Abstract: An antimicrobial agent with a high degree of safety is provided, which is derived from a natural product and can exhibit growth-inhibitory activity against acid-resistant and heat-resistant bacteria such as Alicyclobacillus acidoterrestris, which is resistant against pasteurization and causes spoilage of fruit juice. The antimicrobial agent against acid-resistant and heat-resistant bacteria contains as an effective ingredient alpha-type thionin and/or beta-type thionin. A preservative for fruit juice is also provided, which contains as an effective ingredient the alpha-type thionin and/or beta-type thionin.

Abstract: For the purpose of providing a composition having an ability of promoting degradation of accumulated cellular fats, a substance having such ability was developed from naturally-occurring safe materials. Thus, according to the present invention, a composition for promoting fat-degradation in a fat cell comprising containing an isoflavone in an amount effective to promote the fat-degradation in said fat cell.