Abstract: Disclosed herein is a novel plasmid exhibiting high copy number and a plasmid vector obtained by modification of the plasmid.

Abstract: Lactic acid bacteria of the genus Lactobacillus do not exhibit deconjugation of bile acids and inhibition of nutrient absorption, and exhibit lowering of cholesterol in blood and liver. The particular species of the genus Lactobacillus exhibiting these characteristics is Lactobacillus acidophilus. Furthermore, the strain Lactobacillus acidophilus CL-0062 has been internationally deposited under accession number FERM BP-4980.

Abstract: Lactic acid bacteria of the genus Lactobacillus having the following specific properties: (1) an increased amount of acidity of lactic acid when storing a product cultured by the bacteria at 10.degree. C. for two weeks being 0.5% or less; (2) an activity of cell membrane bound adenosine triphosphatase-being 5 .mu.mol.Pi/min/mg protein or less; and (3) the bacteria having neomycin resistance. Furthermore, a fermented milk product containing the lactic acid bacteria is disclosed.

Abstract: Lactic acid bacteria of the genus Lactobacillus having the following specific properties: (1) an increased amount of acidity of lactic acid when storing a product cultured by the bacteria at 10.degree. C. for two weeks being 0.5% or less; (2) an activity of cell membrane bound adenosine triphosphatase being 5 .mu.mol.multidot.Pi/min/mg protein or less; and (3) the bacteria having neomycin resistance.

Abstract: Lactic acid bacteria of the genus Lactobacillus which do not exhibit deconjugation of bile acids and inhibition of nutrient absorption, and exhibit lowering of cholesterol in blood and liver. There are two specific Lactobacillus strains which have been disclosed that exhibit these characteristic properties. The two strains are Lactobacillus acidophilus FERM-P-14204 and Lactobacillus acidophilus FERM-P-14205.

Abstract: An angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor contains as an effective constituent Val-Pro-Pro and contains 3 to 10 amino acid residues. A method for producing the aforementioned angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor involves fermenting a foodstuff material containing Val-Pro-Pro as a constituent component with lactic acid bacteria.

Abstract: A device for sucking and diluting a highly viscous fluid contains an outer tubular member having a suction port for sucking the highly viscous fluid therein, the outer tubular member being connected to a suction source, an inner tubular member arranged within the outer tubular member and adapted for passing a diluting luquid for diluting the highly viscous fluid therethrough, the inner tubular member having an ejection port for ejecting the diluting luquid into a space delimited between the outer tubular member and the inner tubular member, and a mixing device for uniformly mixing the highly viscous fluid and the diluting liquid in the space delimited between the outer tubular member and the inner tubular member.

Abstract: A method for the purification of a bifidobacteria-proliferating substance is provided which comprises adjusting the temperature of soybean whey to 50.degree. to 100.degree. C. and the pH thereof to 6.5 to 10 either by adding an alkaline substance to the whey and heating it or by heating the whey and adding the alkaline substance, removing the formed precipitate, ultrafiltering the resulting liquid phase part to obtain as the permeate an aqueous solution of a bifidobacteria-proliferating substance, and if necessary subjecting the permeate to further purification steps, i.e. active carbon or adsorbing resin treatment, electrodialysis and ion exchange resin treatment. By the step of the alkali substance treatment and heating in this invention, permeate flux in the succeeding ultrafiltration step is remarkably enhanced. Further, a bifidobacteria-proliferating substance having a high quality can effectively be obtained by the present purification method.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for purification of a bifidobacteria-proliferating substance which comprises treating the extract of soybean or its treated matters or soybean whey or treated solutions thereof with an ultrafiltration membrane, treating with activated carbon and then subjecting to an electrodialysis treatment. The present invention also relates to the thus obtained bifidobacteria-proliferating substance.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a renal growth promoter based on the finding that luteinizing hormone or an isoform thereof has an effect of promoting renal growth.It was previnsly unknown that luteinizing hormone or an isoform thereof has an effect of promoting renal growth.With the present invention, it is expected that kidneys suffering from a decreased in the number of renal cells or a lowering in the renal function may be activated by administering luteinizing hormone or an isoform thereof.

Abstract: A substance-conjugated complement component C1q is provided. A substance such as signal emitting substances or cell function regulating substances is conjugated via a sulfur atom to at least one site of the component. The site is not involved in binding immunoglobulins. A marker-labelled complement component C1q is used for measuring a complement-binding antibody, an antigen, a neutralizing antibody or a substance produced internally of and at the surface of a cell or a microorganism by measuring the marker.

Abstract: A method for preparing particulate saccharides comprises drying a solution containing at least two kinds of saccharides followed by melting the at least two kinds of saccharides, and cooling and pulverizing the saccharides to obtain the particulate saccharides.

Abstract: An oligopeptide is prepared by use of a vector wherein DNA coding for the intended oligopeptide has been introduced into a plasmid including a leader gene and an alpha-amylase structural gene.

Abstract: By giving mammals, fowls, fish, etc. feeds containing Bacillus subtilis C-3102 (FERM BP-1096), an excellent body weight gain and feed efficiency can be obtained.

Abstract: Lactic acid bacteria Lactobacillus casei C-2254 (FERM P-9109; FERM BP-1723) and Bifidobacterium longum are cultivated in mixture or are mixed after being separately cultivated, and thus a bifidobacteria-containing lactic acid bacteria-fermented milk with an elevated survival rate of Bifidobacterium longum is obtained.

Abstract: Milk-derived alcoholic beverages of fine flavor can be obtained by carrying out alcoholic fermentation under a sufficiently high osmotic pressure. In addition, products having fruit-juice flavor can be obtained by addition of fruit juice to the alcoholic fermented products prepared above. Furthermore, products of further improved flavor can be obtained by addition of the initial distillate fractions of the alcoholic fermented products prepared above to the alcoholic fermented products not provided to said distillation.

Abstract: A bidifobacteria growth promoter contained in soybeans is extracted from defatted soybeans with an aqueous solution of alcohol.

Abstract: This invention relates to DNA consisting of a DNA base sequence coding for the signal peptide: ##STR1## and to DNA containing said DNA base sequence. The DNA base sequence coding for said signal peptide includes, for example; ##STR2## The desired products in cells can be secreted out of cells by the use of a vector containing DNA consisting of the DNA base sequence coding for said signal peptide.

Abstract: According to the invention, a milk protein product is provided. The milk protein product has water-dispersible and hydrophilic properties and contains substantially no serum. The milk protein product is obtained by coagulating milk under a flowing condition at a predertermined pH-temperature range to obtain a coagulum and then separating the coagulum.

Abstract: By giving mammals, fowls, fish, etc. feeds containing Bacillus subtilis C-3102 FERM BP-1096), an excellent body weight gain and feed efficiency can be obtained.