Patents by Inventor Kazuko Hirasawa

Kazuko Hirasawa has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 7935377
    Abstract: A crystal of free (2R,4R)-monatin is useful as a sweet substance. The crystals resist absorption of water even under high humidity, are stable and exhibit a high degree of sweetness. Thus, such crystals may used as a sweetening agent or an ingredient thereof, and as an ingredient for imparting sweetness to foods and beverages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2011
    Assignee: Ajinomoto Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Yusuke Amino, Kazuko Hirasawa, Kenichi Mori, Tadashi Takemoto
  • Publication number: 20100152291
    Abstract: Capsinoids of formula (3) may be conveniently prepared in a high yield, in a short time, without using a dehydrating agent by esterification of a fatty acid of formula (1) with a hydroxymethylphenol of formula (2) using an enzyme without a solvent or in a low-polar solvent. Addition of a fatty acid represented by formula (4) is effective for stabilizing the ester compound of formula (3). wherein each symbol is as defined in the specification.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2010
    Publication date: June 17, 2010
    Applicant: AJINOMOTO CO., INC.
    Inventors: Yusuke AMINO, Wataru Kurosawa, Takashi Nakano, Kazuko Hirasawa
  • Patent number: 7700331
    Abstract: Capsinoids of formula (3) may be conveniently prepared in a high yield, in a short time, without using a dehydrating agent by esterification of a fatty acid of formula (1) with a hydroxymethylphenol of formula (2) using an enzyme without a solvent or in a low-polar solvent. Addition of a fatty acid represented by formula (4) is effective for stabilizing the ester compound of formula (3). wherein each symbol is as defined in the specification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Ajinomoto Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Yusuke Amino, Wataru Kurosawa, Takashi Nakano, Kazuko Hirasawa
  • Patent number: 7612214
    Abstract: The present invention provides an organic amine salt of monatin, or crystal form thereof, and its application as well as a method for resolving the stereoisomers of monatin by forming its salt. The present invention further provides a salt form of monatin that is useful as a sweetening agent or as the active ingredient of a sweetener. The present invention also provides a method for preparing a salt of a particular stereoisomer of monatin with an organic amine by utilizing the difference of crystallinity or solubility of the salt of the stereoisomer of monatin with the organic amine. The present invention also relates to a use of the salt in a method for preparing a metal salt of monatin in which the organic amine is replaced by a metal such as sodium, potassium, or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2009
    Assignee: Ajinomoto Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Yusuke Amino, Kazuko Hirasawa
  • Patent number: 7534898
    Abstract: To provide a process for producing monatin where steric configuration of 2-position is in an R configuration or a salt thereof by isomerization of 2-position of monatin where steric configuration of 2-position is in an S configuration. A process for producing monatin where steric configuration of 2-position is in an R configuration or a salt thereof, characterized in that, the process contains a step where isomerization reaction of 2-position of monatin in which steric configuration of 2-position is in an S configuration is carried out in a mixed solvent of water and organic solvent in the presence of an aldehyde and, after that, a step where monatin in which steric configuration of 2-position is in an R configuration or a salt is crystallized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2009
    Assignee: Ajinomoto Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Yusuke Amino, Kazuko Hirasawa
  • Publication number: 20080213413
    Abstract: Problem to be Solved To provide a technique for allowing pulverization and water-solubilization of capsinoids while maintaining their stability. Solution Providing a composition comprising a capsinoid compound and cyclodextrin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2008
    Publication date: September 4, 2008
    Applicant: AJINOMOTO CO., INC.
    Inventors: Yoko Ito, Kazuko Hirasawa, Hideyuki Yamaguchi, Kentaro Maruyama, Yusuke Amino
  • Publication number: 20070191464
    Abstract: [Problems] To provide a process for producing monatin where steric configuration of 2-position is in an R configuration or a salt thereof by isomerization of 2-position of monatin where steric configuration of 2-position is in an S configuration. [Means for Resolution] A process for producing monatin where steric configuration of 2-position is in an R configuration or a salt thereof, characterized in that, the process contains a step where isomerization reaction of 2-position of monatin in which steric configuration of 2-position is in an S configuration is carried out in a mixed solvent of water and organic solvent in the presence of an aldehyde and, after that, a step where monatin in which steric configuration of 2-position is in an R configuration or a salt is crystallized.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2007
    Publication date: August 16, 2007
    Applicant: AJINOMOTO CO. INC
    Inventors: Yusuke Amino, Kazuko Hirasawa
  • Patent number: 7244462
    Abstract: The present invention provides a novel amino acid derivative, and a salt for thereof. The present invention further provides a sweetening agent and a food or beverage, which contains the novel amino acid derivative of the present invention to increase the sweetness of the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Assignee: Ajinomoto Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Yusuke Amino, Kazuko Hirasawa
  • Publication number: 20070020738
    Abstract: Capsinoids of formula (3) may be conveniently prepared in a high yield, in a short time, without using a dehydrating agent by esterification of a fatty acid of formula (1) with a hydroxymethylphenol of formula (2) using an enzyme without a solvent or in a low-polar solvent. Addition of a fatty acid represented by formula (4) is effective for stabilizing the ester compound of formula (3). wherein each symbol is as defined in the specification.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2006
    Publication date: January 25, 2007
    Applicant: AJINOMOTO CO., INC
    Inventors: Yusuke Amino, Wataru Kurosawa, Takashi Nakano, Kazuko Hirasawa
  • Publication number: 20050272939
    Abstract: A crystal of free (2R,4R)-monatin is useful as a sweet substance. The crystals resist absorption of water even under high humidity, are stable and exhibit a high degree of sweetness. Thus, such crystals may used as a sweetening agent or an ingredient thereof, and as an ingredient for imparting sweetness to foods and beverages.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2004
    Publication date: December 8, 2005
    Applicant: AJINOMOTO CO. INC
    Inventors: Yusuke Amino, Kazuko Hirasawa, Kenichi Mori, Tadashi Takemoto
  • Publication number: 20050137246
    Abstract: The present invention provides an organic amine salt of monatin, or crystal form thereof, and its application as well as a method for resolving the stereoisomers of monatin by forming its salt. The present invention further provides a salt form of monatin that is useful as a sweetening agent or as the active ingredient of a sweetener. The present invention also provides a method for preparing a salt of a particular stereoisomer of monatin with an organic amine by utilizing the difference of crystallinity or solubility of the salt of the stereoisomer of monatin with the organic amine. The present invention also relates to a use of the salt in a method for preparing a metal salt of monatin in which the organic amine is replaced by a metal such as sodium, potassium, or the like.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2004
    Publication date: June 23, 2005
    Applicant: Ajinomoto Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Yusuke Amino, Kazuko Hirasawa
  • Publication number: 20050118317
    Abstract: The present invention provides a novel amino acid derivative, and a salt for thereof. The present invention further provides a sweetening agent and a food or beverage, which contains the novel amino acid derivative of the present invention to increase the sweetness of the same.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2004
    Publication date: June 2, 2005
    Applicant: Ajinomoto Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Yusuke Amino, Kazuko Hirasawa