Abstract: An apoptosis inductor is formed of an anthocyanin-containing extract obtained from a potato containing anthocyanine in the skin and flesh thereof. The potato is a potato of cultivated species, such as Solanum tuberosum ssp. andigena L. and S. phureja Juz. et Buk., or of hybrid species based on the cultivated species.

Abstract: An apoptosis inductor is formed of an anthocyanin-containing extract obtained from a potato containing anthocyanine in the skin and flesh thereof. The potato is a potato of cultivated species, such as Solanum tuberosum ssp. andigena L. and S. phureja Juz. et Buk., or of hybrid species based on the cultivated species.

Abstract: According to the present invention, a plant having an early flowering property is provided. Specifically, the present invention provides a transformed plant having a gene that suppresses flower-bud formation or the antisense DNA of this gene.

Abstract: The coat protein of lettuce big-vein virus (LBVV) was purified from highly purified LBVV, and its partial amino acid sequences were determined. An RNA encoding the coat protein of LBVV was cloned by polymerase chain reaction using primers designed based on the determined amino acid sequences information, and its primary structure was elucidated. Moreover, the present inventors succeeded not only in isolating RNA molecules of a plurality of LBVV-encoded proteins, including LBVV polymerase, by carrying out 3?RACE and 5?RACE using primers designed based on the resulting sequence information, but also in determining their primary structure. It was found that the use of these made it possible to produce lettuce resistant to LBVV and to diagnose infections with LBVV.

Abstract: The coat protein of lettuce big-vein virus (LBVV) was purified from highly purified LBVV, and its partial amino acid sequences were determined. An RNA encoding the coat protein of LBVV was cloned by polymerase chain reaction using primers designed based on the determined amino acid sequences information, and its primary structure was elucidated. Moreover, the present inventors succeeded not only in isolating RNA molecules of a plurality of LBVV-encoded proteins, including LBVV polymerase, by carrying out 3?RACE and 5?RACE using primers designed based on the resulting sequence information, but also in determining their primary structure. It was found that the use of these made it possible to produce lettuce resistant to LBVV and to diagnose infections with LBVV.

Abstract: According to the present invention, a plant having an early flowering property is provided. Specifically, the present invention provides a transformed plant having a gene that suppresses flower-bud formation or the antisense DNA of this gene.

Abstract: A winter wheat-derived chitinase cDNA is provided which has a nucleotide sequence corresponding to an amino acid sequence listed as SEQ. ID. No.1 in FIG. 1. Another winter wheat-derived chitinase cDNA is provided which has a nucleotide sequence corresponding to an amino acid sequence listed as SEQ. ID. No.2 in FIG. 2. Further, a winter wheat-derived chitinase cDNA is provided which has a nucleotide sequence corresponding to an amino acid sequence listed as SEQ. ID. No.3 in FIG. 3. Moreover, a method is provided for isolating the above three kinds of chitinase cDNAs.

Abstract: A wheat-derived sucrose:fructan 6-fructosyltransferase cDNA is provided which is characterized in that said cDNA has a nucleotide sequence corresponding to an amino acid sequence listed as SEQ.ID. No. 1 in FIG. 1. A wheat-derived invertase cDNA is provided which is characterized in that said cDNA has a nucleotide sequence corresponding to an amino acid sequence listed as SEQ.ID. No. 2 in FIG. 2. A method is provided for isolating a wheat-derived sucrose:fructan 6-fructosyltransferase cDNA having a nucleotide sequence corresponding to an amino acid sequence listed as SEQ.ID. No.1 in FIG. 1 and a wheat-derived invertase cDNA having a nucleotide sequence corresponding to an amino acid sequence listed as SEQ.ID. No. 2 in FIG. 2.

Abstract: The present invention provides a micro gravity environmental control apparatus, such as a plant cultivating apparatus, an animal raising apparatus, and a micro gravity environmental control method, such as a plant cultivating method, an animal raising method, a breeding method, capable of cultivating a plant and raising an animal by using soil and also capable of recovering moisture supplied to the soil so as to reuse the moisture, under a weightless environment or a micro gravity environment. There is provided a micro gravity environmental control apparatus comprising a chamber, an air suction pipe arranged in the vicinity of a lower end portion within the chamber, and an air sucking part communicated and connected with the air suction pipe and used for sucking air within the chamber out of the chamber.

Abstract: An apoptosis inductor is formed of an anthocyanin-containing extract obtained from a potato containing anthocyanine in the skin and flesh thereof. The potato is a potato of cultivated species, such as Solanum tuberosum ssp. andigena L. and S. phureja Juz. et Buk., or of hybrid species based on the cultivated species.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for producing a processed organic product containing organic matters having a superior nutrient balance and exhibiting high performances in water retention and gas permeation. The process involves supplying the raw material 26 containing organic fibrous substance to a reactor 1 provided therein with a plurality of main screws 6, 7 arranged side by side so as to confront the peripheral edges of the screw threads of neighboring screws with each other such that each acts to forward the reaction mixture in substantially the same direction at a velocity different from each other, effecting a biological or biochemical reaction therein while subjecting the organic fibrous substance to axial splitting and breaking by the main screws 6, 7 and taking out a processed organic product via a processed product exit port 31, which is then dewatered in a dewatering means 35 before being dried in a dryer 38 to obtain the processed product in a dried solid form.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is to develop a technique for preventing the release of pollens in order to keep varieties from hybridizing. It has become clear that the application of jasmonic acid derivatives to the ear of a gramineous plant before the time of flowering inhibits the bloom and prevents the release of pollens.

Abstract: This invention is to provide an agent for therapy and prevention of allergic diseases which has no adverse action, shows a high safety even by administration for a long period and is able to be utilized to food and/or beverage, cosmetics, etc. which are used daily. To be specific, it provides antiallergic agent and anti-inflammatory agent characterized in containing at least one polyphenol selected from strictinin and methylated derivatives thereof as an effective ingredient; a method for the addition of an antiallergic agent for oral administration or an anti-inflammatory agent for oral administration which is characterized in containing at least one polyphenol selected from strictinin and methylated derivatives thereof as an effective ingredient to food and/or beverage for prevention, suppression and mitigation of allergic symptoms or inflammatory symptoms.

Abstract: A crushing apparatus for crushing, blending, homogenizing and transferring materials is made up of a first pressing element having a first pressing face with protrusions provided thereon in the form of isolated islands surrounded by depressed marginal spaces and a second pressing element to be held in engagement with the first pressing element and having a second pressing face with protrusions provided thereon in a similar pattern to the first pressing face. The protrusions of the first and second pressing faces are disposed in relation to each other such that the protrusions of the first or the second pressing element will engage with corresponding depressed marginal spaces on the second or first pressing face of the respective pressing element.

Abstract: A process for producing a freeze-dried product in a bonded or stratified state by a simple apparatus and by simple operations, without suffering from denaturation by oxygen, enzymes, heat and so on, while maintaining the original quality, properties and so on, by bonding or stratifying materials to be treated before being subjected to freeze-drying; an apparatus therefor; and a freeze-dried product obtained therefrom are provided. The freeze-dried product is obtained by stratifying materials 7a, 7b and 7c of the same or a different kind to be treated into a multilayer under interposition of dry ice 6b, 6c partly in between the layers; pressing the multilayer from both sides by pressurizing elements 13 and 16 under intermediation by dry ice 6a and 6d to effect bonding of the materials to be treated with each other, while, at the same time, freezing the multilayer; and subjecting the frozen product to vacuum drying.

Abstract: A delicious, multifunctional soybean food, which has no unpleasant odor specific for a soybean and a less astringent taste. A soybean which completely lacks lipoxygenase and lacks group A acetyl saponin or soyasapogenol A, is used.

Abstract: A bactericidal composition is provided, which comprises as effective ingredients (a) at least one substance selected from the group consisting of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid and metal salts thereof and (b) at least one substance selected from the group consisting of alpha-type thionin and beta-type thionin. The bactericidal composition, for example, has the effect of sterilizing food poisoning bacteria at a low concentration and is highly safe.

Abstract: Freeze-dried products of high quality produced from materials to be freeze-dried in a freeze-drying apparatus comprising a sealed vessel enclosing a processing chamber provided therein with a rotary cage receiving a gas-permeable container containing frozen pieces of the said material, prepared by freezing the said material with a refrigerant, and a heating device for heating the frozen material by radiant heat rays, wherein the freeze-dried product is produced by a process which can attain, even when dry ice is used as the refrigerant, efficient sublimating removal of large amount of carbon dioxide gas evolved from dry ice and of moisture included in the material, while preventing adhesion of the frozen pieces of the said material to each other and while permitting reduction of the sublimation duration, wherein the frozen material retained in the gas-permeable container placed in the rotary cage is heated uniformly by the heating device under vacuum condition while it is being maintained under rotational mov

Abstract: Freeze-dried products of high quality produced from materials to be freeze-dried in a freeze-drying apparatus comprising a sealed vessel enclosing a processing chamber provided therein with a rotary cage receiving a gas-permeable container containing one or more frozen products of the said material, prepared by freezing the said material with dry ice, and a heating device for heating the frozen product by radiant heat rays, wherein the freeze-dried product is produced by a process which can attain efficient sublimating removal of large amount of carbon dioxide gas evolved from dry ice and of moisture included in the material, while preventing adhesion of the frozen products to each other and while permitting reduction of the sublimation duration, wherein the frozen product retained in the gas-permeable container placed in the rotary cage is heated uniformly by the heating device under vacuum condition while holding it under rotational movement to thereby facilitate the sublimation of dry ice and of the frozen

Abstract: Disclosed is an apple tree having a medium vigor, rounded and crenated leaves, exhibiting excellent resistance to Alternaria blotch and bearing a medium size fruit maturing mid-season and having high productivity with an slightly heavy preharvest fruit drop. The fruit has an oblate shape, has yellow colored skin and has excellent storage quality. The flesh of the fruit is yellowish white, juicy and firm, and further, has a strong sweetness and medium sourness, thereby providing a good sweet-sour balance and rich taste, and has an excellent eating quality.