Abstract: Cysteine compounds represented by the following formula wherein each symbol is as defined in the specification, and salts thereof, are superior in stability, have less odor, exhibit an eumelanin production suppressive effect, and are useful as cosmetic agents.

Abstract: A topically applied circulation enhancing agent suited for application over the entire body which has good transdermal absorptivity and causes little irritation is provided.

Abstract: The present invention encompasses a method for screening for a kokumi-imparting substance by using the calcium receptor activity as an index, a composition containing a kokumi-imparting substance obtained by the screening method, a method for producing food or drink imparted with kokumi, and food or drink imparted with kokumi.

Abstract: Compound represented by formula (I): wherein the symbols are as defined in the description, and salts thereof, are useful as skin whitening agents.

Abstract: Cysteine compounds represented by the following formula wherein each symbol is as defined in the specification, and salts thereof, are superior in stability, have less odor, exhibit an eumelanin production suppressive effect, and are useful as cosmetic agents.

Abstract: Cysteine compounds represented by the following formula wherein each symbol is as defined in the specification, and salts thereof, are superior in stability, have less odor, exhibit an eumelanin production suppressive effect, and are useful as cosmetic agents.

Abstract: Compounds of formula (I?) wherein: R11, R12, R13, R14 and R15 are hydrogen, hydroxyl, C1-6 alkyl, C1-6 alkoxy, C1-6 alkyl-carbonyloxy, or a G-O— group, and at least one of R11, R12, R13, R14 and R15 is a G-O— group, wherein G is a saccharide residue, X1 is a single bond, or a methylene group, an ethylene group, a trimethylene group, a vinylene group or —CH?CH—CH2—, X2 is —CO—O— or —O—CO—, p and q are integer ofs 0 to 7, and p+q=0 to 8, Y1 is methylene, ethylene or an alkenylene group having a carbon number of 2 to 15 and 1 to 3 double bonds, and R16 and R17 are hydrogen, methyl or ethyl, or R16 and R17 form a C3-6 cycloalkyl group, are useful as GLP-1 secretion promoting agents.

Abstract: Compound represented by formula (I): wherein the symbols are as defined in the description, and salts thereof, are useful as skin whitening agents.

Abstract: A compound represented by the following formula (I?) wherein X1 is a methylene group, an ethylene group, a trimethylene group or a vinylene group, X2 is a divalent group represented by the following formula A or B, Y is an ethylene group or a vinylene group, m and n are each an integer of 0 to 7, which satisfy m+n=0 to 8, R1 and R2 are each independently a hydrogen atom, a methyl group or an ethyl group, provided that when X1 is a methylene group, then X2 is not a divalent group represented by the formula A, and when X1 is a vinylene group, then X2 is not a divalent group represented by the formula A. The compound is a stable capsinoid derivative, and is useful as an active ingredient of an external blood circulation enhancer or a cosmetic composition, a pharmaceutical composition, or a food composition.

Abstract: The present invention provides a compound having a salty taste enhance activity, and a salty taste enhancer containing the compound, and the like. The present invention relates to a salty taste enhancer for a food or drink, which contains a compound represented by the following formula: wherein each symbol is as defined in the specification, or an edible salt thereof.

Abstract: Compounds of formula (I?) wherein: R11, R12, R13, R14 and R15 are hydrogen, hydroxyl, C1-6 alkyl, C1-6 alkoxy, C1-6 alkyl-carbonyloxy, or a G-O— group, and at least one of R11, R12, R13, R14 and R15 is a G-O— group, wherein G is a saccharide residue, X1 is a single bond, or a methylene group, an ethylene group, a trimethylene group, a vinylene group or —CH?CH—CH2—, X2 is —CO—O— or —O—CO—, p and q are integer ofs 0 to 7, and p+q=0 to 8, Y1 is methylene, ethylene or an alkenylene group having a carbon number of 2 to 15 and 1 to 3 double bonds, and R16 and R17 are hydrogen, methyl or ethyl, or R16 and R17 form a C3-6 cycloalkyl group, are useful as GLP-1 secretion promoting agents.

Abstract: A process for producing efficiently glutamic acid derivatives (including salts thereof) such as monatin is described. This process entails converting a substituted ?-keto acid of formula (1) into a glutamic acid derivative of formula (2) in the presence of an enzyme catalyzing conversion of the same.

Abstract: A substance capable of imparting a kokumi having CaSR agonist activity is described. This substance is able to impart kokumi in a superior manner, in particular, at the initial taste, and is also highly stable and can easily be produced at a low cost. The present invention thus provides a kokumi-imparting composition which includes such a substance as well as a complex kokumi-imparting composition which includes the substance and other substances possessing the CaSR agonist activities in combination. More particularly, the present invention herein provides a kokumi-imparting composition including ?-Glu-Nva (L-?-glutamyl-L-norvaline), and a complex kokumi-imparting composition including the foregoing substance and another substance having a CaSR agonist activity, in combination.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for producing efficiently glutamic acid derivatives (including salts thereof) such as monatin by converting a substituted ?-keto acid of formula (1) into a glutamic acid derivative of formula (2) in the presence of an enzyme catalyzing conversion of the same.

Abstract: The present invention encompasses a method for screening for a kokumi-imparting substance by using the calcium receptor activity as an index, a composition containing a kokumi-imparting substance obtained by the screening method, a method for producing food or drink imparted with kokumi, and food or drink imparted with kokumi.

Abstract: Glutamic acid derivatives, in particular monatin, may be conveniently prepared by alkylating a 4-protected hydroxyl pyroglutamic acid derivative with an alkylating agent to prepare a 4-protected hydroxyl-4-alkylglutamic acid derivative, followed by the steps of hydrolysis and deprotection. The 4-protected hydroxyl pyroglutamic acid derivative is easy to produce from hydroxyproline. The 4-protected hydroxyl pyroglutamic acid derivative is particularly suitable for use in the efficient manufacture of monatin of high optical purity, since it can be alkylated selectively at the 4-position and stereoselectively and after its alkylation, it can easily be converted to a glutamic acid derivative.

Abstract: A compound represented by the following formula (I?) wherein X1 is a methylene group, an ethylene group, a trimethylene group or a vinylene group, X2 is a divalent group represented by the following formula A or B, Y is an ethylene group or a vinylene group, m and n are each an integer of 0 to 7, which satisfy m+n=0 to 8, R1 and R2 are each independently a hydrogen atom, a methyl group or an ethyl group, provided that when X1 is a methylene group, then X2 is not a divalent group represented by the formula A, and when X1 is a vinylene group, then X2 is not a divalent group represented by the formula A. The compound is a stable capsinoid derivative, and is useful as an active ingredient of an external blood circulation enhancer or a cosmetic composition, a pharmaceutical composition, or a food composition.

Abstract: The present invention provides salt crystals of non-natural stereoisomer forms of monatin and to the use thereof.

Abstract: A substance capable of imparting a kokumi having CaSR agonist activity is described. This substance is able to impart kokumi in a superior manner, in particular, at the initial taste, and is also highly stable and can easily be produced at a low cost. The present invention thus provides a kokumi-imparting composition which includes such a substance as well as a complex kokumi-imparting composition which includes the substance and other substances possessing the CaSR agonist activities in combination. More particularly, the present invention herein provides a kokumi-imparting composition including ?-Glu-Nva (L-?-glutamyl-L-norvaline), and a complex kokumi-imparting composition including the foregoing substance and another substance having a CaSR agonist activity, in combination.

Abstract: A compound represented by the following formula (I?) wherein X1 is a methylene group, an ethylene group, a trimethylene group or a vinylene group, X2 is a divalent group represented by the following formula A or B, Y is an ethylene group or a vinylene group, m and n are each an integer of 0 to 7, which satisfy m+n=0 to 8, R1 and R2 are each independently a hydrogen atom, a methyl group or an ethyl group, provided that when X1 is a methylene group, then X2 is not a divalent group represented by the formula A, and when X1 is a vinylene group, then X2 is not a divalent group represented by the formula A. The compound is a stable capsinoid derivative, and is useful as an active ingredient of an external blood circulation enhancer or a cosmetic composition, a pharmaceutical composition, or a food composition.