1. Department of Bioscience, Fukui Prefectural University, Fukui, Japan
2. Lactic Acid Bacteria Research Department, Food Science Research Laboratories, R&D Division, Meiji Co. Ltd., Odawara, Japan
3. Clinical Research and Scientific Information, Product Development Department, Healthcare and Nutritionals Division, Meiji Co. Ltd, Tokyo, Japan
4. Functional Evaluation Department 2, Food Science Research Laboratories, R&D Division, Meiji Co. Ltd, Odawara, Kanagawa, Japan