Abstract: The present invention provides a process for preparing fermented tea, by which fermented tea is prepared over a short period of time, while maintaining the physiological activity thereof, and yield of the extract is improved, and a composition, which has favorable flavor and excellent stability and is useful as a functional food. Specifically, the present invention provides a process for preparing fermented tea comprising the step of fermenting tea leaves in the presence of tea leave stems and a composition containing fermented tea extract and dietary fiber.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for preparing fermented tea, by which fermented tea is prepared over a short period of time, while maintaining the physiological activity thereof, and yield of the extract is improved, and a composition, which has favorable flavor and excellent stability and is useful as a functional food. Specifically, the present invention provides a process for preparing fermented tea comprising the step of fermenting tea leaves in the presence of tea leave stems and a composition containing fermented tea extract and dietary fiber.

Abstract: A process for biologically producing an .alpha.-hydroxyamide or an .alpha.-hydroxy acid represented by formula (III) ##STR1## wherein R represents a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted alkoxy group, a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group, a substituted or unsubstituted aryloxy group or a substituted or unsubstituted and saturated or unsaturated heterocyclic group; and X represents an amido group or a carboxyl group, comprising reacting an .alpha.-hydroxynitrile represented by formula (I): ##STR2## wherein R is as defined above, or a mixture of an aldehyde represented by formula (II):R--CHO (II)wherein R is as defined above, and hydrogen cyanide with a microorganism capable of producing such an amide or acid from the corresponding .alpha.-hydroxynitrile is disclosed, in which the reaction system contains a sulfite ion, a disulfite ion or a dithionite ion.

Abstract: A process for preparing an optically active lactic acid comprising subjecting DL-lactonitrile or acetaldehyde and prussic acid to the action of a microorganism belonging to the genus Enterobacter, Arthrobacter, Caseobacter, Brevibacterium, Aureobacterium, Escherichia, Micrococcus, Streptomyces, Flavobacterium, Aeromonas, Nocardia, Mycoplana, Cellulomonas, Erwinia, Candida, Pseudomonas, Rhodococcus, Bacillus, Alcaligenes, Corynebacterium, Microbacterium or Obsumbacterium, or treated microbial cells thereof, which the microorganism is capable of stereospecifically hydrolyzing a nitrile in a polar solvent. D-Lactic acid or L-lactic acid can be produced directly in a predominant proportion from the starting materials.