JP2022165021A - Functional food composition and functional food containing cis-form lutein - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a composition useful as a functional food.SOLUTION: A functional food composition contains cis-form lutein.SELECTED DRAWING: None

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a functional food composition and functional food containing cis-lutein.

Carotenoids, which exist widely in the natural world, have a strong antioxidant effect and have a wide variety of color variations, so they are used in a wide range of applications such as health foods, cosmetics, and food coloring. Among carotenoids, lutein, which is a yellow pigment contained in corn, marigolds, and egg yolks, has been attracting attention in recent years because it exhibits a particularly strong antioxidant effect.

In general, natural carotenoids exist as all-trans forms in which all double bonds are in trans form. In recent years, some carotenoids (lycopene, astaxanthin) have been reported to exhibit higher bioavailability in the cis form than in the trans form.

On the other hand, Non-Patent Document 1 evaluates the difference in absorbability between trans- and cis-lutein in a cell test, and concludes that trans-lutein exhibits higher bioavailability than cis-lutein. there is

Cheng Yang, Maike Fischer, Chris Kirby, Ronghua Liu, Honghui Zhu, Hua Zhang, Yuhuan Chen, Yong Sun, Lianfu Zhang, Rong Tsao. Bioaccessibility, cellular uptake and transport of luteins and assessment of their antioxidant activities. Food Chemistry 2018, 249 , 66-76.

Currently, the accumulation of lutein in the liver, lungs, kidneys, prostate, testis, and skin has not been evaluated.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and is a functional food composition containing lutein, which is useful as a functional food with excellent accumulation in the liver, lungs, kidneys, prostate, testis, and skin. and functional foods containing such compositions.

The functional food composition of the present invention contains cis-lutein.

According to this functional food composition, lutein accumulation in the liver, lungs, kidneys, prostate, testis, and skin due to oral ingestion of the functional food is excellent.

The functional food of the present invention contains the above composition.

According to this functional food, lutein accumulation in the liver, lungs, kidneys, prostate, testis, and skin by oral intake is excellent.

Therefore, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a functional food composition containing lutein, which is useful as a functional food, and a functional food containing such a composition.

The upper row is the chromatogram of the trans-lutein composition, and the lower row is the chromatogram of the cis-lutein composition. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the amount of lutein accumulated in plasma and the isomer ratio. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the amount of lutein accumulated in the liver and the isomer ratio. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the amount of lutein accumulated in the lungs and the isomer ratio. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the amount of lutein accumulated in the kidney and the isomer ratio. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the amount of lutein accumulated in the prostate gland and the isomer ratio. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the amount of lutein accumulated in the testis and the isomer ratio. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the amount of lutein accumulated in the skin and the isomer ratio. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing absorption spectra of cis-lutein and trans-lutein with respect to ultraviolet rays. 1 is a graph showing the cis ratio of lutein in plasma. 1 is a graph showing the cis-form ratio of lutein in target tissues.

A preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described.
The above composition preferably contains 30% or more of cis-lutein when the mass of the entire lutein contained in the composition is taken as 100%. According to this configuration, sufficient amounts of lutein accumulated in the liver, lungs, kidneys, prostate, testis, and skin can be ensured.

In the composition, the amount of lutein accumulated in the target tissue of the cis-lutein administration group described below is preferably 1.2 times or more the amount of lutein accumulated in the target tissue of the trans-lutein administration group described below.
<Trans-lutein administration group>
A rat 14 days after oral administration of a composition containing a predetermined amount of lutein and containing 5% or less of cis-lutein when the mass of the total lutein contained is taken as 100%.
<Cis-lutein administration group>
Orally administering a composition containing the same amount of lutein as the composition used in the trans-lutein administration group and having a cis-lutein content of 30% or more when the total mass of lutein contained is taken as 100%. Rats after 14 days.

In the above composition, the cis-lutein content is preferably 40% or more when the total mass of lutein accumulated in the target tissue is taken as 100%. Cis-lutein is said to have a higher antioxidant effect than trans-lutein, and according to the above configuration, prevention and improvement of diseases in target tissues can be expected.

In the above composition, the total amount of 9-cis lutein and 9'-cis lutein may be greater than the total amount of 13-cis-lutein and 13'-cis lutein accumulated in the target tissue.

The target tissue may be at least one selected from the group consisting of liver, lung, kidney, prostate, testis, and skin. The composition may be used for prevention or improvement of liver disease, or improvement of liver function. The composition may be used for sun protection or whitening, or for wrinkle prevention. These compositions are useful because they can contribute to the prevention and improvement of diseases in the liver, lungs, kidneys, prostate gland, testis, or skin, or to beautifying effects on the skin.

Embodiments embodying the present invention will be described below. In this specification, the description using "-" for the numerical range includes the lower limit and the upper limit unless otherwise specified. For example, the description “10 to 20” includes both the lower limit “10” and the upper limit “20”. That is, "10 to 20" has the same meaning as "10 or more and 20 or less".

The functional food composition of the present invention contains cis-lutein.
It is known that the pharmacokinetics of lutein in animals differs depending on its isomer. In this study, we administered lutein with different isomer ratios to mammals and evaluated their absorption and accumulation in the body. It was found that the accumulation of Among the effects of lutein, the improvement of liver function and the maintenance of skin health (skin-beautifying effect) have received particular attention.

Lutein is a carotenoid represented by the chemical formula C ₄₀ H ₅₆ O ₂ (molecular weight 568.871). Since lutein has 10 conjugated double bonds, various cis isomers exist. In the present application, an isomer containing at least one of the conjugated double bonds of lutein in the cis form is referred to as cis lutein, and an isomer in which all are in the trans form is referred to as all-trans lutein. The simple term "lutein" includes both cis-lutein and all-trans-lutein. In the present application, when the configuration of the carbon skeleton is trans-type, it is represented as E, and when it is cis-type, the position is represented by a number. For example, (all-E)-lutein represents trans-lutein in which the double bonds are all trans-type. (13Z)-lutein represents 13-cis lutein where the 13-carbon is in cis. (13'Z)-lutein represents 13-cis lutein in which the 13' carbon is cis. (9Z)-lutein refers to 9-cis lutein in which the 9-carbon is cis. (9′Z)-lutein refers to 9-cis lutein in which the 9′ carbon is cis.

The composition of the present invention preferably contains 30% or more of cis-lutein when the total mass of lutein contained in the composition is taken as 100%. The content of cis-lutein is more preferably 40% or more, still more preferably 50% or more, from the viewpoint of increasing the amount of lutein accumulated in the target tissue. In addition, the content of cis-lutein is preferably 90% or less, more preferably 80% or less, and still more preferably 70% or less from the viewpoint of manufacturability. The above lower limit and upper limit of the cis-lutein content can be combined arbitrarily. For example, the content of cis-lutein is preferably 30% or more and 90% or less. The rest of the content of cis-lutein in the total lutein of the composition is the content of trans-lutein.
Hereinafter, the content of cis-lutein based on the mass of lutein (100%) is also simply referred to as "cis-lutein content".

The composition preferably contains 10% or more of 9-cis lutein when the total mass of lutein contained in the composition is taken as 100%. The composition preferably contains 10% or more of 9′-cis lutein when the total mass of lutein contained in the composition is taken as 100%. The composition preferably contains 10% or more of 13-cis lutein when the total mass of lutein contained in the composition is taken as 100%. The composition preferably contains 8% or more of 13′-cis lutein when the total mass of lutein contained in the composition is taken as 100%. The content of each of these isomers is not particularly limited, but is preferably 30% or less, more preferably 20% or less from the viewpoint of manufacturability. Although the reason for this is not clear, when a composition containing a predetermined amount of these isomers is used, contrary to conventional knowledge, a composition with high lutein absorption in the body and high bioaccumulation is produced. may be obtained.
A composition having such a cis-isomer ratio can be suitably obtained by heat-treating all-trans-lutein.

The compositions of the present invention may contain optional ingredients other than lutein. The content of the optional component is preferably 99% by mass or less, more preferably 95% by mass or less, and even more preferably 85% by mass or less when the entire composition is 100% by mass. . In the case where purified lutein is used as a composition, etc., the content of cis-lutein when the mass of the entire composition is 100% is based on the mass of lutein in the above-mentioned composition (100%). It may be the same as the cis-lutein content. That is, the lower limit and upper limit of cis-lutein when the mass of the entire composition is 100% can be the same as the above-mentioned cis-lutein content.

The composition of the present invention can be commercially available or can be produced by conventional chemical synthesis methods. Alternatively, it may be produced by mixing chemically synthesized or naturally derived lutein within the range of the above composition. When fed to humans, lutein derived from natural products is more preferable from the viewpoint of safety.

Examples of natural products containing lutein include marigold, corn, kale, egg yolk, and algae, and marigold is preferably used. However, natural product-derived lutein generally does not have a sufficient cis-lutein content (for example, 10% by mass or less). When the lutein contained in the composition is natural product-derived lutein, it may be treated to increase the content of cis-lutein. The treatment for increasing the cis-lutein content can be exemplified by heat treatment as a simple technique, for example. In addition, the treatment for increasing the cis-lutein content is not limited to heat treatment, and may be microwave irradiation, light irradiation treatment, treatment using a predetermined catalyst that promotes the cis-isomerization reaction of lutein, etc. good. Furthermore, as a technique for highly increasing the content of cis-lutein, a separation method utilizing the difference in solubility between trans-lutein and cis-lutein can be exemplified. According to such a method, a highly concentrated cis-lutein composition having a cis-lutein content of 50% or more can be obtained.

Also, the composition of the present invention is preferably an extract extracted with ethanol. Cis lutein is more soluble in ethanol than all-trans lutein. By extracting cis-lutein with ethanol, a composition containing a larger amount of cis-lutein can be obtained using a solvent that is highly safe for the human body.
In the composition of the present invention, confirmation of the lutein content and cis-form of lutein can be performed by, for example, HPLC (high performance liquid chromatography).

The composition of the present invention can be added or enclosed in any form such as tablets, capsules, granules, powders, tablets, jelly, gummies, gums, drinks, PET bottles, etc., or added to any food or drink. It can be a food composition. In the present invention, the "food composition" includes solid compositions as well as liquid compositions for drinking.

The type of food composition is not particularly limited.
Food compositions include, for example, confectionery (jelly, yogurt, pudding, biscuits and cookies, chocolate, candy, cake, ice cream, chewing gum), retort pouch foods, soups, juices, teas, jelly drinks, powdered drinks, It can be included in foods or beverages such as dairy products.

Moreover, the food composition may be one obtained by dissolving or dispersing cis-lutein in vegetable oil from the viewpoint of workability, storage stability, and the like. Vegetable oils that are liquid at room temperature are suitable. The vegetable oil is preferably at least one selected from soybean oil, corn oil, sesame oil, mustard oil, olive oil, and sunflower oil. The total lutein concentration in this food composition is not particularly limited, but is preferably 0.1 mg/mL to 100 mg/mL, more preferably 1 mg/mL to 50 mg/mL, and more preferably 5 mg/mL to 20 mg/mL. is more preferable. This food composition can also be used as a coloring agent for various foods such as vegetable soups and dressings.

The composition of the present invention can be used as a functional food (including health foods and supplements) in the form of the food or beverage described above.
The amount of cis-lutein in functional food varies depending on the type of food, but from the viewpoint of not impairing the taste of food and obtaining sufficient bioaccumulation, when the mass of the whole functional food is 100%. Furthermore, it is preferably 0.01% to 10%, more preferably 0.1% to 5%.

In addition, sweeteners, seasonings, emulsifiers, suspending agents, preservatives and the like can be added to the composition of the present invention as necessary.
The dose of the composition of the present invention can be appropriately changed depending on factors such as the age, body weight, sex and condition of the ingester. For example, the daily intake of the composition of the present invention is 0.001 mg to 100 mg, preferably 0.005 mg to 70 mg, more preferably 0.01 mg to 50 mg per day for an adult weighing 60 kg in terms of cis-lutein. Although it is more preferably 0.1 mg to 20 mg, it is not limited to this range. If necessary, the above intake amount can be taken once or several times a day, for example, divided into 2 to 3 times and taken in divided doses.

The compositions of the present invention exhibit high accumulation in target tissues such as liver, lung, kidney, prostate, testis, and skin. In particular, it exhibits a particularly high accumulation in testis and skin.
In the composition, the amount of lutein accumulated in the target tissue of the cis-lutein administration group described below is preferably at least twice the amount of lutein accumulated in the target tissue of the trans-lutein administration group described below. Let A be the lutein concentration (pmol/g) in the target tissue of the trans-lutein administration group, and B be the lutein concentration (pmol/g) in the target tissue of the cis-lutein administration group. The accumulated amount of lutein in the target tissue of the cis-lutein-administered group relative to the accumulated amount of lutein can be calculated as B/A. B/A is preferably 1.2 or more, more preferably 1.3 or more, and still more preferably 1.5 or more, 2 or more, 3 or more, or 3.5 or more. The upper limit of B/A is not particularly limited. The upper limit of B/A is usually 10 or less, and is not specified when the lutein concentration (pmol/g) in the target tissue of the trans-lutein administration group is below the detection limit.

The composition preferably contains 40% or more cis-lutein in rats 14 days after the start of oral intake, when the total mass of lutein accumulated in the target tissue is defined as 100%. The proportion of cis-lutein when the total amount of lutein accumulated in the target tissue is taken as 100% is also referred to as the "total cis-type ratio of the target tissue". The total cis ratio in the target tissue is more preferably 50% or more, still more preferably 60% or more, and even more preferably 65% or more. Although the upper limit of the total cis-type ratio in these target tissues is not particularly limited, it is, for example, 90% or less.

Therefore, the composition of the present invention is useful for preventing or ameliorating diseases in the target tissue. For example, the document "Food Chem., 249, 66-76, 2018" shows that cis-lutein has higher antioxidant capacity (FRAP assay) than all-trans-lutein. In the article "Clinics in Dermatology (2009) 27, 195-201", animal studies have shown that lutein has a significant effect on light-induced skin damage, especially at ultraviolet wavelengths. . In the literature "J. Funct. Foods, 1, 88-97, 2009", fucoxanthin, a type of carotenoid, shows that the cis-type is superior to the all-trans-type in the anti-proliferative effect on prostate cancer cells. It is

For example, applications of the composition of the present invention in each tissue include the following.
Blood: Arteriosclerosis, improvement of blood flow, etc. Liver: Prevention or improvement of liver disease, improvement of liver function Lung: Prevention or improvement of emphysema, etc. Kidney: Prevention or improvement of nephropathy, etc. Prostate: Prevention of prostate cancer, prostatic hyperplasia or improvement, etc. Testis: prevention or improvement of male infertility, improvement of sperm count, etc. Skin: prevention or improvement of wrinkles, etc. for sun protection or whitening

EXAMPLES Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to examples. However, the scope of the present invention is not limited by these examples.
[Manufacturing example]
Cis-lutein-containing compositions used in Examples were produced by the following method.
First, according to the method described in the document "Eur. J. Lipid Sci. Technol., 120, 1800191, 2018", a trans-lutein standard (manufactured by AstaTech) was dissolved in dichloromethane at a concentration of 2 mg/mL. , 80° C. for 5 hours. The resulting lutein solution was evaporated to dryness under reduced pressure and the residue was suspended in ethanol kept at 4°C for 1 hour. After that, insoluble substances (mainly (all-E)-lutein) in the resulting ethanol solution were removed using a 0.22 μm polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) membrane filter. Next, ethanol was removed under reduced pressure to obtain cis-lutein.

The produced cis-lutein was suspended in soybean oil to form a cis-lutein composition (concentration: 10 mg/mL) and stored frozen (-60°C) in the dark until use. Hereinafter, the cis-lutein composition is also simply referred to as "cis-lutein".
The trans-lutein composition (concentration 10 mg/mL, also simply referred to as "trans-lutein") was obtained by suspending a trans-lutein standard (manufactured by AstaTech) in soybean oil.

The upper part of FIG. 1 is the chromatogram of the trans-lutein composition, and the lower part is the chromatogram of the cis-lutein composition. The trans-lutein composition had a cis-lutein content of 2.2%. The cis-lutein composition had a cis-lutein content of 57.4%. The ratio of each isomer in the cis-lutein composition is as follows: trans-lutein content: 42.5%, 9-cis-lutein content: 16.7%, 9′-cis-lutein content: 15.6%, 13-cis-lutein The content was 14.8% and the 13' cis-lutein content was 10.4%.

[Method]
Trans-lutein (cis-lutein content: 3.1%) or cis-lutein (cis-lutein content: 57.4%) to rats (SD rats, male, 7 weeks old, n=5) was orally administered at a dosage of 10 mg/kg body weight/day for 14 consecutive days.
Various tissues (liver, lung, kidney, prostate, testis, and skin) were collected after the final administration, and lutein accumulation in each tissue was analyzed.

[Measurement result]
FIG. 2 shows the amount of lutein accumulated in plasma and the isomer ratio (after 14 days).
The plasma lutein concentration in the cis-lutein administration group was 2.50 pmol/g. The plasma lutein concentration in the trans-lutein administration group was 0.66 pmol/g. The plasma lutein concentration in the cis-lutein-administered group was 3.8 times that of the trans-lutein-administered group. It was shown that the cis-lutein-administered group accumulated lutein at a high concentration in plasma.
In addition, the lutein density|concentration is represented by the average value. In each graph, error bars represent standard deviation. Statistical analysis was performed using Student's t-test for comparisons between two groups. Values of p<0.05 and p<0.01 were considered statistically significant and marked with "*" and "**". In this embodiment, the same notation will be used hereinafter.

Table 1 shows the ratio of each lutein isomer in the plasma of the cis-lutein-administered group and the trans-lutein-administered group. The total cis ratio was 80.9% in the cis lutein administration group.

In Table 1, "Diet" represents the type of lutein (LUT) administered. "(all-E)-LUT" represents trans-lutein, and "(Z)-LUT" represents cis-lutein. Among the isomers, "all-E" is trans, "9Z" is 9 cis, "9'Z" is 9' cis, "13Z" is 13 cis, and "13'Z" is 13' cis. represents a type. In this embodiment, the same notation will be used hereinafter.

FIG. 3 shows the amount of lutein accumulated in the liver and the isomer ratio (after 14 days).
The liver lutein concentration of the cis-lutein-administered group was 0.18 pmol/g. The liver lutein concentration of the trans-lutein-administered group was 0.09 pmol/g. The liver lutein concentration of the cis-lutein administration group is 2.0 times that of the trans-lutein administration group. It was shown that the cis-lutein-administered group accumulated lutein at a high concentration in the liver.
Table 2 shows the ratio of each lutein isomer in the liver of the cis-lutein-administered group and the trans-lutein-administered group. In the cis lutein administration group, the total cis ratio was 66.9%.

FIG. 4 shows the amount of lutein accumulated in the lungs and the isomer ratio (after 14 days).
The lung lutein concentration in the cis-lutein-administered group was 5.82 pmol/g. The lung lutein concentration in the trans-lutein administration group was 3.69 pmol/g. The lung lutein concentration in the cis-lutein-administered group is 1.6 times higher than that in the trans-lutein-administered group. The cis-lutein-administered group was shown to accumulate lutein at high concentrations in the lungs.
Table 3 shows the ratio of each lutein isomer in the lungs of the cis-lutein-administered group and the trans-lutein-administered group. The total cis ratio was 67.7% in the cis lutein administration group.

FIG. 5 shows the amount of lutein accumulated in the kidney and the isomer ratio (after 14 days).
The kidney lutein concentration in the cis-lutein-administered group was 1.96 pmol/g. The lutein concentration in the kidney of the trans-lutein administration group was 0.92 pmol/g. The lutein concentration in the kidney of the cis-lutein administration group is 2.1 times higher than that of the trans-lutein administration group. It was shown that the cis-lutein-administered group accumulated high levels of lutein in the kidney.
Table 4 shows the ratio of each lutein isomer in the kidneys of the cis-lutein-administered group and the trans-lutein-administered group. The total cis ratio was 60.4% in the cis lutein administration group.

FIG. 6 shows the amount of lutein accumulated in the prostate and the isomer ratio (after 14 days).
The lutein concentration in the prostate of the cis-lutein administration group was 2.58 pmol/g. The lutein concentration in the prostate of the trans-lutein administration group was 1.14 pmol/g. The lutein concentration in the prostate of the cis-lutein-administered group is 2.3 times higher than that of the trans-lutein-administered group. The cis-lutein-administered group was shown to accumulate lutein at a high concentration in the prostate.
Table 5 shows the ratio of each lutein isomer in the prostate of the cis-lutein-administered group and the trans-lutein-administered group. The total cis ratio was 52.2% in the cis lutein administration group.

FIG. 7 shows the amount of lutein accumulated in the testis and the isomer ratio (after 14 days).
The testicular lutein concentration of the cis-lutein-administered group was 1.21 pmol/g. The testicular lutein concentration of the trans-lutein-administered group was 0.29 pmol/g. The lutein concentration in the testis of the cis-lutein administration group is 4.2 times that of the trans-lutein administration group. It was shown that the cis-lutein-administered group accumulated high levels of lutein in the testis.
Table 6 shows the ratio of each lutein isomer in the testes of the cis-lutein-administered group and the trans-lutein-administered group. In the cis lutein-administered group, the total cis ratio was 79.1%.

FIG. 8 shows the amount of lutein accumulated in the skin and the isomer ratio (after 14 days).
The skin lutein concentration in the cis-lutein administration group was 0.84 pmol/g. The skin lutein concentration of the trans-lutein administration group was 0.22 pmol/g. The lutein concentration in the skin of the cis-lutein administration group was 3.8 times that of the trans-lutein administration group. It was shown that the cis-lutein-administered group accumulated lutein at a high concentration in the skin.
Table 7 shows the ratio of each lutein isomer in the skin of the cis-lutein-administered group and the trans-lutein-administered group. The total cis ratio was 54.1% in the cis lutein administration group.

FIG. 10 is a graph showing the cis ratio of lutein in plasma. "E-LUT-D" on the horizontal axis represents the trans-lutein administration group, and "Z-LUT-D" represents the cis-lutein administration group. The vertical axis represents the ratio (%, mass ratio) of lutein isomers. The graph labeled "Diet" is the isomer ratio of the lutein composition in the diet. The graph labeled "6h-PL" is the isomer ratio in plasma 6 hours after the first administration of the diet containing the lutein composition. The graph labeled "2wk-PL" is the isomer ratio in plasma 14 days after administration of the diet containing the lutein composition.

FIG. 11 is a graph showing the cis ratio of lutein in target tissues. "E-LUT-D" on the horizontal axis represents the trans-lutein administration group, and "Z-LUT-D" represents the cis-lutein administration group. The vertical axis represents the ratio (%, mass ratio) of lutein isomers. The graph labeled "Diet" is the isomer ratio of the lutein composition in the diet. Other graphs are graphs of the isomer ratio in the target tissue 14 days after administration of the diet containing the lutein composition. Each label below represents the target tissue.
"Liver": Liver "Lung": Lung "Kidney": Kidney "Prostate": Prostate "Testis": Testis "Skin": Skin

[summary]
The accumulation of lutein in the body was higher in the cis-lutein administration group than in the trans-lutein administration group. Specifically, the superiority of accumulation in the liver, lung, kidney, prostate, testis, and skin was confirmed (1.2 times or more than the trans-lutein administration group), and in particular, the superiority of accumulation in the testis and skin was confirmed. It was confirmed (more than 3.5 times that of the trans-lutein administration group).
The total cis fraction in liver, lung, kidney, prostate, testis, and skin was greater than 40%. Cis-lutein is expected to accumulate in the liver, lung, kidney, prostate, testis, and skin to exert antioxidant effects.

Lutein is known for improving liver function, sunscreen, whitening (skin-beautifying action), and the like. When a cis-lutein composition was administered, it was shown that the accumulation of lutein in the liver and skin was high. Useful for tightening or whitening, or preventing wrinkles.

Claims (9)

A functional food composition containing cis-lutein. 2. The composition according to claim 1, comprising 30% or more of cis-lutein when the total mass of lutein contained in the composition is taken as 100%. The composition according to claim 2, wherein the amount of lutein accumulated in the target tissue of the following cis-lutein administration group is 1.2 times or more the amount of lutein accumulated in the following target tissue of the trans-lutein administration group. .
<Trans-lutein administration group>
A rat 14 days after oral administration of a composition containing a predetermined amount of lutein and containing 5% or less of cis-lutein when the mass of the total lutein contained is taken as 100%.
<Cis-lutein administration group>
Orally administering a composition containing the same amount of lutein as the composition used in the trans-lutein administration group and having a cis-lutein content of 30% or more when the total mass of lutein contained is taken as 100%. Rats after 14 days. 3. The composition according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the cis-lutein is 40% or more when the total mass of lutein accumulated in the target tissue is 100%. Any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the total amount of 9-cis lutein and 9'-cis lutein is greater than the total amount of 13-cis-lutein and 13'-cis lutein accumulated in the target tissue. A composition according to claim 1. 6. The composition according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein the target tissue is at least one selected from the group consisting of liver, lung, kidney, prostate, testis, and skin. 7. The composition according to any one of claims 1 to 6, which is used for prevention of liver disease or improvement of liver function. 8. A composition according to any one of claims 1 to 7, used for sun protection or whitening, or for the prevention of wrinkles. A functional food comprising the composition according to any one of claims 1-8.

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