Abstract: [Problem] An object is to obtain a water-soluble polysaccharide (mainly pectin) in a high yield under mild extraction conditions (temperature and pH) and also without using any special agent or extraction device, and to suppress the excessive degradation of the polysaccharide (reduction in the molecular weight of a neutral sugar side chain, demethyl esterification, and deacetylation). [Means for Solution] By adjusting the particle size of pulp dried with superheated steam of the beet pulp generated as a by-product in a step of producing sugar from sugar beet and using the resultant as a raw material, a water-soluble polysaccharide (mainly pectin) can be obtained in a high yield in a short time under mild extraction conditions, and also the excessive degradation of the water-soluble polysaccharide (reduction in the molecular weight of a neutral sugar side chain, demethyl esterification, and deacetylation) can be suppressed.

Abstract: The invention is to provide a base paper for a raising seedling pot and a raising seedling pot produced from the base paper, wherein while the base paper maintains a sufficient strength during raising seedlings and planting in the field, it is degraded over time by soil microorganisms after transplanting in the field and is produced by using a crosslinking agent that does not contain formaldehyde, resulting in a reduced burden on the environment; the base paper for a raising seedling pot, wherein a citric acid crosslinking agent, as a crosslinking agent for cellulose, is used in order to block the hydroxy group of cellulose in paper through crosslinking; and the raising seedling pot produced by molding and processing the base paper.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a pulverulent ceramide producing method that enables easily and efficiently extracting and separating ceramide from sugar beet pulp, and efficiently pulverizing the ceramide by spray drying. The pulverulent ceramide can be efficiently obtained by a process that includes concentrating, with and/or without adding water, a sugar beet pulp ethanol extract obtained by extraction of a sugar beet pulp (for example, such as a beet fiber) with ethanol, adding pectinase to the resulting concentrate and performing an enzymatic reaction, performing emulsification after inactivating the enzyme, and pulverizing the resulting emulsion using spray drying.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a pulverulent ceramide producing method that enables easily and efficiently extracting and separating ceramide from sugar beet pulp, and efficiently pulverizing the ceramide by spray drying. The pulverulent ceramide can be efficiently obtained by a process that includes concentrating, with and/or without adding water, a sugar beet pulp ethanol extract obtained by extraction of a sugar beet pulp (for example, such as a beet fiber) with ethanol, adding pectinase to the resulting concentrate and performing an enzymatic reaction, performing emulsification after inactivating the enzyme, and pulverizing the resulting emulsion using spray drying.

Abstract: A method for increasing the absorption of magnesium, zinc, and/or copper through the intestines of a subject desiring such an increase, includes administering to the subject a difructose anhydride (DFA) in an amount effective to increase the absorption of magnesium, zinc, and/or copper present in the intestines.

Abstract: A process for producing the crystals of difructose dianhydride III (DFA III), namely a indigestible disaccharide where two fructose molecules are bonded to each other at positions 1, 2? and 2,3? (di-D-fructofuranose-1,2?:2,3?-dianhydride), where solutions containing DFA III are adjusted to and/or maintained at pH 5 or more, preferably pH 5 to 8, and more preferably 6 to 8. DFA III can be produced industrially without lowering the crystal yield even when the crystallization thereof is done in a recycling system; additionally by adjusting the total fructose content in mother solutions for (crude) crystallization to 5% or less per a solid content basis and adjusting the fructose content to 1% or less, DFA III can more effectively be produced.

Abstract: A process for producing the crystals of difructose dianhydride III (DFA III), namely a indigestible disaccharide where two fructose molecules are bonded to each other at positions 1,2? and 2,3? (di-D-fructofuranose-1,2?:2,3?-dianhydride), where solutions containing DFA III are adjusted to and/or maintained at pH 5 or more, preferably pH 5 to 8, and more preferably 6 to 8. DFA III can be produced industrially without lowering the crystal yield even when the crystallization thereof is done in a recycling system; additionally by adjusting the total fructose content in mother solutions for (crude) crystallization to 5% or less per a solid content basis and adjusting the fructose content to 1% or less, DFA III can more effectively be produced.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for producing the crystals of difructose dianhydride III (DFA III), namely a indigestible disaccharide where two fructose molecules are bonded to each other at positions 1,2? and 2,3? (di-D-fructofuranose-1,2?,2,3?-dianhydride), where solutions containing DFA III are adjusted to and/or maintained at pH 5 or more, preferably pH 5 to 8, and more preferably 6 to 8. In accordance with the invention, DFA III can be produced industrially without lowering the crystal yield even when the crystallization thereof is done in a recycling system; additionally by adjusting the total fructose content in mother solutions for (crude) crystallization to 5% or less per a solid content basis and adjusting the fructose content to 1% or less, DFA III can more effectively be produced.

Abstract: A method for improving bowel movement of a subject desiring such an improvement, includes administering to the subject a defructose anhydride (DFA) in an amount effective to improve bowel movement.

Abstract: A method for increasing the absorption of magnesium, zinc, and/or copper through the intestines of a subject desiring such an increase, includes administering to the subject a difructose anhydride (DFA) in an amount effective to increase the absorption of magnesium, zinc, and/or copper present in the intestines.

Abstract: A method for improving bowel movement of a subject desiring such an improvement, includes administering to the subject a defructose anhydride (DFA) in an amount effective to improve bowel movement.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a difructose anhydride (DFA)-containing composition and use thereof. DFA is a cyclic disaccharide in which the reducing termini of two fructose molecules bind each other to hydroxyl groups at the other nonreducing termini. According to the present invention, it has been revealed that DFA is effective in accelerating the absorption of magnesium, zinc or copper, accelerating bone formation, accelerating diuretic action, and improving bowel movement and is useful in inhibiting dental caries. A composition of the present invention can be used as a composition for a medicinal product and a food or drink product (including feed for animal use). Examples of a medicinal product and a food or drink product for human or animal use include formulated powder milk, parenteral nutrients, health food and drink products, and additives for feed and are not particularly limited as long as they are ultimately in an orally administrable form.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for producing the crystals of difructose dianhydride III (DFA III), namely a indigestible disaccharide where two fructose molecules are bonded to each other at positions 1,2? and 2,3?(di-D-fructofuranose-1,2?:2,3?-dianhydride), where solutions containing DFA III are adjusted to and/or maintained at pH 5 or more, preferably pH 5 to 8, and more preferably 6 to 8. In accordance with th invention, DFA III can be produced industrially without lowering the crystal yield even when the crystallization thereof is done in a recycling system; additionally by adjusting the total fructose content in mother solutions for (crude) crystallization to 5% or less per a solid content basis and adjusting the fructose content to 1% or less, DFA III can more effectively be produced.