Abstract: The objects of the present invention are to provide a novel PVA-degrading enzyme that the entity of which is revealed at the amino acid sequence level, a process for producing the same, a DNA encoding the enzyme, a recombinant DNA comprising the DNA, and a transformant having the recombinant DNA. The present invention solves the above objects by providing a polyvinyl alcohol-degrading enzyme having the following characteristics (1) to (3), a process for producing the same, a DNA encoding the enzyme, a recombinant DNA comprising the DNA, and a transformant having the recombinant DNA: (1) having an activity of oxidizing polyvinyl alcohol and forming hydrogen peroxide; (2) having an activity of hydrolyzing ?-diketone; and (3) exhibiting a molecular weight of 100,000±20,000 in SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis.

Abstract: The present invention aims to provide a novel glycosyl hesperetin, which is significantly reduced in miscellaneous tastes characteristic of conventional products containing glycosyl hesperetin, and a method for producing the same and uses thereof; and the objects are solved by providing a glycosyl hesperetin which comprises glycosyl hesperetin in an amount of 90% or more by mass but less than 100% by mass, on a dry solid basis, but it does not substantially contain furfural, and a method for producing the same and uses thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a compound represented by general formula (I) (in the formula (I), X represents a methyl group or a halogen atom; R1 to R14 each independently represent a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, a cyano group, an optionally substituted alkyl group having 1 to 8 carbon atoms, or an optionally substituted aromatic hydrocarbon group having 6 to 12 carbon atoms; Bm? represents a polyoxometalate anion; m represents an integer of 1 to 20; n represents an integer of 1 to 20, provided that n is determined such that the charge of the whole formula (I) becomes zero).

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide an ?-glucan mixture in a preferable molecular weight range, which can be made into a transparent film with advantageous strength and water solubility when an edible film is made by using the ?-glucan mixture without adding any plasticizer. The above object is solved by providing an ?-glucan mixture, which is obtainable by a process comprising the steps of gelatinizing waxy starch and liquefying the resulting gelatinized waxy starch by allowing an amylase to act on it, having the following characteristics (1) and (2): (1) having the weight average molecular weight (Mw) in a range of 150 kDa to 3,000 kDa; and (2) having the value of dividing weight average molecular weight (Mw) with number average molecular weight (Mn), Mw/Mn, of 35.1 or lower.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a particulate composition containing crystalline ?,?-trehalose dihydrate, having an advantageous emulsifying ability. The above object is solved by providing a particulate composition comprising crystalline ?,?-trehalose dihydrate, which consists of particles containing ?,?-trehalose and maltose and/or maltotriose, wherein said particulate composition contains ?,?-trehalose in an amount of 70% by weight or higher but 90% by weight or lower, on a dry solid basis; and maltose and/or maltotriose in a total amount of 3% by weight or higher, on a dry solid basis; and has a degree of crystallinity for crystalline ?,?-trehalose dihydrate of 25% or higher but less than 90%, when calculated based on its powder X-ray diffraction profile.

Abstract: The present invention has objects to provide a powdery plant extract for beverages, having satisfactory flavor-retaining effect and solubility. The present invention solves the above objects by providing a powdery plant extract for beverages, comprising a plant extract for beverages and a branched ?-glucan mixture having the following characteristics (A) to (C): (A) Being constructed by glucose molecules; (B) Having a branched structure with a glucose polymerization degree of one or more, bound via a linkage other than ?-1,4 linkage to a non-reducing end glucose residue at an end position of a linear glucan with a glucose polymerization degree of 3 or higher, having a structure of binding glucose molecules via ?-1,4 linkages; and (C) Isomaltose in an amount of 5% by mass or higher, on a dry solid basis, of the hydrolysate is formed when digested by isomaltodextranase; where the mass ratio of the plant extract for beverages and the branched ?-glucan mixture is in a range of 1:0.

Abstract: To reduce cost for the method for separating semiconducting carbon nanotube from a mixture of metallic and semiconducting carbon nanotubes. The separation method includes preparing a dispersion by mixing a first substance, a second substance, SDS, SC, and a mixture of metallic and semiconducting carbon nanotubes with a solvent, wherein the dispersion into two layers, which are a first layer mainly containing the first substance and a second layer mainly containing the second substance, whereby the semiconducting carbon nanotube is transferred into the first layer, and the metallic carbon nanotube is transferred into the second layer, wherein the first substance is an ?-glucan which is composed of glucose linked via ?-glucosidic linkage and which has a weight average molecular weight Mw of 4,000 to 7,000 and has a ratio in amount of ?-1, 6 linked glucose residues to the entire glucose residues of 40 to 70%.

Abstract: [Object] The present invention aims to provide an external dermal agent that tightens the skin, lifts up sagging skin, has no stickiness to the skin, and has a satisfactory compatibility with the skin, without giving any unfavorable feeling to users. [Means to Attain the Object] The present invention solves the above object by providing an external dermal agent characterized in that it contains pullulan and an alkaline-swelling polymer in a mass ratio of the pullulan to the alkaline-swelling polymer being 10 or more.

Abstract: The present invention aims to provide a novel glycosyl hesperetin, which is significantly reduced in miscellaneous tastes characteristic of conventional products containing glycosyl hesperetin, and a method for producing the same and uses thereof; and the objects are solved by providing a glycosyl hesperetin which comprises glycosyl hesperetin in an amount of 90% or more by mass but less than 100% by mass, on a dry solid basis, but it does not substantially contain furfural, and a method for producing the same and uses thereof.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for enabling the production of a particulate composition containing anhydrous crystalline ascorbic acid 2-glucoside that does not significantly cake even when the production yield of ascorbic acid 2-glucoside does not reach 35% by weight.

Abstract: [Object] The present invention has an object to provide an external dermal agent for reducing skin yellowness already generated in the skin. [Means to Attain the Object] The above object is solved by providing an external dermal agent for reducing skin yellowness already generated in the skin, which contains hesperetin and/or glycosyl hesperetin as an effective ingredient(s).

Abstract: A process for enabling the production of a particulate composition containing crystalline trehalose dihydrate is provided. Including allowing an ?-glycosyltrehalose-forming enzyme to act on liquefied starch derived from a microorganism of the genus Arthrobacter and a trehalose-releasing enzyme derived from a microorganism of the genus Arthrobacter along with a starch debranching enzyme and a cyclomaltodextrin glucanotransferase; allowing glucoamylase to act on the resulting mixture to obtain a saccharide solution containing ?,?-trehalose; precipitating crystalline ?,?-trehalose dihydrate from the above saccharide solution; collecting the precipitated crystalline ?,?-trehalose dihydrate by a centrifuge; and ageing and drying the collected crystals. Cyclomaltodextrin glucanotransferase derived from a microorganism of the genus Paenibacillus or a mutant enzyme thereof is used to increase the ?,?-trehalose content in the saccharide solution to over 86.

Abstract: A process for enabling the production of a particulate composition containing crystalline trehalose dihydrate is provided. Including allowing an ?-glycosyltrehalose-forming enzyme to act on liquefied starch derived from a microorganism of the genus Arthrobacter and a trehalose-releasing enzyme derived from a microorganism of the genus Arthrobacter along with a starch debranching enzyme and a cyclomaltodextrin glucanotransferase; allowing glucoamylase to act on the resulting mixture to obtain a saccharide solution containing ?,?-trehalose; precipitating crystalline ?,?-trehalose dihydrate from the above saccharide solution; collecting the precipitated crystalline ?,?-trehalose dihydrate by a centrifuge; and ageing and drying the collected crystals. Cyclomaltodextrin glucanotransferase derived from a microorganism of the genus Paenibacillus or a mutant enzyme thereof is used to increase the ?,?-trehalose content in the saccharide solution to over 86.

Abstract: The present invention has an object to provide an external dermal composition for anti-ageing, which prevents or improves apparent skin problems such as wrinkles, fine wrinkles, blemishes, and saggings caused by increasing age or ageing; and maintains or improves the barrier function and the hyaluronic acid production in the skin. The object is solved by providing an external dermal composition for anti-ageing, which contains an aqueous medium as a base material and one or more ingredients selected from L-ascorbic acid, derivatives thereof, and their salts as an effective ingredient(s).

Abstract: The present invention has objects to provide a glucan useful as water-soluble dietary fiber, its preparation and uses. The present invention solves the above objects by providing a branched ?-glucan, which is constructed by glucose molecules and characterized by methylation analysis as follows: (1) Ratio of 2,3,6-trimethyl-1,4,5-triacetyl-glucitol to 2,3,4-trimethyl-1,5,6-triacetyl-glucitol is in the range of 1:0.6 to 1:4; (2) Total content of 2,3,6-trimethyl-1,4,5-triacetyl-glucitol and 2,3,4-trimethyl-1,5,6-triacetyl-glucitol is 60% or higher in the partially methylated glucitol acetates; (3) Content of 2,4,6-trimethyl-1,3,5-triacetyl-glucitol is 0.5% or higher but less than 10% in the partially methylated glucitol acetates; and (4) Content of 2,4-dimethyl-1,3,5,6-tetraacetyl-glucitol is 0.5% or higher in the partially methylated glucitol acetates; a novel ?-glucosyltransferase which forms the branched ?-glucan, processes for producing them, and their uses.

Abstract: The present invention aims to provide an external dermal composition for anti-ageing, which prevents or improves apparent skin problems such as age-related or senescent wrinkles, fine wrinkles, saggings, spots, etc., as well as maintaining or enhancing the skin barrier functions. The object is solved by providing an external dermal agent for anti-ageing, which contains as an effective ingredient(s) one or more members selected from the group consisting of adenosine N1-oxide 5?-phosphate, analogs thereof, and their salts.

Abstract: A process for enabling the production of a particulate composition containing crystalline trehalose dihydrate is provided. Including allowing an ?-glycosyltrehalose-forming enzyme to act on liquefied starch derived from a microorganism of the genus Arthrobacter and a trehalose-releasing enzyme derived from a microorganism of the genus Arthrobacter along with a starch debranching enzyme and a cyclomaltodextrin glucanotransferase; allowing glucoamylase to act on the resulting mixture to obtain a saccharide solution containing ?,?-trehalose; precipitating crystalline ?,?-trehalose dihydrate from the above saccharide solution; collecting the precipitated crystalline ?,?-trehalose dihydrate by a centrifuge; and ageing and drying the collected crystals. Cyclomaltodextrin glucanotransferase derived from a microorganism of the genus Paenibacillus or a mutant enzyme thereof is used to increase the ?,?-trehalose content in the saccharide solution to over 86.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for enabling the production of a particulate composition containing anhydrous crystalline ascorbic acid 2-glucoside that does not significantly cake even when the production yield of ascorbic acid 2-glucoside does not reach 35% by weight.

Abstract: The present invention has an object to provide an effective and safe therapeutic agent for inflammatory diseases such as sepsis, hepatitis, and inflammatory bowel disease, and solves the above object by providing a therapeutic agent for inflammatory diseases containing adenosine N1-oxide or a derivative thereof as an effective ingredient.

Abstract: A process for enabling the production of a particulate composition containing crystalline trehalose dihydrate is provided. Including allowing an ?-glycosyltrehalose-forming enzyme to act on liquefied starch derived from a microorganism of the genus Arthrobacter and a trehalose-releasing enzyme derived from a microorganism of the genus Arthrobacter along with a starch debranching enzyme and a cyclomaltodextrin glucanotransferase; allowing glucoamylase to act on the resulting mixture to obtain a saccharide solution containing ?,?-trehalose; precipitating crystalline ?,?-trehalose dihydrate from the above saccharide solution; collecting the precipitated crystalline ?,?-trehalose dihydrate by a centrifuge; and ageing and drying the collected crystals. Cyclomaltodextrin glucanotransferase derived from a microorganism of the genus Paenibacillus or a mutant enzyme thereof is used to increase the ?,?-trehalose content in the saccharide solution to over 86.