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: The present invention provides an organic amine salt of monatin, or crystal form thereof, and its application as well as a method for resolving the stereoisomers of monatin by forming its salt. The present invention further provides a salt form of monatin that is useful as a sweetening agent or as the active ingredient of a sweetener. The present invention also provides a method for preparing a salt of a particular stereoisomer of monatin with an organic amine by utilizing the difference of crystallinity or solubility of the salt of the stereoisomer of monatin with the organic amine. The present invention also relates to a use of the salt in a method for preparing a metal salt of monatin in which the organic amine is replaced by a metal such as sodium, potassium, or the like.

Abstract: The present invention relates to processes of producing glutamic acid compounds, for example, monatin, which are useful as, for example, production intermediates for sweetener or pharmaceutical products.

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 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 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: 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: To provide a process for producing monatin where steric configuration of 2-position is in an R configuration or a salt thereof by isomerization of 2-position of monatin where steric configuration of 2-position is in an S configuration. A process for producing monatin where steric configuration of 2-position is in an R configuration or a salt thereof, characterized in that, the process contains a step where isomerization reaction of 2-position of monatin in which steric configuration of 2-position is in an S configuration is carried out in a mixed solvent of water and organic solvent in the presence of an aldehyde and, after that, a step where monatin in which steric configuration of 2-position is in an R configuration or a salt is crystallized.

Abstract: The present invention provides a more effective gastrointestinal function promoter. The present invention also provides a method for the prophylaxis or improvement of functional gastrointestinal disorders, a method for appetite regulation and the like. The present invention also provides a method for screening for a substance capable of promoting a gastrointestinal function. The present invention provides a gastrointestinal function promoter containing a T1R agonist as an active ingredient and a method for the prophylaxis or improvement of functional gastrointestinal disorders, a method for appetite regulation and the like by administering a T1R agonist. The present invention also provides a method of screening for a substance capable of promoting a gastrointestinal function which method uses a cell expressing T1R receptor.

Abstract: Problem to be Solved To provide a technique for allowing pulverization and water-solubilization of capsinoids while maintaining their stability. Solution Providing a composition comprising a capsinoid compound and cyclodextrin.

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 a method of efficiently providing, to a client, a preparation for topical application and a supplement suitable for the client. This method entails inputting the part desired by the client to be improved and an improvement effect desired for the part into a system, which will determine the composition of nutritional components of a preparation for topical application and a supplement that are suitable for the improvement effect desired for the part to be improved by referring to a database, in which compositions of nutritional components of supplements are registered in advance.

Abstract: The present invention relates to processes of producing glutamic acid compounds, for example, monatin, which are useful as, for example, production intermediates for sweetener or pharmaceutical products.

Abstract: The present invention relates to processes of producing glutamic acid compounds, for example, monatin, which are useful as, for example, production intermediates for sweetener or pharmaceutical products.

Abstract: Dihydroisoxazole derivatives are conveniently converted to ?-hydroxyamino acid derivatives which are important as various synthetic intermediates by a catalytic hydrogenation reaction. High-purity monatins which may be used as sweeteners or ingredients thereof can be obtained by subjecting a 5-indolylmethyl-4,5-dihydroisoxazole-3,5-dicarboxylic acid to catalytic hydrogenation.

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: [Problems] To provide a process for producing monatin where steric configuration of 2-position is in an R configuration or a salt thereof by isomerization of 2-position of monatin where steric configuration of 2-position is in an S configuration. [Means for Resolution] A process for producing monatin where steric configuration of 2-position is in an R configuration or a salt thereof, characterized in that, the process contains a step where isomerization reaction of 2-position of monatin in which steric configuration of 2-position is in an S configuration is carried out in a mixed solvent of water and organic solvent in the presence of an aldehyde and, after that, a step where monatin in which steric configuration of 2-position is in an R configuration or a salt is crystallized.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel amino acid derivative, and a salt for thereof. The present invention further provides a sweetening agent and a food or beverage, which contains the novel amino acid derivative of the present invention to increase the sweetness of the same.

Abstract: The present invention provides N-alkylaspartyl dipeptideester compounds and salts thereof, such as N-[N-[3-(3-hydroxy-4-methoxyphenyl)-3-methylbutyl]-L-?-aspartyl]-L-phenylalanine 1-methyl ester, which provide high degrees of sweetness in comparison to conventional products, compositions and products containing the novel aspartyl dipeptide ester compounds and method of producing the novel aspartyl dipeptide ester compounds.