JP2005261237A - Visual performance-improving food and method for evaluating health food - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a visual performance-improving food effective for improvement of asthenopia caused by VDT (video display terminal) work and visual acuity restoration. <P>SOLUTION: The visual performance-improving food has the following structure: a black soybean seed coat extract composition extracted from black soybean seed coat is used as a main ingredient; and an anti-oxidant vitamin and selenium are contained; the anti-oxidant vitamin comprises vitamin E; the vitamin E is contained at 3-150 mg in 300 mg of the black soybean seed coat extract composition; the selenium is contained at 45-250 μg in 300 mg of the black soybean seed coat extract composition; and β-carotene may be contained as the anti-oxidant vitamin. A method for evaluating health food comprises evaluating taken health food based on visual performance-improving effect on a dominant eye when evaluating the visual performance-improving effect resulted from intake of the health food. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a visual function improving food containing a black soybean seed coat extract composition extracted from black soybean seed coat as a main component and a method for evaluating a health food.

In the IT era, in recent years, the number of workers engaged in so-called VDT (visual display terminal) work has increased, and the number of people complaining of eye strain such as eye fatigue and back pain has been increasing. I'm following. Under such circumstances, anthocyanin has attracted attention as a substance effective in improving eye strain, and in particular, cyanidin 3-is a compound that is one of anthocyanins and has the strongest active oxygen scavenging ability (antioxidant action). Glucosides are drawing attention. Blueberry extract is known as a source of cyanidin 3-glucoside, but the storage conditions of the production raw material are severe (−20 ° C. or lower frozen storage), and this extract contains a lot of impurities in addition to cyanidin, and There are problems such as being expensive. For this reason, as a supply source of cyanidin 3-glucoside, a method using an extract of black soybean seed coat instead of blueberry has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In the present invention, black soybean seed coat is obtained by using black soybean seed coat as a raw material and extracting and concentrating with water, a water-soluble organic solvent or a water-containing water-soluble organic solvent. And it is said that taking this extract orally improves eyestrain and stiff shoulders.
JP 2002-126889 A

  As described above, it is known that the anthocyanin compound contained in the black soybean seed coat extract has an action to reduce the eye fatigue caused by VDT work, but only ingests the black soybean seed coat extract. However, the symptoms of eye strain are only reduced, and the most serious symptom of VDT syndrome, which is the effect of recovering the decreased visual acuity, is not sufficient as a fundamental solution for VDT syndrome.

  Therefore, the present invention has been proposed in view of such a conventional situation, and an object of the present invention is to provide a visual function-improving food that can improve eye strain caused by VDT work and is effective in restoring visual acuity. To do. Another object of the present invention is to provide a health food evaluation method capable of accurately grasping the visual function improvement effect of health food.

  In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present inventor has intensively studied for a long time. As a result, in combination with the black soybean seed coat extract composition extracted from black soybean seed coat, the combination of antioxidant vitamins and selenium has surprisingly improved the previously known eye strain improvement effect. It was found that the visual function recovery effect was expressed.

  The present invention has been completed based on such findings. That is, the visual function-improving food according to the present invention is characterized in that the main component is a black soybean seed coat extract composition extracted from black soybean seed coat and contains an antioxidant vitamin and selenium.

  Black soybean seed coat extract composition contains a lot of anthocyanin compounds, which are plant pigments, and contains a lot of cyanidin 3-glucoside, which is said to be highly active, and it causes eye fatigue, dry eyes, headache and stiff shoulders. It has the effect of improving eye strain represented by symptoms.

  In addition, the visual function improving food of the present invention combines the antioxidant vitamin and selenium in addition to the black soybean seed coat extract, which is the main component, to show the visual function improving action, although details are unknown. Has been confirmed experimentally. The visual function improvement effect is not exhibited by black soybean seed coat extract alone or in combination with black soybean seed coat extract and vitamin E or selenium, but the combination of black soybean seed coat extract, antioxidant vitamins and selenium. This effect is unique when the three types are combined.

  On the other hand, the health food evaluation method according to the present invention is characterized in that, when confirming the visual function improvement effect by ingestion of the health food, the ingested health food is evaluated based on the visual function improvement effect in the dominant eye. . Even if the visual function improvement effect of health food is evaluated without being conscious of the dominant eye, the significant difference is not always significant, and effective evaluation is difficult. If the visual acuity improvement effect is evaluated for the dominant eye, health foods that are effective in improving visual function are reliably selected.

  According to the visual function improving food of the present invention, the black soybean seed coat extract is used as a main component, so that eye fatigue symptoms such as tired eyes, dryness of eyes, systemic symptoms such as headache and stiff shoulders are alleviated, especially the eyes. Can contribute to the maintenance of eye health of VDT workers who tend to overuse. Moreover, since the visual function improving food of the present invention contains an antioxidant vitamin and selenium in addition to the black soybean seed coat extract, it is possible to improve visual acuity that has been difficult to improve with conventional health foods.

  Further, according to the health food evaluation method of the present invention, it is possible to accurately grasp the visual function improvement effect in the health food, and to perform an evaluation in accordance with the effectiveness thereof.

  Hereinafter, the visual function improving food and health food evaluation method according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  The visual function-improving food of the present invention is mainly composed of a black soybean seed coat extract composition extracted from black soybean seed coat, and contains an antioxidant vitamin and selenium.

  Here, the black soybean seed coat extract composition includes a water-soluble extract composition eluted from the black soybean seed coat by water extraction as a constituent component. Black soybeans are cultivated in large quantities in China and the like, and the seed coats are peeled off in the manufacturing process of soybean processing, and are used as a by-product in, for example, livestock feed. This by-product seed coat is rich in anthocyanins (particularly cyanidin-3-glucoside). In the present invention, the active ingredient is extracted and purified, and used as a new material rich in functionality.

  In order to obtain a black soybean seed coat extract composition, for example, a method described in JP-A No. 2002-126889 can be employed. In this method, first, black soybean seed coat is extracted with an extraction solvent at pH 1-5. Acids to be adjusted to pH 1 to 5 include inorganic acids (hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid, etc.) or organic acids (formic acid, acetic acid, citric acid, ascorbic acid, etc.), and extraction solvents are water, methanol, ethanol, acetone, and other water-soluble solvents. An organic solvent or a hydrous organic solvent can be used, and extraction is performed within a temperature range from room temperature to the boiling point of the extraction solvent. The water content of the organic solvent is 75% or less for methanol and ethanol, and 65% or less for acetone. .

  Next, the organic solvent is distilled off from the obtained black soybean seed coat extract, the cyanidin 3-glucoside is adsorbed on the synthetic adsorption resin, the impurities are then washed with water, and the organic solvent or the organic solvent and water are mixed. It is eluted from the corresponding synthetic resin using a solvent, concentrated and dried to obtain an extract solid containing black soybean seed coat active ingredients. Specific examples of the corresponding synthetic adsorption resin include “Diaion HP resin, SP resin” (manufactured by Mitsubishi Chemical), “Amperite XAD resin” (manufactured by Rohm and Haas), “Duolite S resin” (Diamond Sham). Lock).

  The adsorption of the black soybean seed coat active ingredient is usually carried out by a column method, and at room temperature, in the case of Diaion HP20, the space velocity is adjusted so as to be 0.5 to 2. In the case of Diaion HP20, the organic solvents used for elution are preferably methanol, ethanol, and acetone. When used in water, methanol and ethanol have a water content of 20% or less, and in the case of acetone, the water content is 30% or less. Concentration is performed under reduced pressure or normal pressure, and is performed within a temperature range from room temperature to the boiling point of the extraction solvent. Drying is performed by spray-drying a liquid concentrated to a solid content of about 20% to 30% or by spreading the concentrated liquid in a container having a large evaporation surface and evaporating to dryness in a dryer or a vacuum dryer. By this method, the black soybean seed coat extract contains 5% to 35% cyanidin 3-glucoside in the dried product.

  Moreover, as a method for obtaining a black soybean seed coat extract composition, extraction with acid water can be employed without using a resin and an organic solvent in addition to the above-described method. In this extraction method, first, a water-soluble component is eluted from black soybean seed coat with acid water. Although any acid can be used as the acid contained in the acid water, hydrochloric acid that is easily available and inexpensive is preferable. The pH of the acid water is set to 1.0 to 2.0. If the pH of the acid water exceeds 2.0, the extraction efficiency may be reduced.

  After the extraction, the acid water is neutralized, followed by normal filtration. Neutralization is performed so that the pH is 3.0 to 4.0 (for example, pH 3.8), because of the natural pH value of the black soybean seed coat extract. Although any alkali can be used for neutralization, NaOH is preferred because it is easily available and inexpensive. After the filtration, desalination concentration and purification are performed by ultrafiltration. Here, ultrafiltration may be performed using a commercially available UF membrane.

  Vitamin E is suitable as the antioxidant vitamin contained in the visual function improving food of the present invention. The content of vitamin E per 300 mg of black soybean seed coat extract composition is preferably 3 mg to 150 mg which meets the standards as a nutritional functional food. By making the content of vitamin E within the above range, the intake amount of vitamin E can be made appropriate.

  In addition to vitamin E, the antioxidant vitamin preferably further contains β-carotene. It is preferable that the content of β-carotene per 300 mg of black soybean seed coat extract composition is 1080 μg to 3600 μg which meets the standard as a nutritional functional food. By being within the above range, the intake amount of β-carotene can be made an appropriate amount.

  Moreover, it is preferable that content of selenium per 300 mg of black soybean seed coat extract compositions is 45 μg to 250 μg. If the above range is not reached, the prescribed effect may not be obtained. If the above range is exceeded, excessive intake of selenium will occur, and the allowable upper limit set as the dietary intake standard in the 6th revised Japanese nutritional requirements May exceed intake.

  When formulating the visual function improving food of the present invention, any dosage form such as powder, granule, tablet and the like can be adopted as the dosage form. Or it can also be set as a drink or a drink agent. At that time, in order to facilitate storage and handling, carriers such as dextrin and cyclodextrin, preservatives and other optional auxiliaries can be blended as necessary.

  Hereinafter, specific examples to which the present invention is applied will be described based on experimental results. In addition, this invention is not limited to description of a following example.

The preparation food of the capsule preparation example contains black soybean seed coat extract as a main component, and other ingredients include avocado oil, grape seed oil, vegetable oil containing vitamin E, brewer's yeast (containing selenium), beeswax, seaweed carotene A football-type soft capsule was formulated. The soft capsule of this test meal contains 120 mg of black soybean seed coat extract per 350 mg of capsule. In addition, the nutritional component analysis value of this test food is: calorie 5.9 kcal per 1.0 g, protein 0.3 g, lipid 0.4 g, carbohydrate 0.3 g, sodium 0.9 g, β-carotene (35% in terms of vitamin A) 1140 μg, vitamin E 33.5 mg, selenium 80 μg.

The tester is mainly engaged in VDT (visual display terminal) work, is a male and female aged 20 to 55 years old, and has a healthy daily life. A total of 3 capsules were ingested in water twice a day (1 capsule in the morning and 2 capsules around 3 pm) in the example. During the experiment, subjects were prohibited from taking other supplements, but were not specifically restricted. Experiments were conducted on 32 subjects (10 males and 22 females) who obtained consent according to the schedule shown in Table 1 below.

  The experiment was conducted on the day before the start of ingestion according to the schedule of each subject, and the intake of the test food was started from the following day based on the above method, 2 weeks after the start of ingestion, 4 weeks after the start of ingestion, Examinations and investigations were conducted, including during follow-up of subjective symptoms. In addition, except for the case that was canceled due to the convenience of the subject from the screening examination date, 64 eyes (right eye / left eye) were examined or ophthalmic function examination was performed.

Examination item / survey item and method The day before the start of ingestion, the subject's age, gender, presence / absence of eyeglass use, and dominant eye were confirmed, and the subjective symptom survey table shown in Table 2 below was submitted, and doctors were interviewed. . About the ophthalmic function test | inspection shown in the said Table 1, the test was implemented on the day before the start of ingestion, 2 weeks after the start of ingestion, and 4 weeks after the start of ingestion. In addition, 24 subjective symptoms centered on eye complaints shown in Table 2 below were evaluated at the time of medical inquiry. The evaluation criteria were 3: high, 2: moderate, 1: mild, 0: no symptoms. In addition, evaluation by a doctor was also conducted 4 weeks after the start of intake, and the degree of improvement was determined by comparing the results before intake and 4 weeks after start of intake. The degree of improvement for each symptom is -3: marked improvement, -2: moderate improvement, -1: mild improvement, 0: unchanged, 1: mild deterioration, 2: moderate deterioration, 3: significant deterioration. The improvement rate was moderate or higher. In the investigation of subjective symptoms, the living conditions shown in Table 3 below were examined as background factors.

Ophthalmic Function Test The ophthalmic function test was performed as follows before ingestion, 2 weeks after the start of ingestion, and 4 weeks after the start of ingestion.

(1) Flicker test Smallest portable center F. A day-point flicker mini (manufactured by Nippon Ophthalmology Laboratories) was used as an F flicker measuring instrument, and after red adaptation for 15 minutes, red (wavelength: 66 nm) was measured four times for the right and left eyes. F. The average value of F was calculated.

(2) Visual Acuity Using the universal Japanese visual acuity table (grade 61), the right eye and the left eye were measured for 30 cm visual acuity and 5 m visual acuity and corrected visual acuity.

(3) Accomodogram The index position is confirmed using the Acomodo poly recorder Hs-9E (manufactured by Kowa Optic Co., Ltd.), the right eye and the left eye are measured one eye at a time, and at a constant speed (approximately 2 to 3 cm / second) ), The adjustment relaxation distance was measured 10 times by the method in which the index was moved closer to the distance and the answer was made when the subject's eyes started to be out of focus. For the accomodogram, a value obtained by subtracting the second measurement value from the tenth measurement value for each subject was used as an evaluation scale.

Analysis method 1) Background factors For the background factors of the subjects, descriptive statistics (average, standard deviation) were calculated for the measured values, and a frequency table was created and summarized for the count values. In addition, Spearman's correlation coefficient was calculated and examined for the correlation between each background factor and the score at the first visit of subjective symptoms and the test value at the first visit of objective findings.

2) Subjective symptoms Regarding subjective symptoms, the score was treated as a measured value, and the change from the first visit at the time of the final diagnosis was examined by the t-test of the corresponding difference. A frequency table was prepared for the degree of improvement for each symptom, and “moderate improvement” or higher was calculated as the improvement rate.

3) Objective findings For visual acuity, flicker test, and accomodogram, descriptive statistics were calculated at the first visit, 2 weeks after the start of intake and 4 weeks after the start of intake, and 2 weeks after the start of intake and 4 weeks after the start of intake. Differences from the first visit later were examined using a paired difference t-test. These analyzes were performed by stratifying the left eye, right eye, and dominant eye.

4) Safety evaluation A frequency table was created for the general safety level, and the percentage of those rated as “safe” was calculated as the safety rate.
The significance level of the test was 5% on both sides.

Results Table 4 summarizes the background factors of the subjects.

Table 5 shows the investigation results of the subjects for subjective symptoms subjective symptoms. As is apparent from Table 5, by taking the test food of the example, significant improvement was observed in eye fatigue, eye dryness, and systemic symptoms among 24 items of subjective symptom survey. In particular, P <0.0001 for “eye is tired” and “back of eye is painful”, and P <0.0002 to 0.00 for “slow eye” and “spiky to open eyes”. 001 significantly improved. In addition, a significant improvement was also observed with P <0.0002 to 0.001 in terms of dryness of eyes and systemic symptoms. In addition, a strong correlation was found between stiff shoulders, which are subjective general fatigue symptoms, and eye fatigue (p = 0.02). In Table 5, * represents P <0.0001, ** represents P <0.0002 to 0.001, and *** represents P <0.002 to 0.005.

Test item 1) Visual acuity The difference of visual acuity of 0.2 or more with the naked eye was measured as improved. Of the 32 subjects, 10 cases for both the right eye and the left eye could not be measured, and there were 22 measurers. As a result, 9 out of 22 (40%) in the right eye and 7 out of 22 (31%) in the left eye were improved. In addition, an average value ± standard deviation was determined for changes in the naked eye vision before and after the intake of the test food. The results are shown in Table 6. As is clear from Table 6, significant changes were observed in any of the left eye, right eye, and dominant eye.

2) Flicker test After confirming that the index was continuous light with a red color (wavelength 66 nm), the right eye and the left eye were each measured twice for a total of 4 times. Center C. F. A comparison was made between before intake and at 4 weeks in the mean of four appearances / disappearances of F. The evaluation method was set to a normal value: 35 Hg or more, a close examination required: 26 to 34 Hg, and an abnormality: 25 Hg or less. As a result, there were no abnormalities in the right eye and the left eye. Regarding the right eye, of 11 cases that required close examination at the first visit (26 to 34 Hg), 9 cases were normalized to normal 35 Hg or more (81%), and 2 cases remained unchanged. Moreover, among 21 cases that were normal 35Hg to 41Hg at the first visit, 7 cases (32%) were further elevated and 14 cases were unchanged. As for the left eye, among 9 cases that required close examination (26-34 Hg) at the first visit, 4 cases (55%) that were normalized to normal 35 Hg or more and 5 cases remained unchanged. In addition, among the 23 cases of 35Hg to 41Hg (normal) for the left eye, 3 were further increased, 3/23 (13%), 19 were unchanged, and 1 was worse.

  Table 7 shows the transition of the flicker value. Although the flicker test is useful for objective fatigue measurement, the flicker value is significantly increased by ingestion of the test food of this example, and the administration of this food also improved eye strain in the physiological examination. Admitted.

3) Accomodogram In the accomodogram, graphs for both the right eye and the left eye were prepared before ingestion, 2 weeks after the start of ingestion, and 4 weeks after the start of ingestion, and were determined using the pattern shown in FIG.

  Further, for the accomodogram, the average value ± standard deviation before and after intake of the test meal was determined using the value obtained by subtracting the second measurement value from the tenth measurement value for each subject as an evaluation scale. The results are shown in Table 8 below. As is clear from Table 8, the change from before ingestion after ingestion tended to improve in any of the left eye, right eye and dominant eye, but a statistically significant difference was observed only in the dominant eye. .

  In addition, there were no cases that seemed to be worsening cases, malfunctions, or side effects in all 32 cases ingesting this test food continuously for 4 weeks. Therefore, it can be evaluated that this test meal is extremely safe.

  Furthermore, as a comparative example 1, a drink containing black soybean seed coat extract for 4 weeks with a healthy daily life in men and women in their 20s to 40s who are complaining of eye strain. Ingested over 4 weeks. The daily intake of black soybean seed coat extract is 300 mg. The drink of Comparative Example 1 contains black soybean seed coat extract but does not contain vitamin E and selenium. During the experiment, subjects were prohibited from taking other supplements, but were not specifically restricted. Seven subjects male and female who obtained consent were examined for subjective symptoms in visual function, visual acuity test, and flicker test.

  Moreover, as a comparative example 2, those who have a healthy daily life in men and women in their 20's to 40's and who are complaining of eye strain, have black soybean seed coat extract and vitamin E for 4 weeks. The containing soft capsules were ingested for 4 weeks. The intake of black soybean seed coat extract per day is 360 mg. The soft capsule of Comparative Example 2 contains black soybean seed coat extract and vitamin E, but does not contain selenium. During the experiment, subjects were prohibited from taking other supplements, but were not specifically restricted. Seven subjects male and female who obtained consent were examined for subjective symptoms in visual function, visual acuity test, and flicker test.

  About the comparative example 1 and the comparative example 2 mentioned above, the subjective investigation of eye strain, visual acuity test, and flicker test were performed as in the experiment of the example. As a result, in Comparative Example 1 and Comparative Example 2, although eye strain was reduced, improvement in visual acuity and improvement in focus adjustment function were not observed. Therefore, ingestion of black soybean seed coat extract alone or in combination with black soybean seed coat extract and vitamin E has no effect on visual acuity recovery, and three of black soybean seed coat extract, vitamin E and selenium are used. It was found that the effect of restoring visual acuity could be demonstrated only when taken in combination.

It is a figure which shows the determination pattern in an accomodogram.

Claims (9)

  A visual function-improving food comprising a black soybean seed coat extract composition extracted from black soybean seed coat as a main component and an antioxidant vitamin and selenium.   The visual function improving food according to claim 1, wherein the antioxidant vitamin is vitamin E.   The visual function improving food according to claim 2, wherein the vitamin E is contained in an amount of 3 mg to 150 mg per 300 mg of the black soybean seed coat extract composition.   The visual function improving food according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the selenium is contained in an amount of 45 µg to 250 µg per 300 mg of black soybean seed coat extract composition.   The visual function improving food according to claim 2, further comprising β-carotene as the antioxidant vitamin.   The visual function improving food according to claim 6, wherein the β-carotene is contained in an amount of 1080 μg to 3600 μg per 300 mg of black soybean seed coat extract composition.   The visual function-improving food according to any one of claims 1 to 6, which is any one of powder, granules, tablets, capsules, beverages and drinks.   A health food evaluation method, comprising: evaluating a health food intake based on a visual function improvement effect in a dominant eye when confirming a visual function improvement effect due to the intake of the health food.   9. The health food evaluation method according to claim 8, wherein the evaluation item for confirming the visual function improvement effect is at least one selected from visual acuity, flicker test, and accomodogram.

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