Abstract: This invention relates to a collagen metabolism ameliorant containing N-methyl-L-serine as an active ingredient, more particularly, a collagen metabolism ameliorant efficacious against collagen hypometabolism caused by aging or diseases accompanied with an abnormal cumulation of collagen, such as hepatic and pulmonary fibroses, keloid, hypertrophic scar, scleroderma, fibrosis in the scalp, or the like. Furthermore, the invention includes a hair growth stimulant containing this collagen metabolism ameliorant.

Abstract: This invention relates to a collagen metabolism ameliorant containing N-methyl-L-serine as an active ingredient, more particularly, a collagen metabolism ameliorant efficacious against collagen hypometabolism caused by aging or diseases accompanied with an abnormal cumulation of collagen, such as hepatic and pulmonary fibroses, keloid, hypertrophic scar, scleroderma, fibrosis in the scalp, or the like.

Abstract: A 1,3-dioxol-2-one derivative represented by the following formula (I) ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, R.sup.2, R.sup.3, R.sup.4, R.sup.5 and R.sup.6 represent independently a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, an alkoxy group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, a nitro group, a carboxyl group, salts of the carboxyl group, a sulfo group and salts of the sulfo group, and a process for producing the 1,3-dioxol-2-one derivative. The compound is useful for measuring the activity of arylesterase.

Abstract: Novel compounds of the formula: ##STR1## wherein R is ethyl, 2-fluoroethyl or cyclopropyl, and X is hydrogen atom or fluorine atom, and a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, which have excellent antimicrobial activities in vivo and hence are useful as an antimicrobial agent, and an antimicrobial composition containing said compound as an active ingredient, and processes for the preparation of the compounds.

Abstract: A process for production of an anti-tumor agent which comprises subjecting the culture cells of the strains belonging to Streptococcus pyogenes in sequence to pasteurization treatment (the first step) and penicillin treatment (the second step), followed by a primary lyophilization (the third step) to obtain an intermediary preparation, and then subjecting the intermediary preparation to penicillin removal treatment (the fourth step), followed by a secondary lyophilization (the fifth step).

Abstract: A process for cultivation of Streptococcus pyogenes comprising cultivating Streptococcus pyogenes in a culture medium for multiplication of bacterial cells having an anti-tumor activity, characterized by (A) using the culture medium containing fermentable carbon sources and (B) maintaining pH of the culture medium at 5.6 or more during the course of cultivation.