ACCELERATOR FOR ICE CRYSTAL FORMATION

摘要

PURPOSE: To obtain an accelerator for formation of ice crystal for freezing of a biological material such as foods by culturing GRAS microorganisms subjected to transformation with a vector including genes which code the expression of a protein to accelerate formation of ice crystal. CONSTITUTION: GRAS microorganisms are transformed with a vector containing one or more kinds of genes which code the expression of a protein to promote formation of ice crystal. The transformed GRAS microorganisms are cultured in a proper culture medium to produce the protein which accelerates formation of ice crystal in the culture medium, and then the protein is collected from the medium. The obtd. protein can accelerate formation of ice crystal and is effective as an additive for formation of ice crystal in an edible biological material at <=0 deg.C. For example, an edible biological material such as vegetables, fruits and fish is treated with the additive above described and frozen by cooling to the temp. at which freezing begins.