The purpose of this study was to improve samall-scale cheese manufacture's quality to valuate an optical analysis devise to measure milk clotting. The milk coagulation time was observed using an optical device used to evaluate the quality of the raw cheese. After the milk had coagulated, the hardness of the coagulated curd was measured using the intrusive method that measures the physical properties by probing the curd. Positive and negative strength (firmness) that show the texture, fragility (brittleness), compressive strength, cutting energy, cohesive properties (coagulation value), viscosity, and gel strength were measured to determine tensile strength and the viscosity the raw cheese. The fresh milk pasteurization temperature method was found to significantly influence milk coagulation during 30 minutes at 60℃ or using 75℃ for 15 seconds. We found the pasteurization time and temperature influences milk coagulation characteristics where raising and regulating the fresh milk pasteurization temperature was important.

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 In the current study, we investigated the effects of Saccharomyces (S.) cerevisiae and its specific immunoglobulin G-rich fraction (anti-yeast IgG) prepared from goat's milk on the mouse immune system. Real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis of mRNA extracted from C3H/HeN mouse Peyer's patch cells revealed that the expression of Rnf128 on regulatory T cells was higher in the cells cultured with anti-yeast IgG alone or with a mixture of S. cerevisiae and anti-yeast IgG than in the cells cultured with S. cerevisiae alone. In contrast, the expression of Stat6 related to polarize type 2 helper T (Th2) cells was lower in the cells cultured with the mixture than S. cerevisiae alone, although that was higher than IgG alone. Hence, 5-week-old C3H/HeN mice were orally administered with either saline solution (control) group or a mixture of S. cerevisiae and anti-yeast IgG in saline (test) group once a day for 5 weeks. We found total serum IgG levels to be significantly lower in mice administered the test solution than those that were given the control solution. Microarray analysis of mRNA extracted from the mouse Peyer's patch cells revealed that the expression profile of genes related to proliferation and differentiation of B cells, T cell activation and differentiation of Th2 cells was lower in the test mice than in the control group. In contrast, the genes related to regulatory T cells were more highly expressed in mice administered with the test solution. Moreover, oral administration of the test solution was found to reduce allergic symptoms in NC/Nga mice induced with a mite antigen. The number of spleen interleukin-4⁺CD4⁺ cells was reduced in test mice when compared to the control group. These findings indicate that oral administration of the mixture of S. cerevisiae and its specific goat milk IgG-rich fraction may suppress the development of type I allergic symptoms in mice.

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 We investigated effects of intranasal administration of Bifidobacterium longum BB536 on mucosal immune system in respiratory tract and influenza virus infection in mice. Mice were intranasally administered BB536 (BB536 group) or phosphate-buffered saline (control group) for 3 consecutive days and were intranasally inoculated with influenza virus (PR8). Three days after inoculation, phosphate-buffered saline was administered intranasally. After that, the mice were observed for 14 days to assess cumulative incidence and survival rate. The cumulative incidence and the survival rate of the BB536 group were significantly improved as compared with those of the control group. After intranasal administration of BB536 or phosphate-buffered saline for 3 consecutive days, cells from mediastinal lymph nodes and nasal-associated lymphoid tissue were prepared. The cells were cultured in the presence of concanavaline A for 3days and the concentration of cytokines in the culture supernatants was determined. The production of interleukin-12p40 by the cells from mediastinal lymph nodes and the production of γ-interferon by the cells from nasal-associated lymphoid tissue were increased in the BB536 group. These results suggest that intranasal administration of BB536 enhances cellular immunity of mediastinal lymph nodes and nasal-associated lymphoid tissue and protects against influenza virus infection.

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 We investigated effects of bovine milk derived dietary sphingomyelin (SPM) concentrate on skin. A placebo-control double-blind study of the 6-week oral intake of the SPM concentrate (330 mg/day; SPM 22 mg/day) was conducted on 25 individuals. The effect of SPM concentrate on skin was measured by skin hydration, transepidermal water loss and sebum production at a day before intake, after 3 weeks and 6 weeks, and at 2 weeks after completion of the trial. We found that the skin hydration in the SPM group was significantly higher than that in the placebo group. The sebum production in the SPM group tended to be higher on the part under the left eye. Answers to questionnaires revealed that the skin elasticity and reflectance in the SPM group tended to improve.
 These results indicate that the dietary SPM concentrate improves the skin function.

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