Abstract: An object is to provide a prebiotic which efficiently proliferates a butyrate-producing bacterium. An oligosaccharide which is composed of ?-D-mannuronic acid and/or ?-L-guluronic acid and which has an unsaturated form of ?-D-mannuronic acid residue or ?-L-guluronic acid residue at the non-reducing end or a salt thereof is used as an active ingredient of a prebiotic composition for a butyrate-producing bacterium. The oligosaccharide can be produced by causing an alginate lyase to act on alginic acid and/or a salt thereof or a hydrolysate thereof and thus obtaining a degradation product of alginic acid.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a novel composition for promoting the secretion of FGF21. The object is achieved by a composition for promoting the secretion of FGF21, including a Bifidobacterium bacterium as an active ingredient.

Abstract: Provided is a composition for preventing or ameliorating a functional gastrointestinal disorder whose active ingredient is Bifidobacterium breve MCC1274 (FERM BP-11175). A composition for preventing or ameliorating a functional gastrointestinal disorder in the present technology can prevent or improve constipation or frequent bowel movements, regulate the number of bowel movements, improve stool quality, prevent or improve constipation, prevent or ameliorate bloating, or prevent or improve abdominal discomfort. Disclosed is a composition for preventing or ameliorating a functional gastrointestinal disorder accompanied by anxiety disorder. A composition for preventing or ameliorating a functional gastrointestinal disorder in the present technology can be used in a pharmaceutical composition or in a food or beverage composition.

Abstract: Provided is a composition that may be used for a specific use application, such as a composition for enhancing a breast milk component. A composition containing a bacterium of the genus Bifidobacterium as an active ingredient is described.

Abstract: An aspect is to provide an active ingredient which can improve mitochondrial function. Another aspect is to provide a composition for suppressing muscle inflammation or muscular atrophy. One, two, or more kinds selected from a bacterium of the genus Akkermansia, a culture of the bacterium and a treated product of the bacterium are used as an active ingredient in a mitochondrial function-improving composition. The composition can be preferably applied for suppressing muscle inflammation or suppressing muscular atrophy.

Abstract: A composition for promoting development of the intestinal tract, a composition for improving lung function or a composition for improving immune function containing a bacterium belonging to Bifidobacterium longum subsp. infantis is provided. The bacterium is preferably Bifidobacterium longum subsp. infantis M-63 (NITE BP-02623).

Abstract: A cognitive function-improving agent containing one or both of Bifidobacterium breve FERM BP-11175 and a culture of Bifidobacterium breve FERM BP-11175 as an active ingredient for administration to a subject who has not developed dementia is provided.

Abstract: Provided is a technique that allows for the promotion of energy expenditure. The present invention is a composition for promoting energy expenditure, including, as an active ingredient, a milk protein hydrolysate having an average molecular weight of 220 Daltons or more and 1,000 Daltons or less, a peptide having only Met-Lys-Pro, or a peptide including the amino acid sequence.

Abstract: Provide are beneficial bacteria that can be beneficially applied across a wide range of age groups and a composition containing the same. Bifidobacterium longum subspecies longum NITE BP-02568 and/or Bifidobacterium longum subspecies longum NITE BP-02569; and Bifidobacterium longum subspecies longum, having utilization ability for 2?-fucosyllactose are also provided. More preferably, bacteria having utilization ability for carbohydrates arabinoxylan, arabinan, and pectic galactan; and a composition containing the bacteria are also provided. More preferably, a composition containing 2?-fucosyllactose are also provided. More preferably, a composition containing at least one carbohydrate selected from the group consisting of arabinoxylan, arabinan, pectic galactan, and oligosaccharides derived therefrom or containing at least a carbohydrate derived from a gramineous plant or a carbohydrate derived from a solanaceous plant are also provided.

Abstract: According to the invention, a novel Bifidobacterial strain having an ability of assimilating two or more kinds of HMO is provided. The strain is selected from the group consisting of Bifidobacterium longum subspecies infantis (NITE BP-03068), Bifidobacterium bifidum (NITE BP-03058) and Bifidobacterium bifidum (NITE BP-03067).

Abstract: According to the invention, a composition which can promote the growth of a Bifidobacterial strain which can be a good bacterium is provided. The composition contains a human milk oligosaccharide mixture containing lacto-N-neotetraose, lacto-N-tetraose, 2'-fucosyllactose, 3'-sialyllactose, 6'-sialyllactose and Bifidobacterium longum subspecies infantis.

Abstract: Novel Bifidobacterium bacteria having an opioid peptide decomposition action and a noncollagenous glycoprotein decomposition action are provided. The present invention relates to one or more kinds of Bifidobacterium bacteria selected from the group consisting of Bifidobacterium bifidum MCC1092 (NITE BP-02429), Bifidobacterium bifidum MCC1319 (NITE BP-02431), Bifidobacterium bifidum MCC1868 (NITE BP-02432), Bifidobacterium bifidum MCC1870 (NITE BP-02433), and Bifidobacterium longum subsp. longum MCC1110 (NITE BP-02430), as well as a composition for decomposing an opioid peptide and composition for decomposing a noncollagenous glycoprotein containing the Bifidobacterium bacteria as an active ingredient.

Abstract: Provide are beneficial bacteria that can be beneficially applied across a wide range of age groups and a composition containing the same. Bifidobacterium longum subspecies longum NITE BP-02568 and/or Bifidobacterium longum subspecies longum NITE BP-02569; and Bifidobacterium longum subspecies longum, having utilization ability for 2?-fucosyllactose are also provided. More preferably, bacteria having utilization ability for carbohydrates arabinoxylan, arabinan, and pectic galactan; and a composition containing the bacteria are also provided. More preferably, a composition containing 2?-fucosyllactose are also provided. More preferably, a composition containing at least one carbohydrate selected from the group consisting of arabinoxylan, arabinan, pectic galactan, and oligosaccharides derived therefrom or containing at least a carbohydrate derived from a gramineous plant or a carbohydrate derived from a solanaceous plant are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides a protein-containing composition that can be ingested without reducing the intake, and without placing a burden on the kidney and the liver. Provided is a protein-containing composition for enteral intake, the composition including at least 81% by mass micellar casein with respect to the total protein, which composition is for ingestion by a subject requiring suppression or prevention of a decline(s) in renal function and/or liver function.

Abstract: An aspect is to provide a prebiotic for growing a butyrate-producing bacterium. A prebiotic composition for a butyrate-producing bacterium includes alginic acid and/or a salt thereof having an average molecular weight of 10000 or less.

Abstract: Novel Bifidobacterium bacteria having an opioid peptide decomposition action and a noncollagenous glycoprotein decomposition action are provided. The present invention relates to one or more kinds of Bifidobacterium bacteria selected from the group consisting of Bifidobacterium bifidum MCC1092 (NITE BP-02429), Bifidobacterium bifidum MCC1319 (NITE BP-02431), Bifidobacterium bifidum MCC1868 (NITE BP-02432), Bifidobacterium bifidum MCC1870 (NITE BP-02433), and Bifidobacterium longum subsp. longum MCC1110 (NITE BP-02430), as well as a composition for decomposing an opioid peptide and composition for decomposing a noncollagenous glycoprotein containing the Bifidobacterium bacteria as an active ingredient.

Abstract: There is provided a means for sterilizing lactoferrin at a high temperature in a short time while maintaining the activity of the lactoferrin. The present technology provides a method for producing a lactoferrin-containing aqueous solution, including a sterilization step of heat-sterilizing a lactoferrin-containing aqueous solution, in which the total mass content of proteins other than lactoferrin is 1/12 or less of the mass content of lactoferrin, at a temperature of 100° C. or more. The present technology also provides a lactoferrin-containing aqueous solution in which the total mass content of proteins other than lactoferrin is 1/12 or less of the mass content of lactoferrin, and which does not contain living bacteria.

Abstract: A method for producing a meat-like food product comprises the steps of: mixing ingredients comprising tofu, water-soluble dietary fibers derived from grain, and gluten to prepare a dough; shaping the dough into a shaped product; and heating the shaped product.

Abstract: A problem of the invention is to provide a technique for improving memory ability in later childhood, and the problem is solved by a composition for an infant and/or child for improving memory ability in later childhood, wherein the composition contains Bifidobacterium longum subsp. infantis as an active ingredient.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a technique for further promoting growth of bacteria belonging to the genus Bifidobacterium. By combining lactoferrin and/or lactoferrin hydrolyzate, and human milk oligosaccharides, a synergistic growth promoting effect of the bacteria belonging to the genus Bifidobacterium is achieved. Preferably, the human milk oligosaccharides include one or more selected from the group consisting of 2?-fucosyllactose, 3-fucosyllactose, and lactodifucotetraose. In addition, preferably, the bacteria belonging to the genus Bifidobacterium include one or more selected from the group consisting of Bifidobacterium breve, Bifidobacterium infantis, and Bifidobacterium longum.