Abstract: Disclosed are: a method for producing a chrysanthemum plant having delphinidin-containing petals using a transcriptional regulatory region for a chrysanthemum-derived flavanone 3-hydroxylase (F3H) gene; and a chrysanthemum plant, a progeny or a vegetative proliferation product of the plant, or a part or a tissue of the plant, the progeny or the vegetative proliferation product, and particularly a petal or a cut flower of the plant. In the method for producing a chrysanthemum plant having delphinidin-containing petals, a flavonoid 3?,5?-hydroxylase (F3?5?H) is caused to be expressed in a chrysanthemum plant using a transcriptional regulatory region for a chrysanthemum-derived flavanone 3-hydroxylase (F3H) gene.

Abstract: By a QTL analysis and so forth using 4-HPPD inhibitor-susceptible rice and 4-HPPD inhibitor-resistant rice, a hypothetical gene (HIS1 gene) of an iron/ascorbate-dependent oxidoreductase gene located on a short arm of chromosome 2 of rice has been identified as a 4-HPPD inhibitor-resistance gene. Further, it has also been revealed that a homologous gene (HSL1 gene) of the HIS1 gene is located on chromosome 6 of rice. Furthermore, it has been found out that utilizations of these genes make it possible to efficiently produce a plant having increased resistance or susceptibility to a 4-HPPD inhibitor and to efficiently determine whether a plant has resistance or susceptibility to a 4-HPPD inhibitor.

Abstract: A novel methylated catechin is provided which has stronger antiallergic activity than conventionally known methylated catechins such as epigallocatechin-3-O-(3-O-methyl)gallate and epigallocatechin-3-O-(4-O-methyl)gallate. The epigallocatechin-3-O-gallate derivative is represented by the chemical formula I: (wherein R1 to R6 are each a hydrogen atom or a methyl group, and at least three of R1 to R6 are methyl groups) or an isomer thereof.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for obtaining electrical characteristics and moisture content of dried objects having different shapes and sizes through impedance and electrostatic capacity measurements are provided. Measuring the moisture content of dried objects comprises the steps of: introducing dried objects of different sizes and shapes into a container, inserting four electrode terminals into the container, measuring electrical characteristics between two electrodes based on the dried objects and inputting measurement results into a high impedance voltmeter. An apparatus is provided comprising: a container for accommodating dried objects having different sizes and shapes, four electrode terminals inserted into the container, an AC signal having a predetermined voltage to be applied to the terminals, and a high impedance voltmeter for measuring and receiving electrical characteristics between two terminals based on the dried objects.