Development of Biologically Active Peptides from Foodstuffs, Elucidation of Growth of Yeast Cell Wall Glycoprotein and Application to Infection Inhibition Agent Assessment, Research on Ultra-Small MOS Device Applying New Oxidation Technology

摘要

Peptides are substances in which several amino acids are bonded together, and many of these peptides are known to display biological reactions. In this research project, in the process of searching for new types of biologically active substances (such as medical drug raw materials) derived from various types of biological resources, a peptide (casein dodecapeptide) was discovered (patents pending as of 1981) that features a function of lowering the blood pressure, from a liquid in which a digestion enzyme casein, a main protein of milk, was decomposed. The peptide cannot be anticipated to display a strong effect like a medical drug, but the material is conceived to be highly safe as a daily food, and since it indicates a new concept of producing biologically active peptide industrially by limited decomposition of food protein with enzyme, this research project attracted worldwide attention. Biologically active peptides deriving from food proteins have been developed by many enterprises and universities, and this research project serves the precursory role of paving into a new field of "food for specified health use (food with biological function adjustment substance deriving from food)."