Abstract: Provided is a means for increasing mannosylerythritol lipid (MEL) production efficiency. The present invention is a mannosylerythritol-lipid-producing microorganism transformed with an expression vector having a gene that encodes a lipase under the control of E5Pgap promoter or E5Ptef promoter.

Abstract: A polymer compound in which coumarin or a derivative thereof is bonded to at least one terminal of a skeletal polymer. A flow property of the polymer compound is reversibly changeable from a first state to a second state by irradiation with light at a first wavelength and from the second state to the first state by irradiation with light at a second wavelength different from the first wavelength.

Abstract: Provided is a means for promoting electron transfer between nanocarbon and other substances. An electron transfer accelerator for nanocarbon comprising a compound having an aromatic ring Skelton.

Abstract: Provided is a water-in-oil emulsified cosmetic having improved feeling on use and usability. The water-in-oil emulsified cosmetic may include: (a) one or more polymers selected from the group consisting of polyacrylic acid, a salt of polyacrylic acid, poly(2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid), and a salt of poly(2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid) and having (i) a weight average molecular weight of 1 million to 4 million, and (ii) a viscosity at 25° C. when made into a 1% by mass aqueous solution of 1 Pa·s or less, (b) an aqueous phase component other than the component (a); (c) 60% by mass or less of an oily component, and (d) an emulsifier.

Abstract: Provided is a monoacylated MEL. A microorganism of the genus Pseudozyma produces monoacylated MEL-B.

Abstract: A method of thickening cosmetics containing a crosslinked water-swellable polymer, or a microgel obtained by pulverizing a hydrophilic compound having gelation ability. The method comprises adding a linear polyacrylic acid or a salt thereof, or a linear poly(2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid) or a salt thereof, having a weight-average molecular weight of 500,000 to 8,000,000, which has a thread length of 10 mm or less at room temperature when formed into a 1% by mass solution. The method provides cosmetics having an improved viscoelastic ratio, with a rich and full-bodied feeling upon application.

Abstract: Aqueous compositions can be thickened without increasing stringiness, by using polymers of polyacrylic acid, poly(2-acryamide-2-methylpropanesulfonate), or salts thereof, having a weight average molecular weights of 500,000 to 8,000,000 as thickeners. The polymers contain no more than 10 mass % of polymers having a molecular weight of 10,000,00 or more, and/or contain no more than 10 mass % of polymers having more than three times the weight average molecular weight. Aqueous solutions of these polymers exhibit a low degree of stringiness, and are particularly useful as thickeners for cosmetics.

Abstract: Provided is a means for increasing mannosylerythritol lipid (MEL) production efficiency. The present invention is a mannosylerythritol-lipid-producing microorganism transformed with an expression vector having a gene that encodes a lipase under the control of E5Pgap promoter or E5Ptef promoter.

Abstract: Provided is a means for efficiently producing a monoacyl MEL. This means comprises culturing a monoacyl-MEL-producing microorganism in the presence of a surfactant.

Abstract: There is provided a cosmetic which can moisturize the skin and exhibit a beautifying effect in low humidity environments while reducing sticky uncomfortable feelings in high humidity environments or sweaty states.

Abstract: A shape memory resin includes a polymer comprising 64-85 mol % N-alkylacrylamide component, 14-35 mol % acrylic ester component, and 0.01-6 mol % crosslinking component.

Abstract: [Problem] To provide a method and device for anti-aging of skin. The present invention relates to a method and device for anti-aging of skin, comprising application of physical stimulation to the skin of the subject at a vibrational frequency of 60 Hz or lower. [Solution] There are provided a method and device that exhibit a desirable skin anti-aging effect onto the shallow layers such as the epidermis.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a water-in-oil emulsified cosmetic having improved feeling on use and usability. A water-in-oil emulsified cosmetic characteristic by comprising the following components (a) to (d): (a) one or more polymers selected from the group consisting of polyacrylic acid, a salt of polyacrylic acid, poly(2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid), and a salt of poly(2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid) and having a weight average molecular weight of 1 million to 4 million, and a viscosity at 25° C. when made into a 1% by mass aqueous solution of 1 Pa·s or less, (b) an aqueous phase component other than the component (a) (c) 60% by mass or less of an oily component, and (d) an emulsifier.

Abstract: Provided is a means for promoting electron transfer between nanocarbon and other substances. An electron transfer accelerator for nanocarbon comprising a compound having an aromatic ring skeleton.

Abstract: A cosmetic includes a component (a) and (b): wherein component (a) is a polyacrylic acid or a salt thereof or poly(2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid) or a salt thereof that has a weight-average molecular weight of 500,000 to 8,000,000, is linear, and has a thread length of 10 mm or less at room temperature when formed into a 1% by mass solution, wherein the thread length is a distance determined by: bringing a round disk having a diameter of about 1 cm uniformly and lightly into contact with a surface of the solution; lowering a container that contains the solution at a velocity of 5 mm/sec, and measuring the distance that the container descended until a thread of the solution is cut, and component (b) is a crosslinked water-swellable polymer having a crosslinking density of 0.01 to 1% by mole, or a microgel obtained by pulverizing a gel consisting of a hydrophilic compound having gelating ability.

Abstract: The invention provides a thick water-based cosmetic which can impart a novel usage feeling The thick water-based cosmetic of the present invention has a viscoelastic ratio of 10 or more and a viscosity of 500 mPa·s or less at a shear rate of 1/s, wherein when concentrated by a factor of five by drying to remove moisture, the thick water-based cosmetic changes to a gel-like form having a viscoelastic ratio of 0.5 or less and a viscosity of 70000 mPa·s or more at a shear rate of 1/s.

Abstract: The invention provides methods of thickening aqueous compositions without increasing stringiness. The method involves using, as thickeners, polymers of polyacrylic acid, poly(2-acryamide-2-methylpropanesulfonate), or salts thereof, having a weight average molecular weight of 500,000-8,000,000. The polymers contain no more than 10 mass % of polymers having a molecular weight of 10,000,00 or more, and/or contain no more than 10 mass % of polymers having more than three times the weight average molecular weight. Aqueous solutions of these polymers have a low degree of stringiness, and are particularly useful as thickeners for cosmetics.

Abstract: The present invention was aimed to provide a low-stringiness thickener consisting of a compound in high demand as a thickener for cosmetics, i.e., polyacrylic acid or a salt thereof, or PAMPS or a salt thereof, where a stringiness property of the compound was reduced. A low-stringiness thickener consisting of a compound selected from polyacrylic acid. a salt of polyacrylic acid, PAMPS, and a salt of PAMPS, wherein the weight-average molecular weight of the compound is 500 thousand to 8 million, and wherein the content of the compound having the molecular weight of 10 million or higher is 10 mass % or less.

Abstract: To provide surface-treating agents that can provide excellent hydrophobicity to powder and can improve its rinsability, to provide surface-treated powders that are treated with the surface-treating agent, and to provide cosmetics that comprise the surface-treated powder. A surface-treating agent consisting of a polymer which comprises a monomer (A) represented by the general formula (1) described below as a constituent monomer. (wherein R1 represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group having 1 to 3 carbon atoms, R2 represents an alkylene group having 4 to 22 carbon atoms, X1 represents an —NH— group or an oxygen atom, and M1 represents a hydrogen atom or a monovalent inorganic or organic cation.

Abstract: There are provided a microorganism characterized by producing poly-?-L-glutamate with a molecular weight of 1,300,000 or greater and uniform optical purity under liquid culture conditions, a method of screening for the microorganism, a method of producing poly-?-L-glutamate having large molecular weight by using the microorganism, and poly-?-L-glutamate having an average molecular weight of 1,300,000 or greater. In addition, usages of these are provided.