Abstract: The objective of the present invention is to provide a thickener that can increase the viscosity of a composition while suppressing stickiness and maintaining a good feeling when the composition is applied on the skin or the like, since the thickener does not contain a polymer thickener or the amount of the polymer thickener is small. The thickener of the present invention is characterized by comprising a phospholipid and a biosurfactant, wherein a ratio of the phospholipid to 1 part by mass of the biosurfactant is greater than 4:1 and less than or equal to 10:1.

Abstract: The objective of the present invention is to provide a thickener that can increase the viscosity of a composition with suppressing stickiness and maintaining use feeling in the case of applying the composition on the skin or the like, since the thickener does not contain a polymer thickener or the content amount of a polymer thickener is small. The thickener according to the present invention is characterized in comprising a phospholipid, a biosurfactant, and a 1,2-diol compound represented by the following formula (I): HO—CH2—CH(OH)—R1 ??(I) wherein R1 is a hydrocarbon group having a carbon number of 5 or more and 12 or less.

Abstract: Methods are provided for producing a gelatinous composition containing a phospholipid, which has excellent emulsion stability, as well as methods for easily producing an emulsified composition that is excellent in use feeling and emulsion stability. Gelatinous compositions having excellent emulsion stability, and emulsified compositions having excellent use feeling and emulsion stability are also provided. The methods for producing the gelatinous compositions and emulsified compositions comprise dissolving a phospholipid and a cyclic lipopeptide biosurfactant in a polyol solvent or a mixed solvent of water and a polyol to obtain a surfactant solution, and mixing an oily ingredient with the surfactant solution to obtain a gelatinous composition, wherein a mass ratio of the cyclic lipopeptide biosurfactant to the phospholipid in the gelatinous composition is 0.25 or more.

Abstract: The objective of the present invention is to provide a cleaning agent composition which can be used in the open air without any problems since the cleaning agent is environmentally friendly and which is effective for removing a low-molecular-weight and poorly-water-soluble cyclic silicone compound that causes a stain of a silicone sealing. The cleaning agent for washing out a silicone stain according to the present invention is characterized in comprising a cyclic lipopeptide biosurfactant, wherein the specific silicone stain compound such as D4 compound is the objective compound to be removed.

Abstract: The objective of the present invention is to provide a method for remarkably reducing a critical micelle concentration of an anionic surfactant, which is used in a large amount currently, to reduce the amount to be used. Also, the objective of the present invention is to provide a surfactant composition of which whole critical micelle concentration is remarkably reduced and in which an amount of an anionic surfactant is reduced in comparison with the case of using an anionic surfactant only as a surfactant. The method for reducing a critical micelle concentration of an anionic surfactant according to the present invention is characterized in using a cyclic lipopeptide biosurfactant in combination with the anionic surfactant.

Abstract: The objective of the present invention is to provide an extinguishing agent which has excellent fire-extinguishing property and which exhibits high safety to the environment and human body. The fire extinguishing agent of the present invention is characterized in comprising a biosurfactant.

Abstract: The objective of the present invention is to provide a method for remarkably reducing a critical micelle concentration of an anionic surfactant, which is used in a large amount currently, to reduce the amount to be used. Also, the objective of the present invention is to provide a surfactant composition of which whole critical micelle concentration is remarkably reduced and in which an amount of an anionic surfactant is reduced in comparison with the case of using an anionic surfactant only as a surfactant. The method for reducing a critical micelle concentration of an anionic surfactant according to the present invention is characterized in using a cyclic lipopeptide biosurfactant in combination with the anionic surfactant.

Abstract: The objective of the present invention is to provide a method for efficiently producing a hydrocarbon fluid from a hydrocarbon fluid-rich shale even under high temperature without giving an excessive load to the environment. The method for producing a hydrocarbon fluid from hydrocarbon fluid-rich shale according to the present invention is characterized in comprising the steps of excavating a horizontal wellbore in a layer of the hydrocarbon fluid-rich shale, injecting a pressurized fracturing fluid into the horizontal wellbore to fracture the hydrocarbon fluid-rich shale, taking out the hydrocarbon fluid onto the ground from the fractured hydrocarbon fluid-rich shale, wherein a biosurfactant-containing solution is used as the fracturing fluid.

Abstract: An objective of the present invention is to provide a surfactant composition which hardly causes the formation of an insoluble salt and which contains a safe and extremely stable micelle or vesicle. Also, an objective of the present invention is to provide a hair cosmetic material which contains the surfactant composition. The surfactant composition according to the present invention is characterized in comprising a micelle or a vesicle which contain surfactin and a specific cationic surfactant.

Abstract: An objective of the present invention is to provide a method for reducing surface free energy of an organic solvent and of a mixed solution of water and a water-miscible organic solvent, a composition which has a reduced surface free energy of an organic solvent and of a mixed solution of water and a water-miscible organic solvent and which has high environmental suitability and safety to a living body, and a wet wiper and an antiseptic solution which contains the composition The method for reducing surface free energy of an organic solvent or a mixed solvent of water and a water-miscible solvent according to the present invention is characterized in comprising the step of adding surfactin or a salt thereof to the organic solvent or mixed solvent.

Abstract: The objective of the present invention is to provide a method for producing a polymer of a monomer having a vinyl group while reducing a residual amount of a surfactant within the polymer as the target compound and waste water. The method for producing a polymer according to the present invention is characterized in comprising the step of polymerizing a monomer having a vinyl group in an aqueous medium in the presence of a surfactin salt, which is a natural peptide surfactant, and a polymerization initiator, wherein a ratio of the surfactin salt (I) to 100 parts by mass of the monomer is not less than 0.0005 parts by mass and less than 0.1 parts by mass.

Abstract: The objective of the present invention is to provide a cleaning agent composition which can be used in the open air without any problems since the cleaning agent is environmentally friendly and which is effective for removing a low-molecular-weight and poorly-water-soluble cyclic silicone compound that causes a stain of a silicone sealing. The cleaning agent for washing out a silicone stain according to the present invention is characterized in comprising a cyclic lipopeptide biosurfactant, wherein the specific silicone stain compound such as D4 compound is the objective compound to be removed.

Abstract: The objective of the present invention is to provide a method for producing a polymer of a monomer having a vinyl group while reducing a residual amount of a surfactant within the polymer as the target compound and waste water. The method for producing a polymer according to the present invention is characterized in comprising the step of polymerizing a monomer having a vinyl group in an aqueous medium in the presence of a surfactin salt, which is a natural peptide surfactant, and a polymerization initiator, wherein a ratio of the surfactin salt (I) to 100 parts by mass of the monomer is not less than 0.0005 parts by mass and less than 0.1 parts by mass.

Abstract: The present invention provides a simple industrial process for producing an L- or D-optically active ?-methylcysteine derivative or its salt, which is a useful pharmaceutical intermediate, from readily available, inexpensive raw materials. In a process for producing an L- or D-optically active ?-methylcysteine derivative or its salt, a racemic N-carbamoyl-?-methylcysteine derivative or its salt is D-selectively cyclized with hydantoinase to produce a D-5-methyl-5-thiomethylhydantoin derivative or its salt and an N-carbamoyl-?-methyl-L-cysteine derivative or its salt, which are then subjected to deprotection of the amino group and the sulfur atom, and hydrolysis.

Abstract: The objective of the present invention is to provide an extinguishing agent which has excellent fire-extinguishing property and which exhibits high safety to the environment and human body. The fire extinguishing agent of the present invention is characterized in comprising a biosurfactant.

Abstract: The present invention provides a low-cost, efficient method for producing a glycolipid biosurfactant, in particular, lactonic sophorose lipids. This method is characterized by culturing a microorganism capable of producing the biosurfactant under limited oxygen supply. The present invention enables preferential production of lactonic sophorose lipids and facilitates recovery of the lactonic sophorose lipids in a solid form. Further, the present invention enables production of high purity acidic sophorose lipids by hydrolyzing high purity lactonic sophorose lipids produced by the above method. The present invention also provides lactonic sophorose lipids that possess strong antibacterial and antifungal activities, and an antibacterial and/or antifungal agent containing the sophorose lipids.

Abstract: The present invention provides a simple industrial process for producing an L- or D-optically active ?-methylcysteine derivative or its salt, which is a useful pharmaceutical intermediate, from readily available, inexpensive raw materials. In a process for producing an L- or D-optically active ?-methylcysteine derivative or its salt, a racemic N-carbamoyl-?-methylcysteine derivative or its salt is D-selectively cyclized with hydantoinase to produce a D-5-methyl-5-thiomethylhydantoin derivative or its salt and an N-carbamoyl-?-methyl-L-cysteine derivative or its salt, which are then subjected to deprotection of the amino group and the sulfur atom, and hydrolysis.

Abstract: The present invention provides a low-cost, efficient method for producing a glycolipid biosurfactant, in particular, lactonic sophorose lipids. This method is characterized by culturing a microorganism capable of producing the biosurfactant under limited oxygen supply. The present invention enables preferential production of lactonic sophorose lipids and facilitates recovery of the lactonic sophorose lipids in a solid form. Further, the present invention enables production of high purity acidic sophorose lipids by hydrolyzing high purity lactonic sophorose lipids produced by the above method. The present invention also provides lactonic sophorose lipids that possess strong antibacterial and antifungal activities, and an antibacterial and/or antifungal agent containing the sophorose lipids.

Abstract: The present invention provides a simple industrial process for producing an L- or D-optically active ?-methylcysteine derivative or its salt, which is a useful pharmaceutical intermediate, from readily available, inexpensive raw materials. In a process for producing an L- or D-optically active ?-methylcysteine derivative or its salt, a racemic N-carbamoyl-?-methylcysteine derivative or its salt is D-selectively cyclized with hydantoinase to produce a D-5-methyl-5-thiomethylhydantoin derivative or its salt and an N-carbamoyl-?-methyl-L-cysteine derivative or its salt, which are then subjected to deprotection of the amino group and the sulfur atom, and hydrolysis.

Abstract: Disclosed are a novel hydantoin racemase and a process for producing an optically active N-carbamylamino acid or an optically active amino acid using the hydantoin racemase. A novel hydantoin racemase isolated and purified from Bacillus sp. Strain KNK519HR; a gene encoding the hydantoin racemase; a recombinant plasmid having the gene introduced therein; a transformant having the hydantoin racemase gene introduced therein; and a process for producing an optically active N-carbamylamino acid or an optically active amino acid characterized in that a 5-substituted hydantoin compound is treated in the presence of hydantoinase and N-carbamylamino acid amidohydrolase as well as the hydantoin racemase.