Abstract: Provided is a novel Bifidobacterium strain capable of utilizing xylans. Bacteria belonging to the genus Bifidobacterium having a xylanase gene on a genome.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for extracting nucleic acid from a specimen, including traditionally difficult specimens, in preparation for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis. The apparatus includes: a shaker, a centrifugal separator, a particle supply mechanism for supplying particles of different sizes, a liquid chemical supply mechanism, a conveyance arm for transporting the specimen or tube-containing specimen, and a control means. The control means is designed to shake tubes containing large and small diameter particles and transport the tubes through a centrifuge in order to separate the nucleic acid-containing material from the remainder of the specimen and crush the material to extract the nucleic acid.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a nucleic acid extraction apparatus which extracts a nucleic acid from a specimen from which it has conventionally been considered difficult to extract the nucleic acid, such as feces or sludge, and thereby allows analysis in accordance with a PCR method (analysis using the polymerase chain reaction) to be performed successfully.