Patents Assigned to Suntory Limited
  • Publication number: 20110016579
    Abstract: The invention provides a method for creating a transgenic plant comprising a gene containing a DNA to encode a transporter protein which selectively absorbs mugineic acid-iron complex. The transgenic plant is useful as a plant capable of growing in alkaline soil containing no bivalent iron but containing, for example, trivalent iron.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2005
    Publication date: January 20, 2011
    Applicants: SUNTORY LIMITED, SUNTORY HOLDINGS LIMITED
    Inventors: Yoshiko Murata, Takashi Iwashita
  • Publication number: 20100272855
    Abstract: The present invention relates to alpha-glucoside transporters which can promote assimilation of maltose/maltotriose contained in wort, etc., and so on. Especially in relation to glucose-induced inactivation/degradation, the present invention relates to alpha-glucoside transporters which are less susceptible to glucose-induced inactivation/degradation and can take up maltotriose like AGT1, by constructing the hybrid of AGT1 and MAL21. By using, e.g., a yeast expressing the alpha-glucoside transporter of the present invention, the fermentation rate of moromi mash containing oligosaccharides such as maltose/maltotriose can be accelerated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2008
    Publication date: October 28, 2010
    Applicant: SUNTORY LIMITED
    Inventors: Haruyo Hatanaka, Fumihiko Omura
  • Publication number: 20100233348
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method of producing a food or drink containing one or more components extracted from a raw material by using fruit(s), vegetable(s), bean(s), nut(s), mushroom(s), alga(e) or tea(s) as the raw material, which comprises the following steps: freezing the raw material; grinding the frozen matter at a controlled temperature; and dipping the ground matter in a solvent and thus extracting one or more components of the raw material. It is preferable that the temperature in the grinding step is controlled to a level not higher than the brittle temperature of an aroma component, a colorant or an essential oil which can be extracted from the raw material. According to the production method of the present invention, the obtained food or drink can sufficiently contain a desired component contained in fruit(s) or vegetable(s).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2007
    Publication date: September 16, 2010
    Applicant: SUNTORY LIMITED
    Inventors: Tokutomi Watanabe, Shun Kamogawa, Koichiro Hidaka
  • Publication number: 20100221383
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a gene encoding glycogen branching enzyme and use thereof, in particular, a yeast for practical use with superior resistance property to dryness and/or low-temperature storage, alcoholic beverages produced with said yeast, and a method for producing said beverages. More particularly, the present invention relates to a yeast, whose resistance property to dryness and/or resistance property to low-temperature storage is enhanced by amplifying expression level of GLC3 gene encoding a glycogen branching enzyme Glc3p in brewer's yeast, especially non-ScGLC3 gene specific to a lager brewing yeast and to a method for producing alcoholic beverages with said yeast, etc.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2007
    Publication date: September 2, 2010
    Applicant: SUNTORY LIMITED
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Nakao, Yukiko Kodama, Tomoko Shimonaga
  • Publication number: 20100216197
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing a phospholipid containing a long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid as a constituent (LCPUFA-PL), which comprises: (i) culturing a microorganism belonging to Mortierella sp. under conditions allowing intracellular accumulation of LCPUFA-PL in the microorganism; and (ii) obtaining LCPUFA-PL from the cultured product of the microorganism (wherein the compositional ratio of isopalmitic acid, a branched fatty acid, is 5% or less based on the total amount of fatty acids contained as constituents of all phospholipids (PL) contained in the cultured product). The present invention also relates to the phospholipid obtained by the method of the present invention.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2007
    Publication date: August 26, 2010
    Applicant: SUNTORY LIMITED
    Inventors: Akiko Shiraishi, Hiroshi Kawashima
  • Publication number: 20100203218
    Abstract: The present invention provides novel lysophosphatidic acid acyltransferase genes. A nucleic acid comprising the nucleotide sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 1, 3, 36 or 37 or a fragment thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2008
    Publication date: August 12, 2010
    Applicant: SUNTORY LIMITED
    Inventors: Misa Ochiai, Hisanori Tokuda
  • Publication number: 20100095588
    Abstract: A planting container body (1) has a bottom wall (3) and side walls (4) forming a planting space (2) and also has a water-holding section for holding planting water supplied to the planting space (2). The water-holding section has a water discharge opening (12) for overflow. In a horizontal position (A) in which the planting space (2) opens upward, the bottom wall (3) and the side walls (4) form a horizontal water-holding section for holding planting water. In a vertical position in which the planting space (2) opens sideways, a vertical water-holding section for holding planting water is formed by the bottom wall (3), side walls (4), and a dam section (8) formed facing the bottom wall (3) on the side wall (4) that is the bottom surface. A water discharge start section of the water discharge opening (12) is located at a position a predetermined distance away from the bottom wall (3) and a predetermined distance away from a side wall (4).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2007
    Publication date: April 22, 2010
    Applicant: Suntory Limited
    Inventor: Masaki Hashimoto
  • Publication number: 20100075380
    Abstract: The present invention provides a novel lipase with a molecular weight of about 32 kDa, which is produced by a strain belonging to the genus Tetrasphaera, as well as a gene encoding the same. This lipase has the ability to recognize a medium-chain fatty acid as a substrate. The present invention also provides a novel lipase with a molecular weight of about 40 kDa, which is produced by a strain belonging to the genus Tetrasphaera and has the ability to recognize both a medium-chain fatty acid and a long-chain fatty acid as substrates, as well as a polynucleotide encoding the same. The present invention further provides Tetrasphaera sp. strain NITE P-154. The lipase of the present invention can be used as an immobilized enzyme and is useful in fields such as production of digestants and/or flavorings, production of clinical laboratory reagents, detergent enzymes and/or fats, as well as production of optically active intermediates for agricultural chemicals and pharmaceutical preparations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2006
    Publication date: March 25, 2010
    Applicant: SUNTORY LIMITED
    Inventors: Masahiro Nakao, Masaki Kanamori, Harukazu Fukami, Hiroaki Kasai, Misa Ochiai
  • Publication number: 20100009032
    Abstract: A method for reducing oral cavity stimulating substance of a sprouted grain such as malt, in which oral cavity stimulating substance contained in a sprouted grain is hydrolyzed, removed by adsorption, degraded by an enzyme, or removed by separation, whereby the content thereof is reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2006
    Publication date: January 14, 2010
    Applicant: Suntory Limited
    Inventors: Norihiko Kageyama, Koichi Nakahara
  • Publication number: 20090325162
    Abstract: The present invention provides fatty acid synthetases which are responsible for novel fatty acid synthesis, polynucleotides which encode such fatty acid synthetases (e.g., a polynucleotide comprising (a) a polynucleotide consisting of the nucleotide sequence of Positions 1 to 12486 of SEQ ID NO: 1, or (b) a polynucleotide which hybridizes under stringent conditions to a polynucleotide comprising a nucleotide sequence complementary to the nucleotide sequence of Positions 1 to 12486 of SEQ ID NO: 1, and which encodes a protein having a fatty acid synthetase activity), expression vectors and transformants comprising such polynucleotides, methods for producing food and other products using such transformants, food products produced by such methods, and methods for assessing and selecting lipid-producing test fungi.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2007
    Publication date: December 31, 2009
    Applicant: SUNTORY LIMITED
    Inventor: Misa Ochiai
  • Publication number: 20090324779
    Abstract: A method for processing a sprouted cereal in which an enzymatic activity in the sprouted cereal is reduced by bringing the sprouted cereal into contact with water vapor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2006
    Publication date: December 31, 2009
    Applicant: SUNTORY LIMITED
    Inventors: Koichi Nakahara, Masako Sawada, Daisuke Yamada
  • Publication number: 20090325247
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods for producing human ceramide in a yeast cell. The methods of the present invention comprise: 1) introducing the sphingoid ?4-desaturase gene (DES1) by transformation of the yeast cell; and 2) abolishing the expression of the yeast sphinganine C4-hydroxylase gene (SUR2) by transformation of the yeast cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2006
    Publication date: December 31, 2009
    Applicants: Suntory Limited, Hiroshima University
    Inventors: Yukiko Kodama, Hideaki Nagano, Koichi Funato
  • Publication number: 20090311680
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for identifying a useful protein of brewery yeast. More specifically, the invention relates to (a) cultivating yeast under a predetermined cultivation condition; (b) extracting a protein sample from the cultivation product of the yeast; (c) separating the protein sample by a protein separation means, selecting a target peak or spot, and recovering the target protein or a fragment thereof contained in the peak or spot; (d) determining the amino acid sequence of the target protein; (e) comparing the amino acid sequence determined in step (d) with the amino acid sequence determined in advance based on all or a part of genome sequence information of bottom fermenting yeast; (f) identifying the target protein and the gene encoding the target protein based on the results of comparison; and (g) analyzing functions of the identified gene to identify characters given to the yeast by the gene.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2007
    Publication date: December 17, 2009
    Applicant: Suntory Limited
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Nakao, Yukiko Kodama, Tomoko Shimonaga, Takeshi Kanamori
  • Publication number: 20090304858
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a brewery yeast having controlled sulfite-producing capability, a process for producing alcoholic beverages with controlled sulfite amount. More particularly, the present invention relates to a yeast whose sulfite-producing capability that contribute to the product flavor is controlled by controlling the expression level of MET16 gene encoding brewery yeast phosphoadenylyl sulfate reductase Met16p, particularly non-ScMET16 gene specific to lager brewing yeast, and to a method for producing alcoholic beverages with said yeast.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2006
    Publication date: December 10, 2009
    Applicant: SUNTORY LIMITED
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Nakao, Yukiko Kodama, Tomoko Shimonaga
  • Publication number: 20090297657
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a brewery yeast having controlled hydrogen sulfide-producing capability, a process for producing alcoholic beverages with controlled hydrogen sulfide amount. More particularly, the present invention relates to a yeast whose hydrogen sulfide-producing capability that increases the product flavor is controlled by enhancing the expression level of MET17 gene encoding brewery yeast O-acetylhomoserinesulfhydorelace Met17p, particularly non-ScMET17 gene specific to lager brewing yeast, and to a method for producing alcoholic beverages with said yeast.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2006
    Publication date: December 3, 2009
    Applicant: Suntory Limited
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Nakao, Yukiko Kodama, Tomoko Shimonaga
  • Publication number: 20090274794
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a brewer's yeast which produces alcoholic beverages having an ability for reducing the haze level, alcoholic beverages produced using such a yeast, and a method of producing such alcoholic beverages. More specifically, the present invention relates to a yeast which can reduce the level of haze in the product by increasing the level of expression of ScCWP2 gene encoding cell wall mannoprotein Cwp2p in brewer's yeast, or non-ScCWP2 gene characteristic to beer yeast, and to a method of producing alcoholic beverages using such a yeast.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2006
    Publication date: November 5, 2009
    Applicant: SUNTORY LIMITED
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Nakao, Yukiko Kodama, Tomoko Shimonaga, Fumihiko Ohmura
  • Publication number: 20090269437
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a glycerol channel gene and its uses, specifically, a brewery yeast producing alcoholic beverages with excellent body and mellowness, alcoholic beverages produced using the yeast, a process for producing the alcoholic beverages. More particularly, the present invention relates to a yeast whose capability of producing glycerol, which contribute to body and mellowness of products, was controlled by controlling expression level of FPS1 gene encoding brewery yeast glycerol channel Fps1p, particularly non-ScFPS1 gene specific to lager brewing yeast, and to a method for producing alcoholic beverages with the yeast.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2006
    Publication date: October 29, 2009
    Applicant: Suntory Limited
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Nakao, Yukiko Kodama, Tomoko Shimonaga
  • Publication number: 20090260282
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a plant cultivating unit that can perform a watering operation in a simple manner and can supply water uniformly to plants in locations where a floor surface is sloped, such as the rooftop of a building, without requiring separate water supply piping work. A plant cultivating unit (1) comprises a water storage tray (2) in which water can be stored and in which receivers (3) for housing the roots of plants can be arranged in an interior thereof, a water storage space (8) in the water storage tray (2) and the receivers (3) being communicated via water feeders (7), and the water stored in the water storage space (8) being able to be supplied to the plants via the water feeders (7).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2006
    Publication date: October 22, 2009
    Applicant: SUNTORY LIMITED
    Inventors: Masaki Hashimoto, Katsuro Miyagawa, Masayuki Saito
  • Publication number: 20090247625
    Abstract: An object of the invention is to provide compositions containing lignan-class compounds as dissolved at high concentrations. The compositions having lignan-class compounds such as sesamin and episesamin dissolved in solvent oils or fats that contain triglycerides of middle-chain fatty acids having 8-12 carbon atoms, preferably triglycerides of caprylic acid and/or capric acid and/or lauric acid can contain the lignan-class compounds stably at higher concentrations than when other solvents are used and, hence, have high enough value as foods and pharmaceuticals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2007
    Publication date: October 1, 2009
    Applicant: SUNTORY LIMITED
    Inventors: Masaaki Nakai, Yukihiro Aoshima, Shuji Endo
  • Publication number: 20090246316
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a esterase gene and its uses, specifically, a brewery yeast producing alcoholic beverages with excellent aroma and flavor, alcoholic beverages produced using the yeast, a process for producing the alcoholic beverages. More particularly, the present invention relates to a yeast whose capability of producing ester, which contribute to aroma and flavor of products, was controlled by regulating expression level of IAH1 gene encoding brewery yeast esterase Iah1p, particularly nonScIAH1 gene specific to lager brewing yeast, and to a method for producing alcoholic beverages with the yeast.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2006
    Publication date: October 1, 2009
    Applicant: Suntory Limited
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Nakao, Yukiko Kodama, Tomoko Shimonaga