Abstract: The present invention provides a method for preparing a glycoside of a flavonoid compound, which comprises the step of treating flavonoid and a glycosyl donor with an enzymatic agent having glycosylation activity and being derived from the genus Trichoderma (preferably Trichoderma viride or Trichoderma reesei). Such a flavonoid compound includes a catechin compound or a methylated derivative thereof, and the glycosyl donor includes a carbohydrate containing a maltotriose residue (preferably maltotriose, maltotetraose, maltopentaose, maltohexaose, maltoheptaose, dextrin, ?-cyclodextrin or soluble starch). Glycosides obtained by the present invention have higher water solubility, improved taste, and increased stability. The present invention also provides novel glycosides of catechin compounds, which are obtained by the method of the present invention.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel glycosyltransferase proteins produced by ascomycetous filamentous fungi (preferably species belonging to the genus Trichoderma, more preferably Trichoderma viride), as well as genes encoding the same. Among novel enzyme proteins provided by the present invention, particularly preferred is an enzyme protein obtained from the culture supernatant of Trichoderma viride strain IAM5141. The novel enzymes of the present invention allow glycosylation of flavonoid compounds to thereby improve their water solubility.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel glycosyltransferase proteins produced by ascomycetous filamentous fungi (preferably species belonging to the genus Trichoderma, more preferably Trichoderma viride), as well as genes encoding the same. Among novel enzyme proteins provided by the present invention, particularly preferred is an enzyme protein obtained from the culture supernatant of Trichoderma viride strain IAM5141. The novel enzymes of the present invention allow glycosylation of flavonoid compounds to thereby improve their water solubility.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel glycosyltransferase proteins produced by ascomycetous filamentous fungi (preferably species belonging to the genus Trichoderma, more preferably Trichoderma viride), as well as genes encoding the same. Among novel enzyme proteins provided by the present invention, particularly preferred is an enzyme protein obtained from the culture supernatant of Trichoderma viride strain IAM5141. The novel enzymes of the present invention allow glycosylation of flavonoid compounds to thereby improve their water solubility.

Abstract: A lipid-improving agent containing a triglyceride(s) where a poly-unsaturated fatty acid is bonded to 2-position of a triglyceride(s).

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel lipase with a molecular weight of about 32 kDa, which is produced by a strain belonging to the genus Tetrasphaera, as well as a gene encoding the same. This lipase has the ability to recognize a medium-chain fatty acid as a substrate. The present invention also provides a novel lipase with a molecular weight of about 40 kDa, which is produced by a strain belonging to the genus Tetrasphaera and has the ability to recognize both a medium-chain fatty acid and a long-chain fatty acid as substrates, as well as a polynucleotide encoding the same. The present invention further provides Tetrasphaera sp. strain NITE P-154. The lipase of the present invention can be used as an immobilized enzyme and is useful in fields such as production of digestants and/or flavorings, production of clinical laboratory reagents, detergent enzymes and/or fats, as well as production of optically active intermediates for agricultural chemicals and pharmaceutical preparations.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel ascorbic acid derivative as a provitamin C with improved stability in the body and prolonged life in the body compared to conventionally known 2-O-(?-D-glucopyranosyl)ascorbic acid. The composition comprising the novel compound 2-O-(?-D-glucopyranosyl)ascorbic acid has been extracted from plants such as from Ningxia Lycium barbarum L. and/or Lycium chinense Mill. The compositions comprising 2-O-(?-D-glucopyranosyl)ascorbic acid may be enzymatically synthesized using ?-D-glucosyltransferase. Pure 2-O-(?-D-glucopyranosyl)ascorbic acid may be produced from such compositions. Alternatively, 2-O-(?-D-glucopyranosyl)ascorbic acid may be produced by chemical synthesis. The 2-O-(?-D-glucopyranosyl)ascorbic acid results in higher stability and a prolonged life of vitamin C when ingested in the body compared to the corresponding ?-D-glucopyranosyl derivative, and is therefore highly suitable as a provitamin C to be used in cosmetics and foods.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel lipase with a molecular weight of about 32 kDa, which is produced by a strain belonging to the genus Tetrasphaera, as well as a gene encoding the same. This lipase has the ability to recognize a medium-chain fatty acid as a substrate. The present invention also provides a novel lipase with a molecular weight of about 40 kDa, which is produced by a strain belonging to the genus Tetrasphaera and has the ability to recognize both a medium-chain fatty acid and a long-chain fatty acid as substrates, as well as a polynucleotide encoding the same. The present invention further provides Tetrasphaera sp. strain NITE P-154. The lipase of the present invention can be used as an immobilized enzyme and is useful in fields such as production of digestants and/or flavorings, production of clinical laboratory reagents, detergent enzymes and/or fats, as well as production of optically active intermediates for agricultural chemicals and pharmaceutical preparations.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for powdering highly unsaturated fatty acid esters of ascorbic acid which are pasty and problematic in physical properties by a simple and easy means; highly unsaturated fatty acid esters of ascorbic acid which are improved in stability by powdering; and compositions containing the powdered highly unsaturated fatty acid esters of ascorbic acid. Specifically, a process for powdering a highly unsaturated fatty acid ester of ascorbic acid as represented by the general formula (I): RCO-A [wherein RCO— is acyl derived from a highly unsaturated fatty acid; and A is an ascorbic acid residue bonded through an —O— linkage resulting from an hydroxyl group of ascorbic acid], characterized by mixing a highly unsaturated fatty acid ester of ascorbic acid as represented by the general formula (I) with an aqueous solution of a water-soluble filler to form an emulsion and dehydrating and drying the emulsion by a spray drying method.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel ascorbic acid derivative as a provitamin C with improved stability in the body and prolonged life in the body compared to conventionally known 2-O-(?-D-glucopyranosyl)ascorbic acid. The composition comprising the novel compound 2-O- (?-D-glucopyranosyl)ascorbic acid has been extracted from plants such as from Ningxia Lycium barbarum L. and/or Lycium chinense Mill. The compositions comprising 2-O-(?D-glucopyranosyl) ascorbic acid may be enzymatically synthesized using ?-D-glucosyltransferase. Pure 2-O-(?-D-glucopyranosyl)ascorbic acid may be produced from such compositions. Alternatively, 2-O-(?-D-glucopyranosyl)ascorbic acid may be produced by chemical synthesis. The 2-O-(?-D-glucopyranosyl)ascorbic acid results in higher stability and a prolonged life of vitamin C when ingested in the body compared to the corresponding ?-D-glucopyranosyl derivative, and is therefore highly suitable as a provitamin C to be used in cosmetics and foods.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel lipase with a molecular weight of about 32 kDa, which is produced by a strain belonging to the genus Tetrasphaera, as well as a gene encoding the same. This lipase has the ability to recognize a medium-chain fatty acid as a substrate. The present invention also provides a novel lipase with a molecular weight of about 40 kDa, which is produced by a strain belonging to the genus Tetrasphaera and has the ability to recognize both a medium-chain fatty acid and a long-chain fatty acid as substrates, as well as a polynucleotide encoding the same. The present invention further provides Tetrasphaera sp. strain NITE P-154. The lipase of the present invention can be used as an immobilized enzyme and is useful in fields such as production of digestants and/or flavorings, production of clinical laboratory reagents, detergent enzymes and/or fats, as well as production of optically active intermediates for agricultural chemicals and pharmaceutical preparations.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel glycosyltransferase proteins produced by ascomycetous filamentous fungi (preferably species belonging to the genus Trichoderma, more preferably Trichoderma viride), as well as genes encoding the same. Among novel enzyme proteins provided by the present invention, particularly preferred is an enzyme protein obtained from the culture supernatant of Trichoderma viride strain IAM5141. The novel enzymes of the present invention allow glycosylation of flavonoid compounds to thereby improve their water solubility.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for preparing a glycoside of a flavonoid compound, which comprises the step of treating flavonoid and a glycosyl donor with an enzymatic agent having glycosylation activity and being derived from the genus Trichoderma (preferably Trichoderma viride or Trichoderma reesei). Such a flavonoid compound includes a catechin compound or a methylated derivative thereof, and the glycosyl donor includes a carbohydrate containing a maltotriose residue (preferably maltotriose, maltotetraose, maltopentaose, maltohexaose, maltoheptaose, dextrin, ?-cyclodextrin or soluble starch). Glycosides obtained by the present invention have higher water solubility, improved taste, and increased stability. The present invention also provides novel glycosides of catechin compounds, which are obtained by the method of the present invention.

Abstract: A composition for external use, comprising 2-O-(?-D-glucopyranosyl)ascorbic acid represented by the formula (I): or a salt or ester thereof which is safe to the human body, and a koji mold or a processed koji. The composition for external use is excellent in skin permeability, containing an ascorbic acid derivative which is excellent in stability, utilized persistently in the living body, and strong in antioxidant activity, and has little skin irritation.

Abstract: A lipid-improving agent containing a triglyceride(s) where a poly-unsaturated fatty acid is bonded to 2-position of a triglyceride(s).

Abstract: A lipid-improving agent containing a triglyceride(s) where a poly-unsaturated fatty acid is bonded to 2-position of a triglyceride(s).

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel lipase with a molecular weight of about 32 kDa, which is produced by a strain belonging to the genus Tetrasphaera, as well as a gene encoding the same. This lipase has the ability to recognize a medium-chain fatty acid as a substrate. The present invention also provides a novel lipase with a molecular weight of about 40 kDa, which is produced by a strain belonging to the genus Tetrasphaera and has the ability to recognize both a medium-chain fatty acid and a long-chain fatty acid as substrates, as well as a polynucleotide encoding the same. The present invention further provides Tetrasphaera sp. strain NITE P-154. The lipase of the present invention can be used as an immobilized enzyme and is useful in fields such as production of digestants and/or flavorings, production of clinical laboratory reagents, detergent enzymes and/or fats, as well as production of optically active intermediates for agricultural chemicals and pharmaceutical preparations.

Abstract: A medicament safe and free from side effects, for the prevention or treatment of dermatitis exhibiting a biphasic inflammation reaction or dermatitis induced by repeated exposure to an antigen, which suppresses the progress of the condition and improves the quality of life of the patient, which medicament treats dermatitis exhibiting a biphasic inflammation reaction or dermatitis induced by repeated exposure to an antigen by including a quiazoline derivative having the formula (I) or (II) or its pharmaceutically acceptable salt as an effective ingredient:

Abstract: Skin care products which contain as a vitamin C component 6-O-PUFA ascorbates represented by general formula (I): RCO-A??(I) where RCO— is an acyl group derived from a polyunsaturated fatty acid, and A is a residue of ascorbic acid that binds by —O— derived from the hydroxyl group in ascorbic acid. The products show improved transfer of ascorbic acid to tissues or cells, allow the functions of ascorbic acid to be exhibited efficiently, and also have the potential to show the functions of PUFAs. Also provided are foods and beverages that contain 6-O-PUFA ascorbates represented by general formula (I).

Abstract: Medicaments for the treatment of dermatitis exhibiting a biphasic inflammation reaction or dermatitis induced by repeated exposure to an antigen, having quinazolidone derivatives of formula I or II that are herein defined, are disclosed.