Abstract: Disclosed is a novel lactic acid bacterium belonging to Lactobacillus plantarum, which has an excellent fermentative ability affording high achievable cell counts even if various vegetable or fruit juices are used as fermentative substrates. The lactic acid bacterium belonging to Lactobacillus plantarum is characterized by the achievable viable cell counts being 108 CFU/ml or more in both cases when 100% juice of grape or of orange is used as fermentative substrate.

Abstract: Disclosed is a novel lactic acid bacterium belonging to Lactobacillus plantarum, which has an excellent fermentative ability affording high achievable cell counts even if various vegetable or fruit juices are used as fermentative substrates. The lactic acid bacterium belonging to Lactobacillus plantarum is characterized by the achievable viable cell counts being 108 CFU/ml or more in both cases when 100% juice of grape or of orange is used as fermentative substrate.

Abstract: It is intended to provide Bifidobacterium bifidum which has an effect of killing Helicobacter pylori and shows high survivability even in the case of being stored in a fermented milk food or drink under aerobic condition. The Bifidobacterium bifidum has the following characteristics: (1) having an effect of killing Helicobacter pylori; and (2) showing a survival rate of 10% or higher in the case of being stored in a fermented milk drink or food under aerobic condition at 10° C. for 14 days.

Abstract: To provide a bacterium belonging to the genus Bifidobacterium which is excellent in a survival ability in the gastrointestinal tract, has an effect of inhibiting the cholesterol absorption in the intestinal tract, and is excellent in lipid metabolism ameliorating effects including decreasing the blood cholesterol level and the like, and shows a high survival rate after storage, and a cholesterol absorption inhibitor using the same. The invention provides a cholesterol absorption inhibitor containing, as an active ingredient, at least one microorganism selected from Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. animalis YIT 10394, Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis JCM 1253, Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis JCM 7117, and Bifidobacterium pseudolongum subsp. globosum.

Abstract: A bone metabolism improving agent characterized by containing as the active ingredient fermented soybean milk which is obtained by fermenting soybean milk with a lactic acid bacterium or a bifidobacterium. The bone metabolism improving agent is efficacious in treating and preventing diseases in association with lowered bone metabolism such as osteoporosis and, at the same time, satisfies requirements in cost and smooth intake.

Abstract: It is intended to provide Bifidobacterium bifidum which has an effect of killing Helicobacter pylori and shows high survivability even in the case of being stored in a fermented milk food or drink under aerobic condition. The Bifidobacterium bifidum has the following characteristics: (1) having an effect of killing Helicobacter pylori; and (2) showing a survival rate of 10% or higher in the case of being stored in a fermented milk drink or food under aerobic condition at 10° C. for 14 days.

Abstract: To provide a bacterium belonging to the genus Bifidobacterium which is excellent in a survival ability in the gastrointestinal tract, has an effect of inhibiting the cholesterol absorption in the intestinal tract, and is excellent in lipid metabolism ameliorating effects including decreasing the blood cholesterol level and the like, and shows a high survival rate after storage, and a cholesterol absorption inhibitor using the same. The invention provides a cholesterol absorption inhibitor containing, as an active ingredient, at least one microorganism selected from Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. animalis YIT 10394, Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis JCM 1253, Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis JCM 7117, and Bifidobacterium pseudolongum subsp. globosum.

Abstract: A Bifidobacterium that is resistant to acid and bile and which retains at least 20% viability after acid and bile treatment. Foods and drinks containing an acid- and bile-resistant Bifidobacterium. Methods for providing viable Bifidobacteria to the intestine after ingestion of a food or drink containing an acid- and bile-resistant Bifidobacterium.

Abstract: A bone metabolism improving agent characterized by containing as the active ingredient fermented soybean milk which is obtained by fermenting soybean milk with a lactic acid bacterium or a bifidobacterium. The bone metabolism improving agent is efficacious in treating and preventing diseases in association with lowered bone metabolism such as osteoporosis and, at the same time, satisfies requirements in cost and smooth intake.

Abstract: Provided is a method of assessing the extent to which Bifidobacterium bacteria in a Bifidobacterium-bacteria-containing fermented milk food or drink reach the intestines when the food or drink is orally administered to human beings, which comprises subjecting the fermented milk food or drink to successive treatments with an acid and bile, and measuring the bacterial viability after the treatments.

Abstract: A bone metabolism improving agent characterized by containing as the active ingredient fermented soybean milk which is obtained by fermenting soybean milk with a lactic acid bacterium or a bifidobacterium.

Abstract: A Bifidobacterium breve strain provided is showing a viable count of 1×109 cells/ml or more immediately after culturing in a soymilk medium and sustaining a viable count of 1×108 cells/ml or more after storage at 10° C. for 14 days. The strain is preferably Bifidobacterium breve FERM BP-6223, and is used for producing fermented soymilk.

Abstract: A process for producing GIF-2, an antimicrobial peptide, by culturing Bacillus cereus, FERM BP-746, under conditions sufficient to produce GIF-2 and recovering GIF-2 from the culture medium.

Abstract: A substance GIF-2 having bacteriostatic activities and a process for producing the same are disclosed.GIF-2 is produced by culturing bacteria capable of producing GIF-2 and belonging to genus Bacillus, and isolating GIF-2 from the culture medium. GIF-2 is presumed to have the following structure: ##STR1## wherein one of three X's is an amido bond and R is a .beta.