JP2008295370A - Packaged beverage - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a packaged beverage containing catechin in high concentration and reduced in bitterness and/or astringency. <P>SOLUTION: The non-tea-based packaged beverage has pH 2-6, contains purified green tea extract, and contains the following ingredients (A) and (B): (A): 0.03-0.6 mass% of nonpolymer catechins, and (B): at least one selected from a group comprising furaneol, sotolon, homofuronol, maltol, ethylmaltol, vanillin, ethylvanillin, methyl anthranilate and N-methyle anthranilate methyle in a mass ratio (B)/(A) of 0.00005-0.5. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a catechin-containing non-tea-based packaged beverage with reduced bitterness and astringency unique to catechin.

  As an effect of catechin, an α amylase activity inhibitory action and the like have been reported. In order to express such a physiological effect, since it is necessary to ingest a large amount of catechin more simply, a technique for blending catechin with a high concentration in a beverage has been desired.

  As one of the methods, a method of adding catechin to a beverage using a tea extract such as a concentrate of a green tea extract is used. However, for example, when catechin is blended in a high concentration in black tea extract or carbonated beverage, it has been found that the residual bitterness derived from caffeine and green tea greatly impairs the commercial value of the beverage.

It has long been known that tannase treatment can be performed on a fermented tea extract such as black tea to suppress suspension during low-temperature cooling, that is, tea cream formation. Moreover, according to the method of obtaining a mixture of catechins and gallic acid by performing tannase treatment on gallate catechins and making gallic acid partly or entirely as seen in Patent Document 1, it causes bitterness. Although gallate catechins can be reduced, the problem of eliminating bitterness, particularly the poor aftertaste, remained. Moreover, as a method of removing impurities having a bitter taste such as caffeine from the tea extract, an adsorption method (Patent Documents 2 to 4), an extraction method (Patent Document 5) and the like are known.
JP 2003-33157 A JP-A-5-153910 JP-A-8-109178 JP 2002-335911 A JP-A-1-289447

However, in beverages containing a high concentration of catechin blended with a purified product of green tea extract, there is a tendency for bitterness and astringency peculiar to catechin to be anxious and to stop drinking on the way. In addition, bitterness and astringency peculiar to catechins may be emphasized during beverage storage, and the palatability may be reduced. Also, when the beverage is cooled, the bitterness is alleviated and a sufficient amount can be ingested, but at room temperature, the bitterness is emphasized more than the low temperature. Therefore, there is a problem that drinking at normal temperature is not easy and astringency remains after drinking.
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a packaged beverage that is easy to drink by alleviating bitterness and astringency in beverages containing catechins at a high concentration.

  Therefore, the present inventor has studied the effects on bitterness and astringency by blending various flavor components into a beverage containing a high concentration of catechin blended with a purified product of green tea extract. It was found that a beverage with reduced bitterness and astringency peculiar to catechin can be obtained by blending a specific component at a certain ratio with respect to catechin as compared with limonene.

That is, this invention is a container-packed drink of pH 2-6 which mix | blended the refined | purified product of the green tea extract, Comprising: The following components (A) and (B):
(A) Non-polymer catechins 0.03-0.6 mass%,
(B) One or more selected from the group consisting of furaneol, sotron, homofuronol, maltol, ethyl maltol, vanillin, ethyl vanillin, methyl anthranilate and methyl N-methylanthranylate, (B) / (A) (mass ratio ) Is provided in a range of 0.00005 to 0.5.

  The container-packed beverage of the present invention alleviated bitterness and astringency peculiar to catechins while containing a sufficient amount of non-polymer catechins to exert physiological effects. It is also a drink that can be enjoyed deliciously at room temperature.

  In the present invention, the non-polymer catechins include non-epide catechins such as catechin, gallocatechin, catechin gallate and gallocatechin gallate and epi-catechins such as epicatechin, epigallocatechin, epicatechin gallate and epigallocatechin gallate. It is a general term.

The catechin gallate body in the present invention is a general term including catechin gallate, gallocatechin gallate, epicatechin gallate, epigallocatechin gallate and the like. The gallate body ratio is the ratio of the mass sum of the four non-polymerized catechin gallate bodies to the mass sum of catechin, gallocatechin, catechin gallate, gallocatechin gallate, epicatechin, epigallocatechin, epicatechin gallate and epigallocatechin gallate. It is a value expressed as a fraction.
The catechin gallo body is a general term for gallocatechin, gallocatechin gallate, epigallocatechin, epigallocatechin gallate and the like.

  The container-packed beverage of the present invention contains a purified product of green tea extract. Here, the purified product of the green tea extract refers to a purified product of the concentrated green tea extract shown below.

  Examples of the green tea extract used in the present invention include an extract obtained from green tea leaves. More specifically, the tea leaves to be used include tea leaves made from tea leaves obtained from the genus Camellia, for example, C. sinensis, C. assamica, and camellia seeds or hybrids thereof. The tea leaves produced include green teas such as sencha, bancha, gyokuro, tencha, and kettle roasted tea. As the green tea extract used in the present invention, an extract obtained by drying or concentrating an extract obtained from green tea leaves is preferable.

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

  As the green tea extract, an extract extracted using tea leaves subjected to carbon dioxide contact treatment in a supercritical state may be used.

  As the purified green tea extract used in the present invention, a dried and concentrated extract extracted from tea leaves is used after purification. Here, the purification of the green tea extract concentrate is a simple extract obtained by concentrating an extract extracted from tea leaves with hot water or a water-soluble organic solvent. For example, JP 59-219384 A, JP This refers to those prepared by the methods described in Kaihei 4-20589, JP-A-5-260907, JP-A-5-306279, and the like. In addition, as a purified product of green tea extract, commercially available “Polyphenone” manufactured by Tokyo Food Techno Co., Ltd., “Theafuran” manufactured by ITO EN Co., Ltd., “Sunphenon” manufactured by Taiyo Kagaku Co., Ltd., etc. can also be used. May be.

  The container-packed beverage of the present invention is not particularly limited in the catechin gallate body ratio in the non-polymer catechins, but it is preferable to blend a purified product of green tea extract having a catechin gallate body ratio of less than 50% by mass. Such a purified product of green tea extract preferably has a catechin gallate body fraction adjusted to less than 50 mass% by tannase treatment at any stage of the green tea extract purification process.

The rate of catechin gallate body can be reduced by treating the green tea extract or its concentrate or purified product with tannase. The tannase used here preferably has a commercially available enzyme activity of 500 to 5,000 U / g, and if it is 500 U / g or more, sufficient activity can be obtained. Moreover, since the enzyme reaction rate is too high when it is 5,000 U / g or more, it becomes difficult to control the reaction system.
As the tannase, tannin acyl hydrolase EC 3.1.1.20 is preferred. As a commercial item, brand name "Tannase" product made by Kikkoman Co., Ltd., tannase "Sankyo" product made by Sankyo Co., Ltd., etc. are mentioned.

As a specific method of tannase treatment, from the viewpoint of reducing the non-polymer catechin gallate body rate and stopping the enzymatic reaction at the optimal non-polymer catechin gallate body rate, the green tea extract is added to the aqueous solution of the green tea extract. It is preferable to add tannase in a range of 0.5 to 10% by mass with respect to the non-polymer catechins therein. More preferably, the tannase concentration is 0.5 to 5% by mass, more preferably 2 to 4% by mass.
The temperature of the tannase treatment is preferably 15 to 40 ° C., more preferably 20 to 30 ° C. at which the optimum enzyme activity can be obtained.

  In order to terminate the tannase reaction, it is necessary to deactivate the enzyme activity. The enzyme deactivation temperature is preferably 70 to 90 ° C. Further, it is preferable that the holding time is 10 seconds or more and 20 minutes or less after reaching a predetermined deactivation temperature. The deactivation method of the enzyme reaction can be stopped by heating in a batch system or a continuous system such as a plate heat exchanger. Further, after the inactivation of the tannase treatment, the aqueous solution of the green tea extract can be cleaned by an operation such as centrifugation.

  Moreover, as for the refinement | purification process of the green tea extract used for this invention, what carried out the following processes before or after a tannase process is preferable from points, such as flavor and stability. Specific purification treatment means include (1) synthetic adsorbent treatment, (2) extraction with a mixed solution of an organic solvent and water, (3) activated carbon treatment, (4) activated clay or / and acid clay, 5) Means including operations such as solid-liquid separation alone or in combination.

Examples of the synthetic adsorbent treatment include a method in which a green tea extract is adsorbed on a synthetic adsorbent and then non-polymer catechins are eluted. More specifically, the green tea extract is adsorbed on a synthetic adsorbent, the synthetic adsorbent is washed, and then a basic aqueous solution is contacted to elute non-polymer catechins. Caffeine and gallic acid can be reduced by the synthetic adsorbent treatment. Examples of the synthetic adsorbent used include those based on styrene-divinylbenzene, modified styrene-divinylbenzene, or methyl methacrylate. Examples of synthetic adsorbents based on styrene-divinylbenzene include Mitsubishi Chemical's trade names Diaion HP-20, HP-21, Sepabeads SP70, SP700, SP825, SP-825 and Organo Amberlite XAD4, XAD16HP. XAD1180, XAD2000, Sumitomo Chemical Duolite S874, S876, and the like. Examples of modified styrene-divinylbenzene-based synthetic adsorbents that have a bromine atom substituted into the nucleus to enhance the adsorptive power include trade name products SP205, SP206, and SP207 manufactured by Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation. Examples of methyl methacrylate-based synthetic adsorbents include Sepabeads HP1MG and HP2MG manufactured by Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation, XAD7HP manufactured by Organo Corporation, and Duolite S877 manufactured by Sumitomo Chemical.
Among the synthetic adsorbents, a modified polystyrene synthetic adsorbent and a methyl methacrylate synthetic adsorbent are particularly preferable.
Specific examples of the synthetic adsorbent include a modified polystyrene synthetic adsorbent such as SP207 (manufactured by Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation) and a methacrylic synthetic adsorbent such as HP2MG (manufactured by Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation). SP207 is particularly preferable. .

With respect to the column packed with the synthetic adsorbent, SV (space velocity) = 1 to 10 [h ⁻¹ ] in advance, and 95 vol% under the liquid passing condition of 2 to 10 [v / v] as the liquid passing ratio with respect to the synthetic adsorbent. It is preferable to perform a washing treatment with an aqueous ethanol solution to remove the raw material monomer in the synthetic adsorbent and impurities derived from the raw material monomer. Then, after washing with water under conditions of SV = 1 to 10 [h ⁻¹ ] and a passage ratio of 1 to 10 [v / v] as a passage ratio for the synthetic adsorbent, ethanol is removed and the synthetic adsorbent is liquid-containing. Substituting with water system improves the adsorption ability of non-polymer catechins.

As a means for adsorbing the green tea extract onto the synthetic adsorbent, it is preferable to pass the green tea extract aqueous solution through a column packed with the synthetic adsorbent. The conditions for passing the green tea extract through the column filled with the synthetic adsorbent are: SV (space velocity) = 0.5-10 [h ⁻¹ ], liquid passage rate of the synthetic adsorbent: 0. 5-20 [v / v] is preferable. Adsorption of non-polymer catechins becomes insufficient when the flow rate is 10 [h ^-1 ] or more and the flow rate is 20 [v / v] or more.
Further, the green tea extract is adsorbed on the synthetic adsorbent, and then washed with water. The liquid passing rate of SV = 0.5 to 10 [h ⁻¹ ] is 1 to 10 [ v / v], it is preferable to remove gallic acid and impurities adhering to the synthetic adsorbent. Non-polymer catechins may be eluted when washed with water at a flow rate of 10 [h ^-1 ] or higher or a flow rate of 10 [v / v] or higher, and a flow rate of 1 [v / v] or lower. If it is, the removal of gallic acid is insufficient.

  As the basic aqueous solution used for elution of non-polymer catechins, for example, a sodium hydroxide aqueous solution, a sodium carbonate aqueous solution and the like can be suitably used. The pH of the alkaline aqueous solution is preferably in the range of 7-14. Examples of the sodium-based aqueous solution having a pH of 7 to 14 include a 4% or less sodium hydroxide aqueous solution and a 1N-sodium carbonate aqueous solution.

  In the elution step, two or more kinds of aqueous solutions having different pH values are used as the elution water, and these elution waters can be brought into contact with the synthetic adsorbent in the order of lower pH. Examples of using two or more kinds of elution water having different pH as the elution water include elution with a basic aqueous solution of pH 9-11 after elution with elution water of pH 3-7.

  The synthetic adsorbent used in the present invention can be reused by using a predetermined method after the purification treatment. Specifically, an aqueous alkali solution such as sodium hydroxide is passed through and washed to desorb all water-soluble components remaining on the synthetic adsorbent.

  Since the eluate of non-polymer catechins is eluted with a basic aqueous solution, it is preferably neutralized from the viewpoint of stabilization of catechins. As a neutralization method, it is preferable to use a cation exchange resin capable of removing alkali metal ions, particularly an H-type cation exchange resin. Specifically, Amberlite 200CT, IR120B, IR124, IR118, Diaion SK1B, SK102, PK208, PK212, etc. can be used as the cation exchange resin.

  Among the above purification treatments, (1) extraction with a mixture of an organic solvent and water and (2) activated carbon treatment, or (1) extraction with a mixture of an organic solvent and water, and (3) activated clay or / and The acid clay treatment is preferably performed in combination. Furthermore, it is particularly preferable to combine (1) extraction with a mixture of an organic solvent and water, (2) activated carbon treatment, and (3) activated clay or / and acid clay treatment.

  In order to extract with a mixed solution of an organic solvent and water, the green tea extract is dispersed in a mixed solution of the organic solvent and water. The mass ratio of the organic solvent and water in this dispersion is finally 60/40 to 97/3, more preferably (1) When removing water-insoluble components derived from tea leaves, such as celluloses Is processed at 60/40 to 75/25. (2) When removing flavor components derived from tea leaves, 85/15 to 95/5 is used in terms of extraction efficiency of catechins, purification of green tea extract, and long-term drinking properties. preferable.

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

  10 to 40 parts by weight, further 10 to 30 parts by weight, especially 15 to 30 parts by weight of green tea extract (dry weight conversion) is added to 100 parts by weight of a mixed solution of an organic solvent and water. It is preferable because the green tea extract can be processed efficiently.

It is more preferable to provide an aging time of about 10 to 180 minutes after the addition of the mixed solution of the organic solvent and water.
These treatments can be carried out at 10 to 60 ° C., preferably 10 to 50 ° C., more preferably 10 to 40 ° C.

The activated carbon used for the activated carbon treatment is not particularly limited as long as it is generally used at an industrial level. For example, ZN-50 (made by Hokuetsu Carbon Co., Ltd.), Kuraray Coal GLC, Kuraray Coal PK-D, Kuraray Coal PW Commercially available products such as -D (manufactured by Kuraray Chemical Co., Ltd.), white birch AW50, white birch A, white birch M, white birch C (manufactured by Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited) can be used.
The pore volume of the activated carbon is preferably 0.01 to 0.8 mL / g, particularly preferably 0.1 to 0.8 mL / g. The specific surface area is preferably in the range of 800 to 1600 m ² / g, particularly 900 to 1500 m ² / g. These physical property values are values based on the nitrogen adsorption method.

  The activated carbon treatment is preferably performed after the green tea extract is added to the mixed solution of the organic solvent and water. Activated carbon is preferably added in an amount of 0.5 to 8 parts by mass, particularly 0.5 to 3 parts by mass, based on 100 parts by mass of a mixed solution of an organic solvent and water, in terms of purification effect and small cake resistance in the filtration step. .

Both acidic clay and activated clay contain SiO ₂ , Al ₂ O ₃ , Fe ₂ O ₃ , CaO, MgO, etc. as general chemical components, but the SiO ₂ / Al ₂ O ₃ ratio is 3 It is preferably -12, particularly 4-9. The Fe ₂ O ₃ 2 to 5 wt%, the CaO 0 to 1.5 wt%, preferably from compositions containing MgO 1 to 7% by weight.
Activated clay is a naturally occurring acidic clay (montmorillonite clay) treated with a mineral acid such as sulfuric acid, and is a compound having a porous structure having a large specific surface area and adsorption capacity.

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

  Moreover, the ratio in the case of using together activated carbon and acidic clay or activated clay is 1-10 with respect to activated carbon 1 by mass ratio, and activated carbon: acid clay or activated clay = 1: 1 to 1: 6. preferable.

  It is preferable that the purified product of the obtained green tea extract is turbidized as necessary to improve the stability of the product. Specific operation of turbidity includes solid-liquid separation of solid content and water-soluble part by filtration and / or centrifugation.

  When solid-liquid separation is performed by filtration, the filtration conditions are preferably a temperature of 5 to 70 ° C, and more preferably 10 to 40 ° C. The pressure is preferably within the pressure resistance range of the membrane module to be used. For example, it is preferably 30 to 400 kPa, more preferably 50 to 400 kPa, and particularly preferably 50 to 350 kPa. The membrane pore diameter is preferably from 1 to 30 μm, more preferably from 2 to 25 μm, particularly preferably from 2 to 20 μm, from the viewpoint of achieving a predetermined turbidity. Examples of the method for measuring the membrane pore diameter include general measurement methods using a mercury intrusion method, a bubble point test, a bacterial filtration method, and the like, but it is preferable to use a value obtained by a bubble point test.

  The centrifuge is preferably a general device such as a separation plate type, a cylindrical type, or a decanter type. As the centrifugation conditions, the temperature is preferably 5 to 70 ° C., more preferably 10 to 40 ° C., and the rotation speed and time are preferably adjusted so as to have a predetermined turbidity. For example, in the case of a separator plate type, it is 3000 to 10000 r / min, further 5000 to 10000 r / min, particularly 6000 to 10000 r / min, 0.2 to 30 minutes, further 0.2 to 20 minutes, particularly 0.2 to 15 minutes. Is preferred.

The solid-liquid separation is preferably membrane filtration. The polymer membrane used in the membrane filtration is a hydrocarbon-based, fluorinated hydrocarbon-based or sulfone-based polymer membrane, for example, a polyolefin-based polymer membrane such as polyethylene or polypropylene; polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), poly Examples thereof include fluorinated polyolefin polymer films such as vinylidene difluoride (PVDF). Examples thereof include sulfone polymer films such as polysulfone (PSU) and polyethersulfone (PES). The pore size of the polymer membrane is 0.05 to 0.8 μm, more preferably 0.05 to 0.5 μm, and particularly preferably 0.08 to 0.5 μm. When the membrane pore size is too small, the filtration rate is remarkably reduced. On the other hand, when the membrane pore size is too large, separation is impossible and the color tone deteriorates. The film thickness is preferably 0.1 to 2.5 mm, more preferably 0.3 to 2.0 mm, and particularly preferably 0.3 to 1.5 mm.
The turbidity of the container-packed beverage of the present invention is preferably 0.1 to 80, more preferably 0.5 to 80,
More preferably, it is 1-75, More preferably, it is the range of 1-70.
However, the haze value is in the range of 0 to 100, and the ion exchange water is 0.
When the haze value of the packaged beverage is in the above range, it indicates that the components are uniformly dispersed and is excellent in color tone stability by light irradiation under oxygen permeation.

  The purified product of the green tea extract used in the present invention contains 25 to 95% by mass of non-polymer catechins, further 40 to 90% by mass, further 50 to 88% by mass, particularly 60 to 85% by mass in the solid content. What is contained is preferable.

  Further, the ratio of the gallate body consisting of catechin gallate, epicatechin gallate, gallocatechin gallate and epigallocatechin gallate in the purified green tea extract in all non-polymer catechins is not particularly limited, but the upper limit It is preferably less than 50% by mass, and further 49% by mass or less, 48% by mass or less, 45% by mass, 44% by mass or less, 40% by mass or less, 39% by mass or less, 30% by mass or less, particularly 20% by mass. The mass% or less is preferable from the viewpoint of bitterness suppression. Further, the lower limit is 0% by weight or more, 0.1% by weight or more, 1% by weight or more, 2% by weight or more, 3% by weight or more, further 4% by weight or more, particularly 5% by weight or more. It is preferable in terms of effectiveness of physiological effects of combined catechins and reduction of bitterness.

  The concentration of caffeine in the purified green tea extract used in the present invention is caffeine / non-polymer catechins (mass ratio) = 0 to 0.1, and further 0.005 with respect to non-polymer catechins. It is preferable that it is -0.08, especially 0.01-0.04.

  The non-polymer catechins are contained in the packaged beverage of the present invention in an amount of 0.03 to 0.6% by mass, preferably 0.03 to 0.55% by mass, more preferably 0.03 to 0. 0.52% by mass, more preferably 0.04 to 0.52% by mass, and still more preferably 0.06 to 0.52% by mass. When the content of non-polymer catechins is within this range, a large amount of non-polymer catechins can be easily ingested, which is preferable from the viewpoints of flavor and color, and stability of the content of non-polymer catechins.

  Further, the gallic acid content in the packaged beverage of the present invention is 0.0004 to 29 mg / 100 mL from the viewpoint of the bitterness, the effect of reducing the acidity, and further the flavor and color, and the storage stability of the non-polymer catechin content. It is preferably 0.0004 to 20 mg / 100 mL, more preferably 0.0004 to 10 mg / 100 mL, and particularly preferably 0.0004 to 5 mg / 100 mL. Adjustment of the gallic acid content is performed by adsorption with a resin or the like.

In the non-tea-based packaged beverage of the present invention, (B) Furaneol, Sotron, Homofuronol, Maltol, Ethylmaltol, Vanillin, Ethylvanillin, Methyl anthranilate and Methyl N-methylanthranylate from the viewpoint of reducing bitterness and astringency 1 type or more chosen from. Particularly preferred is the inclusion of one or more selected from furaneol, maltol, vanillin and methyl anthranilate.
(B) / (A) (mass ratio) is contained in the range of 0.00005 to 0.5, preferably 0.0001 to 0.5, particularly preferably 0.0001 to 0.3. . The present inventor has found that these specific components are particularly bitter as compared with other flavor components such as limonene, and are excellent in astringency suppressing effect. In addition, the component (B) is preferably 0.0001 to 0.3% by mass, more preferably 0.000012 to 0.3% by mass, and particularly preferably 0.000012 to 0.1% by mass in the container-packed beverage of the present invention. The limonene content is less than 0.0002% by mass, preferably less than 0.0001% by mass.

  The packaged beverage of the present invention is a non-tea beverage, and as a non-tea beverage, a carbonated beverage, a non-carbonated beverage, an enhanced water, a bottled water, a sports drink, an energy drink, a near water, an isotonic beverage, a hypotonic beverage, Examples include high partic beverages.

  In the case of an acidic beverage, the content of the sweetener is preferably 0.0001 to 20% by mass, more preferably 0.005 to 10% by mass, and particularly preferably 0.005 to 5% by mass in the packaged beverage from the viewpoint of sweetness addition. Moreover, content of fruit flavors other than the said component is 0.001-5 mass% in a container-packed drink from the point of a flavor improvement, Furthermore, 0.001-3 mass%, Especially 0.01-2 mass% is preferable. . Moreover, although pH is 2-6, Furthermore, 2 to 5.5, 2 to 5, especially 2.1 to 5 are preferable.

  As the sweetener used in the packaged beverage of the present invention, artificial sweeteners, carbohydrates, and glycerol (for example, glycerin) are used. Examples of artificial sweeteners that can be used in the present invention include saccharin and saccharin sodium, aspartame, acesulfame-K, high-sweetness sweeteners such as sucralose, neotame, thaumatin, stevia, and sugar alcohols such as sorbitol, erythritol, xylitol, and trehalose. Can be used. Examples of the products include slim-up sugar made of aspartame, Lacanto S containing erythritol, and pal sweet made of erythritol and aspartame.

  In the packaged beverage of the present invention, it is preferable to use a sweetener of carbohydrates containing monosaccharides, oligosaccharides, complex polysaccharides and mixtures thereof. The amount of glucose in the container-packed beverage of the present invention is preferably 0.0001 to 20% by mass, more preferably 0.001 to 15% by mass, and further preferably 0.001 to 10% by mass.

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

  In the present invention, natural or synthetic fragrances and fruit juices containing fragrances and fruit juices can be used. The fruit juice is preferably contained in the beverage of the present invention in an amount of 0.001 to 20% by mass, and further 0.002 to 10% by mass. Fruit flavors, plant flavors and mixtures thereof can also be used as fruit juice. These flavors may be derived from natural sources such as fruit juices and perfume oils, or may be synthesized.

  When the packaged beverage of the present invention is a sports drink or an isotonic beverage, it is preferable to contain sodium ions and / or potassium ions. A sports drink or isotonic drink refers to a drink that can quickly replenish moisture and minerals lost as sweat after physical exercise.

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

  The container-packed beverage of the present invention is preferably mixed with a bitter and astringent taste suppressant because it is easy to drink. As the bitter and astringent taste inhibitor to be used, for example, cyclodextrin is preferable. As the cyclodextrin, α-, β-, γ-cyclodextrin and branched α-, β-, γ-cyclodextrin can be used. The packaged beverage of the present invention includes antioxidants, various esters, organic acids, organic acid salts, inorganic acids, inorganic acid salts, pigments, emulsifiers, preservatives, seasonings, sweeteners, acidulants, gums, Additives such as oil, vitamins, amino acids, vegetable extracts, nectar extracts, pH adjusters and quality stabilizers can be used alone or in combination.

  Furthermore, if necessary, the beverage of the present invention may contain a sour agent. Examples of acidulants include edible acids such as malic acid, citric acid, tartaric acid, fumaric acid and the like. A sour agent may be used to adjust the pH of the beverage of the present invention. The beverage of the present invention preferably has a pH of 2-6. As the pH adjuster, organic and inorganic edible acids can be used. For example, it may be used in the form of potassium hydrogen phosphate or sodium phosphate, potassium dihydrogen phosphate or sodium salt. Preferred acids are edible organic acids including citric acid, malic acid, fumaric acid, adipic acid, phosphoric acid, gluconic acid, tartaric acid, ascorbic acid, acetic acid, phosphoric acid or mixtures thereof. The most preferred acids are citric acid and malic acid. The sour agent also serves as an antioxidant that stabilizes the beverage ingredients. Examples of commonly used antioxidants include ascorbic acid, EDTA (ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid) and salts thereof, plant extract and the like.

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

  The container-packed beverage of the present invention is also useful as a transparent container-packed beverage because it has good color storage stability. Here, the transparent container means a colorless transparent or colored transparent container.

  The container used for the container-packed beverage of the present invention can be provided in a normal form such as a molded container (so-called PET bottle), a bottle or the like mainly composed of polyethylene terephthalate. The term “packaged beverage” as used herein means a beverage that can be drunk without dilution.

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

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

Measurement of gallic acid A high performance liquid chromatograph (model Shimadzu LC-VP series) was used in the same manner as non-polymer catechins.

Bitterness / Astringency Evaluation Method Among commercially available beverages, a sensory evaluation test was conducted (10 persons) to drink one item at a time for users who drink sports drinks. Based on Comparative Example 2 ((B) component-free product), the following criteria were used for evaluation.
5: Bitterness and astringency increased from Comparative Example 2.
4: Bitterness and astringency increased slightly from Comparative Example 2.
3; Bitterness and astringency are equivalent to Comparative Example 2.
2; Bitterness and astringency became slightly weaker than Comparative Example 2.
1; Bitterness and astringency were weaker than Comparative Example 2.

(1) Catechin preparation aqueous solution (a)
The green tea extract having a catechin content of 30% is subjected to tannase treatment (tannase concentration 2%; reaction temperature 20 ° C.) and spray-dried by a spray drying method. The obtained powder was extracted with a mixed solvent of ethanol and water (water: ethanol = 15: 85) and then purified by adding 8 parts by mass of activated carbon to the mixed solution to obtain a catechin preparation aqueous solution (A ) The resulting catechin preparation (purified green tea extract) had a gallate content of 44% by mass. The concentration of non-polymer catechins in the solid content was 71% by mass. The solid content was 23.2% by mass. The gallic acid concentration in the solid content was 3.1% by mass.

(2) Catechin preparation aqueous solution (b)
A green tea extract having a catechin content of 30% is not subjected to tannase treatment and is spray-dried by a spray drying method. Catechin was extracted from the obtained powder with a mixed solvent of ethanol and water (water: ethanol = 15: 85), and then purified by adding 8 parts by mass of activated carbon to the mixture to obtain a catechin preparation aqueous solution (B). Got. The resulting catechin preparation (purified green tea extract) had a gallate content of 54% by mass. The concentration of non-polymer catechins in the solid content was 71% by mass. The solid content was 23.2% by mass. The gallic acid concentration in the solid content was 0.33% by mass.

Examples 1 to 4 and Comparative Examples 1 and 2
An acidic beverage (pH 3.5) was produced according to the formulation shown in Table 1. The beverage was sterilized at 98 ° C. for 30 seconds using a UHT sterilizer and filled in a transparent PET bottle.

  As apparent from Table 1, by containing one or more selected from furaneol, sotron, homofuronol, maltol, ethyl maltol, vanillin, ethyl vanillin, methyl anthranilate and methyl N-methylanthranilate in a specific range, It has been found that the feeling of bitterness and astringency is alleviated. On the other hand, it was found that in beverages that do not contain these components, the feeling of bitterness and astringency is emphasized.

Claims (8)

A packaged beverage having a pH of 2 to 6 containing a purified product of green tea extract, the following components (A) and (B):
(A) Non-polymer catechins 0.03-0.6 mass%,
(B) One or more selected from the group consisting of furaneol, sotron, homofuronol, maltol, ethyl maltol, vanillin, ethyl vanillin, methyl anthranilate and methyl N-methylanthranylate, (B) / (A) (mass ratio ) Is contained in the range of 0.00005 to 0.5.   The packaged beverage according to claim 1, wherein the pH is 3-5.   The container-packed drink of Claim 1 or 2 which contains a component (B) by 0.00001-0.3 mass%.   The container-packed drink according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the component (B) is one or more selected from furaneol, maltol, vanillin and anthranilic acid.   The container-packed drink of any one of Claims 1-4 which contains a sweetener 0.0001-20 mass%.   The turbidity of a container-packed drink is 0-80, The container-packed drink of any one of Claims 1-5.   The container-packed beverage according to any one of claims 1 to 6, which is filled in a transparent container.   A non-tea-based packaged beverage containing a purified product of a green tea extract having a catechin gallate content in non-polymer catechins of less than 50% by mass, (C) gallic acid 0.0004-29 mg / The container-packed drink of any one of Claims 1-7 containing 100 mL.