TW202339725A - Oral composition and method for suppressing bitterness derived from ergothioneine - Google Patents

Abstract

The purpose of the present invention is to provide an oral composition which contains ergothioneine or a salt thereof and in which the bitterness derived from ergothioneine or a salt thereof is reduced. The present invention pertains to an oral composition containing components (A) and (B): (A) ergothioneine or a salt thereof; and (B) theanine.

Description

Oral composition and method for suppressing bitterness derived from ergothioneine

The present invention relates to an oral composition containing ergothioneine or its salt and theanine. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a method for suppressing bitterness derived from ergothioneine.

Ergothioneine is a type of hydrophilic sulfur-containing amino acid and is known to have various physiological activities including antioxidant capacity. Regarding the physiological activity of ergothioneine, for example, Patent Document 1 reports that it has an immune response-activating interleukin production-promoting effect. Since ergothioneine has various physiological activities, it has attracted attention in recent years in terms of its use in food, cosmetics, and medicine.

Regarding compositions containing ergothioneine, for example, Patent Document 2 discloses a method for inhibiting odor and/or discoloration, which is characterized by adjusting the pH of a composition containing ergothioneine and/or its derivatives. value, and/or blending a preservation stabilizer into the composition. [Prior technical literature] [Patent Document]

[Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2017-218431 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2012-241013

[Problem to be solved by the invention]

As mentioned above, ergothioneine has useful physiological activities, and therefore food supplements containing ergothioneine or its salts are useful for maintaining or improving health. However, ergothioneine or its salt has a unique flavor and, specifically, a tongue-piercing bitterness (bitterness), so there is room for improvement in the preparation of oral compositions.

An object of the present invention is to provide an oral composition containing ergothioneine or a salt thereof with reduced bitterness derived from ergothioneine or a salt thereof. Furthermore, an object of the present invention is to provide a method for suppressing the bitter taste derived from ergothioneine or its salt in an oral composition containing ergothioneine or its salt. [Means to solve the problem]

As a result of diligent examination by the present inventors in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the bitter taste derived from ergothioneine or its salt can be effectively suppressed by combining ergothioneine or its salt with theanine.

The present invention includes the following compositions and the like. [1] An oral composition containing the following components (A) and (B): (A) Ergothioneine or its salt, and (B) theanine. [2] The composition according to the above [1], wherein the weight ratio of component (B) (calculated as L-glutamic acid-γ-acetamide) to component (A) (calculated as ergothioneine) ((B)/(A)) is 2 to 90. [3] The composition described in [1] or [2] above, which is a food or drink. [4] A method for suppressing the bitter taste derived from ergothioneine or its salt, which is to suppress the bitter taste derived from ergothioneine or its salt in an oral composition containing (A) ergothioneine or its salt. The bitter taste method includes the step of blending (B) theanine. [5] The method according to the above [4], wherein the component (B) (L-glutamic acid-γ-acetamide conversion) in the oral composition is calculated relative to the component (A) (ergosulfide). Component (B) is blended so that the weight ratio ((B)/(A)) becomes 2 to 90. [6] Use of (B) theanine for suppressing bitterness derived from (A) ergothioneine or its salt. [Effects of the invention]

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an oral composition containing ergothioneine or a salt thereof with reduced bitterness derived from ergothioneine or a salt thereof. According to the present invention, a method for suppressing the bitter taste derived from ergothioneine or its salt in an oral composition containing ergothioneine or its salt can be provided.

The composition of the present invention is an oral composition containing (A) ergothioneine or a salt thereof, and (B) theanine.

Ergothione is a type of sulfur-containing amino acid. In the present invention, ergothioneine is preferably L-ergothioneine. The salt of ergothioneine is not particularly limited as long as it is a pharmacologically acceptable salt or a salt that is acceptable in foods and beverages, and it may be either an acidic salt or an alkaline salt. Examples of acidic salts include inorganic acid salts such as hydrochloride, sulfate, nitrate, and phosphate; acetate, citrate, maleate, malate, oxalate, lactate, and succinate. , fumarate, propionate and other organic acid salts. Examples of the alkaline salt include alkali metal salts such as sodium salt and potassium salt; alkaline earth metal salts such as calcium salt and magnesium salt; and the like.

Ergothioneine or its salts are not subject to any restrictions on their form or production method. Ergothioneine or its salt can be chemically synthesized or extracted and refined from natural products. L-ergothioneine is contained in large amounts in the golden/yellow oyster mushroom (scientific name: Pleurotus cornucopiae var. citrinopileatus), a mushroom belonging to the genus Pleurotus. L-ergothioneine is also included in Agaricus bisporus (scientific name: Agaricus bisporus), gray oyster mushroom (scientific name: Pleurotus ostreatus), such as white button mushrooms, crimini mushrooms, and Portabella mushrooms. ), shiitake mushrooms (scientific name: Lentinula edodes), maitake mushrooms (scientific name: Grifola Frondosa), Ganoderma lucidum (scientific name: Ganoderma lucidum), Hericium erinaceus (scientific name: Hericium erinaceus), willow matsutake (scientific name: Agrocybe aegerita), apricot antler (scientific name : Cantharellus cibarius), boletus (scientific name: Boletus edulis), morels (scientific name: Morchella esculenta) and other mushrooms. When L-ergothioneine is obtained from a natural product, it is preferable to extract it from Pleurotus aureus. Ergothioneine or its salts can also be produced by microbial fermentation. Ergothioneine or its salts can also be isolated. As the above-mentioned ergothioneine or its salt, for example, those derived from Pleurotus auricularia can be used, but the composition of the present invention may or may not contain dried Pleurotus auricularis.

Theanine is a kind of amino acid and a derivative of glutamic acid, which is one of the umami components of tea. Theanine has a unique aroma (excessive umami and a cloying and unpleasant aftertaste caused by a slight sweetness). The composition of the present invention reduces the bitterness derived from ergothioneine or its salt by including theanine. Therefore, continuous intake of ergothioneine or its salts becomes easy. By combining theanine with ergothioneine or its salt, the aroma derived from theanine can also be suppressed.

Specific examples of theanine include L-glutamic acid-γ-acetamide (L-theanine), L-glutamic acid-γ-formamide, and D-glutamic acid-γ-acetamide. Amino acid (D-theanine) and D-glutamic acid-γ-formamide, etc. As theanine, one or a combination of two or more of these may be used. Theanine is selected from L-glutamic acid-γ-acetamide (L-theanine), L-glutamic acid-γ-formamide, D-glutamic acid-γ-acetamide (D The form of at least one form of the group consisting of -theanine) and D-glutamic acid-γ-formamide is one of the preferred embodiments of the present invention. As theanine, L-theanine and D-theanine are more preferred, and L-theanine is still more preferred.

The theanine used in the present invention is not subject to any restrictions on its form or production method, and may be chemically synthesized or extracted and purified from natural products. Specific examples of methods for producing theanine include isolation and purification methods from tea leaves, tissue culture methods using tea cells, methods using enzyme reactions, and the like. As a method utilizing an enzyme reaction, there is a method of obtaining theanine by causing glutaline enzyme to act on a mixture of glutamine and ethylamine. Theanine produced in this way can also be commercially available. Acquired in the form of goods for sale. Theanine obtained by enzymatic reaction is suitable for use as theanine (L form) in the present invention. As the theanine, for example, one derived from green tea leaves can be used, but the composition of the present invention may or may not contain green tea leaves.

In the composition of the present invention, the weight ratio (L-glutamic acid-γ) of component (B) (calculated as L-glutamic acid-γ-acetamide) to component (A) (calculated as ergothioneine) - (B) in terms of acetamide/(A) in terms of ergothioneine) is not particularly limited and can be 1 to 100. If ingredient (B) (L-glutamic acid-γ-acetamide conversion) When the weight ratio relative to the component (A) (in terms of ergothioneine) is within the above range, the bitter taste derived from the component (A) can be sufficiently suppressed. The weight ratio is preferably 2 to 90, whereby the aroma derived from component (B) can be sufficiently suppressed and the composition becomes easier to ingest. The weight ratio is more preferably 3 to 80, still more preferably 5 to 70, particularly preferably 8 to 60, and most preferably 10 to 50. In this specification, the converted amount of ergothioneine or similar expressions mean the amount in the case of ergothioneine, and the molar number multiplier of the salt in the case of ergothioneine salts. Value obtained based on the molecular weight of ergothioneine.

The content of ergothioneine or its salt contained in the composition of the present invention is not particularly limited and can be set according to its form, etc. The content of ergothioneine or its salt in the composition of the present invention is, for example, preferably 0.1% by weight or more, more preferably 0.5% by weight or more, and even more preferably 0.6% by weight in terms of ergothioneine. More than 0.8% by weight, more preferably more than 0.8% by weight, particularly preferably not less than 1% by weight, more preferably less than 50% by weight, more preferably less than 40% by weight, still more preferably less than 30% by weight, still more preferably The content is 20% by weight or less, preferably 10% by weight or less. In one aspect, the content of ergothioneine or its salt in the composition of the present invention is preferably 0.1 to 50% by weight, more preferably 0.5 to 40% by weight, even more preferably in terms of ergothioneine. The content is 0.6 to 30% by weight, more preferably 0.8 to 20% by weight, and particularly preferably 1 to 10% by weight. The content of ergothioneine can be determined by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).

The content of theanine contained in the composition of the present invention is not particularly limited and can be set according to its form, etc. The total content of theanine in the composition of the present invention is, for example, preferably 1% by weight or more, more preferably 1.5% by weight or more, even more preferably 2% by weight or more, still more preferably 2.5% by weight. % or more, more preferably 5 wt% or more, particularly preferably 10 wt% or more, still more preferably 20 wt% or more, more preferably 90 wt% or less, more preferably 85 wt% or less, still more preferably 80% by weight or less, more preferably 75% by weight or less, still more preferably 70% by weight or less, particularly preferably 60% by weight or less, still more preferably 50% by weight or less. In one aspect, the total content of theanine in the composition of the present invention is preferably 1 to 90% by weight, more preferably 1.5 to 85% by weight, in terms of L-glutamic acid-γ-acetamide. %, more preferably 2 to 80 wt%, still more preferably 2.5 to 75 wt%, still more preferably 5 to 70 wt%, particularly preferably 10 to 60 wt%, even more preferably 20 to 50 wt%. When the above total content contains two or more types of theanine, it is the total content. The content of theanine can be determined by HPLC method.

In the composition of the present invention, the content of ergothioneine or its salt is the daily intake of an adult in terms of ergothioneine. It is preferably 1 to 100 mg, more preferably 2 to 50 mg, and still more preferably 5 ~25mg, especially 5~20mg. In the composition of the present invention, the content of theanine is preferably 10 to 2000 mg, more preferably 20 to 1000 mg in terms of L-glutamic acid-γ-acetamide per day for an adult. The optimal dosage is 50 to 500 mg.

Ergothioneine or its salts and theanine are compounds that are contained in natural products or foods and drinks and have a history of consumption. Therefore, from a safety point of view, it is generally believed that ergothioneine or its salts and theanine are less problematic in terms of daily intake, for example. According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a composition that is highly safe, has reduced bitterness derived from ergothioneine or its salt, and is easy to ingest.

As mentioned above, ergothioneine or its salts are known to exert various physiological activities or health functions. For example, they are known to have antioxidant effects, brain function improving effects, anti-aging effects, eye disease improving effects, whitening effects, and ultraviolet absorbing effects. Melanin production inhibitory effect, reactive oxygen species elimination effect, elastase activity inhibitory effect, wrinkle formation inhibitory effect, skin relaxation inhibitory effect, autophagy promotion effect, etc. Therefore, the composition of the present invention can be suitably used as an antioxidant, for improving brain function, for anti-aging, for eye diseases, for whitening, for absorbing ultraviolet rays, for inhibiting melanin production, for eliminating reactive oxygen species, and for elastase activity. For inhibiting, wrinkle formation inhibiting, skin sagging inhibiting, autophagy promoting, etc.

Theanine is known to exert a relaxing effect, a stress-suppressing effect, a sleep-promoting effect, a brain nerve cell protection effect, an effect of improving memory or concentration, an effect of preventing high blood pressure, an effect of improving cold constitution, and improving premenstrual syndrome. Or the effects of symptoms of menopausal disorders and many other health functions. Since the composition of the present invention contains theanine, it can also be used to obtain the above-mentioned effects exerted by theanine.

The composition of the present invention can be used in any of therapeutic use (medical use) or non-therapeutic use (non-medical use). The so-called non-therapeutic does not include the concept of medical behavior, that is, human surgery, treatment or diagnosis. The composition of the present invention can be made into the form of foods, beverages, pharmaceuticals, quasi-drugs, feed, etc. The composition of the present invention may also be a material or preparation that is blended into foods, beverages, pharmaceuticals, quasi-drugs, feeds, etc. and used.

The composition of the present invention is a composition for oral use. Specific examples of the composition for oral use include food and beverages, pharmaceuticals for oral use, quasi-drugs, feeds, etc. Preferably, they are food, drink, or oral use. Pharmaceuticals, preferably food and beverages.

The composition of the present invention may contain any additives and ingredients in addition to ergothioneine or its salts and theanine without impairing the effects of the present invention. These additives and ingredients can be selected according to the form of the composition, etc., and those that can be generally used in oral compositions such as food and beverages, pharmaceuticals, quasi-drugs, and feeds can be used. When the composition of the present invention is made into foods, drinks, pharmaceuticals, quasi-drugs, feeds, etc., the production method is not particularly limited and can be produced by a general method. In one aspect, the composition of the present invention may also be composed of ergothioneine or its salt and theanine. The form of the oral composition of the present invention is not particularly limited and may be solid (powder, granular, tablet, etc.), liquid, paste, etc.

For example, when the composition of the present invention is made into food or drink, ergothioneine or its salt and theanine may be mixed with ingredients that can be used in food or drink (such as food ingredients, food additives if necessary). etc.), made into a variety of food and beverages. Food and beverages are not particularly limited, and examples thereof include general food and beverages, health foods, health supplements, health drinks, foods with functional labels, foods for specific health uses, and foods and beverages for patients. The above-mentioned health food, health supplement food, food with functional labeling, food for specific health use, etc. can be prepared into fine granules, tablets, granules, powders, capsules, chewable tablets, dry syrups, syrups, and liquids. It is used in various preparation forms such as beverages, beverages, and liquid foods.

When the composition of the present invention is made into a pharmaceutical or quasi-drug, for example, ergothioneine or its salt and theanine may be blended with a pharmacologically acceptable carrier, optional additives, etc. , made into pharmaceuticals or quasi-drugs in various dosage forms. Such carriers, additives, etc. can be used as long as they can be used in pharmaceuticals or quasi-drugs and are pharmacologically acceptable. Examples include excipients, binders, disintegrants, lubricants, antioxidants, and colorants. 1 or more of the above. Dosage forms for oral administration as pharmaceuticals or quasi-drugs include liquids, tablets, powders, fine granules, granules, sugar-coated tablets, capsules, suspensions, emulsions, chewable tablets, and the like.

When the composition of the present invention is made into feed, ergothioneine or its salt and theanine may be blended into the feed. Feed additives are also included in the feed. Examples of the feed include feeds for cattle, pigs, chickens, sheep, horses, etc.; feeds for small animals such as rabbits, rats, mice, etc.; and pet foods for dogs, cats, birds, etc. .

The subjects who ingest or administer the composition of the present invention (which may also be referred to as administration subjects) are not particularly limited. Preferably it is a human or non-human mammal, more preferably a human being.

The present invention also encompasses the following methods. A method for suppressing the bitter taste derived from ergothioneine in an oral composition containing (A) ergothioneine or a salt thereof, which method includes blending ( B) Theanine step. In the preparation of the oral composition, the source can be obtained by adjusting the weight ratio ((B)/(A)) of the component (B) to the component (A) (ergothioneine conversion) to the above range. Oral composition that suppresses the bitter taste due to ergothioneine or its salts and the aroma due to theanine. The above-mentioned adjustment of the weight ratio can be performed, for example, by adding component (A) and/or component (B).

The invention also includes the following uses. Use of (B) theanine for suppressing bitterness derived from (A) ergothioneine or its salt.

Through the above method and use, the bitterness derived from ergothioneine can be effectively suppressed. In the above methods and uses, ergothioneine or its salts and theanine and their preferred aspects are the same as the above-mentioned composition of the present invention. In addition, in the above method and use, the blending ratio and usage amount of component (B) (converted from L-glutamic acid-γ-acetamide) to component (A) (converted from ergothioneine) are not the same. There is no particular limitation. As a preferable range, it is the ratio between component (B) (converted from L-glutamic acid-γ-acetamide) in the composition of the present invention relative to component (A) (converted from ergothioneine). The weight ratio is the same.

By the above method and use, the bitter taste derived from ergothioneine or its salt can be suppressed, and can also be combined with other bitter taste suppressing methods. Other bitter taste suppressing methods include, for example, a method of adding a sweetener or a flavoring agent to a bitter component and formulating it, a method of coating a bitter component with a sugar coating and formulating it, or enclosing a bitter component in a capsule and formulating it. Transformation methods, etc.

In this specification, the numerical range represented by the lower limit value and the upper limit value, that is, "lower limit value ~ upper limit value", includes these lower limit values and upper limit values. For example, the range represented by “1 to 2” means 1 or more and 2 or less, and includes 1 and 2. In this specification, the upper and lower limits can be set as ranges based on any combination. [Example]

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail based on examples. In addition, the present invention is not limited to these Examples.

The materials used in the following evaluation tests are as follows. (A) Ergothioneine: raw material containing 100% L-ergothioneine (B)Theanine: raw material containing 100% L-theanine

<Example 1: Flavor evaluation test for a composition containing ergothioneine and theanine> A composition containing ergothioneine and theanine was prepared, and three tasters familiar with sensory evaluation performed sensory evaluation. The above-mentioned (A) and (B) in the amounts shown in Table 1 were mixed to prepare compositions of samples 1 to 5 (compositions containing ergothioneine and theanine). The weight ratio of (B)/(A) in the compositions of Samples 1 to 5 is shown in Table 1. Three reviewers each measured the total amount of the prepared compositions (for example, in the case of Sample 1, wheat A total of 20 mg of 10 mg of ergothioneine and 10 mg of theanine was placed directly on the tongue, and the intensity of the bitter taste derived from ergothioneine and the intensity of the cloying aftertaste derived from theanine were evaluated based on the following criteria.

(Based on the evaluation criteria for the bitter taste of (A) ergothioneine) The intensity of the bitter taste of only the above (A) ergothioneine (10 mg) was rated as 5 points (control 1), and the case where no bitter taste derived from ergothioneine was felt was rated as 1 point, and the score was 1 to 5. (5 stages) for assessment. The evaluations of the three tasters were tallied, and the average values (points) are shown in Table 1. 5 points: The bitter taste derived from ergothioneine is strongly felt 4 points: Feel the bitter taste derived from ergothioneine 3 points: A slight bitter taste derived from ergothioneine 2 points: The bitter taste derived from ergothioneine is not felt very much. 1 point: No bitter taste derived from ergothioneine

(Evaluation criteria derived from (B) theanine’s cloying aftertaste) The intensity of the cloying aftertaste caused by the theanine (10 mg) alone was rated as 5 points (Control 2), and the case where no cloying aftertaste derived from theanine was felt was scored as 1 point. Evaluate on a scale of 1 to 5 points (5 stages). The evaluations of the three tasters were tallied, and the average values (points) are shown in Table 1. 5 points: The greasy aftertaste derived from theanine is strongly felt 4 points: Feel the cloying aftertaste derived from theanine 3 points: A slightly greasy aftertaste derived from theanine 2 points: Not much of a greasy aftertaste derived from theanine 1 point: No greasy aftertaste derived from theanine

＜Result＞ It has been confirmed that the bitter taste derived from ergothioneine is suppressed by combining ergothioneine and theanine. Regarding theanine, it was confirmed that theanine alone has a strong, cloying aftertaste and is difficult to ingest, but by combining it with ergothioneine, the degree of the cloying aftertaste is alleviated.

Claims (6)

An oral composition containing the following components (A) and (B): (A) Ergothioneine or its salt, and (B)Theanine. The composition of claim 1, wherein the weight ratio of component (B) (converted from L-glutamic acid-γ-acetamide) to component (A) (converted from ergothioneine) is ((B)/( A)) is 2~90. If the composition of claim 1 or 2 is a food or beverage. A method for suppressing the bitter taste derived from ergothioneine or its salt in an oral composition containing (A) ergothioneine or its salt , which includes the step of blending (B) theanine. The method of Claim 4, wherein the weight ratio of component (B) (converted from L-glutamic acid-γ-acetamide) to component (A) (converted from ergothioneine) in the oral composition is Component (B) is blended so that ((B)/(A)) becomes 2 to 90. Use of (B) theanine for suppressing bitterness derived from (A) ergothioneine or its salt.