Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein provide compositions, methods, and uses for solubility-enhancing protein (SEP) tags. Certain embodiments provide expression vectors for the production of a soluble protein or polypeptide of interest (i.e., a target protein) having a molecular mass of about 100 kDa or greater. In some embodiments, the SEP tags enable expression of large and often difficult to express proteins, with yields appropriate for further protein study. Also described are nucleic acid cassettes that include a SEP tag, and fusion proteins expressed from the SEP expression vectors or nucleic acid cassettes. Kits including SEP expression vectors are also provided.

Abstract: [Problem] To provide a method for producing processed cooked rice that renders cooked rice excellent in terms of both easiness to be loosened and texture, and is useful for stabilization of both steps and quality. [Solution] A method for producing processed cooked rice comprising the step of cooking rice using two or more amylases having different optimum acting temperatures to thereby improve the easiness of cooked rice to be loosened and the texture. Preferably, the method for producing processed cooked rice comprises the step of cooking rice using one or more heat-resistant amylases having an optimum acting temperature of 60 to 100° C. and one or more amylases having an optimum acting temperature of 30 to 60° C.

Abstract: [Problem] To provide a method for producing processed cooked rice that renders cooked rice excellent in terms of both easiness to be loosened and texture, and is useful for stabilization of both steps and quality. [Solution] A method for producing processed cooked rice comprising the step of cooking rice using two or more amylases having different optimum acting temperatures to thereby improve the easiness of cooked rice to be loosened and the texture. Preferably, the method for producing processed cooked rice comprises the step of cooking rice using one or more heat-resistant amylases having an optimum acting temperature of 60 to 100° C. and one or more amylases having an optimum acting temperature of 30 to 60° C.