JP7145376B2 - Composition and its manufacturing method - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to compositions and methods of making them.

Various methods for producing a rooibos (Aspalathus linearis) extract (extraction method) have been proposed (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2). A problem with rooibos extracts extracted by these methods is that they have a bitter taste. Quercetins, which are a kind of polyphenol, are known as bitter components, and quercetins are known to be contained in rooibos.

As a technique for removing bitterness, a method of separating by resin treatment is known (see, for example, Patent Document 3). However, when the technology is applied to the rooibos extract, the bitterness and the aroma component peculiar to rooibos are removed at the same time. "Aroma" is a very important factor in the palatability of food, and the removal of the aroma component is not preferable because the consumer's palatability is remarkably reduced.

By the way, reactive oxygen species typified by O ^2- are usually produced by phagocytic cells such as macrophages activated in vivo, and exhibit bactericidal and tumoricidal effects. However, it is known that these reactive oxygen species have no selective toxicity and can act on normal cells, resulting in various disorders in living organisms. For example, it has been clarified that lipid peroxidation causes membrane damage, protein conformational changes due to oxidative modification of proteins, DNA cleavage, etc., and as a result, they exhibit cytotoxic effects and cause various diseases.

Superoxide dismutase (hereinafter referred to as “SOD”) performs a disproportionation reaction (formula (1) below) of superoxide radicals (O ²⁻ ) generated by one-electron reduction of oxygen molecules at a rate close to diffusion control. is an enzyme that catalyzes and lowers intracellular O ^2- concentration.
Formula (1): 2O ²⁻ +2H ⁺ →H ₂ O ₂ +O ₂
SOD, which is an O ^2- removing enzyme, exists to protect living organisms from reactive oxygen species, and is effective for diseases and the like thought to be caused by these reactive oxygen species. From this point of view, the reaction mechanism, physiological mechanism, etc. have been studied in recent years (see, for example, Non-Patent Document 1).

Ingredients with high superoxide scavenging activity (hereinafter referred to as "SOD-like activity") are used in various applications, such as antihypertensive agents, constipation improving agents, and virus growth inhibitors.
For example, it is well known that green tea and the like have antioxidant effects and have SOD-like activity. Rooibos is also used as tea, and is known to have SOD-like activity, which is an indicator of antioxidant action. However, the SOD-like activity of rooibos tea is about 1/4 that of hojicha and about 1/10 that of gyokuro tea (see, for example, Non-Patent Document 2).
Therefore, when ingesting rooibos tea in anticipation of the same SOD-like activity as gyokuro tea, it is necessary to drink 10 times the amount of rooibos tea as compared to gyokuro tea.

Various methods for enhancing the SOD-like activity of rooibos have been investigated from the viewpoint of health. For example, a method of blending a tannin-containing plant or a flavonoid-containing plant, and a method of blending dried leaves of Rubus suavisimus are known (see, for example, Patent Documents 4 and 5).

Japanese Patent Publication No. 2010-520913 JP-A-10-113148 JP 2016-210767 A JP-A-6-70681 Japanese Patent No. 3467576

Edited by Minoru Nakano et al., "Reactive Oxygen-Molecular Mechanisms of Generation, Elimination, and Action in Living Things" (2nd edition of new edition, published by Kyoritsu Shuppan Co., Ltd.), pp.223-230 Junko Odachi, Keiichiro Hiyama, "Effects and Utilization of Mugwort", Bulletin of the Faculty of Modern Life, Tezukayama University, No. 9, pp. 1-9 (2013)

Because of consumer preference, a technology that reduces bitterness while maintaining the aroma components of rooibos extract is desired. It is also desired from the viewpoint of health foods in recent years that rooibos tea, when ingested as rooibos tea, exhibits the same antioxidant action as that of green tea, etc., in the same amount.

An object of the present invention is to provide a composition derived from Aspalathus linearis that is suitable for consumer tastes and can improve antioxidant activity by reducing bitterness while maintaining aroma components.

As a result of intensive studies on the above problems, the present inventors have found that the content of each of phenylpyruvate-2-O-β-D-glucopyranoside, quercetin and at least one of its glycosides, and polyphenol compounds is reduced to the desired level. The inventors have found that the above problems can be solved by controlling the amount within the range, and have completed the present invention.
That is, the present inventors provide the following [1] to [4].
[1] A composition derived from Aspalathus linearis, comprising (a1) component: phenylpyruvate-2-O-β-D-glucopyranoside and (a2) component: at least one of quercetin and its glycoside (A) component containing at least: a polyphenol compound, the content of the component (a1) is 0.05% by mass or more, and the content of the component (a2) is 0.5% by mass or less and the content of component (A) is 0.5 to 25% by mass.
[2] The composition according to [1] above, wherein the content ratio ((a1)/(a2)) of the component (a1) and the component (a2) is 0.7 or more.
[3] A method for producing the composition according to [1] or [2] above, wherein the raw material, which is tea leaves of Aspalathus linearis, is extracted with water or an extraction solvent of water and organic solvent A to obtain an extract. and dissolving the extract in water or an adsorbent-treated solvent having a mass ratio of water and organic solvent B (water/organic solvent B) of 0.25 or more, and contacting the extract with a porous adsorbent. A method of making a composition comprising
[4] The method for producing a composition according to [3] above, wherein the porous adsorbent is activated carbon or a synthetic adsorbent.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an Aspalathus linearis-derived composition that is suitable for consumer tastes and that can improve antioxidant activity by reducing bitterness while maintaining aroma components.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to its preferred embodiments.

[1. Composition]
The composition of the present invention is a composition derived from Aspalathus linearis. The term "derived from Aspalathus linearis" used herein means an extract of tea leaves or the like. The composition of the present invention differs from existing rooibos extracts in that the contents of the constituent components are different.

The composition of the present invention comprises (a1) component: phenylpyruvate-2-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (hereinafter also referred to as “PPAG”) and (a2) component: quercetin and its glycoside (hereinafter (also collectively referred to as “quercetins”) and (A) component: contains a polyphenol compound.
PPAG and quercetins are also a kind of polyphenol compounds and are known to be contained in Aspalathus linearis. Polyphenolic compounds include other polyphenolic compounds contained in Aspalathus linearis (for example, aspalathin, isoorientin, orientin, isovitexin, notofadine, luteolin, vitexin, 4-hydroxybenzoic acid, p-hydroxyphenylethanol, vanyl glycol, p-coumaric acid, esculetin, syringin, hemiflorin, secoisolariciresinol, brazinol F, cinaroside, aspararinine).

In the composition of the present invention, the content of component (a1) is 0.05% by mass or more, the content of component (a2) is 0.5% by mass or less, and the content of component (A) is is 0.5 to 25% by mass.
In the existing rooibos extract, when the content of component (a2) was reduced to 0.5% by mass or less, the content of component (a1) could not be maintained at 0.05% by mass or more. Therefore, attempts to reduce the bitterness impair the aroma of rooibos and reduce consumer preference. In addition, since the component (a2) is also a type of polyphenol compound, it is easily expected that an attempt to reduce this component would result in a decrease in the antioxidant action.
On the other hand, the composition of the present invention reduces the content of component (a2) to 0.5% by mass or less, which cannot be achieved with existing rooibos extracts, while reducing the content of component (a1) to 0.05% by mass or more. to be maintained. Therefore, while reducing the bitterness, it maintains the aroma of rooibos and is suitable for consumer taste.

By the way, polyphenol components such as quercetin and luteolin contained in rooibos are known to have high SOD-like activity. Therefore, it is believed that the SOD-like activity of rooibos is also due to these polyphenols. Therefore, if the content of component (a2) is reduced to 0.5% by mass or less, it is expected that the SOD-like activity will also decrease.
However, the present inventors found that the SOD-like activity of rooibos was improved by reducing the amount of quercetin contained in rooibos, which is an effect contrary to the expectations of those skilled in the art. That is, the composition of the present invention exhibits remarkable effects that cannot be predicted from the prior art.

Component (a1) is phenylpyruvate-2-O-β-D-glucopyranoside. The component is considered to correlate with the intensity of fragrance.
The lower limit of the content of component (a1) is usually 0.05% by mass or more, preferably 0.2% by mass or more, more preferably 0.3% by mass or more, and still more preferably 0. .4% by mass or more. When the content of the component (a1) is 0.05% by mass or more, the strength of the fragrance is good. Moreover, the upper limit is not particularly limited, and is usually 1.0% by mass or less.
In addition, content of (a1) component can be quantified by HPLC.

The (a2) component is quercetin and its glycoside. This component provides the bitterness of the rooibos extract. Glycosides of quercetin include, for example, quercetin-3-robinobioside, hyperoside, rutin, and isoquercitrin.
The upper limit of the content of component (a2) is usually 0.5% by mass or less, preferably 0.4% by mass or less, more preferably 0.3% by mass or less, and still more preferably 0. .2% by mass or less. If the content of component (a2) is 0.5% by mass or less, bitterness can be reduced. Moreover, the lower limit is not particularly limited, and may be equal to or lower than the detection limit. (a2) When multiple components exist, content of (a2) component is a total value.
In addition, content of (a2) component can be quantified by HPLC.

Component (A) is a polyphenol compound containing components (a1) and (a2). (A) Containing the component is considered to contribute to the antioxidant action. For example, aspalathin, isoorientin, orientin, isovitexin, notofadine, luteolin, vitexin, 4-hydroxybenzoic acid, p-hydroxyphenylethanol, vanyl glycol, p-coumaric acid, esculetin, syringin, hemiflorin, secoisolariciresinol. , Bradinol F, Cynaroside, Aspararinine.
The lower limit of the content of component (A) is usually 0.5% by mass or more, preferably 1% by mass or more, and more preferably 3% by mass or more. Moreover, the upper limit is usually 25% by mass or less, preferably 20% by mass or less, and more preferably 18% by mass or less.

The ratio of the content of component (a1) to the content of component (a2) ((a1)/(a2)) is preferably 0.7 or more, more preferably 2 or more. Although the upper limit is not particularly limited, it is usually 50 or less. ((a1)/(a2)) is preferably 0.7 or more, more preferably 2 to 50. When ((a1)/(a2)) is 0.7 or more, bitterness can be reduced.

The ratio of the content of component (A) to the content of component (a2) ((A)/(a2)) is preferably greater than 27, more preferably 50 or more. When ((A)/(a2)) exceeds 27, the SOD-like activity becomes favorable, and the antioxidant effect can be improved.

The composition of the present invention can also be used as food compositions and pharmaceutical compositions. When used as a food composition or pharmaceutical composition, the composition of the present invention can be used as an additive in food, drink or functional foods. When used as an additive, the form is the extract itself, the dried extract, the diluted extract, the dried diluted extract, the concentrated extract (concentrated extract), and the concentrated extract It can be used as a dried liquid, a dried powder, or the like.

The intake (administration) route of the composition of the present invention is not particularly limited. For example, oral (eg, intraoral, sublingual) or parenteral (eg, eye drops, intravenous, intramuscular, subcutaneous, transdermal, nasal, pulmonary) routes may be used. Among these, less invasive routes are preferred, and oral route is more preferred.

In the case of oral intake (oral administration), for example, solid forms such as powders, granules, granules, capsules, sachets, tablets, boluses, lozenges; aqueous solutions, extracts, suspensions, syrups, elixirs, emulsions, Liquid forms such as dispersions; semi-liquid forms, cream forms, paste forms and the like.
Among others, the form of pills, which are powders or concentrates in capsules; the form of powders, which can be ingested after being placed in or dissolved in a liquid such as water or hot water, similar to drinking powdered tea; the form of freeze-dried granules, etc. It is preferably taken (administered) in granular form.

Examples of parenteral administration include eye drops such as liquids such as aqueous solutions, extracts, suspensions, emulsions and dispersions; ophthalmic agents such as semi-liquids, creams and pastes; aqueous solutions, extracts, Intravenous injections, intramuscular injections or subcutaneous injections such as liquids such as suspensions, emulsions and dispersions; Transdermal administrations such as liquids such as aqueous solutions, extracts, suspensions, emulsions and dispersions; , liquids such as extracts, suspensions, emulsions and dispersions, nasal administration agents such as powders and fine granules, and transpulmonary administration agents.

There are no particular restrictions on the foods, beverages and functional foods in which the composition of the present invention can be added as an additive. For example, beverages (soft drinks, carbonated drinks, nutritional drinks, powdered drinks, fruit drinks, milk drinks, jelly drinks, etc.), confectionery (cookies, cakes, gums, candies, tablets, gummies, buns, yokan, pudding, jelly, ice cream, sherbet, etc.), processed marine products (kamaboko, chikuwa, hanpen, etc.), processed livestock products (hamburgers, hams, sausages, sausages, wieners, cheese, butter, yogurt, fresh cream, margarine, fermented milk, etc.), soups (powder) soups, liquid soups, etc.), staple foods (rice, noodles (dried noodles, raw noodles), bread, cereals, etc.), seasonings (mayonnaise, shortening, dressings, sauces, sauces, soy sauces, etc.).

The compositions of the present invention may contain any of the conventional auxiliary ingredients used in preparing solid and liquid dosage forms, such as excipients, disintegrants, diluents, buffers, flavoring agents, coloring agents. agents, flavoring agents, binders, surfactants, thickeners, lubricants, suspending agents, preservatives, antioxidants and the like.

Excipients include, for example, cellulose such as hydroxypropylcellulose, hydroxypropylmethylcellulose, methylcellulose, crystalline cellulose, ethylcellulose, low-substituted hydroxypropylcellulose, and pharmacologically acceptable derivatives thereof; polyvinylpyrrolidone, partially saponified polyvinyl alcohol. Synthetic polymers such as gelatin, gum arabic powder, pullulan, agar, alginic acid, sodium alginate, xanthan gum and other polysaccharides; corn starch, potato starch, pregelatinized starch, hydroxypropyl starch and other starches, and their pharmacologically acceptable lactose, fructose, glucose, sucrose, trehalose, palatinose, mannitol, sorbitol, erythritol, xylitol, reduced palatinose, powdered reduced maltose starch syrup, maltitol and other sugars and sugar alcohols; light anhydrous silicic acid, fine silicon oxide , titanium oxide, and aluminum hydroxide gel.

Examples of disintegrants include crospovidone, carmellose calcium, croscarmellose sodium, low-substituted hydroxypropyl cellulose, carboxymethyl cellulose, carboxymethyl starch sodium, croscarmellose sodium, hydroxypropyl starch, and partially pregelatinized starch. .

Binders include, for example, hydroxypropylcellulose, hydroxypropylmethylcellulose, methylcellulose, ethylcellulose, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinylpyrrolidone, gelatin, dextrin, cyclodextrin, starch, pregelatinized starch.

Examples of lubricants include calcium stearate, magnesium stearate, sucrose fatty acid ester, light anhydrous silicic acid, sodium stearyl fumarate, polyethylene glycol, talc, and stearic acid.

The dosage of the composition of the present invention is preferably 10-200 mg per dose. The frequency of dosing is usually 1 to 3 times a day, and the dosing period is usually 1 day or more, preferably 3 days or more, more preferably 7 days or more.

[2. Composition manufacturing method]
The method for producing the composition of the present invention includes [1. Composition]. More specifically, the method for producing the composition of the present invention includes a step of extracting a raw material, which is tea leaves of Aspalathus linearis, with water or an extraction solvent of water and organic solvent A to obtain an extract; and a step of dissolving in water or an adsorbent-treated solvent having a mass ratio of water and organic solvent B (water/organic solvent B) of 0.25 or more, and bringing the solution into contact with the porous adsorbent.
By contacting the rooibos extract with a porous adsorbent in an adsorbent treatment solvent of water or water and an organic solvent, a composition can be produced that reduces bitterness while maintaining the PPAG aroma intensity. This is because the content of component (a1) can be maintained at 0.05% by mass or more while reducing the content of component (a2) to 0.5% by mass or less, which was not possible with existing methods. . In addition, it is possible to produce a composition exhibiting an unexpectedly remarkable effect that the antioxidative effect is improved in spite of the reduced content of component (a2), which is one type of polyphenol compound.

Aspalathus linearis (Rooibos) tea leaves can be either fermented or unfermented. However, fermented tea leaves are preferred. The portion of the tea leaves is preferably a young leaf portion, a branch portion, or the like. As a pretreatment of tea leaves, a pulverization treatment, a drying treatment, or a combination of these treatments may be performed.

Extraction solvents include water, lower alcohols, lower aliphatic ketones, polyhydric alcohols, and the like. The extraction solvent is preferably water, ethanol, or a mixed solution thereof. For example, a mixed solution of water and ethanol can be a mixed solution having a mass ratio (water/organic solvent A) of 0.1 or more. The extraction solvent is more preferably water.
The temperature of the extraction solvent is preferably 20-100°C, more preferably 80-100°C. The extraction time is preferably 0.5 to 12 hours, more preferably 0.5 to 4 hours. Also, the amount of the extraction solvent is preferably 5 to 20 times, more preferably 7 to 15 times, in terms of mass.

Adsorbent treatment solvents include water, lower alcohols, lower aliphatic ketones, polyhydric alcohols and the like. The adsorbent treatment solvent is preferably water, ethanol, or a mixed solution thereof. For example, a mixed solution of water and ethanol can be a mixed solution having a mass ratio (water/organic solvent B) of 0.25 or more.
The temperature of the adsorbent treatment solvent is preferably 20 to 90°C, more preferably 20 to 70°C.
The extraction solvent and the adsorbent treatment solvent may be the same or different. When the same one is used, it may be used as it is, or it may be used after removing part or all of the extraction solvent by drying to adjust the concentration.

Examples of porous adsorbents include activated carbon, activated clay, acid clay, activated alumina, zeolite, silica gel, and synthetic adsorbents. Among these, the porous adsorbent is preferably activated carbon, activated clay or synthetic adsorbent, more preferably activated carbon or synthetic adsorbent.

The shape of the activated carbon may be powder, crushed or molded granules, fibrous, honeycomb, sheet, or plate, and any shape may be used.
Activated carbon raw materials include sawdust, wood chips, charcoal, grass charcoal, coconut shell charcoal, coal, oil carbon, phenolic resin, rayon, acrylonitrile, coal pitch, and petroleum pitch.
Activated carbon may be activated. The activation method includes chemical activation, gas activation, and the like.

Synthetic adsorbents include styrene-divinylbenzene synthetic adsorbents, acrylic synthetic adsorbents, methacrylic synthetic adsorbents, acrylate synthetic adsorbents, amide synthetic adsorbents, and silicon dioxide-based synthetic adsorbents. Examples include synthetic adsorbents, dextran-based synthetic adsorbents, polyvinyl-based synthetic adsorbents, and polyvinylamide-based polyvinylpolypyrrolidone (PVPP).

A synthetic product may be used for the synthetic adsorbent, and a commercially available product may be used. Examples of commercially available products include the following products.
(Styrene-divinylbenzene-based synthetic adsorbent)
"Diaion HP20", "Diaion HP21", "Sepabeads SP825", "Sepabeads SP850" (manufactured by Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation), "Amberlite XAD2", "Amberlite XAD4", "Amberlite XAD16HP" (above, manufactured by Organo).
(acrylic synthetic adsorbent)
"Diaion WK-10" (manufactured by Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation).
(methacrylic synthetic adsorbent)
"Diaion HP-2MG" (manufactured by Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation).
(acrylic acid ester-based synthetic adsorbent)
"Amberlite XAD-7" (manufactured by Organo).
(Amide-based synthetic adsorbent)
"Amberlite XAD-11" (manufactured by Organo).
(silicon dioxide-based synthetic adsorbent)
"Sylopute 202" (manufactured by Fuji Silysia Chemical Co., Ltd.).
(Dextran-based synthetic adsorbent)
"Sephadex G-25" (manufactured by Amersham Pharmacia Biotech).
(polyvinyl-based synthetic adsorbent)
"Diaion FP-II" (manufactured by Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation).
(Polyvinylamide-based polyvinylpolypyrrolidone (PVPP))
"Polyclar" (manufactured by ISP Japan) and "Daibagan" (manufactured by BASF).
"Diaion", "Sepabeads", "Amberlite", "Sylopute", "Sephadex", "Polyclar" and "Daibagan" are all registered trademarks.

The amount of the porous adsorbent is preferably 5-300%, more preferably 15-200%, relative to the solid content of the extract. The term "solid content" as used herein refers to the dried product of the extract. More specifically, a part of the extract is sampled, dried at 105° C. for 16 hours, and the solid content is calculated and converted.

The treatment method includes stirring, liquid passing, etc., and stirring is preferred. Conditions such as temperature, time and amount of adsorbent treatment solvent vary depending on the treatment method.
In the case of stirring, the temperature of the adsorbent treatment solvent is preferably 20 to 90°C, more preferably 30 to 70°C. The adsorbent treatment time is preferably 0.5 to 5 hours, more preferably 0.5 to 3 hours. Also, the amount of the adsorbent treatment solvent is preferably 3 to 30 times, more preferably 5 to 20 times, in terms of mass.
In the case of liquid flow, the temperature of the adsorbent treatment solvent is preferably 20 to 60°C, more preferably 20 to 40°C. The adsorbent treatment time is preferably 0.5 to 5 hours, more preferably 0.5 to 3 hours. Also, the amount of the adsorbent treatment solvent is preferably 30 to 120 times, more preferably 40 to 80 times, in terms of mass.

After the extract is brought into contact with the porous adsorbent, it may be concentrated and dried, if necessary. The concentration step includes evaporative concentration, membrane concentration, freeze concentration and the like. The drying process includes spray drying, freeze drying, and the like.

EXAMPLES The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to examples. The following examples are intended to better illustrate the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention. Unless otherwise specified, the method for measuring physical properties is the method described above.

[PPAG content (%)]
It was quantified by HPLC under the following conditions. The purity of the isolated product was determined by NMR and used as a standard product.
Column: Wakosil-II 5C18HG
Solvent: Acetonitrile: 0.1% TFA (trifluoroacetic acid) = 15:85
Temperature: 40°C
Wavelength: 287nm

[Quercetin content (%)]
It is mixed with a 5.5% hydrochloric acid methanol solution and thermally decomposed in a boiling water bath for 2 hours. Then, it was quantified by HPLC under the following conditions. Quercetin (Quercetin (made in China), manufactured by Medience) was used as a standard product.
Column: Wakosil-ll 5C18AR
Solvent: Acetonitrile: THF (tetrahydrofuran): 0.1% phosphoric acid water = 30:5:65
Temperature: 42°C
Wavelength: 360nm

[Polyphenol content]
It was quantified by the iron tartrate method. Ethyl gallate is used as standard. More specifically, 0.6 mL of iron tartrate coloring test solution and 1.8 mL of Seerensen phosphate buffer were added to 0.6 mL each of the sample solution, calibration curve preparation solution, and control solution, and mixed. Absorbance at a wavelength of 540 nm was measured within 40 minutes after preparation for the sample solution and the calibration curve preparation solution.

[Sensory evaluation, physical property evaluation]
The sensory evaluation was carried out by the following method with reference to "Sensory Test Handbook, New Edition" (1999, Nikkagiren Publishing Co., Ltd.). For the sensory evaluation, an expert panel (p.583) in the same handbook was used. In addition, the evaluation criteria were set with reference to "19.3 Preference Expression Terms" (p.679-681) in the same handbook.

[No bitterness]
Sensory evaluation of bitterness was performed using the tablets having the composition shown in Table 1. More specifically, 10 evaluators were asked to chew one tablet, and the bitterness from the beginning of chewing until the end of chewing was evaluated according to the following scale.
The evaluator used quercetin (quercetin (manufactured in China), manufactured by Medience) in advance to confirm the bitterness peculiar to quercetin, and evaluated the bitterness of quercetin itself. Moreover, the tablet of Comparative Example 1 was used as an index as a very bitter sample.

[Bitterness evaluation scale]
5 points: not bitter 4 points: slightly bitter 3 points: slightly bitter 2 points: quite bitter 1 point: very bitter (Comparative Example 1)

[Strength of fragrance]
Sensory evaluation of fragrance strength was performed using the tablets having the composition shown in Table 1. More specifically, 10 evaluators were asked to chew one tablet, and the strength of the fragrance from the beginning of chewing until the end of chewing was evaluated according to the following scale.
The evaluator used the PPAG fractionated from the rooibos extract in advance to confirm the odor peculiar to PPAG, and evaluated the odor of the PPAG itself. Moreover, the sample from Comparative Example 1 from which PPAG was removed was used as an index as a sample without fragrance.

[Aroma evaluation scale]
5 points: Very fragrant 4 points: Quite fragrant 3 points: Slightly fragrant 2 points: Slightly fragrant 1 point: No scent (specimen from Comparative Example 1 excluding PPAG)

[Comprehensive evaluation of aroma and bitterness]
Based on the average values of 10 evaluators of the strength of bitterness and aroma, evaluation was made according to the following evaluation criteria.

[Evaluation criteria]
A: Both bitterness and aroma strength are 4 points or more B: Bitterness is 3 points or more and less than 4 points, and aroma strength is 4 points or more C: Either bitterness or aroma strength is less than 3 points B is a level at which even if there is some bitterness, the bitterness is not noticeable due to the aroma.

[SOD-like activity (×10 ⁴ Unit/g)]
The activity was measured by the NBT reduction method using SOD Test Wako (manufactured by Wako Pure Chemical Industries, Ltd.). The NBT reduction method is a measurement method utilizing the fact that superoxide reduces nitroblue tetrazolium to form formazan, and is characterized in that the higher the SOD-like activity, the lower the absorbance at a wavelength of 560 nm. The absorbance at a wavelength of 560 nm was measured according to the operating procedure attached to the manual. A calibration curve was prepared using bovine erythrocyte-derived superoxide dismutase (Cu/Zn type) (Wako Pure Chemical Industries, Ltd., 4700 Unit/mg) as a standard, and the activity per weight of each sample was calculated.

(Example 1)
In Example 1, 50 g of the raw material, which is fermented tea leaves of Aspalathus linearis (superior, manufactured by Rooibos Marketing Limited), was extracted with water at 90 ° C., and then the extract was dissolved in a 30% ethanol aqueous solution (ethanol concentration is 30% ). The 30% ethanol aqueous solution was brought into contact with activated carbon (powder activated carbon Taiko, manufactured by Futamura Chemical Co., Ltd.) at 60° C., stirred for 1 hour, filtered, and freeze-dried to obtain composition (1), which is a rooibos extract. .

(Comparative example 1)
In Comparative Example 1, 50 g of raw material, fermented tea leaves of Aspalathus linearis, was extracted with water at 90° C., filtered and dried to obtain composition (1′), which is a rooibos extract.

(Examples 2 to 10, Comparative Example 2)
Compositions (2) to (10) or (2'), which are rooibos extracts, were obtained in the same manner as in Example 1 or Comparative Example 1, except that the conditions for preparing the rooibos extract were as follows. The preparation conditions are also shown in Table 1.
In Examples 2 to 4, the amount of adsorbent (activated carbon) in Example 1 was changed to 5%, 10% and 15%, respectively, based on the solid content. In addition, solid content here means the dry matter of a water extract. More specifically, a portion of the aqueous extraction solution was sampled and dried at 105° C. for 16 hours to calculate the solid content.
In Examples 5 to 7, the 30% aqueous ethanol solution used as the adsorbent treatment solvent in Example 1 was changed to water, 50% aqueous ethanol solution, and 80% aqueous ethanol solution, respectively.
In Example 8, water, which is the extraction solvent in Example 1, was changed to a 50% aqueous ethanol solution.
In Examples 9 and 10, the adsorbent of Example 1 was changed to a synthetic adsorbent (Diaion HP20, manufactured by Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation), and the stirring, which is the treatment method of Example 1, was performed. 120%) and agitation (40% solids content).
In Comparative Example 2, the water used as the extraction solvent in Comparative Example 1 was changed to a 50% aqueous ethanol solution.
The raw materials of Examples 1 to 10 and Comparative Examples 1 and 2 used the same lot of tea leaves. In Table 1, "PPAG" indicates phenylpyruvate-2-O-β-D-glucopyranoside.

[How to make a tablet]
The tablet used for the evaluation test was produced as follows. 50 mg of the composition obtained in Examples 1 to 10 or Comparative Examples 1 and 2, erythritol (Erythritol 50M, manufactured by Bussan Food Science) 100 mg, crystalline cellulose (Seolus ST-100, manufactured by Asahi Kasei) 90 mg, and calcium stearate (steria Calcium phosphate, manufactured by Taihei Kagaku Sangyo Co., Ltd.) (10 mg) was uniformly mixed and directly compressed at 12 kN to prepare one tablet.

Evaluation tests of the compositions obtained in Examples 1 to 10 and Comparative Examples 1 and 2 were performed using the produced tablets. Table 2 shows the results.

As can be seen from Tables 1 and 2, the composition according to the present invention had a low quercetin content while maintaining the PPAG content, so the overall evaluation of aroma and bitterness was A or B. In addition, the composition according to the present invention has a high SOD-like activity and an improved antioxidative effect despite the low polyphenol content. That is, by applying the porous adsorbent treatment, quercetins were reduced while maintaining the aroma of PPAG, and the SOD-like activity was improved. In addition, the polyphenol content of rooibos extract treated with porous adsorbent was decreased.
On the other hand, the composition of the comparative example corresponding to the ordinary extract has a high PPAG content, so the score for strength of aroma is high, but the score for bitterness is low because the amount of quercetin is high, and the overall evaluation of aroma and bitterness is low. was C. In addition, although the polyphenol content is high, the SOD-like activity is low and the antioxidant action is low.

Claims (4)

A composition derived from Aspalathus linearis, comprising:
(a1) component: phenylpyruvate-2-O-β-D-glucopyranoside;
(a2) component: containing at least one of quercetin and its glycoside (A) component: containing a polyphenol compound,
The content of the component (a1) is 0.05% by mass or more,
The content of the component (a2) is 0.5% by mass or less,
A composition in which the content of component (A) is 0.5 to 25% by mass. The composition according to claim 1, wherein the content ratio ((a1)/(a2)) of the component (a1) and the component (a2) is 0.7 or more. A method for producing the composition according to claim 1 or 2,
A step of extracting the raw material, which is tea leaves of Aspalathus linearis, with water or an extraction solvent of water and organic solvent A to obtain an extract;
a step of dissolving the extract in water or an adsorbent-treated solvent having a mass ratio of water and organic solvent B (water/organic solvent B) of 0.25 or more, and bringing the extract into contact with the porous adsorbent. manufacturing method. 4. The method for producing a composition according to claim 3, wherein the porous adsorbent is activated carbon or a synthetic adsorbent.