Ice crystallization inhibitor derived from plant seed

Abstract

The objective to be solved by the present invention is to provide a novel ice crystallization inhibitor which is industrially useful, which can be efficiently and stably produced in a safe process suitable for a food production without difficulty and which has excellent functions and properties. Also, the objective of the present invention is to provide an antibody which specifically reacts with the ice crystallization inhibitor, and a composition, a food, a biological sample protectant and a cosmetic which contain the ice crystallization inhibitor. Furthermore, the objective of the present invention is to provide a peptide which gives an indication of a protein having an ice crystallization inhibitory activity. The ice crystallization inhibitor according to the present invention is characterized in comprising a seed protein derived from a plant belonging to genus Vigna in Leguminosae, an allied species thereof or an improved species thereof. The ice crystallization inhibitor according to the present invention is characterized in comprising a seed protein derived from a plant belonging to genus Vigna in Leguminosae, an allied species thereof or an improved species thereof.

1 - 13 . (canceled) 
     
     
         14 . A method for inhibiting ice crystallization, comprising the step of adding a seed protein derived from a plant belonging to genus  Vigna  in Leguminosae, an allied species thereof or an improved species thereof. 
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 14 , wherein the seed protein is added to a food. 
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 14 , wherein the seed protein is added as a cryoprotective agent to movable part of machinery. 
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 14 , wherein the seed protein is added as a cryoprotective agent to road. 
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 14 , wherein the seed protein is added as a cryoprotective agent to ground. 
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 14 , wherein the seed protein is added to a cosmetic. 
     
     
         20 . The method according to  claim 14 , wherein the seed protein is added to a biological sample. 
     
     
         21 . An ice crystallization inhibitor, comprising a seed protein, wherein an amino-acid sequence of the seed protein is a sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1, or an amino-acid sequence corresponding to the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1 with one or more amino-acid deletions, substitutions or additions and containing an indicative sequence of a protein having an ice crystallization inhibitory activity. 
     
     
         22 . An ice crystallization inhibitor, comprising a seed protein, wherein an amino-acid sequence of the seed protein is a sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2, or an amino-acid sequence corresponding to the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2 with one or more amino-acid deletions, substitutions or additions and containing an indicative sequence of a protein having an ice crystallization inhibitory activity. 
     
     
         23 . An antibody, specifically responding with the ice crystallization inhibitor containing a seed protein derived from a plant belonging to genus  Vigna  in Leguminosae, an allied species thereof or an improved species thereof for inhibiting ice crystallization. 
     
     
         24 . A food, comprising the ice crystallization inhibitor containing a seed protein derived from a plant belonging to genus  Vigna  in Leguminosae, an allied species thereof or an improved species thereof for inhibiting ice crystallization. 
     
     
         25 . A biological sample protectant, comprising the ice crystallization inhibitor containing a seed protein derived from a plant belonging to genus  Vigna  in Leguminosae, an allied species thereof or an improved species thereof for inhibiting ice crystallization. 
     
     
         26 . A cosmetic, comprising the ice crystallization inhibitor containing a seed protein derived from a plant belonging to genus  Vigna  in Leguminosae, an allied species thereof or an improved species thereof for inhibiting ice crystallization. 
     
     
         27 . A peptide, having a sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2, or an amino-acid sequence corresponding to the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2 with one or more amino-acid deletions, substitutions or additions and containing an indicative sequence of a protein having an ice crystallization inhibitory activity.