The present invention relates to a composition suitable for preparing a dairy product comprising at least one starter culture and a Lactobacillus rhamnosus strain capable of imparting onto the dairy product an enhanced creamy flavor without affecting the rheology negatively, the fermentation time or the post-acidification of the dairy product. The present invention further relates to processes for preparing a dairy product, such as a low-fat yogurt or cheese, which has a high content of diacetyl. A Lactobacillus rhamnosus strain useful for preparing such dairy product is also part of the present invention.

A new alga having an improved ability to produce a pigment is disclosed. When the alga is used, a carotenoid-based pigment, specifically, a xanthophyll can be produced by consuming less energy, so that it is possible to efficiently produce the pigment at the industrial level. The pigment can be applied as a raw material for a food, a health functional food and a medicine, which include the pigment. Since a DNA fragment is not likely to be inserted into a target base sequence or a base sequence other than the target, it is expected that the procedure of constructing the mutant is not regulated as a GMO.

A new alga having an improved ability to produce a pigment is disclosed. When the new alga is used, a carotenoid-based pigment, specifically, a xanthophyll can be produced by consuming less energy, so that it is possible to efficiently produce the pigment at the industrial level. The pigment can be applied as a raw material for a food, a health functional food and a medicine, which include the pigment. Since a DNA fragment is not likely to be inserted into a target base sequence or a base sequence other than the target, it is expected that the procedure of constructing the mutant is not regulated as a GMO, so that it is expected that the procedure of constructing the mutant can create a big economic effect in terms of an industry which produces lutein and zeaxanthin by using microalgae.

The invention relates to a dry compositions for lactic acid bacteria and in particular to a dry composition comprising from 10.sup.9 to 10.sup.13 cfu/g of the composition of lactic acid bacteria cells, wherein the composition is characterized by that it also comprises following amounts of protective agents (all amounts of protective agents below are given relative to 1 g of lactic acid bacteria cells in the composition): from 6 to 9 g of trehalose, from 0.1 to 1 g of inulin and from 0.5 to 3 g of hydrolyzed casein, and by that it does not comprise a salt of alginic acid. The composition has an improved storage stability of the cell of interest. Comparison experiments have been made between compositions with and without alginate and it has been found that there is substantially no difference between compositions with or without alginate with regard to stability. Further, the invention relates to a method for preparing a dry lactic acid bacteria composition.

[Problem] Provided is a food composition containing acetic bacterial cells which has a good aroma, and a method of producing the food composition.

[Solution] The food composition containing acetic bacterial cells of the present invention contains acetic acid and n-butyric acid, the peak area ratio between which is 40:1 to 1:20, as measured by solid phase micro extraction gas chromatography-mass spectrometry for odor components in the food composition. Surprisingly, such a food composition has a fermentative aroma like rice bran which can stimulate consumers' appetite.

Methods of production of edible filamentous fungal biomat formulations are provided as standalone protein sources and/or protein ingredients in foodstuffs as well as a one-time use or repeated use self-contained biomat reactor comprising a container with at least one compartment and placed within the compartment(s), a feedstock, a fungal inoculum, a gas-permeable membrane, and optionally a liquid nutrient medium.

Methods of production of edible filamentous fungal biomat formulations are provided as standalone protein sources and/or protein ingredients in foodstuffs as well as a one-time use or repeated use self-contained biomat reactor comprising a container with at least one compartment and placed within the compartment(s), a feedstock, a fungal inoculum, a gas-permeable membrane, and optionally a liquid nutrient medium.

The present invention relates to an improved method for drying microorganisms, especially lactic acid bacteria, in a spray dryer.

A composition including at least one selected from the group consisting of the APsulloc 331261 (accession number: KCCM11179P) strain of Lactobacillus plantarum, a lysed product thereof, a culture thereof, and an extract thereof is disclosed. The composition has an activity of improving or treating disorders of the digestive system caused by alcohol or inflammation to facilitate the recovery of and improve the welfare of relevant patients. A method of preventing, improving, or treating gastrointestinal disorders by using the composition is disclosed.

The present invention provides a reducing cholesterol probiotic strain, composition thereof and use thereof. The probiotic strain is Lactobacillus plantarum, which itself and its metabolites can effectively reduce the cholesterol content, enhance the gene expression level of SCARB1, APOA1, and LDLR to promote the effect of cholesterol metabolism, and can effectively reduce the total cholesterol and the low-density lipoprotein in human blood.