Abstract: A saccharide composition comprising maltooligosyl derivatives of turanose and palatinose which can be readily produced, separated, and purified in a relatively-high yield from maltooligosylsucrose by allowing non-reducing saccharide-forming enzymes to act on aqueous solutions containing maltooligosylsucrose. These saccharides are reducing oligosaccharides with a mild and high-quality sweetness and can be used orally and parenterally, as well as being readily metabolized and used by living bodies.

Abstract: Disclosed is a novel non-reducing oligosaccharide with neotrehalose structure represented by the general formula as shown by: ##STR1## The oligosaccharide is obtainable by exposing an aqueous solution containing neotrehalose to a saccharide-transferring enzyme, and has a superior stability, reduced sweetness, appropriate viscosity, no susceptibility to crystallization and less fermentability. These features make it very useful in various compositions including foods, beverages, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals.

Abstract: A separation system to prepare a high .alpha.-glycosyl-L-ascorbic acid content product involves the use of a specific anion-exchange membrane having a molecular weight cut-off in the range of about 100-1,000. The system readily separates .alpha.-glycosyl-L-ascorbic acid from L-ascorbic acid and other impurities and provides a relatively-high yield.

Abstract: A hair restorer which comprises a carrier and an effective amount of one or more compounds selected from the group consisting of 3-[4-hydroxy-3,5-bis(3-methyl-2-butenyl)phenyl]-2-propenoic acid, benzenepropanoic acid 4-(2-carboxyethenyl)-2-(3-methyl-2-butenyl)phenylester, and their salts, in the treatment and prevention of alopecia.

Abstract: Disclosed is a novel non-reducing oligosaccharide with neotrehalose structure represented by the general formula as shown by: ##STR1## The oligosaccharide is obtainable by exposing an aqueous solution containing neotrehalose to a saccharide-transferring enzyme, and has a superior stability, reduced sweetness, appropriate viscosity, no susceptibility to crystallization and less fermentability. These features make it very useful in various compositions including foods, beverages, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals.

Abstract: Disclosed is a novel non-reducing oligosaccharide with neotrehalose structure represented by the general formula as shown by: ##STR1## The oligosaccharide is obtainable by exposing an aqueous solution containing neotrehalose to a saccharide-transferring enzyme, and has a superior stability, reduced sweetness, appropriate viscosity, no susceptibility to crystallization and less fermentability. These features make it very useful in various compositions including foods, beverages, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals.

Abstract: A high .alpha.-glycosyl-L-ascorbic acid content product is prepared by subjecting an aqueous solution containing .alpha.-glycosylL-ascorbic acid together with L-ascorbic acid and/or a saccharide to electrodialysis wherein an anion-exchange membrane is used in order to allow the L-ascorbic acid to predominantly permeate the membrane and to separate the L-ascorbic acid from .alpha.-glycosyl-L-ascorbic acid, or in order to allow the .alpha.-glycosyl-L-ascorbic acid to predominantly permeate the membrane and to separate the .alpha.-glycosyl-L-ascorbic acid from the saccharide. Thus, a high .alpha.-glycosyl-L-ascorbic acid content product having a desirable stability and physiological activity is readily prepared.