A composition and method for activating probiotic spores in food and beverage products, such as steeped teas, coffee, soups, and sauces. A nutrient-germinant composition comprises one or more L-amino acids, optionally one or more buffers to maintain the pH of the composition when added to water in a range of around 6-8, optionally D-glucose, D-fructose, or both D-glucose and D-fructose, and optionally, an osmoprotectant. The nutrient-germinant composition, one or more species of Bacillus spores, and a food or beverage product may be pre-mixed in any combination. Water is added to the mixture and heated to a temperature range of 42 to 100° C. to germinate the probiotic spores prior to being consumed.

The invention relates to a healthcare product comprising (i) a component selected from the group of heat shock proteins from alfalfa and heat shock protein hydrolysates from alfalfa, the product further comprising imiquimod ##STR00001##
or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or derivative thereof. Further, the invention relates to a healthcare product for use in the prophylactic or therapeutic treatment of a skin disorder. Further, the invention relates to HSP for use for use in preventing the occurrence of a negative-side effect of a treatment with imiquimod, or alleviating such side effect.

The invention relates to a healthcare product comprising (i) a component selected from the group of heat shock proteins from alfalfa and heat shock protein hydrolysates from alfalfa, the product further comprising imiquimod ##STR00001##
or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or derivative thereof. Further, the invention relates to a healthcare product for use in the prophylactic or therapeutic treatment of a skin disorder. Further, the invention relates to HSP for use for use in preventing the occurrence of a negative-side effect of a treatment with imiquimod, or alleviating such side effect.

The present invention provides a walnut oligopeptide powder, a preparation method and application thereof. The oligopeptide powder has a peptide content of 80 wt % or higher, in which 95% or more of the peptides have a molecular weight of less than 1,500 Da. The method includes extracting walnut proteins using a highly efficient countercurrent extraction process, and subjecting the extract to filtration, enzymolysis, purification with a microfiltration membrane and an ultrafiltration membrane, concentrating, and spray drying to obtain the oligopeptide powder. The oligopeptide powder has an anti-oxidant activity and provides a protective effect for a neuron, and thus can ameliorate or treat memory deterioration and relieve fatigue.

The purpose of the present invention is to develop a method for screening drugs having the effect of increasing skin barrier function in in vitro studies and to evaluate barrier function in the skin. Candidate drugs can be screened by using the activity and/or expression level of serine racemase as an indicator.

Aspects of the invention relate to compositions comprising two or more live bacterial strains for topical administration to the skin, wherein the two or more live bacterial strains are Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes) bacterial strains, and methods for use.

Aspects of the invention relate to compositions comprising two or more live bacterial strains for topical administration to the skin, wherein the two or more live bacterial strains are Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes) bacterial strains, and methods for use.

Provided herein are microencapsulated compositions, optionally oil-in-water emulsions, comprising one or more long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFAs), optionally in triglyceride form, wherein the encapsulant comprises one or more low molecular weight proteins. In particular embodiments the composition has a surface free fat content of about 1%. Also provided are methods for protecting one or more LCPUFAs, or one or more oils comprising the one or more LCPUFAs, from oxidative degradation, comprising encapsulating the LCPUFAs or oil with an encapsulant comprising one or more low molecular weight proteins.

The invention relates to a nutritional supplement comprising a combination of one or more β-aspartyl-containing dipeptides, or oligomers thereof, or salts thereof, wherein each of the β-dipeptides comprises β-L-aspartyl as a first amino acid residue and an amino acid selected from arginine, lysine, ornithine, and citrulline as the second amino acid residue, and the respective second amino acid(s) or salts thereof. The invention further relates to the use of the combination for nutritional supplementation and to the combination for use in amino acid therapy.

A dry stable probiotic composition is provided. The composition comprises one or more viable probiotic microorganisms, one or more hydrolyzed proteins, one or more disaccharides, one or more oligosaccharides, and one or more polysaccharides, but not trehalose. The composition has viability of at least 1×10.sup.10 CFU/g, and a viability loss of less than 1 log unit/g after one month at a temperature of 40° C. and a relative humidity of 33%. Also provided are methods for preparing the dry stable probiotic composition.