Abstract: The present invention provides a combination containing (1) a composition containing a live bacterium of Bacteroides vulgatus isolated from nature, and (2) a composition containing a live bacterium of Bacteroides dorei isolated from nature.

Abstract: A system that stores bacterial flora of donors, selects a bacterium necessary for improving bacterial flora according to the health condition of a test subject, and supplies the same in a utilizable state to the test subject is provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides a composition for inhibiting proliferation of a bacterium provided with a menaquinone synthesis route via futalosine or a futalosine derivative, which contains a fatty acid having 18 carbon atoms and a hydroxyl group at the 10-position as an active ingredient. Furthermore, the present invention provides a composition for preventing or treating a disease caused by a bacterium provided with a menaquinone synthesis route via futalosine or a futalosine derivative.

Abstract: A method for producing a hydroxylated fatty acid by a hydration reaction using a novel enzyme derived from the genus Clostridium in the soil and using fatty acid as a substrate is provided by the present invention. In addition, a novel rare fatty acid with utility value which is obtained by the production method is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides a derivative of hydroxylated fatty acid which has a high content of hydroxylated fatty acid, and permits easy ingestion and easy handling, and a production method thereof. The present invention provides a method for producing a homopolymer of hydroxylated fatty acid, including polymerizing the hydroxylated fatty acid by using an enzyme. The homopolymer of hydroxylated fatty acid is stabilized. In addition, a novel, utilizable homopolymer of hydroxylated fatty acid obtained by this production method is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides a pharmaceutical composition to be used for the treatment or prophylaxis of allergic diseases. More specifically, the present invention provides a pharmaceutical composition to be used for the treatment or prophylaxis of allergic diseases, which contains a substance that induces selective IgA class switching in B cells. As a substance that induces selective IgA class switching in B cells, a PKC activator can be used. In addition, a composition containing a substance that induces selective IgA class switching in B cells can also be useful as a mucosal adjuvant.

Abstract: The present invention provides production of hydroxylated fatty acid by a hydration reaction using a novel enzyme derived from Lactobacillus and using fatty acid as a substrate, and further, a production method of oxo fatty acid by an enzyme reaction or chemical oxidation reaction using the hydroxylated fatty acid as a substrate. In addition, a valuable novel rare fatty acid obtained by such production method is also provided.

Abstract: The invention provides a metabolism improving agent containing a rare fatty acid such as hydroxylated fatty acid, oxo fatty acid and the like, and further, food, pharmaceutical product and the like containing the metabolism improving agent.

Abstract: The present invention provides production of hydroxylated fatty acid by a hydration reaction using a novel enzyme derived from Lactobacillus and using fatty acid as a substrate, and further, a production method of oxo fatty acid by an enzyme reaction or chemical oxidation reaction using the hydroxylated fatty acid as a substrate. In addition, a valuable novel rare fatty acid obtained by such production method is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides a production method of oxo fatty acid, as well as rare fatty acids such as conjugated fatty acid, hydroxylated fatty acid, partially saturated fatty acid and the like, which uses 4 kinds of enzymes (fatty acid-hydratase, hydroxylated fatty acid-dehydrogenase, oxo fatty acid-isomerase, oxo fatty acid-enone reductase) derived from Lactobacillus plantarum including lactic acid bacteria and the like. Furthermore, the present invention also provides a more efficient production method of oxo fatty acid and the like, which partly uses a chemical oxidation reaction in combination.

Abstract: The present invention provides a combination containing (1) a composition containing a live bacterium of Bacteroides vulgatus isolated from nature, and (2) a composition containing a live bacterium of Bacteroides dorei isolated from nature.

Abstract: The present invention provides a prophylactic or therapeutic composition for a metabolic disorder, a composition for amplifying the amount of short-chain fatty acid in the intestine, or a composition for decreasing a ratio of bacteria belonging to the Firmicutes to bacteria belonging to the Bacteroidetes in the intestine, each containing an exopolysaccharide produced by Leuconostoc mesenteroides, and further, a food, a pharmaceutical product, a feed and the like containing the composition.