Abstract: A Bifidobacterium bifidum proliferation promoting composition comprising a xylooligosaccharide which contains xylobiose as its principal component is disclosed. The xylooligosaccharide is obtained by enzymatically or physicochemically treating either xylan or hemicellulose derived from a natural source. Bifidobacterium bifidum which is useful for man is encouraged to proliferate in the intestines by the xylooligosaccharide which is not readily assimilated by Escherichia coli but is readily utilized by Bifidobacterium bifidum. The xylooligosaccharide is advantageously stable when exposed to acids or heat.

Abstract: Xylobiose-containing skin preparations for external use are disclosed. Skin preparations for external use into which xylobiose may be incorporated include cosmetics such as clear lotions, milky lotions, packs and lip treatments, drugs or quasidrugs such as ointments and cataplasms, hair-care products such as rinses and hair conditions, and detergents such as hair shampoos and body shampoos. Xylobiose is typically contained in an amount of 0.0001-20 wt %, preferably 0.1-10 wt %, of the total amount of the skin preparation on a dry solids basis. The incorporation of xylobiose is effective not only in preventing the occurrence of stickiness, color change and malodor in the skin preparations but also in providing enhanced moisture retention and reducing excessive roughness and dryness of the skin and hair.

Abstract: An enzyme is immobilized by contacting the enzyme with a support in a solution containing an iridoid aglycone cross-linking agent. The cross-linking agent may be genipin or an aglycone or an iridoid glycoside such as geniposide, gardenoside or geniposide acid.

Abstract: A natural blue dye composition that has improved stability and which can be used as a colorant in a broad range of applications including foodstuffs and drugs, and a process for preparing the same are disclosed.Genipin which is derived from gardenia fruit by hydrolysis of iridoid glycoside geniposide under action of .beta.-glucosidase, is reacted with taurine to produce a stable blue dye compositions.