U.S. patent application number 09/984392 was filed with the patent office on 2002-05-09 for reduction inhibitory agent for active oxygen eliminating activity.
This patent application is currently assigned to KABUSHIKI KAISHA HAYASHIBARA SEIBUTSU KAGAKU KENKYUJO. Invention is credited to Aga, Hajime, Fukuda, Shigeharu, Miyake, Toshio, Shibuya, Takashi.
Application Number | 20020055620 09/984392 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 26354207 |
Filed Date | 2002-05-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020055620 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Aga, Hajime ; et
al. |
May 9, 2002 |
Reduction inhibitory agent for active oxygen eliminating
activity
Abstract
A reduction inhibitory agent for active oxygen eliminating
activity comprises trehalose as an active ingredient. This agent
can be incorporated into plant edible products and/or plant
antioxidants.
Inventors: |
Aga, Hajime; (Okayama,
JP) ; Shibuya, Takashi; (Okayama, JP) ;
Fukuda, Shigeharu; (Okayama, JP) ; Miyake,
Toshio; (Okayama, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BROWDY AND NEIMARK, P.L.L.C.
PATENT AND TRADEMARK CAUSES
SUITE 300
624 NINTH STREET, N.W.
WASHINGTON
DC
20001-5303
US
|
Assignee: |
KABUSHIKI KAISHA HAYASHIBARA
SEIBUTSU KAGAKU KENKYUJO
Okayama-shi
JP
|
Family ID: |
26354207 |
Appl. No.: |
09/984392 |
Filed: |
October 30, 2001 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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09984392 |
Oct 30, 2001 |
|
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09034336 |
Mar 4, 1998 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
536/4.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61K 36/73 20130101;
A61K 36/07 20130101; A61K 36/8945 20130101; A61K 36/8998 20130101;
A61K 36/42 20130101; A61K 36/482 20130101; A61K 36/515 20130101;
A61K 36/9068 20130101; A61K 36/48 20130101; A61K 36/53 20130101;
A61K 36/535 20130101; A61K 36/734 20130101; A61K 36/82 20130101;
A61K 36/52 20130101; A61K 36/23 20130101; A61K 36/45 20130101; A61K
36/9066 20130101; A61K 36/81 20130101; A61K 36/28 20130101; A61K
36/888 20130101; A61K 36/03 20130101; A61K 36/75 20130101; A61K
36/736 20130101; A61K 36/185 20130101; A61K 36/77 20130101; A61K
36/8962 20130101; A61K 36/87 20130101; A61K 36/88 20130101; A61K
36/534 20130101; A61K 36/886 20130101; A61K 36/287 20130101; A61K
36/315 20130101; A61K 36/16 20130101; A61K 36/27 20130101; A61K
36/11 20130101; A61K 36/67 20130101; A61K 36/484 20130101; A61K
36/232 20130101; A61K 36/282 20130101; A61K 36/68 20130101; A61K
36/8994 20130101; A61K 36/15 20130101; A61K 31/7016 20130101; A61K
36/21 20130101; A61K 36/46 20130101; A61K 36/899 20130101; A61K
36/31 20130101; A61K 36/70 20130101; A61K 36/752 20130101; A61K
36/03 20130101; A61K 2300/00 20130101; A61K 36/07 20130101; A61K
2300/00 20130101; A61K 36/11 20130101; A61K 2300/00 20130101; A61K
36/15 20130101; A61K 2300/00 20130101; A61K 36/16 20130101; A61K
2300/00 20130101; A61K 36/185 20130101; A61K 2300/00 20130101; A61K
36/21 20130101; A61K 2300/00 20130101; A61K 36/23 20130101; A61K
2300/00 20130101; A61K 36/232 20130101; A61K 2300/00 20130101; A61K
36/27 20130101; A61K 2300/00 20130101; A61K 36/28 20130101; A61K
2300/00 20130101; A61K 36/282 20130101; A61K 2300/00 20130101; A61K
36/287 20130101; A61K 2300/00 20130101; A61K 36/31 20130101; A61K
2300/00 20130101; A61K 36/315 20130101; A61K 2300/00 20130101; A61K
36/42 20130101; A61K 2300/00 20130101; A61K 36/45 20130101; A61K
2300/00 20130101; A61K 36/46 20130101; A61K 2300/00 20130101; A61K
36/48 20130101; A61K 2300/00 20130101; A61K 36/482 20130101; A61K
2300/00 20130101; A61K 36/484 20130101; A61K 2300/00 20130101; A61K
36/515 20130101; A61K 2300/00 20130101; A61K 36/52 20130101; A61K
2300/00 20130101; A61K 36/53 20130101; A61K 2300/00 20130101; A61K
36/534 20130101; A61K 2300/00 20130101; A61K 36/535 20130101; A61K
2300/00 20130101; A61K 36/67 20130101; A61K 2300/00 20130101; A61K
36/68 20130101; A61K 2300/00 20130101; A61K 36/70 20130101; A61K
2300/00 20130101; A61K 36/73 20130101; A61K 2300/00 20130101; A61K
36/734 20130101; A61K 2300/00 20130101; A61K 36/736 20130101; A61K
2300/00 20130101; A61K 36/75 20130101; A61K 2300/00 20130101; A61K
36/752 20130101; A61K 2300/00 20130101; A61K 36/77 20130101; A61K
2300/00 20130101; A61K 36/81 20130101; A61K 2300/00 20130101; A61K
36/82 20130101; A61K 2300/00 20130101; A61K 36/87 20130101; A61K
2300/00 20130101; A61K 36/88 20130101; A61K 2300/00 20130101; A61K
36/886 20130101; A61K 2300/00 20130101; A61K 36/888 20130101; A61K
2300/00 20130101; A61K 36/8945 20130101; A61K 2300/00 20130101;
A61K 36/8962 20130101; A61K 2300/00 20130101; A61K 36/899 20130101;
A61K 2300/00 20130101; A61K 36/8994 20130101; A61K 2300/00
20130101; A61K 36/8998 20130101; A61K 2300/00 20130101; A61K
36/9066 20130101; A61K 2300/00 20130101; A61K 36/9068 20130101;
A61K 2300/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
536/4.1 ;
514/25 |
International
Class: |
C07G 003/00; A01N
043/04 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Mar 4, 1997 |
JP |
63987/1997 |
Jan 14, 1998 |
JP |
17647/1998 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A reduction inhibitory agent for active oxygen eliminating
activity comprising an effective amount of trehalose as an active
ingredient.
2. The inhibitory agent according to claim 1 which further contains
a saccharide other than trehalose.
3. The inhibitory agent according to claim 1 which further contains
pullulan, cyclodextrin, or mixtures thereof.
4. The inhibitory agent according to claim 1 in which the trehalose
is present in an amount of at least 20 w/w % of said agent, on a
dry solid basis.
5. A composition obtained by incorporating the inhibitory agent of
claim 1 into a plant substance with active oxygen eliminating
activity to inhibit the reduction of said activity.
6. The composition according to claim 5 wherein said plant
substance is a plant edible substance, a plant antioxidant, or
mixtures thereof.
7. The composition according to claim 6 wherein said plant edible
substance is at least one of an organ and a tissue of an edible
plant, or a sliced, disrupted, pulverized, dried, pickled, or
extracted edible part of said plant.
8. The composition according to claim 6 wherein said plant
antioxidant is a member of the group consisting of plant enzymes,
pigments, polyphenols, and vitamins.
9. The composition according to claim 5 which contains at least
about 1 w/w %, on a dry solid basis, of trehalose as an active
ingredient.
10. The composition according to claim 5 wherein the trehalose is
present in an amorphous or crystalline hydrous form.
11. The composition according to claim 5 which contains at least
one member selected from the group consisting of essential
minerals, edible fibers, saccharides which promote the growth of
bifid bacteria, vitamins, and biologically active substances.
12. The composition according to claim 5 which has been sterilized
or dried or sterilized and dried.
13. The composition according to claim 5 wherein has an active
oxygen eliminating activity of at least five units/g or
compositions, on a dry solid basis, as determined by the nitroblue
tetrazolium test.
14. The composition according to claim 5 which is in the form of a
food product, cosmetic, pharmaceutical, or components or
intermediates thereof.
15. A composition comprising the composition of claim 5 and a food,
cosmetic, or pharmaceutical.
16. A composition comprising at least about 30 w/w % of trehalose
on a dry solid basis, and edible plant tissue.
17. The composition according to claim 16 wherein said edible plant
tissue is selected from the group consisting of organs and tissues
of an edible plant, and sliced and picked products thereof and the
trehalose is in an amorphous or crystalline hydrous form.
18. The composition according to claim 16 which has been
sterilized, dried, or sterilized and dried.
19. The composition according to claim 16 which is in the form of a
solid food product.
20. The composition according to claim 19 wherein said solid food
product has satisfactory mouth feel.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application is a divisional of Ser. No.
09/034,336, filed Mar. 4, 1998, the entire contents of which are
hereby incorporated by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to an agent which inhibits
reduction of active oxygen-eliminating activity, uses of the same,
and a method for inhibiting reduction of active oxygen eliminating
activity. More particularly, the present invention relates to an
agent for inhibiting reduction of active oxygen eliminating
activity which comprises trehalose as an active ingredient, uses of
the same as compositions which can be obtained by incorporating the
inhibitory agent into edible plant substances, and/or plant
antioxidants, and a method for inhibiting the reduction of active
oxygen eliminating activity of plant substances.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] It is well known that edible plant substances such as
vegetables, mushrooms, and layers are important for living bodies
as sources of functional ingredients such as vitamins, minerals,
and edible fibers, and are essential food materials for the growth
of living bodies. Recently, interest has focused on the active
oxygen eliminating activity of these edible plants with respect to
maintenance and promotion of health, prevention of aging and
geriatric disease, and inhibition of carcinogenesis. Mechanisms for
the causes of aging of living bodies and related diseases thereof
such as cancers, arteriosclerosis, liver cirrhosis, myocardial
infarction, cerebral apoplexy, cataracts, Parkinson's disease,
rheumatism, and Alzheimer's dementia are still unknown in many
aspects. However, there is some consideration that these incurable
diseases may be related to active oxygen molecules such as
superoxide, which is an oxygen molecule having an unpaired electron
and relatively high reactivity, and derivatives thereof, including
hydroxyradical and hydrogen peroxide. It is believed that these
molecules oxidize intracellular target molecules such as membrane
lipids, proteins, and DNAs to induce oxygen-related defects and
cause aging of living bodies and related diseases thereof.
[0004] Enzymes capable of eliminating active oxygen such as
superoxide dismutase (EC 1.15.1.1) and catalase (EC 1.11.1.6), and
antioxidants such as L-ascorbic acid and .alpha.-tocopherol, exist
in living cells, so that the concentration of intracellular active
oxygen is kept generally at an extremely low level. However,
irradiation from a relatively large amount of ultraviolet rays,
radiations, and magnetic waves, excessive physical exercise, great
mental stress, and aging form active oxygen in an amount that
cannot be eliminated solely the active oxygen eliminating of living
bodies. This results in an accumulation of compounds oxidized by
the excessive amount of active oxygen which causes the aforesaid
oxygen-related defects.
[0005] To improve the problem, for example, Japanese Patent Kokai
Nos. 168,435/93 and 143,466/96 proposed methods which comprise
supplementing living bodies with active oxygen eliminating activity
to promote the maintenance and promoting of health of living bodies
by using a relatively high active oxygen eliminating activity of
edible plants. It was confirmed that even if such edible plants
were used, processing techniques such as juice extraction,
extraction, heating, and drying, as well as successive storage
conditions for the plants, may lower the inherent active oxygen
eliminating activity or even extinguish this activity completely.
There is a need for establishing a novel method for inhibiting the
reductions of active oxygen eliminating activity without causing
serious side effects in living bodies.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The object of the present invention is to provide a novel
agent for reducing active oxygen eliminating activity, a
composition which can be used by incorporating the agent into
edible plant substances and/or plant antioxidants to inhibit their
active oxygen eliminating activity, and a method for inhibiting the
reduction of active oxygen eliminating activity of edible plant
substances and/or plant antioxidants.
[0007] To attain the above objects, the present inventors studied
the use of saccharides, and continued studying. They examined the
influence of reduction of the inhibitory effect on active oxygen
eliminating activity of plant substances with active oxygen
eliminating activity such as edible plant substances and plant
antioxidants by incorporating saccharides therein.
[0008] As a result, the present inventors found that trehalose
exerts a more effective activity than other saccharides and
strongly inhibits reduction of plant active oxygen eliminating
activity, and thus accomplished the present invention.
[0009] The first object of the present invention is to provide a
reduction inhibitory agent for active oxygen eliminating activity
which comprises trehalose as an effective ingredient. The second
object of the present invention is to provide a composition which
can be obtained by incorporating the agent into edible plant
substances and/or plant antioxidants with active oxygen eliminating
activity to inhibit the reduction of their active oxygen
eliminating activity. The third object of the present invention is
to provide a method for inhibiting the reduction of plant active
oxygen eliminating activity which comprises incorporating the agent
into plant substances with active oxygen eliminating activity.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0010] The trehalose suitable used as an effective ingredient in
the present reduction inhibitory agent for active oxygen
eliminating activity is .alpha.,.alpha.-trehalose, although any
trehalose can be used in the present invention independent of
source or origin, as long as it inhibits the reduction of active
oxygen eliminating activity. For example trehaloses prepared from
yeasts as disclosed in Japanese Patent Kokai No. 246,097/95, from
maltose as disclosed in Japanese Patent Kokai Nos. 216,695/83 and
170,977/95, and from starch as disclosed in Japanese Patent Kokai
Nos 143,876/95 and 213,283/95, can be used in the present
invention. Any form of trehalose, such as syrup, crystalline powder
of massecuite, crystalline hydrate, crystalline anhydride, or
amorphous solid can be used. Commercially available high purity
crystalline trehalose hydrate and crystalline trehalose anhydride
can be arbitrarily used. The trehalose content in the present
reduction inhibitory agent for active oxygen eliminating activity
can be selected from those which exert a desired reduction
inhibitory activity on the active oxygen eliminating activity of
edible plant substance, usually, at least about 20 w/w % on a dry
solid basis (d.s.b.), and preferably at least 50%, d.s.b. For
purposes of the present specification, % means w/w % unless
otherwise specified. The reduction inhibitory agent can be suitably
incorporated into compositions containing edible plant substances
and/or plant antioxidants in an amount of at least one percent,
preferably at least 5 percent, and more preferably at least 20
percent, d.s.b.
[0011] The word "incorporating" in the present invention means
"coexisting." In the case of incorporating the present reduction
inhibitory agent into plant substances with active oxygen
eliminating activity, any conventional methods can be used as long
as they allow the agent to impart satisfactory reduction inhibitory
activity for plant active oxygen eliminating activity independent
of the incorporation methods and relative proportions. The present
agent can be preferably incorporated into plant edible substances
and/or plant antioxidants by allowing the agent to contact the
substances and/or the antioxidants in aqueous systems as
homogeneously as possible.
[0012] For example, in the case of using edible plant substances,
etc., in a juicy form such as a liquid or suspension form, the
present agent in the form of a powder, crystal, or solid can be
incorporated into the plant edible substances as homogeneously as
possible by mixing with and dissolving in the substances. While in
the case of using edible plant substances and plant antioxidants in
a solid form, they are treated with water to give a juicy form such
as a liquid or suspension form, and are incorporated with the
present agent by the above method or providing a syrup of the
present agent and dispersing, dissolving, or suspending the edible
plant substances and antioxidants in the syrup to allow contact
with the agent as homogeneously as possible to incorporate the
agent into the substances and antioxidants. In the case of using
edible plant substances such as disrupted raw plant tissues, the
present agent can be incorporated into the edible plant substances
either by sprinkling the agent over the substances and mixing them
to dissolve the present agent in the substances, or by soaking the
edible plant substances in the agent in a syrup form.
[0013] The plant substances with active oxygen eliminating activity
which can be used in the present invention include edible plants
per se; disrupted, minced, pulverized, dried, and extracted
products of edible parts of the edible plants; and/or plant
antioxidants. Examples of the edible plants suitably used in the
present invention are edible root crops such as carrots, lotus
roots, onions, burdocks, Japanese radishes, taros, and yams; leafy
vegetables such as lettuces, chicories, Chinese cabbages, cabbages,
kales, moreheiya or Corchorus olitorius, Angelica keiskei, spinach,
Malabar nightshades, komatsuna (a kind of Chinese cabbage),
nozawana (a kind of turnip), Chrysanthemum coronirium, chingensai
(a Chinese vegetable), and turnips; fruiting vegetables such as
okura or gumbos, cauliflowers, broccolis, eggplants, tomatoes,
cucumbers, pumpkins, zucchini, green peppers, field peas, and
kidney beans; vegetables such as alfalfa, bean sprouts including
those of soy beans and mung beans; mushrooms such as shiitake
mushrooms, winter mushrooms or Celtis sinensis, and shimeju
mushrooms; seaweeds such as hijiki seaweed of Hijikia fusiformis,
wakame seaweed or undaria pinnatifida, and tangs; citrus fruits
such as lemons, citrons, and sudachi (a kind of citrus fruit),
shaddocks, and kumquats; fruits such as bananas, kiwifruits,
strawberries, hawthorns, blueberries, grapes, peaches, apples,
pears, chestnuts; herbs such as garlic, gingers, wasabis (a
Japanese horseradish), mustards, parsleys, Chinese parsleys,
beefsteak plants, leeks, Welsh onions, celeries, dropworts,
cressons, Guinea peppers, Japanese peppers, peppers, rosemaries,
and mints; medicinal herbs and crude drugs such as mugworts, common
plantains, bad-smelling perennial plants of the family Sauruaceae,
Cassia obtusifolia, Japanese green gentians, aloes, licorices,
turmerics, Japanese indigo plants, Pfaffia, loquat leaves, field
horsetails, pine needles, bamboo leaves, umes or Japanese apricots,
tea leaves, barley leaves, wheat leaves, oat leaves, rye leaves,
buckwheat leaves, ginkgo leaves, Chinese gutta percha leaves,
oobanasarusuberi (a plant of the family Lythrum), Aspalathus
linearis, and Gymnema sylvestre; and others including edible parts
of nuts, seed, and germs such as adlays, buckwheat's, sesames,
rices, wheats, corns, broad beans, soybeans, peanuts, walnuts, pine
seeds, and other seeds and germs.
[0014] One or more of the following relatively low molecular weight
plant antioxidants can be suitably selected and used as the present
plant antioxidants: plant enzymes having active oxygen eliminating
activity such as superoxide dismutase, catalase, and superoxide;
plant pigments such as rutin, .alpha.-glycosyl rutin, hesperidin,
.alpha.-glucosyl hesperidin, naringin, .alpha.-glucosyl naringin,
chlorophyll, carotenoid, and anthocyanin; plant polyphenols such as
gallic acid, catechin, .alpha.-glucosyl catechin, and tannic acid;
and plant vitamins such as .alpha.-tocopherol, L-ascorbic acid, and
riboflavin. In the present invention, the relatively low molecular
weight plant antioxidants can be contained in the edible plants or
added to the contents during processing of the edible parts of
edible plants. The plant antioxidants, which exist separately from
the edible plants, can be used in the present invention. Plant
antioxidants should not be restricted to those which are extracted
from plants, and include those which are artificially synthesized
and produced.
[0015] More concretely, processes for producing compositions
according to the present invention, in which the reduction of the
active oxygen eliminating activity is satisfactorily inhibited, as
are follows:
[0016] Edible parts of edible plants are, for example,
[0017] (i) disrupted or cut by mixers, juicers, or pulverizers into
pastes or suspensions, into which the present agent is incorporated
by adding it thereto and dissolving it therein; or
[0018] (ii) extracted with solvents such as hot water and alcohol
and filtered, if necessary, further concentrated into liquids or
pastes, followed by incorporating the present agent into the
liquids or pastes by mixing to dissolve it therein.
[0019] The compositions thus obtained are usually syrupy, pasty, or
juicy disrupted products which have a relatively high moisture
content and require a relatively low storage temperature for a
satisfactory shelf life. The compositions can be dried and/or
pulverized, or dried and/or pulverized after sterilization by
heating to obtain powdery or small pieces of solid compositions.
Conventional drying and pulverizing methods can be arbitrarily used
in the present invention. The compositions of syrupy, pasty, or
juicy disrupted products can be
[0020] (i) successively dried in vacuo, air dried, drum dried,
pulverized, and sieved;
[0021] (ii) successively spray dried, subjected to fluidized bed
drying, and sieved; or
[0022] (iii) successively mixed with anhydrous saccharides such as
maltose or trehalose anhydride to effect dehydration, dried, and
sieved into powdery products.
[0023] If necessary, the powdery products can be arbitrarily
granulated, tabletted, and encapsulated into appropriate shapes and
forms for use. The solid compositions, produces to such a high
degree, will acquire more improved activity for inhibiting the
reduction of active oxygen eliminating activity, storage stability,
and handelability. The solid compositions containing edible plant
substances have features such that they effectively inhibit the
deterioration of plant pigments contained in the edible plants,
such as chlorophylls, carotenoids, anthocyanins, and flavonoids.
Additionally, they satisfactorily retain the inherent color of the
pigments and mask undesirable tastes such as bitterness and
astringency.
[0024] Compositions according to the present invention containing
trehalose and a plant edible substance or plant antioxidant and
which inhibit reduction of active oxygen eliminating activity can
be further mixed with one or more appropriate substances in the
form of a solid or liquid, such as essential minerals, edible
fibers saccharides for promoting the growth of bifid bacteria,
vitamins, biologically active substances, and preservatives.
[0025] Essential minerals which can be used in the present
invention include, for example, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus,
iron, copper, zinc, and cobalt. These minerals are used in an
adequate amount.
[0026] Edible fibers which can be used in the present invention
are, for example, pectin, alginic acid, carrageenan, gum Arabic,
glucomannan, cyclodextrin, and pullulan. Of the edible fibers, it
has been discovered that pullulan in particular has a strong
reduction inhibitory activity for --plant active oxygen eliminating
activity when used in combination with trehalose as the effective
ingredient according to the present invention. Based on this,
pullulan can be most satisfactorily used together with trehalose in
the present agent and used to produce compositions according to the
present invention.
[0027] Examples of saccharides which can be used to promote the
growth of bifid bacteria according to the present invention are
lactosucrose, fructooligosaccharide, galactooligosaccharide, and
isomaltooligosaccharide, which can arbitrarily used on demand.
[0028] Vitamins which can be used in compositions according to the
present invention include, for example, water soluble vitamins such
as thiamin, riboflavin, L-ascorbic acid, rutin, hesperidin,
naringin, niacin, pyridoxine, cyanocobalamin, and derivatives
thereof. Lipid-soluble vitamins which can be used include vitamin
A, vitamin D, .alpha.-tocopherol, vitamin K, and derivatives
thereof.
[0029] One or more biologically active substances can be
incorporated into the compositions of the present invention,
including hormones, antibiotics, cytokines, and propolis. Adequate
amounts of ethanol, acetic acid, lactic acid and salt can
optionally be used as preservatives in compositions according to
the present invention.
[0030] To improve the quality of the compositions of the present
invention as well as other compositions containing these
compositions, adequate coloring agents, flavoring agents,
taste-imparting agents, stabilizers, fillers, adjuvants, and
excipients can be used.
[0031] The compositions thus obtained have at least five units/g
composition, d.s.b., and preferably at least 10 units/g, d.s.b., of
active oxygen eliminating activity as determined by the nitroblue
tetrazolium (NBT) test. These compositions can easily administered
to subjects via appropriate routes, including orally,
intubationally, percutaneously, and permucosally to impart active
oxygen eliminating activity with lesser deterioration of their
quality. Intake of the composition of the present invention
containing plant edible substances enriches plant functional
ingredients such as vitamins, mineral, and edible fibers inherent
in the plants, and enriches living bodies with active oxygen
eliminating activity. Thus, compositions of the present invention
can be satisfactorily used to maintain and promote health, prevent
aging and geriatric diseases, promote the treatment of incurable
diseases, and inhibit carcinogenesis. The compositions of the
present invention can be used in food products, cosmetics,
pharmaceuticals, and their components and processing
intermediates.
[0032] To enrich nutritional value and improve qualities and taste,
composition of the present invention can be used for health food
products and other food products in general. Examples of these are
seasonings such as "furikaka" (a seasoned fish meal), sauces,
ketchup, "yakinikui-no-tare" (a sauce for Japanese grilled meat).
Curry roux, and instant soup mixes; Japanese and Western cakes such
as "mochi" (a rice paste), "dango" (a ball of rice paste), candies,
chewing gum, baked confections, snack confections, waffles, sponge
cakes, buns, and baked goods; frozen desserts such as ice cream,
sherbet, and candies; pastes such as fruit pastes, fruit sources,
peanut pastes, and raw jams; pickles and pickled products; meat
products such as hams and sausages; products of fish meats such as
"kaaboko" (a steamed fish paste), "chikuwa" (a kind of fish paste),
"hanpen" (a fish cake), and sausages; "chinmi" (a delicacy);
"tsukudani" (a food boiled down in soy); dairy dishes; beverages
such as vegetable juices, fruit juices, and carbonated beverages;
rice products such as rice gruel, porridge of rice and vegetables,
and cooked rice with seasonings, meats, and vegetables; noodles
such as iced noodles, macaroni, and pastes; food products such as
pudding and cake mixes, instant juices, instant soups, and frozen
foods; as well as their components and processing
intermediates.
[0033] Compositions according to the present invention can be used
in cosmetics such as skin-beautifying agents, packs, creams,
shampoos, hair rinses, hair tonics, bath salts, enzymic agents, and
tooth pastes in the form of a liquid, paste, powder, or granule;
and used as a component of a processing intermediate for these
products.
[0034] Compositions according to the present invention can be used
to treat age-related diseases in the form of an oral and/or
intubation nutrient or therapeutic agent such as a coilunarium,
nebula, digestive agent, stomachic, enzymic agent, ointment,
cataplasm, and their components and processing intermediates.
[0035] Compositions of the present invention comprises substantial
food materials and can be used with less fear of causing toxicity.
Usually the compositions can be used on a dry solid basis at a dose
of about 0.1 to 1000 g/adult/day, preferably, about 0.2 to 500
g/adult/day, and more preferably, about 1 to 11 g/adult/day when
administered orally.
[0036] Compositions of the present invention can be administered to
subjects intubationally, percutaneously, and permucosally in
accordance with the oral dosage.
[0037] The following experiments describe the present invention in
detail:
[0038] Experiment 1: Influence of Saccharides on Reduction
Inhibitory Activity for Active-oxygen Eliminating Activity
[0039] Fresh raw carrots were disrupted by a mixer, and 10% of
either of saccharides, d.s.b., was added to the mixture and
dissolved therein. The solution was dried under reduced pressures
at 40.degree. C. for two days, dried in vacuo at the same
temperature for 24 hours, and pulverized by a mixer into a powdery
carrot composition. The saccharides used were commercialized
reagents of glucose, mannitol, sorbitol, maltose, sucrose,
trehalose, and pullulan. An about 100 g of the composition was
placed and sealed in a 500-ml polystyrene container, and stored at
40.degree. C. for seven days. The active-oxygen eliminating
activity of the composition before and after the storage were
compared. The assay for the active-oxygen eliminating activity
followed the nitroblue tetrazolium test by Toshio IMANARI et al. in
Igakuno Ayumi, Vol. 101, pp. 496-497 (1977); the level of
superoxide, formed in a xanthine-xanthine oxidase system, was
assayed by quantifying calorimetrically the content of formazan
formed by reducing NBT. As a control, refined water was used as a
test solution. One unit activity of active-oxygen eliminating
activity is defined as that inhibits 50% formazan formation as
compared with the control. Table 1 shows the composition of the
powdery compositions, and the active-oxygen eliminating activity
per gram of either of the compositions before and after the
storage. As evident from Table 1, among the saccharides tested the
composition with trehalose showed the highest residual percentage
for active-oxygen eliminating activity, revealing that trehalose
exerts a strong effect on the reduction inhibitory activity for
active-oxygen eliminating activity. The reduction inhibitory
activity of trehalose was strongly higher than that of glucose as
the constituent saccharide for trehalose, and that of maltose as a
disaccharide consisting of two glucose units similar to trehalose.
Thus trehalose is suitably used as an effective ingredient for a
reduction inhibitory agent for active-oxygen eliminating activity.
Next to trehalose, pullulan showed a relatively-high reduction
inhibitory activity for active-oxygen eliminating activity.
1 TABLE 1 Composition of powdery Saccharide Activity (unit/g)
Percentage of composition (%) content Before After residual
Saccharide Carrot Saccharide Moisture (d.s.b.) (%) Storage Storage
activity (%) None 93.4 0.0 6.6 0.0 870 100 11 Glucose 48.8 46.4 4.8
48.7 580 170 29 Mannitol 49.8 47.5 2.7 48.8 520 59 11 Sorbitol 48.2
46.0 5.8 48.8 560 26 5 Maltose 48.1 45.8 6.1 48.8 550 180 33
Sucrose 48.2 46.0 5.8 48.8 660 180 27 Trehalose 47.9 45.7 6.4 48.8
580 380 66 Pullulan 47.7 45.5 6.8 48.8 710 360 51
[0040] Experiment 2. Influence of Trehalose Concentration of
Reduction Inhibitory Activity for Active-oxygen Eliminating
Activity
[0041] Similarly as in Experiment 1, 0-20% of trehalose, d.s.b.,
was mixed with and dissolved in a distrupted carrot. The resulting
mixture was dried in vacuo at 40.degree. C. for 24 hours, and
pulverized into a powdery carrot composition. Similarly as in
Experiment 1, each powdery composition was placed and sealed in a
polystyrene container, and stored at 40.degree. C. for seven days
for evaluating the reduction inhibitory activity for active-oxygen
activity. Table 2 shows the active-oxygen eliminating activity of
one gram of each powders composition before and after the storage.
Based on the data from Table 2, at least one percent, preferably,
at least five percent, and more preferably, at least 20% of
trehalose, d.s.b., exerted a desired effective reducing inhibitory
activity for active-oxygen eliminating activity.
2TABLE 2 Trehalose Percentage (%) of Composition of content
Activity (unit/g) Percentage of trehalose added powdery composition
(%) (d.s.b.) Before After residual activity to carrot Carrot
Trehalose Moisture (%) storage Storage (%) 0.0 95.3 0.0 4.7 0.0 940
330 35 0.1 94.3 1.0 4.7 1.0 930 400 43 0.5 90.4 4.7 4.9 4.9 750 460
61 1.0 85.9 8.9 5.2 9.4 860 480 56 2.5 75.3 19.6 5.1 20.7 700 460
66 5.0 62.3 32.4 5.3 34.2 600 370 62 10.0 46.1 48.1 5.8 51.1 400
330 83 20.0 30.3 63.1 6.6 67.6 380 240 63
[0042] Experiment 3. Influence of Trehalose on Reducing Inhibitory
Activity for Active-oxygen Eliminating Activity of Vegetables
[0043] Vegetables were treated similarly as in Experiment 1, and
10% trehalose, d.s.b., to the disrupted vegetables. The resulting
mixture was dried in vacuo at 45.degree. C. for 20 hours, and
pulverized into a powdery vegetable composition. Similarly as in
Experiment 1, each composition was respectively placed in a
container and stored at 40.degree. C. for six days. The
active-oxygen eliminating activity of one gram of each composition
before and after the storage was compared with that of the
composition prepared without trehalose. Table 3 shows the
composition of the powdery compositions, and their active-oxygen
eliminating activity. Reduction inhibitory activity for
active-oxygen eliminating activity by incorporation of trehalose
was observed in vegetables such as carrot, onion, Japanese radish,
cabbage, spinach, cucumber, and pumpkin.
3 TABLE 3 Activity Percentage Composition of powdery Trehalose
(unit/g) of residual Vegetable composition (%) content (d.s.b.)
Before After activity (moisture (%)) Carrot Saccharide Moisture (%)
storage storage (%) Carrot 94.5 0.0 5.5 0.0 1200 370 31 (90.1) 46.2
46.6 7.2 50.2 570 460 81 Onion 93.2 0.0 6.8 0.0 440 210 48 (89.3)
47.5 44.3 8.2 48.3 300 230 77 Japanese radish 92.7 0.0 7.3 0.0 1100
630 57 (94.0) 35.0 58.3 6.7 62.5 530 450 85 Cabbage 94.8 0.0 5.2
0.0 4100 2500 63 (93.8) 35.7 57.5 6.8 61.7 1600 1400 88 Spinach
93.2 0.0 6.8 0.0 3500 1300 36 (94.1) 34.4 58.4 7.2 62.9 1200 890 74
Eggplant 91.5 0.0 8.5 0.0 38000 31000 82 (93.7) 34.8 55.3 9.9 61.4
13000 11000 85 Cucumber 92.7 0.0 7.3 0.0 4600 1300 30 (95.0) 30.3
60.5 9.2 66.6 1900 1100 58 Pumpkin 93.2 0.0 6.8 0.0 1600 610 38
(84.0) 56.2 35.2 8.6 38.5 880 460 52
[0044] Experiment 4. Reduction Inhibitory Activity for
Active-oxygen Eliminating Activity by Trehalose with Respect to
Superoxide Dismutase and Antioxidants
[0045] In one milliliter of a 45 w/v % trehalose solution was
dissolved five micrograms of superoxide dismutase from a
horseradish commercialized by Sigma Chemical Co., St. Louis, USA,
10 mg .alpha.-glucosyl hesperidin commercialized by Hayashibara
Biochemical Laboratories, Inc., Okayama Japan, 10 mg
.alpha.-glucosyl rutin commercialized by Hayashibara Biochemical
Laboratories, Inc., Okayama, Japan, 250 .mu.g gallic acid
commercialized by Wako Pure Chemical Industries, Ltd., Tokyo,
Japan, or 50 .mu.g catechin to obtain a liquid composition. Each of
the compositions was placed in a glass test tube, sealed with a
rubber cap, and stored under light-shielded conditions. As a
control, water was used in place of the trehalose solution. Table 4
shows the active-oxygen eliminating activity before and after the
storage. As shown in Table 4, it was confirmed that trehalose
exerts an effective reducing inhibitory activity for active-oxygen
eliminating activity of plant antioxidants such as superoxide
dismutase, .alpha.-glucosyl hesperidin, .alpha.-glucosyl rutin,
gallic acid, and catechin. Mere mixing of a powdery crystalline
trehalose hydrate and either of the powdery antioxidants into a
powders mixture, almost no change of the active-oxygen eliminating
activity was observed when subjected to storage test similarly as
above. Based on the results, it was revealed that a reducing
inhibitory agent for active-oxygen eliminating activity, which
comprises trehalose as an effective ingredient, could scarcely
exert the desired activity only when mixed in a powder form with
powdery substances having active-oxygen eliminating activity, but
exert the desired activity when trehalose in a melted state is
allowed to contact with and incorporate into the substances, or
when trehalose is incorporated into the substances in an aqueous
system.
4 TABLE 4 Activity (unit/mg antioxidant) Content of Storage
Trehalose Before After Residual Activity antioxidant Concentration
concentration (%) storage storage (%) Superoxide dismutase
60.degree. C. 0 10,000 4,600 46 (5 .mu.g/ml) 17 hours 45 11,000
9,400 85 .alpha.-Glucosyl hesperidin 80.degree. C. 0 3.8 1.0 26 (10
mg/ml) 5 days 45 3.6 2.4 67 .alpha.-Glucosyl rutin 80.degree. C. 0
25 18 72 (10 mg/ml) 5 days 45 26 22 85 Gallic acid 80.degree. C. 0
590 390 66 (250 .mu./ml) 5 days 45 570 470 82 Catechin 25.degree.
C. 0 470 2.2 0 (50 .mu./ml) 20 hours 45 380 310 82
[0046] Experiment 5. Reduction Inhibitory Effect for Active-oxygen
Eliminating Activity on Herb Extracts
[0047] Ten liters of water was added to 500 g of a dried specimen
of plantain, Plantago asiatica, commercialized by Daido Seiyaku
Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan, and the mixture was infused for 90 min,
followed by collecting a supernatant of the infused solution by a
basket-type centrifuge. The supernatant was boiled down to obtain
two kilograms of about 5 w/v % solution. Two hundred and forty
grams of trehalose and 10 g of pullulan, d.s.b., were mixed with
and dissolved in one kilogram of the above concentrate, and the
solution was spray dried by "SD-1", a portable spray-dryer
commercialized by Tokyo rika Mfg. Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan, into a
composition containing an extract of Plantago asiatica. As a
control, using dextrin with DE (dextrose equivalent) of about 11 in
place of the trehalose and pullulan, a powdery composition similar
to the above composition was prepared. Similarly as in Experiment
1, these powdery compositions were placed in polystyrene
containers, sealed, and stored at 40.degree. C. for seven days for
examining the reduction inhibitory effect for active-oxygen
eliminating activity. Both the compositions had an activity of
about 5,000 units/g composition before the storage. On seven days
after the storage, the composition with trehalose and pullulan had
an activity of about 4,300 units/g composition, while the
composition with dextrin had an activity of about 3,100 units/g
composition. The data shows that the use of trehalose and pullulan
exerts a higher reduction inhibitory effect for active-oxygen
eliminating activity than in the case of using dextrin.
[0048] The following Examples described the present invention;
Examples A described the present reducing inhibitory agent for
active-oxygen eliminating activity, and Examples B described the
present composition where the reduction of active-oxygen
eliminating activity is satisfactorily inhibited:
EXAMPLE A-1
Reduction Inhibitory Agent for Active-oxygen Eliminating
Activity
[0049] Corn starch was prepared into an about 33% starch suspension
which was then mixed with 0.1% calcium carbonate, adjusted to pH
6.5, mixed with 0.3 per g starch of "TERMAMYL", an .alpha.-amylase
specimen commercialized by Novo Industri A/S Copenhagen, Denmark,
enzymatically reacted at 95.degree. C. for 15 min, autoclaved at
120.degree. C., and promptly cooled to obtain a liquefied solution
with DE of about four. Thereafter, the liquefied solution was
admixed with four units/g starch, d.s.b., of respective
non-reducing saccharide-forming enzyme and trehalose-releasing
enzyme, prepared by culturing a microorganism of the genus
Rhizobium by the method in Japanese Patent Kokai No. 213,283/93,
500 units/g starch of isomaylase, and five units/g starch of
cyclomaltodextrin glucanotransferase, adjusted to pH 6.2, and
enzymatically reacted at 40.degree. C. for 48 hours. The reaction
mixture was heated to inactivate the remaining enzymes, then
admixed with 10 unites/g substrate of glucoamylase and
enzymatically reacted at pH 5.0 and 50.degree. C. for 10 hours. The
reaction mixture thus obtained contained about 86% trehalose,
d.s.b. The mixture was heated to inactivate the remaining enzyme,
then in a conventional manner purified by decoloring and desalting,
and continuously crystallized while concentrating. The resulting
massecuite was separated by a basket-type centrifuge, and the
crystal was washed by spraying with a small amount of water to
obtain a crystalline trehalose hydrate with a purity of 98% or
higher in a yield of about 64%, d.s.b. The product is a crystalline
trehalose hydrate with a considerably-high purity and suitably used
as the present reduction inhibitory agent and advantageously used
to inhibit the reduction of active-oxygen eliminating activity of
plant edible substances.
EXAMPLE A-2
Reduction Inhibitory Agent for Active-oxygen Eliminating
Activity
[0050] A microorganism of the genus Thermus capable of producing a
maltose/trehalose converting enzyme was cultured in a nutrient
culture medium by the method in Japanese Patent Kokai No.
170,977/95. After completion of the culture, the proliferated cells
were collected by centrifugation to obtain 250 g wet cells having a
total activity of about 7,500 units. The cells were immobilized
using sodium alginate solution and calcium chloride solution to
obtain alginic acid-immobilized cells. A jacketed-glass column, 5.4
cm in diameter and 100 cm in length, injected with the immobilized
cells, and kept at 60.degree. C. A 40% maltose solution (pH 6.5)
was fed to the column at SV (space velocity) 0.2 by the descending
method to obtain a reaction mixture containing about 66% trehalose,
about 28% maltose, and about 6% glucose. The reaction mixture was
in a conventional manner purified by decoloring and desalting,
concentrated in vacuo into an about 75% syrup which was then placed
in crystallizer, admixed with about one percent of respective seed
crystals of crystalline trehalose hydrate and crystalline maltose
hydrate, and cooled to obtain a massecuite with a crystallization
degree of about 25%. The massecuite was spray dried and aged to
obtain a powdery crystalline saccharide in a yield of about 92% to
the material maltose, d.s.b. The powdery saccharide is a stable
powdery saccharide, which has a crystallization degree of about 60%
and contains about 66% trehalose, about 28% maltose, and about six
% glucose, and it can be suitably used as a reduction inhibitory
agent for active-oxygen eliminating activity and arbitrarily used
to inhibit the reduction of active-oxygen eliminating activity of
plant edible substances.
EXAMPLE A-3
Reduction Inhibitory Agent for Active-oxygen Eliminating
Activity
[0051] Potato starch was prepared into a 10% starch suspension
which was then subjected to the action of .alpha.-amylase to obtain
a liquefied solution. To the liquefied solution were added three
units/g starch, d.s.b., or a non-reducing saccharide-forming enzyme
disclosed in Japanese Patent Kokai No. 213,283/95, five units/g
starch, d.s.b., of a trehalose-relaeasing enzyme, 1,000 units/g
starch, d.s.b., of an isoamylase, and one unit/g starch, d.s.b., of
a maltotetraose-forming amylase, and the mixture was enzymatically
reacted at pH 6.0 and 40.degree. C. for 48 hours. The reaction
mixture was heated to inactivate the remaining enzyme, and in a
conventional manner purified by decoloring and desalting and
concentrated in vacuo to obtain a syrup with a moisture content of
about 30% and DE of about 15 in a yield of about 90%, d.s.b. The
product is a stable syrup, which contains, on a dry solid basis,
about 50% trehalose along with other saccharides derived from
starch, can be suitably used as a reduction inhibitory agent for
active-oxygen eliminating activity, and arbitrarily used to inhibit
the reduction of active-oxygen eliminating activity of plant edible
substances.
EXAMPLE A-4
Reduction Inhibitory Agent for Active-oxygen Eliminating
Activity
[0052] One hundred parts by weight of a high-purity crystalline
trehalose hydrate, obtained by the method in Example A-1, was mixed
to homogeneity with one part by weight of pullulan to produce a
solid reduction inhibitory agent for active-oxygen eliminating
activity. The product can be arbitrarily used in a reduction
inhibitory agent for active-oxygen eliminating activity of plant
edible substances.
EXAMPLE A-5
Reduction Inhibitory Agent for Active-oxygen Eliminating
Activity
[0053] In 100 hundred parts by weight of a trehalose syrup,
obtained by the method in Example A-3, was dissolved by mixing to
homogeneity 0.5 part by weight of pullulan, and 0.5 part by weight
of a readily-water-soluble cyclodextrin into a syrupy reduction
inhibitory agent for active-oxygen eliminating activity. The
product can be arbitrarily used in a reduction inhibitory agent for
active-oxygen eliminating activity of plant edible substances.
EXAMPLE B-1
Composition Containing Spinach
[0054] Fresh spinach was pulverized by a mixer, and in 10 parts by
weight of the resulting disruptant were dissolved by mixing one
part by weight of a reduction inhibitory agent for active-oxygen
eliminating activity obtained by the method in Example A-4, and 0.1
part by weight of .alpha.-glucosyl rutin. The resulting mixture was
heated at 100.degree. C. for 10 min, dried with air heated to
40.degree. C. for two hours, dried in vacuo at 40.degree. C. for 16
hours, and powdered by a pulverizer to obtain a composition
containing spinach having an active-oxygen eliminating activity of
about 1,200 units/g composition.
[0055] The composition retained satisfactorily the inherent color
of spinach and stimulated the appetite. Intake of the composition
enriches living bodies with functional ingredients such as
vitamins, minerals, and edible fibers inherent to the spinach, and
imparts the active-oxygen eliminating activity to the living
bodies. The composition can be satisfactorily used to maintain and
promote health, prevent aging and geriatric diseases, promote the
treatment of incurable diseases, and prevent carcinogenesis. Thus
the composition can be arbitrarily used as a food product,
cosmetic, pharmaceutical, or their material or processing
intermediates.
EXAMPLE B-2
Composition Containing Cabbage
[0056] Cabbage was cut, branched, sliced by a cutter into fine
strips about 5 mm wide. Ten parts by weight of the fine strips was
mixed with one part by weight of a reduction inhibitory agent for
active-oxygen eliminating activity obtained by the method in
Example A-3, and 0.05 part by weight of .alpha.-glucosyl rutin, and
the mixture was allowed to stand at ambient temperature for two
hours, then dried by air heated to 40.degree. C. for two hours,
dried in vacuo at 40.degree. C. for 16 hours to obtain a
composition containing fine strips of cabbage having an
active-oxygen eliminating activity of about 1,300 units/g
composition. The composition retained satisfactorily the inherent
color of the cabbage and stimulated your appetite. Intake of the
composition enriches living bodies with functional ingredients such
as vitamins, and edible fibers inherent to the cabbage, and imparts
the active-oxygen eliminating activity to the living bodies. The
composition can be satisfactorily used to maintain and promote
health, prevent aging and geriatric diseases, promote the treatment
of incurable diseases, and prevent carcinogenesis. Thus the
composition can be arbitrarily used as a food product, cosmetic,
pharmaceutical, or their material or processing intermediates.
EXAMPLE B-3
Composition Containing Eggplant
[0057] A fresh eggplant was sliced, and the sliced eggplant was
washed with water. One part by weight of a reduction inhibitory
agent for active-oxygen eliminating activity, obtained by the
method in Example A-1, was mixed with and dissolved in 10 parts by
weight of the sliced eggplant, and the resulting mixture was dried
by air heated to 70.degree. C. for two days to obtain a composition
containing sliced eggplant having an active-oxygen eliminating
activity of about 11,000 units/g composition. The composition
retained the inherent color of the eggplant's skin and stimulated
the appetite. Intake of the composition enriches living bodies with
functional ingredients such as vitamins, minerals, and edible
fibers inherent to the eggplant, and imparts the active-oxygen
eliminating activity to the living bodies. The composition can be
satisfactorily used to maintain and promote health, prevent aging
and geriatric diseases, promote the treatment of incurable
diseases, and prevent carcinogenesis. Thus the composition can be
arbitrarily used as a food product, cosmetic, pharmaceutical, or
their material or processing intermediates.
EXAMPLE B-4
Composition Containing Carrot
[0058] A fresh carrot was branched and sliced by a slicer. One part
by weight of a reduction inhibitory agent for active-oxygen
eliminating activity, obtained by the method in Example A-4, was
added to 10 parts by weight of the sliced carrot and dissolved
therein. The mixture was dried with air heated to 50.degree. C. for
16 hours to obtain a composition containing sliced carrots having
an active-oxygen eliminating activity of about 450 units/g
composition. The composition satisfactorily retained the color
inherent to the carrot, stimulated the appetite, and had a
relatively-low hygroscopicity and a satisfactory shelf-life. Intake
of the composition enriches living bodies with functional
ingredients such as vitamins, minerals, and edible fibers inherent
to the carrot, and imparts the active-oxygen eliminating activity
to the living bodies. The composition can be satisfactorily used to
maintain and promote health, prevent aging and geriatric diseases,
promote the treatment of incurable diseases, and prevent
carcinogenesis. Thus the composition can be arbitrarily used as a
food product, cosmetic, pharmaceutical, or their material or
processing intermediates.
EXAMPLE B-5
Composition Containing Hizikia fusiforme
[0059] Dried Hizikia fusiforme was rehydrated in water and
disrupted with a cutter. In 10 parts by weight of the disrupted
mixture was dissolved by mixing five parts by weight of a reduction
inhibitory agent for active-oxygen eliminating activity obtained by
the method in Example A-2. The solution was dried by air heated to
50.degree. C. for eight hours, dried in vacuo at 40.degree. C., and
pulverized into a composition containing Hizikia fusiforme having
an active-oxygen eliminating activity of about 24 units/g
composition. Intake of the composition enriches living bodies with
functional ingredients such as vitamins, minerals, and edible
fibers inherent to Hizikia fusiforme, and imparts the active-oxygen
eliminating activity to the living bodies. The composition can be
satisfactorily used to maintain and promote health, prevent aging
and geriatric diseases, promote the treatment of incurable
diseases, and prevent carcinogenesis. Thus the composition can be
arbitrarily used as a food product, cosmetic, pharmaceutical, or
their material or processing intermediates.
EXAMPLE B-6
Composition Containing Shiitake Mushroom
[0060] A dried shiitake mushroom was rehydrated in water, heated at
100.degree. C. for 15 min, and disrupted by a cutter. In 100 parts
by weight of the disrupted mixture was dissolved by mixing 0.1 part
by weight of a tea extract and 10 parts by weight of a reduction
inhibitory agent for active oxygen eliminating activity obtained by
the method in Example A-3, and the resulting mixture was dried at
50.degree. C. for eight hours, dries in vacuo at 40.degree. C., and
pulverized to obtain a composition containing a powdery shiitake
mushroom having an active-oxygen eliminating activity of about 560
units/g composition. Intake of the composition enriches living
bodies with functional ingredients such as vitamins, minerals, and
edible fibers inherent to Hizikia fusiforme, and imparts the
active-oxygen eliminating activity to the living bodies. The
composition can be satisfactorily used to maintain and promote
health, prevent aging and geriatric diseases, promote the treatment
of incurable diseases, and prevent carcinogenesis. Thus the
composition can be arbitrarily used as a food product, cosmetic,
pharmaceutical, or their material or processing intermediates.
EXAMPLE B-7
Composition Containing Citron
[0061] Citron rind was disrupted by a cutter, and five parts by
weight of the disrupted rind was mixed with one part by weight of a
reduction inhibitory agent for active-oxygen eliminating activity,
obtained by the method in Example A-1, to dissolve the agent
therein. After preliminary freezing, the resulting mixture was
freeze-dried for three days, and disrupted to obtain a composition
containing a powdery citron having an active-oxygen eliminating
activity of about 12 units/g composition. The composition retains
satisfactorily the color and flavor inherent to the citron. Intake
of the composition enriches living bodies with functional
ingredients such as vitamins, minerals, and edible fibers inherent
to the citron, and imparts the active-oxygen eliminating activity
to living bodies. The composition can be satisfactorily used to
maintain and promote health, prevent aging and geriatric diseases,
promote the treatment of incurable diseases, and prevent
carcinogenesis. Thus the composition can be arbitrarily used as a
food product, cosmetic, pharmaceutical, or their material or
processing intermediates.
EXAMPLE B-8
Composition Containing Ginger
[0062] A fresh ginger was disrupted by a mixer. In five parts by
weight of the disrupted mixture was dissolved by mixing one part by
weight of a reduction inhibitory agent for active-oxygen
eliminating activity obtained by the method in Example A-2. After
preliminary freezing, the resulting mixture was freeze-dried for
three days, and disrupted by a crusher to obtain a composition
containing a powdery ginger having an active-oxygen eliminating
activity of about 120 units/g composition. Intake of the
composition enriches living bodies with functional ingredients such
as vitamins, minerals, and edible fibers inherent to the ginger,
and imparts the active-oxygen eliminating activity to the living
bodies. The composition can be satisfactorily used to maintain and
promote your health, prevent aging and geriatric diseases, promote
the treatment of incurable diseases, and prevent carcinogenesis.
Thus the composition can be arbitrarily used as a food product,
cosmetic, pharmaceutical, or their material or processing
intermediates.
EXAMPLE B-9
Composition Containing Aojiso (a Beefsteak Plant)
[0063] Aojiso leaves were branched and disrupted by a mixer. In
five parts by weight of the disrupted mixture was dissolved by
mixing one part by weight of a reduction inhibitory agent for
active-oxygen eliminating activity obtained by the method in
Example A-4, and 0.5 part by weight of .alpha.-glucosyl rutin, then
mixed with 49 parts by weight of crystalline trehalose anhydride as
a desiccant. The resulting mixture was allowed to stand at ambient
temperature for one day and disrupted by a crusher to obtain a
composition containing a powdery aojiso having an oxygen
eliminating activity of about 230 units/g composition. The
composition satisfactorily retained the color, flavor and taste of
the aojiso, and stimulated the appetite. Intake of the composition
enriches living bodies with functional ingredients such as
vitamins, minerals, and edible fibers inherent to the aojjiso, and
imparts the active-oxygen eliminating activity to living bodies.
The composition can be satisfactorily used to maintain and promote
health, prevent aging and geriatric diseases, promote the treatment
of incurable diseases, and prevent carcinogenesis. Thus the
composition can be arbitrarily used as a food product, cosmetic,
pharmaceutical, or their material or processing intermediates.
EXAMPLE 10
Composition Containing Mugwort
[0064] According to a conventional manner, mugwort was placed into
boiling water with an adequate amount of salt to remove harshness,
dehydrated softly and disrupted by a crusher. Five parts by weight
of the disrupted mixture was mixed with 0.05 part by weight of
.alpha.-glucosyl rutin and 1.3 parts by weight of a reduction
inhibitory agent for active-oxygen eliminating activity obtained by
the method in Example A-5. The resulting mixture was dried by air
heated to 50.degree. C. for four hours, dried in vacuo at
40.degree. C. for 16 hours, and disrupted to obtain a composition
containing a powdery mugwort having an active-oxygen eliminating
activity of about 780 units/g composition. The composition
satisfactorily retained the color, flavor and taste of the mugwort,
and stimulated the appetite. Intake of the composition enriches
living bodies with functional ingredients such as vitamins,
minerals, and edible fibers inherent to mugwort, and imparts the
active-oxygen eliminating activity to the living bodies. The
composition can be satisfactorily used to maintain and promote
health, prevent aging and geriatric diseases, promote the treatment
of incurable diseases, and prevent carcinogenesis. Thus the
composition can be arbitrarily used as a food product, cosmetic,
pharmaceutical, or their material or processing intermediates.
EXAMPLE B-11
Composition Containing Dokudami (a Bad-smelling Perennial Plant of
the Family Saururaceae
[0065] A half part by weight of a dried dokudami was mixed with 10
parts by weight of water, and heated to boiling for 90 min. A
supernatant of the infused solution was collected by a basket-type
centrifuge and boiled down to obtain four parts by weight of about
five w/v % solution. Two parts by weight of he concentrate was
mixed with 0.5 part by weight of a reduction inhibitory agent for
active-oxygen eliminating activity obtained by the method in
Example A-4, and the resulting solution was spray-dried in a
conventional manner to obtain a composition containing a powdery
dokudami extract having an active-oxygen eliminating activity of
about 1,400 units/g composition. The composition had a lesser
unsatisfactory smell and taste inherent to the dokudami and could
be more easily swallowable than conventional ones. Intake of the
composition enriches living bodies with functional ingredients such
as vitamins, minerals, an edible fibers inherent to the dokudami,
and imparts the active-oxygen eliminating activity to living
bodies. The composition can be satisfactorily used to maintain and
promote health, prevent aging and geriatric diseases, promote the
treatment of incurable diseases, and prevent carcinogenesis. Thus
the composition can be arbitrarily used as a food product,
cosmetic, pharmaceutical, or their material or processing
intermediates.
EXAMPLE B-12
Composition Containing Aloe
[0066] A fresh aloe was disrupted by a mixer, and 10 parts by
weight of the disrupted aloe was mixed with 0.1 part by weight of a
tea extract and one part by weight of a reduction inhibitory agent
for active-oxygen eliminating activity obtained by the method in
Example A-1. The resulting mixture was dried by air, heated to
70.degree. C. for two days, and disrupted by a crusher to obtain a
composition containing a powdery aloe having an active-oxygen
eliminating activity of 5,800 units/g composition. The composition
had a lesser astringency of the aloe and was more easily
swallowable than conventional ones. Intake of the composition
enriches living bodies with functional ingredients such as
vitamins, minerals, and edible fibers inherent to the aloe, and
imparts the active-oxygen eliminating activity to living bodies.
The composition can be satisfactorily used to maintain and promote
health, prevent aging and geriatric diseases, promote the treatment
of incurable diseases, and prevent carcinogenesis. Thus the
composition can be arbitrarily used as a food product, cosmetic,
pharmaceutical, or their material or processing intermediates.
EXAMPLE B-13
Composition Containing Chinese Cabbage Preserved with
Seasonings
[0067] A Chinese cabbage preserved with seasonings was cut. To 10
parts by weight of the cut product was added and dissolved therein
one part by weight of a reduction inhibitory agent for
active-oxygen eliminating activity obtained by the method in
Example A-1, and the mixture was dried with air heated to
55.degree. C. for 16 hours to obtain a composition containing small
pieces of Chinese cabbage, preserved with seasonings, having an
active-oxygen eliminating activity of about 5,400 units/g
composition. The product retained the color tint of the Chinese
cabbage. When tasted, the satisfactory taste and flavor spread
throughout the mouth and stimulated the appetite. Intake of this
composition enriches living bodies with functional ingredients such
as vitamins, minerals, and edible fibers inherent to the Chinese
cabbage, and augments the active oxygen eliminating activity to the
living bodies. The compositions can be satisfactorily used to
maintain and promote health, prevent aging and geriatric disease,
promote the treatment of incurable diseases, and prevent
carcinogenesis. Thus, the composition can be used as a food
product, cosmetic, pharmaceutical, or a component of processing
intermediate thereof. The compositions can also be used as food
products such as furikake, premix for onigiri (a rice ball), and
soup for Chinese noodles, and as a health food, cosmetic,
pharmaceutical, or components and intermediates thereof.
EXAMPLE B-14
Composition of Nozawana (a Kind of Turnip)
[0068] A pickled nozawana was subjected to a cutter. To 10 parts by
weight of the cut product was added and dissolved therein one part
by weight of a reduction inhibitory agent for active oxygen
eliminating activity obtained by the method in Example A-1. The
mixture was dried in air, heated to 55.degree. C. for 16 hours to
obtain a composition containing small pieces of pickled nozawana
having an active oxygen eliminating activity of about 2600 units/g
composition. The product retained the color tint of the picked
nozawana. When tasted, the satisfactory taste and flavor spread
throughout the mouth and stimulated the appetite. Intake of this
composition enriches living bodies with functional ingredients such
as vitamins, minerals and edible fibers inherent to the pickled
nozawana, and augments the active oxygen eliminating activity to
the living bodies. The composition can be used to maintain and
promote health, prevent aging and geriatric diseases, promote
treatment of incurable diseases, and prevent carcinogenesis. Thus,
the composition can be used as a food product, cosmetic,
pharmaceutical, or components or processing intermediates
thereof.
EXAMPLE B-15
Composition of Korean Pickled Chinese Cabbage
[0069] Korean pickled Chinese cabbage was cut. To ten parts by
weight of the cut product was added and dissolved therein was added
one part by weight of a reduction inhibitory agent for active
oxygen eliminating activity obtained by the method of Example A-4.
The mixture was air dried and heated to 55.degree. C. for 16 hours
to produce a composition containing small pieces of pickled Chinese
cabbage having an active oxygen eliminating activity of about 1600
units/g composition. The product retained the color tine of Korean
pickled Chinese cabbage. When tasted, the satisfactory taste and
flavor spread throughout the mouth and stimulated the appetite.
Intake of the composition enriches living bodies with functional
ingredients such as vitamins, minerals, and edible fibers inherent
to Korean picked Chinese cabbage, and augments the active oxygen
eliminating activity to the living bodies. The composition can be
used to maintain and promote health, prevent aging and geriatric
disease, promotes the treatment of incurable diseases, and prevent
carcinogenesis. Thus, the composition can be used as a food
product, cosmetic, pharmaceutical, or components or processing
intermediates thereof.
EXAMPLE B-16
Composition Containing Soybeans
[0070] Soybeans were soaked in five-fold volumes of water overnight
and drained. Ten parts by weight of the soaked soybeans was placed
into a pan, mixed with 35 parts by weight of a reduction inhibitory
agent for active oxygen eliminating activity obtained by the method
of Example A-1, and 35 parts by weight of water. The mixture was
boiled over mild heat to produce a concentration of about 70% as
determined by a brix apparatus and to obtain boiled beans. The
beans were placed into a basket and dried with air heated to
40.degree. C. overnight to product a composition containing soy
beans having an active oxygen eliminating activity of about 25
units/g of composition. The product retained the color tint of the
boiled soybeans. When tasted, the taste and flavor spread
throughout the mouth and stimulated the appetite. In this product,
trehalose hydrate is present within the soybeans' tissues, and the
hydrate retained the issues. The product was a solid food having
satisfactory taste and mouth feel. Intake of the composition
enriches living bodies with functional ingredients such as
vitamins, minerals and edible fibers inherent in the soybeans, and
augments the active oxygen eliminating activity to living bodies.
Thus, the composition can be used to maintain and promote health,
prevent aging and geriatric disease, promote the treatment of
incurable diseases, and prevent carcinogenesis. Thus, the
composition can be used as a food product, cosmetic,
pharmaceutical, or components or processing intermediates
thereof.
EXAMPLE B-17
Composition Containing Apple
[0071] Fresh apples were peeled and sliced to produce slices about
5 mm in thickness, which were then soaked for 30 minutes in an
about 75% solution prepared by dissolving a reduction inhibitory
agent for active oxygen eliminating activity obtained by the method
in Example A-1 in water by heating at 80.degree. C. The apples and
solution were placed into a basked and dried at 35.degree. C.
overnight to obtain a composition containing apples having an
active oxygen eliminating activity of about 50 units/g composition.
The production retained the color tint of apples. When tasted, the
taste and flavor spread throughout the mouth and stimulated the
appetite. In this product, trehalose hydrate is present within the
apples' tissues, and the hydrate retained the tissues. The product
was a solid food having satisfactory taste and mouth feel. Intake
of the composition enriches living bodies with functional
ingredients such as vitamins, minerals and edible fibers inherent
in the apples, and augments the active oxygen eliminating activity
to living bodies. Thus, the composition can be used to maintain and
promote health, prevent aging and geriatric disease, promote the
treatment of incurable diseases, and prevent carcinogenesis. Thus,
the composition can be used as a food product, cosmetic,
pharmaceutical, or components or processing intermediates
thereof.
EXAMPLE B-18
Composition Containing Carrot
[0072] Fresh carrots were sliced and five parts by weight of the
sliced carrots was placed in an about 73% syrup which was mildly
boiling at about 105.degree. C. and which had been prepared by
dissolving by heating 140 parts by weight of a reduction inhibitory
agent for active oxygen eliminating activity obtained by the method
in Example A-1 in 60 parts by weight of water. The resulting
mixture was concentrated by boiling up to a temperature of about
110.degree. C. for 20 minutes and was dehydrated by heating to
produce a fried-like product. Thereafter, the product was placed
into a basket, dried by air heated to 60.degree. C. for five hours
to obtain a composition containing sliced carrots having an active
oxygen eliminating activity of about 200 units/g composition. The
composition was a fried-like product of carrot, to which
crystalline trehalose hydrate adhered. It retained the inherent
color to carrot and stimulated the appetite. The product had a
relatively low hygroscopicity, satisfactory shelf life, and
desirable handle ability. Intake of the composition enriches living
bodies with functional ingredients such as vitamins, minerals and
edible fibers inherent in the carrots, and augments the active
oxygen eliminating activity to living bodies. Thus, the composition
can be used to maintain and promote health, prevent aging and
geriatric disease, promote the treatment of incurable diseases, and
prevent carcinogenesis. Thus, the composition can be used as a food
product, cosmetic, pharmaceutical, or components or processing
intermediates thereof.
EXAMPLE B-19
Composition Containing Apple
[0073] Fresh apples were peeled and sliced to a thickness of about
5 mm. Four parts by weight of the sliced apples was then placed
into an about 80% syrup heated to about 110.degree. C., which had
been prepared by dissolving by heating in water 140 parts by weight
of a reduction inhibitory agent for active oxygen eliminating
activity obtained by the method of Example A-1 and concentrated by
boiling at a temperature of about 114.degree. C. for about 10
minutes and dehydrated by heating to produce a fried-like product.
Thereafter, the product was placed into a basket, dried by air
heated to 35.degree. C. overnight to product a composition
containing sliced applied having an active oxygen eliminating
activity of about 30 units/g composition. The composition was a
fried-like apple product, to which crystalline trehalose hydrate
adhered. It retained the inherent color of apple and stimulated the
appetite. The product had a relatively low hydroscopicity,
satisfactory shelf life, and desirable handleabiliy. Intake of the
composition enriches living bodies with functional ingredients such
as vitamins, minerals and edible fibers inherent in the soybeans,
and augments the active oxygen eliminating activity to living
bodies. Thus, the composition can be used to maintain and promote
health, prevent aging and geriatric disease, promote the treatment
of incurable diseases, and prevent carcinogenesis. Thus, the
composition can be used as a food product, cosmetic,
pharmaceutical, or components or processing intermediates
thereof.
EXAMPLE B-20
Chewing Gum
[0074] Three parts by weight of a gum base was heated to be
softened, then mixed with six parts by weight of crystalline
trehalose hydrate, one part by weight of a composition containing
aojiso obtained by the method of Example B-9, and 0.01 parts by
weight of a tea extract. The resulting mixture was admixed with
adequate amounts of flavor and color, kneaded by a roll in a
conventional manner, shaped, and packaged into a product having an
active oxygen eliminating activity of over 120 units/g product. The
product is a chewing gum with satisfactory texture, flavor, and
taste. The product containing trehalose as a saccharide is not
easily assimilated by dental caries inducing microorganisms, and it
does not cause dental caries.
EXAMPLE B-21
Dango (a Rice Paste)
[0075] Ten parts by weight of glutinous rice starch was mixed with
12 parts by weight of water, and the mixture was gelatinized by
heating, then kneaded with 0.5 part by weight of a composition
containing mugwort obtained by the method of Example B-10. The
mixture thus obtained was shaped and packaged in a conventional
manner to produce a dango having an active oxygen eliminating
activity of over 12 units/g content. The product is a yomogi-dango,
i.e., a rice paste with mugwort, having a satisfactory color tint
of yomogi, flavor, taste, and mouth feel.
EXAMPLE B-22
Nutritional Product
[0076] A composition was prepared from the following ingredients:
10 parts by weight of crystalline .alpha.-maltose, 1.1 parts by
weight of glycine, 0.18 part by weight of sodium glutamate, 1.2
parts by weight of salt, one part by weight of citric acid, 0.4
part by weight of calcium lactate, 0.3 part by weight of a
composition containing spinach obtained by the method of Example
B-1, 0.01 part by weight of thiamine, and 0.01 part by weight of
riboflavin. Twenty four gram aliquots of the composition were
injected into small laminated aluminum bags and heat sealed to
obtain a nutritional product for intubtaion having an active oxygen
eliminating activity of over 12 units/g composition. One bag of the
nutritional product is dissolved in about 300-500 ml of water, and
the solution can be administered to subjects orally or through the
subjects' nasal cavities, stomachs, or intestines as a parenteral
liquid nutritional supplement.
EXAMPLE B-23
Cosmetic Cream
[0077] Two parts by weight of polyoxyethylene glycol monostearate,
5 parts by weight of glyceryl monostearate, self-emulsifying, 2.8
parts by weight of a composition containing aloe obtained by the
method in Example B-12, 0.2 part by weight of .alpha.-glucosyl
rutin, one part by weight of liquid petrolatum, 10 parts by weight
of glyceryl tri-2-ethylhexanoate, and an adequate amount of an
antiseptic were dissolved by heating in a conventional manner. The
resulting solution was admixed with two parts by weight of L-lactic
acid, five parts by weight of 1,3-butylene glycol and 66 parts by
weight of refined water, and the mixture was emulsified by a
homogenizer and admixed with an adequate amount of a flavor under
stirring to obtain a cosmetic cream having an active oxygen
eliminating activity of over 46 units/g product. The product can be
used as a therapeutic or preventive agent for sunburned skin, as a
skin beautifying agent, a skin whitening agent, and an agent for
inhibiting aging of skin including chloasmas, freckles,
pigmentation, and wrinkles.
EXAMPLE B-24
Bath Salts
[0078] Bath salts having an active oxygen eliminating activity of
over 220 units/g product were prepared by mixing 26 parts by weight
of refined water and adequate amounts of a coloring agent and
flavoring agent with 21 parts by weight of sodium DL-lactate, eight
parts by weight of sodium pyruvate, five parts by weight of a
composition containing citron obtained by the method of Example
B-7, one part by weight of .alpha.-glucosyl rutin, and 40 parts by
weight of ethanol. The product can be suitable used as a skin
beautifying agent and skin whitening agent by diluting 100-10,000
fold in hot water in a bathtub. Similarly as above, the product can
be used by diluting it in water for a face wash or beauty wash.
EXAMPLE B-25
Ointment
[0079] One part by weight of sodium acetate trihydrate and four
parts by weight of calcium DL-lactate were mixed to homogeneity
with 10 parts by weight of glycerin, and this mixture was added to
a mixture consisting of 50 parts by weight of petrolatum, 10 parts
by weight of vegetable wax, five parts by weight of lanolin, 14.5
parts by weight of sesame oil, six parts by weight of a composition
containing dokudami obtained by the method of Example B-11, and 0.5
part by weight of peppermint oil. The mixture thus obtained was
further mixed to homogeneity into an ointment having an active
oxygen eliminating activity of about 54 units/g. The product can be
used as an antipyogenic agent, skin beautifying agent, skin
whitening agent, and agent for promoting the treatment of skin
traumas and burns.
EXAMPLE B-26
Tablet
[0080] Twenty parts by weight of ascorbic acid were mixed to
homogeneity with 13 parts by weight of crystalline .beta.-maltose,
four parts by weight of corn starch, three parts by weight or a
composition containing plantain and trehalose obtained by the
method of Experiment 5 according to the present invention. The
resulting mixture was formed into a tablet using a 20R punch, 12 mm
in diameter. The tablet had an oxygen eliminating activity of over
560 units/g, and can be administered orally to subjects in the
amount of 1-10 tablets/adult/day. These tablets can particularly be
used for reducing fever and maintaining and controlling stomach and
intestinal conditions.
[0081] As described above, the present invention provides a
reduction inhibitory agent for active oxygen eliminating activity
which comprises trehalose as an effective ingredient, a method for
inhibiting the reduction of active oxygen eliminating activity
comprising incorporating either trehalose or the reduction
inhibitory agent into products to be treated, and a composition
which contains plant edible substance and/or plant antioxidant in
which the reduction of active oxygen eliminating activity is
inhibited by the above method. Intake of the present composition
easily nutritionally supplements living bodies and enriches living
bodies with functional ingredients such as vitamins, minerals, and
edible fibers of plant edible substances. Therefore, the present
composition contributes greatly to maintain and promote health,
prevent aging and geriatric diseases promote the treatment of
incurable diseases, and inhibit carcinogenesis. Thus, the present
invention provides a novel health resource as a fourth functional
ingredient which can be used in processing and use of plant edible
substances. The present invention provides a great contribution to
a wide variety of fields, particularly the fields of food products,
cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals.
[0082] While there has been described what is at present considered
to be the preferred embodiments of the invention, it will be
understood that various modifications may be made thereto, and it
is intended to cover in the appended claims all such modifications
as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.
* * * * *