Abstract: Provided is a green tea-containing beverage including: (A) green tea; (B) at least one selected from the group consisting of phytic acid, tartaric acid, and gluconic acid; and (C) at least one selected from the group consisting of ascorbic acid, a salt of ascorbic acid, erythorbic acid, and a salt of erythorbic acid, wherein the green tea-containing beverage has a copper content of 0.3 mg/L or more. Preferably, the concentration of the constituent (B) is 0.05-2.5 g/L. Preferably, the concentration of the constituent (C) is 0.2-5 g/L. Preferably the green tea-containing beverage further includes alcohol. Also provided is a method for preventing discoloration of a green tea-containing beverage, the method including: incorporating the constituents (B) and (C) in the green tea-containing beverage; and further incorporating copper so as to give the copper content of 0.3 mg/L or more.

Abstract: A method for producing an absolute alcohol containing not more than 0.4 mg/L of acetal by subjecting a raw material alcohol to a zeolite membrane treatment, the raw material alcohol being obtained by distilling a crude alcohol, and having an alcohol concentration of not less than 95 v/v%, and the raw material alcohol containing not more than 5 mg/L of acetaldehyde and not more than 60 mg/L of a total amount of organic impurities. An absolute alcohol can be produced, which absolute alcohol is highly safe to the human body and has a quality that no off-odor is felt by human senses. In addition, the contents of diacetyl and crotonaldehyde in the raw material alcohol may be set at levels not more than particular values, respectively.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a highly safe absolute alcohol of high quality free from an off-odor and a method for producing the same. The present invention provides a method for producing an absolute alcohol containing not more than 0.4 mg/L of acetal by subjecting a raw material alcohol to a zeolite membrane treatment, the raw material alcohol being obtained by distilling a crude alcohol, and having an alcohol concentration of not less than 95 v/v %, and the raw material alcohol containing not more than 5 mg/L of acetaldehyde and not more than 60 mg/L of a total amount of organic impurities. According to the present invention, an absolute alcohol can be produced, which absolute alcohol is highly safe to the human body and has a quality that no off-odor is felt by human senses. In addition, the contents of diacetyl and crotonaldehyde in the raw material alcohol may be set at levels not more than particular values, respectively.

Abstract: A formulation and kit of thermostable or other DNA polymerases comprising at least one thermostable or other DNA polymerase which lacks 3?-exonuclease activity, and at least one thermostable DNA polymerase exhibiting 3?-exonuclease activity. Also provided is an improved method for enzymatic extension of DNA strands, especially while, but not limited to, amplifying nucleic acid sequences by polymerase chain reaction wherein the above formulation is made and used to catalyze primer extension.

Abstract: Medicinal compositions for treating, ameliorating or preventing diseases with sensitivity to 3,6-anhydrogalactopyranose represented by formula (1): foods, drinks, cosmetics, etc. containing as the active ingredient at least one member selected from the group consisting of the above-mentioned compound, its aldehyde, its hydrate and 2-O-methylated derivatives thereof and soluble sugar compounds containing the above compound. This compound also shows, for example, an apoptosis-inducing activity, a carcinostatic activity and inhibitory activities on the production of active oxygen, lipid peroxide radicals and NO, which makes it useful also as the active ingredient of antioxidants and preservatives.

Abstract: Improved methods for transferring a gene into target cells by using a retrovirus, wherein the gene transfer efficiency is improved and the target cells are efficiently transformed by binding the retrovirus to a functional substance which is immobilized on as carrier and having an activity of binding to retroviruses followed by washing; using an antibody capable of specifically recognizing cells, laminin or mannose-rich type sugar chain as a substance having an activity of binding to the target cells; pre-treating the target cells so as to inactivate transferring receptor, or introducing a new functional group into the functional substance.

Abstract: A polypeptide having an ?-agarase activity, a gene encoding the polypeptide, a method for producing the polypeptide by genetic engineering and a method for producing an agarooligosaccharide using the polypeptide.

Abstract: A process for producing lysosphingolipids by using an enzyme capable of specifically hydrolyzing the acid amide bond between a sphingoid and a fatty acid in a sphingolipid, characterized in that the enzyme reaction is carried out in a two-phase system liquid reaction mixture containing at least an organic solvent forming an aqueous phase and a separation phase in the presence of, if desired, a surfactant.

Abstract: A method for synthesizing cDNA characterized by performing a reverse transcription reaction in the presence of an enzyme having a reverse transcriptional activity and another enzyme different from the former one which as a 3?-5? exonuclease activity.

Abstract: A plant promoter capable of inducing the expression specifically at the site and stage wherein the reconstitution of plant cell wall xyloglucan is necessary, namely, a plant promoter originating in a gene which encodes an endo-xyloglucan transferase or a gene which encodes a substance having a function equivalent thereto; and a method for modifying the function of a plant with the use of the plant promoter and a method for cloning the plant promoter.

Abstract: A method for synthesizing cDNA characterized by performing a reverse transcription reaction in the presence of an enzyme having a reverse transcriptional activity and another enzyme different from the former one which as a 3?-5? exonuclease activity.

Abstract: Medicinal compositions for treating, ameliorating or preventing diseases with sensitivity to 3,6-anhydrogalactopyranose represented by formula (1): foods, drinks, cosmetics, etc. containing as the active ingredient at least one member selected from the group consisting of the above-mentioned compound, its aldehyde, its hydrate and 2-O-methylated derivatives thereof and soluble sugar compounds containing the above compound. This compound also shows, for example, an apoptosis-inducing activity, a carcinostatic activity and inhibitory activities on the production of active oxygen, lipid peroxide radicals and NO, which makes it useful also as the active ingredient of antioxidants and preservatives.

Abstract: There are provided hyperthermostable proteases having an amino acid sequences represented by SEQ ID NOs: 1, 3 and 5 of the Sequence Listing or functional equivalents thereof and hyperthermostable protease genes encoding those hyperthermostable protease. There is also disclosed a process for preparation of a hyperthermostable protease by culturing a transformant containing the gene.