Abstract: A method for producing dry earthworm powder, by which dry earthworm powder having high-titer enzymes can be produced while removing toxic substances contained in the bodies of earthworms, is provided. The method comprises: contacting a live earthworm with a chloride(s) of at least one metal selected from the group consisting of potassium, sodium, magnesium and calcium; and subsequently contacting the live earthworm with powder of a hydroxycarboxylic acid(s) and diluting the resulting mixture with water to adjust pH to 2 to 5, followed by leaving the live earthworm to stand for 3 to 180 minutes, washing the live earthworm with water, grinding the washed live earthworm and freeze-drying the obtained ground product.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide: a catecholamine production accelerator comprising a natural product as an active ingredient; a therapeutic agent and preventive agent for diseases caused by catecholamine deficiency; and food compositions for the treatment or prevention of diseases caused by catecholamine deficiency. Provided are: a catecholamine production accelerator comprising a dry powder, ground product and/or extract of an earthworm as an active ingredient; a therapeutic agent and preventive agent for a disease caused by catecholamine deficiency; and loud compositions for the treatment or prevention of a disease caused by catecholamine deficiency. It is preferred that the disease caused by catecholamine deficiency be selected from the group consisting of Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease.

Abstract: The present invention provides a highly safe tyrosinase inhibitor having excellent tyrosinase-inhibiting action, and a method for producing the tyrosinase inhibitor. The method for producing a tyrosinase inhibitor comprises the steps of contacting a live earthworm with hydroxycarboxylic acid powder, diluting the resulting mixture with water to adjust the pH to 2 to 5, and then leaving the resulting dilution to stand for 3 to 180 minutes, or contacting a live earthworm with an aqueous solution of hydroxycarboxylic acid having a pH of 2 to 5 and then leaving the resulting mixture to stand for 3 to 180 minutes; followed by washing the live earthworm with water, grinding the washed earthworm, and then freeze-drying the obtained ground product.

Abstract: The present invention provides a highly safe tyrosinase inhibitor having excellent tyrosinase-inhibiting action, and a method for producing the tyrosinase inhibitor. The method for producing a tyrosinase inhibitor comprises the steps of contacting a live earthworm with hydroxycarboxylic acid powder, diluting the resulting mixture with water to adjust the pH to 2 to 5, and then leaving the resulting dilution to stand for 3 to 180 minutes, or contacting a live earthworm with an aqueous solution of hydroxycarboxylic acid having a pH of 2 to 5 and then leaving the resulting mixture to stand for 3 to 180 minutes; followed by washing the live earthworm with water, grinding the washed earthworm, and then freeze-drying the obtained ground product.

Abstract: Provided is a simple and easy method of producing an innoxious dry earthworm powder, while suppressing inactivation of the enzymes contained in earthworms. In the method, a homogenate obtained by grinding living earthworms is freeze-dried and the dried product is heat-treated at a temperature of 110° C. or higher but lower than 130° C. Preferably, the method according to the present invention comprises further a process for preparation of the living earthworms, which precedes the grinding step, comprising the steps of: standing the living earthworms under light for 10 to 50 hours; removing the dirt formed on the skin thereof, bringing the earthworms into contact with an organic acid for 30 seconds or less; diluting the acid with addition of water to adjust the pH of the aqueous acidic solution to a pH in the range of 2 to 5; standing the earthworm mixture under the pH condition for 3 to 180 minutes; and then washing the earthworms with water.

Abstract: Provided is a method of producing a dry earthworm powder without deterioration in useful pharmacological action, by removing dirt on the skin of earthworms while allowing the earthworms to excrete the digest remaining in the digestive tracts efficiently without weakening the earthworms, which comprises the steps of: standing living earthworms under light for 10 to 50 hours, removing the dirt formed on the skin thereof, adding an organic acid to the living earthworms, diluting the acid rapidly with addition of water, adjusting the pH of the aqueous acidic solution to 2 to 5, standing the earthworm mixture for 3 to 180 minutes under the pH condition, washing the earthworms with water, grinding the earthworms into a homogenate, freezing the homogenate at ?18° C. to ?35° C., keeping the frozen homogenate for 20 to 240 hours, and freeze-drying and degassing the frozen homogenate under vacuum simultaneously.