Abstract: A method for increasing the absorption of magnesium, zinc, and/or copper through the intestines of a subject desiring such an increase, includes administering to the subject a difructose anhydride (DFA) in an amount effective to increase the absorption of magnesium, zinc, and/or copper present in the intestines.

Abstract: A process for producing the crystals of difructose dianhydride III (DFA III), namely a indigestible disaccharide where two fructose molecules are bonded to each other at positions 1, 2? and 2,3? (di-D-fructofuranose-1,2?:2,3?-dianhydride), where solutions containing DFA III are adjusted to and/or maintained at pH 5 or more, preferably pH 5 to 8, and more preferably 6 to 8. DFA III can be produced industrially without lowering the crystal yield even when the crystallization thereof is done in a recycling system; additionally by adjusting the total fructose content in mother solutions for (crude) crystallization to 5% or less per a solid content basis and adjusting the fructose content to 1% or less, DFA III can more effectively be produced.

Abstract: A process for producing the crystals of difructose dianhydride III (DFA III), namely a indigestible disaccharide where two fructose molecules are bonded to each other at positions 1,2? and 2,3? (di-D-fructofuranose-1,2?:2,3?-dianhydride), where solutions containing DFA III are adjusted to and/or maintained at pH 5 or more, preferably pH 5 to 8, and more preferably 6 to 8. DFA III can be produced industrially without lowering the crystal yield even when the crystallization thereof is done in a recycling system; additionally by adjusting the total fructose content in mother solutions for (crude) crystallization to 5% or less per a solid content basis and adjusting the fructose content to 1% or less, DFA III can more effectively be produced.

Abstract: The invention is to develop an agent having at least one of anticalcipenic, antiedemic and diuretic activities for humans or animals and to inhibit the postpartum drop of the calcium concentration in blood, thereby maintaining the health of the mother body and smoothing nursing and lactation. In the invention, difructose anhydride (DFA) being a disaccharide made of two molecules of fructose coupled together is administered. In particular, for inhibiting the postpartum drop of the calcium concentration in blood, DFA III and/or DFA IV is administered before childbirth delivery (in a cow, before an expected date of calving). The joint use of a calcium agent or vitamin D is possible as required.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for producing the crystals of difructose dianhydride III (DFA III), namely a indigestible disaccharide where two fructose molecules are bonded to each other at positions 1,2? and 2,3? (di-D-fructofuranose-1,2?,2,3?-dianhydride), where solutions containing DFA III are adjusted to and/or maintained at pH 5 or more, preferably pH 5 to 8, and more preferably 6 to 8. In accordance with the invention, DFA III can be produced industrially without lowering the crystal yield even when the crystallization thereof is done in a recycling system; additionally by adjusting the total fructose content in mother solutions for (crude) crystallization to 5% or less per a solid content basis and adjusting the fructose content to 1% or less, DFA III can more effectively be produced.

Abstract: In the invention, highly pure crystals of difructose dianhydride III (di-D-fructofuranose-1,2?:2,3?-dianhydride; hereinafter referred to as DFA III) are produced by adding 5% or less of powdered active carbon to a DFA III containing purified solution containing DFA III of 90% or more purity at a concentration of R-Bx 10-60, preferably 40-55, and after stirring, applying the mixture to solid-liquid separation (filtration with diatomaceous, filtration through a membrane filter, ultrafiltration, or continuous centrifugal separation) and concentrating the separated liquid part, followed by immediate crystallization. In the process of the invention, DFA III crystals can be produced efficiently and industrially, and the resulting crystals can be used for various purposes in pharmaceuticals or food and drink since they have no smell. This is characteristics of the invention different from the prior art products.

Abstract: A method for improving bowel movement of a subject desiring such an improvement, includes administering to the subject a defructose anhydride (DFA) in an amount effective to improve bowel movement.

Abstract: A method for improving bowel movement of a subject desiring such an improvement, includes administering to the subject a defructose anhydride (DFA) in an amount effective to improve bowel movement.

Abstract: A method for increasing the absorption of magnesium, zinc, and/or copper through the intestines of a subject desiring such an increase, includes administering to the subject a difructose anhydride (DFA) in an amount effective to increase the absorption of magnesium, zinc, and/or copper present in the intestines.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a difructose anhydride (DFA)-containing composition and use thereof. DFA is a cyclic disaccharide in which the reducing termini of two fructose molecules bind each other to hydroxyl groups at the other nonreducing termini. According to the present invention, it has been revealed that DFA is effective in accelerating the absorption of magnesium, zinc or copper, accelerating bone formation, accelerating diuretic action, and improving bowel movement and is useful in inhibiting dental caries. A composition of the present invention can be used as a composition for a medicinal product and a food or drink product (including feed for animal use). Examples of a medicinal product and a food or drink product for human or animal use include formulated powder milk, parenteral nutrients, health food and drink products, and additives for feed and are not particularly limited as long as they are ultimately in an orally administrable form.

Abstract: The invention is to develop an agent having at least one of anricalclpenic, antiedemic and diuretic activities for humans or animals and to inhibit the postpartum drop of the calcium concentration in blood, thereby maintaining the health of the mother body and smoothing nursing and lactation. In the invention, difructose anhydride (DTA) being a disaccharide made of two molecules of fructose coupled together is administered. In particular, for inhibiting the postpartum drop of the calcium concentration in blood, DFA III and/or DFA IV is administered before childbirth delivery (in a cow, before an expected date of calving). The joint use of a calcium agent or vitamin D is possible as required.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for producing the crystals of difructose dianhydride III (DFA III), namely a indigestible disaccharide where two fructose molecules are bonded to each other at positions 1,2? and 2,3?(di-D-fructofuranose-1,2?:2,3?-dianhydride), where solutions containing DFA III are adjusted to and/or maintained at pH 5 or more, preferably pH 5 to 8, and more preferably 6 to 8. In accordance with th invention, DFA III can be produced industrially without lowering the crystal yield even when the crystallization thereof is done in a recycling system; additionally by adjusting the total fructose content in mother solutions for (crude) crystallization to 5% or less per a solid content basis and adjusting the fructose content to 1% or less, DFA III can more effectively be produced.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a difructose anhydride (DFA)-containing composition and use thereof. DFA is a cyclic disaccharide in which the reducing termini of two fructose molecules bind each other to hydroxyl groups at the other nonreducing termini. According to the present invention, it has been revealed that DFA is effective in accelerating the absorption of magnesium, zinc or copper, accelerating bone formation, accelerating diuretic action, and improving bowel movement and is useful in inhibiting dental caries. A composition of the present invention can be used as a composition for a medicinal product and a food or drink product (including feed for animal use). Examples of a medicinal product and a food or drink product for human or animal use include formulated powder milk, parenteral nutrients, health food and drink products, and additives for feed and are not particularly limited as long as they are ultimately in an orally administrable form.

Abstract: In the invention, highly pure crystals of difructose dianhydride III (di-D-fructofuranose-1,2?:2,3 ?-dianhydride; hereinafter referred to as DFA III) are produced by adding 5% or less of powdered active carbon to a DFA III containing purified solution containing DFA III of 90% or more purity at a concentration of R-Bx 10-60, preferably 40-55, and after stirring, applying the mixture to solid-liquid separation (filtration with diatomaceous, filtration through a membrane filter, ultrafiltration, or continuous centrifugal separation) and concentrating the separated liquid part, followed by immediate crystallization. In the process of the invention, DFA III crystals can be produced efficiently and industrially, and the resulting crystals can be used for various purposes in pharmaceuticals or food and drink since they have no smell. This is characteristics of the invention different from the prior art products.

Abstract: A method for recovering amino acids, which comprises supplying a mixed solution containing inorganic acid salts, amino acids and non-electrolytes such as saccharides to a first-step resin layer comprising an Na type or K type strongly acidic ion exchange resin; separating an effluent into at least a first fraction containing coloring matters, acidic amino acids and ashes, a second fraction containing neutral amino acids and saccharides, and a third fraction containing betaines; supplying the second fraction to a second-step resin layer comprising at least one resin selected from the group consisting of NH4 type, Ca type and Mg type strongly acidic ion exchange resins, and optionally further supplying it to a third-step resin layer comprising an Mg type or Ca type strongly acidic ion exchange resin different from the resin of the second-step resin layer, thereby recovering various kinds of amino acids contained in an effluent.

Abstract: A method for recovering amino acids, which comprises supplying a mixed solution containing inorganic acid salts, amino acids and non-electrolytes such as saccharides to a first-step resin layer comprising an Na type or K type strongly acidic ion exchange resin; separating an effluent into at least a first fraction containing coloring matters, acidic amino acids and ashes, a second fraction containing neutral amino acids and saccharides, and a third fraction containing betaines; supplying the second fraction to a second-step resin layer comprising at least one resin selected from the group consisting of NH4 type, Ca type and Mg type strongly acidic ion exchange resins, and optionally further supplying it to a third-step resin layer comprising an Mg type or Ca type strongly acidic ion exchange resin different from the resin of the second-step resin layer, thereby recovering various kinds of amino acids contained in an effluent.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an anti-atopic dermatitis composition containing raffinose as the effective ingredient that can be satisfactorily administered to babies and infants for a long term.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an agent for the suppression or lowering of blood lipids, cholesterol and neutral fats, which is derived from a plant and comprises, as an effective ingredient, an edible dietary fiber which contains cellulose and lignin as its main constituents and maintains the cellulose and lignin in a bonded state as in the plant.

Abstract: A porridgelike dietary fiber prepared by finely grinding a wet beet pulp obtained by removing most of the water-soluble components from beet roots is disclosed. Processed foods added with such a porridgelike dietary fiber and a process for producing such a porridgelike dietary fiber are also disclosed.