Abstract: A counting scale includes a weighing pan, a weighing sensor connected to the weighing pan, a storage unit including a registered data table storing, as registered data, a unique identification number, an article name, and a unit weight with respect to one article, an arithmetic processing unit configured to urge placement of one piece of the target article on the weighing pan, calculate a unit weighed value of the one piece of the target article from the weighing sensor, narrow down registered data including a unit weight within a predetermined range with respect to the unit weighed value as candidate data from the registered data table, and obtain sorted candidate data by selecting and sorting the candidate data in ascending order of absolute value of deviation from the unit weighed value, and a display unit configured to display the sorted candidate data.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide novel composition and agent for promoting the production of a brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and a novel method for promoting the production of BDNF. The present invention provides a composition for promoting the production of BDNF and an agent for promoting the production of BDNF, each comprising cacao polyphenols. The present invention also provides a method for promoting the production of BDNF, comprising feeding cacao polyphenols in a daily intake which is effective in promoting the production of BDNF for at least 2 weeks.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide novel composition and agent for promoting the production of a brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and a novel method for promoting the production of BDNF. The present invention provides a composition for promoting the production of BDNF and an agent for promoting the production of BDNF, each comprising cacao polyphenols. The present invention also provides a method for promoting the production of BDNF, comprising feeding cacao polyphenols in a daily intake which is effective in promoting the production of BDNF for at least 2 weeks.

Abstract: A preparation process is provided for preparing a novel flavonoid compound having a high level of antioxidative action. The flavonoid compound is obtained by subjecting hesperidin to microbial fermentation treatment with Aspergillus saitoi.

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: A preparation process is provided for preparing a novel flavonoid compound having a high level of antioxidative action. The flavonoid compound is obtained by subjecting hesperidin to microbial fermentation treatment with Aspergillus saitoi.

Abstract: A preparation process is provided for preparing a novel flavonoid compound having a high level of antioxidative action. The flavonoid compound is obtained by subjecting hesperidin to microbial fermentation treatment with Aspergillus saitoi.

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 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: A preparation process is provided for preparing a novel flavonoid compound having a high level of antioxidative action. The flavonoid compound is obtained by subjecting hesperidin to microbial fermentation treatment with Aspergillus saitoi.

Abstract: In view of the situation of the prior art, the present invention specifies the structure of a late-stage product of Mailard reaction in vivo having a close relation with various tissue disorders, and provides a diagnostic reagent for complications associated with diabetes or renal failure, containing the above compound as a main component.

Abstract: A protein composition derived from sesame seed is disclosed, which contains 40-95% by weight of crude proteins, 1-50% by weight of carbohydrate, 0-5% by weight of fat, 0-1% by weight of fiber, and 0.2-3% by weight of physiologically active substances derived from sesame seed, based on the dry weight of the composition and which is characterized in that when the protein composition is suspended at room temperature in pure water of pH 7 at a concentration of 5% by weight, not less than 80% by weight of the protein composition is dissolved in the pure water. A foodstuff or a cosmetic article containing the protein composition is also disclosed.

Abstract: A food material containing sesaminol triglucoside by at least 3.0 mm per 1 g of its dry component is obtained by subjecting dehulled sesame seeds to an extraction process at an extraction temperature below 120.degree. C. with aliphatic hydrocarbon as extraction solvent to obtain a solution, removing the solution to obtain a solid which contains the extraction solvent by less than 10 weight %, adding water to this solid to obtain a water-containing object, and removing the residual solvent from this water-containing object by distillation at 20-120.degree. C. The food material thus obtained is substantially free of the solvent used in the extraction process and has improved color, flavor and taste.

Abstract: New sesaminol glucosides, which are glucosides of lignan compounds of a specified structure, are effective in preventing oxidation of lipids in an aqueous solvent. Such sesaminol glucosides are produced substantially in pure form by obtaining an aqueous extract from crushed and defatted sesame seeds, processing the extract with .beta.-glucosidase to obtain a processed sesame product which is itself an effective anti-oxidant, and make separations by liquid chromatography under specified conditions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel compound tetrahydrocurcumin and a substance containing the same, which are produced from curcumin or a substance containing it as a material. This substance has characteristic properties such as strong antioxidative activity and yellowish color generated from reducing the original color of curcumin. The curcumin is being produced from a Zingiberaceae plant classified into Curcuma longa as a tropical product and is used for a spice and a yellow pigment for curry powder and pickles. The present invention further relates to the production method.

Abstract: A new synthetic antioxidant comprising an organogermanium compound represented by the formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1, R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 are one of a hydrogen atom, a substituted or unsubstituted phenyl group or an alkyl group, Y is a hydroxyl or amino group and Z is an oxygen or sulfur atom, is particularly effective in inhibiting auto-oxidation in living organisms.

Abstract: An active antioxydant containing a compound shown by structural formula ##STR1## is produced by applying an acid catalyst to sesamolin substantially in the absence of active hydrogen compounds.

Abstract: A new synthetic antioxidant comprising an organogermanium compound represented by the formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1, R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 are one of a hydrogen atom, a substituted or unsubstituted phenyl group or an alkyl group, Y is a hydroxyl or amino group and Z is an oxygen or sulfur atom, is particularly effective in inhibiting auto-oxidation in living organisms.

Abstract: Phenol-type natural antioxidative materials containing analogs of sesamin or sesamolin are manufactured by processing a processed sesame speed product with an acid catalyst and subsequently condensing and separating the desired materials by a physical means such as extraction, distillation and adsorption.