JP2639630B2 - Colorant production method - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method for producing a coloring agent usable for food.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In general, a method for producing a coloring agent using a natural product as a raw material includes four methods: a pulverization method, an enzymatic reaction method, a culture method and an extraction method.
Are classified into two methods. (1) The pulverization method is a method in which natural products are subjected to simple physical treatment such as drying and pulverization. As a coloring agent according to this method, there is a coloring agent obtained from a plant containing natural chlorophyll. (2) The enzyme reaction method is a method of adding a certain natural amino acid to a natural extract and obtaining a colored substance by an enzyme treatment. As a coloring agent according to this method, there is a gardenia blue pigment. (3) The culture method
For example, this is a method of obtaining a red pigment produced by Aspergillus oryzae by subjecting Aspergillus oryzae to liquid culture with steamed rice, carbohydrate, or the like. As a coloring agent according to this method, there is a red koji dye. (4) The extraction method is a method of extracting a pigment from a natural product using hot water or an organic solvent. Extraction is the most common method, and most natural dyes rely on this method.

[0003] As a conventional method for producing seaweed extract, for example, there is a method disclosed in JP-A-59-154966. That is, the condensed phosphate and the fibrinolytic enzyme are added to the reduced kelp, and after adjusting the pH, it is allowed to act at 30 to 60 ° C., and the granulated granules are added with the proteolytic enzyme and the amylolytic enzyme. This is a method for extracting components.

As a method for producing seaweed food materials, for example, there is a method disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 60-227661. That is, this is a method of treating kelp with a treating agent such as sodium hypochlorite.

[0005]

In recent years, with the diversification of the food industry, there has been a strong demand for coloring agents, seaweed extracts and seaweed food materials having a natural seaweedness. However, in the conventional method for producing a coloring agent, the method for producing a seaweed extract, and the method for producing a seaweed food material, it was not possible to obtain the desired seaweedness of the produced product.

[0006] That is, it is required that the coloring agent has a color unique to natural seaweed and a fragrance peculiar to seaweed. However, none of the coloring agents produced by the conventional coloring agent manufacturing method has the color and scent originally possessed by seaweed, and the color and odor of natural seaweed even when a fragrance extracted from seaweed is added to these coloring agents. There was a problem that a scented product could not be obtained.

Further, in the conventional method for producing a seaweed extract disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 59-154966, the obtained seaweed extract is pale greenish brown, and it is not possible to produce a seaweed extract with a deep seaweed-like color. There was a point.

Further, according to the conventional method for producing seaweed food material disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 60-227661, the obtained seaweed food material is white, and it is not possible to produce a seaweed-like green seaweed food material. There was a problem.

The present invention has been made in view of such conventional problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a method for producing a coloring agent having a color and aroma like natural seaweed.

[0010]

In general, when a colorant is produced from a natural product, it is efficient to use a natural product containing a large amount of a target pigment as an extract. For this reason, conventionally, in order to obtain a green colorant, land plants containing a large amount of chlorophyll have been used as an extract. In order to obtain a yellow colorant, land plants containing a large amount of fucoxanthin have been used as extract. Seaweeds also contain these pigments, but in the case of chlorophyll, terrestrial plants contain about 1% by dry matter weight, whereas green algae with a high content of about 0.77%, brown algae 0.46%, Red algae contains only 0.31%, while fucoxanthin contains about 0.7% in terrestrial plants, whereas brown algae with a high content contains about 0.36% and red algae contains 0.1%. It contains only 21% and 0.16% of green algae. Therefore, conventionally, seaweed has not been used because of its low efficiency for producing a coloring agent.

On the other hand, the inventor of the present invention considers that it is most effective to use a seaweed as a raw material in order to obtain a coloring agent having a natural seaweedness, and has intentionally selected seaweed as an extract. is there. However, since seaweed contains chlorophyll, fucoxanthin, and other pigments together, there is a problem that extraction of a target color is difficult,
In addition, there was a problem peculiar to seaweed. The inventor has
As a result of repeated research, these problems were solved and the present invention was completed.

That is, in order to achieve the above object, the method for producing a colorant according to claim 1 of the present invention comprises the steps of: preparing a seaweed containing chlorophyll and fucoxanthin at a temperature of 0 ° C. or higher;
The method is characterized in that the aqueous solution is brought into contact with an aqueous ethanol solution having a temperature of less than 70 ° C. and a concentration of 55% to 70% to separate the aqueous ethanol solution from the seaweed, and to obtain a coloring agent from the separated aqueous ethanol solution.

[0013] The seaweed is preferably desalted of salted salt because it retains its natural color, and is preferably chopped for easy extraction of pigment. If the temperature of the aqueous ethanol solution as a solvent is lower than 0 ° C., there is a possibility that a part of
When the temperature is 0 ° C or higher, the amount of green pigment extracted becomes large.
It must be in the range of not less than 50 ° C.

If the ethanol concentration of the aqueous ethanol solution is less than 55%, alginic acid in the seaweed elutes to increase the viscosity, making it difficult to mix with stirring, and if it exceeds 70%, the amount of green pigment extracted increases. Therefore, it must be in the range of 55% or more and 70% or less. The concentration of the aqueous ethanol solution is a weight ratio of ethanol to water. The temperature and ethanol concentration of the aqueous ethanol solution are particularly preferably at a temperature of about 20 ° C. or at room temperature, and a concentration of 70%, in order to reduce the energy cost and increase the amount of yellow pigment to be extracted.

Examples of the method of bringing the seaweed into contact with the aqueous ethanol solution include a method of immersing the seaweed in the aqueous ethanol solution and stirring, a method of ultrasonically treating the seaweed in the aqueous ethanol solution (see JP-A-2-83329), and others. Any method may be used. The contact time of the aqueous ethanol solution can be appropriately selected depending on the contact condition, and is not limited, but is preferably 20 minutes or more.

The aqueous ethanol solution from which the pigment has been extracted may be separated from seaweed by filtration, decantation, or any other method. According to this production method, it is possible to produce a coloring agent containing a colorant such as fucoxanthin and chlorophyll, and having a yellowish color and a strong odor / flavor with a strong odor.

The method for producing a coloring agent according to claim 2 of the present invention is characterized in that a seaweed containing chlorophyll and fucoxanthin is
A first step of contacting with an aqueous ethanol solution having a temperature of 0 ° C. or more and less than 50 ° C. and a concentration of 55% or more and 70% or less, and the seaweed after the first step having a temperature of 50 ° C. or more and 78.3 ° C. or less and a concentration of 60% or more. A second step of bringing into contact with an aqueous ethanol solution; and a third step of separating the aqueous ethanol solution after the second step from the seaweed to obtain a coloring agent from the separated aqueous ethanol solution.

The temperature and the concentration of the aqueous ethanol solution in the first step are the same as those in the method for producing a colorant according to the first aspect. By the first step, many yellow pigments from seaweed,
Many of the strong odor components are removed. The aqueous ethanol solution after the first step can be used as a colorant having a yellowish color and a strong odor / flavor with a strong odor.

In the second step, when the temperature of the aqueous ethanol solution as a solvent is lower than 50 ° C., the extraction amount of the green pigment is small, and at 78.3 ° C., the boiling point of ethanol is reached.
It must be in the range of 0 ° C to 78.3 ° C. The ethanol concentration of the aqueous ethanol solution in the second step is as follows:
If it is less than 60%, the extraction amount of the green pigment is small.
% To 100%.

The temperature and the ethanol concentration of the aqueous ethanol solution in the second step are preferably 70 ° C. or more and the concentration is 80% or more, in order to extract more green pigment. The contact time of the aqueous ethanol solution in the second step is preferably at least 20 minutes as in the case of the first step.

The aqueous ethanol solution of the second step may be one obtained by collecting and recycling the aqueous ethanol solution of the first step. According to this production method, it is possible to produce a coloring agent containing a colorant such as chlorophyll and fucoxanthin, and having a greenish color and the aroma and flavor of seaweed rocks.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided the method for producing a colorant according to the second aspect.
In the step, a sugar alcohol is added to the separated aqueous ethanol solution, and the mixture is heated and concentrated to obtain a colorant.

The sugar alcohol may be mannitol, sorbit, maltitol, xylit, or any other sugar alcohol, or may be a combination of two or more of these, but the sugar alcohol does not remain as a solid. For this purpose, liquid sugar is preferred.

The chlorophyll contained in the colorant precipitates at room temperature when the alcohol concentration is reduced to 70% or less due to heat concentration, but the precipitation of chlorophyll can be suppressed by adding a sugar alcohol. By concentrating the colorant, the color, aroma, and flavor are deepened. The concentration of the ethanol solution is preferably such that no needle crystals of mannite are precipitated.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the method for producing a colorant according to the first, second or third aspect, the seaweed is kelp or seaweed.

The seaweed used as a raw material may be any of green algae, red algae, and brown algae as long as it contains chlorophyll and fucoxanthin. Preferred as a raw material because of the preferred seaweed.

[0027]

Dried kelp is often used as a raw material of the seaweed extract.
It has a light brown color. However, even with such a seaweed extract, a yellowish or greenish dark color like a seaweed is exhibited by adding the above-mentioned coloring agent. In addition, the seaweed extract used as a raw material may be produced by any method. The colorant to be added is a yellowish colorant produced by the method for producing a colorant according to claim 1 and the colorant to be added.
It may be a blend of a green colorant produced by the described colorant production method.

[0029]

[0030]

[0031]

Test Examples Tests 1 and 2 were conducted to select a preferable temperature and concentration range of an aqueous ethanol solution for treating seaweed.

First, Test 1 was performed. The salted kelp was desalted and the water content was restored to about 87%. This kelp was crushed with a 6 mm chopper. The crushed kelp was charged into an extraction tank, immersed in a three-fold weight aqueous ethanol solution for about 20 minutes, and stirred. The temperature and concentration of the aqueous ethanol solution were 50%, 55%, 60%, and 70% at 20 ° C, 50 ° C, and 70 ° C, respectively. The aqueous ethanol solution from which the yellow pigment was extracted was removed from the extraction tank, and the color was determined. Table 1 shows the results.

[0033]

[Table 1]

According to Table 1, as a yellowish colorant, at 50 ° C., any concentration is not preferable.
In the case of the above, it is understood that those having 55% or more, particularly 70% are preferable.

The aqueous ethanol solution taken out of the extraction tank was diluted 1/10 with 99.5% ethanol.
This was put into a φ10 millicell, and 450 spectrophotometers were used.
nm and 665 nm. Note that 450
At a wavelength of nm, the density of yellowish color can be determined, and 665n
At the wavelength of m, it is possible to determine the intensity of the green color.

FIG. 1 shows the results. Looking at FIG.
It can be seen that the aqueous solution of ethanol at 0 ° C. does not increase the extraction amount of the green pigment very much up to a concentration of 70%. 50
It can be seen that the extraction amount of the green pigment is remarkably increased between 55% and 60% in the aqueous ethanol solution at ° C. In addition, it can be seen that the higher the concentration and the higher the temperature, the larger the amount of the yellow pigment extracted. Temperature and absorbance are roughly proportional.

Next, Test 2 was performed. The kelp treated in Test 1 was charged into an extraction tank, immersed in a three-fold weight aqueous solution of ethanol for about 20 minutes, and stirred. The temperature and concentration of the aqueous ethanol solution were 60%, 70%, and 83% at 20 ° C, 50 ° C, and 70 ° C, respectively. The aqueous ethanol solution from which the green pigment was extracted was taken out of the extraction tank, and the color was determined. Table 2 shows the results.

[0038]

[Table 2]

Referring to Table 2, it is preferable that the green colorant is 70% or more at 20 ° C.
° C, any concentration is preferred;
% Is preferable.

The aqueous ethanol solution taken out of the extraction tank was diluted 1/10 with 99.5% ethanol.
This was put into a φ10 millicell, and 450 spectrophotometers were used.
nm and 665 nm.

FIG. 2 shows the result. Looking at FIG.
In an ethanol aqueous solution at 0 ° C., the yellow dye has an absorbance of 1.
The extraction amount has dropped after 35. This is considered to be related to the absolute amount of the yellow dye. Also, as the concentration increases,
Also, it can be seen that the higher the temperature is, the more the amount of the green pigment is extracted.

[0042]

Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described.
A 40 kg salted kelp was desalted, pulverized with a 6 mm chopper, and charged into an extraction tank. Next, 285 kg of 7
A 0% aqueous ethanol solution was introduced into the extraction tank, and the salted kelp was sufficiently contacted with stirring at room temperature for 20 minutes at 20 ° C. Remove 310 kg of this extract from the extraction tank,
The mixture was concentrated by heating at ℃ to obtain about 50 kg of a yellowish liquid concentrated colorant. The colorant was a vivid dark yellow.

9 kg of 33 kg of salted kelp residue in the extraction tank was used as kelp food material. This kelp food material had a vivid dark green color and emitted the scent of kelp. When I ate this kombu food as it is,
The seaweed was slimy and had a crunchy texture.

24 kg of remaining salted kelp residue in the extraction tank
124 kg of 83% ethanol aqueous solution was added to
And the contents were brought into sufficient contact with stirring for 20 minutes. 128 kg of this extract was taken out of the extraction tank, 29 kg of sugar alcohol was added, and the mixture was heated and concentrated at 80 ° C. to obtain about 50 kg of a greenish liquid concentrated colorant. The colorant was a vivid dark green. In addition,
At this time, 18 kg of an extraction residue was obtained.

Analysis of the components of the yellow colorant and the green colorant revealed that the yellow colorant contained 3.8 mg / 100 g of fucoxanthin, and the green colorant contained 14.0 mg of chlorophyll. / 100 mg. Each colorant strongly emits a unique scent of kelp and has a kelp flavor.

In addition, a kelp extract was prepared. First, add 130 kg of water to 20 kg of dried kelp, and add 20 kg at 80 ° C.
After heating, the mixture was filtered to obtain 90 kg of an extract. This extract was concentrated by heating to obtain 20 kg of a light green brown kelp extract. 1 kg of a yellowish coloring agent and 2 kg of a greenish coloring agent were added to the kelp extract and mixed. In this way, 23 kg of dark colored kelp extract with greenish color like kelp
I got This colored kelp extract had a fragrance and flavor of kelp-like beach.

The yellow colorant and green colorant thus produced can be used not only for coloring of kelp extract but also for coloring various foods, beverages and other health foods, and can be used for other purposes. It is. The colored kelp extract and kelp food material can also be used for various foods, and expand the use of kelp.

[0048]

According to the method for producing a coloring agent according to the present invention,
A colorant having a natural seaweed-like color and aroma / flavor can be produced.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a graph showing the relationship between the concentration at different temperatures and the absorbance of an aqueous ethanol solution from which a yellow pigment was extracted in Test 1.

FIG. 2 is a graph showing the relationship between the concentration and the absorbance at different temperatures of an aqueous ethanol solution from which a green pigment was extracted in Test 2.

Claims (4)

(57) [Claims] 1. A method of producing a seaweed containing chlorophyll and fucoxanthin at a temperature of 0 ° C. to less than 50 ° C. and a concentration of 55% to 70%.
% Of an aqueous ethanol solution, whereby the aqueous ethanol solution is separated from the seaweed, and a colorant is obtained from the separated aqueous ethanol solution. 2. A method of producing a seaweed containing chlorophyll and fucoxanthin at a temperature of from 0 ° C. to less than 50 ° C. and a concentration of from 55% to 70%.
% In contact with an aqueous solution of ethanol at a concentration of 50% or higher and 78.3 ° C.
Hereinafter, a second step of contacting with an aqueous ethanol solution having a concentration of 60% or more, and a third step of separating the aqueous ethanol solution after the second step from the seaweed and obtaining a colorant from the separated aqueous ethanol solution A method for producing a coloring agent. 3. The method for producing a coloring agent according to claim 2, wherein a sugar alcohol is added to the aqueous ethanol solution separated in the third step, and the resultant is concentrated by heating to obtain a coloring agent. 4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the seaweed is a kelp or a seaweed.