Polymerization of aniline in the presence of cellulose nano-fiber (CNF) is carried out. We used dried CNF, CNF suspension, and CNF treated by enzyme and ultra-sonification to obtain polyaniline (PANI)/CNF as a synthetic polymer/natural nano-polymer composite. The polymerization proceeds on the surface of CNF as a nano-reaction field. Resultant composites show extended effective π-conjugation length because CNF as a reaction field in molecular level produced polymer with expanded coil structure with an aid of orientation effect of CNF. Possibility of PANI β-pleats structure in molecular level of PANI on the CNF is also discussed. SEM observation showed that fine structure is easily obtained by combining PANI with CNF. Carbonization of PANI/CNF allows production of nano-fine form with shape preserved carbonization (SPC).

A family 12 endoglucanase with a molecular mass of 23,926 Da (EG-II) from the brown-rot basidiomycete Fomitopsis palustris was purified and characterized. One of the roles of EG-II in wood degradation is thought to be to loosen the polysaccharide network in cell walls by disentangling hemicelluloses that are associated with cellulose.

Component analysis of a novel white‐colored truffle native to Japan, Tuber japonicum, was performed to determine its characteristic features. The analysis of odor‐active volatile compound showed a high contribution of 1‐octen‐3‐ol and 3‐methyl‐2,4‐dithiapentane to the odor of T. japonicum. Although 2,4‐dithiapentane is a key odorant of well‐known white truffle T. magnatum, 3‐methyl‐2,4‐dithiapentane was detected from the ripe T. japonicum. The chemical components of T. japonicum showed no clear difference with those of edible truffles T. magnatum and T. melanosporum. It was rich in crude protein, crude fiber, and minerals (especially potassium), and low in crude fat. Glutamine and glutamic acid were detected in T. japonicum as free amino acids, while T. magnatum contained a large amount of alanine. Acute oral toxicity tests showed no abnormality, with an LD₅₀ value of over 2000 mg/kg under the test conditions. The present study may support future market distribution of T. japonicum as a high‐class foodstuff.