Abstract: Provided is a novel technique for reducing damage and death of microbial cells through a method for producing highly viable dried microbial cells, the method being characterized by subjecting dried microbial cells to an alternating temperature treatment.

Abstract: An object is to provide a method for producing dried microbial cells with a high viable cell survival rate after long-term storage at a high temperature. A method for producing dried microbial cells that achieves the above-mentioned object is characterized in that microbial cells are suspended in a dispersion medium containing a protective agent, an antioxidant, and a chelating agent, followed by drying.

Abstract: An object is to provide a method for producing dried microbial cells with a high viable cell survival rate after long-term storage at a high temperature. A method for producing dried microbial cells that achieves the above-mentioned object is characterized in that microbial cells are suspended in a dispersion medium containing a protective agent, an antioxidant, and a chelating agent, followed by drying.

Abstract: An object of the invention is to provide a lactic acid bacteria fermentation product, which has been obtained by culturing lactic acid bacteria on a medium containing an extract of at least one food material selected from the group consisting of rice bran, persimmon leaves, perilla, Houttuynia cordata Thunb, Eucommia ulmoides Oliv., turmeric, clove, cinnamon and Rubus suavissimus S. Lee (Rosaceae). By adding and mixing the extract used for the preparation of the fermentation product to a medium, it is possible to increase simply the viable cell count of lactic acid bacteria, without affecting the flavor of the product. It is possible, by using the extract, to obtain a lactic acid bacteria fermentation product which contains many viable lactic acid bacteria with their activities highly maintained, and further to provide beverages or foods using the product.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a technique for improving a taste derived from Rubus suavissimus S. Lee (Rosaceae) while maintaining the effect of extracts of Rubus suavissimus S. Lee (Rosaceae) to enhance the proliferative capability or viability in culturing of lactic acid bacteria. Provided is a lactic acid bacteria culture product which is obtained by culturing a lactic acid bacterium in a culture medium, wherein the culture medium contains an essence of Rubus suavissimus S. Lee (Rosaceae), wherein the essence of Rubus suavissimus S. Lee (Rosaceae) is a concentrate obtained through an electrodialysis of a mixture obtained by adding an inorganic salt to an extract of Rubus suavissimus S. Lee (Rosaceae).

Abstract: The purpose of the present invention is to provide a technique whereby the flavor of products such as fermented milk that use the Bifidobacterium bacteria can be improved while maintaining the effect of the Rubus suavissimus S. Lee for improving the viability of the Bifidobacterium bacteria. Provided is a fermented food that includes: a Rubus suavissimus S. Lee essence obtained as a concentrate through electrodialyzing a Rubus suavissimus S. Lee extract added with an inorganic salt; and bacteria of the genus Bifidobacterium. Also provided is a method for producing such fermented foods.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a technique for improving a taste derived from Rubus suavissimus S. Lee (Rosaceae) while maintaining the effect of extracts of Rubus suavissimus S. Lee (Rosaceae) to enhance the proliferative capability or viability in culturing of lactic acid bacteria. Provided is a lactic acid bacteria culture product which is obtained by culturing a lactic acid bacterium in a culture medium, wherein the culture medium contains an essence of Rubus suavissimus S. Lee (Rosaceae), wherein the essence of Rubus suavissimus S. Lee (Rosaceae) is a concentrate obtained through an electrodialysis of a mixture obtained by adding an inorganic salt to an extract of Rubus suavissimus S. Lee (Rosaceae).

Abstract: An acid milk beverage that without the use of conventionally employed various thickening stabilizers, excels in product quality stability, and that realizes good flavor and calorie suppression, being of light type; and a process for producing the same. There is provided an acid milk beverage characterized in that there are contained polydextrose and at least one glucide selected from the group (a) consisting of glucose, fructose, sugar, trehalose, maltose, erythritol, sorbitol, xylitol, maltitol, lactitol, palatinose and galactooligosaccharide, and that the sum of these soluble solid contents is in the range of 12.0 to 17.0 mass %, containing substantially none of thickening stabilizers. Further, there is provided a process for producing the acid milk beverage.

Abstract: The purpose of the present invention is to provide a technique whereby the flavor of products such as fermented milk that use the Bifidobacterium bacteria can be improved while maintaining the effect of the Rubus suavissimus S. Lee for improving the viability of the Bifidobacterium bacteria. Provided is a fermented food that includes: a Rubus suavissimus S. Lee essence obtained as a concentrate through electrodialyzing a Rubus suavissimus S. Lee extract added with an inorganic salt; and bacteria of the genus Bifidobacterium. Also provided is a method for producing such fermented foods.

Abstract: An acid milk beverage that without the use of conventionally employed various thickening stabilizers, excels in product quality stability, and that realizes good flavor and calorie suppression, being of light type; and a process for producing the same. There is provided an acid milk beverage characterized in that there are contained polydextrose and at least one glucide selected from the group (a) consisting of glucose, fructose, sugar, trehalose, maltose, erythritol, sorbitol, xylitol, maltitol, lactitol, palatinose and galactooligosaccharide, and that the sum of these soluble solid contents is in the range of 12.0 to 17.0 mass %, containing substantially none of thickening stabilizers. Further, there is provided a process for producing the acid milk beverage.

Abstract: An object of the invention is to provide a lactic acid bacteria fermentation product, which has been obtained by culturing lactic acid bacteria on a medium containing an extract of at least one food material selected from the group consisting of rice bran, persimmon leaves, perilla, Houttuynia cordata Thunb, Eucommia ulmoides Oliv., turmeric, clove, cinnamon and Rubus suavissimus S. Lee (Rosaceae). By adding and mixing the extract used for the preparation of the fermentation product to a medium, it is possible to increase simply the viable cell count of lactic acid bacteria, without affecting the flavor of the product. It is possible, by using the extract, to obtain a lactic acid bacteria fermentation product which contains many viable lactic acid bacteria with their activities highly maintained, and further to provide beverages or foods using the product.