Organizational Structure of Research Organizational Structure of Research

Asahi Quality & Innovations, Ltd.Core Technology Laboratories

Creating new business from multifaceted research

We engage in multifaceted research centering on yeasts, lactic acid bacteria, ingredients and microflora to develop and propose seeds for new businesses. We also promote research on foods and alcoholic beverages with an aim to contribute to the lifelong health and wellbeing of people through our products.

  • Breeding and utilizing beneficial yeast strains

    The Asahi Group has accumulated expertise on breeding, fermentation, ingredient development and health functions of yeasts throughout its history. We hope to further build on these expertise to discover new values in yeasts and draw on their abilities to the full.

  • Searching for and utilizing beneficial lactic acid bacteria

    We are searching new lactic acid bacteria and new ways to utilize proprietary lactic acid bacteria, with an aim to propose lactic acid bacteria-based products and technologies that will contribute to enhancing mental and physical health of people. We are also committed to elucidating the functional mechanisms and active components associated with their health benefits.

  • Utilizing microflora technologies

    Based on our technologies for analyzing intestinal microflora, we study the relations between intestinal flora and the body functions of the host, aiming to search and utilize beneficial novel microbes. More specifically, we isolate and identify beneficial microbes, evaluate biological regulatory functions, and elucidate functional mechanisms.

  • Research on functionality and flavour

    We conduct research on the health benefit functions of our original ingredients, such as apple polyphenols, Lacto-nonadeka-peptide, Lactotripeptide (LTP), etc. and also on how people perceive the sensation of deliciousness.

Research

First in the world to demonstrate that lactic acid bacteria are taken up by the M cells on the inner surface of the small intestine

It has become clear in recent years that lactic acid bacteria interacts with the immune system in humans and helps prevent catching a cold and other infection as well as improve allergic symptoms. However, there still remains many questions about the relation between lactic acid bacteria and the human immune system, for instance, how they are incorporated to the host’s body, and how they are transported to the immune cells.
We revealed new findings regarding the mechanism of how lactic acid bacteria are taken up in the small intestine, which is important for understanding the relation between lactic acid bacteria and the immune system. As another insight into this question, it has been suggested that lactic acid bacteria may have an effect on the immune system regardless of whether they are alive or not, as our previous researches have confirmed that SlpA, a protein which plays a key role promoting uptake and modulating the host’s immune system, remains on the surface of lactic acid bacteria even if they are sterilized. The discovery of SlpA*1 as a molecule that promotes uptake by the M cell*2 may make it possible to select lactic acid bacteria that are highly potent in interacting with the immune system (i.e. with high immunomodulation potentials) using SlpA as an indicator.

The discovery also suggests a potential for new drug development by using SlpA as a carrier for drug delivery to efficiently target immune cells. Application to a wide range of research areas can be expected.*1 SlpA : A protein component of the surface layer of lactic acid bacteria. It is present in different amounts depending on the species of the bacteria.*2 M cell (Microfold cell) : The intestine has a highly sophisticated immune function besides is digestion and absorption functions. M cells are distributed in patches on the inner walls of the small intestine. Behind the M cells are aggregations of immune cells. M cells have been known to function as a gate to transport pathogens and other bacteria to the other side of the intestine wall where the immune cells await, but it was not clear whether they were involved in the uptake of lactic acid bacteria.