Abstract: It is an object to enhance immunopotentiating activity of a glycosphingolipid.

Abstract: A propylene glycol hyaluronate having an esterification degree of from 10 to 90% and a limiting viscosity of less than 3 dL/g has an excellent percutaneous absorption-promoting effect, and is widely usable as cosmetics and pharmaceutical products.

Abstract: Provided is more effective a cell activator. A cell activator comprising a glycosphingolipid having a structure represented by the following formula (1): formula (1) wherein R1 represents the following formula (1-1): formula (1-1) wherein R3 represents alkyl or alkenyl and R4 represents alkyl; and R2 represents hydrogen, or ?-galactose, ?-glucose, ?-mannose, ?-glucosamine, ?-glucosamine or a combination thereof.

Abstract: A glycosphingolipid having a sugar chain containing &agr;-glucosamine and &bgr;-glucosamine is disclosed. Such glycosphingolipid is advantageous in that possibly being manufactured in a facile and inexpensive manner, and that exhibiting moisturizing effect and immuno-enhancing activity.

Abstract: A sphingoglycolipid represented by the following formula: obtained from a bacterium of the genus Sphingomonas, further from the species paucimobilis, capsulate or adhaesiva, after being washed with acetone and then extracted with alcohol or alcohol-water mixture. R1 represents a sugar portion of a single uronic acid or one to four hexoses of uronic acid, glucosamine, galactose and/or mannose; R2 represents an alkyl group which may have a cycloalkyl group, an alkenyl group or an alkynyl group; and R3 represents an alkyl group.

Abstract: A white fungus of genus Sphingomonas, when washed with acetone and then extracted with alcohol or alcohol-water mixture yields a shingoglycolipid represented by the following formula: 1

Abstract: A glycosphingolipid having a sugar chain containing &agr;-glucosamine and &bgr;-glucosamine is disclosed. Such glycosphingolipid is advantageous in that possibly being manufactured in a facile and inexpensive manner, and that exhibiting moisturizing effect and immuno-enhancing activity.

Abstract: The present application discloses an external composition for skin comprising a component obtaind by washing a bacterium of the genus Sphingomonas with acetone and then extracting the resultant with alcohol or alcohol-water mixture; an external composition for skin comprising a component extracted from a white bacterium of the genus Sphingomonas; and an external composition for skin comprising a sphingoglycolipid represented by the following formula: where, R1 represents a sugar portion consisting of a single uronic acid or one to four hexoses selected from a group consisting of uronic acid, glucosamine, galactose and mannose; R2 represents an alkyl group which may have a cycloalkyl group, an alkenyl group or an alkynyl group; and R3 represents an alkyl group; these alkyl, alkenyl and alkynyl groups being straight or branched, and substituted or unsubstituted. These external compositions for skin exhibit excellent moisturizing and skin roughnes prevention effects.

Abstract: The present application discloses an external composition for skin comprising a component obtained by washing a fungus of genus Sphingomonas with acetone and then extracting the resultant with alcohol or alcohol-water mixture; an external composition for skin comprising a component extracted from a white fungi of genus Sphingomonas; and an external composition for skin comprising a sphingoglycolipid represented by the following formula: 1

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of making an emulsified composition employing an emulsifier containing a sphingoglycolipid which has a structure represented by the following formula: wherein R1 is a saccharide moiety which consists of three to four hexoses selected from the group consisting of uronic acid, glucosamine, galactose, and mannose, or one uronic acid; R2 is an alkyl group, which may have a cycloalkyl group, an alkenyl group, or an alkynyl group; and R3 is an alkyl group. The alkyl group, the alkenyl group and the alkynyl group may have a normal chain or a branched chain, and may be substituted or unsubstituted. The emulsifier of the present invention has marked moisturizing effect, skin roughening preventing effect, and emulsifying effect.

Abstract: The present invention relates to alginase produced by bacteria belonging to the genus and a process for production thereof and bacteria as well as a method for decomposing alginic acid.

Abstract: Protein obtained by coagulating soymilk with microbially produced protease within a pH range not causing acid coagulation and at a temperature higher than the optimum operation temperature of the protease provides food material of desirable flavor and high processability.

Abstract: Soybean milk is treated with protease at a pH in the range which does not cause acid coagulation in the presence of a magnesium salt as a concentration in the range which does not substantially cause magnesium coagulation, to flocculate protein in soybean milk, thereby a food material having good mouthfeel and high processability may be obtained.