Abstract: To prevent or alleviate various pathologies caused by lifestyle-related diseases, etc., the present invention provides a substance having an effect of promoting the expression and elevating the expression level of adiponectin, and applications thereof. An adiponectin expression promoting agent containing, as an active ingredient, at least one cyanidin compound selected from the group consisting of cyanidin and cyanidin glycosides can be applied to pharmaceutical or food compositions for use in applications in which the pharmacological effects of adiponectin are utilized.

Abstract: The invention provides a cochineal color, a colorant product containing the cochineal color and the method of its production, wherein the cochineal color is free of allergenic proteins and contaminants derived from the raw material Coccus cacti L. insect and can be added with safety to products taken by mouth, such as foods, pharmaceutical products, etc. The invention relates to a cochineal color substantially free of proteins of molecular weight not less than 6000. The invention also relates to a process for producing a cochineal color which comprises subjecting a cochineal extract solution to proteolysis and then to at least one treatment selected from the group consisting of adsorption treatment, ion exchange treatment, acid treatment, extraction treatment and membrane treatment.

Abstract: A method of preparing a purified purple corn coloring agent comprising passing a purple corn color extract solution through an adsorption resin, washing with water, and releasing the purple corn color from the resin with the use of an aqueous solution containing alcohol of 25 to 45 v/vt %.

Abstract: The invention provides novel, carrot-derived MITE-like elements (transposable elements). It further provides transcriptional activation elements comprising at least one transposable element, in particular one of the above MITE-like elements. Specifically, it provides transcriptional activation elements having a DNA comprising the nucleotide sequence shown under SEQ ID NO:1 or a functional equivalent thereto and/or a DNA comprising the nucleotide sequence shown under SEQ ID NO:2 or a functional equivalent thereto. The transcriptional activation elements of the invention can increase or activate the reduced expression of a foreign gene introduced by the transgenic technology. Therefore, the transcriptional activation elements contribute to stable expression of a foreign gene introduced in a plant genome and are useful in stably producing genetically modified plants.

Abstract: To prevent or alleviate various pathologies caused by lifestyle-related diseases, etc., the present invention provides a substance having an effect of promoting the expression and elevating the expression level of adiponectin, and applications thereof. An adiponectin expression promoting agent containing, as an active ingredient, at least one cyanidin compound selected from the group consisting of cyanidin and cyanidin glycosides can be applied to pharmaceutical or food compositions for use in applications in which the pharmacological effects of adiponectin are utilized.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of suppressing fading of a tar colorant. More specifically, the present invention provides a method of suppressing a tar colorant fading phenomenon that occurs specifically in compositions containing (a) the tar colorant, and (b) at least one of reducing sugars, ascorbic acid compounds, or metals. This method can be attained by mixing (c) at least one selected from the group consisting of isoquercitrin, enzymatically modified isoquercitrin, rutin, enzymatically modified rutin, Chinese bayberry extract, and rosemary extract into such a composition, thus making the component (a), the component (b) and the component (c) coexist. The present invention further provides a composition for which fading of a tar colorant is suppressed using the above method, more specifically a composition containing at least one of reducing sugars, ascorbic acid compounds, or metals in addition to the tar colorant.

Abstract: Purple corn color which has a high safety and no odor in odor components since impurities (odor components, precursor thereof, a mycotoxin fumonisintc) seemingly contained in the purple corn material have been eliminated therefrom; and color preparations containing the same. This purple corn color can be obtained by a preparation method comprising passing a purple corn color extract solution through an adsorption resin, washing with water, and releasing the purple corn color from the resin with the use of an aqueous solution containing alcohol of 25 to 45 v/vt %.

Abstract: The invention provides an antiobestic and/or antidiabetic agent containing cyanidin 3-glucoside as an active ingredient. Thereby the increase of adipose cells can be suppressed and the blood glucose level can be reduced safely and effectively.

Abstract: According to the present invention, provided is a preventive or therapeutic agent for cancer containing a cyanidin compound of the general formula (I): 1

Abstract: The present invention provide an anti-fading agent for a pigment, characterized by comprising as active ingredients at least one oligosaccharide selected from the group consisting of nigerooligosaccharide, maltooligosaccharide and panose, when so required, in addition of an antioxidant. The anti-fading agent of the invention can advantageously inhibit fading in colors (including fading in colors by light irradiation and heat treatment) of natural pigments such as anthocyanin-based pigments, flavonoid-based pigments, carotenoid-based pigments and the like, and is useful for colored beverage and food products, pharmaceutical drugs, cosmetics and the like with which the fading in colors may be a problem.

Abstract: The invention provides a cochineal color, a colorant product containing the cochineal color and the method of its production, wherein the cochineal color is free of allergenic proteins and contaminants derived from the raw material Coccus cacti L. insect and can be added with safety to products taken by mouth, such as foods, pharmaceutical products, etc. The invention relates to a cochineal color substantially free of proteins of molecular weight not less than 6000. The invention also relates to a process for producing a cochineal color which comprises subjecting a cochineal extract solution to proteolysis and then to at least one treatment selected from the group consisting of adsorption treatment, ion exchange treatment, acid treatment, extraction treatment and membrane treatment.

Abstract: The present invention provide an anti-fading agent for a pigment, characterized by comprising as active ingredients at least one oligosaccharide selected from the group consisting of nigerooligosaccharide, maltooligosaccharide and panose, when so required, in addition of an antioxidant. The anti-fading agent of the invention can advantageously inhibit fading in colors (including fading in colors by light irradiation and heat treatment) of natural pigments such as anthocyanin-based pigments, flavonoid-based pigments, carotenoid-based pigments and the like, and is useful for colored beverage and food products, pharmaceutical drugs, cosmetics and the like with which the fading in colors may be a problem.

Abstract: The invention provides a cochineal color, a colorant product containing the cochineal color and the method of its production, wherein the cochineal color is free of allergenic proteins and contaminants derived from the raw material Coccus cacti L. insect and can be added with safety to products taken by mouth, such as foods, pharmaceutical products, etc. The invention relates to a cochineal color substantially free of proteins of molecular weight not less than 6000. The invention also relates to a process for producing a cochineal color which comprises subjecting a cochineal extract solution to proteolysis and then to at least one treatment selected from the group consisting of adsorption treatment, ion exchange treatment, acid treatment, extraction treatment and membrane treatment.

Abstract: The invention provides a cochineal color, a colorant product containing the cochineal color and the method of its production, wherein the cochineal color is free of allergenic proteins and contaminants derived from the raw material Coccus cacti L. insect and can be added with safety to products taken by mouth, such as foods, pharmaceutical products, etc. The invention relates to a cochineal color substantially free of proteins of molecular weight not less than 6000. The invention also relates to a process for producing a cochineal color which comprises subjecting a cochineal extract solution to proteolysis and then to at least one treatment selected from the group consisting of adsorption treatment, ton exchange treatment, acid treatment, extraction treatment and membrane treatment.