Abstract: The present invention provides an endoglucanase having excellent heat resistance. Specifically, the present invention provides an endoglucanase satisfying characteristics (A) and (B) below: (A) having an amino acid sequence that is at least 80% identical to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1; and (B) having at least one amino acid substitution selected from the group consisting of K214E, D254E, and S309P.

Abstract: The present invention provides an endoglucanase with excellent heat resistance. An endoglucanase having characteristics (A) to (C) below: (A) a polypeptide having an amino acid sequence that is at least 80% identical to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1; (B) the molecular weight of a polypeptide moiety being about 31 kDa; and (C) containing a sugar chain, and having a molecular weight measured by SDS-PAGE being about 39 kDa or more.

Abstract: An aspect of the present invention provides a method that makes it possible to improve bilirubin oxidase (BOD) activity. The method for improving the BOD activity in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention includes the step of leaving, in a deoxygenated atmosphere, a BOD solution containing a BOD and a specific activity improving agent.

Abstract: Provided are self-cloning Aspergillus oryzae that expresses amidase without induction culture exhibiting high amidase degradation activity, and a method for reducing acrylamide in which this self-cloning Aspergillus oryzae is used. Self-cloning Aspergillus oryzae, which has a gene which codes a polypeptide with a specific amino acid sequence indicated in SEQ ID NO:1, or has a base sequence hybridizable to a complementary sequence of the gene encoding SEQ ID No:1 under stringent conditions, has a protein with amidase activity which the gene is expressed without induction culture, the process of reducing acrylamide by contact treatment with the above described self-cloning Aspergillus oryzae and acrylamide-containing matter, and a method of producing reduced acrylamide food or beverage.

Abstract: The present invention provides a technique for producing acetone in a high yield from hydrated ethanol derived from biomass, without requiring a large amount of energy. Hydrated ethanol derived from biomass is heated to a reaction temperature of 400° C. or higher in the presence of a Zr—Fe catalyst, thereby producing acetone. The reaction temperature is preferably from 450 to 550° C., and the Zr—Fe catalyst preferably contains 5 to 10% by mass of Zr. The present invention allows purification of hydrated acetone without requiring purification of the hydrated ethanol.

Abstract: The present invention provides a technique for producing acetone in a high yield from hydrated ethanol derived from biomass, without requiring a large amount of energy. Hydrated ethanol derived from biomass is heated to a reaction temperature of 400° C. or higher in the presence of a Zr—Fe catalyst, thereby producing acetone. The reaction temperature is preferably from 450 to 550° C., and the Zr—Fe catalyst preferably contains 5 to 10% by mass of Zr. The present invention allows purification of hydrated acetone without requiring purification of the hydrated ethanol.