Members in Clusters & Modules

By the screening of characteristic animals, plants and natural food ingredients in the East Asia and Southeast Asia regions focusing on the chiral amino acids, novel functional food/beverages and medical/pharmaceutical resources will be discovered. Chiral amino acids, especially the minor D-enantiomers are currently gathering attention as novel functional molecules having anti-oxidant and skin barrier effects. Therefore, the natural products containing high levels of D-amino acids are expected as useful resources for the good health and well-being in the world preventing metabolic, cardiovascular and infectious diseases. However, the precise analysis of D-amino acids in complex real world samples is difficult for the research institutes worldwide. In Kyushu University, we have developed precise analytical methods for the determination of D-amino acids, and the analysis of these chiral amino acids could be carried out with highest sensitivity and selectivity in the world. East and Southeast Asia regions have wide environmental- and bio-diversity, therefore, the collaboration of Kyushu University with institutes in these regions is highly expected. The present collaborative research enables to develop novel functional food ingredients and medical/pharmaceutical resources, and is expected to create new values contributing to the health science in theworld.