Abstract: A process for industrially producing tofu products which are excellent in taste and freeze resistance. This process involves concentrating soybean milk extracted from uncooked soybean slurry or puree; adding one or more members selected from sugars, starch and transglutaminase to the concentrated soybean milk at an elevated temperature; adding a solidifying agent to prepare tofu; further heating the tofu in two steps; and then freezing.

Abstract: A process is described for extracting soybean proteins. The process includes the steps of: preparing a fat-free soybean meal which comprises water soluble and water insoluble proteins; separating the water soluble and the water insoluble proteins; introducing a protease to the water insoluble proteins so as to transform the water insoluble proteins to the water soluble proteins; and precipitating the water soluble proteins with an acid. The process has a better protein yield and a lower production cost than that of conventional methods because of the use of proteases. The product of this invention is superior to that made according to the conventional methods, with respect to the appearance of the product, water preservation ability, flexibility, scatter ability in water, emulsification ability, compendency, etc.

Abstract: The present invention provides a koji mold having increased protease activity and peptidase activity relative to a parent strain, a method of breeding the koji mold, and a method of manufacturing a flavor enhancer using the koji mold.

Abstract: A novel process for making an isoflavone concentrate product from soybeans which includes diluting solubles from alcohol-extracted hexane-defatted soybean flakes to about 10% to about 30% solids, separating undissolved solids from the diluted soy solubles and drying the separated solids to make a product having at least 4% by weight isoflavones. The soy isoflavone concentrate product is then used in a liquid or dry beverage, food or nutritional product.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is to develop an agent to keep proper moisture, improve the mouth-feeling and preserve freshness of cells and protein-containing-materials which does not cause any side-effect. This object can be accomplished by contacting cells or protein-containing materials with an organic acid fermentation liquid which has been adjusted to pH6-10 by adding a carbonate.

Abstract: A product which contains a health-promoting component and a process for preparing such a product, in the present invention, using a pulse crop as a raw material. The product accomplishes health promotion very effectively by means of at least one member of the group consisting of liver function improving constituents, cardiac function improving constituents, anti-inflammatory constituents, antifat constituents, antioxidation consititents, antimutagen constituents, and components which have an intestine-regulating effect in single-stomached animals; and the method produces such a product with good efficiency. The product of the present invention can be used directly “as is”; and alternatively, specified components may be concentrated or may be usefully utilized in applied products which use the product of the present invention as a raw material, e. g., food products, livestock feeds, pet foods or drug raw materials, etc.

Abstract: A polypeptide composition obtained by independently hydrolyzing 7S component (&bgr;-conglycinin) and 11S component (glycinin) of soybean protein is shown. The polypeptide composition contains hydrolysates of both 7S and 11S components which has good emulsifying and whipping capabilities and is useful for the production of food products including ices, meringues, spread pastes, beverages, farinaceous products, etc.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of isolating proteins from a proteinaceous vegetable material. More specifically the invention provides a method for isolating proteins from a proteinaceous vegetable material, which method involves the steps of subjecting the proteinaceous vegetable material to the action of one or more carbohydrate degrading enzyme(s), thereby obtaining a mixture comprising proteins and hydrolyzed carbohydrates; and subjecting the mixture of step (i) to a separation process in order to separate the proteins from the hydrolyzed carbohydrates.

Abstract: A high-protein food of plate form having a protein content of 40% by weight or more and a bulk density of 0.02 to 0.40 g/cm3, which is obtained by puffing-molding a compound protein raw material having a protein content of 40% by weight or more.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for producing fermented food from soymilk refuse characterized in that a wet or dry soymilk refuse is sterilized or disinfected, inoculated with a microorganism belonging to Neurospora, and subjected to fermentation. According to the invention, fermented food with excellent palatability and high nutritive values, which food is utilized as health food, can be manufactured.

Abstract: A process for producing cheese, curd or yogurt products from soya beans involving the steps: (a) preparation of soya milk from soya beans; (b) addition of vegetable sugar to the soya milk in the proportion of about 1 to 5 wt %; (c) emulsifying vegetable fats and/or oils in a total proportion of some 15 wt % in the soya milk; (d) preparation of a culture cocktail with a pH between about 3.8 and 4.5 by the addition of commercially available cheese cultures and animal lactose in a proportion of some 10 wt % of the vegetable sugar added in step (b) to the soya milk as in step (a); (e) addition of the culture cocktail to the soya milk as per step (c) to curdle it and ferment it as desired, and (f) subsequent ripening and final processing in a known manner to provide the desired cheese, curd or yogurt product.

Abstract: A novel process for making an isoflavone concentrate product from soybeans which includes diluting solubles from alcohol-extracted hexane-defatted soybean flakes to about 10% to about 30% solids, separating undissolved solids from the diluted soy solubles, pasteurizing the separated solids and drying the pasteurized solids to make a product having at least 8 times the isoflavone content of the flakes.

Abstract: A flavor enhancer which is low in monosodium glutamate, which is substantially free of 5′-IMP and 5′-GMP and which enhances both meat, vegetable and diary flavors. The use of the flavor enhancer in flavoring compositions and food and feed applications.

Abstract: Soy hydrolysate compositions are produced by a process utilizing multiple enzymes. The soy hydrolysate compositions provide insect attractant and repellent properties. Methods of using the soy hydrolysate compositions for insect control are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method is provided to increase the efficiency with which monogastric animals utilize low caloric content dietary rations. Addition of a hemicellulase enzyme, such as mannanase, to dietary rations that are not supplemented with concentrated fat, or which contain reduced fat content, increases the efficiency with which monogastric animals utilize the rations.

Abstract: A method for preparing the high protein nutrient from oilseed-based material is provided. The modified oilseed-based material produced by the process can be utilized in a wide variety of applications, including the preparation of fermentation media. The oilseed-based product typically includes at least about 55 wt. % protein (dry basis), low levels of soluble sugars, such as raffinose, stachyose and saccharose and has a FAN content of at least about 15 mg/g. Fermentation media and aqueous nutrient solutions derived from the modified oilseed material are also provided.

Abstract: Processes for the production of isoflavones are described wherein plant material from plants of the genus leguminosae are contacted with water, an enzyme which cleaves isoflavone glycosides to the aglucone form and a C.sub.2 -C.sub.10 organic solvent, so as to form a combination, incubating the combination for a time sufficient to allow isoflavones of the aglucone form to partition into the organic solvent component, and thereafter recovering isoflavones from the organic solvent component.

Abstract: The present invention provides a soy protein hydrolysate with a low content of .beta.-conglycinin and a process for producing the same. The soy protein hydrolysate with a low content of .beta.-conglycinin is prepared by allowing a proteolytic enzyme to act on soybean protein to selectively decompose .beta.-conglycinin in the soybean protein, and the process for producing the same comprises allowing a proteolytic enzyme to act on soybean protein at a temperature of higher than 50.degree. C. to less than 90.degree. C., preferably 55 to 85.degree. C., more preferably 60 to 80.degree. C.

Abstract: The present invention relates to isolated standard microflora designated as A2 and S3 for use in producing uncooked stinky tofu which were obtained by screening, isolation and identification from conventional stinky brine. The invention further relates to particular brine mixture compositions suitable for the growth of microflora A2 or S3, for use in producing fermented aromatic (stinky) brine which can be used to produce uncooked stinky tofu.

Abstract: The invention relates to a composition useful as a protein source for a milk replacer in animal feed. Specifically, the milk replacer is used for pre-ruminant and young ruminant calves, suckling piglets and suckling lambs. The composition consists of a combination of hydrolyzed soya proteins and hydrolyzed wheat gluten. Furthermore, a method is disclosed for obtaining the composition. A process for enhancing animal growth by feeding animals with a milk replacer containing the said composition is also disclosed.

Abstract: A microorganism belonging to the genus Cryptococcus having the ability to produce glutaminase excellent in salt resistance and thermostability. Further, this microorganism can be used to produce the salt-resistant thermostable glutaminase, and by use of this glutaminase, glutamic acid-rich and good tasting protein hydrolysates (e.g. flavoring foods such as soy sauce, miso etc.) are produced efficiently in a simple operation. Specifically, said microorganism is the new species Cryptococcus nodaensis having assimilability of +, -, -and - toward lactose, N-acetyl-D-glucosamine, D-glucosamine and arbtin as carbon sources, respectively.

Abstract: Method for producing, in a short time period, a soy sauce seasoning liquid having a high nitrogen content by efficient utilization of vital gluten upon its addition to soy sauce koji and brine wherein the gluten is added to an enzymatically hydrolyzed mixture of the soy sauce koji and brine.

Abstract: The process for preparing a product containing a healthful component according to the present invention is capable of providing a product containing a healthful component comprising at least one member of the group consisting of liver function improving constituents, cardiac function improving constituents, anti-inflammatory constituents antifat constituents, antioxidation constituents, and antimutagen constituents; and applied products containing the plain product as an ingredient, for example, foods which can be ingested in a large amount, livestock feeds and aquacultural feeds, cosmetics, diets of pets, and precursory products for pharmaceutical preparations. The process is capable of simply preparing the above-mentioned product in a large amount at a low cost. Heretofore, such products as the product of the present invention have not been provided at all.

Abstract: A process for producing packed tofu includes the steps of mixing soybean milk that has been heat-sterilized and cooled with (A) 0.01 to 0.3% by weight by volume of at least one coagulant selected from the group consisting of natural bittern, magnesium chloride, magnesium sulfate, calcium chloride, calcium primary phosphate, calcium sulfate, and calcium lactate and (B) 0.1 to 5 units, per gram of soybean milk protein, of transglutaminase either simultaneously or in the order (A) then (B), then packing and sealing the mixture in a container, then coagulating the mixture in the sealed container at a temperature of 70.degree. C. or lower by the action of the coagulant and transglutaminase, and thereafter heating the coagulated mixture to 75.degree. C. or higher in the sealed container to deactivate the transglutaminase and to complete the coagulation by the coagulant.

Abstract: Animal feed compositions and methods for treating one or more of soy, pea or rape-seed, or other material derived from Fabales or Cruciferaceae, with an enzyme having rhamnogalacturonase activity, wherein the enzyme having rhamnogalacturonase activity cleaves a rhamnogalacturonan backbone to produce rhamnose as a non-reducing end (RGase II) or cleaves a rhamnogalaturonan backbone to produce galacturonic acid as a non-reducing end.

Abstract: A method for hydrating dry edible beans comprised of adding an enzyme solution and edible acid to the water in which the beans are soaked. The enzyme consists of a carbo-hydrase and cellulase multi-enzyme complex that is added to an edible acid most commonly vinegar. When soaked in water mixed with the enzyme solution, dry edible beans can achieve approximately 50 percent hydration in approximately two hours. The method of the invention is to create a soak solution by adding an amount of edible acid and enzyme solution to water maintained at the optimal temperature. Beans are added to the soak solution and are soaked for a period of time. The beans are also blanched for five minutes after the soak time. Depending upon the desired results, the pH of the solution, the concentration of enzyme, temperature, and the amount of time can all be varied.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the production of a food flavoring agent. More particularly the invention provides a process for producing a food flavoring agent, which method contains the steps of preparing an aqueous slurry of plant protein and insoluble plant material, treating the slurry with a protease to hydrolyse the protein, maturation, wherein no separation of insoluble material is done between the first two steps. By this method the flavor of a plant protein hydrolysate can be intensified and improved.

Abstract: The present invention provides a soy protein hydrolysate with a low content of glycinin wherein glycinin as a major component in soybean protein is selectively decomposed and a process for producing the same. The soy protein hydrolysate with a low content glycinin is obtained by allowing a proteolytic enzyme to act on soy protein to selectively decompose glycinin in the soybean protein, and the process for producing a soy protein hydrolysate with a low content of glycinin comprises allowing a proteolytic enzyme to act on soy protein at pH 1.0 to 2.8, preferably pH 1.5 to 2.5.

Abstract: A dry food product of fermented soybeans, which is prepared by frying fermented soybeans in an oil and removing skins, and which has an average Bacillus natto survival ratio of 1.0.times.10.sup.8 to 7.0.times.10.sup.8 microorganisms/g when 10 g thereof is milled and measured by an agar plate culture method, the dry food product being almost free of an odor characteristic of fermented soybeans, being storable for a long period of time with maintaining a commercial value and being suitable for being had like cookies.

Abstract: A flavor enhancer which is low in monosodium glutamate, which is substantially free of 5'-IMP and 5'-GMP and which enhances both meat, vegetable and dairy flavors. The use of the flavor enhancer in flavoring compositions and food and feed applications.

Abstract: A method for producing powdery seasoning with constant quality, with no occurrence of coagulation under storage. The method comprises culturing koji mold in heated and expanded defatted soybean, maintaining a dispersion of the resulting culture in a sodium chloride solution under enzymatically active conditions, separately collecting a liquid dispersion medium from the enzymatic reaction product, adding a liquid seasoning to the liquid dispersion medium, and spray drying the resulting mixture.

Abstract: A method of preparing a fermented soybean milk comprising subjecting a soybean milk to fermentations with yeast and lactic acid bacteria, and subjecting the resulting fermented soybean milk to a deactivation treatment to deactivate the yeast and bacteria by heating and a removal treatment to remove alcohol and carbon dioxide gas contained therein. As a result, a fermented soybean milk which is a beverage suiting everybody's taste, and a packed product thereof which is not subject to expansion or deformation during storage, are obtained.

Abstract: A seasoning composition is prepared by preparing a koji and in the absence of added salt, hydrolyzing the koji in the presence of a culture of lactic acid bacteria at a temperature between 15.degree. C. and 60.degree. C. and at a pH of from 4.5 to 10 for a period of from 6 hours to 28 days, and the seasoning composition is obtained without preparing a moromi. Inoculation with the lactic acid bacteria culture is carried out either in the hydrolysis stage or in the koji preparation stage, and the hydrolysis may be carried out in two stages with the culture present during the first stage and so that the temperature of the first stage hydrolysis is between 20.degree. C. and 60.degree. C. and particularly between 25.degree. C. and 50.degree. C. and so that the second stage temperature is from 2.degree. C. up to 20.degree. C., and the second stage hydrolysis is carried out for at from 12 hours to 25 days and the first and second stage hydrolysis are carried out for a combined time of from 18 hours to 28 days.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a protein gel. In the first step, a protein-containing solution is heated for sterilization. In the second step, the protein-containing solution is cooled, and an enzyme is added to the protein-containing solution. In the subsequent third step, the protein-containing solution and the enzyme are mixed while maintaining the temperature in the second step so as to obtain a mixture. In the fourth step, the mixture is aseptically filled in a food container. In the fifth step, the aseptically filled mixture is allowed to stand at ambient temperature, during which the enzyme denatures the protein in the protein-containing solution. Since the mixture is not required to be heated for denaturing the protein in the protein-containing solution, the energy consumed in the manufacturing process is reduced, thereby lowering the manufacturing costs.

Abstract: The invention relates to a nitrogenous composition resulting from the hydrolysis of wheat gluten by steepwater obtained from the maize starch industry, characterized in that it exhibits a ratio of inorganic phosphorus to total phosphorus (Pi/Pt) concentrations greater than or equal to 0.15 and a ratio of amino nitrogen to total nitrogen (Na/Nt) concentrations greater than or equal to 0.11.

Abstract: The present invention provides an economical method to produce an improved soy protein concentrate from soybeans which have been genetically-modified to reduce or eliminate the raffinose, stachyose and lipoxygenase content and associated off-flavors. The improved soy protein concentrate is highly functional, has good palatability and high retention of vitamins, minerals and isoflavones, little or no indigestible oligosaccharides, and is low in fiber such that it can be used in place of soy protein isolates in many applications. Further, the low processing costs of the present invention result in an economical product which offers a superior alternative for lower value uses such as aquaculture diets, pet foods, calf milk replacers, and so forth.

Abstract: Seasoning sauce based on lupins which has a higher degree of protein breakdown and a higher degree of hydrolysis than comparable seasoning sauces from the prior art. The seasoning sauce can be obtained by subjecting lupins, together with a carbohydrate source, preferably wheat, to a solid culture with addition of Aspergillus oryzae as starter culture. The resulting koji is mashed with addition of brine and is fermented after addition of a yeast starter culture, preferably Zygosaccharomyces rouxii, and then subjected to ripening.

Abstract: A seed food composition enzymatically predigested to be more readily digestible and utilizable by humans than the seed starting material from which it is derived. A quantity of seeds, either whole seeds or seeds having been modified from their raw, whole, natural state, as by drying, shelling or sprouting is macerated and comminuted. Water is added to form a slurry, and one or more plant-digestive enzymes are introduced. The slurry may be heated and pH may be adjusted and nutrient compounds introduced as required to enhance enzyme activity. When enzymatic predigestion has proceeded to a desired state, characterized by partial or complete conversion of all the enzyme substrate in the seed material or by a desired level of enzyme reaction products, the slurry preferably is dried to a powder and may be mixed subsequently with enzymes and other known materials or compounds to improve, for example, appearance, palatability, shelf life, or nutritive potential.

Abstract: A fermentation product of sesame with antioxidative properties is provided. This product is useful for use as a food. The fermented sesame is produced by digesting crushed raw whole seed sesame with an enzyme derived from Rhizopus oligosporus, followed by lactic acid fermentation.

Abstract: A process of treating a fermented protein koji prepared from a protein containing material and a carbohydrate, for the production of a seasoning, by hydrolyzing a mixture of the fermented protein koji together with a yeast at a temperature of from about 20.degree. to 25.degree. C. and a pH of from about 4.5 to 10 for a period of from about 6 hours to 28 days. The production time is reduced by at least one week compared to conventional methods.

Abstract: A process for preparing a product from a pulse crop as a starting material and a food containing the product prepared from a pulse crop as a starting material are disclosed according to the present invention, thereby enabling a food, a livestock feed, an aquacultural feed or the like to be efficiently prepared, which is made from a leguminous crop or a defatted product thereof or the like, which has excellent carcinopreventive and carcinostatic activities, osteoprosis therapeutic effect and immunosuppressive effect, and which can be ingested in a sufficient amount, and thereby enabling a wholesome food such as a biscuit having the above-mentioned excellent pharmacological activities. Any conventional product made from a pulse crop does not have such excellent pharmacological activities and a process for preparing the same is poor in efficiency.

Abstract: A method for treating an aqueous protein solution so as to kill microorganisms which may be present therein, but without causing coagulation, comprises either (1) mixing the solution with sufficient enzymatically produced protein hydrolysate (H1) to prevent coagulation of the mixture when the mixture is subsequently subjected to a heat treatment to kill microorganisms, and then subjecting the mixture to such a heat treatment, or (2) using one or more enzymes to hydrolyze protein in the aqueous protein solution to an extent sufficient to prevent coagulation of the resulting liquid hydrolysate (H2) when it is subsequently subjected to a heat treatment to kill microorganisms, and then subjecting the liquid hydrolysate (H2) to such a heat treatment. The use of aqueous protein solutions treated in this manner in the production of a foodstuff, such as a meat-based foodstuff, contributes very significantly to reducing any risk of contamination of the foodstuff by harmful microorganisms.

Abstract: A process for producing a seasoning having high nitrogen concentration by hydrolyzing a proteinaceous material with enzyme, characterized in that common salt is added to the decomposed Moromi or the Moromi temperature is lowered, then the Moromi is allowed to stand and press filtered by a conventional method.

Abstract: A soy sauce is produced by mixing a salt solution having a hard component concentration of not more than 20 ppm as calcium with a soy sauce koji, and subjecting the mixture to fermentation and ageing and then compressing it to obtain a crude soy sauce, and heat-treating the crude soy sauce in a plate-type exchanger, thereby the hard component decomposition on the plate surface being lowered and the frequency of washing the plate surface resulting in considerable decrease.

Abstract: A process for preparing strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae containing at least 4,000 ppm of organically bound germanium based on the dry weight of the yeast is described.

Abstract: A process for preparing a fried bean flavor which comprises preparing a bean paste, hydrolysing the bean paste with a proteinase and a carbohydrase, and reacting the hydrolysed bean paste at an elevated temperature with an edible fat or oil and lecithin.

Abstract: A well tasting and organoleptically acceptable vegetable protein hydrolyzate such as soy, pea or rice protein hydrolyzate is produced in high yield by a method using a combination of non-pH-stat hydrolysis and ultrafiltration. Preferably, the method is carried out by mixing a material containing at least 65% vegetable protein as dry matter and water to form a slurry containing a vegetable protein content of about 7-20%, heating the slurry to above 60.degree. C., adjusting the pH of the slurry to about 8.5, hydrolyzing the slurry with at least two different proteases to a degree of hydrolysis of between 15 and 35% without adjusting the pH during hydrolysis to produce a hydrolyzed slurry, inactivating the proteases and separating the hydrolyzed slurry with an ultrafiltration unit having a cut-off value above 5,000 to form a permeate containing the vegetable protein hydrolyzate. One protease may be obtained from B. Licheniformis and the other from B. Subtilis.

Abstract: A process for the production of a light-colored seasoning liquor, which comprises forming a koji-making and fermenting material from a blend material of (A) 90-70% by weight of a material consisting of 25-100% by weight of gluten and 75-0% by weight of wheat and (B) 10-30% by weight of soybeans, and then carrying out subsequent koji-making and fermentation steps by a conventional method to form a fermented koji product, which is then squeezed to obtain the seasoning liquor.

Abstract: This invention relates to a beta-fructofuranosidase enzyme food supplement composition, which alleviates gastrointestinal distress caused by ingested food containing oligosaccharides, comprising a beta-fructofuranosidase enzyme, a cellulase enzyme and a hemicellulase enzyme. This invention also relates to a method of alleviating gastrointestinal distress in the gastrointestinal system of a human being, which distress is caused by ingested food containing oligosaccharides, the method comprising the step of ingesting a beta-fructofuranosidase enzyme, to convert oligosaccharides contained in the ingested food to reducing sugars.

Abstract: The invention relates to food ingredients obtained by fermentation of raw materials of vegetable origin with Saccharomyces boulardii yeast, and to foods containing them.