Abstract: A dermatological anti-wrinkle agent and an anti-wrinkle cosmetic are stable and satisfactorily effective against wrinkles. The dermatological anti-wrinkle agent includes a tocopherol phosphate represented by the following formula (1): and/or a salt thereof, wherein R1, R2, and R3 represent a hydrogen atom or a methyl group. The anti-wrinkle cosmetic includes the anti-wrinkle agent.

Abstract: A dermatological anti-wrinkle agent and an anti-wrinkle cosmetic are stable and satisfactorily effective against wrinkles. The dermatological anti-wrinkle agent comprises a tocopherol phosphate represented by the following formula (1): and/or a salt thereof, wherein R1, R2, and R3 represent a hydrogen atom or a methyl group. The anti-wrinkle cosmetic includes the anti-wrinkle agent.

Abstract: The agent for skin external use of the present invention contains (A) tocopherol glycine esters, (B) ascorbic acid-2-phosphoric acid esters and a specific amount of (C) an anionic surface active agent having a lipopeptide structure. According to the agent for skin external use (including a cosmetic) of the present invention, it is possible to enhance stability of the tocopherol glycine esters in spite that the tocopherol glycine esters and the ascorbic acids are contained simultaneously, so that occurrence of coloring (including turbidity) and/or precipitation with time can be prevented. Therefore, efficacy and effects of the agent or the cosmetic can be well exerted over a long period of time.

Abstract: A dermal agent for preventing or treating acne, comprising an ascorbic acid derivative which liberates in vivo ascorbic acid, and a zinc salt or comprising a zinc salt of the ascorbic acid-2-phosphate, and a composition comprising tretinoin and an ascorbic acid derivative or a salt thereof, relieving in the irritation of tretinoin by using the dermal agent and tretinoin in combination.

Abstract: A process for producing Surfactin, comprising culturing a microorganism of the genus Bacillus in a liquid culture medium containing flour of beans such as soybean or an extract thereof as a nitrogen source and accumulating Surfactin in the culture broth, and a microorganism of the genus Bacillus which have an activity to produce a crude Surfactin in a concentration of from 8 to 50 g/L on culturing for 20 to 90 hours.

Abstract: The invention relates to skin whitening external preparations which contain tocopherol phosphate and/or a salt thereof as an active ingredient capable of prevention and/or removal of skin pigmentation, cosmetics including the skin whitening external preparation and cosmetic cares using the cosmetic. The skin whitening external preparations have excellent skin whitening effects and are readily producible so that they can find wide use for the purpose of skin whitening.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a skin preparation for external application, comprising a tocopherol aminoalkylcarboxylate ester having no substituent on the N atom and/or a salt thereof. Preferable tocopherol aminoalkylcarboxylate in the present invention is one or more compound selected from ?-tocopherol derivatives, ?-tocopherol derivatives, ?-tocopherol derivatives and ?-tocopherol derivatives. The present invention also relates to a cosmetic material comprising the skin preparation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a skin preparation for external application, comprising a tocopherol aminoalkylcarboxylate ester having a substituent on the N atom and/or a salt thereof. The preferable tocopherol aminoalkylcarboxylate ester in the present invention is one or more compound selected from ?-tocopherol derivatives, ?-tocopherol derivatives, ?-tocopherol derivatives and ?-tocopherol derivatives. The present invention also relates to a cosmetic material comprising the skin preparation for external application.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a fungicidal and/or bactericidal composition comprising a combination of iturin and surfactin which are a cyclic peptide produced by a mircoorganism, preferably a microorganism belonging to the genus Bacillus, with an amphipathic organic material having a hydrocarbon chain, its production process and sterilization method using the same. The fungicidal and/or bactericidal composition of the present invention is highly safe to human body or environment, is free of generation of resistant bacteria even on repeated use and has a wide sterilization spectrum.

Abstract: A process for producing Surfactin, comprising culturing a microorganism of the genus Bacillus in a liquid culture medium containing flour of beans such as soybean or an extract thereof as a nitrogen source and accumulating Surfactin in the culture broth, and a microorganism of the genus Bacillus which have an activity to produce a crude Surfactin in a concentration of from 8 to 50 g/L on culturing for 20 to 90 hours.

Abstract: A dermal agent for preventing or treating acne, comprising an ascorbic acid derivative which liberates in vivo ascorbic acid, and a zinc salt or comprising a zinc salt of the ascorbic acid-2-phosphate, and a composition comprising tretinoin and an ascorbic acid derivative or a salt thereof, relieving the irritation of tretinoin by using the dermal agent and tretinoin in combination.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide a hair treatment having high dechlorinating and hydroxy radical-scavenging abilities, excellent safety to skin, low irritation and sufficiently high storage stability required in view of the production of preparations, and provide a hair care composition using the hair treatment agent.

Abstract: L-Ascorbic acid 2-phosphate zinc salt and a salt hydrate thereof having excellent solubility and exhibiting good stability even under weakly acidic conditions. Also disclosed is a process of manufacturing L-ascorbic acid 2-phosphate zinc salt by displacing a cation of a salt of an L-ascorbic acid 2-phosphate other than a zinc salt with a zinc cation. Further disclosed is a composition containing L-ascorbic acid 2-phosphate zinc salt or a salt hydrate thereof as an active ingredient.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical preparation comprising at least one L-ascorbic acid derivative and at least one antimalignant tumor agent, wherein said L-ascorbic acid derivative provides, on culturing zooblast for 20 hours in a culture medium containing the L-ascorbic acid derivative in a concentration of 5 &mgr;M, an L-ascorbic acid intracellular cumulative amount equal to or greater than that obtained by culturing the zooblast in a culture medium containing magnesium L-ascorbic acid-2-phosphate in a concentration of 50 &mgr;M. Also disclosed is a method of inhibiting cancer metastasis which comprises administering to a person in need of such treatment a dosage effective amount of the L-ascorbic acid derivative. Also disclosed is a method of treating cancer which comprises administering to a person in need of such treatment a dosage effective amount of the pharmaceutical preparation.

Abstract: A novel ascorbic acid derivative having both sufficiently improved stability and liposolubility, and facilitated cellular uptake. Also disclosed is a process for producing the derivative and a composition capable of effectively providing the action of vitamin C, for use in medical preparations, agricultural chemicals, animal drugs, foods, feeds or cosmetic preparations. The ascorbic acid derivative is a compound represented by the following formula (1) or a salt thereof: ##STR1## wherein R represents an acyl group having eleven or more carbon atoms and n is 0, 1 or 2.

Abstract: An alkaline protease, method for producing the same and detergents containing the protease as an aid are disclosed. The alkaline protease is obtained by cultivating in a medium the microorganism SD523 FERM BP-3774 or artificial mutants or genetically engineered variants thereof which have the ability of producing the alkaline protease. The alkaline protease has: (1) an optimum pH of from about 11 to 11.5 as measured after reaction at 30.degree. C. for 10 minutes using casein as a substrate and an optimum temperature of about 60.degree. C. as measured after reaction at pH 10 using casein as a substrate; (2) a half inactivation temperature of about 55.degree. C. as measured after reaction at pH 10 for 10 minutes; and (3) a molecular weight of 29,000.+-.2,000 as measured by SDS polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The enzyme has improved storage ability in liquid detergents as compared with known alkaline proteases produced by known microorganisms belonging to the genus Bacillus firmus.