Abstract: Provided is a novel application of a starch decomposition product. The present technology provides a modifier that includes a starch decomposition product in which the content with a glucose polymerization degree (DP) of 8 to 19 is 32% or more, and the content with a glucose polymerization degree (DP) of 20 or more is 30% or less, and is configured to partially or completely crystallize the starch decomposition product together with raw materials of a target product, thereby modifying qualities of the target product. The modifier used in the present technology can modify qualities of a target product, such as humidity resistance, solidifying properties, gelling properties, shape retainability, plasticity, whiteness, water separation resistance, oil separation resistance, mouthfeel, tactile sensation, aftertaste, creaming properties, heat resistance, thickening properties, and aging resistance.

Abstract: A lactosyl glycoside or an N-acetyllactosaminyl glycoside useful as foods, functional food materials, medicines, and reagents is provided with high yield and inexpensively by using a transfer reaction represented by the following formula in the presence of an enzyme having an activity of cleaving a &bgr;1,4 glucosyl bond: LacA-X+Y→LacA-Y+X, wherein LacA represents lactose or N-acetyllactosaminide; X represents hydrogen (H), a saccharide, a glycoconjugate, or a phenolic compound; and Y represents a compound having an alcoholic hydroxyl group or a phenolic hydroxyl group.

Abstract: A promoter having a higher activity than that of an &agr;-amylase promoter of a microorganism of the genus Bacillus can be provided by introducing at least one restriction site sequence in the vicinity of the 3′ end of the promoter of the &agr;-amylase derived from the microorganism of the genus Bacillus.

Abstract: A process for simply and efficiently obtaining an isoflavone composition having a high ratio of genistin, which useful as a food material and the like, wherein in the process for obtaining genistin from a isoflavone inclusion, genistin is selectively precipitated by applying pH adjustment to isoflavone containing liquid.

Abstract: A method of imparting water resistance to a molded polysaccharide having poor water resistance because of its high hydrophilicity, which comprises bonding a prolamin such as zein to the surface of the molded polysaccharide.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus adaptable for various kinds of raw rice and a variety of finally cooked rice, which comprises a combination of a steaming line constructed of a single endless conveyor and a settling and/or cooling line constructed of a plurality of combined endless conveyor belts arranged downstream of the steaming line. The settling and/or cooling line is combined with the rice continuously steaming line which comprises the steps of placing rice, that has finished preliminary water absorption, on a carrying surface of a single conveyor belt evenly, moving the carrying surface while blowing steam to the rice placed on the carrying surface, and effecting primary steaming of the rice, sprinkling of hot water to absorb water into the rice, and secondary steaming of the rice having absorbed water successively during movement of the carrying surface without agitating the rice, the above steps being performed within a sealed housing.

Abstract: A method for continuously steaming rice includes the steps of evenly placing rice on a moving carrying surface of a single conveyor belt after the rice absorbed water, primarily steaming the rice by blowing steam to the rice placed on the carrying surface, sprinkling of hot water to be absorbed into the rice, and secondarily steaming the rice by blowing steam into the rice. These steps are performed successively without agitating the rice on the single conveyor belt within a sealed housing. The apparatus has a housing (4, 5) made up of a lower housing member (4) and an upper housing member (5) capable of moving vertically relative to the lower housing member (4). The boundary between the upper and lower housing members (5,4) is sealed by drained water during a steaming step.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus adaptable for various kinds of raw rice and a variety of finally cooked rice, which comprises a combination of a steaming line constructed of a single endless conveyor and a settling and/or cooling line constructed of a plurality of combined endless conveyor belts arranged downstream of the steaming line. The settling and/or cooling line is combined with the rice continuously steaming line which comprises the steps of placing rice, that has finished preliminary water absorption, on a carrying surface of a single conveyor belt evenly, moving the carrying surface while blowing steam to the rice placed on the carrying surface, and effecting primary steaming of the rice, sprinkling of hot water to absorb water into the rice, and secondary steaming of the rice having absorbed water successively during movement of the carrying surface without agitating the rice, the above steps being performed within a sealed housing.

Abstract: This invention relates to heat resistant maltose phosphorylase having an activity of 80% or more of the one untreated after treated in a buffer of pH 6.0, at one temperature of 50 to 60.degree. C. for 15 minutes, a process for preparation thereof, bacteria used for preparation thereof, and processes for preparation of .beta.-glucose-1-phosphoric and trehalose using the enzyme.By carrying out enzymatic reaction at high reaction temperatures using this enzyme, it is possible to prepare .beta.-glucose-1-phosphoric acid or trehalose industrially advantageously, with lowering of contamination with various germs and shortening of reaction time.

Abstract: This invention relates to heat resistant maltose phosphorylase having an activity of 80% or more of the one untreated after treated in a buffer of pH 6.0, at one temperature of 50.degree. to 60.degree. C. for 15 minutes, a process for preparation thereof, bacteria used for preparation thereof, and processes for preparation of .beta.-glucose-1-phosphoric and trehalose using the enzyme.By carrying out enzymatic reaction at high reaction temperatures using this enzyme, it is possible to prepare .beta.-glucose-1-phosphoric acid or trehalose industrially advantageously, with lowering of contamination with various germs and shortening of reaction time.

Abstract: This invention provides a wheat flour whereby speck formation in a secondarily processed product can be prevented and the deterioration in the color tone due to discoloration can be prevented. To treat tyrosinase of wheat bran which remains in wheat flour in the flour producing process and causes speck formation, a tyrosinase inhibitor is added prior to a roller milling step, preferably in a conditioning step. Examples of the tyrosinase inhibitor include kojic acid, cysteine, glutathione, ascorbic acid, dithiothreitol, phytic acid, EDTA, isonicotinic acid hydrazide, p-aminosalicylic acid, ferulic acid, thiamine, peptides and combinations thereof. In particular, kojic acid and cysteine are preferable as a tyrosinase inhibitor. The wheat flour thus obtained is usable, for example, in making fresh noodles, dried noodles and tenobe somen in a secondarily processed product.

Abstract: This invention provides a process for preparation of trans-4-hydroxy-L-proline which comprises either culturing Xanthomonas maltophilia NA-62 (FERM BP-4479), Xanthomonas maltophilia JCM No.3807 (FERM BP-4474) or Xanthomonas sp. JCM No.3857 (FERM BP-4475) in a nutrient medium containing collagen or gelatin or a partial hydrolyzate of collagen or gelatin, or contacting culture cells of the above microorganism with collagen or gelatin or a partial hydrolyzate of collagen or gelatin in an aqueous medium, and recovering trans-4-hydroxy-L-proline formed; and a process for preparation of an amino acid mixture which comprises contacting culture cells, fractured cells before or after removal of the broken pieces of the cells, or a crude enzyme obtained by subjecting the fractured cells after removal of the broken pieces of the cells to salting-out or solvent precipitation, from Xanthomonas maltophilia NA-62 (FERM BP-4479), Xanthomonas maltophilia JCM No.3807 (FERM BP-4474) or Xanthomonas sp. JCM No.

Abstract: A process for preparing a biodegradable water-resistant film. The process includes the steps of dispersing zein in an aqueous solution comprising acetone in an amount of from 65 to 75% by volume to form a zein dispersion, forming the resulting zein dispersion into a film, and drying the film in an atmosphere having a relative humidity of 85% or less at an initial temperature of 55.degree. C. or less. The present invention also relates to a method for imparting water resistance to an article with poor water resistance by coating the article with the zein dispersion prepared as above, and drying the coated zein dispersion under the above conditions. The film or coating film according of the present invention neither dissolves upon contact with water, nor becomes weak due to water absorption or swelling on contact with water.

Abstract: This invention provides processes for the refining of oil and fat by which phospholipids in the oil and fat to be treated can be decomposed and removed efficiently. Particularly, it provides a process for the refining of oil and fat which comprises reacting, in an emulsion, the oil and fat with an enzyme having an activity to decompose glycerol-fatty acid ester bonds in glycerophospholipids (e.g., pancreas-derived phospholipase A.sub.2); and another process in which the enzyme-treated oil and fat is washed with water or an acidic aqueous solution. Preferably, the acidic aqueous solution to be used in the washing step is a solution of at least one acid selected from the group consisting of citric acid, acetic acid, phosphoric acid and salts thereof. Also, it is preferred that the emulsified condition is formed using 30 weight parts or more of water per 100 weight parts of the oil and fat.

Abstract: A process in which treatment conditions in the extraction steps of the corn protein, zein, are stabilized and by which decolorized and purified zein can be provided in a stable manner through continuous treatment steps, while simultaneously providing techniques for the concentration and recovery of corn pigment components. Corn gluten meal is treated with a hydrocarbon solvent having 5 to 9 carbon atoms. Zein and pigment components are extracted from the treated corn gluten meal with a solvent, such as about 91 to 96% by volume ethanol, and zein and the pigment components are separated from the resulting extract solution. Oil and fat components and pigment components may be extracted from corn gluten meal prior to the zein extraction steps.

Abstract: A process for preparing a biodegradable water-resistant film. The process includes the steps of dispersing zein in an aqueous solution comprising acetone in an amount of from 65 to 75% by volume to form a zein dispersion, forming the resulting zein dispersion into a film, and drying the film in an atmosphere having a relative humidity of 85% or less at an initial temperature of 55.degree. C. or less. The present invention also relates to a method for imparting water resistance to an article with poor water resistance by coating the article with the zein dispersion prepared as above, and drying the coated zein dispersion under the above conditions. The film or coating film according of the present invention neither dissolves upon contact with water, nor becomes weak due to water absorption or swelling on contact with water.

Abstract: Processes for treating a zein containing material to decrease inherent color and smell as well as for obtaining zein component therefrom, which is decreased in color tone and smell. The removal of color and smell is carried out by contacting the material with an aqueous acetone solution having acetone concentration which causes almost no dissolution of the zein component. An extraction of zein component from the raw material is carried out in a conventional manner, for instance, with use of an aqueous ethyl alcohol.

Abstract: There is disclosed a process for refining a zein. A solution containing crude zein, as a raw material is finely dispersed into absolute or high purity acetone solution having no ability for dissolving the zein, to cause precipitation of a zein component, as porous solids.

Abstract: L-Tyr-L-Val, L-Leu-L-Tyr, L-Leu-L-Pro, L-Phe-L-Tyr, L-Tyr-L-Arg and its acid addition salts, L-Leu-L-Ser-L-Pro, L-Leu-L-Gln-L-Pro, L-Phe-L-Leu-L-Pro, L-Leu-L-Leu-L-Pro, L-Leu-L-Asn-L-Pro, L-Phe-L-Pro, L-Leu-L-Ala-L-Ala, L-Val-L-Ala-L-Ala, L-Leu-L-Gln-L-Gln, L-Val-L-Ala-L-Tyr, L-Leu-L-Ala-L-Tyr, L-Leu-L-Ser-L-His and its acid solution salts, L-Ile-L-Arg-L-Ala and its acid addition salts, L-Leu-L-Arg-L-Pro and its acid addition salts, and L-Ile-L-Arg-L-Ala-L-Gln-L-Gln and its acid addition salts, derived from a corn protein .alpha.-zein, and tripeptides represented by the formulaL-(or D-) Leu-L-X.sub.aa -L-Prowherein X.sub.aa is Gly, Ala, Val, Ile, Thr, Asp, Glu, Lys, Orn, Cys, Met, Phe, Tyr, Trp, His or a hydroxyproline residue, pharmacologically acceptable acid addition salts of the above tripeptides wherein X.sub.aa is Lys, Orn, His or Arg, and pharmacologically acceptable alkali or alkaline earth metal salts, ammonium salts or organic base salts of the tripeptides wherein X.sub.

Abstract: A polyol fatty acid polyester is stabilized by a polybasic oxy acid for using the polyester in safety, in a field of foods.