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

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: The objective of the present invention is to provide a cleaning agent composition which can be used in the open air without any problems since the cleaning agent is environmentally friendly and which is effective for removing a low-molecular-weight and poorly-water-soluble cyclic silicone compound that causes a stain of a silicone sealing. The cleaning agent for washing out a silicone stain according to the present invention is characterized in comprising a cyclic lipopeptide biosurfactant, wherein the specific silicone stain compound such as D4 compound is the objective compound to be removed.

Abstract: The objective of the present invention is to provide a method for remarkably reducing a critical micelle concentration of an anionic surfactant, which is used in a large amount currently, to reduce the amount to be used. Also, the objective of the present invention is to provide a surfactant composition of which whole critical micelle concentration is remarkably reduced and in which an amount of an anionic surfactant is reduced in comparison with the case of using an anionic surfactant only as a surfactant. The method for reducing a critical micelle concentration of an anionic surfactant according to the present invention is characterized in using a cyclic lipopeptide biosurfactant in combination with the anionic surfactant.

Abstract: The objective of the present invention is to provide a method for remarkably reducing a critical micelle concentration of an anionic surfactant, which is used in a large amount currently, to reduce the amount to be used. Also, the objective of the present invention is to provide a surfactant composition of which whole critical micelle concentration is remarkably reduced and in which an amount of an anionic surfactant is reduced in comparison with the case of using an anionic surfactant only as a surfactant. The method for reducing a critical micelle concentration of an anionic surfactant according to the present invention is characterized in using a cyclic lipopeptide biosurfactant in combination with the anionic surfactant.

Abstract: An objective of the present invention is to provide a surfactant composition which hardly causes the formation of an insoluble salt and which contains a safe and extremely stable micelle or vesicle. Also, an objective of the present invention is to provide a hair cosmetic material which contains the surfactant composition. The surfactant composition according to the present invention is characterized in comprising a micelle or a vesicle which contain surfactin and a specific cationic surfactant.

Abstract: An objective of the present invention is to provide a method for reducing surface free energy of an organic solvent and of a mixed solution of water and a water-miscible organic solvent, a composition which has a reduced surface free energy of an organic solvent and of a mixed solution of water and a water-miscible organic solvent and which has high environmental suitability and safety to a living body, and a wet wiper and an antiseptic solution which contains the composition The method for reducing surface free energy of an organic solvent or a mixed solvent of water and a water-miscible solvent according to the present invention is characterized in comprising the step of adding surfactin or a salt thereof to the organic solvent or mixed solvent.

Abstract: The objective of the present invention is to provide a cleaning agent composition which can be used in the open air without any problems since the cleaning agent is environmentally friendly and which is effective for removing a low-molecular-weight and poorly-water-soluble cyclic silicone compound that causes a stain of a silicone sealing. The cleaning agent for washing out a silicone stain according to the present invention is characterized in comprising a cyclic lipopeptide biosurfactant, wherein the specific silicone stain compound such as D4 compound is the objective compound to be removed.

Abstract: The present invention includes as an active ingredient at least one biosurfactant, in particular mannosyl alditol lipid (such as MEL and MML) or triacylated mannosyl alditol lipid. This allows providing an activator and anti-aging agent that is excellent in activating and anti-aging effects on cells and that is safe enough to be used for a long time, and also providing cosmetics, quasi-drugs, drugs, and drinks and foods including the activator and the anti-aging agent as active ingredients. Further, the present invention provides MEL whose mannosyl erythritol skeleton in a molecular structure is 1-O-?-D-mannopyranosyl-meso-erythritol and a method for producing the MEL with use of a microorganism.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a cosmetic for skin roughness improvement/skin care containing a biosurfactant, particularly MEL-A, MEL-B or MEL-C.

Abstract: The present invention includes as an active ingredient at least one biosurfactant, in particular mannosyl alditol lipid (such as MEL and MML) or triacylated mannosyl alditol lipid. This allows providing an activator and anti-aging agent that is excellent in activating and anti-aging effects on cells and that is safe enough to be used for a long time, and also providing cosmetics, quasi-drugs, drugs, and drinks and foods including the activator and the anti-aging agent as active ingredients. Further, the present invention provides MEL whose mannosyl erythritol skeleton in a molecular structure is 1-O-?-D-mannopyranosyl-meso-erythritol and a method for producing the MEL with use of a microorganism.

Abstract: The present invention includes as an active ingredient at least one biosurfactant, in particular mannosyl alditol lipid (such as MEL and MML) or triacylated mannosyl alditol lipid. This allows providing an activator and anti-aging agent that is excellent in activating and anti-aging effects on cells and that is safe enough to be used for a long time, and also providing cosmetics, quasi-drugs, drugs, and drinks and foods including the activator and the anti-aging agent as active ingredients. Further, the present invention provides MEL whose mannosyl erythritol skeleton in a molecular structure is 1-O-?-D-mannopyranosyl-meso-erythritol and a method for producing the MEL with use of a microorganism.

Abstract: The present invention includes as an active ingredient at least one biosurfactant, in particular mannosyl alditol lipid (such as MEL and MML) or triacylated mannosyl alditol lipid. This allows providing an activator and anti-aging agent that is excellent in activating and anti-aging effects on cells and that is safe enough to be used for a long time, and also providing cosmetics, quasi-drugs, drugs, and drinks and foods including the activator and the anti-aging agent as active ingredients. Further, the present invention provides MEL whose mannosyl erythritol skeleton in a molecular structure is 1-O-?-D-mannopyranosyl-meso-erythritol and a method for producing the MEL with use of a microorganism.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a cosmetic for skin roughness improvement/skin care containing a biosurfactant, particularly MEL-A, MEL-B or MEL-C.

Abstract: A novel oxotitanium complex represented by general formula (I) is disclosed: ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 may be the same or different and each represents a hydrogen atom, a lower alkyl group, a lower alkoxy group, a halogen atom, a phenyl group, a substituted phenyl group, a trialkylsilyl group, a monoalkyldiphenylsilyl group, a dialkylmonophenylsilyl group, a triphenylsilyl group, a substituted triphenylsilyl group, or a lower alkoxycarbonyl group, provided that R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 may be bonded to each other to form a hydrocarbon ring or a substituted hydrocarbon ring in cooperation with the carbon atoms to which R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are bonded; R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 may be the same or different and each represents a hydrogen atom, a lower alkyl group, a lower alkoxy group, a benzoyl group, a benzenesulfonyl group, or a halogen atom, provided that R.sup.3 and R.sup.

Abstract: A novel oxotitanium complex represented by general formula (I) is disclosed: ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 may be the same or different and each represents a hydrogen atom, a lower alkyl group, a lower alkoxy group, a halogen atom, a phenyl group, a substituted phenyl group, a trialkylsilyl group, a monoalkyldiphenylsilyl group, a dialkylmonophenylsilyl group, a triphenylsilyl group, a substituted triphenylsilyl group, or a lower alkoxycarbonyl group, provided that R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 may be bonded to each other to form a hydrocarbon ring or a substituted hydrocarbon ring in cooperation with the carbon atoms to which R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are bonded; R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 may be the same or different and each represents a hydrogen atom, a lower alkyl group, a lower alkoxy group, a benzoyl group, a benzenesulfonyl group, or a halogen atom, provided that R.sup.3 and R.sup.

Abstract: A novel oxotitanium complex represented by general formula (I) is disclosed: ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 may be the same or different and each represents a hydrogen atom, a lower alkyl group, a lower alkoxy group, a halogen atom, a phenyl group, a substituted phenyl group, a trialkylsilyl group, a monoalkyldiphenylsilyl group, a dialkylmonophenylsilyl group, a triphenylsilyl group, a substituted triphenylsilyl group, or a lower alkoxycarbonyl group, provided that R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 may be bonded to each other to form a hydrocarbon ring or a substituted hydrocarbon ring in cooperation with the carbon atoms to which R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are bonded; R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 may be the same or different and each represents a hydrogen atom, a lower alkyl group, a lower alkoxy group, a benzoyl group, a benzenesulfonyl group, or a halogen atom, provided that R.sup.3 and R.sup.