Abstract: The present invention provides a method of producing/purifying highly unsaturated fatty acids and/or derivatives thereof while suppressing deterioration of a silver salt aqueous solution, in production/purification of highly unsaturated fatty acids and/or derivatives thereof using the aqueous solution of silver salt. The present invention also contacts or mixes a mixture having a peroxide value (POV) of 10 or smaller with an aqueous solution of silver salt, in a method of purifying highly unsaturated fatty acids and/or derivatives thereof from a mixture comprising highly unsaturated fatty acids and/or derivatives thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the chemical conversion of an unsaturated fatty acid, particularly a carbon chain extension reaction. According to the present invention, a method for extending the length of a carbon chain in an unsaturated fatty acid by two carbon atoms is provided, said method comprising a step of heating a malonic acid ester derivative of an unsaturated fatty acid to reflux in a lower fatty acid solution in the presence of an antioxidative agent. It is preferred that the unsaturated fatty acid is an unsaturated fatty acid having 16 to 24 carbon atoms. It is preferred that the unsaturated fatty acid is selected from the group consisting of linoleic acid, linolenic acid, arachidonic acid, stearidonic acid, icosatetraenoic acid, icosapentaenoic acid, tetracosahexaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid. According to the method of the present invention, a carbon chain extension reaction can be completed within a shorter time.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of producing/purifying highly unsaturated fatty acids and/or derivatives thereof while suppressing deterioration of a silver salt aqueous solution, in production/purification of highly unsaturated fatty acids and/or derivatives thereof using the aqueous solution of silver salt. The present invention also contacts or mixes a mixture having a peroxide value (POV) of 10 or smaller with an aqueous solution of silver salt, in a method of purifying highly unsaturated fatty acids and/or derivatives thereof from a mixture comprising highly unsaturated fatty acids and/or derivatives thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the chemical conversion of an unsaturated fatty acid, particularly a carbon chain extension reaction. According to the present invention, a method for extending the length of a carbon chain in an unsaturated fatty acid by two carbon atoms is provided, said method comprising a step of heating a malonic acid ester derivative of an unsaturated fatty acid to reflux in a lower fatty acid solution in the presence of an antioxidative agent. It is preferred that the unsaturated fatty acid is an unsaturated fatty acid having 16 to 24 carbon atoms. It is preferred that the unsaturated fatty acid is selected from the group consisting of linoleic acid, linolenic acid, arachidonic acid, stearidonic acid, icosatetraenoic acid, icosapentaenoic acid, tetracosahexaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid. According to the method of the present invention, a carbon chain extension reaction can be completed within a shorter time.

Abstract: The present invention provides a separation method and device, comprising columns with at least two types of gels selected from the group consisting of silica gel, silver nitrate-impregnated gel and polymer gel filled therein, preferably at least three silver nitrate-impregnated gel columns and at least one silica gel column, by SMB chromatography. The present invention also provides a separation method and device, comprising columns with at least two types of columns selected from the group consisting of C18 columns, C8 columns C4 columns and C1 columns, preferably at least three C18 columns and at least one C8 column and/or C4 column and/or C1 column, by SMB chromatography.

Abstract: According to the present invention, there is provided a process for enzymatically producing dietary sterol fatty acid esters having physiological activities from phytosterols and fatty acids or oils and fats using lipase as a catalyst; the synthetic reaction conditions and the purification steps are so structured that dietary sterol fatty acid esters superior in sensory qualities including color, odor and taste, and safety, which is applicable as a general food, a health food or pharmaceuticals can be produced.

Abstract: According to the present invention, there is provided a process for enzymatically producing dietary sterol fatty acid esters having physiological activities from phytosterols and fatty acids or oils and fats using lipase as a catalyst; the synthetic reaction conditions and the following purification steps are so structured that dietary sterol fatty acid esters superior in sensory qualities including color, odor and taste, and safety, which is applicable as a general food, a health food or pharmaceuticals can be produced.

Abstract: The present invention provides foods containing sterol fatty acid esters composition and having pleasant texture, taste and flavor, wherein free sterols are hardly crystallized during storage, and a lot of the sterol fatty acid esters composition may be incorporated in foods having a low oil and fat content. The foods contain 1% by weight or more of the sterol fatty acid esters composition with a degree of esterification of more than 90%, thereby enabling foods containing oils and fats having a good emulsifying effect to be obtained.

Abstract: A process for enzymatically producing, from a vegetable oil deodorizer distillate, a dietary sterol fatty acid ester superior in flavor qualities (e.g., color, odor and taste) and safety and containing no or little trans fatty acids, wherein the conditions for treatment of the starting material, synthetic reaction and subsequent purification are controlled so that the sterol fatty acid ester becomes applicable as a daily food material, a health food material or a pharmaceutical material. In the process, fatty acid esters, e.g., triacylglycerol, in the vegetable oil deodorizer distillate are previously degraded by hydrolysis with a chemical catalyst, fatty acids produced in the hydrolysis are removed by molecular distillation to give a sterol-containing fraction. The sterol-containing fraction is added with any fat and oil primarily comprising triacylglycerol. The mixture is used as the starting material, and the synthetic reaction is performed under strictly controlled conditions using a lipolytic enzyme.

Abstract: Fermented soybean foods rich in &ggr;-aminobutyric acid are produced by fermentation of soybean using Tempe molds.

Abstract: A process for enzymatically producing, from a vegetable oil deodorizer distillate, a dietary sterol fatty acid ester superior in flavor qualities (e.g., color, odor and taste) and safety and containing no or little trans fatty acids, wherein the conditions for treatment of the starting material, synthetic reaction and subsequent purification are controlled so that the sterol fatty acid ester becomes applicable as a daily food material, a health food material or a pharmaceutical material. In the process, fatty acid esters, e.g., triacylglycerol, in the vegetable oil deodorizer distillate are previously degraded by hydrolysis with a chemical catalyst, fatty acids produced in the hydrolysis are removed by molecular distillation to give a sterol-containing fraction. The sterol-containing fraction is added with any fat and oil primarily comprising triacylglycerol. The mixture is used as the starting material, and the synthetic reaction is performed under strictly controlled conditions using a lipolytic enzyme.