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: 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 calcium receptor activator and compositions containing at least one of the following: ?-Glu-Cys-Gly, ?-Glu-Cys(SNO)-Gly, ?-Glu-Ala, ?-Glu-Gly, ?-Glu-Cys, ?-Glu-Met, ?-Glu-Thr, ?-Glu-Val, ?-Glu-Orn, Asp-Gly, Cys-Gly, Cys-Met, Glu-Cys, Gly-Cys, Leu-Asp, D-Cys, ?-Glu-Met(O), ?-Glu-Val-Val, ?-Glu-Val-Glu, ?-Glu-Val-Lys, ?-Glu-?-Glu-Val, ?-Glu-Val-NH2, ?-Glu-Val-ol, ?-Glu-Ser, ?-Glu-Tau, ?-Glu-Cys(S-Me)(O), ?-Glu-Leu, ?-Glu-Ile, ?-Glu-t-Leu, ?-Glu-Cys(S-allyl)-Gly, ?-Glu-Gly-Gly, ?-Glu-Val-Phe, ?-Glu-Val-Ser, ?-Glu-Val-Pro, ?-Glu-Val-Arg, ?-Glu-Val-Asp, ?-Glu-Val-Met, ?-Glu-Val-Thr, ?-Glu-Val-His, ?-Glu-Val-Asn, ?-Glu-Val-Gln, ?-Glu-Val-Cys, ?-Glu-Val-Orn, ?-Glu-Ser-Gly, ?-Glu-Cys(S-Me), ?-Glu-Abu-Gly, ?-Glu-Cys(S-Me)-Gly, and ?-Glu-Val-Gly.

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 provides salt crystals of non-natural stereoisomer forms of monatin and to the use thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition, a food composition or a cosmetic composition, containing one or more kinds of a compound represented by the following formula (I?) wherein R1 is a hydrogen atom, a hydroxyl group, a methoxy group or an ethoxy group, R2 is a hydroxyl group, a methoxy group or an acetoxy group, or R1 and R2 in combination optionally form a methylenedioxy group, R is represented by the following formula wherein Y is an ethylene group or a vinylene group, m and n are each an integer of 0 to 7, which satisfy m+n=2 to 8, and R3 and R4 are each independently a hydrogen atom, a methyl group or an ethyl group, provided that, (1) when R1 is a methoxy group, then R2 is not a hydroxyl group; and (2) when R1 is a hydroxyl group, then R2 is not a hydroxyl group and an acetoxy group.

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

Abstract: A crystal of free (2R,4R)-monatin is useful as a sweet substance. The crystals resist absorption of water even under high humidity, are stable and exhibit a high degree of sweetness. Thus, such crystals may used as a sweetening agent or an ingredient thereof, and as an ingredient for imparting sweetness to foods and beverages.

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

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 provides a process for selectively producing an enantiomer at position 4 of an optically active compound in the cross aldol reaction of pyruvic acid and indole-3-pyruvic acid. The process comprises the step of reacting pyruvic acid with indole-3-pyruvic acid in the presence of an optically active ?-amino acid containing a secondary amine and a metal ion.

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 provides salt crystals of non-natural stereoisomer forms of monatin and to the use thereof.

Abstract: Capsinoids of formula (3) may be conveniently prepared in a high yield, in a short time, without using a dehydrating agent by esterification of a fatty acid of formula (1) with a hydroxymethylphenol of formula (2) using an enzyme without a solvent or in a low-polar solvent. Addition of a fatty acid represented by formula (4) is effective for stabilizing the ester compound of formula (3). wherein each symbol is as defined in the specification.

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: A compound which is able to activate a calcium receptor can be used as an active ingredient of a prophylactic or therapeutic agent for treating diarrhea. The compound can be a peptide such as ?-Glu-X-Gly (X represents an amino acid or an amino acid derivative), ?-Glu-Val-Y (Y represents an amino acid or an amino acid derivative), ?-Glu-Ala, ?-Glu-Gly, ?-Glu-Cys, ?-Glu-Met, ?-Glu-Thr, ?-Glu-Val, ?-Glu-Orn, Asp-Gly, Cys-Gly, Cys-Met, Glu-Cys, Gly-Cys, Leu-Asp, ?-Glu-Met(O), ?-Glu-?-Glu-Val, ?-Glu-Val-NH2, ?-Glu-Val-ol, ?-Glu-Ser, ?-Glu-Tau, ?-Glu-Cys(S-Me)(O), ?-Glu-Leu, ?-Glu-Ile, ?-Glu-t-Leu, and ?-Glu-Cys(S-Me).

Abstract: Capsinoids of formula (3) may be conveniently prepared in a high yield, in a short time, without using a dehydrating agent by esterification of a fatty acid of formula (1) with a hydroxymethylphenol of formula (2) using an enzyme without a solvent or in a low-polar solvent. Addition of a fatty acid represented by formula (4) is effective for stabilizing the ester compound of formula (3). wherein each symbol is as defined in the specification.

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.