Abstract: An object of the invention is to provide a lactic acid bacteria fermentation product, which has been obtained by culturing lactic acid bacteria on a medium containing an extract of at least one food material selected from the group consisting of rice bran, persimmon leaves, perilla, Houttuynia cordata Thunb, Eucommia ulmoides Oliv., turmeric, clove, cinnamon and Rubus suavissimus S. Lee (Rosaceae). By adding and mixing the extract used for the preparation of the fermentation product to a medium, it is possible to increase simply the viable cell count of lactic acid bacteria, without affecting the flavor of the product. It is possible, by using the extract, to obtain a lactic acid bacteria fermentation product which contains many viable lactic acid bacteria with their activities highly maintained, and further to provide beverages or foods using the product.

Abstract: Provided is a fermented food containing an extract of at least one plant material selected from the group consisting of turmeric, Houttuynia cordata Thunb., Eucommia ulmoides Oliv., rice bran, persimmon leaves, perilla, clove, cinnamon and Rubus suavissimus S. Lee (Rosaceae) and bacteria of the genus Bifidobacterium. The fermented food contains an excellent and novel material with which the viability of the bacteria of the genus Bifidobacterium can be improved in storage of the product, and even when used in products such as beverages or foods, does not deteriorate the flavor of the product, thereby the bacteria of the genus Bifidobacterium can be contained at high concentration which provides various physiological effects.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for producing a guava leaf extract powder, including extracting guava leaves with hot water at 90 to 98° C.; concentrating the obtained extract to a Brix level of 20 to 30; and lyophilizing the concentrated extract, and a guava leaf extract powder produced through the method which exhibits limited deterioration in quality after storage in solution for a long period of time.

Abstract: Fermented milk drinks and foods containing fermented milk components obtained by fermentation with lactic acid bacteria together with a growth promoter for lactic acid bacteria selected from among ginger extract, tea extract, green onion extract, or oleic acid and derivatives thereof, and a process for producing the fermented milk drinks and foods involving the step of culturing lactic acid bacteria in a medium containing the growth promoter for lactic acid bacteria. These fermented milk drinks and foods can contain a large number of viable cells of lactic acid bacteria and sustain the activity (acid producing ability) of the bacteria at a high level.

Abstract: Provided is a fermented food containing an extract of at least one plant material selected from the group consisting of turmeric, Houttuynia cordata Thunb., Eucommia ulmoides Oliv., rice bran, persimmon leaves, perilla, clove, cinnamon and Rubus suavissimus S. Lee (Rosaceae) and bacteria of the genus Bifidobacterium. The fermented food contains an excellent and novel material with which the viability of the bacteria of the genus Bifidobacterium can be improved in storage of the product, and even when used in products such as beverages or foods, does not deteriorate the flavor of the product, thereby the bacteria of the genus Bifidobacterium can be contained at high concentration which provides various physiological effects.

Abstract: To provide a guava leaf extract powder which exhibits less deterioration in quality and functions after storage of the solution thereof for a long period of time. The invention provides a method for producing a guava leaf extract powder, including extracting guava leaves with hot water at 90 to 98° C.; concentrating the obtained extract to a Brix level of 20 to 30; and lyophilizing the concentrated extract, and a guava leaf extract powder produced through the method.

Abstract: An object of the invention is to provide a lactic acid bacteria fermentation product, which has been obtained by culturing lactic acid bacteria on a medium containing an extract of at least one food material selected from the group consisting of rice bran, persimmon leaves, perilla, Houttuynia cordata Thunb, Eucommia ulmoides Oliv., turmeric, clove, cinnamon and Rubus suavissimus S. Lee (Rosaceae). By adding and mixing the extract used for the preparation of the fermentation product to a medium, it is possible to increase simply the viable cell count of lactic acid bacteria, without affecting the flavor of the product. It is possible, by using the extract, to obtain a lactic acid bacteria fermentation product which contains many viable lactic acid bacteria with their activities highly maintained, and further to provide beverages or foods using the product.

Abstract: Fermented milk drinks and foods containing fermented milk components obtained by fermentation with lactic acid bacteria together with a growth promoter for lactic acid bacteria selected from among ginger extract, tea extract, green onion extract, or oleic acid and derivatives thereof, and a process for producing the fermented milk drinks and foods involving the step of culturing lactic acid bacteria in a medium containing the growth promoter for lactic acid bacteria. These fermented milk drinks and foods can contain a large number of viable cells of lactic acid bacteria and sustain the activity (acid producing ability) of the bacteria at a high level.

Abstract: Fermented milk drinks and foods containing fermented milk components obtained by fermentation with lactic acid bacteria together with a growth promoter for lactic acid bacteria selected from among ginger extract, tea extract, green onion extract, or oleic acid and derivatives thereof, and a process for producing the fermented milk drinks and foods involving the step of culturing lactic acid bacteria in a medium containing the growth promoter for lactic acid bacteria. These fermented milk drinks and foods can contain a large number of viable cells of lactic acid bacteria and sustain the activity (acid producing ability) of the bacteria at a high level.