea extract or formulation of before-heat-sterilization, to manage to manufacture the strictinin content to be at or below the predetermined level. Since the strictinin in the tea extract or formulation decomposed to ellagic acid which is a cause substance of the secondary sediment after heat-sterilization, the occurrence of secondary sediment can be prevented previously by managing the manufacturing process to control the strictinin content in the tea extract or formulation of before-heat-sterilization.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for extracting minerals from mineral-rich oysters and furthermore provides an oyster extract containing the minerals, and taurine, glycogen, and nucleotides.

Abstract: Preparation of dehydrated chicken soup mix involves pressure cooking of chicken meat along with ginger, garlic and onion, separation of liquid extract from cooked meat, separation of meat from the bone, blending of cooked meat and extract with starch and spices into a mix, addition of liquid extract to the mix to make it a slurry, drying of slurry into powder form, and mixing of this powder with milk powder, salt, monosodium glutamate (MSG), ascorbic acid, pepper powder and sugar and packed. The product is sensorily highly acceptable and is microbiologically safe.

Abstract: An edible dry animal product comprising a dehydrated mixture of meat and meat extract and/or bone extract, contained within a water-permeable flexible container adapted for hot water extraction of soluble materials while retaining insoluble materials. The meat is preferably chicken. The dehydrated mixture may be rapidly extracted to form a chicken bouillon, resulting in a product having superior sensory quality. A method for preparing a chicken bouillon, comprising the steps of directly mixing chicken extract and chicken meat; dehydrating the mixture; and forming a powder from the dehydrated mixture. A powdered chicken bouillon is produced comprising a dehydrated mixture of chicken meat and chicken meat extract and/or bone extract, wherein said chicken meat and/or bone extract is mixed directly with the chicken meat prior to dehydration.

Abstract: A marigold plant, a regenerable portion thereof and seed are disclosed whose flower petals, leaves or flower petals and leaves contain one or more of an enhanced zeaxanthin ratio, an enhanced neoxanthin plus violaxanthin ratio, an enhanced &bgr;-carotene ratio, an enhanced &agr;-cryptoxanthin ratio, an enhanced phytoene ratio or an enhanced phytofluene ratio relative to that ratio in a non-mutant marigold. The flower petals of such a plant also typically contain zeta-carotene that is not normally found in such petals. Also disclosed are methods of preparing such plants, oleoresins and comestible materials that have such carotenoid ratios.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing a liquid plant extract containing plant powder, which comprises concentrating a liquid extract containing an active ingredient in the presence of the plant powder, the liquid extract being obtained from a plant containing the active ingredient; a process for producing a plant extract containing plant powder, which is characterized by comprises concentrating and drying a liquid extract containing an active ingredient in the presence of the plant powder, the liquid extract being obtained from a plant containing the active ingredient; a liquid plant extract or plant extract containing plant powder which comprises a liquid extract or plant extract containing the active ingredient obtained from a plant containing the active ingredient and comprises plant powder, and in which the content of the active ingredient in the liquid extract or plant extract is higher than that in the plant; and a food and drink or feed to which the liquid plant extract or plant extra

Abstract: A composition and a method for administering an improved supplement to prevent bone density loss. The composition combines a calcium compound with inulin, and optionally magnesium, Vitamin D3, Vitamin K, Vitamin C, and may combine a soy isoflavone, all in a dietary acceptable form in a beverage, a beverage preparation, a paste, a bar, or a cookie.

Abstract: Methods for producing (1) a shelf stable, spreadable maple syrup product with a consistency of clear honey and (2) a shelf stable, thick, pourable maple syrup product with a viscosity of common table syrup are provided, which comprises adding a sucrose-cleaving enzyme to maple syrup and incubating the resulting solution. Also provided are (1) a shelf stable, spreadable maple syrup product with a consistency of clear honey, which may be used as a spread, or sweetener or a topping and (2) a shelf stable, thick, pourable maple syrup product with a viscosity of common table syrup. These product are also suitable for use in pure maple-based products and other food products.

Abstract: A food supplement which has beneficial effects for bowel health, and a method of preparing the food supplement are disclosed. The food supplement is derived from fiber extracts from two or more types of fruit or vegetables. The fiber extracts have a majority of soluble solids removed therefrom. The two or more types of fruit or vegetable may be selected from the group consisting of grape, citrus, apple, tomato, carrot, mango, cranberry, papaya, banana, pineapple, kiwi fruit, spinach and melon. The beneficial effects for bowel health are manifest in an increase in levels of short chain fatty acids (SCFA's) in the colon.

Abstract: The method for abstracting high levels of &bgr;-glucan from a grain product such as oat or barley grain to produce a &bgr;-glucan product containing at least about 18% by weight &bgr;-glucan is provided. The &bgr;-glucan product can be produced as an agglomerated food additive having at least about 18% by weight &bgr;-glucan. Methods are provided for enriching a food product with the &bgr;-glucan agglomerated food additive to produce an enriched resulting food product.

Abstract: The present invention provides (1) an Apocynum extract containing not less than 4% of flavonoid compounds and is free of hypericin and hyperforin, (2) an antidepressant composition (in the form of a food, dietary supplement or medicine) containing the Apocynum extract, and (3) a method for treating depression using the Apocynum extract.

Abstract: A process for selectively extracting bioactive components from a raw material extract derived from vegetable matter, including the steps of: (a) passing said raw material extract through a passageway containing an adsorbent whereby at least some of the components to be extracted are adsorbed onto the said adsorbent; (b) subsequently passing through said passageway an eluent mixture substantially containing water and alcohol whereby the concentration of alcohol in the eluent is increased at a substantially constant rate from 15 vol percent to 95 vol percent during at least those periods when the components are being eluted; (c) sequentially collecting an eluate in fractions corresponding to the presence of the extracted components.

Abstract: The present invention provides an antialopecia agent which is a drug for protecting, reducing or preventing alopecia frequently occurring as the side effect of anticancer agents, wherein the drug inflicts neither any pain nor unpleasantness on patients under the treatment with anticancer agents and has a high safety; and foods or beverages containing this antialopecia agent. The antialopecia agent of the present invention is characterized by containing oolong tea extract as the active ingredient.

Abstract: A thymus growth stimulating baby food is provided, substantially composed of a fat component, as well as a carbohydrate component and a protein component of animal or vegetable or animal and vegetable but not human origin, whereby the protein component is composed of intact proteins, hydrolyzed proteins, peptides or the constituents thereof, or of amino acids or a mixture thereof not bound to peptides or proteins. This type of baby food is characterized in that the total amount of arginine is at least 3.7 g per 100 g of the amino acids present in toto, and that it contains zinc (calculated as elementary zinc) in an amount of at least 40 mg per 100 g of the amino acids present in toto.

Abstract: A single phase, emulsifiable composition consisting essentially of a Labiatae herb extract, a food grade emulsifier or mixtures of food grade emulsifiers and a diluent selected from the group consisting of benzyl alcohol, propylene glycol, ethanol and mixtures thereof. Also provided is a stable cold Labiatae herb extract brine dispersion comprising the composition and a 5% brine solution.

Abstract: A method for production of pectin that includes hot water extraction from a root vegetable under weak acidic conditions of pH 3.8-5.3 and pectin produced by the method, as well as a method for production of acidic protein food products that includes addition of the pectin to acidic protein food products, and acidic protein food products produced by the method.

Abstract: A method for preparing the high protein product from oilseed-based material is described. The high protein product provided by the process can be utilized in a wide variety of applications, including the preparation of food products for human consumption. The high protein product typically includes at least 85 wt. % protein (dry solids basis). The product is produced by a process which includes purifying an aqueous protein-containing extract through passage over a microporous membrane. The membrane generally has an MWCO of at least 25,000 and a filtering surface with a contact angle of no more than 30 degrees.

Abstract: Plant phenolics are extracted from macerated fruits and vegetables, particularly from apple peels and apple cores, by agitating the macerated fruit material with hot water of sufficiently high temperature to deactivate naturally present polyphenol oxidase enzyme. The aqueous extract of plant phenolics is separated from the bulk of solid fruit material by physical means, such as filtration. The aqueous extract is treated with pectinase enzyme to remove substantially all pectin, where after the pectinase enzyme is deactivated by heat. The plant phenolics are adsorbed from the depectinized aqueous extract by treatment with solid polyvinylpolypyrrolidone (PVPP) adsorbent, and the plant phenolics are eluted from the adsorbent by treatment with a nutritionally acceptable base, such as sodium hydroxide.

Abstract: This invention relates to a water-soluble bean-based extract including one or more isoflavone glycosides. Also shown is a method of preparing such a water-soluble bean-based extract.

Abstract: The method for abstracting high levels of &bgr;-glucan from a grain product such as oat or barley grain to produce a &bgr;-glucan product containing at least about 18% by weight &bgr;-glucan is provided. The &bgr;-glucan product can be produced as an agglomerated food additive having at least about 18% by weight &bgr;-glucan. Methods are provided for enriching a food product with the &bgr;-glucan agglomerated food additive to produce an enriched resulting food product.

Abstract: The present invention discloses: (i) a non-pathogenic probiotic microorganism and its probiotic/therapeutic uses; (ii) a formulation comprising an aqueous solution of a volatile fraction (VF) prepared from the extract of at least one plant derived material and its therapeutic uses; (iii) a process of manufacturing the formulation from the plant derived material; (iv) a probiotic composition comprising the non-pathogenic probiotic microorganism of the invention and/or other probiotic microorganism(s) and the formulation of the invention, and its probiotic/therapeutic uses; (v) a composition for industrial applications comprising the formulation of the invention and microorganism(s) of industrial applicability; and (vi) industrial processes and apparatuses in which the latter composition is used.

Abstract: It is discovered that Bunkankasaponin A. B. C. D., crude fats, crude proteins and sugar can be extracted from the shell of Xanthoceras sorbifolia Bunge. The shell of X. sorbifolia used to be treated as waste material and not be utilized at all. This invention extracts 15˜25 percent of Bunkankasaponin A. B. C. D., 2˜10 percent of crude fats, 15˜30 percent of crude proteins, 20˜30 percent of sugar from the shell of X. sorbifolia. These extracts can be used making drugs to treat people with mental retardation and deficiency, etc., and has shown good effectiveness. The extracts can also be used as brain functional foods. The applications of these extracts from the shell of X. sorbifolia will convert the waste into useful materials and produce significant economic and social benefits.

Abstract: A health food/dietary supplement is disclosed, endowed with a protective action on liver function against exogenous and endogenous hepatoxic agents, the characterizing components of which are isovaleryl L-carnitine and/or propionyl L-carnitine and an extract of Silybum marianum (milk thistle) standardized to a least 70 percent by weight of silymarin.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel process for extraction, purification and concentration of polyphenol substances from whole grapes, grape seeds and grape pomace without the need for membrane filtration. Aspects of several embodiments of the novel processes include hot water extraction, a dual pH treatment of the hot water extracts, and the uses of a copolymer of trimethylolpropane trimethacrylate as an adsorbent resin to maximize the concentration and purification of the beneficial polyphenolic substances.

Abstract: This invention relates to a water-soluble soybean-based extract including one or more isoflavone glycosides. Also described is a method of preparing such a water-soluble soybean-based extract.

Abstract: The present invention discloses: (i) a non-pathogenic probiotic microorganism and its probiotic/therapeutic uses; (ii) a formulation comprising an aqueous solution of a volatile fraction (VF) prepared from the extract of at least one plant derived material and its therapeutic uses; (iii) a process of manufacturing the formulation from the plant derived material; (iv) a probiotic composition comprising the non-pathogenic probiotic microorganism of the invention and/or other probiotic microorganism(s) and the formulation of the invention, and its probiotic/therapeutic uses; (v) a composition for industrial applications comprising the formulation of the invention and microorganism(s) of industrial applicability; and (vi) industrial processes and apparatuses in which the latter composition is used.

Abstract: The invention concerns concentrates of ursolic acid or its salts and oleanoic acid, wherein

Abstract: The method for abstracting high levels of &bgr;-glucan from a grain product such as oat or barley grain to produce a &bgr;-glucan product containing at least about 18% by weight &bgr;-glucan is provided. The &bgr;-glucan product can be produced as an agglomerated food additive having at least about 18% by weight &bgr;-glucan. Methods are provided for enriching a food product with the &bgr;-glucan agglomerated food additive to produce an enriched resulting food product.

Abstract: A horse feed made from carrot juice derived from a carrot prior to consumption. The invention further includes the combination of carrot pulp to form a complete juiced carrot for consumption by a horse either as part of or as a complete feed.

Abstract: A method for producing a shelf stable, spreadable high viscosity maple syrup product is provided, which comprises adding a sucrose-cleaving enzyme to maple syrup and incubating the resulting solution. Also provided is a shelf stable, spreadable maple syrup product with a consistency similar to that of honey, which may be used as a spread, or sweetener or a topping. It is also suitable for use in pure maple-based products.

Abstract: A new natural mixture of primary fatty acids of high molecular weight ranging from 24 to 38 carbon atoms, especially those ranging between 26 and 36 carbon atoms and more especially those of straight chain of 26, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35 and 36 carbon atoms. This mixture has a relative composition of each fatty acid that is highly reproducible batch to batch and it is extracted from sugar cane (Saccharum officinarum, L.) wax. This mixture of fatty acids has specific pharmacological properties that supports its use as an active component of pharmaceutical formulations used as hypocholesterolemic and against hypercholesterolaemia type II, as antiplatelet, anti-thrombotic and anti-ischemic. This mixture of primary fatty acids is also effective in the inhibition of the development of gastric ulcers induced by different agents.

Abstract: The present invention consists of a process for obtaining an extract of saffron, which provides new essential characteristics as compared to those known in and similar to the present state of the art. The invention provides a process for obtaining an extract of saffron both in a liquid and in a solid state which makes possible a better commercialization and presentation of this product. This method reduces the manufacturing costs, and improves the quality in the aroma and coloring of the saffron produced.

Abstract: This invention relates to a water-soluble bean-based extract including one or more isoflavone glycosides. Also included is a method of preparing such a water-soluble bean-based extract.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel process for producing an essential oil from a plant material. Concretely, the process produces an essential oil in a short time and by a simple procedure by treating a plant material with supercritical water or subcritical water to liberate essential oil components, which are contained in the plant material, as an ester-free essential oil, and separating and purifying this essential oil.

Abstract: A method including administering a beverage composition suitable for human consumption including effective amounts of the following solubilized components, a calcium compound, an organic acid in an amount up to the equivalent amount of a calcium of the calcium compound, an isoflavone, and inulin wherein the effective amounts are sufficient to reduce the risk of bone density loss and are solubilized by a stabilizing agent including one or more of maltol, carrageenan and maltodextrin, and xanthan gum.

Abstract: The inventive developments disclosed in this application include the following features and combinations thereof: extracting oil from spent bleaching earths for animal feed; using earths and acid water as soil amendment/fertilizer; efficient extraction of substances valuable to plants, animals, and humans from plant, animal, and fish oil soap stock, especially using the “inter phase” emulsion from soap stock accumulation; use of “black paste” from oil refining as fertilizer component (nutrient source); use of inter phase from agricultural oil refining, especially refining of non-drummed oils, as animal feed; use of “oil refining by-products to fertilizers” process and/or KOH refining in conjunction with “Miscella”-type hexane refining or “Zenith” process refining; fertilizers containing silica/silicates from by-products of agricultural oil refining; use of higher-sodium oil refining by-products as fertilizer for sodium-tolerant plants; using by-produ

Abstract: Preparations are disclosed containing the 3R-3′R stereoisomer of zeaxanthin as a sole detectable isomer, packaged for oral ingestion by humans as a therapeutic drug or nutritional supplement. Zeaxanthin is a yellow carotenoid pigment found in the macula (in the center of the human retina), which helps protect retinal cells against phototoxic damage. The pure R-R stereoisomer can be prepared by fermenting cells, such as Flavobacterium multivorum (ATCC 55238), which do not create any detectable quantity of the undesired and potentially toxic S-S or S-R isomers, and which do not synthesize any other carotenoids. The R-R isomer can be concentrated, in large quantities and at low cost, into a viscous oily fluid containing about 5 to 20% zeaxanthin, by means of a simple solvent extraction process. This oily fluid can be mixed with a carrier such as vegetable oil and enclosed within a digestible capsule, comparable to a conventional capsule containing Vitamin E.