Abstract: To a constitutive element of a tobacco (a leaf-tobacco component or a filter) is added a proanthocyanidin or a proanthocyanidin-carrying porous material (such as an active carbon) to obtain an element for tobacco smoke. The proanthocyanidin may be at least one extract selected from a grape seed or pip, a grape rind or pericarp and squeezed dregs of a grape fruit.

Abstract: A constitution improving agent for horses comprising collagen, preferably in combination with a proanthocyanidin.

Abstract: A cyclic oligosaccharide or salts thereof comprising glucoses bound cyclically via .alpha.-1,6-linkages and having at least one S-oxo acid group bound, and ana gent for preventing or treating retroviral diseases which comprises said cyclic oligosaccharide or salts thereof as an active ingredient. The novel sulfated cyclic isomaltoligosaccharide inhibits infection of host cells with various retroviruses such as AIDS virus etc. so effectively that it has a significant preventive and therapeutic effect on diseases caused by retroviruses. Accordingly, said oligosaccharide can be utilized as an agent for preventing or treating retroviral diseases in pharmaceutical industry.

Abstract: According to this invention are provided a method for determining an exo-type saccharide hydrolase activity which comprises adding to a sample a .beta.-maltoside derivative represented by the general formula ##STR1## wherein R is a chromophoric organic group, as a substrate, conducting reaction in the presence of a coupled enzyme, and optically determining the substance liberated, and a method for differentially determining glucoamylase and .alpha.-glucosidase activities which comprises adding, to a sample, the above .beta.-maltoside derivative as the first substrate and a coupled enzyme, and an .alpha.-glucoside derivative represented by the general formula ##STR2## wherein R' is a chromophoric organic group, as the second substrate, subjecting the mixtures to separate enzymatic reactions, and then optically quantitatively determine the substances liberated.

Abstract: A process for differentially determining .alpha.-amylase isoenzyme activities by the inhibitor method, in which 6.sup.3 -deoxymaltotriose (DOG3) represented by the formula ##STR1## is used as an inhibitor.

Abstract: The present invention provides a maltooligoside derivative represented by the formula: ##STR1## wherein n denotes an integer 3-5, R represents an aromatic chromophoric group, X represents a group >CHCH.sub.2 N.sub.3 or >C.dbd.CH.sub.2, and Y represents a hydrogen atom, a substituted or unsubstituted hydrocarbon group or an alkyl- or arylsulfonyl group, a reagent for determining .alpha.-amylase activity which comprises said maltooligoside derivative as an effective ingredient, and a process for determining .alpha.-amylase activity, characterized in that said maltooligoside derivative and coupled enzymes are added to an .alpha.-amylase containing sample to conduct an enzymatic reaction and a liberated aromatic chromophoric compound is quantitatively determined. The compound of the present invention is very useful as a substrate for determining .alpha.-amylase activity, and .alpha.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the preparation of a cylodextrinase having specific physicochemical characteristics relating to action, substrate specificities, optimum pH, stable pH, inhibition, activation and molecular weight by culturing a specified microorganism belonging to the genus Bacillus, and also provides a process for preparing maltooligosaccharides by using the present enzyme on cylodextrins.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel cyclodextrinase having the specific physicochemical characteristics relating to action, substrate specificities, optimum pH, stable pH, inhibition, activation and molecular, weight. This novel enzyme can be produced by culturing a specified microorganism belonging to the genus Bacillus. The invention also provides a process for preparing maltooligosaccharides by acting the present enzyme to cyclodextrins.

Abstract: Novel N-acetyl-.beta.-D-glucosamine derivatives represented by the following formula: ##STR1## wherein R represents a hydrogen atom or an acyl group; and X represents a nitrogen atom or an oxide of nitrogen, are disclosed. The glucosamine derivatives are useful for determination of N-acetyl-.beta.-D-glucosaminidase in body fluids as an index of renal diseases.