JP2016002091A - Evaluation method for carbonic acid feeling - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an objective evaluation method convenient and effective for evaluating a carbonic acid feeling by a human being in no invasion, in low restraint and for a short time, and an evaluation method capable of evaluating efficiently and objectively.SOLUTION: The variation of a signal intensity in the vicinity of a temple part at the time of varying a gas pressure is measured by using a near infrared ray spectroscopy (NIRS).

Description

  The present invention relates to a method for evaluating a carbonic sensation felt by a human in a carbonic acid-containing aqueous solution such as a carbonated beverage, and a method for evaluating a carbonic sensitizer.

  There are many beverages containing carbonate, such as carbonated water, carbonated beverages (cola, cider, tonic water, carbonated beverages with fruit juice, etc.), beer, coffee high, highball, sparkling wine and so on. For example, carbonated drinks have a long history, have been loved for many years around the world, and occupy an important position in the Japanese beverage market along with tea drinks and coffee drinks. When you're sweating, squishing your throat with a unique refreshing sensation along with hydration and sugar replenishment is highly preferred.

  Carbonated beverages can be characterized by a unique sensation called “carbonic acid” or “carbonic acid sensation” (hereinafter referred to as carbonic acid), which is not found in other soft drinks. In carbonated beverages, carbon dioxide is dissolved in water by pressurization, but carbon dioxide dissolved when returning to normal pressure is generated from water as gaseous carbon dioxide bubbles. The feeling of carbonic acid that humans feel is that one of the theories is that the sensory cells in the tongue are stimulated with pressure or pain when the bubbles are generated, creating a unique squish sensation, which also affects the taste of the beverage It is also considered a sense. On the other hand, there is a theory that dissolved carbon dioxide stimulates the sense of taste and somatic sensation, which induces a sense that we feel carbonic. In any case, the sense of carbonic acid is not clearly defined, not just an effective scientific explanation, as compared to the sense that the research on sensory receptors and their mechanism of action is progressing, such as sweetness and bitterness.

  Further, in carbonated beverages, the stronger the carbonated feeling, the better the refreshing feeling, the higher the palatability, and the stronger the gas pressure is required. However, as for carbonated beverages containing fruit juice, aseptic filling technology is still insufficient, it is necessary to fill and seal the carbonated beverages and to heat sterilize the entire container at 65 ° C. for 10 minutes or more. However, since PET bottles that are convenient to handle and carry are not as pressure resistant as steel cans and aluminum cans, there is a problem that the gas pressure at the time of filling must be considerably low, about 2 atm. Furthermore, in PET bottles, the gas pressure decreases due to the gas permeability of the container, and the carbon dioxide gas rapidly deaerates after opening, resulting in a so-called “spiky” state, and the refreshing and intense carbonation required for carbonated beverages. There are problems such as weakening.

  As a method for solving this problem, a search for a component capable of enhancing the carbonic sensation by adding to a low-carbonic beverage was performed (Patent Documents 1 to 3). At that time, the enhancement effect of carbonic acid feeling in the carbonated drink and the evaluation of the original carbonic acid feeling of the carbonated drink considered to be derived from carbon dioxide gas have been performed by sensory evaluation performed by humans.

  However, sensory evaluation is suitable for comprehensive evaluation, but has a drawback that subjective factors such as individual differences, sensory fatigue, and changes in physical condition affect the evaluation, and there is a problem in terms of reproducibility. The QDA method (quantitative descriptive analysis method) is a method that gives objectivity to the subjective evaluation, but has a drawback that it takes time to select common terms and to train the panel.

  In addition, as an alternative to sensory evaluation, various chromatographs including liquid chromatographs and evaluations using instruments such as odor sensors and taste sensors were also used. In addition, establishment of an objective evaluation method for evaluating the carbonation of beverages containing carbonic acid has been strongly demanded.

JP 2010-68749 A JP 2013-121323 A Patent No. 4679132

  The problem to be solved by the present invention is to solve the shortcomings based on sensory evaluation, and to evaluate the effects of carbonic acid sensitization or carbonic acid sensitizers of food and drink efficiently and objectively in a non-invasive, low-restraint manner in a short time. Is to provide a way to do this.

  Although it is well known that carbon dioxide in foods and drinks, especially beverages, affects the taste of foods and drinks, how carbon dioxide works in which part of the body and what signals are transmitted to the brain and integrated At present, there is little elucidation about the physiological mechanism of carbonic acid such as whether or not it is made, and there has been no objective evaluation method for carbonic acid feeling felt by humans.

  On the other hand, for evaluation of flavor components in foods, taste evaluation of sweetness, sourness, salty taste, bitterness, umami, etc., and evaluation of changes in willingness to eat due to spicy substances or bitter substances, physiological factors including intracellular receptors are included. As for the objective evaluation method for these components, the present inventors have examined various methods for measuring the amount of change in hemoglobin concentration near the temple using near-infrared spectroscopy. (Japanese Patent No. 4557917, Japanese Patent No. 4673341, Japanese Patent No. 4814152, Japanese Patent No. 4966790, Japanese Patent No. 4974383, Japanese Patent No. 5225969, Japanese Patent No. 5339820).

  Therefore, although the physiological mechanism of carbonic sensation is unknown, we believe that the above evaluation method established by the present inventors for various taste ingredients can be applied, and drink water to the subject as a trial. After that, when a carbonate-containing aqueous solution was drunk and the amount of change in the signal intensity near the temple was measured, it was found that the carbonic sensation felt by humans can be unexpectedly evaluated.

  Furthermore, let the test subject continuously drink aqueous solutions with the same component composition other than carbon dioxide but different gas pressures when filling, measure the amount of change in signal intensity near the temple, and create a graph of gas pressure-signal intensity In addition, by finding the gas pressure on the graph relative to the numerical value of the change in signal intensity near the temple portion of the test carbonate-containing aqueous solution that was further drunk by the subject, it was found that the carbonic feeling of the test carbonate-containing aqueous solution can be measured, The present invention has been completed.

Thus, the present invention provides the following.
[1] A method for evaluating carbonic acid sensation by measuring a change in signal intensity in the vicinity of a temple portion of a subject with a biological light measurement device.
[2] A method for evaluating carbonic acid feeling,
(1) A step of drinking water or a reference carbonic acid-containing aqueous solution and measuring a change in signal intensity near the temple portion of the subject once or several times with a biological light measurement device,
(2) After the measurement in step (1), the test carbonic acid-containing aqueous solution is drunk, the change in signal intensity near the temple portion of the subject is measured with a biological light measurement device, and the test carbonic acid-containing aqueous solution is measured using the change in signal strength as an index. The process of evaluating the carbonic acid feeling of
The evaluation method of a carbonic feeling including each process of these.
[3] An evaluation method for a carbonic acid sensitizing agent,
(1) A step of allowing a reference carbonic acid-containing aqueous solution to be drunk and measuring a change in signal intensity near the temple portion of the subject once or several times with a biological light measurement device;
(2) After the measurement in step (1), the test carbonic acid-containing aqueous solution in which a carbonic acid sensitizer is further added to the reference carbonic acid-containing aqueous solution is allowed to drink, and the change in signal intensity near the temple portion of the subject is measured with a biological light measurement device. The step of evaluating the carbonic sensation of the aqueous solution containing a test carbonic acid using the change in the signal intensity as an index,
The evaluation method of the effect of a carbonic acid sensitizer including each process of these.
[4] An evaluation method of carbonic acid feeling,
(1) A step of drinking water and measuring the signal intensity near the temple portion of the subject once or several times with a biological light measurement device;
(2) A step of drinking the first aqueous solution containing carbonic acid whose gas pressure was measured after the measurement in step (1), and measuring a change in signal intensity near the temple portion of the subject with a biological light measurement device,
(3) After the measurement in step (2), the second carbonic acid-containing aqueous solution having a gas pressure higher than that of the first carbonic acid-containing aqueous solution is measured. Measuring the change in signal strength,
(4) Further, if desired, after measurement in step (3), drink a new carbonic acid-containing aqueous solution having a higher gas pressure than the carbonic acid-containing aqueous solution that was drunk immediately before, and use the living body optical measurement device near the temple part of the subject. Measuring the change in the signal strength of 1 to several times,
(5) After the measurement up to step (4), the step of drinking the test carbonic acid-containing aqueous solution and measuring the amount of change in the signal intensity near the temple portion of the subject with the biological light measurement device,
(6) The value of the gas pressure of each carbonic acid-containing aqueous solution in steps (2) to (4), the amount of change in each signal intensity near the temple portion of the subject obtained in each step of steps (2) to (4). A step of creating a gas pressure-signal intensity change amount graph using the gas pressure on the X axis and the change amount of the signal intensity on the Y axis,
(7) A step of obtaining a gas pressure corresponding to the change amount of the signal intensity obtained in the step (5) on the gas pressure-signal intensity change amount graph created in the step (6);
The evaluation method of a carbonic feeling including each process of these.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the simple and effective objective evaluation method of the carbonic sensation which a human senses can be provided, the search of a carbonic acid sensitizer for the carbonic acid enhancement of a low-carbonic carbonated drink, It is expected as an effective method for the development of carbonated drinks that suit taste.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an image photograph at the time of probe mounting and the arrangement of probe numbers and corresponding head measurement positions. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing procedures such as blood flow measurement and questionnaire conducted by the subject (Examples 1 to 5). It is the figure which showed the reference | standard of the sensory evaluation (carbonic acid feeling score) of the strength of carbonic acid feeling by a questionnaire. It is a figure of the blood flow change of each 52 channels at the time of drinking carbonated water (gas pressure 2.0kg / cm < ² >) after drinking water. It is a figure of the blood-flow change of the channel (52CH, 44CH, 33CH) with the large variation | change_quantity at the time of drinking carbonated water (gas pressure 2.0kg / cm < ² >) after drinking water. It is a figure which shows the sensory evaluation result of a carbonic feeling at the time of drinking carbonated water (gas pressure 2.0kg / cm < ² >). It is a figure of the blood flow change of each 52 channels at the time of drinking carbonated water (gas pressure 2.6kg / cm < ² >) after drinking carbonated water (gas pressure 2.0kg / cm < ² >). Changes in blood flow in channels (52CH, 44CH, 33CH) that had a large change when drinking carbonated water (gas pressure 2.6 kg / cm ² ) after drinking carbonated water (gas pressure 2.0 kg / cm ² ) FIG. It is a figure which shows the sensory evaluation result of each carbonation feeling at the time of drinking carbonated water (gas pressure 2.6kg / cm < ² >) after drinking carbonated water (gas pressure 2.0kg / cm < ² >). It is a figure of the blood flow change of each 52 channels at the time of drinking the zunon addition carbonated drink which is a carbonic acid sensitizer after drinking carbonated drink. The left figure is a graph of blood flow changes in the second and third drinking of water. The right figure is a graph of changes in blood flow when a carbonated beverage and a zunon-added carbonated beverage, which is a carbonic acid sensitizer, are continuously drunk after drinking water. Carbonated drinks (gas pressure 2.0kg / ^cm 2), a diagram showing the results of sensory evaluations carbonate feeling in the case of drinking carbonated beverages (gas pressure 2.6 kg / cm ²⁾ and Yuzunon added carbonated beverages. It is a figure of the blood flow change of each 52 channels at the time of drinking flavor addition carbonated drink after drinking carbonated drink. The left figure is a graph of blood flow changes in the second and third drinking of water. The right figure is a graph of changes in blood flow when a carbonated beverage and a carbonated beverage containing uzunone-containing carbonate sensitizer are continuously consumed after drinking water. The sensory evaluation result of carbonic acid feeling is shown when a carbonated beverage (gas pressure 2.0 kg / cm ² ), a zunon-added carbonated beverage (gas pressure 2.6 kg / cm ² ) and a uzunone-containing carbonate sensitizer-added carbonated beverage are consumed. FIG. It is an average graph of the blood-flow change of three test subjects at the time of drinking carbonated water (gas pressure 1.0-4.0 kg / cm < ² >) (left temple part: 52CH, 51CH, 44CH). It is an average graph of the blood-flow change of three test subjects at the time of drinking carbonated water (gas pressure 1.0-4.0 kg / cm < ² >) (right temple part: 43CH, 41CH, 33CH). It is a graph of the average blood-flow change of three subjects at the time of drinking carbonated water (gas pressure 1.0-4.0 kg / cm < ² >) (the average of a left temple part, a right temple part, and a right and left temple part). It is a figure which shows the sensory evaluation result of a carbonic feeling at the time of drinking carbonated water (gas pressure 1.0-4.0 kg / cm < ² >).

  As described above, the present invention is a method for evaluating the carbonic sensation felt by humans, and measures the amount of change in signal intensity near the temple using near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS), which is a non-invasive measurement technique. It is characterized by doing. Hereinafter, the procedure for carrying out the present invention and the contents thereof will be described in detail.

  The food and drink having a carbonic sensation in the present invention is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include carbonated water, carbonated drinks (cola, cider, tonic water, carbonated drinks with fruit juice, etc.), beer, straw high, highball, sparkling wine, and the like. And carbonated alcoholic beverages, frozen confectionery, candy, jelly, gummi, tablet confectionery, chewing gum and the like.

  The biological light measurement device used in the present invention is a device that measures changes in the signal intensity of the head blood flow that reflects the brain activity of the subject, and the present inventors have so far evaluated fragrance, sweetness, and sourness. It has been used for taste evaluation of salty taste, bitter taste, umami, etc., and evaluation of changes in willingness to eat by spicy substances or bitter substances. The principle is that, for example, when a subject drinks a sample solution containing a taste component, the taste component in the sample solution acts on a taste receptor and the like, and the signal is transmitted to the brain to cause neural activity. Utilizing the phenomenon in which capillaries dilate, oxygenated hemoglobin increases, and deoxygenated hemoglobin decreases with activity, this hemoglobin concentration change is measured with a biological optical measurement device and displayed as a change in signal intensity Is.

  In actual measurement, when near-infrared light (about 700 to about 1500 nm) is applied to the brain from above the scalp of a subject using a living body light measurement device, the near-infrared light passes through the brain tissue and is reflected to the scalp. Although the absorption characteristics of near-infrared light differ between oxidized hemoglobin and reduced hemoglobin, changes in the concentration of the hemoglobin in each of the oxidized and reduced forms vary from the change in the degree of attenuation of the reflected light over time. (Change in blood flow over time) can be seen. In the evaluation method of the present invention, the carbonic sensation felt by a human is measured as a change signal of the oxidized hemoglobin amount (hereinafter referred to as blood flow change).

  The biological optical measurement apparatus that can be used in the evaluation method of the present invention uses near-infrared light that has low photon energy and transmits well to the human body, irradiates the scalp through an optical fiber, and transmits through the scalp and skull. This device detects light reflected from the cerebrum again on the scalp by converting it into an electrical signal. By using this apparatus, the blood flow change can be measured by measuring the reflected light intensity of near-infrared light absorbed by hemoglobin, which is a chromoprotein contained in blood. In the evaluation method of the present invention, among the biological optical measurement devices, in particular, optical topography devices, that is, relative to hemoglobin that reflects blood flow changes in the head including neural activity of the cerebral cortex using near infrared spectroscopy. Measure the amount of change at multiple points. Since the brain is known to increase blood flow at the active site, using an optical topography device, it is possible to measure local cerebral blood flow changes simultaneously at multiple points, Changes in blood flow derived from salivary gland activity can be observed at the temple.

  The basic structure of the optical topography device consists of an irradiation device that sends the light emitted from the near-infrared semiconductor laser to the optical fiber, and an irradiation detection device for arranging the irradiation fiber and the detection fiber at a predetermined position on the scalp ( (Probe) (FIG. 1) and a calculation part for processing the detected optical signal and calculating / displaying it. The light reflected from the scalp enters the photodiode from the detection fiber and is converted into an electrical signal. After that, it is determined from which irradiation point this electrical signal has arrived, and the detected light intensity corresponding to each measurement point Based on the data, a change in hemoglobin concentration is calculated, and a topographic image is generated. Examples of the optical topography apparatus used in the present invention include a Hitachi ETG-4000 type optical topography apparatus (manufactured by Hitachi Medical Corporation: 52 channels). When using a Hitachi ETG-4000 optical topography device, the blood flow change is a graph with the response in each of the 52 channels as time (seconds) on the X axis and the blood flow response intensity on the head (hereinafter referred to as the head). , Referred to as a blood flow change graph), and simultaneously measured, recorded and displayed as a graph.

  Of the above 52 channels, the measurement of the change in the signal intensity near the temple is measured, for example, when using a Hitachi ETG-4000 type optical topography apparatus, channels 40, 41, 51, 52 on the left side, and channels 33, 34 on the right side. , 43 and 44 can be recorded. Although some responses of these channels can be used as an index of carbonic sensation, it is easy to evaluate the carbonic sensation using the numerical value of the channel with the largest response and good reproducibility. Evaluation is possible and preferable. Alternatively, an average value of responses of a plurality of channels can be used.

  Further, the change in signal intensity near the temple portion can be similarly measured by wearable optical topography WOT-S20 (Hitachi).

  In the present invention, after allowing the subject to drink water or a reference carbonate-containing aqueous solution, the test carbonate-containing aqueous solution is allowed to drink, and two graphs of blood flow changes measured in each channel are plotted on the same coordinate axis, A value obtained by subtracting the peak response (maximum value) of the graph of the aqueous or reference carbonic acid-containing aqueous solution from the peak response (maximum value) of the aqueous solution is defined as a blood flow change amount. As will be described in Examples, there is a correlation between the amount of change in the temple blood flow and the value of the sensory evaluation (carbonic acid score) of the subject's carbonic acid. It is possible.

  According to the above method, the biological light measuring device according to claim 1 can measure a change in signal intensity near the temple portion of the subject and evaluate carbon dioxide.

  Next, the procedure (hereinafter referred to as procedure A) of the carbonic acid evaluation method according to claim 2 is as follows. First, after performing the step (1) of drinking water or a reference carbonate-containing aqueous solution and measuring the change in signal intensity near the temple portion of the subject with the biological light measurement device once or several times, the test carbon dioxide-containing A step (2) is performed in which the aqueous solution is drunk, the change in signal intensity near the temple portion of the subject is measured with a biological light measurement device, and the carbonic sensation of the aqueous test carbonic acid-containing solution is evaluated using the change in signal intensity as an index.

  The reference carbonic acid-containing aqueous solution refers to a carbonic acid-containing aqueous solution that is presented to the subject in step (1) and is drunk. On the other hand, the carbonic acid-containing aqueous solution that is presented to the subject in step (2) following the step (1) and is drunk is referred to as a test carbonic acid-containing aqueous solution.

When drinking water in the step (1) and drinking the test carbonic acid-containing aqueous solution in the step (2), when the human feels the carbonic sensation of the test carbonic acid-containing aqueous solution, the temple portion of the subject using the biological optical measurement device Since a change appears in the signal strength in the vicinity, the carbonic sensation can be evaluated using this change as an index. In addition, when the reference carbonic acid-containing aqueous solution is drunk in step (1), the change in signal intensity in step (1) is compared with the signal intensity in step (2), and [change in signal intensity in step (1) <step If the change in signal intensity in (2)], it is evaluated that the subject felt that the test carbonic acid-containing aqueous solution had a stronger carbonic acid feeling than the reference carbonic acid-containing aqueous solution. Further, if [change in signal intensity in step (1)> change in signal intensity in step (2)], it is evaluated that the subject felt that the test carbonic acid-containing aqueous solution had a weak feeling of carbonation compared to the reference carbonic acid-containing aqueous solution. If [change in signal intensity in step (1) = change in signal intensity in step (2)], it is evaluated that the subject felt that the carbonic acid feeling of the test carbonic acid-containing aqueous solution and the reference carbonic acid-containing aqueous solution were equivalent. At that time, if the gas pressure (kg / cm ² ) of the reference carbonic acid-containing aqueous solution is known, the subject felt that the carbonic acid feeling was stronger, weaker or equivalent to the carbonic acid-containing aqueous solution having the gas pressure. It is possible to express the strength of carbonic acid feeling compared to the gas pressure of the reference carbonic acid-containing aqueous solution (hereinafter referred to as a gas pressure equivalent value).

  The change in signal intensity near the temple portion of the subject measured by the above procedure will be described in more detail. When eating or drinking a sample or drinking a sample solution, the blood flow gradually increases after it is put in the mouth in the vicinity of the temple, and the blood flow shows a maximum value for about 5 seconds to about 30 seconds. Thereafter, the blood flow gradually decreases, and returns to the original level in about 60 seconds after being included in the mouth. Therefore, a value obtained by subtracting the “minimum value” of blood flow from the moment of inclusion in the mouth to about 15 seconds from the “maximum value” of blood flow from about 5 seconds to about 30 seconds after inclusion in the mouth, that is, blood The “response intensity” of the flow rate change is defined as a change in signal intensity near the temple portion. The change in the signal intensity corresponds to the amount of change in the hemoglobin concentration. Since the signal obtained by near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) is the product of the hemoglobin concentration and the optical path length, it cannot be treated as the absolute value of the hemoglobin concentration. Therefore, assuming that the “minimum value” is a baseline, the amount of change in hemoglobin concentration from the “minimum value” to the “maximum value” is calculated.

  Details of a series of procedures for the whole measurement in claims 1 to 4 are as shown in FIG. First, after putting the subject in a resting state for 60 seconds, the water in the cup or the reference carbonic acid-containing aqueous solution is drunk, and the change in the signal intensity in the vicinity of the temple is measured using the biological light measuring device in 30 seconds. Rest for 60 seconds. After performing this operation once or several times (usually twice), the test carbonic acid-containing aqueous solution is drunk, and the change in signal intensity near the temple portion is measured using a biological light measuring device in 30 seconds. Rest for a second. Subsequently, the result of sensory evaluation is entered in the sensory evaluation questionnaire of FIG. These series of steps are set as one set, and the same subject is repeatedly measured three to several times.

  Next, the procedure (hereinafter referred to as procedure B) of the method for evaluating a carbonic acid sensitizing agent according to claim 3 will be described. First, after performing the step (1) of allowing the reference carbonic acid-containing aqueous solution to be drunk and measuring the change in the signal intensity near the temple portion of the subject once or several times with the biological light measurement device, the reference carbonic acid-containing aqueous solution is used. A test carbonic acid-containing aqueous solution to which a carbonic acid-sensitizing agent is further added is drunk, a change in signal intensity near the temple part of the subject is measured with a biological light measuring device, and the carbonic sensitization of the test carbonic acid-containing aqueous solution is measured using the change in signal intensity as an index. The process (2) which evaluates is performed.

  Hereinafter, a method for presenting a drinking carbonate-containing aqueous solution, a method for measuring a change in signal intensity near the temple portion of the subject using a biological light measurement device, a change in signal intensity in step (1), and a signal intensity in step (2) A method for comparing subjects to evaluate that the subject felt that the feeling of carbonic acid was strong, a specific calculation method of response intensity, an average waveform when measurement was performed on multiple subjects, and a signal intensity based on the average waveform The method for obtaining the amount of change is performed in accordance with the same procedure as procedure A.

  In addition, confirmation of the addition effect of the carbonic acid sensitizer with respect to the reference carbonic acid-containing aqueous solution is performed as follows. That is, the change in signal intensity in the step (1) in which the reference carbonic acid-containing aqueous solution was drunk, and the signal intensity in the step (2) in which the test carbonic acid-containing aqueous solution in which the carbonic acid sensitizer was further added to the reference carbonic acid-containing aqueous solution were drunk. In comparison, if [change in signal intensity in step (1) <change in signal intensity in step (2)], the carbonic acid sensitizing agent has an effect (enhancement effect) of strengthening the carbonic acid sensation of the reference carbonic acid-containing aqueous solution. Can be evaluated. At that time, the ratio of the change in the signal intensity in the step (1) to the change in the signal intensity in the step (1) is larger than 1, but it can be evaluated that the larger the value, the greater the effect. If this ratio is smaller than 1, it can be evaluated that the effect of the added carbonic acid-sensitizing agent has an effect of reducing carbonic acid feeling (a reduction effect).

  Since carbonic acid tastes vary from person to person, we believe that both enhancement and reduction effects can be used in product design.

  Next, the procedure (hereinafter referred to as procedure C) of the carbonic acid evaluation method according to claim 4 will be described. In short, this evaluation method allows a subject to drink a plurality of carbonic acid-containing aqueous solutions whose gas pressures are known, and measures the signal strength near the temple, thereby creating a gas pressure-signal strength change graph. In this method, the gas pressure corresponding to the numerical value of the change amount of the signal intensity of the test carbonic acid-containing aqueous solution is obtained on the graph, and the carbonic sensation of the test carbonic acid-containing aqueous solution is expressed as a gas pressure equivalent value.

  The specific procedure of the procedure C is to first perform the step (1) of drinking water and measuring the signal intensity near the temple portion of the subject once or several times with the biological light measurement device, After the measurement of the step (1), the step (2) of continuously drinking the first carbonic acid-containing aqueous solution whose gas pressure has been measured and measuring the change in the signal intensity in the vicinity of the temple portion of the subject with the biological light measuring device Do.

  Further, after the measurement in the step (2), the second carbonic acid-containing aqueous solution having a gas pressure higher than that of the first carbonic acid-containing aqueous solution is allowed to be drunk, and a signal in the vicinity of the temple portion of the subject is measured by the biological optical measurement device. Step (3) of measuring the change in intensity is performed.

  Furthermore, if desired, after measurement in step (3), a new carbonic acid-containing aqueous solution having a gas pressure higher than that of the carbonic acid-containing aqueous solution that was drunk immediately before is drunk, and the signal intensity in the vicinity of the temple of the subject is measured with the biological optical measurement device The step (4) of repeating measuring the change of 1 to several times is performed. After the measurement up to the step (4), the test carbon dioxide-containing aqueous solution is drunk, and the step (5) of measuring the amount of change in the signal intensity in the vicinity of the temple portion of the subject with the biological light measurement device is performed.

Next, the value of the gas pressure of each carbonic acid-containing aqueous solution in steps (2) to (4), the amount of change in each signal intensity in the vicinity of the temple portion of the subject obtained in each step of steps (2) to (4). Step (6) of creating a gas pressure-signal intensity change amount graph in which the X axis is the gas pressure and the Y axis is the change amount of the signal intensity is used. On the change amount graph, the gas pressure (kg / cm ² ) corresponding to the change amount of the signal intensity obtained in the step (5) is obtained (step (7)). The obtained gas pressure is a numerical value representing the carbonic sensation of the test carbonic acid-containing aqueous solution.

  As a result of the examination, the presentation of the carbonic acid-containing aqueous solution can be evaluated with high reproducibility by changing the gas pressure from low to high. The reason is unknown, but it is thought that one of the causes is that the tongue and mucous membranes in the oral cavity are paralyzed by drinking a carbonic acid-containing aqueous solution. Therefore, it is estimated that the burden on the subject is reduced and the carbonic acid feeling is easily evaluated.

  Finally, numerical treatment of the number of subjects and signal intensity in claims 1 to 4 will be described. In general, it is known that the carbonic sensation felt by humans has individual differences, and the evaluation method of the present invention has also revealed that there are individual differences in the signal intensity of the temple portion. Therefore, the number of subjects is not particularly limited, and the reliability of the average value of the signal strength of the temple portion increases as the number of subjects increases. In practice, however, considering the convenience of the present invention, for example, 2 to 20 people An evaluation can be performed by measuring a subject of a certain degree and using the average value of the obtained signal intensities. Alternatively, by selecting about 2 to several subjects exhibiting a large signal intensity with respect to the prepared carbonic acid-containing aqueous solution, and applying the carbonic acid evaluation method of the present invention, more sensitive and reliable evaluation can be achieved. It can be carried out.

The following examples further illustrate the present invention.
(Example 1) When drinking in the order of water → carbonated water (gas pressure 2.0 kg / cm ² ) 350 g of aluminum can with 350 ml of ion-exchanged water is filled, and the gas pressure in the can is 2.0 kg / cm ² . The carbon dioxide gas was press-fitted and sealed with a can seamer (winding machine). This was heated in 80 ° C. warm water until the can center temperature reached 70 ° C., maintained at 70 ° C. for 5 minutes, sterilized, cooled with cold water, and carbonated water (gas pressure 2.0 kg / cm ² ). Prepared. Separately from this, 350 g of ion-exchanged water into which carbon dioxide was not injected was filled in an aluminum can, and heated, sterilized and cooled by the same procedure. Each sample of water and carbonated water is fed according to the procedure shown in FIG. 2, and the blood flow in the vicinity of the temple is measured with an optical topography device, and a response to the sensory evaluation questionnaire (FIG. 3) is performed. I let them. The measurement results of the test subject, measuring device, sensory evaluation questionnaire, and blood flow change are shown below.
[subject]
2 people (2 men in their 30s).
[Measuring method]
The prepared sample was refrigerated at 4 ° C. in a refrigerator, opened just before drinking, poured into a plastic cup by about 15 ml, and used as a sample to be drunk by a subject. The specific procedure for drinking and evaluating the sample by the test subject was performed according to the procedure shown in FIG. 2 as already described.
[measuring device]
Hitachi ETG-4000 optical topography system (Hitachi Medical Co., Ltd .: 52 channels)
[Sensory evaluation questionnaire]
Evaluation by carbonic acid sensory evaluation was performed by a questionnaire for the subjects. In that case, the lowest is “no”, the highest is “very strong” and the carbonic acid feeling score is divided into 13 levels as “weak”, “normal” and “strong”. I let you.
[Measurement result of blood flow change]
According to preliminary experiments, in the measurement of the change in blood flow at the temple part, if water is first drunk several times (2 to 3 times), the graph of blood flow change in each channel becomes a substantially constant waveform, and then it is drunk. It was found that the measurement of the test carbonic acid-containing aqueous solution can be performed stably.

Therefore, in Example 1, the average blood flow change (measurement result of 52 channels) of the subject when drinking carbonated water (gas pressure 2.0 kg / cm ² ) after drinking water twice is shown in FIG. Moreover, the average blood flow change of the test subject of the channel (52CH, 44CH, 33CH) whose change was large among the results is shown in FIG. In addition, FIG. 6 shows sensory evaluation results (hereinafter referred to as a carbonic acid score) of a subject when drinking carbonated water (gas pressure 2.0 kg / cm ² ).

As shown in FIG. 5, in channels 52, 44, and 33, it is confirmed that when carbonated water (gas pressure of 2.0 kg / cm ² ) is drunk, a greater response can be obtained than when drinking water. It was done. On the other hand, the carbonated feeling score of the subject when drinking carbonated water (gas pressure 2.6 kg / cm ² ) was 7.0 (average value of 2 people).

  As a result of examining the above results, a sufficient correlation was found between the obtained temple temple blood flow change amount and the carbonic acid score by sensory evaluation, and the blood flow change amount defined by the evaluation method of the present invention is human. It was confirmed that it can be an objective evaluation index in evaluating the carbonic acid feeling.

(Example 2) When drinking in the order of carbonated water (gas pressure 2.0 kg / cm ² ) → carbonated water (gas pressure 2.6 kg / cm ² ) Carbonated water (gas pressure) according to the same procedure as in Example 1 2.0 kg / cm ² ) and carbonated water (gas pressure 2.6 kg / cm ² ) were prepared. Each sample of these carbonated water was fed according to the procedure shown in FIG. 2, and the blood flow in the vicinity of the temple was measured with an optical topography device, and a response to a sensory evaluation questionnaire (FIG. 3) was performed. .
[subject]
2 people (2 men in their 30s → same subjects as in Example 1).
[Measuring method, measuring device and sensory evaluation questionnaire]
The same procedure as in Example 1 was performed.
[Measurement result of blood flow change]
After drinking carbonated water (gas pressure 2.0 kg / cm ² ) twice, carbonated water (gas pressure 2.6 kg / cm ² ) was drunk. FIG. 7 shows the average blood flow change (measurement result of 52 channels) of the subject. In addition, FIG. 8 shows the average blood flow change of two subjects in the channels (52CH, 44CH, 33CH) that showed the greatest change. In addition, the carbonic acid score of the subject is shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 8, in the channels 52, 44 and 33, when carbonated water (gas pressure 2.6 kg / cm ² ) is drunk, compared to when carbonated water (gas pressure 2.0 kg / cm ² ) is drunk. In both cases, it was confirmed that a large response was obtained. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 9, when the carbonated water (gas pressure 2.6 kg / cm ² ) was ingested, the test subjects' carbonic acid scores were 6.6 and 8.2 (average value of two people), respectively. It was.

  As in Example 1, there is a sufficient correlation between the obtained blood flow change amount and the carbonic acid score by sensory evaluation, and the blood flow change amount defined by the evaluation method of the present invention is the human carbonic acid feeling. It was confirmed that it can be an objective evaluation index in evaluating

(Example 3) Carbonated beverage (gas pressure 2.0 kg / cm ² ) → 6,8,10-Undecatrien-3-one (Yuznon: Hasegawa Fragrance Co., Ltd., registered trademark) 2 ppt added carbonated beverage (gas pressure 2.0 kg / cm ² ) → carbonated drink (gas pressure 2.6 kg / cm ² ) in this order, 350 kg of aluminum can containing fructose-glucose liquid sugar (Bx75 °) 13 kg, crystalline citric acid 0.14 kg, citric acid Filled with 0.04 kg of trisodium with ion-exchanged water to make 100 L (carbonated beverage stock solution), set the gas pressure in the can to 2.0 kg / cm ² , injected carbon dioxide, Machine). This was heated in warm water at 80 ° C. until the temperature at the center of the can reached 70 ° C., maintained at 70 ° C. for 5 minutes, sterilized, cooled with cold water, and carbonated beverage (gas pressure 2.0 kg / cm ² ). Prepared. In addition, following the same procedure except that 0.1 g of 6,8,10-undecatrien-3-one (Yuznon) was added (2 ppt) to the carbonated beverage (gas pressure 2.0 kg / cm ² ), An additional carbonated beverage (Yuzon 2ppt, gas pressure 2.0 kg / cm ² ) was prepared.

  The 6,8,10-undecatrien-3-one (Yuznon) was prepared according to the production method described in Example 1 of Japanese Patent No. 5417066.

Next, except for setting the gas pressure in the can to 2.6 kg / cm ² , heating, sterilization, and cooling are performed in the same manner as carbonated beverages (gas pressure 2.0 kg / cm ² ), and carbonated beverages (gas pressure 2 0.6 kg / cm ² ) was prepared. Each sample of these carbonated beverages (gas pressure 2.0 kg / cm ² ), uznon-added carbonated beverages (Yuznon 2 ppt, gas pressure 2.0 kg / cm ² ), and carbonated beverages (gas pressure 2.6 kg / cm ² ) are illustrated. According to the procedure of 2, the subject was fed, the blood flow near the temple was measured with an optical topography device, and the answer to the sensory evaluation questionnaire was performed (FIG. 3).
[subject]
3 people (2 men in their 30s).
[Measuring method, measuring device and sensory evaluation questionnaire]
The same procedure as in Example 1 was performed.
[Measurement result of blood flow change]
Changes in average blood flow of subjects when drinking carbonated beverage (gas pressure 2.0 kg / cm ² ) twice and then drinking uznon-added carbonated beverage (Yuzon 2 ppt, gas pressure 2.0 kg / cm ² ) (52 channels) The measurement results are shown in FIG. Further, FIG. 11 shows the average blood flow change of the subject as the left and right temple portions (52CH, 51CH, 44CH, 43CH, 41CH, 33CH). In addition, FIG. 12 shows the sensory evaluation results (carbonic acid sensitivity score) of the subject when drinking carbonated water (gas pressure 2.0 kg / cm ² ).

As shown in FIG. 11, in the left and right temple portion average (52CH, 51CH, 44CH, 43CH, 41CH, 33CH), when drinking uznon-added carbonated beverages, compared to carbonated water (gas pressure 2.0 kg / cm ² ), An increase in blood flow change of about 10% was observed.

On the other hand, the carbonic acid sensitivity score, which is a sensory evaluation result of the test subject, is 5.0 for carbonated water (gas pressure 2.0 kg / cm ² ), 6.6 for carbonated beverages added with uznon, and carbonated beverage (gas pressure 2.6 kg / cm ² ). ² ) was 6.3 (average value of 2 persons). Yuznon-added carbonated drink has a gas pressure of 2.0 kg / cm ² , but according to the numerical value of the carbonate score, the subject feels that the carbonated feeling is higher than the carbonated drink (gas pressure 2.6 kg / cm ² ). confirmed. The objective fact that the average value of the left and right temple portions was higher than that of carbonated water (gas pressure 2.0 kg / cm ² ) when drinking uznon-added carbonated drinks was It shows that it can be an index to support the effect.

  From the above results, it was confirmed that the evaluation method of the present invention can be an objective evaluation index as a method for evaluating the effect of the carbonic acid sensitizer on the reference carbonic acid-containing aqueous solution.

(Example 4) When drinking in the order of carbonated beverage (gas pressure 2.0 kg / cm ² ) → Yuzonon-containing carbonic acid sensitizer 0.02% added carbonated beverage (gas pressure 2.0 kg / cm ² ) Example 3 A carbonated beverage (gas pressure 2.0 kg / cm ² ) was prepared according to the same procedure as described above.

Moreover, it replaced with the uznon of Example 1, and followed the same procedure except adding 20g (0.02%) of the uzunone containing carbonic acid sensitizer (Hasegawa fragrance | flavor made from YZ-109) which has a composition of Table 1. YZ-109 added carbonated beverage (gas pressure 2.0 kg / cm ² ) was prepared.

Each sample of the obtained carbonated beverage (gas pressure 2.0 kg / cm ² ) and YZ-109 added carbonated beverage (gas pressure 2.0 kg / cm ² ) was fed to the subject according to the procedure of FIG. The blood flow near the head was measured with an optical topography device, and a response to a sensory evaluation questionnaire (FIG. 3) was made.

[subject]
3 people (3 men in their 30s).
[Measuring method, measuring device and sensory evaluation questionnaire]
The same procedure as in Example 1 was performed.
[Measurement result of blood flow change]
After drinking a carbonated beverage (gas pressure 2.0 kg / cm ² ) twice, change in the average blood flow of the subject (52 channels) when YZ-109-added carbonated beverage (gas pressure 2.0 kg / cm ² ) was consumed The measurement results are shown in FIG. Moreover, the average blood flow change (measurement result of 52 channels) of the subject (52CH, 51CH, 44CH, 43CH, 41CH, 33CH) as the left and right temple portions is shown in FIG. Moreover, the sensory evaluation result of the test subject when drinking carbonated beverages (gas pressure 2.0 kg / cm ² ), carbonated beverages with YZ-109 added (gas pressure 2.0 kg / cm ² ) and uznon added carbonated beverage of Example 3 (Carbon feeling score) is shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 15, in the left and right temple portions average (52CH, 51CH, 44CH, 43CH, 41CH, 33CH), when carbonated beverages containing YZ-109 are consumed, carbonated beverages (gas pressure 2.0 kg / cm ² ) are used. In comparison, an increase in blood flow change of about 10% was observed.

On the other hand, the carbonic acid score, which is the sensory evaluation result of the test subject, was 4.8 for carbonated beverages (gas pressure 2.0 kg / cm ² ), 6.6 for carbonated beverages added with uznon, and 6.6 for carbonated beverages added with YZ-109. (Average value of two people). The carbonic acid score of the carbonated beverage containing uzunone-containing carbonated sensitizer is 6.6, the same as that of the carbonated beverage containing uzunone, and when combined with the results of Example 3, the subject sensuously senses carbonation from a gas pressure of 2.6 kg / cm ² . Was confirmed to be high. In addition, when drinking YZ-109-added carbonated beverages, the objective fact that the average value of the left and right temple portions was higher than that of carbonated beverages (gas pressure 2.0 kg / cm ² ) This indicates that it can serve as an index to support the carbonic acid enhancing effect of a certain uznon-containing carbonic acid sensitizing agent (YZ-109).

  From the above results, as in Example 3, it was confirmed that the evaluation method of the present invention can be an objective evaluation index as an evaluation method of the effect of the carbonic acid sensitizing agent on the reference carbonic acid-containing aqueous solution.

(Example 5) Water → carbonated water according to the same procedures as in Example 1 was drinking in the order of (gas pressure 1.0 kg / ^cm 2) ~ carbonated water (gas pressure 4.0 kg / cm ^2), water and gas Carbonated water whose pressure was adjusted in four steps (1.0, 2.0, 3.0, 4.0 kg / cm ² ) was prepared. Each sample of water and carbonated water is fed according to the procedure shown in FIG. 2, and the blood flow in the vicinity of the temple is measured with an optical topography device, and a response to the sensory evaluation questionnaire (FIG. 3) is performed. I let them.
[subject]
3 people (3 men in their 30s).
[Measuring method, measuring device and sensory evaluation questionnaire]
The same procedure as in Example 1 was performed.

However, for drinking, water → carbonated water (gas pressure 1.0 kg / cm ² ) → carbonated water (gas pressure 2.0 kg / cm ² ) → carbonated water (gas pressure 3.0 kg / cm ² ) → carbonated water (gas The pressure was 4.0 kg / cm ² ).
[Measurement result of blood flow change]
After drinking water twice, as the left temple portion of the subject when drinking four stages of carbonated water (gas pressure 1.0 kg / cm ² ) to carbonated water (gas pressure 3.0 kg / cm ² ) (52CH, FIG. 16 shows the average blood flow change of subjects 51CH and 41CH). Similarly, FIG. 17 shows the mean blood flow change of the subject with the right temple (43CH, 44CH, 33CH). Further, FIG. 18 shows the average blood flow changes in the subjects of the left temple portion average (52CH, 51CH, 41CH), right temple portion average (43CH, 44CH, 33CH), and left and right temple portion average.

FIG. 19 shows the sensory evaluation results of the subject when drinking water and carbonated water (gas pressure 1.0 kg / cm ² ) to carbonated water (gas pressure 3.0 kg / cm ² ) as a graph of gas pressure-carbonic acid score. Show.

As shown in FIG. 19, in the range of gas pressures of 0, 1, ² , 3, 4 kg / cm ² , the gas pressure-carbonic acid graph was almost linear, but the gas pressure was 3 and 4 kg / cm ² . When it was higher, it was in a slightly saturated state, suggesting the possibility that it could not be distinguished sensuously in the case of a gas pressure higher than this.

On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 16 to 18, in the case of the left temple part, the right temple part, and the left and right temple parts average, the gas pressure is in the range of 0 to 4 kg / cm ² and shows an increasing tendency toward the right shoulder. The graph of the change in gas pressure-signal intensity was almost linear. That is, it was confirmed that the signal intensity of the subject measured by the method of the present invention has a good correlation with the increase in gas pressure, and can be used as an objective index of carbonic sensation felt by humans.

  In addition, if the graph of change in gas pressure-signal intensity is almost a straight line, the test carbon dioxide-containing aqueous solution is drunk, the gas pressure on the straight line corresponding to the change in signal intensity obtained is obtained, and the gas pressure Can be used as an indicator of the carbonic sensation of the test carbonic acid-containing aqueous solution.

  As described above, when the carbonic acid sensation of human beings was measured by the evaluation method of the present invention, a result correlating with the sensory evaluation was obtained, and the relative value specified by the evaluation method of the present invention was evaluated for the carbonic sensation felt by humans. In addition, it was confirmed that it can be an objective index. Moreover, if the evaluation method of this invention is used, it will become possible to evaluate whether the flavor added to food / beverage products, such as carbonated drinks, has a carbonic acid enhancement effect, and has a preferable carbonic acid feeling, although it is low carbonic acid. It is extremely useful for the development of beverages.

Claims (4)

  A method for evaluating carbonic acid sensation, comprising measuring a change in signal intensity in the vicinity of a temple portion of a subject with a biological light measurement device. A method for evaluating carbonic acid,
(1) A step of drinking water or a reference carbonic acid-containing aqueous solution and measuring a change in signal intensity near the temple portion of the subject once or several times with a biological light measurement device,
(2) After the measurement in step (1), the test carbonic acid-containing aqueous solution is drunk, the change in signal intensity near the temple portion of the subject is measured with a biological light measurement device, and the test carbonic acid-containing aqueous solution is measured using the change in signal strength as an index. Each method of evaluating the carbonic acid feeling of carbon dioxide is included, The evaluation method of a carbonic acid feeling characterized by the above-mentioned. A method for evaluating a carbonic acid sensitizer,
(1) A step of allowing a reference carbonic acid-containing aqueous solution to be drunk and measuring a change in signal intensity near the temple portion of the subject once or several times with a biological light measurement device;
(2) After the measurement in step (1), the test carbonic acid-containing aqueous solution in which a carbonic acid sensitizer is further added to the reference carbonic acid-containing aqueous solution is allowed to drink, and the change in signal intensity near the temple portion of the subject is measured with a biological light measurement device. A method for evaluating the effect of a carbonic acid sensitizing agent, comprising the steps of evaluating carbonic acid sensation of a test carbonic acid-containing aqueous solution using the change in signal intensity as an index. A method for evaluating carbonic acid,
(1) A step of drinking water and measuring the signal intensity near the temple portion of the subject once or several times with a biological light measurement device;
(2) A step of drinking the first aqueous solution containing carbonic acid whose gas pressure was measured after the measurement in step (1), and measuring a change in signal intensity near the temple portion of the subject with a biological light measurement device,
(3) After the measurement in step (2), the second carbonic acid-containing aqueous solution having a gas pressure higher than that of the first carbonic acid-containing aqueous solution is measured. Measuring the change in signal strength,
(4) Further, if desired, after measurement in step (3), drink a new carbonic acid-containing aqueous solution having a higher gas pressure than the carbonic acid-containing aqueous solution that was drunk immediately before, and use the living body optical measurement device near the temple part of the subject. Measuring the change in the signal strength of 1 to several times,
(5) After the measurement up to step (4), the step of drinking the test carbonic acid-containing aqueous solution and measuring the amount of change in the signal intensity near the temple portion of the subject with the biological light measurement device,
(6) The value of the gas pressure of each carbonic acid-containing aqueous solution in steps (2) to (4), the amount of change in each signal intensity near the temple portion of the subject obtained in each step of steps (2) to (4). A step of creating a gas pressure-signal intensity change amount graph using the gas pressure on the X axis and the change amount of the signal intensity on the Y axis,
(7) including each step of obtaining a gas pressure corresponding to the change amount of the signal intensity obtained in the step (5) on the gas pressure-signal intensity change amount graph created in the step (6). A characteristic evaluation method for carbonic acid feeling.

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