TW201834666A - Sugar and/or lipid metabolism-improving agent - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention addresses the problem of providing a sugar and/or lipid metabolism-improving agent. The problem is solved by a sugar and/or lipid metabolism-improving agent that contains fibrous paramylon.

Description

Sugar and / or lipid metabolism improving agent

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a sugar and / or lipid metabolism improving agent.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In recent years, lifestyle diseases are increasing. This is thought to be due to changes in eating habits and insufficient exercise. It is known that lifestyle disorders are related to, for example, abnormal lipid metabolism and abnormal glucose metabolism. Therefore, there may be various diseases such as arteriosclerosis and hypertension due to lifestyle diseases. Therefore, in order to prevent such lifestyle diseases, effective means for improving lipid metabolism and sugar metabolism are sought.

On the other hand, medicines that improve lipid metabolism and sugar metabolism are now known as medicines for treating diabetes, and medicines for improving obesity. However, most of these are synthetic low-molecular compounds, and from the viewpoint of constant ingestion, natural ingredients are expected. Moreover, from the viewpoint of being able to prevent lifestyle diseases more effectively, it is expected that both lipid metabolism and sugar metabolism can be improved.

Paramylon is a kind of β-1,3-glucan contained in Chlorella. In recent years, paramylon has been reported to be useful for treating wounds and suppressing allergies (Patent Documents 1 to 2). Prior technical literature Patent literature

[Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2011-184371 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2014-231479

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Problems to be Solved by the Invention The object of the present invention is to provide a sugar and / or lipid metabolism improving agent. Preferably, the subject of the present invention is to provide a sugar and / or lipid metabolism improving agent using natural ingredients as active ingredients. Means to solve the problem

As a result of intensive studies in view of the above-mentioned problems, the present inventors have found that the fibrillation of paramylon with natural ingredients significantly enhances the metabolism improving effect of sugar and / or lipid. Based on this knowledge, the inventors further advanced the results of the research and completed the present invention.

That is, the present invention includes the following aspects: Item 1. A sugar and / or lipid metabolism improving agent containing fibrillated paramylon.

Item 2. The metabolism improving agent according to Item 1, which is in a dry form.

Item 3. The metabolism improving agent according to Item 1 or 2, wherein the fibrous paramylon is a defibrinated substance of paramylon particles.

Item 4. The metabolism improving agent according to any one of Items 1 to 3, wherein the fibrous paramylon is a mesh-like structure formed by entanglement of fibers.

Item 5. The metabolism improving agent according to any one of Items 1 to 4, which is a food additive.

Item 6. The metabolism improving agent according to any one of Items 1 to 4, which is a food composition.

Item 7. The metabolism improving agent according to any one of Items 1 to 4, which is medicine.

Item 8. The metabolic improving agent according to any one of Items 1 to 7, which can be used for prevention or improvement: (1) a metabolic syndrome, or (2) selected from the group consisting of obesity, diabetes, dyslipidemia, and fatty liver At least one of the groups.

Item 9. A method for producing a sugar and / or lipid metabolism improving agent, comprising blending fibrous paramylon.

Item 10. The method according to Item 9, wherein the fibrous paramylon is in a dry form.

Item 11. The manufacturing method of Item 9 or 10, further comprising blending water.

Item 12. A fibrillated paramylon for use as a metabolism improving agent for sugar and / or lipid.

Item 13. A method for improving the metabolism of sugar and / or lipid, comprising applying fibrotic paramylon to a subject.

Item 14. Use of fibrillated paramylon, which is used to produce a metabolism improving agent for sugar and / or lipid. Invention effect

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a sugar and / or lipid metabolism improving agent containing a natural ingredient as an active ingredient. The sugar and / or lipid metabolism improving agent of the present invention can prevent or improve at least one disease or condition selected from the group consisting of: metabolic syndrome, hypercholesterolemia, and hyperlipidemia. Lipid disorders, such as bloodemia, fatty liver, diabetes, and obesity. In addition, since the sugar and / or lipid metabolism improving agent of the present invention uses a natural-derived polysaccharide as an active ingredient, the risk of side effects is considered to be low. So suitable for long-term intake.

Forms for Implementing the Invention In this specification, the expressions "contain" and "include" include the concepts of "contain", "include", "consisting essentially of", and "consisting only of".

In one aspect, the present invention relates to a sugar and / or lipid metabolism improving agent (also sometimes referred to as "metabolism improving agent of the present invention" or "present" Invention formulation ".). Hereinafter, this will be described.

1. Fibrous Euglena Starch Fibrotic Euglena Starch is derived from β-1 which is a fine algae belonging to the genus Chlorella (= Euglena) (in this specification, it may also be referred to as "euglena"). As long as it has a fibrous morphology, 3-glucan is not particularly limited, and in the present application, the paramylon in a fibrous morphology is also referred to as a fibrous paramylon. To date, there have been reports of amorphous fucoisin obtained by chemically treating (e.g., alkali treatment) eufucoid particles, which cannot be considered as fibrosis if observed with an electron microscope, and because of its shape and size, Shaped lumps and are therefore not included in fibrillated paramylon.

The fiber-derived Euglena derived from Euglena is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include Euglena gracilis, Euglena longa, Euglena caudata, Euglena oxyuris, Euglena triangulate Euglena tripteris, Euglena proxima, Euglena viridis, Euglena sociabilis, Euglena ehrenbergii, Euglena deses, Euglena deses Algae (Euglena pisciformis), Euglena spirogyra, Euglena acus, Euglena geniculata, Euglena intermedia, Euglena mutabilis, Euglena sanguinea, Euglena stellata, Euglena terricola, Euglena klebsi, Euglena rubra, Euglena cyclopicola, and the like. Among these, from the viewpoint that the effects of the present invention can be more reliably exhibited, preferably: Euglena gracilis, more preferably: Euglena gracilis EOD-1 strain [on June 28, 2013 in Budapest Under the terms of the treaty, the deposit number FERM BP-11530 is used at the independent biological corporation evaluation technology base agency patent biological deposit center {NITE-IPOD (postal code 292-0818, Kamakura, Chisara, Japan) Room 120)}, complete international deposit].

The weight average molecular weight of the fibrillated paramylon is not particularly limited, and is, for example, 1 × 10 ⁴ to 2 × 10 ⁷ , and preferably 1 × 10 ⁵ to 5 × 10 ⁵ .

The weight-average molecular weight can be determined by SEC-MALS analysis using the following method: SEC device: LC-10ADvp system (Shimadzu Co., Japan), using a column: KD-806M (shodex., Japan), MALS detector : DAWN HELEOSII (wyatt Technologies., USA), eluent: 1% LiCl / DMI, flow rate: 0.5 mL / min.

The fiber diameter of the fibrillated paramylon is not particularly limited, and is, for example, 10 to 500 nm, preferably 20 to 300 nm, and more preferably 50 to 200 nm. The fiber diameter of the fibrillated paramylon can generally be measured based on an electron microscope image of the fibrillated paramylon.

The volume of the fibrous paramylon precipitated water is not particularly limited, and is, for example, 30 to 300 mL / g, preferably 50 to 250 mL / g, and more preferably 70 to 200 mL / g. The precipitation volume in water can be measured in accordance with or in accordance with Test Example 2.

Fibrillated paramylon has relatively high tolerance to the degradation caused by enzymes. For example, the amount of monomer (glucose) generated by the decomposition of β-glucanase is, for example, 0.1 to 50 mg, preferably 1 to 10 mg, per 1 g of fibrillated phycoalgae starch. This amount can be measured in accordance with or based on Test Example 5.

The solubility of fibrillated paramylon in alkaline solutions is relatively low. For example, fibrillated paramylon is insoluble in 0.1 to 0.3 M aqueous sodium hydroxide solution. Herein, "insoluble" means: for example, the absorbance (660 nm) of a solution in which the fibrillated euglen starch is suspended in the aqueous solution (for example, immediately after suspending to 1 hour), for example, 0.1 or more, It is preferably 1.0 or more. The solubility can be measured in accordance with or based on Test Example 6.

The relative value of the crystallinity of the fibrous paramylon relative to the granular paramylon (crystallinity of the fibrous paramylon / the granular crystallinity), for example, 0.60 to 0.90, preferably 0.65 to 0.80 . The crystallinity can be measured in accordance with or based on Test Example 7.

The fibrillated paramylon may be in a form dispersed in a solvent such as water, or may be in a dry form. Even if the fibrous paramylon is in a dry form, it can be redispersed in water.

In the present specification, the "dry form" means that the moisture content is 15% by mass or less, preferably 10% by mass or less, and more preferably 5% by mass or less.

Moreover, paramylon is generally present in the cells of euglena as euglena particles, and the paramylon particles form a triple-helical structure of β-1,3-glucan chain in a certain regularity. It is highly accumulated on the basis. As for the fibrillated paramylon, it is preferable to use a fibrillated product obtained by physically defibrating the paramylon particles. The defibrated treatment obtained by applying the defibration treatment to euglena can also be used as the fibrillated euglena starch.

The shape of the paramylon particles is not particularly limited, and is generally a flat spheroid.

The particle size distribution of the paramylon particles is not particularly limited, and is, for example, 0.5 to 15 μm, and preferably 1 to 6 μm. The average particle diameter of the paramylon particles is not particularly limited, but is, for example, 1 to 10, and preferably 2 to 4 μm.

Paramylon particles can be produced by separating, isolating, or refining from green worm algae according to or by a known method (for example, the method described in Japanese Patent No. 5853532). Paramylon particles can be easily obtained, for example, by recovering cell content components obtained by destroying the cell membrane of Chlorella. In addition, paramylon particles can be purified according to need. Various methods are known for the purification of paramylon particles (for example, Japanese Patent No. 5853532), and these methods can be performed according to these methods. Examples of the purification step include a surfactant treatment step and a washing step.

The defibrating treatment is not particularly limited as long as it is a treatment that can hardly break the hydrogen bonding of β-1,3 glucan present in the paramylon particles (for example, only β-1, 10% or less, 5% or less, 2% or less, or 1% or less of hydrogen bonds of 3 glucan can be used for dehydration treatment, or β-1,3-glucose existing in paramylon particles can be aggregated. A part or all of the sugar chain or the triple helix structure formed by it is unzipped. The fibrillation treatment is preferably performed without hardly cutting the hydrogen bonds of the β-1,3 glucan present in the paramylon particles, and it is more preferably formed into a fibrous form. As the defibrating treatment, a known treatment capable of pulverizing (shearing) or pulverizing (preferably pulverizing (shearing)) fine particles such as paramylon particles can be used.

The defibrating treatment can be performed using a known mill (shearer), a pulverizer, or the like. Examples of the device used for the defibration treatment include a stone mill mill, a jet mill, a two-shaft kneader, a high-pressure homogenizer, a high-pressure emulsifier, a twin-shaft extruder, and a bead mill. . Among these, preferred are: stone mill type bead mill and bead mill.

The defibrating treatment can be performed in a wet manner or in a dry manner. Those who perform the defibrating treatment in a wet manner become better able to disperse the fibrillated paramylon in the solution more efficiently. The solvent used in the wet process is not particularly limited as long as it is a solvent capable of dispersing fibrillated paramylon, and water can be suitably used.

The defibration treatment may be performed alone or in combination of two or more. In addition, it may be a part of the defibrated phycoaluminum starch, as long as it contains the defibrated phycoalan starch.

The various conditions of the defibrating treatment can be appropriately adjusted according to the principle of defibrating, the type of device used in the defibrating treatment, whether wet or dry. As an example, when using a stone mill mill (super masscolloider) manufactured by Masano Kogyo to perform wet defibration treatment (defibrillation treatment target liquid, clearance, The number of grindstone rotations and the number of defibration treatments are as follows.

Solution for defibration treatment: Aqueous suspension of paramylon particles. The concentration of paramylon particles is not particularly limited, and is, for example, 0.1 to 40% by mass, preferably 0.5 to 30% by mass, more preferably 1 to 20% by mass, and even more preferably 2 to 15% by mass.

Gap (gap between grindstones): It is not particularly limited, and is, for example, -10 to -800 μm, preferably -30 to -400 μm, more preferably -50 to -300 μm, and still more preferably -80 to -150 μm.

The number of grindstone rotations is not particularly limited, and is, for example, 500 to 3000 rpm, preferably 700 to 2000 rpm, and more preferably 800 to 1600 rpm.

The number of times of defibrating treatment: is not particularly limited, and is, for example, 1 to 30 times, preferably 3 to 25 times, and more preferably about 5 to 20 times.

In addition, the conditions may be appropriately changed depending on the type and manufacturer of the grindstone. For example, when a glow mill of Glow Engineering is used, the gap is preferably set to, for example, 10 to 100 μm.

The fibrous paramylon may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

2. Uses Since fibrillated paramylon has a sugar and / or lipid metabolism improving effect, it can be used as an active ingredient of a sugar and / or lipid metabolism improving agent. It should be noted that in the present specification, the term "glucose metabolism" refers to each of a series of phenomena including ingestion to excretion of sugar. In the present specification, the term "lipid metabolism" refers to each of a series of phenomena including ingestion of lipids or substances that can be converted to lipids and discharge of lipids or substances that are converted from lipids.

In addition, other applications based on the metabolism-improving action of sugar and / or lipid can be used as active ingredients for the applications listed below: (A) selected from the group consisting of metabolic syndrome, hypercholesterolemia, and hyperlipidemia Lipid disorders such as diabetes, diabetes, obesity and fatty liver, at least one disease or condition preventive or ameliorative agent, (B) weight inhibitor, (C) weight gain inhibitor, (D) body Fat and / or visceral fat inhibitor, (E) Inhibitor of body fat and / or visceral fat increase, (F) Sugar and / or lipid absorption inhibitor, (G) Fat consumption promoter, (H) Blood lipid (E.g. cholesterol, neutral fat, etc.) and / or inhibitors of blood glucose levels, (I) lipids in blood (e.g. cholesterol, neutral fats, etc.) and / or inhibitors of elevated blood glucose levels, (J) blood LDL cholesterol Inhibitor, (K) Inhibitor of increased LDL cholesterol in blood, (L) Inhibitor of increased LH in blood (LDL cholesterol / HDL cholesterol), (M) Inhibitor of increased LH in blood (LDL cholesterol / HDL cholesterol) (N) Intestinal flora improver (O) Defecation improver (P) Liver function improver (R) Arteriosclerosis prevention (S) insulin resistance improving agent (T) sugar absorption delaying agents (U) delaying agents, blood glucose level.

Furthermore, it can also be used for the applications, purposes, and objects listed below: (a) Reducing visceral fat (b) Inhibiting increase in body fat, reducing body fat, inhibiting fat absorption (c) Reducing neutral fat (d) makes it easy Use fat as energy expenditure (e) Stabilize the rise of blood neutral fat and blood glucose level (f) Inhibit the absorption of sugar and glucose (g) Reduce blood cholesterol and lower LDL cholesterol value (h) Finishing Gastrointestinal condition, improve defecation, improve intestinal environment (i) increase blood HDL (high-quality cholesterol) cholesterol (j) for people who care about visceral fat (k) for people with high BMI (l) for neutral fat (M) to people who care about cholesterol (n) to (care) people who have high blood glucose levels after meals (o) to people who care about liver health.

Furthermore, the metabolic syndrome is visceral fat type plus obesity, which meets (1) high blood pressure, (2) high blood glucose level, (3) low HDL cholesterol, or high neutral fat, any two or more of the three status.

The preparation of the present invention can be used in various fields, for example, as a food additive, a food composition (including a health-promoting agent, a nutritional supplement (a supplement, etc.)), medicine, and the like.

The form of the preparation of the present invention is not particularly limited, and depending on the application, it can be used in a form generally used in each application.

In terms of form, when the application is food additives, medicines, health-promoting agents, nutritional supplements (such as supplements), etc., for example: lozenges (including disintegrating tablets inside the mouth, chewable tablets, foaming tablets, Oral preparations, jelly-like drops, etc.), pills, granules, fine granules, powders, hard capsules, soft capsules, dry syrups, liquids (including beverages, suspensions, syrups), frozen Glue and so on.

In terms of form, when the application is a food composition, liquid, gel, or solid foods such as juices, refreshments, teas, soups, soy milk and other beverages, salad oils, and dressings can be mentioned. , Yogurt, jelly, pudding, bibimbap, infant milk powder, cake mix, powder or liquid dairy products, bread, biscuits, etc.

The preparation of the present invention may further contain other ingredients as required. The other ingredients are not particularly limited as long as they can be blended into food additives, food compositions, medicines, health-promoting agents, nutritional supplements (such as supplements), and examples include bases, carriers, solvents, Dispersants, emulsifiers, buffers, stabilizers, excipients, binders, disintegrants, lubricants, tackifiers, colorants, perfumes, chelating agents, etc.

The preparation of the present invention may be in a form in which fibrillated paramylon has been dispersed in a solvent such as water, or may be in a dry form. It is possible to disperse the fibrous paramylon in water more easily even in a dry form.

The formulation of the invention can be produced by a method comprising the step of blending fibrillated paramylon. When the preparation of the present invention is, for example, a beverage, it further comprises a step of blending water. Furthermore, in this case, the fibrillated paramylon may be blended with the water-containing object, or the fibrillated paramylon may be blended with water. During blending, the fibrillated paramylon can be dispersed in water even if it is in a dry state.

When the preparation of the present invention contains ingredients other than fibrillated paramylon, the content of the active ingredient is not limited depending on the use, the state of use, and the state of the application target, for example, it can be 0.0001 to 95% by mass, It may be 0.001 to 50% by mass.

The amount of application (for example, administration, ingestion, inoculation, etc.) of the preparation of the present invention to a target organism is only an effective amount that exhibits a medicinal effect, and is not particularly limited. Generally speaking, fibrillated paramylon is an effective ingredient. The dry weight is usually 0.1 to 10,000 mg / kg body weight per day. The above-mentioned application amount is preferably divided into applications more than once a day (for example, 1 to 3 times), and can be appropriately increased or decreased according to age, morbidity, and symptoms.

[Examples] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail based on examples, but the present invention is not limited by these examples.

Reference Manufacturing Example 1: Production of Paramylon Particles The paramylon particles were purified as follows.

[Cultivation steps] The culture of Euglena gracilis EOD-1 strain was performed under the following conditions (under the provisions of the Budapest Treaty, under the provisions of the Budapest Treaty, under the registration number FERM BP-11530 in the independent administrative corporation product evaluation technology base agency patent biological deposit center (NITE-IPOD ) Complete international deposit).

"Culture vessel": 500 mL Sakaguchi flask "Shake culture conditions": 125 rpm "Culture temperature": 28 ° C "pH of liquid at the beginning of culture": 4.7 (adjusted with hydrochloric acid) "for culture "Liquid volume": about 200 mL / 1 flask "liquid composition for culture": as shown in Table 1 "light irradiation conditions": 24 hours in the dark "initial weight of fine algae": 0.78 g / L (dry weight) "culture Period ": 2 days

[Table 1]

After the end of the culture, 5 flask portions of the liquid were collected, and the collected liquid was centrifuged in a centrifuge tube (500 × g, 4 minutes, room temperature). The supernatant in the centrifuge tube was temporarily removed and recovered. Place the recovered supernatant in a centrifuge tube and disperse the sediment in the centrifuge tube, and transfer all the samples to a 100 mL graduated cylinder. Further, the recovered supernatant was added to a graduated cylinder, and the volume was adjusted to 90 mL.

[Enzyme treatment step] Adjust the pH of the liquid to 3 by moving the liquid that has been made to 90 mL into a 200 mL beaker and adding an aqueous hydrochloric acid solution while stirring. The proteolytic enzyme (acid protease product name "Protease YP-SS", manufactured by Yakult Pharmaceutical Industries, Inc., optimal pH 2.5 to 3.0) was added to the liquid so as to have a concentration of 5 g / L. Enzyme treatment was performed at 50 ° C for 2 hours while stirring the liquid.

[Surfactant Treatment Step] An aqueous solution of sodium lauryl sulfate is added to the liquid subjected to the enzyme treatment step so that the concentration of sodium lauryl sulfate becomes 3.0 mass / volume (w / v)%. While stirring the liquid containing sodium lauryl sulfate, the pH of the liquid was adjusted to 3 by adding an aqueous hydrochloric acid solution. Further, the liquid was stirred at 60 ° C. for 30 minutes using a propeller stirrer (rotation speed 200 rpm).

[Separation step] The paramylon was precipitated by centrifugation (1000 × g, 2 minutes, room temperature), and the paramylon was separated from the liquid subjected to the surfactant treatment step. The same procedure was performed except that the concentration of sodium lauryl sulfate was changed to 1.0 mass / vol%, and the pH was not adjusted, and a surfactant treatment step was further performed. Thereafter, a separation step was performed in the same manner as described above. In this way, the surfactant treatment step and the separation step were each performed three times.

[Washing step] The paramylon of Shen Dian was suspended by centrifugation in the separation step with pure water, and left to stand at 40 ° C for 10 minutes. Then, the paramylon was allowed to settle by centrifugation (1000 × g, 2 minutes, room temperature). Such operations were performed three times in total.

[Drying step] The paramylon starch that was precipitated by centrifugation in the washing step was dried at 50 ° C to obtain paramylon particles.

Production Example 1: Production of Fibrous Paramylon 1 A paramylon particle suspension was prepared by mixing the paramylon particles produced by repeating the reference to Manufacturing Example 1 with purified water. The concentration of paramylon particles in the paramylon particle suspension was adjusted to 5 mass%. Using a stone grinder (ultrafine particle grinder, manufactured by Masuki Kogyo Co., Ltd.), the paramylon particle suspension was subjected to wet defibrating treatment under the conditions shown in Table 2 below to obtain a slurry discharged from the grinder. material. This wet defibration treatment was repeated 20 times. The resulting slurry was used as a fibrillated paramylon solution for testing. The micrographs of the paramylon particle suspension, the fibrillated paramylon solution, and the external photos of the bottles containing these solutions are shown in FIG. 1. In addition, the fibrillated paramylon is sometimes referred to as fibrous paramylon in the chart.

[Table 2]

As shown in the microscope photograph of FIG. 1, it was confirmed that the paramylon particles were disintegrated and fibrillated by the wet defibration treatment. Further, it was confirmed that the fibrillated paramylon has a branched structure (branched structure) and a mesh-like structure. In addition, as shown in the external photograph of FIG. 1, in the fibrillated paramylon solution, the fibrillated paramylon was uniformly dispersed in the liquid.

Comparative Production Example 1: Production of Chemically Treated Paramylon Starch The paramylon particles of Reference Production Example 1 were chemically treated using the method described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-184592. Specifically, paramylon particles were dissolved in a 1M NaOH aqueous solution, and after the dissolution, neutralization treatment was performed by adding an aqueous hydrochloric acid solution. A gelatinous substance was generated by the neutralization treatment. The obtained supernatant was removed by a separation treatment by centrifugation to obtain a solid content. Since the solid content contains salt (NaCl) due to neutralization treatment, a large amount of water is added to the obtained solid content to disperse the solid content and produce a gel-like substance. Similarly, the centrifugal separation is used for separation treatment. This is a process of removing salts contained in the gel-like substance. The salt removal treatment is repeated until the dry weight of the paramylon particles dissolved in a 1M NaOH aqueous solution per unit is dried, and the dry mass of NaCl contained in the gel-like substance is 0.1% by mass or less. Paramylon. The dry weight of NaCl contained in the gel-like substance was calculated by calculating the NaCl concentration of the supernatant after centrifugation using the conductivity of the supernatant. Furthermore, according to the reported literature (research and development of high culture production technology and utilization of polysaccharide paramylon in the 2012 strategic substrate technology advanced support project) (reports of research and development achievements, etc., March, 2007) ). As a result of observation with an electron microscope, the chemically treated paramylon was not fibrous, but a block of irregular shape and size.

Test Example 1: Analysis of the structure of the fibrillated paramylon The structure of the fibrillated paramylon of Production Example 1 was observed with an electron microscope. Specifically, it proceeds as follows. First, with respect to the mixture of fibrillated paramylon and water, tertiary butanol having a capacity of 1.5 times that of the mixture was added, and the fibrillated paramylon was dispersed by a vortex mixer. A part of the obtained dispersion was dropped on a flat plate, and the dropped test solution was frozen. The frozen product is subjected to a reduced pressure treatment to evaporate the solvent. The obtained sample was subjected to a plasma ion coating (thickness: 20 nm) and observed with a scanning electron microscope. The observation images are shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.

As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the fibrillated paramylon observed in this experiment has a mesh-like structure in which fibers are entangled with each other.

Test Example 2: Measurement of sedimentation volume in water according to "Supervised by the Japan Dietary Fiber Association, edited by the Japan Dietary Fiber Association (2008) Dietary Fibers-Basics and Applications-3rd Edition, p.111 First Publication, Tokyo" The method was determined. Specifically, it proceeds as follows. Weigh each test sample in the form of a slurry (e.g., paramylon particles (Reference Manufacturing Example 1), fibrillated paramylon (Production Example 1), or chemically treated paramylon (Comparative Manufacturing Example 1)). Based on dry mass conversion, a plastic tube with a volume of 250 mg (125 mg of fibrinated paramylon only) to a volume of 25 mL, shake the plastic tube with your hand and stir the contents. After that, the contents were transferred to a 25-mL graduated cylinder, and pure water was added to 25 mL. After stirring the liquid in the graduated cylinder, it was left at 37 ° C for 24 hours. Using this sample of Shen Dian, two layers separated through the interface (the layer mainly containing the sample of Shen Dian (the lower layer) and the layer mainly containing water (the upper layer)) were generated. The volume of the lower layer was obtained from the graduated cylinder scale, and the obtained volume was divided by the mass of the sample (dry mass) to calculate the volume of precipitation in water (mL / g). The test was performed three or four times, and the average and standard deviation were calculated. The results are shown in Table 3.

[table 3]

As shown in Table 3, the precipitation volume in water of the fibrillated paramylon was relatively high. From this, it was suggested that the fibrillated paramylon was excellent in water dispersibility and water retention.

Test Example 3: Analysis of effects on sugar and lipid metabolism. Mice were fed with a diet containing fibrinated paramylon (Production Example 1) as bait, and body weight, sugar tolerance, visceral fat, weight of each organ, Serum biochemical values, etc. Specifically, it proceeds as follows.

＜ 3-1. Test methods ＞ ＜ 3-1-1. Experimental animals and breeding conditions ＞ This experiment complies with the "preparation and management methods for animal experiment equipment and specific methods specified by the Animal Experiment Committee of Otsuma Women's University. The "rules of experimental methods" were performed with the approval of the ethics review committee.

A 5-week-old male C57BL / 6J mouse (manufactured by Charles River, Japan) was used. After 1-week pre-feeding with solid feed (NMF, manufactured by Oriental Yeast Industry Co., Ltd.), the animals were grouped into 10 groups per group so that their weights became uniform (however, the standard feed-feeding group was 5).

The feed used for the test was as follows. The feed of the control group and the test group was added with 20% lard so that the fat energy ratio was 50%. The control group was fed with 5% cellulose as dietary fiber. The feed of the test group was added with: dry powder of Euglena sp. EOD-1 strain (hereinafter referred to as biomass group), paramylon starch particles (refer to Manufacturing Example 1) (hereinafter referred to as paramylon starch group), or fiberized Euglena A dried fibrous paramylon obtained by mixing starch (Production Example 1) with twice the amount of dextrin and freeze-drying it (hereinafter referred to as the fibrous paramylon group). Each feed was added in consideration of the moisture content so that the dry weight became 5%. In addition, since the biomass contains 80.2% paramylon, in order to make the amount of dietary fiber in the feed 5%, the insufficient portion was prepared with 9.9 g of cellulose. Furthermore, the paramylon particles and the fibrillated paramylon were treated as dietary fiber respectively. Therefore, no cellulose was added to the diets of the paramylon group and the fibrillated paramylon group. In addition, since dextrin was added to the fibrillated paramylon, the same amount of dextrin was added to each group. The feed composition of each group is shown in Table 4.

[Table 4]

In addition to the control group and the test group, a group (hereinafter referred to as a standard group) ingesting a standard feed without adding lard or the like was prepared.

In the test, the mice were freely ingested the above-mentioned feed and water for 12 weeks, and the body weight and feed intake were measured every 2 to 3 days. The rearing environment was a light-dark cycle with a temperature of 22 ± 1 ° C., a humidity of 50 ± 5%, and a 12-hour period (bright period: 8 o'clock to 20 o'clock, dark period: 20 o'clock to 8 o'clock). On the last day of the test, the feed intake and body weight were measured, and the animals were fasted overnight. They were euthanized with isoflurane / carbonic acid gas, and blood was collected from the heart. The liver, cecum, posterior abdominal wall fat, mesenteric fat, and adipose tissue around the epiphysis were excised and weighed. Thereafter, the liver was freeze-dried and pulverized as a sample for analysis.

<3-1-2. Measurement of glucose tolerance> In the last week of breeding, after fasting for 8 hours from 8 am, a 20% glucose solution was administered to the stomach of mice using a gastric tube so as to become 1 g / kg of body weight. Inside. Blood was collected from the tail before administration (0 points), and blood was collected in the same manner 15 minutes, 30 minutes, 60 minutes, and 120 minutes after administration. The blood glucose was quantified using a "small blood glucose meter Glutest Ace R" (manufactured by Sanwa Scientific Research Institute).

<3-1-3. Biochemical examination of serum> Measurement of AST, ALT, ALP, total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, triglyceride (neutral fat), and free fatty acid (NEFA) , CRP, leptin, insulin and glucose in serum or blood.

<3-1-4. Statistical analysis> All statistical processing is performed using statistical software (JMP Pro.12) for single-factor dispersive analysis, and the difference between the averages is tested using Turkey-Kramer's multiple comparison method. The measurement results are shown as mean ± standard deviation, and the significant level order is 5%.

<3-2. Results> <3-2-1. Weight> Graphs of changes in body weight during the test are shown in FIGS. 4 and 5.

In addition, there was no significant difference between the groups in terms of body weight before the test, and the diets of mice ingesting high-fat food were adjusted so that the calories were consistent, and it was confirmed that there was no significant difference in the intake of each group during the test period. .

As shown in Figs. 4 and 5, compared with the control group, the biomass group and the paramylon group showed a slight inhibition tendency. In contrast, compared with the control group, the weight gain of the fibrotic paramylon group was significantly suppressed. Although the fibrillated paramylon group continued to ingest the lard-added feed, the weight gain was the same as that in the standard diet group (the standard group) without the lard.

<3-2-2. Sugar Tolerance> The measurement results of the sugar tolerance are shown in FIG. 6.

As shown in FIG. 6, compared with the control group, the blood glucose level after glucose administration in the biomass group and paramylon group tended to be low, but a significant difference was considered to be 120 minutes after administration. On the other hand, the blood glucose value after the glucose administration in the fibrotic paramylon group was also lower than that in the biomass group and the paramylon group, and it was understood that the increase in blood glucose value was significantly suppressed compared with the control group. Further, a significant difference from the control group was also recognized at an earlier stage (after 15 minutes after administration), and a significantly lower blood glucose level was also confirmed after 60 minutes after administration. Furthermore, although the fibrillated paramylon group continued to ingest the lard-added feed, the sugar tolerance (blood glucose level after glucose administration) was about the same as the standard diet group (standard group) in which no lard was added.

<3-2-3. Visceral Fat Mass> The results of measuring the visceral fat mass after the test are shown in FIGS. 7 to 9.

As shown in Figures 7 to 9, the visceral fat mass of the biomass group and the paramylon group was the same as the control group. In contrast, the fibrotic paramylon group had significantly less visceral fat than the control group. . Moreover, compared with the biomass group and the control group, the amount of visceral fat in the fibrotic paramylon group was also significantly less, or tended to be less.

Specifically, in terms of mesenteric fat, the paramylon group has a tendency to become less compared with the control group, and the fibrotic paramylon group has significantly less phase than the control group.

In terms of posterior abdominal wall fat and peripheral epiphyseal fat, fibrotic paramylon was significantly less than the control group, biomass group, and paramylon group.

<3-2-4. Accumulation of fat in the liver> The results of measuring the liver weight after the test are shown in FIG. 10.

As shown in FIG. 10, the liver weight of the fibrotic paramylon group was significantly smaller than that of the control group. This is presumably because the accumulation of fat in the liver is small.

<3-2-5. Cecal Weight> The results of measuring the weight of the cecum (including contents) after the test are shown in FIG. 11 for the control group and the test group.

As shown in FIG. 11, the weight of the cecum of the fibrotic paramylon group was significantly higher than that of the control group, and the biomass group and paramylon group also showed a higher tendency compared to the control group. The increase in the weight of the cecum suggests that fibrotic paramylon was broken down by intestinal bacteria in the large intestine and short-chain fatty acids were produced. This short-chain fatty acid is known to have an anti-obesity effect and the like (for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 06-256402).

<3-2-6. Serum biochemical values> The results of measuring the serum biochemical values after the test are shown in FIGS. 12 to 20.

As shown in FIG. 12, compared with the control group, the biomass group, and the paramylon group, the total cholesterol was significantly less. The paramylon group was significantly less than the control group, while the biomass group was significantly less. Compared with the control group, the tendency is low. Further, as shown in FIG. 13, the LDL cholesterol was significantly less in the fibrotic paramylon group than in the control group.

People with high LDL cholesterol / HDL cholesterol ratios are more likely to have risk factors for arteriosclerosis than those with low values. (Non-Patent Literature Comprehensive Medical Examination 25 (1) 65-70, 2010) As shown in FIG. 14, in the group to which fibrotic paramylon was administered to the high-fat food, the control group (high-fat food group) In contrast, the LDL cholesterol / HDL cholesterol ratio was significantly reduced, suggesting the possibility that fibrotic paramylon properly adjusted blood cholesterol balance. In addition, although there was no significant difference between the high-fat food group and the biomass-administered group, the LDL cholesterol / HDL cholesterol ratio showed a tendency to decrease compared with the high-fat food group.

Fibrotic paramylon has been suggested to contribute to the health of blood vessels (prevention of arteriosclerosis, etc.) by reducing the ratio of LDL cholesterol to HDL cholesterol. In addition, there is a possibility that the biomass can contribute to the health of blood vessels (prevention of arteriosclerosis, etc.).

As shown in FIG. 15, the NEFA value of the fibrotic paramylon group was significantly lower than that of the control group (high-fat food group).

The NEFA value is an abbreviation of Non-esterified fatty acid. It is a non-ester fatty acid that is released into the blood when the neutral fat of adipose tissue is broken down by hormone-sensitive lipase. Insulin is known as one of the inhibitors of the action of hormone-sensitive lipase. It is believed that if glucose metabolism disorders such as decreased insulin secretion or inhibition of insulin action occur, the decomposition of adipose tissue caused by hormone-sensitive lipase will increase and NEFA will increase. . In addition, because NEFA has an interfacial active effect, if the blood concentration becomes higher, it will lyse cell membranes and destroy cells, so it is considered to be one of the main factors that cause organ dysfunction.

As shown in FIG. 15, the NEFA in the fibrotic paramylon group was significantly lower than that in the control group (high-fat food group), and thus the possibility of inhibiting the glucose metabolism disorder was suggested. In addition, the possibility of reducing the risk of organ dysfunction by suppressing the increase in NEFA is suggested.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 16, the serum ALT concentration in the fibrotic paramylon group was significantly lower than that in the control group. The serum ALT concentration of the fibrotic paramylon group also tended to be lower than that of the biomass group and the control group. It is considered that ALT is a component released into the blood when liver cells are broken, and that if fat accumulates in the liver, liver cells are broken and ALT is released, so it is suggested that the ingestion of fibrotic paramylon can Inhibits liver damage caused by fat.

In addition, although AST and TG (triglyceride) are not shown, AST has no significant difference in all groups containing standard feed. As for TG, compared with the control group, the other groups are also There is no significant difference, but any one shows a tendency to decrease the value.

As shown in FIG. 17, the CRP value of the fibrotic paramylon group was significantly less than that of the control group, and also showed a lower tendency compared with the biomass group and paramylon group.

The CRP value is an abbreviation of C-reactive protein, which is a protein that increases in serum when inflammation or tissue cell destruction occurs, and becomes an indicator of inflammation. It is known that when chronic inflammation occurs and the value of CRP increases, insulin resistance deteriorates and blood glucose level increases. In addition, it is said that in arteriosclerotic diseases or diabetes, obesity, and hyperlipidemia that are considered to be at risk, CRP shows a slightly high value. Obviously, if people with high CRP add metabolic syndrome or hypercholesterolemia Disease, it is easy to become heart disease or stroke. As shown in FIG. 17, in the group to which fibrotic paramylon was administered in the high-fat food, the CRP concentration was significantly lower than that in the control group (the high-fat food group), suggesting a decrease in insulin resistance and Likely risk of rising blood sugar levels.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 18, the value of leptin was a significantly smaller value in the fibrotic paramylon group than the others.

Leptin is one of the Adipocytokine (physiologically active substance) secreted from white adipocytes. It can transmit a strong satiety signal, bring about increased energy consumption caused by hypersympathetic nervous activity, and play a role in inhibiting The role of obesity and control weight gain.

Most obese people increase their leptin production with the increase of adipose tissue, so the value of leptin in the blood has to be high. Therefore, in obese people, even if the leptin has a high value, no feeding disorder is seen, and it becomes a so-called "leptin resistance" state, which gradually promotes obesity. The possibility that this leptin resistance is a cause of insulin resistance is also considered. It has also been reported in humans: compared with normal persons, hypertension has a higher concentration of leptin in blood, and blood leptin concentration is related to blood pressure.

As shown in FIG. 18, in the group fed high-fat foods with fibrotic paramylon, compared with the control group (high-fat food group), the concentration of leptin was significantly reduced, suggesting that the above risks are reduced possibility.

As shown in Fig. 19 and Fig. 20, the blood glucose concentration was not significantly different between the groups, and the insulin concentration was a significantly less value in the fibrotic paramylon group compared with the control group. This is a suggestion that in the fibrotic paramylon ingestion group, sensitivity to insulin was increased, in other words, insulin resistance was improved. In addition, when the biomass group and the paramylon group are compared with the control group, the insulin concentration also tends to be low, and for these reasons, there is also a tendency that insulin resistance is improved.

From the results of FIG. 19, FIG. 20, and FIG. 6, in the fibrotic paramylon group, the insulin resistance was improved and the increase in blood glucose level was suppressed, thus suggesting the possibility of using it as a preventive or therapeutic agent for diabetes.

Test Example 4: Sugar Diffusion Inhibition Test 1 The amount of sugar in the solution diffused and penetrated the semi-permeable membrane was compared with the presence or absence of fibrillated paramylon. This test was performed with reference to a reported literature (J. Agric. Food Chem. 2001, 49, 1026-1029). Specifically, it proceeds as follows.

<4-1. Test method> The glucose concentration was adjusted to 100 mM, and the test substance (fibrillated paramylon (manufacturing example 1)), pectin (citrus-derived pectin, manufactured by Tokyo Chemical Industry Co., Ltd., product code: P0024-25G), Resistant starch (pine starch RT, manufactured by Matsushita Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.), or indigestible dextrin (FIBERSOL 2, manufactured by Matsushita Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.) at a concentration of 2 mass % Or 3 mL of the aqueous solution containing no test substance as the test solution. Specifically, after mixing each component, it is prepared by stirring at 37 ° C for 30 minutes with a spinner. The obtained 2.5 mL of each test solution was placed in a dialysis tube (MWCO12000 to 14000, Thermofisher DIALYSIS TUBING standard grade cat # 2115215), and 20 mL of pure water was used as an external liquid, and slowly (55 rpm) at 37 ° C The dialysis was performed while shaking. After 10, 20, 30, 60, 90, 180, and 300 minutes from the start of the dialysis, a part of the external liquid (100 μL) was taken as the sample liquid. The glucose CII-Test Wako (manufactured by Wako) was used to measure the glucose concentration in the sample solution. When dialysis is advanced, the theoretical value of the glucose concentration of the external fluid when the glucose has reached an equilibrium state is 11.1 mM. Then, the ratio [= (glucose concentration of the sample solution (mM) /11.1 (mM)) × 100] to the theoretical value of the sample solution as the diffusivity is calculated.

<4-2. Results> The above test was repeated three times, and the average of the three times was calculated. The results are shown in FIG. 21. As shown in FIG. 21, it was understood that fibrillated paramylon inhibited the diffusion of sugar. In addition, it was learned that the sugar diffusion inhibiting effect is not the effect of the polysaccharides as a whole, and that the fibrotic paramylon has a higher sugar diffusion inhibiting effect than that of pectin.

Test Example 5: Evaluation test for resistance to degradation by enzymes The resistance to degradation by β-glucanases was evaluated by measuring the amount of monomers produced. Specifically, it proceeds as follows.

<5-1. Test method> Prepare the reaction solution [30 mg (dry weight) of the test substance (pygmy starch particles (Reference Manufacturing Example 1), fibrillated phycostarch (Production Example 1), chemically treated Euglena Starch (Comparative Production Example 1: Dissolved in 1.0M NaOH aqueous solution)), 5 mL of buffer solution (B0156 manufactured by Tokyo Chemical Industry Co., Ltd., potassium hydrogen phthalate-sodium hydroxide buffer solution (pH 4.0)), 0.1 mL of enzyme solution (Manufactured by Japan Biocon Corporation, endo-1,3-β-Glucanase (endo-1,3-β-Glucanase) (Lot 91102c) (enzyme content: 50 units / mL)), pure water, reaction volume 10 mL] (n = 2), horizontal shaking at 45 rpm for 24 hours at 40 ° C. Immediately after shaking, it was stored frozen, and freeze-dried for concentration. After freeze-drying, 0.5 mL of pure water was added to each sample, followed by stirring (20-fold concentration). In addition, only when using the chemically treated paramylon of Comparative Production Example 1 as the test substance, 0.5 mL was dissolved and suspended insufficiently, and 0.8 mL of pure water was added to make 12.5 times concentration. The following operation was repeated twice: centrifugation (10000G, 5 minutes, 4 ° C) was performed, and the supernatant was recovered. A measurement kit (manufactured by Wako Pure Chemical Industries, Ltd., glucose CII-Test Wako) was used to measure the glucose concentration in the recovered supernatant. Based on the measured values, the glucose production amount (mg) per 1 g of the test substance was calculated.

<5-2. Results> The results are shown in FIG. 22. As shown in FIG. 22, it is understood that the fibrillated paramylon has significantly higher resistance to β-glucanase-induced degradation than the chemically treated paramylon. Furthermore, the same test was performed on a person who had freeze-dried the test substance for a time, and the same results were obtained, confirming that the test substance does not tend to change due to the presence or absence of prior drying.

Test Example 6: Evaluation Test for Solubility of Alkali Solution The solubility of the alkali solution was evaluated. Specifically, it proceeds as follows.

<6-1. Test method> 250 mg (dry weight) of the test substance (pulverized paramylon particles (refer to Manufacturing Example 1) in powder form), fibrillated paramylon (Manufacturer 1), chemically treated Paramylon (comparative production example: dissolved in 1.0M NaOH aqueous solution)) test solution (pure water, 0.1M NaOH aqueous solution, 0.3M NaOH aqueous solution, 1M NaOH aqueous solution) suspended in a 10 mL bottle. After the bottle was shaken vigorously with a hand for 20 seconds, and after shaking with a shaker at 80 rpm for 1 hour, the absorbance of the liquid in the bottle at 660 nm was measured. The measurement of absorbance was performed using a spectrophotometer V-730 manufactured by JASCO Corporation.

<6-2. Results> The results are shown in FIG. 23. As shown in FIG. 23, it is understood that the fibrillated paramylon has significantly lower solubility in an alkaline solution than the chemically treated paramylon. In addition, although not shown in the figure, it was confirmed that neither the paramylon particles nor the fibrillated paramylon was dissolved in a 0.1 M NaOH aqueous solution and suspended in the same manner as when suspended in pure water. In addition, with respect to the 0.5 M HCl aqueous solution, none of the test substances was dissolved and maintained in a suspended state.

Test Example 7: X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) analysis was performed on the test substances (paramylon particles (refer to Manufacturing Example 1), fibrillated paramylon (Manufacture example 1), and chemically treated paramylon (Comparative manufacturing Example 1: Dissolved in 1.0M NaOH aqueous solution)), and XRD was measured. The conditions are as follows. Machine: PANalytical X'Pert3 Powder, tube voltage: 45kV, tube current: 40mA, measurement range: 5.005 to 50.018 °, measurement interval: 0.013 °, analysis software: HighScore. The obtained XRD pattern is shown in FIG. 24. From FIG. 24, it is clear that the test substances are different in crystallinity from each other.

The degree of crystallinity is analyzed by the ratio of the strength of the amorphous portion to the strength of the crystalline portion at 2θ = 5 to 80 °. The analysis was performed by removing the background (background setting Auto, bending factor 0, granularity 100) from each measurement data, and the amorphous part was determined by a tangent passing through 2θ = 14 and 29 °. The conditions that determine the bending coefficient and granularity of each amorphous part are euglena starch particles to be 0/30, chemically treated paramylon starch to be 0/25, and fibrillated paramylon starch to be 0/20. As a result, the degree of crystallinity was 66.2% of the paramylon particles, 37.6% of the paramylon after chemical treatment, and 51.0% of the fiberized paramylon.

Production Example 2: Production of Fibrillated Paramylon 2 Using a bead mill, a paramylon particle (refer to Manufacturing Example 1) was subjected to a shearing force to fibrillate the paramylon particles to produce a fiber containing paramylon Liquid additive (dispersion). The defibration treatment by the bead mill is performed under general operating conditions used for submicron pulverization. The raw material liquid containing 10% by mass of paramylon particles was subjected to a defibrating treatment by a bead mill. The obtained fibrillated paramylon was observed with an electron microscope. The observation image is shown in FIG. 25.

As shown in FIG. 25, the fibrillated paramylon obtained by the bead mill has a mesh-like structure in which fibers are not entangled with each other.

FIG. 1 shows a photomicrograph (upper part) and a bottle appearance photo (lower part) of a paramylon starch suspension (PM particles) and a fibrotic paramylon solution (fibrillated PM). FIG. 2 shows an electron microscope photograph of fibrillated paramylon (Production Example 1). The length of one scale on the lower right of the figure represents 1 μm. FIG. 3 shows an enlarged view within a box of the photo of FIG. 2. The length of one scale on the lower right of the figure indicates 100 nm. Fig. 4 is a graph showing changes in body weight during the test. The horizontal axis represents the number of days elapsed since the start of the test, and the vertical axis represents the average weight. FIG. 5 is a graph showing the amount of weight gain in the test. In the control group, biomass group, paramylon group, and fibrotic paramylon group, there were significant differences between the groups with different letters (p <0.05). The same applies to the representation of the significant differences in the figures using different letters in FIGS. 7 to 19. FIG. 6 is a graph showing the measurement results of the sugar tolerance. The horizontal axis represents the elapsed time from the administration of the glucose solution, and the vertical axis represents the blood glucose value. * Indicates a significant difference compared with the control group (p <0.05). (*) P is 0.058. FIG. 7 is a graph showing the measurement results of the weight of the abdominal wall adipose tissue after the test. FIG. 8 is a graph showing the measurement results of the weight of adipose tissue around the epiphyseal after the test. Fig. 9 is a graph showing the measurement results of the weight of mesenteric adipose tissue after the test. FIG. 10 is a graph showing measurement results of liver weight after the test. FIG. 11 is a graph showing the measurement results of the cecum weight after the test. FIG. 12 is a graph showing measurement results of serum total cholesterol concentration after the test. FIG. 13 is a graph showing measurement results of serum LDL cholesterol concentration after the test. FIG. 14 is a graph showing the serum LDL cholesterol / HDL cholesterol ratio after the test. FIG. 15 is a graph showing measurement results of serum free fatty acid (NEFA) concentration after the test. FIG. 16 is a graph showing measurement results of serum ALT (GPT) concentration after the test. FIG. 17 is a graph showing measurement results of serum CRP concentration after the test. FIG. 18 is a graph showing measurement results of serum leptin concentration after the test. FIG. 19 is a graph showing measurement results of serum insulin concentration after the test. FIG. 20 is a graph showing measurement results of glucose concentration in blood after the test. FIG. 21 is a graph showing the measurement results of the glucose diffusivity. Each item shown in the figure indicates the presence or absence of the test substance in the test solution and its type. FIG. 22 is a graph showing evaluation results of degradability by βglucanase. The horizontal axis indicates the kind of test substance in the test solution. FIG. 23 is a graph showing the evaluation results of the solubility of an alkali solution. 0H indicates the result measured immediately after shaking, and 1H indicates the result measured after standing for 1 hour from the shaking. FIG. 24 shows an XRD pattern obtained by X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. FIG. 25 shows an electron microscope photograph of fibrillated paramylon (Production Example 2). The length of 1 scale on the lower right of the figure represents 1 μm.

Claims (14)

A sugar and / or lipid metabolism improving agent containing fibrinated paramylon. The metabolism improving agent according to claim 1, which is in a dry form. The metabolism improving agent according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the fibrous paramylon is a defibrinated substance of paramylon particles. The metabolism improving agent according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the fibrous paramylon is a mesh structure formed by entanglement of fibers. The metabolism improving agent according to any one of claims 1 to 4, which is a food additive. The metabolism improving agent according to any one of claims 1 to 4, which is a food composition. The metabolism improving agent according to any one of claims 1 to 4, which is medicine. The metabolism improving agent according to any one of claims 1 to 7, which can be used for prevention or improvement: (1) a metabolic syndrome, or (2) selected from the group consisting of obesity, diabetes, lipid disorders and fatty liver At least one of the groups. A method for producing a sugar and / or lipid metabolism improving agent, comprising blending fibrous paramylon. The method according to claim 9, wherein the fibrous paramylon is in a dry form. The method of claim 9 or 10, further comprising blending water. A fibrous paramylon is used as a metabolism improving agent for sugar and / or lipid. A method for improving metabolism of sugar and / or lipid, comprising applying fibrotic paramylon to a subject. The utility model relates to a fibrillated paramylon, which is used for manufacturing a sugar and / or lipid metabolism improving agent.