Abstract: A hard candy with a relatively-high moisture and hardness, and process of the same. The levels of moisture and hardness are respectively from about 3.5% to about 10%, and at least 4.0 kg as a penetration strength when measured by a rheometer. The hard candy is characteristic of a relatively-high transparency, insubstantial stickiness to the teeth, and lesser stimulation to the teeth.

Abstract: A method for enhancing the salty-taste and/or delicious-taste of food products and materials thereof, containing sodium chloride, by using trehalose without imparting any unsatisfactory taste and flavor. The content of trehalose to be incorporated is usually in the range of about 1.5-12% to the food products and materials thereof, on a dry solid basis. The method can reduce the content of sodium chloride used in conventional salty food products without losing their satisfactory salty-taste.

Abstract: A highly digestible, good preference, relatively high-quality fermented formula feed which is obtainable by mixing a soybean feed material and a wheat splinter capable of decomposing phytin in an amount of not less than that of the soybean feed material, d.s.b., and subjecting the mixture to a lactic acid fermentation under humid conditions.

Abstract: A quick-fermented feed is prepared by incorporating plant concentrate materials into alkali-treated wastes of agricultural products to lower the pH to a level below 10, inoculating the mixture with lactic acid bacteria capable of growing under alkaline conditions or high salt conditions, and fermenting the resulting mixture.

Abstract: A propolis extract which is prepared by adjusting the pH of propolis to 5.5-7.0 to improve the water-solubility of the effective ingredients of propolis, a composition containing the propolis extract, and a method for improving the water-solubility of propolis extracts.

Abstract: A highly digestible, good preference, relatively high-quality fermented formula feed which is obtainable by mixing a soybean feed material and a wheat splinter capable of decomposing phytin in an amount of not less than that of the soybean feed material, d.s.b., and subjecting the mixture to a lactic acid fermentation under humid conditions.

Abstract: A highly digestible, good preference, relatively high-quality fermented formula feed which is obtainable by mixing a soybean feed material and a wheat splinter capable of decomposing phytin in an amount of not less than that of the soybean feed material, d.s.b., and subjecting the mixture to a lactic acid fermentation under humid conditions.

Abstract: Disclosed is an alkali-treated bagasse prepared by softening a bagasse with calcium oxide together with or without sodium hydroxide while preventing the substantial decomposition of cellulose and hemicellulose, a bagasse feed and a fermented bagasse feed prepared from the alkali-treated bagasse, and their preparations and uses as well as bacteria for fermenting the alkali-treated bagasse. These bagasse and bagasse feeds save sugar-refinery industries from the difficulties to treat bagasse deemed as an unutilized industrial waste, and livestock farming industries from the shortage of roughage, and further is extremely significant in agriculture, industries of sweetening products, feed industries and livestock product processors. A bacterium strain particularly useful for the fermentation is Enterococcus faecium FERM BP-4504.

Abstract: A novel .alpha.-glycosyl quercetin, wherein at least equimolar D-glucose residues are attached to quercetin via the .alpha.-bond, has a satisfactory water-solubility, light tolerance and stability, and exerts the inherent activity of quercetin in vivo. The .alpha.-glycosyl quercetin is prepared by a process comprising subjecting a solution containing quercetin and an .alpha.-glucosyl saccharide to the action of a saccharide-transferring enzyme to form an .alpha.-glycosyl quercetin, and recoverying the resultant .alpha.-glycosyl quercetin. The .alpha.-glycosyl quercetin can be advantageously used in combination with other materials in food products, cosmetic compositions and pharmaceutical compositions as a highly-safe and natural vitamin P-enriched agent, yellow-color-imparting agent, antioxidant, deodorant, stabilizer, quality-improving agent, antiseptic, prophylactic agent, therapeutic agent and ultraviolet-absorbing agent.

Abstract: A highly-digestible, preferred taste and high-quality fermented bagasse feed prepared by incorporating a lactic acid bacterium capable of proliferating in an alkaline nutrient culture medium of not less than pH 9.5 or in a nutrient culture medium containing sodium chloride of 6.5 w/w % into an alkali-treated bagasse which is prepared by softening a bagasse while preventing the substantial decomposition of cellulose and hemicellulose, and succeedingly fermenting the resultant mixture, and to its preparation and uses.

Abstract: An alkali-treated bagasse is prepared by softening a bagasse with calcium oxide together with or without sodium hydroxide while preventing the substantial decomposition of cellulose and hemicellulose, a bagasse feed and a fermented bagasse feed prepared from the alkali-treated bagasse, and their preparations and uses as well as bacteria for fermenting the alkali-treated bagasse.

Abstract: Disclosed is a novel purified propolis-extract which contains the effective components of propolis in a readily absorbable- and utilizable-form in vivo, as well as having an absorbance ratio (A.sub.310 /A.sub.660) of higher than 4,000, having a relatively-high quality and a satisfactory handleability, color, flavor, taste and antiseptic activity, and being substantially free of resins, waxes and dark colored impurities. The purified propolis-extract is prepared by a process comprising decreasing a readily water-soluble organic solvent in its aqueous high-concentration solution containing a crude propolis-extract to a prescribed concentration to form an upper-layer liquid containing the effective components of propolis and a lower-layer liquid containing a viscous sediment, and separating and recoverying the upper-layer liquid.

Abstract: A pine extract combined with a bamboo extract and/or a Japanese apricot extract effectively promotes the growth and regeneration of hair for human and animals. Administration of these compounds leads to no substantial side effects. The topically applied hair restorer containing these compounds is also effective in the prevention of alopecias, as well as in the protection of falling out of hair, dandruff, and itching of the scalp. These properties render these compounds useful in hair restorers for human and animals.

Abstract: The disagreeable harsh, bitter, and astringent odor of pine extract is improved by incorporating into the pine extract a bamboo extract in the amount of from 0.1-20 times on a dry solid basis that of the pine extract, and an extract of Japanese apricot in an amount of 1-200 times on a dry solid basis that of the pine extract. The combination of the pine extract, bamboo extract and Japanese apricot extract is used as a health food or beverage, hair restorer, and medicine.