JP2008050297A - SKIN FUNCTION-IMPROVING AGENT CONTAINING gamma-AMINOBUTYRIC ACID AND SPHINGOLIPID - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a skin function-improving agent enabling oral ingestion and exhibiting high effect in an amount of daily taking it and increasing moisturizing function and barrier function of the skin and preventing and improving skin trouble such as dry skin and atopic dermatitis. <P>SOLUTION: A composition having skin function-improving action is obtained by extracting a waste material (TOBIKO) discharged in production process of devil's tongue with ethanol to provide sphingolipid-containing powder and culturing Lactobacillus brevis by using, as a culture medium, a material obtained by adding yeast extract and sodium glutamate to a liquid obtained by extracting pulverized asparagus with water and obtaining γ-aminobutyric acid-containing powder from the cultured filtrate and then mixing the sphingolipid-containing powder with the γ-aminobutyric acid-containing powder. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a composition having a skin function improving action containing γ-aminobutyric acid and sphingolipid, a skin function improving agent containing the composition as an active ingredient, and a food or drink containing the composition.

  Skin has important functions to protect a living body from irritation and damage from the outside environment, enhance immunity, and suppress allergic reactions. However, when the skin barrier function or moisturizing function decreases due to aging, lack of development, changes in personal constitution, physical condition, etc., rough skin and skin diseases may occur with slight stimulation.

  In particular, many people suffer from dry skin caused by a decrease in the moisture content of the keratin due to dryness, coldness, poor blood circulation, etc., causing small cracks and scales to roughen the skin and impair the appearance, and often cause itching. When it gets worse, it becomes hypersensitive and causes inflammation due to invasion of antigens and allergic reactions to antigens.

  Moreover, it is atopic dermatitis that the number of patients has increased in recent years. Atopic dermatitis is a type of allergic dermatitis, but it has been reported that 20% of children under 5 years of age and 10% of adults have atopic dermatitis. The symptoms of atopic dermatitis are eczema with strong itching. Chronic jerks continue in severe patients. The pain experienced by people in such a state is immeasurable.

  Various methods have been proposed to suppress and ameliorate these symptoms. Among them, γ-aminobutyric acid (hereinafter abbreviated as GABA) and ceramide, a kind of sphingolipid, are included. Use is suggested.

  GABA is a non-protein free amino acid widely present in a small amount in the living world, and is known to act as a neurotransmitter in the brain in humans. It has been reported that when GABA is contained in cosmetics, the skin function is enhanced by the peripheral skin vasodilatory action (for example, Patent Document 1). GABA as a food material has been reported to have physiological effects such as blood pressure lowering action, tranquilizing action, brain function improving action, climacteric disorder symptom reducing action, growth hormone secretion promoting action, neutral fat increase inhibiting action, etc. Reference 2 describes that growth hormone is secreted by ingestion of GABA and, as a result, skin rejuvenation and the like can be expected. However, growth hormone is secreted by the amount of GABA that is normally ingested. It is said that it is necessary to obtain a synergistic effect in combination with amino acids such as valine, leucine, isoleucine, arginine, lysine and histidine.

  Ceramide, a kind of sphingolipid, is a major component of the keratinocyte lipid of the epidermis, and is an important component that plays a role in the barrier properties (moisturizing properties and harmful substance shielding properties) of the epidermis. In patients with atopic dermatitis, the amount of ceramide in intercellular lipids in the stratum corneum is extremely small compared with that of healthy individuals, and the barrier function of the skin is reduced because ceramide is not made sufficiently. (For example, Non-Patent Document 1). It is known that IL-1α production from keratinocytes is increased in skin with a broken barrier. Thus, it has been found that supplementing ceramide to the skin with reduced ceramide is effective in improving the barrier function of the skin and alleviating the symptoms of atopic dermatitis (for example, Non-Patent Document 2). It has also been found that not only ceramide and other sphingolipid components are blended in cosmetics and applied to the skin, but the effect can be obtained even if taken orally (for example, Patent Document 3).

  However, when both GABA and sphingolipid are used as cosmetics, they will fall off from the skin surface due to friction with bathing, clothes, etc., and a sustained effect cannot be expected, requiring frequent application and complicated. In addition, when the application site covers a wide range, it is difficult to apply an effective amount to all the sites and continue the application. In addition, excipients other than active ingredients are usually included in cosmetics, and skin that is in trouble may itself become a stimulus or an antigen, which may further worsen the symptoms.

In order to solve such problems, the method of oral intake is taken, but GABA cannot be expected to be effective at the normal intake as described above, and amino acids such as valine, leucine, isoleucine, arginine, lysine, histidine, etc. Even when combined with the above, the effect was insufficient. On the other hand, sphingolipids are effective when taken orally, but higher effects have been demanded.
Japanese Patent Publication No.58-26726 JP 2004-269361 A Japanese Patent No. 3650587 J. et al. Lipid Res. , Vol. 44, p. 93-102 (2003) Journal of Dermatology, Vol. 90, no. 3, p289-299 (1995)

  Against this background, it can be taken orally, and it is highly effective at daily intakes, improving the skin's moisturizing function and barrier function to prevent skin problems such as dry skin and atopic dermatitis. There is a need for a skin function improving agent that prevents and improves skin function.

  As a result of intensive studies on the above-described problems, the present inventors have found that a synergistic effect can be obtained by taking γ-aminobutyric acid and sphingolipid together, and have completed the present invention.

  That is, the first of the present invention is a gist of a composition having a skin function improving action characterized by containing γ-aminobutyric acid and sphingolipid, and preferably, the sphingolipid is derived from a plant. And more preferably, the composition having the above-mentioned skin function improving action, which is konjac. In the first aspect of the present invention, the composition having an action of improving skin function is preferably a composition wherein γ-aminobutyric acid is obtained from asparagus, and preferably γ-aminobutyric acid is The composition having the above-mentioned action for improving skin function, which is obtained by inoculating and culturing a lactic acid bacterium in a medium containing a composition obtained from asparagus. Moreover, the 1st of this invention is a composition which has the said skin function improvement effect | action, The weight ratio of (gamma) -aminobutyric acid and sphingolipid is 1: 0.003-0.3.

  The second aspect of the present invention is a skin function-improving agent characterized in that any one of the above-described compositions having a skin function-improving action is used as an active ingredient, preferably skin for oral ingestion. It is a function improver.

  The third aspect of the present invention is to provide a food / beverage product containing any one of the aforementioned skin function improving effects.

  According to the present invention, it can be taken orally, and exhibits a high effect in an amount that can be taken on a daily basis, and enhances skin moisturizing function and barrier function to prevent skin troubles such as dry skin and atopic dermatitis. The skin function improving agent which prevents and improves can be provided.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail.

  The GABA used in the present invention may be any GABA as long as it can be taken orally, but is preferably obtained by a fermentation method, an enzymatic method, or extraction from a natural product, rather than a compound from the viewpoint of easy use in food. These may be pure products or GABA-containing materials. These may be self-adjusted or commercially available. In the case of self-adjustment, a method for obtaining a composition containing GABA from a natural product, a method for obtaining a composition having a high GABA content using fermentation by an enzyme contained in food or a microorganism having GABA production ability, and purification from the composition Thus, a method for obtaining high-purity GABA, a method for purifying glutamic acid decarboxylase from foods and microorganisms, and producing GABA can be used. In the case of using a natural product, a composition obtained from asparagus is preferable from the viewpoint of excellent effects of the present invention and a high GABA content. Of the above methods, the GABA content is relatively high and the effect of components other than GABA can be expected. Fermentation with microorganisms is preferable, and as a microorganism, GABA production ability is excellent. The method using lactic acid bacteria is more preferable, and the GABA composition obtained by inoculating and culturing a lactic acid bacterium in a medium containing a composition obtained from asparagus increases the synergistic effect of the present invention. Most preferred.

  The GABA content of the GABA composition is not particularly limited, but preferably GABA is 1% or more, more preferably 5% or more, and most preferably 10% or more. If the GABA content falls below this range, the amount added to the skin function improving agent of the present invention will increase, and therefore the amount of intake that the skin function improving agent will exert will increase, making continuous use difficult. .

  These may be prepared by a known technique, but a method of inoculating and culturing a lactic acid bacterium in a medium containing a composition obtained from asparagus will be further described below.

  The composition obtained from asparagus is a known technique such as pulverization, crushing, grinding, shredding, extraction, pressing, concentration, solid-liquid separation, heat sterilization, filter sterilization, enzyme treatment, drying, etc. It is obtained by combining and processing two or more.

  The composition derived from asparagus obtained by these operations may be used alone for culturing lactic acid bacteria, or may be used by mixing with a known medium for lactic acid bacteria. As such a medium, GYP medium (D-glucose 1%, peptone 0.5%, yeast extract 1%, sodium acetate trihydrate 0.2%, twin 80 0.05%, magnesium sulfate heptahydrate 0 0.02%, manganese sulfate tetrahydrate 10 ppm, iron sulfate heptahydrate 10 ppm, sodium chloride 10 ppm), commercially available GAM medium (Nissui Pharmaceutical), MRS medium (Difco) and the like. All these components may be added to these media, or only one or more arbitrary components may be added.

  The ratio of the composition obtained from asparagus in the medium is not particularly limited, but the sugar concentration derived from the soluble component of the composition obtained from asparagus (in terms of Brix) is 0.1. It is preferably ˜40%, more preferably 0.1 to 20%, and most preferably 0.5 to 5%. If the sugar concentration (in terms of Brix) is outside this range, the growth of lactic acid bacteria becomes extremely poor. When the sugar concentration (converted to Brix) is less than 0.1%, the sugar concentration can be increased. When the sugar concentration (in terms of Brix) exceeds 40%, it is sufficient to add water to reduce it.

  The lactic acid bacteria used in the present invention are not particularly limited as long as they are safe for use in foods and have a GABA producing ability. Examples of such lactic acid bacteria include Lactobacillus brevis, L. hilgardi, L.H. plantaram, L.M. casei, L .; paracasei, L .; helveticus, L.H. bulgaricus, L .; acidophilus, L. et al. sp. Streptococcus lactis, S. et al. Examples include lactic acid bacteria belonging to thermophilus, Enterococcus caseiflavus and the like. Among the lactic acid strains belonging to these strains, L. Lactic acid bacteria belonging to brevis are preferred. Among these, L. brevis UAS-4 (FERM P-20710), L.M. brevis UAS-6 (FERM P-20711), L.M. brevis IFO 3345, L.M. brevis IFO12005 is more preferable because of its high ability to produce GABA.

  Next, methods and conditions for fermentation will be described.

  The method of adding microorganisms can be propagated by inoculating a small amount of cells directly on the composition obtained from asparagus prepared as described above or a medium containing the same, but the cell concentration in a short period of time. In order to raise the amount, it is preferable to inoculate a pre-cultured bacterial solution. As the pre-culture solution, a composition obtained from the same asparagus as in the main culture or a medium containing the same may be used, and any of the known mediums described above may be used. The amount inoculated with the pre-cultured bacterial solution is 1 / 100,000 of the amount of the main culture medium, preferably 1/1000 to 1/10, and preferably 1/200 to 30 minutes. 1 is more preferable. If the inoculum is smaller than this range, there is a problem that it takes time to increase the bacterial cell concentration. It is.

  Moreover, since GABA is produced | generated by decarboxylation of glutamic acid, you may add glutamic acid or / and its salt, or / and those content to a culture medium. Of the glutamic acid used and / or its salt or / and their inclusions, any glutamate can be used, but sodium glutamate, which is a food additive and has excellent solubility in water, is preferred. In addition, any material can be used as the glutamic acid and / or salt thereof, but seasonings such as yeast extract that can be added to foods are preferred. Of these, sodium glutamate, which is excellent in solubility in water, and glutamic acid are desirable in terms of suppressing an increase in pH associated with GABA production, and more preferably a combination thereof.

  The culture temperature during fermentation depends on the strain used, but is 5 ° C to 45 ° C, preferably 15 ° C to 40 ° C, and more preferably 20 ° C to 35 ° C. There is a problem that the growth rate is remarkably inferior even if the culture temperature is higher or lower than this temperature range.

  Although the pH of the culture solution during fermentation depends on the strain used, it is preferably adjusted to 3.5 to 8.0, more preferably 4.0 to 6.5, and more preferably 4.5 to 5. It is most preferable to adjust to 5. When the pH is out of this range, there is a problem that the activity of glutamate decarboxylase is lowered and the production rate of GABA is lowered. Any chemical can be used for pH adjustment, such as hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid, phosphoric acid, nitric acid, glutamic acid, acetic acid, butyric acid, lactic acid, formic acid, succinic acid, maleic acid, malic acid, oxalic acid, citric acid, sodium hydroxide Potassium hydroxide, calcium hydroxide, aqueous ammonia, sodium glutamate and the like. In the present invention, the pH tends to increase according to the production of GABA, and adjustment is mainly performed by adding an acid. Among these, hydrochloric acid, phosphoric acid, glutamic acid, acetic acid, lactic acid, succinic acid, apple Acid and citric acid are more preferable, and hydrochloric acid, glutamic acid, lactic acid and acetic acid are more preferable, and glutamic acid is most preferable because it is also used as a substrate for GABA.

  The oxygen condition during fermentation depends on the strain used, but it can be grown under anaerobic or aerobic conditions. However, since there are strains that can grow under aerobic conditions but the GABA production ability decreases, it is preferable to use anaerobic conditions such as anaerobic conditions or moderate stirring, for example, bubbling or rapid stirring is required. There is no.

  The culture time for fermentation is not particularly limited, but is preferably 2 hours to 10 days, more preferably 5 hours to 5 days, and most preferably 8 hours to -3 days. If the fermentation time is below this range, the conversion from glutamic acid to GABA becomes insufficient, and if it exceeds this range, no further effect can be expected, and the possibility of contamination and growth of bacteria increases.

  The GABA-containing composition produced using the medium can be used as it is, but it can be used after removing the bacterial cells using a known technique, or by concentrating and drying the culture supernatant. It is preferable. In addition, the culture supernatant can be treated with crystallization, ion exchange or the like to improve GABA purity.

  Next, sphingolipid is described.

  The sphingolipid used in the present invention has a structure in which a fatty acid is bonded to an acid amide to a sphingoid base as a basic skeleton, and generally refers to a sphingolipid, a sphingoglycolipid, or a sphingophospholipid. . Specifically, in addition to ceramide, glucosyl ceramide, galactosyl ceramide, lactosyl ceramide and other neutral sugar ceramide, ceramide, sialic acid, uronic acid, etc. directly or via neutral sugar, Examples thereof include sugar ceramide and sphingomyelin obtained by binding a choline phosphate group to ceramide. Of these, glucosylceramide, which has a known skin barrier effect when taken orally alone, is most preferably used.

  In view of providing it orally, it is desirable that the sphingolipid used in the present invention is derived from a natural product, but this is not the case when sufficient safety is ensured.

  When the origin of sphingolipids is required for natural products, the raw materials may be microorganisms, animals, plants, etc. Among them, plants are desirable. Examples of such plant raw materials include almond, Aosa, Aonori, Akaza, Acacia, Akane, Aka grape, Japanese red pine (including pine ani, bamboo shoots, copal. The same applies to pines below), Agaricus, Akinogeshi, Akebi, Asagao, Azalea, Hydrangea, Ashitaba, Azuki, Asparagus, Acerola, Asenyaku, Anise, Avocado, Achacha, Achacharu, Amaryllis, Altea, Arnica, Aloe, Angelica, Apricot, Ansococcus, rush, Izayoibara, Yew, Iki, Ginkgo, Iran Oolong tea, turmeric, euglena, peony, udo, ume, white-tailed oak, mandarin orange, ages, shallot, elephant, smelt, elderflower, pea, orchid, plantain, giant fin Zami, Barley, Ochera, Osmanthus, Hypericum, Odrianthus, Onidokoro, Olive, Oregano, Orange (including orange peel), Carnation, Cacao, Oyster, Oyster, Cuckoo, Kashiwa, Katakuri, Pumpkin, Chamomile, Camcam, Chamomile, Chamomile, Larch, quince, garcinia, cardamom, raspberry, kiwi, kikyo, cabbage (including kale), caraway, cucumber, kumquat, ginnan, guava, wolfberry, kudzu, gardenia, cumin, cranberry, walnut, grapefruit, clove, black pine, Black bean, black beetle, gennoshoco, cowberry, pepper, cosmos, burdock, wheat (including wheat germ), sesame, komatsuna, rice (including rice bran), coriander, konjac rice (kon) Corn, salmon berry, cypress, pomegranate, sweet potato, sugarcane, sugarcane, sugar beet, saffron, pomelo, hawthorn, salamander, cyclamen, perilla, shimeji, jaguar, peony, jasmine, juzudama, Sengoku, Ginger, Ginger, Syringe, Ginkgo biloba, Cinnamon, Watermelon, Sweet pea, Horsetail, Star anise, Star apple, Sudachi, Stevia, Plum, Sage (Salvia), Zeniai, Celery, Senkyu, Cranberry, Buckwheat, Broad bean, Radish, Soybean (Including okara), daidai, thyme, bamboo shoot, onion, tarragon, taro, tanjin, dandelion, chicory, camellia, tsukushi, camellia, camellia, tsutsukusa, tsukusa, tsuruna, tsuwabuki, dill, tempura Oy (Geranium), Toga, Capsicum, Toki, Corn, Dokudami, Tokon, Tochu, Tonerico, Chinese yam, Nazuna, Nutmeg, Nanten, Nigari, Nagimugi, Japanese leek, carrot, garlic, green onion, yarrow, palm, navir, palm , Pineapple, hibiscus, chickweed, basil, parsley, hadakamugi, mint, pearl barley, banana, banaba, vanilla, paprika, hamamelis, beet, bell pepper, ganbana, chickpea, pistachio, cypress, daisies, daisies, hinoki, hinoki, hinoki Castor, sunflower, loquat, phalaenopsis, fenegreek, burdock, blackberry, plum, blueberry (including bilberry), prunes, loofah, safflower, belladonna, bergamot, hou Nuka, spinach, physalis, body bream, buttons, hops, jojoba, maaw, maca, macadamia nuts, matatabi, marigold, mango, honeybee, mimosa, ginger, myrrh, murasaki, mace, melissa, merilot, melon, men (cotton seed oil Including spiders), bean sprouts, cornflowers, pine buds, pine lilies, sagebrushes, eucalyptus, saxifrage, yuzu, lily, yokuinin, yomena (aster), mugwort, lime, rye, lilac, raspberry, peanut, arachis, apple, gentian, lettuce , Lemon, lotus root, lotus root, rose hips, rosemary, bay leaf, wasabi, wasabi (including horseradish), etc. Among them, sweet potato, jaguar, sugarcane, yam, konjac mackerel, nagaimo, etc. Moss Properly, and even more preferably konjac potato. It is preferable to use konjac powder because konjac koji is available at low cost.

  In addition, the fungi in the present invention include mushrooms, and examples of mushrooms include enoki mushrooms, eringi, birch bamboo, jellyfish, shiitake mushrooms, mushrooms, nameko, hatake shimeji, hanabiratake, himematsutake, agaric, kurotake, Examples include Beech swordfish, Beech haritake, Honshimeji, Maitake, Mushroom, Matsutake, Mannentake, Meshimakobu, Yamabushitake, Reishi, and Sphingomonas.

  Animal-derived materials include echinoderms such as sea urchins, starfish, octopus and squid, all or part of the tissues of mollusks, brain and skin tissues of mammals such as horses and cows, and humans, cows, goats, etc. Examples include processed products such as mammalian milk and fermented products thereof. These raw materials such as animals and plants may be used as they are, or may be processed by operations such as drying, grinding and heating.

  To obtain sphingolipids from the above raw materials, extraction with an organic solvent is generally performed. Any solvent can be used as long as it does not impair the effects of the present invention by reacting with components of the extraction raw material during extraction. One kind of solvent may be used alone or a plurality of solvents may be mixed and used.

  Examples of the organic solvent include alcohols such as methanol, ethanol, 1-propanol, 2-propanol, 1-butanol, 2-butanol, and tert-butanol, hexane, pentane, diethyl ether, chloroform, dichloromethane, acetone, acetonitrile, acetic acid. Examples include ethyl and other carbon dioxide, fluoroform, and ethane in a subcritical to supercritical state. Among these, preferred examples include methanol, ethanol, hexane, and acetone, and particularly preferred examples include ethanol.

  The extract obtained by extracting the raw materials as described above with a solvent generally contains many components other than sphingolipids, and is appropriately purified by a known method, and then applied to the present invention. Can be used. The purpose of purification can be various, such as removing impurities that impair the flavor and appearance, and improving the purity of the sphingolipid component, but the purification method can be selected by combining one or more known methods. I can do it. Specifically, fractionation by solvent, partitioning, distillation methods such as steam distillation and molecular distillation, adsorption treatment using activated carbon, silica gel, diatomaceous earth, clay, synthetic clay, column chromatography using silica gel and resin. Examples include graphy.

  What is necessary is just to produce the composition which has the skin function improvement effect | action of this invention using the above-mentioned GABA or GABA containing composition, and a sphingolipid or a sphingolipid containing composition.

  Moreover, the composition which has the skin function improvement effect | action of this invention may contain the substance with the effect | action which improves skin function other than above-mentioned 2 component. The ingredients include vitamins such as vitamin A, vitamin B, vitamin C, vitamin E, and biotin (vitamin H), ubiquinones such as coenzyme Q10, collagen, hyaluronic acid, elastin, various amino acids, β-carotene and lycopene Carotenoids, polyphenols such as Pycnogenol, minerals such as γ-linolenic acid, squalene, chondroitin, zinc, royal jelly, placenta extract, aloe, red clover, rosehip, maca, hawthorn, jujube tea, pearl tea・ Extracted plant extracts such as licorice, reishi, cordyceps, etc.

  The GABA content in the composition for improving skin function of the present invention is not particularly limited, but when taken as a drug, the amount taken daily is 10 to 3,000 mg, more preferably 20 to 1,000 mg. It is preferable to prepare as follows. If the GABA content is below this range, no effect can be expected. If the GABA content exceeds this range, no further effect can be expected, and problems such as side effects may occur.

  The content of sphingolipid in the composition having the skin function improving action of the present invention is not particularly limited, but when taken as a drug, the daily intake is 100 to 5,000 μg, further 600 to 2,400 μg. It is preferable to prepare such that If the sphingolipid content is below this range, no effect can be expected. If the sphingolipid content exceeds this range, no further effect can be expected, and problems such as side effects may occur.

  The weight ratio of GABA and sphingolipid in the composition having an action of improving skin function of the present invention is not particularly limited, but is preferably 1: 0.003-0.3, more preferably 1: 0.01-0. 06. If the weight ratio is outside this range, almost no effect can be obtained in terms of synergistic effect.

  The skin function-improving agent of the present invention comprises the above-described composition having a skin function-improving action as an active ingredient. And as long as the effect is not impaired, it can be formulated into various dosage forms together with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. Examples of the dosage form include oral solid preparations such as tablets, granules, fine granules, powders, capsules and pills, and oral liquid preparations such as solutions, suspensions and emulsions.

  When preparing solid preparations for oral use, it is sufficient to use those conventionally used, such as excipients, binders, disintegrants, lubricants, flavoring agents, and coloring agents. Examples include excipients such as lactose, sucrose, glucose, mannitol, sorbit, dextrin, starch, crystalline cellulose, carboxymethylcellulose, hydroxypropylcellulose, dextran, pullulan, anhydrous silicic acid, calcium phosphate, calcium carbonate, calcium sulfate, etc. As a binder, crystalline cellulose, sucrose, mannitol, dextrin, hydroxypropylcellulose, hydroxypropylmethylcellulose, polyvinylpyrrolidone, gum arabic, dextran, pullulan, water, ethanol, etc., starch, carboxymethylcellulose, hydride as disintegrants Xylpropylcellulose, dextrin, crystalline cellulose, etc. as a lubricant, stearic acid and its metal salts, talc, boric acid, fatty acid sodium salt, sodium lauryl sulfate, magnesium lauryl sulfate, silicic acid anhydride, etc. as a flavoring agent Can be exemplified by sucrose, orange peel, citric acid, tartaric acid and the like.

  When preparing an oral liquid preparation, it is only necessary to use buffers, stabilizers, flavoring agents, etc., which are used in a conventional manner. As buffering agents, citrate, succinate, etc. Examples of the agent include lecithin, gum arabic, gelatin, and methylcellulose, and examples of the flavoring agent include those described above.

  In addition, the food and drink of the present invention contains the above-mentioned composition having the skin function improving action, and the skin function described above in the composition itself having the above skin function improving action or an existing beverage or food. It can be obtained by including a composition having an improving action.

  When the composition itself having the skin function improving effect of the present invention is used as a food or drink, for example, after adding the above-mentioned carrier, etc., in the usual manner, granules, granules, tablets, capsules, gels, pastes What is necessary is just to shape | mold into the form suitable for edibles, such as milk shape, suspension form, liquid form, and a drink. In addition, sugars, sugar alcohols, salts, fats and oils, amino acids, organic acids, fruit juices, vegetable juices, fragrances, alcohols, glycerin, etc. are added to improve the quality of the taste as long as the effects of the present invention are not impaired. can do.

  When a composition having a skin function improving effect is included in an existing beverage or food, the base beverage or food is not particularly limited. For example, processed noodles such as udon and pasta, and meat processing such as ham and sausage Foods, processed fishery products such as kamaboko and chikuwa, processed foods such as butter, milk powder and fermented milk, desserts such as jelly and ice cream, processed foods such as breads, confectionery and seasonings, and soft drinks Beverages such as water, alcoholic beverages, fruit juice beverages, vegetable juice beverages, milk beverages, carbonated beverages and coffee beverages are preferred.

  Although content of the composition which has the skin function improvement effect in the food / beverage products of this invention is not specifically limited, When converted into GABA, it is 10-3,000 mg, Furthermore, it is set to 20-1,000 mg, It is preferable to prepare so as to be 100 to 5,000 μg, more preferably 600 to 2,400 μg in terms of sphingolipid. Preparation may be based on either one or both. The weight ratio of GABA and sphingolipid is preferably 1: 0.003-0.3, more preferably 1: 0.01-0.06. If it exists in this range, the skin function improvement effect can fully be acquired, and it is excellent also in economical efficiency.

  The form of the composition having the skin function improving action contained in the food and drink of the present invention is not particularly limited, and liquids are used for beverages, gummi, candy, etc., and powders are used for tablets, granules, capsules, etc. Can be used.

  EXAMPLES Hereinafter, although an Example demonstrates this invention concretely, this invention is not limited to these Examples. In the examples, quantitative analysis of amino acids and sphingolipids was performed by the following method.

(A) Amino acid analysis method The amino acid was measured by the high performance liquid chromatography method (HPLC method) under the following conditions and detected using a fluorescence detector.
HPLC: Shimadzu Corporation LC-10A
Column: Shim-pack Amino-Li (100 mm L. × 6.0 mm ID)
Mobile phase: Amino acid mobile phase kit Li form Gradient elution flow rate: 0.6 ml / min Column temperature: 39 ° C
Reaction solution: ortho-phthalaldehyde (post column)
Reaction liquid rate: 0.3 ml / min Reaction temperature: 39 ° C.
Detection wavelength: excitation wavelength 350 nm, fluorescence wavelength 450 nm

(B) Analysis method for sphingolipids Measured by the high performance liquid chromatography method (HPLC method) under the following conditions and detected using a light scattering detector.
HPLC: LC Module 1 manufactured by Waters
Column: Inertsil Sil 100A manufactured by GL Sciences Inc.
Mobile phase: chloroform: methanol = 9: 1 (volume ratio)
Flow rate: 1.0 ml / min Column temperature: 25 ° C
Detector: Alltech 500ELSD

Production Example 1
100 kg of konjac powder was extracted at room temperature with 200 L of ethanol for 2 hours, concentrated and dried to obtain 1.08 kg of extract. This extract was redissolved in 3.5 L of ethanol, 8 L of water was added, and the mixture was stirred in a stirring tank to transfer water-soluble impurities to the aqueous phase. Then, 1.2 kg of sodium chloride was added for salting out. Aggregates water-insoluble components. Thereafter, the stirring tank is heated, and the whole is boiled for 1 hour to melt and float the agglomerated water-insoluble matter and separate from the aqueous phase. Then, after removing the aqueous phase from the bottom of the tank and removing it, 2.5 L of ethanol was added to the remaining oil phase, and the ethanol-soluble component was collected by filtration, then concentrated to dryness, washed and washed as an extract. 663 g of an oily product was obtained. Further, the sphingolipid content of this oily material was measured and found to be 10.7%.

Production Example 2
A powder containing 30% by weight of the oily material prepared in Production Example 1 and 70% by weight of β-cyclodextrin was prepared by the following procedure. That is, 300 g of the oily material produced in Production Example 1 was suspended in 900 mL of ethanol, and 700 g of β-cyclodextrin was suspended in an equivalent amount of purified water, and then mixed in a vacuum shelf dryer. After drying, it was pulverized with a cutter mill to obtain 982 g of sphingolipid-containing powder. The sphingolipid content of the obtained powder was measured and found to be 3.1%.

Production Example 3 [Emulsifier]
An emulsion containing 3% by weight of the oily product prepared in Production Example 1, 4% by weight of glycerin fatty acid ester, 5% by weight of ethanol, 16% by weight of water, and the balance of glycerin was prepared. The sphingolipid content of this emulsion was measured and found to be 0.3%.

Production Example 4
20 kg of asparagus was pulverized with a meat chopper, and extracted by adding 20 L of water. After sterilization by heating at 85 ° C. for 30 minutes, diatomaceous earth was added and suction filtration was performed using a filter paper (ADVANTEC Toyo No. 5C) to obtain a clear filtrate. The filtrate was adjusted by adding water so that Brix was 2.0%, 1% by mass of yeast extract was added, and sterilized at 121 ° C. for 20 minutes. To 10 L of the prepared medium, 100 ml of a culture solution of Lactobacillus brevis UAS-4 strain pre-cultured in GYP medium and 0.5% by mass of sodium glutamate monohydrate were added, and stationary culture was started at 30 ° C. After 20 hours, 2.0% by mass of glutamic acid was added, and the culture was continued with gentle stirring. 48 hours after the start of culture, the mixture was sterilized by treating at 85 ° C. for 30 minutes, and then clarified and filtered again. After concentrating the filtrate to 4 L, dextrin was dissolved in 100% solids and lyophilized.
As a result, 783 g of pale yellow powder was obtained. The GABA content of this powder was measured and found to be 19.8%.

Example 1
80 g of the powder obtained in Production Example 2 and 60 g of GABA (manufactured by Kyowa Hakko Co., Ltd., purity 99.0% or more) were mixed well with a blender to obtain 134 g of a powder containing GABA and sphingolipid.

Example 2
80 g of the powder obtained in Production Example 2 and 303 g of the powder obtained in Production Example 4 were mixed well with a blender to obtain 372 g of powder containing GABA and sphingolipid.

Examples 3-7
5 g of the powder obtained in Production Example 2 and 2.5, 12.5, 25, 75, 250 g of the powder obtained in Production Example 4 were mixed well with a blender, and 6.8, respectively, containing powder containing GABA and sphingolipid. 17, 28, 78, and 252 g were obtained (Examples 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 respectively).

Test example 1
A group of 12 subjects (8 males and 4 females) ingesting 40 mg (1.2 mg as sphingolipids) of konjac koji-derived sphingolipids produced in Production Example 2 every day (Group A) ), Group (Group B) ingesting 70 mg (1.2 mg as sphingolipid, 30 mg as GABA) daily of Example 1, and 192 mg (1.2 mg as sphingolipid, 30.1 mg as GABA) daily of Example 2 Group (group C), group that does not take anything (group D), 3 each (2 men, 1 woman), and on the 14th day from the start of intake, all subjects left arm elbow flexion Further, tape stripping with a cellophane tape was performed 15 times on the 3 cm point on the forearm side, rough skin was prepared, and the degree of recovery was compared.

Measurement of recovery is as follows.
a) Timing of measurement Before tape stripping, 1 hour, 1 day, 4 days, 7 days, 11 days, 14 days, 18 days, 21 days, 25 days, and 28 days after tape stripping, the following measurements were performed. .
b) Measuring method Moisture transpiration (Cyclone moisture transpiration monitor: AS-CT1, Asahi) at the tape stripping part of the subject who entered the room maintained at 22 ° C. and 55% constant temperature and humidity and waited for 45 minutes Biomed), water content and stratum corneum thickness (corneal layer thickness moisture meter: ASA-M1, Asahi Biomed) were measured. These measured values change greatly due to tape stripping, the amount of moisture transpiration, the amount of water increases, gradually returns to the original value, and the stratum corneum thickness decreases and gradually returns to the original value. .
c) Evaluation method Evaluation was performed based on the length of days until the measured value first entered the range of plus or minus 5% of the measured value before tape stripping after tape stripping. Table 1 shows the average number of days until the measured value falls within the above range for each group of 3 people.

Thus, GABA obtained by inoculating and culturing a lactic acid bacterium in a medium containing a composition obtained from asparagus is more effective in the case of simultaneous intake with GABA than in the case of intake of sphingolipid alone. It was found that the recovery of the numerical value was faster when used in combination.

Test example 2
Fifteen subjects (5 men, 10 women) are divided into 5 groups of 3 people, and daily intake is the group in which Example 3 is 30 mg (Group A), and the group in which Example 4 is 80 mg (B Group), Example 5 was 120 mg (Group C), Example 6 was 320 mg (D), and Example 7 was 1020 mg (E). The intake of sphingolipid in each group is 0.6 mg per day, and the intake of GABA is 2.0 mg in Group A, 12 mg in Group B, 20 mg in Group C, 59 mg in Group D, and 200 mg in Group E. . On the 14th day from the start of ingestion, tape stripping with cellophane tape was performed 15 times on the forearm side 3 cm from the elbow bend of all subjects, rough skin was prepared, and the degree of recovery was compared. The measurement of the recovery degree is as in Test Example 1. Table 2 shows the average number of days until the measurement value falls within the above range for each group of 3 people.

From the results of Table 2, when converted to the ratio of GABA and ceramide, the effect is obtained in any group of 1: 0.003 to 0.3, but the results in the B, C, and D groups are particularly good. When converted to the ratio of GABA and sphingolipid, 1: 0.01 to 0.05 is a desirable blending amount.

Example 8 [Tablets]
Production Example 2 20 mg
Production Example 4 100 mg
Aspartame 5mg
Magnesium stearate Microcrystalline cellulose
Potato starch appropriate amount <br/> Total 1200mg
The above ingredients were mixed and tableted to obtain one tablet of 300 mg.

Example 9 [Tablets]
Production Example 2 20 mg
Production Example 4 100 mg
Ascorbic acid 500mg
L-cysteine 50mg
Pyridoxine hydrochloride 40mg
Riboflavin 10mg
Biotin 0.05mg
Powdered reduced maltose 70mg
Magnesium stearate Microcrystalline cellulose
Potato starch appropriate amount <br/> 2000mg in total
The above ingredients were mixed and tableted to obtain 200 mg tablets.

Example 10 [drink agent]
Production Example 3 200 mg
Production Example 4 100 mg
Ascorbic acid 500mg
L-cysteine 50mg
Pyridoxine hydrochloride 40mg
Riboflavin 10mg
Biotin 0.05mg
Aspartame 5mg
Citric acid 100mg
Lemon flavor
Appropriate amount of purified water <br/> 200ml in total
The above ingredients were well dissolved to prepare a drink with an internal volume of 200 ml / bottle.

Example 11 [juice]
200 ml of concentrated orange juice, 1000 mg of the emulsion of Production Example 3, 500 mg of the powder of Production Example 4 and 800 ml of tap water were added and mixed well to obtain 1 L of orange juice having an effect of improving skin function. There was no significant change in taste, smell and touch, and it was good.

Example 12 [Udon]
Each of the powders obtained in Production Examples 2 and 4 was mixed with medium strength flour so as to be 0.2 w / w% to prepare noodles of udon. When I ate udon made from this noodle, I felt a slightly unique taste and smell, but it was not a problem.

Claims (9)

A composition having an action of improving skin function, comprising γ-aminobutyric acid and sphingolipid. The composition having a skin function improving effect according to claim 1, wherein the sphingolipid is derived from a plant. The composition having a skin function improving effect according to claim 2, wherein the plant is konjac. The composition having a skin function improving effect according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein γ-aminobutyric acid is a composition obtained from asparagus. The composition having a skin function improving effect according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein γ-aminobutyric acid is obtained by inoculating and culturing a lactic acid bacterium in a medium containing a composition obtained from asparagus. . The composition having a skin function improving effect according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the weight ratio of γ-aminobutyric acid and sphingolipid is 1: 0.003 to 0.3. A skin function improving agent comprising the composition having the skin function improving action according to claim 1 as an active ingredient. 8. The skin function improving agent according to claim 7, which is for oral intake. Food-drinks containing the composition which has the skin function improvement effect | action in any one of Claims 1-6.