Abstract: A method for producing a low acid beverage in which a deterioration in quality associated with a pH decrease during heat sterilization or long-term storage in a heated condition is eliminated or minimized, and which is characterized by adding at least one of chitosan, chitosan oligosaccharide and glucosamine.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for decomposing and eliminating ethanol in an exhaust gas by bringing the ethanol in the exhaust gas into contact with an ethanol-utilizing microorganism held in a filter bed are provided. A microorganism selected from the genus Candida, the genus Pichia and/or the genus Hansenula is used as the ethanol-utilizing microorganism, whereby a method and an apparatus having a high removal efficiency of ethanol in the exhaust gas, and being capable of long-term, stable decomposition and elimination of ethanol under high concentration, high load capacity, can be provided.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing drinking water including of a chamber in which a container packed with drinking water is mounted, a conduit connected with the container in the chamber to dispense drinking water through the apparatus, and sterilizer installed adjacent the conduit means to apply sterilization with substantial heat thereto. The sterilizing means may include automatic control system to control automatically sterilizing with heat. The conduit may includes a storage area for storing drinking water within the conduit, and the storage area may includes two tanks for storing drinking water, one is a cold water tank including a refrigeration device to chill the drinking water, and the other is a hot water tank including heating device to heat the drinking water. The sterilization with heat may be done by heating the conduit with heaters installed surrounding thereof, or may be done by circulating hot water which is stored in the hot water tank through the apparatus.

Abstract: An antibacterial fiber includes an ion exchange fiber and an antibacterial metal ion entrapped within the ion exchange fiber through an ion exchange reaction. The invention also discloses antibacterial textiles and water-treating element using the fibers.

Abstract: A germ-free liquid dispenser is disclosed. The dispenser includes a liquid container having a liquid outlet opening, a reservoir for receiving and reserving the liquid from the container, a holder for detachably holding the liquid container at its supply posture for orienting its outlet opening downward to allow the liquid within the container to flow down through the opening into the reservoir, a dispenser device for dispensing the liquid from the reservoir by allowing the liquid to flow down from the reservoir, and an antibacterial element having an antibacterial surface capable of killing germ through a physical contact therewith. The antibacterial element is disposed inside the reservoir in such a manner as to contact the liquid inside the reservoir while allowing the reservoir to dispense the liquid therefrom.

Abstract: An antibacterial fiber includes an ion exchange fiber and an antibacterial metal ion entrapped within the ion exchange fiber through an ion exchange reaction. The invention also discloses antibacterial textiles and water-treating element using the fibers.

Abstract: Disclosed is a machine element for use in a liquid treating system. The machine element has an antibacterial property at least at a portion thereof which is to come into contact with the treated liquid in the course of system operation.

Abstract: Alcohol is produced in a noncooking system by mixing a ground starchy material with mashing liquor at the range that the weight ratio of mashing liquor to ground starchy material is from 1.8 to 3.4 to form a slurry, without cooking, adding to the slurry at least 3.5 units as a saccharifying power of the enzyme preparation derived from a microorganism source, favorably Rhizopus sp., as a saccharifying agent, further adding an alcoholic fermenting yeast, and fermenting the slurry. Examples of the starchy material are cereals such as maize, sorghum, wheat, barley, rye, rice, barnyard millet, German millet, and common millet, and starchy rootcrops such as sweet potato and cassava.

Abstract: Alcohol or an alcoholic beverage is produced by a process wherein a mash of cereal grains and liquefying enzymes is cooked at a temperature of from 75.degree. C to 85.degree. C which is lower than the temperature of maximum viscosity for the mash and which is higher than the sterilization temperature of undesirable microorganisms in the mash which grow during fermentation with yeast. After cooking, the mash is cooled, saccharifying enzymes are added, the resultant mash is fermented with yeast to produce alcohol and the alcohol is distilled.