JP2006075083A - Fermented product obtained from balsam pear - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a fermented product having high bioactivity, and to provide an oral composition and a percutaneous composition each using the fermented product. <P>SOLUTION: The fermented product having high bioactivity is obtained by acting a microbe (especially lactobacillus) on a balsam pear. Concretely, the fermented product excellent in enzyme inhibitory activity such as tyrosinase inhibitory activity, α-glucosidase inhibitory activity and lipase inhibitory activity and in bioactivity such as antioxidation activity. Especially, fermentation with lactobacillus is suitable and its products are utilized as a raw material for many foods and cosmetics, medicines and quasi drugs. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a fermented product obtained by allowing microorganisms to act on bitter gourd, and particularly to a fermented product having various physiological effects by fermenting bitter gourd.

  Fermentation using microorganisms is one of the processing techniques that have been used for a long time. For example, by causing microorganisms to act on raw materials derived from animals and plants, the palatability of raw materials can be improved, and certain substances and new materials can be used. It has been used to produce useful substances.

In recent years, fermenting not only improves the production and palatability of useful substances, but also acquires new physiological activities, such as having an effect of enhancing the physiological activity over the raw material before fermentation. Studies on fermented products with high physiological activity have been made. (For example, Patent Documents 1 to 3)
Patent No. 3060965 No. 06-011216 Japanese Patent No. 3490938

  However, depending on the raw material used, the raw material processing method, the microorganism used, etc., there is a problem that the fermented product does not always have physiological activity, and may not even be fermented. In other words, even if fermentation is performed to obtain a fermented product with high physiological activity, if the method and material in the fermentation are wrongly selected, only a fermented product with low or no physiological activity can be obtained. There is a point.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and its object is to provide a fermented product having high physiological activity, and an oral composition and a transdermal composition using the fermented product. It is in.

  The present inventor conducted intensive studies on fermented products obtained by allowing microorganisms to act on animal and plant raw materials, and found that fermented products with superior physiological activity can be obtained by fermenting bitter gourd with microorganisms. Invented.

  That is, the fermented material of the present invention is obtained by allowing microorganisms to act on bitter gourd.

  Preferably, the microorganism is a lactic acid bacterium.

  More preferably, it has at least one of enzyme inhibitory activity and antioxidant activity.

  Moreover, the composition for oral use of this invention is characterized by containing the said fermented material.

  Furthermore, the transdermal composition of the present invention is characterized by containing the fermented product.

  According to the present invention, when microorganisms are allowed to act on bitter gourd under predetermined conditions, physiological activities such as enzyme inhibitory activity (eg, tyrosinase inhibitory activity, glucosidase inhibitory activity, lipase inhibitory activity, etc.) and antioxidant activity (eg, SOD activity) are exhibited. A fermented product can be obtained. For example, if a lactic acid bacterium is used as the microorganism, such a highly physiologically fermented product can be obtained. Furthermore, if the fermented product is used, an oral composition and a transdermal composition having a cosmetic effect and the like can be obtained.

  Hereinafter, the fermented product of the present invention will be described. In addition, the form demonstrated below does not limit this invention. That is, the present invention can be variously modified within the scope of the gist of the present invention.

(Goya)
The bitter gourd used in the present invention is a plant belonging to the same cucurbitaceae family as cucumber, tougan, watermelon, melon, etc., and is widely distributed from Southeast Asia to southern China, Africa, South America, and the tropical regions. Originally, bitter gourd has been widely used as a medicinal vegetable for healthy stomach and immune diseases in China and Southeast Asia, and various effects such as appetite increase, blood circulation promotion, anti-inflammatory analgesia have been revealed. In the present invention, bitter gourd can use its fruits, leaves, stems and the like as raw materials.

  When obtaining the fermented product of the present invention, the bitter gourd that has been crushed by a method usually used by those skilled in the art such as cutting and grinding after washing is used. When the crushed bitter gourd is used, the size of the crushed material is not particularly limited, but preferably a crushed material having a particle size of 5000 μm or less, more preferably about 20 μm to 5000 μm.

  In the present invention, a solution (squeezed juice) obtained by solid-liquid separation after crushing can also be used as a crushed product. Furthermore, after extracting the bitter gourd or its crushed material, it may be used after solid-liquid separation. In addition, it is preferable to use bitter gourd or its crushed material without performing solid-liquid separation in terms of being able to ferment all components of bitter gourd, that is, insoluble components and water-soluble components.

  The bitter gourd and its crushed material may be subjected to heat treatment or frozen storage for the purpose of preventing the propagation of miscellaneous bacteria. In particular, frozen storage is preferable from the viewpoint of maintaining components and flavor contained in bitter gourd, and is employed when the next step is not performed immediately.

  In order to perform fermentation efficiently, the bitter gourd or its crushed material may be added with water as necessary. There is no restriction | limiting in particular in the amount of water. For example, the lower limit of the amount of water added is 0.1 parts by mass or more, preferably 0.5 parts by mass or more, and the upper limit of the amount of water added is 30 parts by mass with respect to 1 part by mass of bitter gourd or its crushed material. Or less, preferably 10 parts by mass or less.

(Enzyme treatment process and neutralization process)
Next, a process for promoting fermentation of bitter gourd or its crushed material will be described. Examples of the process for promoting such fermentation include a cell wall decomposing process using an enzyme and a neutralizing process. In addition, this process may use only 1 type of the said cell wall decomposition | disassembly process process and a neutralization process process, and may use both.

  Examples of the enzyme that can be used in the cell wall degradation treatment step with an enzyme include amylase, pectinase, endoarabanase, cellulase, hemicellulase, endo β-glucanase, exo β-glucanase, xylase, β-glucosidase and the like. . Of these, pectinase is preferably used. Of course, you may mix and use the said enzyme. Particularly preferred is a mixed enzyme of pectinase and at least one enzyme selected from the group consisting of amylase, endoarabanase, endo β-glucanase, exo β-glucanase, xylanase, and β-glucosidase. The amount of addition varies depending on the type of enzyme, but is usually added so that the enzyme concentration is 0.0001 to 0.5 mass / volume%, preferably 0.0005 to 0.3 mass / volume%. The

  The enzyme treatment conditions may be set as appropriate according to the shape of bitter gourd to be treated, the type of enzyme, and the enzyme concentration. For example, the lower limit of the temperature in the enzyme treatment may be 30 ° C or higher, preferably 35 ° C or higher, and the upper limit may be 75 ° C or lower, preferably 70 ° C or lower. The time for enzyme treatment (enzyme reaction time) may be, for example, a lower limit of 30 minutes or longer, preferably 1 hour or longer, and an upper limit of 72 hours or shorter, preferably 48 hours or shorter.

  When the enzyme treatment is performed, for example, a fermentation inhibiting factor (for example, a polysaccharide constituting a cell wall such as pectin) can be decomposed, and as a result, the fermentation can be completed in a short time. Thus, if fermentation can be completed in a short time, for example, when there is a component (such as ascorbic acid) that is not desired to be lost by fermentation, the loss of such component can be minimized. . As a specific example, a fermented bitter gourd with little loss due to fermentation (for example, loss of ascorbic acid) can be obtained.

  Furthermore, for example, when a polysaccharide is decomposed by an enzyme treatment, a degradation product (monosaccharide, oligosaccharide, etc.) of the polysaccharide is generated. These become new components in the fermented bitter gourd obtained. For example, oligosaccharides have various effects such as intestinal regulation and promoting solubilization of fermented products. Monosaccharides are thought to further become nutrients necessary for the growth of microorganisms and promote the production of useful substances of microorganisms.

  The neutralization treatment is performed for fermentation at an optimum pH. For example, the pH of bitter gourd or its crushed material is adjusted to 4.0 to 7.5. Adjustment of pH is performed using the usual method used by those skilled in the art. For example, pH adjusters such as sodium hydroxide, calcium hydroxide, sodium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate, sodium citrate, etc., electrolyzed water, buffer solution (eg citrate buffer solution, acetate buffer solution, phosphate buffer solution) etc. are added. PH can be adjusted.

  Both the enzyme treatment and the neutralization treatment described above are useful in that the loss of effective components contained in bitter gourd can be reduced by accelerating fermentation and fermenting in a relatively short time. And, by combining the processed gourd or the crushed material thereof with the enzyme treatment or neutralization treatment with a microorganism having a high fermentation ability (for example, a specific lactic acid bacterium described later) and performing fermentation in the following fermentation process, For example, fermentation can be completed in 24 hours to 72 hours).

(Fermentation process)
Next, the fermentation process will be described. The fermented product of the present invention can be obtained by fermenting the bitter gourd or its crushed material, or fermenting bitter gourd treated with at least one of the enzyme treatment and neutralization treatment.

  Examples of fermentation include lactic acid fermentation, citric acid fermentation, alcohol fermentation, and acetic acid fermentation. Among these, lactic acid fermentation is preferable, and these fermentations may be combined. The fermentation time is preferably finished, for example, in 24 hours to 72 hours. Moreover, lactic acid bacteria, yeasts, acetic acid bacteria, etc. are used according to the kind of fermentation. Yeast and acetic acid bacteria are particularly preferably used because of their strong acid resistance.

(Lactic acid fermentation)
Lactic acid fermentation is performed by bringing the bitter gourd or its crushed material into contact with lactic acid bacteria. Lactic acid fermentation is preferable in that lactic acid is contained in the obtained fermented product. Regarding the amount of lactic acid contained, per 100 g of dry mass of the fermented product, lactic acid is 0.1 mg (0.0001 mass%) or more, preferably 0.5 mg (0.0005 mass%) or more, in terms of dry mass. Preferably it is 1 mg (0.001 mass%) or more.

  Examples of lactic acid bacteria that can be used in the present invention include lactic acid bacteria classified into the genus Leuconostoc, Lactobacillus, Streptococcus, Bifidobacterium, Pediococcus, Enterococcus, and Pediococcus. Can be mentioned. Specific examples of lactic acid bacteria that can be used in the present invention include Leuconostoc mesenteroides, Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus brevis, Lactobacillus brevis, Lactobacillus delvis. Lactobacillus delbrueckii (more specifically, Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. Bulgaricus), Lactobacillus gasseri (Lactobacillus gassili), Lactobacillus acidophilus acillus casei), Streptococcus thermophilus, Streptococcus faecalis (Bifidobacterium longum), Bifidobacterium longum (Bifidobacterium longum) lactis), Bacillus mesentericus, and the like.

  In the present invention, bitter gourd is used as a material to be fermented, so lactic acid bacteria that do not require milk components, for example, lactic acid bacteria found in pickles may be used. Specific examples of such lactic acid bacteria include Lactobacillus plantarum, Leuconostoc mesenteroides, Enterococcus faecalis, Enterococcus faecalis, Enterococcus faecalis, (Lactobacillus brevis), Pediococcus acidilactici, Pediococcus pentoaceaceus, Pediococcus halophyllus (Pediococcus halophilus) lus).

  In the present invention, the lactic acid bacteria may be used alone or in combination with different types of lactic acid bacteria.

  In the present invention, if fermentation is performed using microorganisms (particularly lactic acid bacteria), the obtained fermented product has at least one of enzyme inhibitory activity and antioxidant activity. Examples of the enzyme inhibitory activity herein include tyrosinase inhibitory activity, lipase inhibitory activity, and glucosidase inhibitory activity (for example, α-glucosidase inhibitory activity). Moreover, as an antioxidant activity here, superoxide dismutase activity (SOD activity) is mentioned, for example. Therefore, it is useful to ferment bitter gourd using microorganisms (particularly lactic acid bacteria).

  In performing the fermentation, the microorganism (particularly lactic acid bacteria) is added in an amount of 0.005 to 10 parts by mass, preferably 0.01 to 5.0 parts by mass in terms of dry cell mass, with respect to 100 parts by mass of bitter gourd or its crushed material. It is good.

  Moreover, you may add the additive for growth for the preferential growth of lactic acid bacteria. Examples of the growth additive herein include glutamic acid or a salt thereof, yeast extract, peptone, and the like. Although the addition amount of the additive for growth is not particularly limited, it is about 0.05 to 1% by mass, preferably about 0.2% by mass with respect to bitter gourd or its crushed material.

  Moreover, in order to promote fermentation of lactic acid bacteria, lactic acid bacteria metabolic sugar may be added. This addition of sugar is useful when fermenting a plant having a low sugar content (for example, a plant having a sugar content of less than 1% by mass). Of course, sugar may be added for the purpose of promoting fermentation and adding sweetness to the fermented product. When sugar is added, the type is not particularly limited, but it is preferable to add sugar that can be used for growth or fermentation of lactic acid bacteria. For example, sucrose, glucose, fructose, maltose and the like are preferably added. Of course, sugars other than the sugars exemplified here may be added. About the quantity of the sugar to add, it is preferable to add so that sugar content may become about 1-6 mass% in total with the sugar content of bitter gourd.

  In lactic acid fermentation, in order to create an environment where lactic acid bacteria can preferentially grow, it is preferable to adjust the pH of bitter gourd or its crushed material in advance by neutralization treatment. For example, in the case of using Lactobacillus plantarum, if the fermentation is started after adjusting the pH to about 4.0, the fermentation can be completed in a short period of time.

  Lactic acid fermentation is preferably performed under anaerobic conditions from the viewpoint of suppressing the decomposition of ascorbic acid. Anaerobic conditions are, for example, by putting bitter gourd or its crushed material into a fermentor and then degassing, or by sealing the fermenter, filling with a gas such as nitrogen or carbon dioxide, or depressurizing, Or it is obtained by combining them. Moreover, the flavor of the fermented material obtained by performing fermentation under anaerobic conditions also becomes good.

  There are no particular restrictions on the conditions for lactic acid fermentation. Fermentation temperature can be normally performed at 4 to 50 degreeC. What is necessary is just to set fermentation time suitably according to fermentation temperature, and when performing fermentation at 20 to 50 degreeC, they are 12 hours-72 hours, Preferably they are 24 hours-72 hours. Furthermore, when performing low temperature fermentation of 4 degreeC-10 degreeC for the purpose of improving a flavor, when the loss of the components contained in bitter gourd, such as ascorbic acid, is considered, 5 days-14 days are preferable.

  Lactic acid fermentation can be stopped by adding sugar. Examples of such sugars include sugar alcohols (for example, sorbitol), oligosaccharides (for example, maltooligosaccharide, chitooligosaccharide, fructooligosaccharide) and the like. Such oligosaccharides are effective for intestinal regulation, prevention of dental caries, and the like, and can impart functionality to the obtained fermented product.

  Lactic acid fermentation not only uses components in bitter gourd to produce useful components such as organic acids and oligosaccharides, but also can maintain the fermented product at a low pH, thereby preventing the propagation of other bacteria. . In addition, because lactic acid bacteria are added, a bitter gourd fermented product with high physiological activity such as flavor improvement, bowel regulation and enzyme inhibition can be obtained.

(Citric acid fermentation)
Citric acid fermentation is generally performed by culturing yeast in contact with bitter gourd or its crushed material under aerobic conditions. In citric acid fermentation, it is preferable to add lactic acid bacteria and ferment, because the growth of yeast is easily promoted and the preference of the obtained fermented product is also increased.

  As yeast, sake yeast, wine yeast, beer yeast, baker's yeast and the like are used. For example, yeast belonging to the genus Saccharomyces, Schizosaccharomyces, etc. is used, and preferred examples include Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Saccharomyces pastorianus, Schizosaccharomyces pombe and the like. In particular, Saccharomyces cerevisiae and its isolates are preferred in terms of producing useful substances such as amino acids and vitamins.

  Yeast is added in an amount of 0.001 to 15 parts by mass, preferably 0.01 to 10 parts by mass in dry mass, with respect to 100 parts by mass of bitter gourd or its crushed material.

  Citric acid fermentation is carried out at 4 ° C. to 40 ° C., preferably 10 ° C. to 35 ° C. for 24 hours to 14 days while adding bitter gourd or its crushed material and yeast to the fermenter and stirring with aeration. In particular, when bitter gourd is acidic, the aroma component is increased by yeast fermentation, so that a fermented product with higher palatability can be obtained.

  Since citric acid fermentation is performed using yeast, amino acids, proteins, vitamins and the like produced by yeast are contained in the fermented product, which is preferable in terms of high nutritional value and excellent palatability.

(Alcohol fermentation and acetic acid fermentation)
Alcohol fermentation is performed by culturing yeast in contact with bitter gourd or its crushed material under anaerobic conditions. The kind and amount of yeast used for alcoholic fermentation are the same as in the case of the citric acid fermentation. The fermentation conditions are the same as in the above citric acid fermentation except that the conditions are anaerobic. The fermented bitter gourd thus obtained by alcohol fermentation is preferably subjected to acetic acid fermentation described below.

  Acetic acid fermentation is performed by adding alcohol to bitter gourd or its crushed material to obtain a predetermined alcohol concentration, and then adding a microorganism (acetic acid bacterium) capable of acetic acid fermentation. In general, acetic acid fermentation is performed by culturing a microorganism (acetic acid bacterium) in contact with bitter gourd or a crushed material thereof under aerobic conditions. Alternatively, acetic acid bacteria may be added to the fermented bitter gourd obtained by the above alcohol fermentation to cause two-stage fermentation.

  The alcohol concentration is not particularly limited as long as it is a concentration at which acetic acid bacteria can grow, and may be appropriately adjusted according to fermentation time and the like. Preferably it is 10 mass / volume% or less, More preferably, it is 1-6 mass / volume%.

  Examples of the acetic acid bacteria include microorganisms belonging to the genus Acetobacter, such as Acetobacter aceti, Acetobacter pasteurianus, Acetobacter hanseni, and the like.

  The acetic acid bacteria are preferably precultured in an appropriate medium at 15 to 40 ° C, preferably 25 to 35 ° C for 6 to 48 hours. The pre-cultured acetic acid bacteria can be obtained, for example, as follows. First, acetic acid bacteria were added to 1 L of acetic acid bacteria medium (pH 7.0) containing 200 g of potato, 30 g of crushed yeast, 5 g of liver extract, 5 g of meat extract, 10 g of thioglycolic acid medium, 5 g of glucose, 15 g of glycerol, and 15 g of calcium carbonate. Add and pre-incubate at 15-40 ° C. for 24 hours. Next, the obtained culture is centrifuged, and the collected cells are washed with sterilized water, and centrifuged again to remove the supernatant, thereby obtaining pre-cultured acetic acid bacteria.

  Acetic acid fermentation can be performed by any of stirring culture, shaking culture, and stationary culture. The fermentation temperature is 10 ° C to 40 ° C, preferably 20 ° C to 35 ° C. Fermentation time is suitably set according to the addition amount of acetic acid bacteria, and usually 1 day to 1 week is suitable.

  After the fermentation, it may be further sterilized or sterilized as necessary. For example, methods commonly used by those skilled in the art such as pressure sterilization, heat exchange sterilization, steam sterilization, and ultrafiltration are used. In the case of heat sterilization, for example, it is performed at 60 ° C. to 120 ° C. for 5 seconds to 12 hours.

(Fermented product)
The fermented product obtained by fermenting bitter gourd in this way (fermented bitter gourd) may be used as it is, or may be used in various embodiments depending on the processing method usually used by those skilled in the art as necessary. . Examples of such an embodiment include a fermented extract obtained by solid-liquid separation of a fermented product as described above and collecting the supernatant, a fermented paste obtained by concentrating the fermented product or the fermented extract, and the fermentation Or a fermented powder or fermented extract powder obtained by drying / pulverizing the product or the fermented extract. These are all aspects of fermented bitter gourd.

  One embodiment of the fermented bitter gourd is fermented powder or fermented extract powder. Specifically, these fermented powder or fermented extract powder can be obtained by drying and pulverizing the fermented product or fermented extract. Drying may be performed by various methods commonly used by those skilled in the art, but freeze drying and spray drying are preferably used. Spray drying is performed by adding excipients such as dextrin, cyclodextrin, starch, and maltose as necessary. When the fermented product is dried, the mixing ratio of the fermented product or fermented extract and the excipient is preferably 1: 5 to 10: 1 by mass ratio, and when the fermented extract is dried, the mass ratio is preferably 1:10 to 10: 1. 5: 1. Browning of the fermented powder or fermented extract powder obtained by drying at the above mixing ratio can be prevented.

  The fermented product of the present invention has a good fragrance and flavor and is excellent in palatability. And by fermentation, the novel function (activity) which bitter gourd originally has can be provided, or the physiological activity which bitter gourd originally has can be enhanced. That is, a fermented product having higher physiological activity can be produced after fermentation than before fermentation. Examples of the novel function (activity) and physiological activity mentioned here include enzyme inhibitory activity and antioxidant activity.

  Specific examples of the novel function (activity) that bitter gourd originally does not have include glucosidase inhibitory activity (for example, α-glucosidase inhibitory activity). In addition, specific examples of the physiological activity that bitter gourd originally has and are enhanced include tyrosinase inhibitory activity, lipase inhibitory activity, and antioxidant activity (SOD activity). Fermented bitter gourd having such an activity can be used as various functional foods and pharmaceutical raw materials.

  As described above, the fermented bitter gourd of the present invention has various physiological activities such as tyrosinase inhibitory activity, α-glucosidase inhibitory activity, and antioxidant activity, and thus various actions and effects can be expected. For example, according to the tyrosinase inhibitory activity, effects such as skin whitening effect and improvement of the skin can be expected. According to the α-glucosidase inhibitory activity, an effect of inhibiting digestion and absorption of sugar, an effect of suppressing an increase in blood glucose level, an effect of preventing diabetes and diabetic complications, and an anti-obesity effect can be expected. According to the lipase inhibitory activity, a lipid digestion absorption inhibitory effect, a blood lipid rise inhibitory effect, an anti-obesity effect, and the like can be expected. According to the antioxidant activity, a beauty effect, aging prevention, etc. can be expected.

(Oral composition and transdermal composition)
The bitter gourd fermented product of the present invention has the activity as described above. Therefore, it is very useful to contain the fermented bitter gourd according to the present invention and use it as a transdermal composition or oral composition.

  The transdermal composition and oral composition of the present invention contain the fermented product. Of course, other components can be contained as required. The oral composition mentioned here includes foods, pharmaceuticals intended for oral administration, quasi drugs and the like. Further, the transdermal composition referred to here includes cosmetics, pharmaceuticals intended for transdermal administration, quasi-drugs, toiletries and the like.

  In the composition of the present invention, the content of the fermented product is not particularly limited. However, in consideration of obtaining the physiological effect of the bitter gourd, the following amount is preferable. For example, when it is set as an oral composition (when aiming at oral administration, such as food), the lower limit of content of fermented material is 0.001 mass% or more, Preferably it is 0.01 mass% or more. The upper limit of the content of the fermented product is 100% or less, preferably 70% or less. In the case of a transdermal composition (for the purpose of transdermal administration such as cosmetics), the lower limit of the fermented product content is 0.00001% by mass or more, preferably 0.0001% by mass or more. The upper limit of the content of the fermented product is 50% by mass or less, preferably 30% by mass or less.

  As described above, the composition of the present invention may contain various components as necessary. What is necessary is just to determine content of a various component arbitrarily in consideration of a use etc. Examples of the various components mentioned here include components that can be added as ordinary foods, specifically excipients, extenders, binders, thickeners (for example, agar), emulsifiers, lubricants, and wets. Ingredients (base materials, animal and plant extracts, etc.) that can be added as agents, suspensions, colorants (pigments), food additives, seasonings, etc., or quasi-drugs, cosmetics, and toiletries. Of course, these various components may be contained alone or in combination.

  Specific examples of the various components include royal jelly, propolis, vitamins (A, B group, C, D, E, K, folic acid, pantothenic acid, biotin, derivatives thereof, etc.) minerals (iron, magnesium, calcium, Zinc, etc.), selenium, chitin / chitosan, lecithin, polyphenol (condensed tannins such as catechins, anthocyanins, proanthocyanidins, hydrolyzed tannins such as gallotannins, flavonoids, derivatives thereof, etc.), carotenoids (lycopene, astaxanthin) Zeaxanthin, lutein, etc.), saponins (isoflavones, ginsaneoids, glycyrrhizic acid, etc.), xanthine derivatives (caffeine, etc.), fatty acids, amino acids, proteins (collagen, elastin, etc.), mucopolysaccharides (hyaluronic acid, chondroitin, derma) , Heparan, heparin, ketalan, and their salts), amino sugars (glucosamine, acetylglucosamine, galactosamine, acetylgalactosamine, neuraminic acid, acetylneuraminic acid, hexosamine, their salts, etc.), dietary fiber (indigestible dextrin) , Alginic acid, guar gum, pectin, glucomannan, etc.), oligosaccharides (isomalto-oligosaccharides, cyclic oligosaccharides, etc.), phospholipids and derivatives thereof (phosphatidylcholine, sphingomyelin, ceramide, etc.), sulfur-containing compounds (allyin, sepaene, Taurine, glutathione, methylsulfonylmethane, etc.), sugar alcohols, quinones (coenzyme Q10, etc.), lignans (sesamin, etc.), animal and plant extracts containing these, root vegetables (turmeric, ginger, etc.), wheat leaves, etc. Green leaves of grass family, ke Such as the green leaves of cruciferous plants such as Le and the like. Furthermore, beverages containing these food additives, for example, plant fermented juice, vegetable juice (for example, carrot juice), plant extract, fruit juice, etc. may be used as the above various components, and by containing these, Beverages with high functionality or nutritional value can be obtained.

  Of course, you may add a seasoning as said various components. Specific examples of the seasoning herein include sweeteners such as granulated sugar, honey and sorbit, acidulants such as alcohol, citric acid, malic acid and tartaric acid, and flavors.

  The composition of the present invention can be prepared and used in various forms according to the purpose. For example, when used as an oral composition for foods, etc., those skilled in the art usually use capsules such as hard capsules and soft capsules, tablets, pills, powders (powder), granules, tea bags, liquids (beverages), pastes, etc. It can be set as the form used. Furthermore, the liquid etc. can be processed into jelly, sorbet, frozen yogurt or ice cream. These may be taken as they are, depending on the shape or preference, or can be taken by dissolving in water, hot water, milk, etc. or leaching the ingredients. In the case of beverages, if the pH is low, it can be sterilized under sterilization conditions of 100 ° C. or lower without complete sterilization at 120 ° C. for 4 minutes. For example, when the pH is 4.0 or less, it can be sufficiently sterilized under sterilization conditions corresponding to 65 ° C. and 10 minutes. When used as a transdermal composition (quasi-drugs, cosmetics, toiletries, etc.), for example, lotion, cosmetic cream, emulsion, pack, hair tonic, shampoo, hair rinse, treatment, body shampoo, facial preparation , Soap, foundation, lipstick, hair restorer, ointment, bathing agent, dentifrice, mouthwash, ship, gel and the like.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described with reference to examples. In addition, this invention is not restrict | limited by the following Example.

(Example 1: Preparation of fermented product)
First, edible bitter gourd was crushed with a food processor. Next, a bitter gourd diluted solution was prepared by adding ion-exchange water (2 mass parts) to the obtained crushed material (1 mass part) and stirring.

  Next, lactic acid bacteria etc. were added to the bitter gourd dilution. Specifically, lactic acid bacteria (80 mg) and glucose (3 mass / volume%) were added to a bitter gourd diluted solution (80 g) that does not undergo solid-liquid separation. The Erlenmeyer flask (200 mL) was then sealed with a silicon stopper, and fermented at 35 ° C. for 24 hours with light shaking under anaerobic conditions. After fermentation, the obtained fermented bitter gourd was filtered to obtain a fermentation broth.

  The lactic acid bacteria used for the fermentation were (1) Lactobacillus plantarum Viniflora strain (Christian Hansen), (2) Lactobacillus casei (Christian Hansen), (3) Bifidobacterium longum ( (4) Bacillus mecentericus (manufactured by Toa Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.).

  In addition, when performing fermentation, the acidity before and behind fermentation was measured by the neutralization titration method using 1N sodium hydroxide (NaOH). In the measurement of the acidity, the acidity after fermentation was measured using the fermentation broth. The acidity before fermentation was measured by immediately filtering a product obtained by adding lactic acid bacteria to a bitter gourd diluted solution, and using the filtrate obtained by the filtration. The results are shown in Table 1.

  From Table 1, an increase in acidity was observed 24 hours after adding lactic acid bacteria such as Lactobacillus plantarum Viniflora strain, Lactobacillus casei, Bifidobacterium longum, and Bacillus mecentericus to bitter gourd. This indicates that bitter gourd can be fermented using any lactic acid bacterium of the above four types of lactic acid bacteria.

  The fermentation broth was sterilized at 95 ° C. for 8 seconds, and then freeze-dried. By this freeze-drying, various dry powders (bitter gourd extract powder) of bitter gourd fermentation liquid fermented with each lactic acid bacterium could be obtained.

(Example 2: Tyrosinase inhibitory activity)
Tyrosinase inhibitory activity (inhibition rate) was measured by the following method.

  First, the fermentation broth (100 μL) described in Example 1 and a tyrosinase solution (100 μL, 112 units / mL) were mixed and held at 37 ° C. for 10 minutes. The tyrosinase solution used here is a solution prepared by dissolving tyrosinase (800 units / mg) manufactured by Funakoshi in a phosphate buffer solution (1/15 M, pH 7.0).

  Then, 0.03 mass / volume% DOPA solution (100 μL) was added, and the mixture was further maintained at 37 ° C. for 5 minutes to obtain a test solution. Then, the absorbance (475 nm) of the test solution was measured. The result obtained by this measurement is defined as a measurement value A. In addition, the 0.03 mass / volume% DOPA solution was prepared by dissolving L-DOPA (manufactured by Wako Pure Chemical Industries, Ltd.) in a phosphate buffer solution (1/15 M, pH 7.0).

  As controls, the following measured values B to D were used.

  The measured value B is a value when no fermentation broth is added. Specifically, in the same manner as the method for obtaining the measurement value A except that a phosphate buffer (1/15 M, pH 7.0) was used instead of the fermentation broth described in Example 1. The measured value B was obtained.

  The measurement value C is a blank of the measurement value A. Specifically, the measurement value C is obtained by the same method as the method for obtaining the measurement value A except that a phosphate buffer (1/15 M, pH 7.0) is used instead of the tyrosinase solution. did.

  The measurement value D is a blank of the measurement value B. Specifically, the measurement value D is obtained by the same method as the method for obtaining the measurement value B except that a phosphate buffer (1/15 M, pH 7.0) is used instead of the tyrosinase solution. did.

  The tyrosinase inhibition rate (%) was calculated using the measured values A to D before and after fermentation for each lactic acid bacterium and the following formula (I). The results are shown in Table 2 in Example 6 below. This measurement is based on a triple measurement (n = 3 per group).

  In addition, about the tyrosinase inhibition rate before fermentation, it replaced with the fermentation liquid of the said Example 1, The method similar to the above except having used the solution before fermentation obtained by filtering the crushed material before fermentation. Calculated with

(Example 3: α-glucosidase inhibitory activity)
Α-glucosidase inhibitory activity (inhibition rate) was measured by the following method.

  First, the fermentation broth (80 μL) described in Example 1 and a substrate aqueous solution (p-nitrophenyl-α-D-glucopyranoside, 0.02 M, 40 μL) were mixed and held at 37 ° C. for 5 minutes. Next, an α-glucosidase solution (0.04 μg / mL, 40 μL) was added, and the mixture was further maintained at 37 ° C. for 15 minutes.

  Next, an aqueous sodium carbonate solution (0.2 M, 160 μL) was added to obtain a test solution. And the light absorbency (400 nm) of the test liquid was measured. The result obtained by this measurement is defined as a measurement value A.

  The α-glucosidase solution (0.04 μg / mL) was prepared as follows. First, bovine serum albumin is dissolved in a phosphate buffer (1/15 M, pH 7.0) to obtain a 0.2% bovine serum albumin solution. Next, a 0.1 mg / mL solution was prepared using α-glucosidase (manufactured by Wako Pure Chemical Industries, Ltd.) and a phosphate buffer (1/15 M, pH 7.0), and the solution was used as the above bovine serum albumin. The solution was diluted 2500 times to obtain an α-glucosidase solution (0.04 μg / mL).

  As controls, the following measured values B to D were used.

  The measured value B is a value when no fermentation broth is added. Specifically, in the same manner as the method for obtaining the measurement value A except that a phosphate buffer (1/15 M, pH 7.0) was used instead of the fermentation broth described in Example 1. The measured value B was obtained.

  The measurement value C is a blank of the measurement value A. Specifically, the fermentation liquid (80 μL) described in Example 1 and a substrate aqueous solution (p-nitrophenyl-α-D-glucopyranoside, 0.02 M, 40 μL) are mixed and held at 37 ° C. for 20 minutes. did. Next, an aqueous sodium carbonate solution (0.2 M, 160 μL) was added, and an α-glucosidase solution (0.04 μg / mL, 40 μL) was further added to obtain a control test solution. Then, the absorbance (400 nm) of the control test solution was measured. The result obtained by this measurement is defined as a measurement value C.

  The measurement value D is a blank of the measurement value B. Specifically, a phosphate buffer (1/15 M, pH 7.0, 80 μL) and a substrate aqueous solution (p-nitrophenyl-α-D-glucopyranoside, 0.02 M, 40 μL) were mixed, and the mixture was mixed at 37 ° C. For 20 minutes. Next, an aqueous sodium carbonate solution (0.2 M, 160 μL) was added, and an α-glucosidase solution (0.04 μg / mL, 40 μL) was further added to obtain a control test solution. Then, the absorbance (400 nm) of the control test solution was measured. The result obtained by this measurement is defined as a measurement value D.

  The α-glucosidase inhibition rate was calculated using the measured values A to D before and after fermentation for each lactic acid bacterium and the following formula (II). The results are shown in Table 2 in Example 6 below. This measurement is based on a triple measurement (n = 3 per group).

  Moreover, about the alpha-glucosidase inhibition rate before fermentation, it was the same as the above except having used the solution before fermentation obtained by filtering the crushed material before fermentation instead of the fermentation liquid as described in the said Example 1. It was calculated by the method.

(Example 4: Lipase inhibitory activity)
The lipase inhibitory activity (inhibition rate) was measured by the following method.

  First, milk diluted 3-fold with distilled water was adjusted to pH 8.5 with 10 mass / volume% sodium carbonate aqueous solution to obtain a substrate solution. Next, the fermentation liquid (1 mL), the substrate solution (4 mL) and distilled water (1 mL) described in Example 1 are mixed, and the pH of the mixed liquid is adjusted using a 10 mass / volume% sodium carbonate aqueous solution. The substrate mixture was obtained by adjusting to 8.5. The pH was adjusted using a pH meter while maintaining the temperature of the liquid at 37 ° C.

  Next, a lipase solution (0.04 mass / volume%, 2 mL) was added to the substrate mixture and held at 37 ° C. for 20 minutes. Thereafter, the pH of the liquid was measured using a pH meter. The result obtained by this pH measurement is defined as a measurement value A.

  The lipase solution was prepared as follows. First, the pH of distilled water was adjusted to 8.5 using a 10 mass / volume% sodium carbonate aqueous solution. Next, lipase (manufactured by Wako Pure Chemical Industries, Ltd.) was dissolved in the distilled water having a pH of 8.5 to obtain a 0.04 mass / volume% lipase solution.

  As controls, the following measured values B to D were used.

  The measured value B is a value when no fermentation broth is added. Specifically, measurement value B was obtained in the same manner as the method for obtaining measurement value A, except that distilled water was used instead of the fermentation broth described in Example 1.

  The measurement value C is a blank of the measurement value A. Specifically, in the method for obtaining the measurement value A, the pH value before adding the lipase solution (that is, pH = 8.5) was defined as the measurement value C.

  The measurement value D is a blank of the measurement value B. Specifically, in the method for obtaining the measurement value B, the pH value before adding the lipase solution (that is, pH = 8.5) was defined as the measurement value D.

  The lipase inhibition rate was calculated using the measured values A to D before and after fermentation for each lactic acid bacterium and the following formula (III). The results are shown in Table 2 in Example 6 below. This measurement is based on a triple measurement (n = 3 per group).

  Moreover, about the lipase inhibition rate before fermentation, the method similar to the above except having used the solution before fermentation obtained by filtering the crushed material before fermentation instead of the fermentation liquid as described in the said Example 1. Calculated with

(Example 5: Antioxidant activity)
Using the fermentation broth obtained in Example 1, superoxide dismutase activity (SOD activity) was measured. Specifically, an SOD measurement kit (NBT reduction method, SOD Test Wako: manufactured by Wako Pure Chemical Industries, Ltd.) was used. The measurement results are shown in Table 2 of Example 6.

  In addition, about the SOD activity before fermentation, it computed by the method similar to the above except having used the solution before fermentation obtained by filtering the crushed material before fermentation instead of a fermentation liquid.

(Example 6: Measurement result)
Each inhibition rate calculated in Examples 2 to 5 is shown in Table 2. In Table 2, the mean value ± standard deviation is shown for enzyme inhibitory activity (α-glucosidase inhibition rate, tyrosinase inhibition rate, lipase inhibition rate), and the mean value is shown for antioxidant activity (SOD activity).

  According to Table 2, regarding the tyrosinase inhibition rate, it can be seen that the numerical value after fermentation is larger in all the bacterial species than before fermentation. About lipase inhibitory activity, it turns out that the numerical value after fermentation is large compared with before fermentation by fungal species other than Bacillus mecentericus. That is, compared with before fermentation, physiological activities, such as enzyme inhibitory activity, can be enlarged by fermentation with lactic acid bacteria.

  Moreover, according to Table 2, the α-glucosidase inhibition rate was measured after fermentation by fermentation using Lactobacillus plantarum Viniflora strain, Lactobacillus casei, and Bacillus mecentericus. It can be seen that the numbers are increasing. That is, it can be seen that the α-glucosidase inhibitory activity can be imparted with an inhibitory activity that was not seen before fermentation by using a specific lactic acid bacterium.

  Moreover, according to Table 2, it can be seen that the antioxidant activity (SOD activity) can be improved by fermentation with lactic acid bacteria other than Bifidobacterium longum. In particular, the fermentation activity of Lactobacillus plantarum with the Viniflora strain is markedly improved in antioxidant activity (SOD activity).

The fermented bitter gourd obtained by allowing microorganisms to act on the bitter gourd of the present invention has excellent enzyme inhibitory activity (tyrosinase inhibitory activity, glucosidase inhibitory activity, lipase inhibitory activity) and excellent antioxidant activity (SOD activity). Useful. Fermented bitter gourd having such a function is useful because it can be used as a raw material for oral compositions such as foods and pharmaceuticals or as a raw material for transdermal compositions such as cosmetics.

Claims (5)

  A fermented product obtained by allowing microorganisms to act on bitter gourd.   The fermented product according to claim 1, wherein the microorganism is a lactic acid bacterium.   A fermented product having at least one of enzyme inhibitory activity and antioxidant activity.   An oral composition comprising the fermented product according to any one of claims 1 to 3. A transdermal composition containing the fermented product according to any one of claims 1 to 3.