The present invention discloses a novel isolated bacterial strain exhibiting probiotic properties. More particularly, the invention discloses a probiotic composition comprising Brevibacterium casei AP9 MCC0012 having improved pH and bile tolerance and improved antimicrobial properties as well as possessing cholesterol reduction property.

The invention relates to the use of a microorganism of the genus Brevibacterium for the biological degradation of ochratoxin A, in which the microorganism is preferably Brevibacterium casei, Brevibacterium linens, Brevibacterium iodinum or Brevibacterium epidermidis. In addition, the invention relates to a method for the production of ochratoxin ? using said microorganism.

An aliphatic dicarboxylic acid, an aliphatic diol or a derivatives thereof and/or as succinic acid, a butane diol, or a both-hydroxy-terminated polyether having the number of carbon atoms of 4 to 1000, each of which is derived from a biomass resource and has nitrogen atoms in an amount of 0.01 to 100 ppm. Products and methods using these materials are also provided.

Provided is a technology for improving the flavor of food products. The flavor of food products is improved by the following ingredients (A): (A) Lysozyme-treated product of cell walls of gram-positive bacterium.