JP2006055074A - Hop extract-containing composition - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a hop extract-containing composition easy to eat and meeting many persons' liking through reducing hop-derived bitterness. <P>SOLUTION: The hop extract-containing composition comprises a hop extract and acesulfame potassium. Another version of this composition comprises the above two ingredients and additionally sucralose. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a hop extract-containing composition in which the bitter taste of a hop extract is reduced.

  In recent years, antibacterial action (for example, refer to Patent Document 1), antioxidant effect (for example, refer to Patent Document 2), sedation (for example, refer to Patent Document 3), aldose reductase inhibitory action (for example, to hop extract) Patent Document 4), healthy stomach action (see, for example, Patent Document 5, JP-A-2003-206238), etc., and hop polyphenols prevent tooth decay (see, for example, Patent Document 6), prevention of aging. (For example, refer to Patent Document 7), it is known that it is effective for inhibiting cancer metastasis (for example, refer to Patent Document 8), etc., and attention is focused on the development of functional foods or health foods containing them. Collecting. However, since hops have a unique bitter taste, it is difficult to use hops as they are.

As a method to reduce bitterness such as hops, bitterness derived from polyphenols is reduced by using water obtained by deNaCl treatment of deep seawater as a raw material instead of normally used drinking water. A polyphenol-containing food that can be eaten and eaten is known (for example, see Patent Document 9). However, this method is not practical because it uses expensive deep seawater that has been desalted.
Further, as preparations in which an unpleasant taste such as a bitter taste is easily masked, for example, from (a) an ingredient having an unpleasant taste, (b) menthol, and (c) stevia extract, aspartame, glycyrrhizic acid, saccharin and sucralose An oral solid preparation containing one or two or more sweeteners selected from the group is known (for example, see Patent Document 10). In the literature, herbal medicines are exemplified as components having an unpleasant taste, and hops are exemplified therein along with other herbal medicines. However, no specific description about the reduced bitterness of the hop extract is found. Therefore, in the examples described later, a composition containing hops and sucralose was prepared and a sensory test for bitterness was performed, but the bitterness of the hop extract was hardly alleviated.
JP-A-6-25081 JP-A-7-196572 JP 2003-183174 A JP 2003-226640 A JP 2003-206238 A JP-A-9-295944 JP 2003-2237 A JP 2000-327582 A JP 2004-113253 A JP 2000-159691 A

  An object of the present invention is to provide a hop extract-containing composition that is easy to eat and meets the tastes of many people by reducing bitterness derived from hops. Furthermore, this invention aims at providing the method of reducing the bitterness derived from a hop.

  The inventors of the present invention have intensively studied to achieve the above-mentioned problems, and have found that the bitterness derived from hops can be reduced by adding acesulfame potassium to the hop extract. And it confirmed that the food containing the hop extract from which various functional effects became clear can be eaten and eaten reasonably. The present invention has been completed based on such findings.

That is, the present invention
(1) A hop extract-containing composition with reduced bitterness, comprising a hop extract and acesulfame potassium,
(2) The composition according to (1), further comprising sucralose,
(3) The composition according to (2) above, further comprising glycyrrhizin or a salt thereof,
(4) The composition according to (1) above, further containing sodium chloride or sodium chloride,
(5) The composition according to any one of (1) to (4) above, wherein the content of acesulfame potassium is 0.01 to 10.0 parts by weight with respect to 1 part by weight of the hop extract. .
(6) The composition according to any one of the above (1) to (5), which is any of foods and drinks, health functional foods, feeds and feeds,
(7) The composition according to any one of (1) to (5) above, wherein the composition is a food preservative, and (8) hops characterized by containing acesulfame potassium in the hop extract. A method for reducing the bitterness of the extract,
About.

  Since the hop extract-containing composition of the present invention has reduced bitterness of the hop extract, it is particularly useful as a hop extract-containing composition with improved palatability that allows it to be eaten and eaten reasonably. Widely available.

  Hops (Humulus lupulus L.), which is a raw material for the hop extract used in the present invention, is a perennial plant belonging to the family Mulberry. There are many types of hops, such as Bullion, Brewers Gold, Cascade, Chinook, Cluster, East Kent Golding, Fuggles, Hallettau, Mount Hood, Northern Brewer, Perle, Saaz, Styrian, Tettnanger and Willamette et al. Any varieties can be preferably used for the hop extract used in the present invention. Moreover, you may mix and use 2 or more types of the said hop. As a raw material for the hop extract, any of the above-mentioned hop spikelets (female flowers), fruit fruits (ripened unfertilized female flowers), leaves, stems, and buds can be preferably used. In particular, a flower and a fruit are preferable. Recently, hop blossoms and fruits are crushed at low temperature and then in the form of pellets shaped as little fingertips. The hop extract used in the present invention is also used as a raw material. Can do. Furthermore, these can also be used simultaneously.

  The hop extract used in the present invention is the above hop buds, fruit, leaves, stems and / or cocoons (hereinafter referred to as hop raw materials) such as water, saline, alcohol, ether, acetone or hexane. After extraction with a solvent, the extract is usually concentrated and dried after filtration. The hop extract may be used after being extracted and dried, but depending on the extraction method, the extract may be used as it is or as a concentrated liquid. The said solvent may mix 1 type (s) or 2 or more types. Further, alkali hydroxide, sodium carbonate, ammonium carbonate, sodium phosphate or the like may be added and extracted under alkalinity. Any extraction method may be used as long as it is a commonly used extraction method. Drying can be performed by a method known per se, for example, a known means such as concentration by heating, concentration under reduced pressure, freeze drying, or a combination thereof. The hop extract obtained by the extraction preferably contains humulones (eg, isohumulone) and polyphenols. Moreover, the commercially available thing may be used for the hop extract used for this invention. For example, ISO HOP (isoalpha acid content 30 W / V%) manufactured by Botanix or the like can be used.

  The hop extract-containing composition of the present invention is characterized by containing a hop extract and acesulfame potassium. Since the content of hop extract bitterness components (eg, isohumulone, etc.) varies depending on the extraction solvent, extraction method, etc., the content of hop extract is based on the content of isohumulone, which is the bitterness component of hop extract. It is good. The content of the hop extract varies depending on the purpose, etc., but when it is added to a food for the purpose of imparting a health function, the amount of the function is effectively exhibited and when it is added as a food preservative Needless to say, it is an amount that can be added to foods to exhibit antibacterial properties and that does not significantly impair the taste of the food. Usually, about 0.001 to 1.0% by weight of the composition (hereinafter, unless otherwise specified, “% by weight” is simply expressed as “%”), preferably about 0. It is about 001 to 0.05%. The isohumulone content is about 0.0003 to 0.3%, preferably about 0.0003 to 0.03%, more preferably about 0.0003 to 0.015%, based on the composition. The amount of acesulfame potassium is not particularly limited as long as the effect of reducing the bitterness of the hop extract is exhibited. Usually, about 0.01 to 10.0 parts by weight, preferably about 0.3 to 3.0 parts by weight, more preferably about 0.5 to 2.7 parts by weight with respect to 1 part by weight of the hop extract. Degree. In particular, it is preferable to use about 1 to 10 parts by weight, preferably about 1.5 to 8 parts by weight of acesulfame potassium with respect to 1 part by weight of isohumulone in the hop extract. The content of acesulfame potassium is about 0.001 to 0.1%, preferably about 0.001 to 0.05%, more preferably about 0.005 to 0.02%, based on the composition. It should be prepared.

  The hop extract-containing composition of the present invention preferably further contains sucralose in the hop extract and acesulfame potassium. By further containing sucralose, the bitterness of aftertaste is reduced and an excellent composition can be obtained. The amount of sucralose is preferably such that acesulfame potassium enhances the effect of reducing the bitter taste of hop extract, and is about 1 to 15 parts by weight, preferably about 4 to 12 parts per 1 part by weight of isohumulone in the hop extract. The amount is about 0.1 to 3 parts by weight, preferably about 1 to 2 parts by weight with respect to parts by weight and acesulfame potassium. The sucralose content may be adjusted so that sucralose is about 0.001 to 0.03%, preferably about 0.008 to 0.03%, based on the composition. If the sucralose content is less than about 0.001% of the composition, there is a concern that the enhancement effect of reducing the bitterness of the hop extract by acesulfame potassium may not be exhibited. The content of acesulfame potassium when acesulfame potassium and sucralose are blended can be about 0.001 to 0.03%, preferably about 0.005 to 0.01%, based on the composition.

  The hop extract-containing composition of the present invention preferably further contains glycyrrhizin or a salt thereof in the hop extract, acesulfame potassium and sucralose. Examples of the glycyrrhizin salt include disodium glycyrrhizinate, ammonium glycyrrhizinate or dipotassium glycyrrhizinate. By further containing glycyrrhizin or a salt thereof, the bitter taste of hop aftertaste is also reduced. The amount of glycyrrhizin or a salt thereof is preferably such that acesulfame potassium and sucralose further enhance the effect of reducing the bitter taste of hop extract, and acesulfame potassium / sucralose / glycyrrhizin (W / W / W) is preferably about 1 /0.5 to about 2 / 0.5 to 2, particularly preferably about 1/1 to 1.2 / 1. The content of glycyrrhizin or a salt thereof is about 0.001 to 0.2%, preferably about 0.001 to 0.01%, based on the composition.

The hop extract-containing composition of the present invention preferably further contains sodium chloride or sodium chloride in the hop extract, acesulfame potassium and sucralose. By further containing sodium chloride or sodium chloride, the sweetness of sweeteners such as acesulfame potassium is enhanced, and an excellent composition that further reduces bitterness of aftertaste can be obtained. The amount of sodium chloride or sodium chloride used is preferably such that acesulfame potassium enhances the effect of reducing the bitter taste of the hop extract. The content of sodium chloride or sodium chloride is about 0.005 to 0.2%, preferably about 0.01 to 0.2% with respect to the composition.
The above-mentioned “further contain salt” means that sodium chloride used in the processed food when the hop extract-containing composition of the present invention is used in processed food or the like in which salt is usually used. And salt. Therefore, it is preferable that the content of sodium chloride or sodium chloride is appropriately selected according to the target food or the like in which the hop extract-containing composition of the present invention is used.

  The hop extract-containing composition of the present invention can be used without any particular limitation as long as it is a preparation that disintegrates or dissolves in the mouth and the bitter taste of the hop extract spreads in the mouth. Preferable dosage forms include, for example, an intraoral quick disintegrating tablet, an intraoral quick dissolving tablet effervescent tablet, a chewable tablet, a troche, a drop agent, a granule or powder rapidly disintegrating or dissolving in the mouth, a mouth refreshing agent, a mouthwash, Examples include syrups and internal liquids. An intraoral quick disintegrating tablet or an intraoral quick dissolving tablet refers to a tablet having a property of rapidly disintegrating or dissolving in the oral cavity, and a chewable tablet refers to a tablet that can be taken with saliva while chewing the tablet. These include, for example, hop extract, acesulfame potassium and sucralose mixed with sugar alcohols such as mannitol, disintegrants such as crystalline cellulose and crospovidone, and granules obtained by fluidized bed granulation in the mouth. It can be produced by compression molding so as to have a hardness suitable for easy disintegration, dissolution or chewing. Lozenges and drop agents can also be produced by a general method for producing them. Mouthwashes, syrups, oral liquids and the like can also be produced according to a method known per se, for example, the method described in the 14th revised Japanese Pharmacopoeia General Rules for Preparations. In the hop extract-containing composition of the present invention, excipients such as lactose, starch, crystalline cellulose, sugar alcohol, low-substituted hydroxypropylcellulose, croscarmellose calcium, etc., as long as the effects of the present invention are not impaired. Dispersing agents, lubricants such as magnesium stearate, stabilizers such as ascorbic acid and sodium edetate, buffering agents such as citric acid and sodium acetate, corrigents such as tartaric acid, flavors and pigments, etc. be able to.

Since these preparations can exert various effects of hop extract, for example, drugs for the purpose of improving depression and insomnia, improving obesity, improving stomach, improving diabetes, preventing aging, suppressing cancer metastasis, etc. It can be used as a food, particularly a health functional food. These preparations can also be used as animal feed or feed.
Further, the hop extract-containing composition of the present invention can be used as a toothpaste, a gum, a mouth freshener, and the like for the purpose of preventing tooth decay and the like. Toothpastes, gums and mouth fresheners can be produced by methods known per se.

  Further, since the hop extract has an antibacterial action and a food preserving action (see, for example, JP-A-06-153882), the hop extract-containing composition of the present invention is preferably used as a food preservative. be able to. The target food in which the hop extract-containing composition of the present invention is used as a preservative is not particularly limited, but for example, side dishes made from cereals, vegetables, fruits, seaweeds, etc. ), Pickles, marine products (eg, kamaboko, hampen, chikuwa, fish ham, etc.), fishery delicacy, livestock products (eg, sausage, winner sausage, bacon, hamburger, meatballs, etc.), beans Processed foods (eg, ginger, noodles, boiled beans, tofu, fried seasoned oil), processed rice foods (eg, sushi, cooked rice, fried rice, rice cakes, dumplings, etc.), processed foods of wheat (eg, noodles, etc.) , Breads, buns, etc.), processed foods of rhizomes and vegetables (eg, potato salad, sweet potato paste, troroimo, buttercup, pumpkin, carrot, radish, green beans, spinach) Because, etc.) and drinks (eg, tea, coffee, sports drinks, etc.) and the like. In particular, the hop extract-containing composition of the present invention can be advantageously used as a food preservative even in foods and the like for which it was difficult to add a sufficient amount due to the bitter taste of the hop extract.

  When the hop extract-containing composition of the present invention is used as a food preservative, it is usually preferable that the hop extract is added so as to be about 0.0005 to 0.5% of the food. Preferably, about 0.005 to 0.1% is added.

  Hereinafter, preferred test examples in the present invention will be described, but the present invention is not limited to the following test examples.

[Test example]
ISO HOP (isohumulone content: 30 W / v%) manufactured by BOTANIX was dissolved in distilled water using a volumetric flask so that the isohumulone concentration was twice the concentration (%) of Table 1, to obtain a hop extract solution. Next, acesulfame potassium, sucralose, glycyrrhizin and sodium chloride were each weighed to a concentration twice that of Table 1, dissolved in distilled water, acesulfame potassium solution, sucralose solution, acesulfame potassium / sucralose solution, acesulfame potassium / A sucralose / glycyrrhizin solution and an acesulfame potassium / sucralose / glycyrrhizin / sodium chloride solution were obtained. These solutions and the hop extract solution were mixed in equal amounts to prepare test solutions (Test Examples 1 to 6) and comparative solutions (Comparative Examples A to D). Sensory evaluation was performed by four panelists according to the following evaluation criteria.
Evaluation criteria:
-: When bitten, no bitterness is felt, but a slight bitterness is felt as a aftertaste.
±: Little bitterness when mouthed, but weak bitterness as aftertaste.
+: The bitterness when mouthed is considerably reduced, but bitterness is felt as a aftertaste.
++: The bitterness of the mouth is reduced, but a strong bitterness is felt as a aftertaste.
++++: A strong bitterness is felt both in the mouth and aftertaste.

The results of sensory evaluation of the test examples and comparative examples are shown in Table 2. In Comparative Example A containing only 0.002% isohumulone, a very strong bitter taste was felt, but by adding 0.016% acesulfame potassium, the bitter taste when ingested was significantly reduced (Test Example 1). Further, the degree of reduction was more remarkable than that of Comparative Example B in which sucralose was added together with the sweetness of Test Example 1. Even when the isohumulone concentration was increased to 0.01% (Comparative Example C), the addition of acesulfame potassium reduced the bitterness of isohumulone as in the case of 0.002% (Test Example 2). Further, the degree of reduction was more remarkable than that of Comparative Example D in which sucralose was added together with the sweetness of Test Example 2.
Further, by adding sucralose (Test Example 3 or 4) or sucralose and glycyrrhizin to Test Example 1 (Test Example 6), the effect of reducing the bitter taste of isohumulone was further enhanced. Further, when sodium chloride was further added to Test Example 4 (Test Example 5), overall taste harmony was obtained, and the bitter taste was not felt.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a hop extract-containing composition in which hop bitterness is reduced by using acesulfame potassium. Furthermore, according to the method of the present invention, since the bitterness derived from hops of the hop extract-containing food is reduced, the use as a hop extract-containing food with improved palatability that is mellow and easy to eat, and the hop extract-containing food Useful as a preservative.

Claims (8)

  A hop extract-containing composition with reduced bitterness, comprising a hop extract and acesulfame potassium.   The composition according to claim 1, further comprising sucralose.   The composition according to claim 2, further comprising glycyrrhizin or a salt thereof.   Furthermore, sodium chloride or salt is contained, The composition of Claim 1 characterized by the above-mentioned.   The composition according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the content of acesulfame potassium is 0.01 to 10.0 parts by weight with respect to 1 part by weight of the hop extract.   The composition according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the composition is any one of food and drink, health functional food, feed and feed.   It is a food preservative, The composition in any one of Claims 1-5 characterized by the above-mentioned. A method for reducing the bitterness of a hop extract, which comprises adding acesulfame potassium to the hop extract.