The present invention addresses the problem of providing a novel transglutaminase that is useful for food or medical applications. The present invention provides: a transglutaminase having an amino acid sequence that has an identity of 90% or more with respect to an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1 or 2; and an enzyme preparation containing said transglutaminase as an active ingredient. The enzyme preparation is particularly useful for food production and medical applications.

The present invention relates to a bread comprising a saccharified rice solution and a method for preparing same and, more specifically, to a bread comprising a saccharified rice solution prepared by using Aspergillus oryzae koji, Aspergillus kawachii koji, and lees and a method for preparing same. According to the present invention, a saccharified rice solution prepared by using Aspergillus oryzae koji, Aspergillus kawachii koji, and lees is developed, and thus, as compared with an existing saccharified rice solution prepared by using Aspergillus oryzae koji or Aspergillus kawachii koji, sweetness may be reduced, and the amounts of glutamic acid and aspartic acid may be increased, thus giving further enhanced savory taste. Furthermore, various and rich flavors (aroma) may be enhanced. In addition, by addition of the saccharified rice solution of the present invention, a bread having savory taste and various and rich flavors (aroma) may be prepared.

Provided herein are shelf-stable protein food ingredients, food products comprising the shelf-stable protein food ingredients, methods of their production, and methods of their use. The shelf-stable protein food ingredients comprise cultured fungal biomass and a limited amount of water. Advantageously, the shelf-stable protein food ingredients can be stored, transported, and delivered within the food supply.

The purpose of the present invention is to provide a method for producing selenoneine that allows production of selenoneine at higher yields as compared with a conventional technology, and, therefore, enables selenoneine production on an industrial scale. This purpose can be achieved by a method for producing selenoneine, comprising the step of applying histidine and a selenium compound to a transformant that has a gene encoding an enzyme of (1) below introduced therein and that can overexpress the introduced gene, to obtain selenoneine. (1) An enzyme that catalyzes a reaction in which hercynylselenocysteine is produced from histidine and selenocysteine in the presence of S-adenosylmethionine and iron (II).

The purpose of the present invention is to provide a method for producing selenoneine that allows production of selenoneine at higher yields, even if an inorganic selenium compound is used as a selenium compound. This purpose can be achieved by a method for producing selenoneine, comprising the step of applying histidine and a selenium compound to a transformant to obtain selenoneine, wherein the transformant has at least one gene selected from the group consisting of a SatA gene, a CysB gene and a MetR gene, and an EgtA gene inserted therein and can overexpress the inserted genes.

Provided is a method for collecting an objective substance such as vanillin from a fermentation broth. Upon collecting an objective substance from a fermentation broth containing the objective substance by solvent extraction using an organic solvent, emulsification during the solvent extraction can be prevented by treating the fermentation broth with a protease and then subjecting it to the solvent extraction, or by carrying out the solvent extraction with an agitation power adjusted to a predetermined range, and thereby the objective substance can be collected from the fermentation broth.

The purpose of the present invention is to provide an organism having an ergothioneine productivity that is capable of easily producing ergothioneine within a short period of time at a high yield, as compared with a conventional technology, and, therefore, enables ergothioneine production on an industrial scale. This purpose can be achieved by a transformed fungus into which a gene encoding enzyme (1) or genes encoding enzymes (1) and (2) have been inserted and in which the inserted gene(s) are overexpressed. (1) an enzyme catalyzing a reaction of synthesizing hercynyl cysteine sulfoxide from histidine and cysteine in the presence of S-adenosyl methionine, iron (II) and oxygen. (2) An enzyme catalyzing a reaction of synthesizing ergothioneine from hercynyl cysteine sulfoxide using pyridoxal 5′-phosphate as a coenzyme.

Provided is a method of producing a stress reliever that reduces a decrease in productivity of livestock at the time of stress load by feeding the stress reliever to the livestock. The method of producing the stress reliever includes solid-culturing a substrate with the filamentous bacteria, in which the stress reliever reduces a decrease in productivity of livestock at the time of stress load.

Recombinant Aspergillus genetically modified to increase expression of g8846, renamed herein as aconitic acid exporter (aexA), are provided, which in some examples are also genetically inactivated for an endogenous cis-aconitic acid decarboxylase (cadA) gene. Such recombinant Aspergillus produce more aconitic acid as compared to native Aspergillus. Also provided are methods of using such recombinant Aspergillus to increase production of aconitic acid and other organic acids, such as citric acid, itaconic acid, and 3-hydroxypropionic acid (3-HP).

A composition for degradation of mycotoxin including, as an effective component, Aspergillus culture filtrate which contains an iron compound or yeast extract, and uses thereof, are proposed. As aflatoxin can be degraded with high efficiency and simple composition by the composition of the present invention and the activity of degrading mycotoxin is maintained in very stable state in a broad temperature range of from room temperature to heating at 121° C. for sterilization, it is expected that the composition can be advantageously used for processing like heating at high temperatures.