Abstract: The objective to be solved by the present invention is to provide a novel ice crystallization inhibitor which is industrially useful, which can be efficiently and stably produced in a safe process suitable for a food production without difficulty and which has excellent functions and properties. Also, the objective of the present invention is to provide an antibody which specifically reacts with the ice crystallization inhibitor, and a composition, a food, a biological sample protectant and a cosmetic which contain the ice crystallization inhibitor. Furthermore, the objective of the present invention is to provide a peptide which gives an indication of a protein having an ice crystallization inhibitory activity. The ice crystallization inhibitor according to the present invention is characterized in comprising a seed protein derived from a plant belonging to genus Vigna in Leguminosae, an allied species thereof or an improved species thereof.

Abstract: An objective of the present invention is to provide an antifreeze protein which is capable of being efficiently produced on an industrial level at low cost and which is safe and has an excellent antifreezing activity for use on a practical level. Also, an objective of the present invention is to provide a polypeptide that corresponds to the active part of the antifreeze protein; a composition, a food, a biological sample protectant and a cosmetic containing the antifreeze protein or the polypeptide; and an antibody that specifically reacts with the antifreeze protein or the polypeptide. The antifreeze protein according to the present invention is characterized in being derived from a plant and having a specific amino acid sequence or being a plant seed protein.

Abstract: The problem to be solved of the present invention is to provide a method which can efficiently and economically produce a flavoring agent and can give the original flavor of a raw material to a food and drink. The objective of the present invention is also to provide a flavoring agent. The method for producing a flavoring agent according to the present invention is characterized in comprising the steps of mixing a flavor material with a solvent and extracting a flavor component contained in the fragrant material under pressure; wherein a solubility parameter of the solvent is not less than 8.0 and not more than 25.0.

Abstract: An objective to be achieved by the present invention is to provide an ice-crystal growth inhibiting substance which has an excellent ice-crystal growth inhibiting activity suitable for practical use and which can be produced easily, efficiently and economically in safe steps usable in food production. Another objective of the present invention is to provide a method for producing the ice-crystal growth inhibiting substance, a polypeptide which is an active part of the ice-crystal growth inhibiting substance, as well as an ice-crystal growth inhibiting substance composition, a food, a biological sample protectant and a cosmetic each containing the ice-crystal growth inhibiting substance or the polypeptide. The ice-crystal growth inhibiting substance according to the present invention is characterized in that the ice-crystal growth inhibiting substance is derived from a plant, and has a molecular weight of 400 kDa or more as measured by gel filtration chromatography.

Abstract: An objective to be achieved by the present invention is to provide a method for producing a heat processed food which can be uniformly heated in a short time without causing “unevenness of heating” on microwave oven cooking. Another objective of the present invention is also to provide a heat professed food, use of an antifreeze protein in producing a heat processed food, a method for improving an effect of heating treatment on a heat professed food, and an agent for improving an effect of heating treatment. The method for producing a heat processed food according to the present invention is characterized in comprising the steps of adding an antifreeze protein to a food material or a food; and cooling the resulting mixture.