Abstract: The body taste of a sweetener (for example, aspartame, sucralose, acesulfame, etc.) is improved by blending the sweetener with an amino acid or a peptide, which is able to activate a calcium receptor, such as ?-Glu-X-Gly (wherein X represents an amino acid or an amino acid derivative), ?-Glu-Val-Y (wherein Y represents an amino acid or an amino acid derivative), ?-Glu-Ala, ?-Glu-Gly, ?-Glu-Cys, ?-Glu-Met, ?-Glu-Thr, ?-Glu-Val, ?-Glu-Orn, Asp-Gly, Cys-Gly, Cys-Met, Glu-Cys, Gly-Cys, Leu-Asp, D-Cys, ?-Glu-Met(O), ?-Glu-?-Glu-Val, ?-Glu-Val-NH2, ?-Glu-Val-ol, ?-Glu-Ser, ?-Glu-Tau, ?-Glu-Cys(S-Me)(O), ?-Glu-Leu, ?-Glu-Ile, ?-Glu-t-Leu, ?-Glu-Cys(S-Me), etc.

Abstract: The body taste of a sweetener (for example, aspartame, sucralose, acesulfame, etc.) is improved by blending the sweetener with an amino acid or a peptide, which is able to activate a calcium receptor, such as ?-Glu-X-Gly (wherein X represents an amino acid or an amino acid derivative), ?-Glu-Val-Y (wherein Y represents an amino acid or an amino acid derivative), ?-Glu-Ala, ?-Glu-Gly, ?-Glu-Cys, ?-Glu-Met, ?-Glu-Thr, ?-Glu-Val, ?-Glu-Orn, Asp-Gly, Cys-Gly, Cys-Met, Glu-Cys, Gly-Cys, Leu-Asp, D-Cys, ?-Glu-Met(O), ?-Glu-?-Glu-Val, ?-Glu-Val-NH2, ?-Glu-Val-ol, ?-Glu-Ser, ?-Glu-Tau, ?-Glu-Cys(S-Me)(O), ?-Glu-Leu, ?-Glu-Ile, ?-Glu-t-Leu, ?-Glu-Cys(S-Me), etc.

Abstract: Poly-?-glutamic acid or a salt thereof is made to be present at the same time as a taste-exhibiting substance formed from a potassium salt.

Abstract: Disclosed are a protein having a transglutaminase activity, which comprises a sequence ranging from serine residue at the second position to proline residue at the 331st position in an amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID No. 1 wherein the N-terminal amino acid of the protein corresponds to serine residue at the second position of SEQ ID No. 1, a DNA encoding the protein, a transformant having the DNA, and a process for producing a protein having a transglutaminase activity, which comprises the steps of culturing the transformant in a medium. The protein can be produced in a large amount with the transformant using a host such as E. coli.

Abstract: Disclosed are a protein having a transglutaminase activity, which comprises a sequence ranging from serine residue at the second position to proline residue at the 331st position in an amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID No. 1 wherein the N-terminal amino acid of the protein corresponds to serine residue at the second position of SEQ ID No. 1, a DNA encoding the protein, a transformant having the DNA, and a process for producing a protein having a transglutaminase activity, which comprises the steps of culturing the transformant in a medium. The protein can be produced in a large amount with the transformant using a host such as E. coli.

Abstract: Disclosed are a protein having a transglutaminase activity, which comprises a sequence ranging from serine residue at the second position to proline residue at the 331st position in an amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID No. 1 wherein the N-terminal amino acid of the protein corresponds to serine residue at the second position of SEQ ID No. 1, a DNA encoding the protein, a transformant having the DNA, and a process for producing a protein having a transglutaminase activity, which comprises the steps of culturing the transformant in a medium. The protein can be produced in a large amount with the transformant using a host such as E. coli.

Abstract: Disclosed are a protein having a transglutaminase activity, which comprises a sequence ranging from serine residue at the second position to proline residue at the 331st position in an amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID No. 1 wherein the N-terminal amino acid of the protein corresponds to serine residue at the second position of SEQ ID No. 1, a DNA encoding the protein, a transformant having the DNA, and a process for producing a protein having a transglutaminase activity, which comprises the steps of culturing the transformant in a medium. The protein can be produced in a large amount with the transformant using a host such as E. coli.

Abstract: Disclosed are a protein having a transglutaminase activity, which comprises a sequence ranging from serine residue at the second position to proline residue at the 331st position in an amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID No. 1 wherein the N-terminal amino acid of the protein corresponds to serine residue at the second position of SEQ ID No. 1, a DNA encoding the protein, a transformant having the DNA, and a process for producing a protein having a transglutaminase activity, which comprises the steps of culturing the transformant in a medium. The protein can be produced in a large amount with the transformant using a host such as E. coli.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a transglutaminase originating from Crassostrea gigas, a gene coding for the transglutaminase, a plasmid carrying the gene, a microorganism transformed with the plasmid, a method for producing an intended transglutaminase by cultivating the microorganism and a method for gelating a protein using the transglutaminase originating from Crassostrea gigas. When comparing with other transglutaminases, the transglutaminase originating from Crassostrea gigas has novel characteristic properties such that it can be activated by the action of calcium ions and that it is further activated by the addition of sodium chloride and/or potassium chloride and it is of utility value, in particular, as a gelling agent for foods.

Abstract: To provide a composition containing a mineral absorption accelerator which accelerates the absorption of minerals. It contains minerals and degradated products of poly-.gamma.-glutamic acid as a mineral absorption accelerator and may be used in foods in a variety of forms, including a beverage, gel, solid or powder form.