Abstract: An object of the invention is to provide compositions containing lignan-class compounds as dissolved at high concentrations. The compositions having lignan-class compounds such as sesamin and episesamin dissolved in solvent oils or fats that contain triglycerides of middle-chain fatty acids having 8-12 carbon atoms, preferably triglycerides of caprylic acid and/or capric acid and/or lauric acid can contain the lignan-class compounds stably at higher concentrations than when other solvents are used and, hence, have high enough value as foods and pharmaceuticals.

Abstract: There is disclosed an episesamin refining method in which a mixture of sesamin components that contains sesamin, episesamin and the like is brought into contact with an aqueous medium to form a slurried mixture, and thereafter the solids are separated from the mixture or the slurried mixture is dissolved in a suitable aqueous medium under heating and, thereafter, the solution is slowly cooled to recrystallize, thereby yielding an episesamin-enriched composition with an increased relative episesamin content. By the present invention, episesamin can be conveniently and efficiently refined from a mixture of sesamin components that mainly comprises sesamin and episesamin.

Abstract: To provide a process and an apparatus by means of which a composition that contains episesamin in a concentration greater than 50 wt % on the basis of the sum weight of sesamin and episesamin can be produced conveniently and at high yield. There are provided a process and an apparatus which comprise the step of applying epimerization to sesamin or a sesamin-containing composition so that at least part of the sesamin is converted to episesamin and the step of selectively crystallizing episesamin by recrystallization and by means of which a composition that contains episesamin in a concentration greater than 50 wt % can be produced conveniently and at high yield.

Abstract: An object of the invention is to provide compositions containing lignan-class compounds as dissolved at high concentrations. The compositions having lignan-class compounds such as sesamin and episesamin dissolved in solvent oils or fats that contain triglycerides of middle-chain fatty acids having 8-12 carbon atoms, preferably triglycerides of caprylic acid and/or capric acid and/or lauric acid can contain the lignan-class compounds stably at higher concentrations than when other solvents are used and, hence, have high enough value as foods and pharmaceuticals.

Abstract: To provide a process and an apparatus by means of which a composition that contains episesamin in a concentration greater than 50 wt % on the basis of the sum weight of sesamin and episesamin can be produced conveniently and at high yield. There are provided a process and an apparatus which comprise the step of applying epimerization to sesamin or a sesamin-containing composition so that at least part of the sesamin is converted to episesamin and the step of selectively crystallizing episesamin by recrystallization and by means of which a composition that contains episesamin in a concentration greater than 50 wt % can be produced conveniently and at high yield.

Abstract: There is disclosed an episesamin refining method in which a mixture of sesamin components that contains sesamin, episesamin and the like is brought into contact with an aqueous medium to form a slurried mixture, and thereafter the solids are separated from the mixture or the slurried mixture is dissolved in a suitable aqueous medium under heating and, thereafter, the solution is slowly cooled to recrystallize, thereby yielding an episesamin-enriched composition with an increased relative episesamin content. By the present invention, episesamin can be conveniently and efficiently refined from a mixture of sesamin components that mainly comprises sesamin and episesamin.

Abstract: Methods for treating coats and/or body odors of animals are provided. Foods and beverages for nonhuman animals that can be used in the methods are provided. Foods and beverages containing a sesamin-class compound(s) of 1 wt % or above and an additive acceptable as a food or beverage are provided. Methods for treating coats and/or body odors of nonhuman animals comprising administering to the nonhuman animals foods or beverages for nonhuman animals containing an effective amount of the sesamin-class compound(s) needed to treat the coats and/or the body odors of the nonhuman animals are provided. Preferably, the sesamin-class compound(s) are dissolved in fat or oil.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide a composition for food and beverage comprising a hygroscopic powdery material having improved hygroscopicity as well as food and beverage containing the composition. The present invention provides compositions for food and beverage comprising a hygroscopic powdery material and a sesamin-class compound(s), more specifically powdery compositions for food and beverage comprising a hygroscopic powdery material and a sesamin-class compound(s) mixed with each other wherein the hygroscopic powdery material has improved hygroscopicity as well as foods and beverages containing the compositions.