Abstract: The present invention provides a composition for the oral cavity that comprises a pine bark extract that is extracted from the bark of a pine. The composition for the oral cavity of the present invention can provide a plurality of effects such as an effect of improving blood flow in the mouth and an effect of reducing halitosis.

Abstract: The method comprises the process of treating an extract or squeezed juice of a plant with a salt and/or an alkaloid and then with a synthetic resin adsorbent, or the process of treating an extract or squeezed juice of a plant with a synthetic resin adsorbent and then with a salt and/or an alkaloid. By this method, a proanthocyanidin-containing product containing highly bioactive OPCs at a high ratio can be obtained easily and efficiently.

Abstract: A cruciferous plant, cut pieces thereof, and juice of the plant and the cut pieces are subjected to at least one treatment selected from the group consisting of anaerobic treatment, 25 to 50° C. thermal retention treatment, and glutamic acid treatment, to enrich &ggr;-aminobutyric acid (GABA), thereby obtaining a cruciferous plant, cut pieces, and juice containing GABA in various concentrations. By performing microwave radiation, blanching, drying, and the like for the GABA-enriched plant and the like as required, dried powder of the cruciferous plant, the cut pieces, and the juice, containing GABA in a high concentration and maintaining green color, is obtained. Food material, medicine material, and feed made of the cruciferous plant containing GABA in a high concentration are obtained.

Abstract: A processed food excellent for activating superoxidase dismutase is disclosed. The food contains 30 to 70% by weight of barley, wheat, rye or oats; 1 to 50% by weight of water soluble dietary fibers; 1 to 10% by weight of oligosaccharides; 0.5 to 5% by weight of powdered lactic acid bacteria and 5 to 15% by weight of powdered green tea. A method of making the food and a method for activating superoxide dismutase using the food is also disclosed.

Abstract: Young leaves of a grass plant selected from the group consisting of barley, wheat, rye, oats, adlay, Italian ryegrass, and rice, having &ggr;-aminobutyric acid, known as an antihypertensive substance, in which the amount of &ggr;-aminobutyric acid is enriched or retained, are provided. The content of &ggr;-aminobutyric acid in the young leaves is 500 mg/100 g or more in terms of dry weight. Young leaf powder, young leaf juice, and young leaf juice powder of the grass plant having &ggr;-aminobutyric acid in large amounts are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for retaining or enriching &ggr;-aminobutyric acid in green grass leaves, which comprises the step of subjecting green grass leaves or processed products thereof to at least one treatment selected from the group consisting of incubation treatment, anaerobic treatment, and microwave treatment.