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Renin is the most important enzyme in the renin-angiotensin system. Our previous study led to the identification of soyasaponin I, the first renin inhibitor isolated from soybean. In the present study, the effects of saponins and sapogenols on human renin activities were investigated. Soyasaponins I and II, glycyrrhizin, monoglucuronyl glycyrrhetic acid (MGGA), chikusetsusaponin IV, and Kochia scoparia fruit saponins (momordins) were found to inhibit renin activity. On the other hand, sapogenols (soyasapogenol B and glycyrrhetic acid), saikosaponins b2 and c, and ginsenoside Rb 1 had no effect on renin activity. These results clearly indicate that the 3-O-β-dglucopyranosiduronic moiety in saponins (glucuronide saponin) is essential for renin inhibition.

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Rice bran and polish are major biomass byproducts of the rice milling process. Although the byproducts still contain quality oil, proteins, vitamins, dietary fiber, and other various nutrients, its utilization is limited to products such as oil, animal feed, and fertilizers and the majority of the byproducts end up as industrial waste １) . Thus, many efforts have been made to identify a way to utilize the potential of this biomass waste.Recently, the effective production of γ-aminobuytric acid(GABA)by lactic fermentation utilizing enzyme-