JP4542047B2 - Method for producing purified green tea extract - Google Patents

Description

The present invention is green tea extract, the non-polymer catechins high concentration containing further relates a method for producing a reduced purified green tea extract of turbid components.

  It is known that catechins have a cholesterol elevation inhibitory action, an α-amylase activity inhibitory action and the like (Patent Documents 1 and 2). In order to develop such physiological effects of catechins, it is necessary to drink 4-5 cups of tea per day for adults. For this reason, the technique of mix | blending catechins with high concentration in a drink is desired so that a large amount of catechins can be ingested more simply. As one of the methods, there is a method of adding catechins to a beverage in a dissolved state using a concentrate of green tea extract (Patent Document 3) or the like.

  As a method for extracting catechins having a stable flavor from green tea, semi-fermented or fermented tea leaves, a two-stage extraction method in which extraction is performed with low-temperature water and the temperature is extracted again, and an extraction method under strong acidity are known. (Patent Documents 4 to 6). However, these extraction methods are limited to the extraction of catechins from tea leaves, and are aimed only at stabilizing the flavor of the purified product and maintaining good flavor. In addition, catechins are generally poorly soluble in organic solvents, and it is known that extraction can be promoted in a weakly acidic region. However, when the ratio of the organic solvent is increased, the extraction efficiency of catechins is significantly reduced (Patent Document 7).

  On the other hand, tea leaves contain about 15% by mass of catechins, but caffeine is also usually contained by 2 to 4% by mass. Since caffeine exhibits central nervous excitability, it is used to suppress drowsiness, but it is also said to cause harmful effects such as irritability, nausea and insomnia due to excessive intake. For this reason, methods for selectively removing only caffeine from caffeine-containing compositions have been studied.

For example, a coffee decaffeination method (Patent Document 8) in which coffee is brought into contact with a caffeine adsorbent such as activated carbon at 120 to 250 atm is known. Equipment load is excessive, lacks simplicity in implementation at the industrial level, and does not selectively remove caffeine but also changes the composition of catechins, which are active ingredients . Moreover, although the selective caffeine removal method (patent document 9) which contacts the aqueous solution containing caffeine with activated clay or acidic clay is known, although a caffeine can be selectively removed, a hue deteriorates. There were also problems such as cases.
JP-A-60-156614 JP-A-3-133828 JP 59-219384 A JP 2003-219799 A JP 2003-219800 A JP 2003-225053 A JP 2004-147508 A JP-A-53-18772 JP-A-6-142405

  Furthermore, it was found that when a beverage containing a low caffeine green tea extract was stored for a long period of time, a phenomenon in which precipitation gradually occurred was observed. Precipitation generated in these beverages is not visually attractive, and is a major issue in bringing products to market. Therefore, even beverages with a high content of catechins are required to exhibit a stable appearance that does not precipitate even when stored for a long time.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a method capable of efficiently and easily removing turbid components contained in a green tea extract without significantly changing the composition of non-polymer catechins in the green tea extract.

The present inventors have removed each component contained in the beverage blended with the green tea extract, investigated the causal relationship with the precipitate generated in the beverage, and the green tea extract was mixed with a specific proportion of hydrophilic organic solvent and water. Dispersed in the mixed solution, treated with activated carbon and / or acid clay or activated clay, and then a turbid component that precipitates when the mass ratio of the specific hydrophilic organic solvent and water is generated during beverage storage It has been found that it can be efficiently removed by centrifuging and / or adding a filter aid to the solution and filtering with a filter pre-coated with the filter aid.

The present invention, a green tea extract is dispersed in a mixed solution of the mass ratio of the hydrophilic organic solvent and water is 91 / 9-97 / 3, the solution obtained by contacting with activated carbon and / or acid clay or activated clay Filter, add water and / or deorganic solvent to the filtrate to bring the mass ratio of the hydrophilic organic solvent and water in the solution to a range of 70/30 to 40/60, then centrifuge and / or add to the solution The present invention provides a method for producing a purified green tea extract in which a filter aid is added and filtered through a filter precoated with the filter aid.

  Furthermore, the present invention provides a purified green tea extract containing 40 to 90% by mass of non-polymer catechins per solid content produced by the above production method and having a non-polymer catechins / caffeine mass ratio of 25 to 200. And a packaged beverage containing the same.

  The purified green tea extract of the present invention is produced by a simple production process, and the obtained purified green tea extract has a high non-polymer catechins despite low caffeine concentration and reduced turbidity components. Concentration is maintained, hue is good, and green tea has almost no flavor. The container-packed drink containing this does not generate a precipitate derived from the turbid component contained in the green tea extract even when stored for a long time, and exhibits a clear and stable appearance.

  The green tea extract used in the present invention contains one or more non-polymer catechins. In the present invention, non-polymer catechins are non-epimeric catechins such as catechin, gallocatechin, catechin gallate, gallocatechin gallate, and epicatechins such as epicatechin, epigallocatechin, epicatechin gallate, epigallocatechin gallate, etc. Is a collective term.

  The gallate body ratio in the present invention is a value of 100 fractions relative to the mass sum of non-polymer catechins consisting of 8 kinds of catechin gallate, gallocatechin gallate, epicatechin gallate and epigallocatechin gallate. .

  Examples of the green tea extract used in the present invention include extracts obtained from tea leaves such as green tea, black tea and oolong tea. Other caffeine-containing plant origins such as a mixture of caffeine such as coffee and tea extract can also be used. More specifically, as the tea leaves to be used, Camellia genus such as C.I. sinensis, C.I. Examples include tea leaves made from tea leaves obtained from assamica and Yabukita seeds or hybrids thereof. The tea leaves produced include green teas such as sencha, bancha, gyokuro, tencha, and kettle roasted tea. As such a green tea extract containing non-polymer catechins, an extract obtained by drying or concentrating an extract obtained from green tea leaves is preferable.

  Extraction from tea leaves is performed by stirring extraction or the like using water as an extraction solvent. At the time of extraction, an organic acid salt such as sodium ascorbate or an organic acid may be added to water in advance. Moreover, you may use together the method of extracting in so-called non-oxidative atmosphere, ventilating inert gas, such as boiling deaeration and nitrogen gas, and removing dissolved oxygen. The extract thus obtained is dried and concentrated to obtain the green tea extract used in the present invention. Examples of the green tea extract include liquid, slurry, semi-solid, and solid state. From the viewpoint of dispersibility in an organic solvent such as ethanol, a slurry, semi-solid, or solid state is preferable.

For the green tea extract used in the present invention, instead of drying and concentrating the extract extracted from tea leaves, the extract from tea leaves may be used by dissolving or diluting the concentrate of green tea extract in water. And a green tea extract concentrate may be used in combination.
Here, the concentrate of green tea extract is obtained by concentrating an extract extracted from tea leaves with hot water or a water-soluble organic solvent. For example, JP-A-59-219384 and JP-A-4-20589. No. 5, 260-907, JP-A-5-306279, and the like. Specifically, as a green tea extract, a commercially available crude catechin preparation such as “Polyphenone” manufactured by Tokyo Food Techno Co., Ltd., “Theafuran” manufactured by ITO EN Co., Ltd., “Sunphenon” manufactured by Taiyo Kagaku Co., Ltd. is used as a solid crude catechin preparation. You can also.

  As the green tea extract, an extract extracted using tea leaves subjected to carbon dioxide contact treatment in a supercritical state may be used. The tea leaves used for critical extraction need only belong to the genus Camellia, and may be fresh tea or tea leaves. Non-fermented tea is particularly preferred as the tea leaves produced. For example, for steamed tea leaves, ordinary sencha, deep steamed sencha, gyokuro, kabusecha, tama green tea, bancha and the like are preferred. In addition, there are tama green tea and Chinese green tea for roasting kettle. For tea leaves that have been made, steamed tea leaves or boiled tea (dipping) is preferred in terms of suppressing the occurrence of a new flavor derived from tea leaves that occurs in a kettle.

  As the green tea extract, it is particularly preferable to use an extract obtained by tannase-treating the green tea extract because a purified green tea extract with significantly reduced bitterness and astringency can be obtained. The tannase used here may be any as long as it has an activity of decomposing non-polymer catechins. Specifically, tannase obtained by culturing tannase-producing bacteria such as Aspergillus, Penicillium, Rhizopus and the like can be used. Of these, those derived from Aspergillus oryzae are particularly preferred. Powdered or solution tannase is added to the green tea extract so as to have a concentration of 25 Unit / L to 500 Unit / L, preferably 50 Unit / L to 150 Unit / L. The amount of tannase added is 0.1 Unit or more, preferably 0.2 Unit or more when converted to a solid content of 1 mg. Here, 1 Unit is defined as the amount of enzyme that hydrolyzes an ester bond contained in tannic acid in water at 30 ° C. by 1 micromolar. Thereafter, it is held at 5 ° C. to 50 ° C., preferably 10 ° C. to 40 ° C. until reaching a gallate body ratio of 10 to 70% by mass.

  Thereafter, the temperature is raised to 45 ° C. to 95 ° C., preferably 75 ° C. to 95 ° C. as soon as possible, and the reaction is stopped by deactivating tannase. By the deactivation treatment of the tannase, the subsequent decrease in the gallate body ratio can be prevented, and a green tea extract having the desired gallate body ratio can be obtained.

  In the tannase treatment of the present invention, the percentage of gallate body in the non-polymer catechins of the green tea extract obtained is controlled in the range of 10 to 70% by mass, preferably 30 to 60% by mass in terms of bitterness reduction and appearance. The That is, the tannase treatment carried out in the present invention controls the gallate body rate during tannase treatment, unlike the treatment method in which all gallate bodies contained in the conventional polymer catechins are hydrolyzed. The control of the gallate body rate by tannase treatment preferably determines the end point of the reaction based on the pH behavior of the green tea extract during the treatment. The pH is preferably 3 to 6, particularly 3.5 to 5.5. As a result, a tannase-treated green tea extract that maintains the amount of gallate body in the green tea extract in an arbitrary range can be obtained. Moreover, the fall of the gallate body rate after that can be prevented by the tannase deactivation process after a tannase process.

  The purified green tea extract of the present invention is a filter pre-coated with a filter aid by centrifuging and / or adding a filter aid to the solution containing non-polymer catechins in a solid content of 25 to 90% by mass. It is manufactured by filtering and separating.

  Moreover, the purified green tea extract of the present invention is obtained by dispersing the green tea extract in a mixed solution having an organic solvent and water mass ratio of 91/9 to 97/3, and contacting with activated carbon and / or acid clay or activated clay. The treated solution is hydrated and / or de-organic solvent so that the mass ratio of the organic solvent and water in the solution is in the range of 70/30 to 40/60, and then the precipitated turbid component is centrifuged and / or dissolved in the solution. It is manufactured by adding a filter aid and filtering with a filter pre-coated with a filter aid. The green tea extract is preferably a green tea extract concentrate containing 25 to 90 mass%, more preferably 30 to 90 mass% of non-polymer catechins by dry weight.

  Examples of the organic solvent used in the production of the purified green tea extract of the present invention include ethanol, methanol, acetone, and ethyl acetate. Of these, hydrophilic organic solvents such as methanol, ethanol and acetone are preferable, and ethanol is particularly preferable in consideration of use in foods. Examples of water include ion exchange water, tap water, and natural water. The organic solvent and water may be mixed or separately mixed with the green tea extract, but it is preferable to mix with the green tea extract after forming a mixed solution.

  In the present invention, the mass ratio of the organic solvent to water when the green tea extract is dispersed in the mixed solution of the organic solvent and water is 91/9 to 97/3, preferably 91/9 to 95/5, more preferably Adjust to the range of 92/8 to 95/5. When the ratio of the organic solvent exceeds 97/3, the extraction efficiency of catechins decreases, and when it is less than 91/9, the degree of purification of the green tea extract decreases, which is not preferable.

  In the present invention, the method for dispersing the green tea extract in a mixed solution of an organic solvent and water is not particularly limited, and the mass ratio of the organic solvent to water in the final treatment of the caffeine-containing catechin composition is 91. It suffices to be in the range of / 9 to 97/3. For example, by adding an organic solvent after dissolving the green tea extract in water, the mass ratio of the organic solvent to water may be in the range of 91/9 to 97/3, and the green tea extract is suspended from the organic solvent. After turbidity, water may be gradually added to obtain the same ratio. From the viewpoint of extraction efficiency, a method of adding an organic solvent after dissolving in water is preferable. The green tea extract may be added all at once, but may be added twice or more, for example, divided into 2 to 4 times.

  In the present invention, 10 to 40 parts by weight, particularly 10 to 30 parts by weight of green tea extract in terms of dry weight is added to 100 parts by weight of a mixed solution of an organic solvent and water, and the green tea extract is processed. Can be processed efficiently.

It is preferable that the mixed solution of water and the organic solvent or each addition time is slowly dropped in a time of about 10 to 30 minutes. Moreover, in order to raise the extraction efficiency of catechins, it is preferable to add dropwise with stirring. It is more preferable to provide an aging time of about 10 to 120 minutes after the completion of the water dropping.
These treatments can be carried out at 10 to 60 ° C., preferably 10 to 50 ° C., more preferably 10 to 40 ° C.

The activated carbon used for the production of the purified green tea extract of the present invention is not particularly limited as long as it is generally used at an industrial level. For example, ZN-50 (made by Hokuetsu Carbon Co., Ltd.), Kuraray Coal GLC, Kuraray Coal Commercially available products such as PK-D, Kuraray Coal PW-D (manufactured by Kuraray Chemical Co., Ltd.), Shirasagi AW50, Shirasagi A, Shirasagi M, Shirasagi C (manufactured by Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited) can be used.
The pore volume of the activated carbon is preferably 0.01 to 0.8 mL / g, particularly preferably 0.1 to 0.7 mL / g. The specific surface area is preferably in the range of 800 to 1300 m ² / g, particularly 900 to 1200 m ² / g. These physical property values are values based on the nitrogen adsorption method.

  The activated carbon is preferably added in an amount of 0.5 to 5 parts by mass, particularly 0.5 to 3 parts by mass with respect to 100 parts by mass of a mixed solution of an organic solvent and water. If the amount of activated carbon added is too small, the caffeine removal efficiency will deteriorate, and if it is too large, the cake resistance in the filtration step will increase, which is not preferable.

The acidic clay or activated clay used for the production of the purified green tea extract of the present invention contains, as general chemical components, SiO ₂ , Al ₂ O ₃ , Fe ₂ O ₃ , CaO, MgO and the like. The SiO ₂ / Al ₂ O ₃ ratio is preferably 3 to 12, particularly 4 to 9. The Fe ₂ O ₃ 2 to 5 wt%, the CaO 0 to 1.5 wt%, preferably from compositions containing MgO 1 to 7% by weight.
Activated clay is a naturally occurring acidic clay (montmorillonite clay) treated with a mineral acid such as sulfuric acid, and is a compound having a porous structure having a large specific surface area and adsorption capacity. It is known that when acid clay is further acid-treated, the specific surface area is changed to improve the decolorization ability and change physical properties.

The specific surface area of the acid clay or activated clay varies depending on the degree of acid treatment, etc., but is preferably 50 to 350 m ² / g, and the pH (5 mass% suspension) is 2.5 to 8, particularly 3.6 to 7 is preferred. For example, as the acid clay, a commercially available product such as Mizuka Ace # 600 (manufactured by Mizusawa Chemical Co., Ltd.) can be used.

  The acid clay or the activated clay is preferably added in an amount of 2.5 to 25 parts by mass, particularly 2.5 to 15 parts by mass with respect to 100 parts by mass of a mixed solution of an organic solvent and water. If the amount of acid clay or activated clay added is too small, the caffeine removal efficiency will deteriorate, and if too much, the cake resistance in the filtration step will increase, which is not preferable.

  Moreover, the ratio in the case of using activated carbon and acidic clay or activated clay in combination is preferably 1 to 10 with respect to the activated carbon 1 by mass ratio, particularly activated carbon: acid clay or activated clay = 1: 1 to 1: 6. Is preferred.

In the production of the purified green tea extract of the present invention, the order of contact with the green tea extract, a mixed solution of an organic solvent and water, and activated carbon and / or acid clay or activated clay is not particularly limited. For example, (1) A method of adding a green tea extract to a mixed solution of an organic solvent and water, contacting with activated carbon, and then contacting an acidic clay or an active clay, (2) adding a green tea extract to a mixed solution of an organic solvent and water, Method of contact with acid clay or activated clay, then contact with activated carbon, (3) Method of adding activated carbon to mixed solution of organic solvent and water, add green tea extract to this, then add acid clay or activated clay, etc. (4) A method of adding acidic clay or activated clay to a mixed solution of an organic solvent and water, adding a green tea extract thereto, and then adding activated carbon is preferable.
Filtration is preferably performed between the addition of each of these components and the addition of the next component. Moreover, when a green tea extract is divided and added twice or more, you may filter in the meantime.

  Furthermore, in the present invention, when the green tea extract is contact-mixed with a dispersion of acidic clay or activated clay, a mixed solution of an organic solvent and water, the pH at the time of contact is adjusted to a range of 4-6. Is preferable for obtaining a purified green tea extract in which non-polymer catechins are efficiently extracted. In the contact, an organic acid such as citric acid, lactic acid, tartaric acid, succinic acid, malic acid, or the like, and the mass ratio of the organic acid to the non-polymer catechins (organic acid / non-polymer catechins) is 0.02 to 0.00. It is preferable to add in the range of 20.

  In the present invention, when the green tea extract is contact mixed with a dispersion of a mixed solution of acidic clay or activated clay, an organic solvent and water, the temperature of the liquid at the time of contact is initially 10 to 30 ° C., and then It is preferable to raise the temperature to 20 to 60 ° C. in that the dissolution of the green tea extract is promoted and the efficiency of catechin extraction into the dispersion is promoted.

  In the present invention, the green tea extract is first dispersed in a mixed solution having an organic solvent and water mass ratio of 91/9 to 97/3, contact-treated with activated carbon and / or acidic clay or activated clay, and then filtered. It is preferable to add water and / or a deorganic solvent to the liquid part.

  Further, the contact with activated carbon may be carried out before the water and / or deorganic solvent in the next step is carried out, or after water and / or the organic solvent are separated and the precipitated turbid components are separated, the activated carbon is brought into contact with the activated carbon. May be.

  The contact treatment between the green tea extract and the activated carbon and the acid clay or the activated clay may be performed by any method such as a batch process or a continuous process using a column. Moreover, the contact method between the green tea extract and the activated carbon is preferably performed by a method such as continuous treatment using an activated carbon column. In general, powdered activated carbon or the like is added, stirred, and after selectively adsorbing caffeine, continuously by using a method of obtaining a filtrate from which caffeine has been removed by filtration or using a column filled with granular activated carbon or the like. A method of selectively adsorbing caffeine by treatment is employed.

  The green tea extract is contact-treated with a mixture of an organic solvent and water and activated carbon and / or acid clay or activated clay, and if necessary, the activated carbon, acid clay, or activated clay is removed by a known method such as filtration, and then these are used. The mixed solution is added with water and / or removed from the mixed solution so that the mass ratio of the organic solvent to water in the mixed solution becomes 70/30 to 40/60, preferably 60/40 to 45/55. In order to reduce the content of the organic solvent from the mixed solution, the organic solvent is distilled off by a method such as vacuum distillation. Moreover, when adding water to the mixed solution after a contact process, it is performed by adding water, such as ion-exchange water, tap water, and natural water.

The aging time for depositing the turbid component after adding water and / or deorganic solvent is not particularly limited. For example, it is preferably 2 minutes to 50 hours, more preferably 2 minutes to 24 hours, and particularly preferably 5 minutes to 6 hours. Moreover, it is preferable that the precipitation temperature of a turbid component is -15-78 degreeC, -5-40 degreeC, especially 5-25 degreeC.
The temperature at which the turbid component is separated from the mixed solution after depositing the turbid component is preferably -15 to 78 ° C, more preferably -5 to 40 ° C, and particularly preferably 5 to 25 ° C. If the temperature is out of this range, the separability may be inferior and the properties of the solution may change.

  In the present invention, the deposited turbid component is separated by centrifugation or / and adding a filter aid to the mixed solution and filtering with a filter pre-coated with the filter aid.

Examples of the centrifuge for centrifuging the deposited turbid component include a decanter type or a separator type continuous centrifuge. As the centrifuge, a separation plate type centrifuge in which a separation plate group in which separation plates are stacked in a rotating body is mounted and separated using a large sedimentation area is preferable. When a separation plate type centrifuge is used, the ratio (Q / Σ) of the sedimentation area (Σm ² ) to the treatment flow rate (Qm ³ / h) is 2.5 × 10 ^{−6 to} 5.0 × 10 ^−5. m / h, more preferably 7.5 × 10 ^{−6 to} 4.0 × 10 ⁻⁵ m / h, and particularly preferably 1.0 × 10 ^{−5 to} 3.0 × 10 ⁻⁵ m / h.

When filtering the deposited turbid component with the filter pre-coated with the filter aid, the filter aid is added to the mixed solution. Filter aids used for pre-coating and addition include diatomaceous earth, cellulose and combinations thereof. Examples of the filter include filter cloth and filter paper. The thickness of the precoat layer is preferably 3 to 50 mm, more preferably 10 to 40 mm, and particularly preferably 15 to 30 mm. The amount of the filter aid to be added is preferably 1 to 30 parts by mass, more preferably 2 to 15 parts by mass, and particularly preferably 2 to 5 parts by mass with respect to 100 parts by mass of the mixed solution. Filtration rate, 500~7,000L / m ² · h, still more preferably from 1,000~4,500L / m ² · h. Examples of filtration methods include pressure filtration, suction filtration, and centrifugal filtration.

  A turbid component precipitated by removing organic solvent from the mixed solution and adding organic solvent and water to a solution obtained by a method of contact treatment with a mixed solution of organic solvent and water and activated carbon and / or acidic clay or activated carbon. And the green tea extract solution after further contacting with activated carbon as needed is distilled off using a method such as vacuum distillation to remove the organic solvent from the system. The green tea extract after treatment may be either liquid or solid, but when preparing a solid state, it may be pulverized by a method such as freeze drying or spray drying.

  The purified green tea extract obtained by the present invention preferably contains 40 to 90% by mass, more preferably 50 to 90% by mass, and particularly preferably 60 to 90% by mass of non-polymer catechins in the solid content. Further, in the solid content of the purified green tea extract, it is preferable to contain 0 to 5.0% by mass of free amino acids and proteins, and the mass ratio of non-polymer catechins to the total amount of free amino acids and proteins (Non-polymer catechins / (free amino acid + protein)) is preferably 15-25.

  It is preferable that the composition of the non-polymer catechins contained in the purified green tea extract produced according to the present invention is essentially unchanged from that before the treatment. The yield of non-polymer catechins in the mixed solution of the organic solvent and water before and after the treatment is preferably 60% by mass or more, more preferably 65% by mass or more, further 70% by mass or more, and particularly preferably 80% by mass or more.

  In the purified green tea extract obtained by the present invention, the proportion of gallate bodies composed of catechin gallate, epicatechin gallate, gallocatechin gallate and epigallocatechin gallate in all non-polymer catechins is 10 to 70% by mass. In particular, 30 to 60% by mass is preferable from the viewpoint of the effectiveness of physiological effects of non-polymer catechins and the reduction of bitterness.

  The concentration of caffeine in the purified green tea extract obtained by the treatment according to the present invention is such that non-polymer catechins / caffeine (mass ratio) = 25 to 200, more preferably 30 to 150, in particular, to non-polymer catechins. It is preferable that it is 30-100.

  The obtained purified green tea extract maintains a high concentration of non-polymer catechins in spite of low caffeine concentration and reduced turbidity components, has a good hue, and has a green tea flavor. rare. Therefore, the obtained purified green tea extract with reduced turbidity component is useful as a packaged beverage, especially tea-based beverages such as green tea, oolong tea, blended tea, black tea, barley tea, sports beverage, isotonic beverage, near water, etc. It is useful as a non-tea beverage.

  The container-packed beverage of the present invention contains 0.03 to 1.0% by mass of non-polymer catechins dissolved in water, preferably 0.04 to 0.5% by mass, more preferably Is 0.06 to 0.4% by mass, more preferably 0.07 to 0.4% by mass, particularly preferably 0.08 to 0.3% by mass, even more preferably 0.09 to 0.3% by mass, Most preferably, the content is 0.1 to 0.3% by mass. When the content of non-polymer catechins is within this range, a large amount of non-polymer catechins can be easily taken, which is preferable from the viewpoint of the color tone immediately after preparation of the beverage. The density | concentration of the said non-polymer catechin can be adjusted with the compounding quantity of the refined | purified substance of the green tea extract in which the cloudiness component was reduced.

  The content mass ratio of non-polymer catechins and caffeine in the packaged beverage of the present invention is preferably 25 to 200, more preferably 30 to 150, and particularly preferably 30 to 100.

  The packaged beverage of the present invention may contain sodium ions and / or potassium ions. The beverage of the present invention containing these ions is useful as a beverage form such as a sports drink or an isotonic beverage. A sports drink is generally defined as a drink that can quickly replenish water and minerals lost as sweat after physical exercise.

Among the main physiological electrolytes are sodium and potassium. These ionic components can be contained by adding water-soluble components or inorganic salts corresponding thereto. They are also present in fruit juices and tea extracts. The amount of the electrolyte or ionic component in the beverage of the present invention is the content in the final drinkable container-packed beverage. The electrolyte concentration is indicated by the ion concentration. The potassium ion component is a salt such as potassium chloride, potassium carbonate, potassium sulfate, potassium acetate, potassium hydrogen carbonate, potassium citrate, potassium phosphate, potassium hydrogen phosphate, potassium tartrate, potassium sorbate, etc. or a mixture thereof. Or as a component of added fruit juice or tea. It is preferable to contain a potassium ion in the container-packed drink of this invention 0.001-0.2 mass%, 0.002-0.15 mass%, furthermore 0.003-0.12 mass%. Similarly, the sodium ion component is readily available such as sodium chloride, sodium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate, sodium citrate, sodium phosphate, sodium hydrogen phosphate, sodium tartrate, sodium benzoate and the like and mixtures thereof. It can be formulated as a hydrated sodium salt or as a component of added fruit juice or tea. The sodium concentration is preferably lower in order to facilitate the absorption of water by osmotic pressure, but it is preferable that the sodium concentration is not osmotically sucked from the body into the intestine. The concentration of sodium required to do this is preferably lower than that of plasma sodium. Sodium ions are preferably contained in the packaged beverage of the present invention in an amount of 0.001 to 0.5% by mass, further 0.002 to 0.4% by mass, and further 0.003 to 0.2% by mass. In addition to potassium and sodium ions, the packaged beverage of the present invention has 0.001 to 0.5% by weight, preferably 0.002 to 0.4% by weight, most preferably 0.003 to 0.3% by weight. Chloride ions can be further included. The chloride ion component can be formulated in the form of a salt such as sodium chloride or potassium chloride. Other trace ions such as calcium and magnesium, zinc, iron may also be included. These ions may also be blended as salts. The total amount of ions present in the beverage includes the amount of ions naturally present in the beverage as well as the amount of ions added. For example, when sodium chloride is added, that amount of sodium ions and that amount of chloride ions are accordingly included in the total amount of each ion.
Here, if the sodium ion or potassium ion concentration is too low, it may be unsatisfactory in taste depending on the scene of drinking, and effective mineral supplementation cannot be achieved. On the other hand, if too much, the taste of the salt itself becomes strong, which is not preferable for long-term drinking.

A sweetener is used for the container-packed drink of this invention in order to improve a taste. As the sweetener, artificial sweeteners, carbohydrates, and glycerol (for example, glycerin) are used. These sweeteners are contained in the container-packed beverage of the present invention in an amount of 0.0001 to 20% by mass, further 0.001 to 15% by mass, and most preferably 0.001 to 10% by mass. If it is less than the lower limit, there is almost no sweetness, and sourness and saltiness cannot be balanced. On the other hand, if the upper limit is exceeded, the sensation of being too sweet and caught in the throat is strong, and the over-throat is lowered.
As the sweetener in the packaged beverage of the present invention, an artificial sweetener is preferably used. Examples of artificial sweeteners that can be used in the present invention include saccharin and saccharin sodium, aspartame, acesulfame-K, sucralose, neotame and other high-sweetness sweeteners, and sugar alcohols such as sorbitol, erythritol, and xylitol. As products, slim-up sugar made of aspartame, lacanto S containing erythritol, pal sweet made of erythritol and aspartame can be used.

When the target packaged drink also has energy supplement, it is preferable to use a sweetener of carbohydrates.
Soluble carbohydrates are used as carbohydrate sweeteners that can be used in the present invention. Soluble carbohydrates serve as sweeteners and energy sources. In selecting the carbohydrate to be used in the beverage of the present invention, it is preferable to consider sufficient gastric emptying and intestinal absorption rate.

  The carbohydrate may be a mixture of glucose and fructose, or a carbohydrate that hydrolyzes in the digestive tract or forms glucose and fructose. The term “carbohydrate” as used herein includes monosaccharides, disaccharides, oligosaccharides, complex polysaccharides and mixtures thereof.

Monosaccharides that can be used here include tetrose, pentose, hexose and ketohexose. An example of a hexose is an aldohexose such as glucose known as glucose. The amount of glucose in the container-packed beverage of the present invention is preferably 0.0001 to 20% by mass, more preferably 0.001 to 15% by mass, and further preferably 0.001 to 10% by mass. Fructose, known as fructose, is a ketohexose. The amount of fructose in the container-packed beverage of the present invention is preferably 0.0001 to 20% by mass, more preferably 0.001 to 15% by mass, and particularly preferably 0.001 to 10% by mass.
In the beverage of the present invention, an artificial sweetener alone system, an artificial sweetener and a glucose compound, or a combination of an artificial sweetener and a fructose compound is preferable.

  Soluble carbohydrates are used as carbohydrate sweeteners that can be used in the present invention, and oligosaccharides include carbohydrates that produce these two monosaccharides in the body (ie, sucrose, maltodextrin, corn syrup, high fructose corn syrup). ). An important type of this sugar is the disaccharide. An example of a disaccharide is sucrose known as sucrose or sugar beet sugar. The amount of sucrose in the container-packed beverage of the present invention is preferably 0.001 to 20% by mass, more preferably 0.001 to 15% by mass, and particularly preferably 0.001 to 10% by mass.

  The pH of the packaged beverage of the present invention is 2 to 6, preferably 2 to 5, and more preferably 3 to 4.5 in terms of catechin stability. If the pH is too low, the sourness and pungent odor of the beverage will become strong. On the other hand, if the pH is too high, the flavor cannot be harmonized and the palatability is lowered.

  The container-packed beverage of the present invention is preferably mixed with a bitter and astringent taste suppressant because it is easy to drink. The bitter and astringent taste inhibitor to be used is not particularly limited, but cyclodextrin is preferred. As the cyclodextrin, α-, β-, γ-cyclodextrin and branched α-, β-, γ-cyclodextrin can be used. The cyclodextrin is preferably contained in the beverage in an amount of 0.005 to 0.5 mass%, more preferably 0.01 to 0.3 mass%. The packaged beverage of the present invention includes an antioxidant, a fragrance, various esters, an organic acid, an organic acid salt, an inorganic acid, an inorganic acid salt, an inorganic salt, a pigment, an emulsifier, a preservative, a seasoning, a sweetener, Additives such as acidulants, gums, emulsifiers, oils, vitamins, amino acids, fruit juice extracts, vegetable extracts, nectar extracts, pH adjusters and quality stabilizers can be used alone or in combination.

  It is preferable to mix | blend a fragrance | flavor and fruit juice with the drink of this invention in order to improve palatability. In general, fruit juice is called fruit juice, and fragrance is called flavor. Natural or synthetic fragrances and fruit juices can be used in the present invention. These can be selected from fruit juice, fruit flavors, plant flavors or mixtures thereof. In particular, a combination of tea flavor, preferably green tea or black tea flavor along with fruit juice has an attractive taste. Preferred fruit juices are apples, pears, lemons, limes, mandarins, grapefruits, cranberries, oranges, strawberries, grapes, cuy, pineapples, passion fruits, mangos, guava, raspberries and cherries. Most preferred are citrus juices, preferably grapefruit, orange, lemon, lime, mandarin and mango, passion fruit and guava juice, or mixtures thereof. Preferred natural flavors are jasmine, chamomile, rose, peppermint, hawthorn, chrysanthemum, sugar, sugar cane, litchi, bamboo shoot and the like. The fruit juice is preferably contained in the beverage of the present invention in an amount of 0.001 to 20% by mass, and further 0.002 to 10% by mass. Fruit flavors, plant flavors, tea flavors and mixtures thereof can also be used as fruit juice. Particularly preferred fragrances are citrus flavors including orange flavor, lemon flavor, lime flavor and grapefruit flavor. In addition to citrus flavors, various other fruit flavors such as apple flavor, grape flavor, raspberry flavor, cranberry flavor, cherry flavor, pineapple flavor, etc. can be used. These flavors may be derived from natural sources such as fruit juices and perfume oils, or may be synthesized. Flavorings can include blends of various flavors such as lemon and lime flavors, citrus flavors and selected spices. Such a flavoring agent is preferably blended in the beverage of the present invention in an amount of 0.0001 to 5% by mass, and further 0.001 to 3% by mass.

  Furthermore, if necessary, the beverage of the present invention may contain a sour agent. Examples of acidulants include edible acids such as malic acid, citric acid, tartaric acid, fumaric acid and the like. A sour agent may be used to adjust the pH of the beverage of the present invention. The beverage of the present invention preferably has a pH of 2-7. As the pH adjuster, organic and inorganic edible acids can be used. The acids may be used in their undissociated form or in the form of their respective salts, such as potassium or sodium hydrogen phosphate, potassium dihydrogen phosphate or sodium salt. Preferred acids are edible organic acids including citric acid, malic acid, fumaric acid, adipic acid, phosphoric acid, gluconic acid, tartaric acid, ascorbic acid, acetic acid, phosphoric acid or mixtures thereof. The most preferred acids are citric acid and malic acid. The sour agent also serves as an antioxidant that stabilizes the beverage ingredients. Examples of commonly used antioxidants include ascorbic acid, EDTA (ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid) and salts thereof, plant extract and the like.

  The beverage of the present invention can further contain vitamins. Preferably vitamin A, vitamin C and vitamin E are added. Other vitamins such as vitamin D and vitamin B may be added. Minerals can also be used in the beverage of the present invention. Preferred minerals are calcium, chromium, copper, fluorine, iodine, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, selenium, silicon, molybdenum and zinc. Particularly preferred minerals are magnesium, phosphorus and iron.

  The container used for the container-packed beverage of the present invention is a molded container (so-called PET bottle) mainly composed of polyethylene terephthalate, a metal can, a paper container combined with a metal foil or a plastic film, and a bottle as in the case of general beverages. Etc. can be provided in the usual form. The term “packaged beverage” as used herein means a beverage that can be drunk without dilution.

  The container-packed beverage of the present invention is manufactured under the sterilization conditions stipulated in the Food Sanitation Law if it can be sterilized by heating after filling into a container such as a metal can. For those that cannot be retort sterilized, a sterilization condition equivalent to the above, for example, a method of sterilizing at high temperature and short time in a plate heat exchanger or the like and then cooling to a certain temperature and filling the container is adopted. Moreover, you may mix | blend another component with the filled container under aseptic conditions. Furthermore, after sterilizing under heat, the pH can be returned to neutral under aseptic conditions, or after sterilizing under heat under neutral conditions, the pH can be returned to acidic conditions under aseptic conditions.

Measurement of non-polymer catechins The composition of non-polymer catechins was diluted with distilled water, filtered through a filter (0.8 μm), and then octadecyl using a high performance liquid chromatograph (model SCL-10AVP) manufactured by Shimadzu Corporation. Packed column for base-introduced liquid chromatograph L-column TM ODS (4.6 mmφ × 250 mm: manufactured by Chemicals Evaluation and Research Institute) was installed, and the column temperature was 35 ° C., using a gradient method using A liquid and B liquid. went. The mobile phase A solution was a distilled aqueous solution containing 0.1 mol / L of acetic acid, the B solution was an acetonitrile solution containing 0.1 mol / L of acetic acid, the sample injection amount was 20 μL, and the UV detector wavelength was 280 nm. .

Measurement of caffeine (analytical instrument)
Uses HPLC (Hitachi, Ltd.) equipment.
Plotter: D-2500, Detector: L-4200
Pump: L-7100, Autosampler: L-7200
Column: lnersil ODS-2, inner diameter 2.1 mm × length 250 mm
(Analysis conditions)
Sample injection volume: 10 μL, flow rate: 1.0 mL / min
Ultraviolet absorptiometer detection wavelength: 280 nm
Eluent A: 0.1 mol / L acetic acid aqueous solution, eluent B: 0.1 mol / L acetic acid acetonitrile solution concentration gradient condition (volume%)
Time (min) Eluent A Eluent B
0 97 3
5 97 3
37 80 20
43 80 20
43.5 0 100
48.5 0 100
49 97 3
62 97 3
(Caffeine retention time)
Caffeine: 27.2 minutes From the area% obtained here, the mass% was obtained using a standard substance.

Hue evaluation (analytical instrument)
The purified green tea extract was diluted with ion-exchanged water so that the non-polymer catechin concentration was 180 mg / 100 mL, and the appearance was visually evaluated using the sample.

Visual evaluation of stability The purified green tea extract was diluted with ion-exchanged water so that the non-polymer catechin concentration was 100 mg / 100 mL, and the evaluation sample contained in the 50 mL vial was observed on the illuminator. The visual judgment was made.

Formula for measuring protein and free amino acids (protein + free amino acid content):
(Total nitrogen in purified green tea extract-caffeine nitrogen) x conversion factor Quantification method for total nitrogen:
Nitrogen quantitative conversion method (macro modified Kjeldahl method) in accordance with the nutritional labeling standard (May 1996 Ministry of Health and Welfare Notification No. 146) analysis method of nutritional components, etc. (method listed in the third column of the Nutrition Labeling Standard Appendix 1) To find out.
Caffeine nitrogen:
The amount of caffeine determined by measuring the amount of caffeine is determined by converting the amount of caffeine to the nitrogen molecular weight (Mw = 54) in the caffeine molecular weight (Mw = 194).
Conversion factor:
Use the conversion factor (6.25) in accordance with the nutritional labeling standard (May 1996 Ministry of Health and Welfare Notification No. 146) analysis method for nutritional components, etc. (method listed in the third column of the Nutrition Labeling Standard Appendix 1).

Turbidity measurement (analytical instrument)
Turbidimeter (Turbidimeter / TN-100 EUTECH INSTRUMENTS)
Wavelength range: 850 nm
Method: 90 ° transmission / scattering comparison method The green tea extract is dehydrated from the mixed and / or mixed solution into a solution obtained by a contact treatment solution with a mixed solution of organic solvent and water and activated carbon and / or acidic clay or activated carbon. A solution obtained by separating an organic solvent and separating the deposited turbid component was diluted with ion-exchanged water so that the non-polymer catechin concentration was 4% by mass, and the sample was used for measurement.
The purified green tea extract was diluted with ion-exchanged water so that the non-polymer catechin concentration was 15% by mass, and the sample was used for measurement.

Example 1 Purified green tea extract A
After 1,000 g of acidic clay (Mizuka Ace # 600, manufactured by Mizusawa Chemical Co., Ltd.) was dispersed in 8,000 g of a 92.4 mass% ethanol aqueous solution under stirring conditions at room temperature and 250 r / min and stirred for about 10 minutes, green tea 2,000 g of extract (Polyphenone HG, manufactured by Tokyo Food Techno) was added, and stirring was continued for about 3 hours at room temperature (pH 4.0). Then, it filtered with No. 2 filter paper. 4,170 g of ion-exchanged water was added to the solution, and the mixture was stirred for about 5 minutes at room temperature and 100 r / min. The mixed solution was placed in a separation plate centrifuge (ADS250AS, manufactured by Saito Centrifuge Co., Ltd., sedimentation area 1,440 m ² ) under the conditions of 15 ° C. and Q / Σ = 2.1 × 10 ⁻⁵ m / h. The solution was passed through to separate the deposited turbid components. The separated solution was brought into contact with 300 g of activated carbon (Kuraray Coal GLC, manufactured by Kuraray Chemical Co., Ltd.), followed by filtration through a 0.2 μm membrane filter. Finally, 2,000 g of ion-exchanged water was added, ethanol was distilled off at 40 ° C. and 0.0272 kg / cm ² , and then the water content was adjusted to obtain a product.
The content of non-polymer catechins after the treatment was 15% by mass.
Turbidity after treatment = 21
Non-polymer catechins / caffeine mass ratio after treatment = 50.0
Galate body ratio after treatment = 53.0 mass%

Example 2 Purified green tea extract B
100 g of acid clay (Mizuka Ace # 600, manufactured by Mizusawa Chemical Co., Ltd.) was dispersed in 800 g of a 92.4 mass% ethanol aqueous solution under stirring conditions at room temperature and 250 r / min. After stirring for about 10 minutes, a green tea extract (polyphenone) (HG, manufactured by Tokyo Food Techno) (200 g) was added, and stirring was continued for about 3 hours at room temperature (pH 4.1). Then, it filtered with No. 2 filter paper. 417 g of ion-exchanged water was added to the solution, and the mixture was stirred for about 5 minutes at room temperature and 100 r / min. 25.6 g of diatomaceous earth (Radiolite 800S, Showa Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.) was added to the mixed solution, and stirring was continued for about 5 minutes at room temperature. The mixed solution was passed through a filter (0.00385 m ² ) formed with a diatomaceous earth (Radiolite 800S, Showa Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.) to a thickness of 20 mm on No. 2 filter paper, and pressurized to 0.18 Mpa. Filtration was performed at a liquid speed of 3,000 L / m ² · hr to separate the deposited turbid components (separation temperature 25 ° C.). The separated solution was brought into contact with 30 g of activated carbon (Kuraray Coal GLC, manufactured by Kuraray Chemical Co., Ltd.), followed by filtration through a 0.2 μm membrane filter. Finally, 200 g of ion-exchanged water was added, ethanol was distilled off at 40 ° C. and 0.0272 kg / cm ² , and then the water content was adjusted to obtain a product.
The content of non-polymer catechins after the treatment was 15% by mass.
Turbidity after treatment = 7
Non-polymer catechins / caffeine mass ratio after treatment = 52.6
Galate body ratio after treatment = 53.2% by mass

Example 3 Purified Green Tea Extract C
After 1,000 g of acidic clay (Mizuka Ace # 600, manufactured by Mizusawa Chemical Co., Ltd.) was dispersed in 8,000 g of a 92.4 mass% ethanol aqueous solution under stirring conditions at room temperature and 250 r / min and stirred for about 10 minutes, green tea 2,000 g of extract (Polyphenone HG, manufactured by Tokyo Food Techno) was added, and stirring was continued for about 3 hours at room temperature (pH 4.0). Then, it filtered with No. 2 filter paper. After 3,255 g of ethanol was distilled off from the solution at 0.0272 kg / cm ² at 40 ° C., 2,000 g of ion-exchanged water was added, and the mixture was stirred for about 5 minutes at room temperature at 100 r / min. The mixed solution was passed through a separation plate centrifuge (ADS250AS, manufactured by Saito Centrifuge Co., Ltd., sedimentation area 1,440 m ² ) under conditions of room temperature and Q / Σ = 2.1 × 10 ⁻⁵ m / h. The turbid component which separated and isolate | separated was isolate | separated. The separated solution was brought into contact with 300 g of activated carbon (Kuraray Coal GLC, manufactured by Kuraray Chemical Co., Ltd.), followed by filtration through a 0.2 μm membrane filter. Finally, 2,000 g of ion-exchanged water was added, ethanol was distilled off at 40 ° C. and 0.0272 kg / cm ² , and then the water content was adjusted to obtain a product.
The content of non-polymer catechins after the treatment was 15% by mass.
Turbidity after treatment = 32
Non-polymer catechins / caffeine mass ratio after treatment = 47.6
Galate fraction after treatment = 52.6% by mass

Comparative Example 1
100 g of acid clay (Mizuka Ace # 600, manufactured by Mizusawa Chemical Co., Ltd.) was dispersed in 800 g of a 92.4 mass% ethanol aqueous solution under stirring conditions at room temperature and 250 r / min. After stirring for about 10 minutes, a green tea extract (polyphenone) HG (manufactured by Tokyo Food Techno) was added, and stirring was continued for about 3 hours at room temperature (pH 4.3). Then, it filtered with No. 2 filter paper. The solution was brought into contact with 30 g of activated carbon (Kuraray Coal GLC, manufactured by Kuraray Chemical Co., Ltd.), followed by filtration through a 0.2 μm membrane filter. Finally, 200 g of ion-exchanged water was added, ethanol was distilled off at 40 ° C. and 0.0272 kg / cm ² , and then the water content was adjusted to obtain a product.
The content of non-polymer catechins after the treatment was 15% by mass.
Turbidity after treatment = 314
Non-polymer catechins / caffeine mass ratio after treatment = 52.2
Galate fraction after treatment = 52.6% by mass

Comparative Example 2
100 g of acid clay (Mizuka Ace # 600, manufactured by Mizusawa Chemical Co., Ltd.) was dispersed in 800 g of a 92.4 mass% ethanol aqueous solution under stirring conditions at room temperature and 250 r / min. After stirring for about 10 minutes, a green tea extract (polyphenone) (HG, manufactured by Tokyo Food Techno) (200 g) was added, and stirring was continued for about 3 hours at room temperature (pH 4.1). Then, it filtered with No. 2 filter paper. 417 g of ion-exchanged water was added to the solution, and the mixture was stirred for about 5 minutes at room temperature and 100 r / min. The solution was brought into contact with 30 g of activated carbon (Kuraray Coal GLC, manufactured by Kuraray Chemical Co., Ltd.), followed by filtration through a 0.2 μm membrane filter. Finally, 200 g of ion-exchanged water was added, ethanol was distilled off at 40 ° C. and 0.0272 kg / cm ² , and then the water content was adjusted to obtain a product.
The content of non-polymer catechins after the treatment was 15% by mass.
Turbidity after treatment = 178
Non-polymer catechins / caffeine mass ratio after treatment = 49.8
Galate fraction after treatment = 52.9% by mass

Comparative Example 3
100 g of acid clay (Mizuka Ace # 600, manufactured by Mizusawa Chemical Co., Ltd.) was dispersed in 800 g of a 92.4 mass% ethanol aqueous solution under stirring conditions at room temperature and 250 r / min. After stirring for about 10 minutes, a green tea extract (polyphenone) HG (manufactured by Tokyo Food Techno) was added, and stirring was continued for about 3 hours at room temperature (pH 4.3). Then, it filtered with No. 2 filter paper. 417 g of ion-exchanged water was added to the solution, and the mixture was stirred for about 5 minutes at room temperature and 100 r / min. The mixed solution was passed through a filter (0.00385 m ² ) formed with a diatomaceous earth (Radiolite 800S, Showa Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.) with a thickness of 20 mm on No. 2 filter paper, and pressurized to 0.18 Mpa. Filtration was performed at a speed of 700 L / m ² · h to separate the deposited turbid components (separation temperature 25 ° C.). The separated solution was brought into contact with 30 g of activated carbon (Kuraray Coal GLC, manufactured by Kuraray Chemical Co., Ltd.), followed by filtration through a 0.2 μm membrane filter. Finally, 200 g of ion-exchanged water was added, ethanol was distilled off at 40 ° C. and 0.0272 kg / cm ² , and then the water content was adjusted to obtain a product.
The content of non-polymer catechins after the treatment was 15% by mass.
Turbidity after treatment = 120
Non-polymer catechins / caffeine mass ratio after treatment = 48.5
Galate fraction after treatment = 52.9% by mass

  The production conditions of Examples 1 to 3 and the analysis results of the obtained green tea extract are shown in Table 1, and the production conditions of Comparative Examples 1 to 3 and the analysis results of the obtained green tea extract are shown in Table 2.

(Note) 1) Polyphenone HG, manufactured by Tokyo Food Techno 2) Kuraray Coal GLC, manufactured by Kuraray Chemical 3) Mizuka Ace # 600, manufactured by Mizusawa Chemical 4) Radiolite # 800S, manufactured by Showa Chemical Industry 5) Non-polymer of polyphenone HG formulation Catechin composition GC (gallocatechin) 6.39 mass%, EGC (epigallocatechin) 29.42 mass%, C (catechin) 2.16 mass%, EC (epicatechin) 10.3 mass%, EGCg (epigalo) Catechin gallate) 37.13 mass%, GCg (gallocatechin gallate) 1.93 mass%, ECg (epicatechin gallate) 11.89 mass%, Cg (catechin gallate) 0.79 mass%, gallate body fraction 51.73 % By mass, gallo body ratio 74.88% by mass.

(Note) 1) Polyphenone HG, manufactured by Tokyo Food Techno 2) Kuraray Coal GLC, manufactured by Kuraray Chemical 3) Mizuka Ace # 600, manufactured by Mizusawa Chemical 4) Radiolite # 800S, manufactured by Showa Chemical Industry 5) Non-polymer of polyphenone HG formulation Catechin composition GC (gallocatechin) 6.39 mass%, EGC (epigallocatechin) 29.42 mass%, C (catechin) 2.16 mass%, EC (epicatechin) 10.3 mass%, EGCg (epigalo) Catechin gallate) 37.13 mass%, GCg (gallocatechin gallate) 1.93 mass%, ECg (epicatechin gallate) 11.89 mass%, Cg (catechin gallate) 0.79 mass%, gallate body fraction 51.73 % By mass, gallo body ratio 74.88% by mass.

  As shown in Table 1 and Table 2, the production method of the present invention is a purified green tea in which caffeine is reduced and turbidity components are reduced without changing the gallate body ratio or gallo body ratio of non-polymer catechins. An extract can be produced.

Example 4 Containerized beverage After adding the purified green tea extract shown in Tables 1 and 2 and the containerized beverage component described in Table 3, a balanced amount of ion-exchanged water was added to prepare a beverage. A sterilization treatment and hot pack filling based on the Food Sanitation Law were performed to obtain a container-packed beverage.

  Five male monitors, after storing the manufactured packaged beverage at 37 ° C. for 30 days, ingested 500 mL each together with the non-tea-based packaged beverage immediately after production, The change in miscellaneous taste derived from turbidity during long-term storage was evaluated based on the following criteria. The product temperature at the time of drinking was adjusted to around room temperature. The appearance of the stored beverage was also evaluated visually. The results are shown in Table 3.

Changes in appearance:
A There is no change in appearance including precipitation B There is a slight change in appearance including precipitation C There is a change in appearance including precipitation D There is a large change in appearance including precipitation

Changes in miscellaneous taste:
A Difficult to feel B Slightly difficult to feel C Slightly feel D Feel

  As is apparent from the results in Table 3, the packaged beverage using the purified green tea extract treated with the green tea extract according to the present invention is clear with no change in appearance even when stored for a long period of time. There was no change in miscellaneous taste.

Example 5
(1) 90 kg of hot water at 84 ° C. was added to 6000 g of green tea leaves and extracted for 60 minutes, followed by filtration with No. 2 filter paper to obtain 66 kg (pH 5.4) of “green tea extract”. (Non-polymer catechin concentration of green tea extract = 0.9 mass%, gallate body ratio of green tea extract = 52.2 mass%)
This green tea extract was set at a temperature of 25 ° C. and tannase (Kikkoman Tannase KTFH) was added at a concentration of 200 ppm with respect to the green tea extract and held for 130 minutes, resulting in a gallate body ratio of 40.2% by mass. The solution was heated to 90 ° C. to deactivate the enzyme and stop the reaction (pH 4.9). This reaction solution was concentrated using a reverse osmosis membrane (NTR-759HR manufactured by Nitto Denko Corporation) to a Brix concentration of 25 to obtain 8 kg of a liquid “concentrate of tannase-treated green tea extract”. The obtained green tea extract had a non-polymer catechin content of 6.9% by mass, a gallate body ratio of 40.1% by mass, and a pH of an aqueous solution dissolved in a solid content concentration of 2% by mass = 5.0.
(2) Further, 4.5 kg of the obtained concentrated liquid was spray-dried to obtain 400 g of a powdered “tannase-treated green tea extract”. The obtained green tea extract had a non-polymer catechin content of 33.2% by mass, a gallate body ratio of 40.1% by mass, and a pH of the aqueous solution when dissolved in a solid content concentration of 2% by mass = 5.0. .
(3) Using the obtained green tea extract, the same purification treatment as in Example 2 was performed to obtain a purified green tea extract having no turbidity, good hue, and reduced bitterness.
Content of non-polymer catechins after treatment = 15% by mass
Non-polymer catechin concentration in solid content after treatment = 65% by mass
Turbidity after treatment = 9
Non-polymer catechins / caffeine mass ratio after treatment = 37.1
Galate fraction after treatment = 40.4% by mass
(4) Using the obtained purified green tea extract, a container-packed beverage was obtained in the same manner as in Example 4 and Product 1 of the present invention. This beverage had no change in appearance even when stored for a long time, and the bitterness was reduced.

Claims (11)

A green tea extract is dispersed in a mixed solution having a mass ratio of 91/9 to 97/3 of a hydrophilic organic solvent and water, and the solution obtained by contacting with activated carbon and / or acidic clay or activated clay is filtered. liquid hydrolysis and / or de-organic solvent, the weight ratio of the hydrophilic organic solvent and water in the solution in the range of 70 / 30-40 / 60, then the filter aid centrifugation and / or solution In addition, the manufacturing method of the refined green tea extract filtered with the filter pre-coated with the filter aid. Centrifuge method according to claim 1, wherein a continuous centrifuge. The rate of flow into the centrifuge is a ratio Q / Σ between the flow rate Q (m ³ / h) and the centrifuge sedimentation area Σ (m ² ) of 2.5 × 10 ^{−6 to} 5.0 × 10 ⁻⁵ m. The production method according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein / h. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3 , wherein the filter aid is cellulose, diatomaceous earth, or a combination thereof. The production method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the filter aid used for the precoat is cellulose, diatomaceous earth, or a combination thereof. The manufacturing method according to any one of claims 1 to 5 , wherein a temperature at the time of separation is in a range of -15 to 78 ° C. The production method according to any one of claims 1 to 6 , wherein PH when the green tea extract is contacted with acidic clay or activated clay is 4-6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7 , wherein the hydrophilic organic solvent is ethanol. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8 , wherein the green tea extract is obtained by tannase treatment of a green tea extract. A purified green tea extract produced by the production method according to any one of claims 1 to 9 , comprising 40 to 90 mass% of non-polymer catechins per solid content, and non-polymer catechins / A purified green tea extract having a caffeine mass ratio of 25 to 200. The container-packed drink which mix | blended the refined green tea extract of Claim 10 .