Suggested is a mixture of matter, comprising: (a) steviol glycosides, (b) starch degradation products and (c) one or more phenolic sweetness-enhancing aroma substances selected from the group formed by hesperetin, phloretin, 1-(2,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-3-(3-hydroxy-4-methoxyphenyl)propan-1-one, 7,3-dihydroxy-4-methoxyflavan and 5-hydroxy-4-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-7-methoxy-2-chromanone. On condition that components (a+b) and (c) are present in a ratio by weight of from 1.99 to 99:1.

An emulsion composition containing menthyl ethers represented by the formula (1) or a power composition prepared by drying such an emulsion composition can provide an emulsion composition and a powder composition which can be readily incorporated in food and drink or perfumery and has a fresh and mild bitterness (a naringin-like bitterness) with slow bitterness rising;

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in the formula (1), X represents a partial structural formula (1-a) or (1-b), and R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 each represent a methyl group, an ethyl group, a propyl group or an isopropyl group.

The invention provides an enrichment method of Ergosterol peroxide from sporoderm-broken Ganoderma lucidum spore powder, comprising the steps of preparing crude extract containing Ergosterol peroxide, purification by medium pressure preparative chromatography, purification by simulated moving-bed, and recrystallization. The operation of this invention is simple and stable, with higher yield and low cost, suitable for industrial-scale production.

The invention provides an enrichment method of Ergosterol peroxide from sporoderm-broken Ganoderma lucidum spore powder, comprising the steps of preparing crude extract containing Ergosterol peroxide, purification by medium pressure preparative chromatography, purification by simulated moving-bed, and recrystallization. The operation of this invention is simple and stable, with higher yield and low cost, suitable for industrial-scale production.

A moringa extract containing a benzyl glucosinolate in a content of 6% by mass or more, calculated as a dry solid content of the extract, wherein the extract does not substantially contain an alkaloid. The moringa extract of the present invention for solving a first aspect is useful in the field of foodstuff or the like. Also, the PPAR activator of the present invention for solving a second aspect has excellent PPAR activation action, and has no disadvantages in side effects, so that it can be ingested for long term, which can be preferably used in foodstuff and the like. Therefore, the PPAR activator of the present invention for solving a second aspect can be expected to be used as a food, a supplement or a medicament not only for prevention of disease such as insulin resistance, hyperinsulinism, Type 2 diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, arterial sclerosis and obesity, but also for fatigue recovery or endurance improvement by improving basal metabolism. In addition, a benzyl glucosinolate-containing composition for solving a third aspect is useful in the field of foodstuff or the like.

Chewing gum base which include polymer material, such as polyvinyl acetate, and at least one miscible plasticizer are provided. The base can also include at least one emulsifier. The present application provides for methods of making gum bases and chewing gum formulations.

A conveying and separating method and a device for separating sheet-shaped objects, for example preliminary chewing-gum products or intermediate chewing-gum products in the form of chewing-gum sheets, into strip-shaped or slab-shaped object sub-units. The conveying and separating method and device for separating sheet-shaped objects preferably separates sub-units one after another from each of the sheet-shaped objects at at least one weakened region on each of the sheet-shaped objects by a conveying and separating device that preferably has a revolving conveyor belt with suction elements that can be activated and deactivated. The suction elements pick up, hold, and convey the sheet-shaped object when the suction element is activated and release the sub-units when the suction element is deactivated.

A conveying and separating method and a device for separating sheet-shaped objects, for example preliminary chewing-gum products or intermediate chewing-gum products in the form of chewing-gum sheets, into strip-shaped or slab-shaped object sub-units. The conveying and separating method and device for separating sheet-shaped objects preferably separates sub-units one after another from each of the sheet-shaped objects at at least one weakened region on each of the sheet-shaped objects by a conveying and separating device that preferably has a revolving conveyor belt with suction elements that can be activated and deactivated. The suction elements pick up, hold, and convey the sheet-shaped object when the suction element is activated and release the sub-units when the suction element is deactivated.

The present invention provides an improved product holding and dispensing package and an improved method for manufacturing, holding, and storing products, especially comestible products. In an embodiment, a package for comestible products may be provided. The package includes a package blank having walls that define a package interior. The package also includes a sheet disposed inside the package interior. The sheet wraps around a stack of comestible products and maintains the products in a stacked formation. The sheet also retains the comestible products against lateral movement within the sheet. In an embodiment, the plurality of comestible products are releasably attached to the sheet to prevent the comestible products from sliding out of the sheet. In an embodiment, the sheet may be attached to the package interior.

The present invention provides an improved product holding and dispensing package and an improved method for manufacturing, holding, and storing products, especially comestible products. In an embodiment, a package for comestible products may be provided. The package includes a package blank having walls that define a package interior. The package also includes a sheet disposed inside the package interior. The sheet wraps around a stack of comestible products and maintains the products in a stacked formation. The sheet also retains the comestible products against lateral movement within the sheet. In an embodiment, the plurality of comestible products are releasably attached to the sheet to prevent the comestible products from sliding out of the sheet. In an embodiment, the sheet may be attached to the package interior.