A process for preparing a liquid oat base or drink of improved soluble oat protein content from an oats material, in particular an oats material that has got been heat treated in a humid state, comprises solubilizing oat protein in an aqueous solvent by means protein-deamidase. Also disclosed is a corresponding liquid oat base and uses thereof.

A process for preparation of cereal fractions. The process comprises wet milling of oat grains or barley grains in the presence of an enzyme composition derived from malt; and when oat grains or barley grains are wet milled, optionally isolating, from the wet milled grains, a beta-glucan enriched fraction. Liquid and solid food products obtainable by the process.

A method and composition for providing hydrolyzed starch and fiber. In one aspect, the method comprises providing a first enzyme; a second enzyme; water; and a starting composition comprising at least one material selected from the group consisting of at least a portion of grain and at least a portion of pulse. Additional steps comprise hydrolyzing the fiber and starch in the at least one material through fiber and starch hydrolysis reactions catalyzed by the first and second enzymes, respectively. Further steps comprise deactivating the first and second enzymes. In a second aspect, a composition comprises at least one material selected from the group consisting of at least a portion of grain and at least a portion of pulse. The average molecular weights of the hydrolyzed starch and fiber molecules in the composition are fractions of the molecular weights of unhydrolyzed starch and fiber molecules, respectively.

A method and composition for providing hydrolyzed starch and fiber. In one aspect, the method comprises providing a first enzyme; a second enzyme; water; and a starting composition comprising at least one material selected from the group consisting of at least a portion of grain and at least a portion of pulse. Additional steps comprise hydrolyzing the fiber and starch in the at least one material through fiber and starch hydrolysis reactions catalyzed by the first and second enzymes, respectively. Further steps comprise deactivating the first and second enzymes. In a second aspect, a composition comprises at least one material selected from the group consisting of at least a portion of grain and at least a portion of pulse. The average molecular weights of the hydrolyzed starch and fiber molecules in the composition are fractions of the molecular weights of unhydrolyzed starch and fiber molecules, respectively.

A quality-of-life improving agent, with a plant fermented product that is a mixture of substances (a) to (g): (a) a koji mold fermented product of one type or two or more types of beans/grains; (b) a yeast and/or lactic acid bacterium fermented product of one type or two or more types of fruits; (c) a yeast and/or lactic acid bacterium fermented product of one type or two or more types of root vegetables/tubers; (d) a yeast and/or lactic acid bacterium fermented product of one type or two or more types of flowers/leafy vegetables; (e) a yeast and/or lactic acid bacterium fermented product of one type or two or more types of seaweeds; (f) a yeast and/or lactic acid bacterium fermented product of one type or two or more types of seeds; and (g) a yeast and/or lactic acid bacterium fermented product of one type or two types of mushrooms.

A quality-of-life improving agent, with a plant fermented product that is a mixture of substances (a) to (g): (a) a koji mold fermented product of one type or two or more types of beans/grains; (b) a yeast and/or lactic acid bacterium fermented product of one type or two or more types of fruits; (c) a yeast and/or lactic acid bacterium fermented product of one type or two or more types of root vegetables/tubers; (d) a yeast and/or lactic acid bacterium fermented product of one type or two or more types of flowers/leafy vegetables; (e) a yeast and/or lactic acid bacterium fermented product of one type or two or more types of seaweeds; (f) a yeast and/or lactic acid bacterium fermented product of one type or two or more types of seeds; and (g) a yeast and/or lactic acid bacterium fermented product of one type or two types of mushrooms.

Provided is a technique for improving a cooked-rice food product. A cooked-rice food product is improved by using the following component (A): (A) Bacillus licheniformis-derived α-amylase.

The present invention features compositions and methods for modulation of the mucosal immune system. The compositions include foods fermented by the probiotic organism, Lactobacillus paracasei CBA L74 (International Depository Accession Number LMG P-24778). Alternatively the compositions can include L. paracasei CBA L74 and a physiologically acceptable carrier. In some embodiments, the L. paracasei CBA L74 can be non-replicating. The compositions can be administered to a subject having or at risk for gastrointestinal disorders related to immaturity of the immune system, infection or disease.

The present invention features compositions and methods for modulation of the mucosal immune system. The compositions include foods fermented by the probiotic organism, Lactobacillus paracasei CBA L74 (International Depository Accession Number LMG P-24778). Alternatively the compositions can include L. paracasei CBA L74 and a physiologically acceptable carrier. In some embodiments, the L. paracasei CBA L74 can be non-replicating. The compositions can be administered to a subject having or at risk for gastrointestinal disorders related to immaturity of the immune system, infection or disease.

Provided is a method of manufacturing rice taffy, and more specifically, a method of manufacturing rice taffy having excellent functionality by adding collagen. The method of manufacturing rice taffy according to the present invention includes a saccharification step of saccharifying a mixture of hard-boiled rice, malt, and water and thus obtaining a saccharified solution, a concentration step of concentrating the saccharified solution by applying heat and thus obtaining black taffy, an addition step of adding collagen to the black taffy, and a stretching step of repeatedly stretching the black taffy to which collagen was added.