A novel protein deamidase having an activity of directly acting on a side chain amide group of an asparagine residue in a protein to form a side chain carboxyl group and release ammonia, a microorganism that produces the same, a gene encoding the same, a method for producing the same, and use of the same are provided. A bacterium classified into the class Actinobacteria is cultured to generate protein deamidase, and the enzyme is collected from culture.

The present invention is related to the field of bioprotection, in particular to the strain of Lactobacillus paracasei CHCC14676 with accession no. DSM25612. Furthermore, the present invention concerns an antifungal composition comprising the strain, an antifungal composition comprising the strain and at least one strain of Lactobacillus rhamnosus, food, feed and pharmaceutical products comprising such an antifungal composition, a method of manufacturing such food, feed and pharmaceutical products, a method for reducing the content of yeasts and molds of such food, feed and pharmaceutical products and uses of the antifungal composition.

The present invention is related to the field of bioprotection, in particular to the strain of Lactobacillus paracasei CHCC14676 with accession no. DSM25612. Furthermore, the present invention concerns an antifungal composition comprising the strain, an antifungal composition comprising the strain and at least one strain of Lactobacillus rhamnosus, food, feed and pharmaceutical products comprising such an antifungal composition, a method of manufacturing such food, feed and pharmaceutical products, a method for reducing the content of yeasts and molds of such food, feed and pharmaceutical products and uses of the antifungal composition.

A multilayer microencapsulated lactic bacteria and bifidobacteria, preferably bacteria with probiotic activity, and the use thereof to prepare a food product, supplement product, medical device or pharmaceutical composition or water- and/or fruit-based beverage are described. A process for preparing multilayer microencapsulated lactic bacteria and bifidobacteria, preferably bacteria with probiotic activity is described. A food product is described selected from water, water- and/or fruit-based beverages, milk, fresh whole milk, partially skimmed milk, powdered milk, cheese, fresh cheese, aged cheese, grated cheese, butter, margarine, yogurt, cream, milk- and chocolate-based custards, custards for sweets, jams and oily suspensions having bacteria, preferably multilayer microencapsulated lactic bacteria and bifidobacteria with probiotic activity.

A multilayer microencapsulated lactic bacteria and bifidobacteria, preferably bacteria with probiotic activity, and the use thereof to prepare a food product, supplement product, medical device or pharmaceutical composition or water- and/or fruit-based beverage are described. A process for preparing multilayer microencapsulated lactic bacteria and bifidobacteria, preferably bacteria with probiotic activity is described. A food product is described selected from water, water- and/or fruit-based beverages, milk, fresh whole milk, partially skimmed milk, powdered milk, cheese, fresh cheese, aged cheese, grated cheese, butter, margarine, yogurt, cream, milk- and chocolate-based custards, custards for sweets, jams and oily suspensions having bacteria, preferably multilayer microencapsulated lactic bacteria and bifidobacteria with probiotic activity.

A novel protein deamidase having an activity of directly acting on a side chain amide group of an asparagine residue in a protein to form a side chain carboxyl group and release ammonia, a microorganism that produces the same, a gene encoding the same, a method for producing the same, and use of the same are provided. A bacterium classified into the class Actinobacteria is cultured to generate protein deamidase, and the enzyme is collected from culture.

A novel protein deamidase having an activity of directly acting on a side chain amide group of an asparagine residue in a protein to form a side chain carboxyl group and release ammonia, a microorganism that produces the same, a gene encoding the same, a method for producing the same, and use of the same are provided. A bacterium classified into the class Actinobacteria is cultured to generate protein deamidase, and the enzyme is collected from culture.

The present invention relates to novel strains of Streptococcus thermophilus, compositions comprising said strains and to methods for the preparation of such compositions.

The present invention relates to a method for producing a cheese-flavored substance, including adding a bacterial cell disrupted product obtained by disrupting lactic acid bacteria and an enzyme to a milk raw material to cause a reaction. The present invention can provide a method for producing a cheese-flavored substance which can safely and efficiently produce a cheese-flavored substance having a more natural cheese flavor at low-cost with simple operation.

The invention relates to a method for generating a Streptococcus thermophilus strain exhibiting a high galactose utilization profile, which is characterized by a high percentage of consumed galactose at the maximum speed of lactose consumption and optionally a high percentage of consumed galactose at the end of lactose consumption (both as determined by assay I), comprising modifying the sequence of the gal-lac gene cluster. The invention also relates to a Streptococcus thermophilus strain obtained or obtainable by this method, to a Streptococcus thermophilus strain characterized both by the sequence of its gal-lac gene cluster and its high galactose utilization profile, to a culture and kit-of part comprising such strains, as well as to the use of such strains in food applications.