Abstract: A method of preparing a hetero-branched cyclodextrin comprising a glucosyl or a maltosyl group side chain and a mannosyl group .alpha.-bonded to a hydroxyl group of the glucosyl group or the maltosyl group of the side chain, the method involving reacting a liquid containing a branched cyclodextrin having a glucosyl or maltosyl group as the side chain and an .alpha.-mannosyl compound with an .alpha.-mannosyl transfer enzyme.

Abstract: A quercetin-containing colorant which has as an effective component a quercetin included by cyclodextrin. Effective use thereof as a colorant is possible by imparting thereto resistance against light, heat and chemicals to quercetin which is a flavonoid yellow substance. The colorant may be added to various food products for use of quercetin as a stable coloring matter.

Abstract: A stabilized crocetin-containing colorant which has as an effective component a crocetin included by cyclodextrin. This colorant is imparted with resistance against light and various chemicals to crocetin, which is a hydrolysate of crocin, the main component of the carotenoid gardenia yellow pigment. The colorant may be added to various food products for use of crocetin as a stable coloring matter.

Abstract: A reagent for determining a-amylase activity, comprising a maltooligosaccharide derivative of the following formula ##STR1## (wherein either one of R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 is .beta.-galactopyranosil and the other is hydrogen, R.sub.3 is a group bonded to the reducing terminal glucose via a bond cleavable by .alpha.-amylase, which becomes a measurable substance upon cleavage of the bond, and n is an integer of 0-2), which does not comprise adjuvant enzymes; and a method for determining .alpha.-amylase activity which comprises use of the reagent. The reagent of the present invention does not require use of any adjuvant enzyme and is stable since the substrate is not exposed to the decomposition by an adjuvant enzyme. The substrate used in the present invention has high affinity for .alpha.-amylase. Thus, the reagent and the determination method of the present invention make it possible to determine .alpha.-amylase activity with high sensitivity.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of producing a branched cyclodextrin where a liquid containing a cyclodextrin and a branched oligosaccharide is treated with a debranching enzyme. By the method, a branched cyclodextrin having a maltosyl or maltotriosyl group as bonded to the glucose of a CD molecule via an .alpha.-1,6 bond is obtained efficiently.

Abstract: A hetero-branched cyclodextrin (CD) having a glucosyl or maltosyl group as the side chain, in which a mannosyl group is .alpha.-bonded to the hydroxyl group of the glucosyl group of the side chain; and a method of efficiently preparing the same by reacting a branched cyclodextrin with an .alpha.-mannosidase. The hetero-branched CDs are useful in various fields such as in drugs, foods and cosmetics.

Abstract: The pet food of the present invention contains lactosucrose which is substantially uniformly mixed in a meal in a range of 0.025 to 3.0% by weight on a dry basis. Lactosucrose keeps intestines of the pets in order, and provides a good taste and a great effect on deodorizing feces and urine discharged by the pets.

Abstract: A mixture of xylene isomers or a mixture of a xylene isomer(s) and ethylbenzene is brought into contact with at least one specific substituted .alpha.-cyclodextrin to form an inclusion complex(es) of the substituted .alpha.-cyclodextrin with a xylene isomer or ethylbenzene included therein, from which the xylene isomer(s) and/or ethylbenzene is then extracted to isolate, or separate, the same. Inclusion-complexing agents usable in isolation, or separation, of the xylene isomer(s) and/or ethylbenzene are substituted .alpha.-cyclodextrin in the form of .alpha.-cyclodextrin having the hydrogen atom of at least one hydroxyl group thereof substituted with at least one member selected from the group consisting of a glucosyl group, a maltosyl group, maltooligosaccharide residues, a hydroxyethyl group, a hydroxypropyl group, a methyl group, a sulfonic group, alkylenesulfonic groups, and carboxyalkyl groups.

Abstract: This invention is concerned with a process for separating isomers of disubstituted benzenes, wherein a mixture of isomers of disubstituted benzenes is contacted with a substituted cyclodextrin to form inclusion complexes, and desired isomers are recovered therefrom in a highly selective manner. The invention also provides substituted cyclodextrins suited for use in the process. Substituted cyclodextrins used in the process can be recovered and used repeatedly.

Abstract: A mixture of xylene isomers or a mixture of a xylene isomer(s) and ethylbenzene is brought into contact with at least one specific substituted .alpha.-cyclodextrin to form an inclusion complex(es) of the substituted .alpha.-cyclodextrin with a xylene isomer or ethylbenzene included therein, from which the xylene isomer(s) and/or ethylbenzene is then extracted to isolate, or separate, the same. Inclusion-complexing agents usable in isolation, or separation, of the xylene isomer(s) and/or ethylbenzene are substitited .alpha.-cyclodextrin in the form of .alpha.-cyclodextrin having the hydrogen atom of at least one hydroxyl group thereof substituted with at least one member selected from the group consisting of a glucosyl group, a maltosyl group, maltooligosaccharide residues, a hydroxyethyl group, a hydroxypropyl group, a methyl group, a sulfonic group, alkylenesulfonic groups, and carboxyalkyl groups.

Abstract: An enzymatic method for the preparation of a fructose-containing oligosaccharide, in which a .beta.-fructofuranosidase obtained by culturing Arthrobacter sp. K-1 (FERM BP-3192) as an enzyme is reacted on sucrose, raffinose or stachyose as the donor in the presence of an aldose or ketose as the receptor. The enzyme is characterized by:(1) activity on sucrose for the transglycosidation of a fructosyl group to the receptor in the presence of a monosaccharide, sugar alcohol, alkyl alcohol, glycoside or oligosaccharide;(2) activity for the decomposition of sucrose, elrose, neokestose, xylsucrose, raffinose and stachyose with inactivity on a saccharide selected from the group consisting of 1-kestose, nistose, inulobiose and levan biose;(3) optimum pH of 6.5 to 6.8 at 40.degree. C. with stability at a pH of 5.5 to 10;(4) optimum temperature of 55.degree. C. at a pH of 6.5 exhibiting at least 70% of residual activity at 60.degree. C.

Abstract: In the field of automatic boiling in a pan in which the consistency of massecuite is controlled in accordance with method steps, intermittent boiling is used as an effective way to improve the boiling time and quality of products with supplying of appropriate amounts of water or solution into the pan to control the consistency each time it has reached a set value. This invention provides a novel method for controlling the consistency of the massecuite, wherein two curves are established defining the upper limit and lower limit, respectively, of an allowable range of consistency and within which the consistency is maintained, whereby a product of high quality is obtained safely, simply and within a minimum amount of time.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for pulverizing or granulating nuts or seeds which comprises mechanically grinding a mixture of nuts or seeds with a cyclodextrin. The invention also provides a stable particulate admixture of cyclodextrin containing nuts or seeds. The admixture is highly stable during storage and provides a versatile product for use in food processing.