Abstract: High-purity hydrous D-allose crystals and a method of efficiently obtaining the crystals are provided. To a D-allose-containing solution having a purity of D-allose of at least 80% (g/g) in a solute, in a metastable region in a supersaturated state of 30° C. or less, D-allose seed crystals are added. Then, the temperature of the solution is lowered by 10° C. or more for cooling and crystallization to initially obtain “hydrous D-allose crystals”, and the crystallization water thereof is removed in a specified temperature zone to obtain novel “anhydrous D-allose crystals”.

Abstract: High-purity hydrous D-allose crystals and a method of efficiently obtaining the crystals are provided. To a D-allose-containing solution having a purity of D-allose of at least 80% (g/g) in a solute, in a metastable region in a supersaturated state of 30° C. or less, D-allose seed crystals are added. Then, the temperature of the solution is lowered by 10° C. or more for cooling and crystallization to initially obtain “hydrous D-allose crystals”, and the crystallization water thereof is removed in a specified temperature zone to obtain novel “anhydrous D-allose crystals”.

Abstract: High-purity hydrous D-allose crystals and a method of efficiently obtaining the crystals are provided. To a D-allose-containing solution having a purity of D-allose of at least 80% (g/g) in a solute, in a metastable region in a supersaturated state of 30° C. or less, D-allose seed crystals are added. Then, the temperature of the solution is lowered by 10° C. or more for cooling and crystallization to initially obtain “hydrous D-allose crystals”, and the crystallization water thereof is removed in a specified temperature zone to obtain novel “anhydrous D-allose crystals”.

Abstract: A D-psicose-containing sweetener with the modification of the taste of D-psicose includes D-psicose, a sugar alcohol and/or a high intensity sweetener, preferably containing D-psicose as the main component, particularly a low-calorie sweetener and/or a sweetener giving refreshing feel in the oral cavity, as well as foods and drinks obtained by using the D-psicose-containing sweetener with the modification of the taste of D-psicose, and other products given with sweetness. The sugar alcohol is one or more sugar alcohols selected from the group consisting of sorbitol, mannitol, lactitol, maltitol, xylitol and erythritol, while the high intensity sweetener is one or more high intensity sweeteners as selected from aspartame, acesulfame K, sodium cyclamate, sodium saccharin, Sucralose (under trade name), stevia sweetener, dulcin, taumatin, neotame and monellin.

Abstract: Problem: A malaria transmission blocker or a malaria parasite growth inhibitor is provided as a result of finding a druq which inhibits malaria parasite growth in the body of a vector mosquito. Solution: A malaria parasite growth inhibitor or transmission blocker containing a rare sugar such as D-allose or D-psicose as an active ingredient.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a novel pharmaceutical agent for improving autism spectrum disorder, a pharmaceutical agent for improving a mental disease, or a supplement exerting an effect of improving social behaviors or developing sociality or an anti-anxiety and anti-stress effect or a functional food exerting such an effect. The present invention also provides a pharmaceutical agent for promoting the secretion of oxytocin and/or vasopressin in the brain. The above objects are achieved by a pharmaceutical agent for improving autism spectrum disorder, a pharmaceutical agent for improving a mental disease, or a supplement exerting an effect of improving social behaviors or developing sociality or an anti-anxiety and anti-stress effect or a functional food exerting such an effect, or a pharmaceutical agent for promoting the secretion of oxytocin and/or vasopressin, which comprises D-allulose as an active ingredient.

Abstract: It is found that a variant enzyme with an improved thermal stability can be obtained by substituting a specific amino acid in the amino acid sequence of a ketose 3-epimerase originated from Arthrobacter globiformis and that D-psicose can be efficiently produced.

Abstract: High-purity hydrous D-allose crystals and a method of efficiently obtaining the crystals are provided. To a D-allose-containing solution having a purity of D-allose of at least 80% (g/g) in a solute, in a metastable region in a supersaturated state of 30° C. or less, D-allose seed crystals are added. Then, the temperature of the solution is lowered by 10° C. or more for cooling and crystallization to initially obtain “hydrous D-allose crystals”, and the crystallization water thereof is removed in a specified temperature zone to obtain novel “anhydrous D-allose crystals”.

Abstract: The use of a granulated xanthan gum comprising, relative to 100% by mass of the granulated xanthan gum: xanthan gum granules having a degree of hardness of 2 N or higher and lower than 8 N in an amount of 5% by mass or higher; and xanthan gum granules having a degree of hardness of 8 N or higher in an amount of 20% by mass or lower makes it possible to provide a granulated xanthan gum and a thickening composition comprising the granulated xanthan gum which undergo suppressed formation of unmixed lumps in a wide variety of water-containing foods such as water, teas, refreshing beverages, dairy beverages, soups, and thick liquid foods, even when the xanthan gum concentration is 50% by mass or higher.

Abstract: A D-psicose-containing sweetener with the modification of the taste of D-psicose includes D-psicose, a sugar alcohol and/or a high intensity sweetener, preferably containing D-psicose as the main component, particularly a low-calorie sweetener and/or a sweetener giving refreshing feel in the oral cavity, as well as foods and drinks obtained by using the D-psicose-containing sweetener with the modification of the taste of D-psicose, and other products given with sweetness. The sugar alcohol is one or more sugar alcohols selected from the group consisting of sorbitol, mannitol, lactitol, maltitol, xylitol and erythritol, while the high intensity sweetener is one or more high intensity sweeteners as selected from aspartame, acesulfame K, sodium cyclamate, sodium saccharin, Sucralose (under trade name), stevia sweetener, dulcin, taumatin, neotame and monellin.

Abstract: Providing a D-psicose-containing sweetener with the modification of the taste of D-psicose, comprising D-psicose, a sugar alcohol and/or a high intensity sweetener, preferably containing D-psicose as the main component, particularly a low-calorie sweetener and/or a sweetener giving refreshing feel in the oral cavity, as well as foods and drinks obtained by using the D-psicose-containing sweetener with the modification of the taste of D-psicose, and other products given with sweetness. The sugar alcohol is one or more sugar alcohols selected from the group consisting of sorbitol, mannitol, lactitol, maltitol, xylitol and erythritol, while the high intensity sweetener is one or more high intensity sweeteners as selected from aspartame, acesulfame K, sodium cyclamate, sodium saccharin, Sucralose (under trade name), stevia sweetener, dulcin, taumatin, neotame and monellin.

Abstract: It is found that a variant enzyme with an improved thermal stability can be obtained by substituting a specific amino acid in the amino acid sequence of a ketose 3-epimerase originated from Arthrobacter globiformis and that D-psicose can be efficiently produced.

Abstract: A thickening composition which contains specific amounts of a metal salt-enclosing dextrin and a thickening polysaccharide and which has a good dispersibility raises the viscosity rapidly, and has an excellent thickening effect can be produced by the steps of obtaining the metal salt-enclosing dextrin by mixing, dissolving, and homogenizing a dextrin and a metal salt in water, followed by drying, and adding the metal salt-enclosing dextrin to the thickening polysaccharide followed by mixing or granulation. The thickening composition makes it possible to provide a thickening composition which has a good dispersibility, raises the viscosity rapidly, and offers an improved thickening effect per unit mass in a wide variety of water-containing foods such as water, teas, refreshing beverages, dairy beverages, soups, and thick liquid foods.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a GLP-1 secretagogue which is an incretin hormone-related drug relatively inexpensive, excellent in safety, and capable of promoting GLP-1 secretion without containing sucrose as an essential constituent. The object is achieved by a GLP-1 secretagogue characterized by containing D-psicose as an active ingredient.

Abstract: Novel findings have been made that a carbohydrate composition in which a highly branched dextrin and isomaltulose are mixed at a specific ratio, wherein the highly branched dextrin has a structure in which glucose or isomaltooligosaccharide is bound to a non-reducing terminus of a dextrin via an ?-1,6 glycosidic bond, and has a DE value of 10 to 52, enhances an suppressing effect on digestion of the highly branched dextrin by isomaltulose, that is, synergistically suppresses the digestion, thereby leading to the completion of the present invention.

Abstract: There are provided a highly safe epimerase usable in food industry, and a method for producing a ketose. The epimerase is a ketose 3-epimerase obtainable from a microorganism of the genus Arthrobacter, and having the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 1 of the Sequence Listing, and (1) substrate specificity whereby a D- or L-ketose is epimerized at position 3 to produce a corresponding D- or L-ketose, and (2) the highest substrate specificity for D-fructose and D-psicose among D- and L-ketoses. The ketose 3-epimerase is also represented by SEQ ID NO: 3 or SEQ ID NO: 4 of the Sequence Listing, and epimerizes a D- or L-ketose at position 3 to produce a corresponding D- or L-ketose.

Abstract: The purpose of the present invention is to provide a technology whereby, in a method for manufacturing a sweetener composition containing glucose, fructose and allulose, said method comprising treating glucose with glucose isomerase and allulose epimerase, the content of allulose in the sweetener composition is increased. A sweetener composition containing glucose, fructose and allulose and having a high allulose content can be continuously manufactured at a high efficiency by immobilizing glucose isomerase and allulose epimerase, packing the same into a column so as to give an activity ratio of the immobilized glucose isomerase to the immobilized allulose epimerase of 1.49:1-5.61:1, and then passing a glucose solution through the column.

Abstract: The use of a granulated xanthan gum comprising, relative to 100% by mass of the granulated xanthan gum: xanthan gum granules having a degree of hardness of 2 N or higher and lower than 8 N in an amount of 5% by mass or higher; and xanthan gum granules having a degree of hardness of 8 N or higher in an amount of 20% by mass or lower makes it possible to provide a granulated xanthan gum and a thickening composition comprising the granulated xanthan gum which undergo suppressed formation of unmixed lumps in a wide variety of water-containing foods such as water, teas, refreshing beverages, dairy beverages, soups, and thick liquid foods, even when the xanthan gum concentration is 50% by mass or higher.

Abstract: To provide a composition for preventing periodontal diseases (prophylactic agent of periodontal diseases), the composition having an excellent cariostatic property, being safe and stable for prolonged use and having less effects on flavor. A non-cariogenic material prepared by blending a rare sugar in the D form as selected from the group consisting of D-psicose, D-sorbose and D-tagatose, a rare sugar in the L form as selected from L-fructose, L-psicose and L-tagatose, or allitol as a rare sugar derivative, singly or in combination. A cariostatic agent comprising D-psicose, D-sorbose, D-tagatose, L-fructose, L-psicose and/or L-tagatose. A cariostatic agent in combination with catechins.

Abstract: Problem: A malaria transmission blocker or a malaria parasite growth inhibitor is provided as a result of finding a druq which inhibits malaria parasite growth in the body of a vector mosquito. Solution: A malaria parasite growth inhibitor or transmission blocker containinq a rare sugar such as D-allose or D-psicose as an active ingredient.