Oral composition, and method for suppressing bitterness derived from ergothioneine and odor derived from glucosamine compound

Abstract

The present invention addresses the problem of providing an oral composition which contains ergothioneine or a salt thereof and a glucosamine-based compound, but in which bitterness derived from ergothioneine or a salt thereof and unpleasant odor derived from the glucosamine-based compound are suppressed. The present invention pertains to an oral composition characterized by containing the following components (A) and (B): (A) ergothioneine or a salt thereof, and (B) a glucosamine compound, the weight ratio of component (B) (in terms of glucosamine) to component (A) (in terms of ergothioneine), i.e., (B) / (A), being 0.2-150.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an oral composition containing ergothioneine or its salt and glucosamine compounds. In addition, the present invention relates to a method for inhibiting bitterness from ergothioneine and foreign taste from glucosamine compounds. Background Art

[0002] Ergothioneine is one of the hydrophilic sulfur-containing amino acids, and is known to have various physiological activities including antioxidant activity. Regarding the physiological activities of ergothioneine, for example, Patent Document 1 reports an effect of promoting the production of immune response-activating cytokines. Since ergothioneine has various physiological activities, it has attracted much attention as a food, cosmetic or pharmaceutical product in recent years.

[0003] Glucosamine is an amino sugar in which the second hydroxyl group of glucose is replaced by an amino group. Glucosamine is a constituent element of cartilage, a tissue that absorbs joint shock, and is used in health foods for improving symptoms of osteoarthritis and the like.

[0004] Patent Literature Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2017-218431 Summary of the invention

[0005] As mentioned above, because thioneine possesses useful physiological activity, the food such as the supplement containing thioneine or its salt is useful for maintaining or promoting health. However, thioneine or its salt has unique fragrance, especially has bitter taste (bitter feeling) like pricking tongue, and still has room for improvement in making oral compositions. Furthermore, glucosamine has a unique off-flavor, specifically, a unique off-flavor accompanied by a salty taste, a sweet taste that remains on the tongue, and a bitter taste. When glucosamine is formulated into an oral composition, this unique off-flavor may become a problem.

[0006] The object of the present invention is to provide a kind of oral composition, although it contains thioneine or its salt and glucosamine compounds, the bitter taste from thioneine or its salt and the peculiar smell from glucosamine compounds are suppressed. In addition, the object of the present invention is to provide a method for suppressing the bitter taste from thioneine or its salt and the peculiar smell from glucosamine compounds.

[0007] The present inventors have conducted intensive studies to solve the above-mentioned problems, and as a result, found that by combining ergothioneine or its salt and glucosamine compounds at a specific ratio, the bitterness from ergothioneine or its salt and the off-flavor (the unique off-flavor with saltiness, sweetness remaining on the tongue, and astringency) from the glucosamine compounds can be suppressed.

[0008] The present invention includes the following compositions and the like. [1] An oral composition comprising the following ingredients (A) and (B): (A) ergothioneine or a salt thereof, and (B) glucosamine compounds, The weight ratio of the component (B) (calculated as glucosamine) to the component (A) (calculated as ergothioneine), that is, (B) / (A) is 0.2 to 150. [2] The composition according to [1], wherein the glucosamine compound is at least one selected from glucosamine, its derivatives and salts thereof. [3] The composition according to [1] or [2], wherein the glucosamine derivative is a compound in which at least one hydrogen atom of a hydroxyl group and / or a hydrogen atom of an amino group of glucosamine is substituted with an acyl group and / or an alkyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms. [4] The composition according to any one of [1] to [3], which is a food or drink. [5] A method for suppressing bitterness from ergothioneine or its salt and odor from glucosamine compounds, characterized in that, in an oral composition containing the following components (A) and (B): (A) ergothioneine or a salt thereof, and (B) glucosamine compounds, The weight ratio of the component (B) (calculated as glucosamine) to the component (A) (calculated as ergothioneine), that is, (B) / (A), is adjusted to 0.2 to 150.

[0009] According to the present invention, a kind of oral composition can be provided, although it contains thioneine or its salt and glucosamine compounds, the bitter taste from thioneine or its salt and the peculiar smell from glucosamine compounds are suppressed. In addition, according to the present invention, a method for suppressing the bitter taste from thioneine or its salt and the peculiar smell from glucosamine compounds can be provided. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0010] The oral composition of the present invention contains (A) ergothioneine or a salt thereof and (B) a glucosamine compound, wherein the weight ratio ((B) / (A)) of the component (B) (in terms of glucosamine) to the component (A) (in terms of ergothioneine) is 0.2 to 150.

[0011] Ergothioneine is a kind of sulfur-containing amino acid. In the present invention, ergothioneine is preferably L-ergothioneine. As the salt of ergothioneine, as long as it is a pharmacologically acceptable salt or a salt allowed in a diet, there is no particular limitation, and it may be any of an acidic salt and an alkaline salt. As an acidic salt, for example, inorganic acid salts such as hydrochloride, sulfate, nitrate, and phosphate can be listed; organic acid salts such as acetate, citrate, maleate, malate, oxalate, lactate, succinate, fumarate, and propionate can be listed. As an alkaline salt, for example, alkali metal salts such as sodium salt and potassium salt can be listed; alkaline earth metal salts such as calcium salt and magnesium salt can be listed.

[0012] Ergothioneine or its salt is not subject to any restrictions such as its form or manufacturing method. Ergothioneine or its salt can be a chemically synthesized product, or it can be a substance extracted or purified from a natural product. L-ergothioneine is contained in a large amount in the golden top pleurotus (Golden / Yellow Oyster Mushroom) (scientific name: Pleurotuscornucopiae var.citrinopileatus) of the mushroom belonging to the genus Pleurotus of the family Pleurotus. L-ergothioneine is also contained in mushrooms such as Agaricus bisporus (scientific name: Agaricus bisporus), Grey Oyster Mushroom (scientific name: Pleurotus ostreatus), Lentinula edodes (scientific name: Lentinula edodes), Grifola frondosa (scientific name: Grifola frondosa), Ganoderma lucidum (scientific name: Ganoderma lucidum), Hericium erinaceus (scientific name: Hericiumerinaceus), Agrocybe aegerita (scientific name: Agrocybe aegerita), Chanterelles (scientific name: Cantharelus cibarius), Boletus (scientific name: Boletus edulis), Morchella esculenta (scientific name: Morchella esculenta), etc. When L-ergothioneine is obtained from natural products, it is preferably extracted from Pleurotus eryngii. Ergothioneine or its salt can also be produced by microbial fermentation. Ergothioneine or its salt may be an isolated substance.

[0013] Glucosamine (2-amino-2-deoxy-D-glucose) is an amino sugar in which the second hydroxyl group of glucose is replaced by an amino group, and is widely distributed in the animal body as a constituent component of mucopolysaccharides in cartilage, connective tissue, and the like. Glucosamine has a unique off-flavor with a salty taste, sweetness that lingers on the tongue, and astringency. The composition of the present invention contains glucosamine compounds, and the bitter taste derived from ergothioneine or its salt is alleviated. By combining a glucosamine compound with ergothioneine or a salt thereof, it is also possible to suppress the peculiar foreign tastes derived from the glucosamine compound, such as the salty taste, the sweet taste, and the astringency that remain on the tongue. Therefore, continuous ingestion of ergothioneine or its salt and glucosamine compounds can be facilitated.

[0014] In the present invention, the glucosamine compounds are a general term for compounds including glucosamine, its derivatives, and salts thereof.

[0015] The glucosamine derivative is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include compounds in which the hydroxyl group of glucosamine is esterified or etherified, and compounds in which the amino group of glucosamine is acylated. The glucosamine derivative is preferably a compound in which at least one hydrogen atom of the hydroxyl group and / or the amino group of glucosamine is substituted with an acyl group and / or an alkyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms. More preferably, it is a compound in which the hydrogen atom of the amino group of glucosamine is substituted with an acyl group or an alkyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms. The number of carbon atoms in the acyl group and / or alkyl group is preferably 1 to 8, more preferably 1 to 5, further preferably 1 to 3, and particularly preferably 2. Specific examples of the acyl group include a formyl group, an acetyl group, a propionyl group, and a benzoyl group. As the glucosamine derivative, N-acetylglucosamine and N-methyl-L-glucosamine are more preferred, and N-acetylglucosamine is particularly preferred.

[0016] The salt of glucosamine or its derivatives is not particularly limited as long as it is a pharmacologically acceptable salt or a salt permitted in food and beverages, and examples thereof include inorganic acid salts such as hydrochloride, sulfate, nitrate, and phosphate; organic acid salts such as acetate, citrate, maleate, malate, oxalate, lactate, succinate, fumarate, and propionate, etc. Preferably, it is an inorganic acid salt, and more preferably, it is a hydrochloride.

[0017] The glucosamine compounds used in the present invention are not limited by their form or production method, and commercial products or substances extracted and purified from natural substances can be used. For example, in the case of glucosamine, chitin contained in crustaceans such as crabs, shrimps, krill, or cartilage of squid can be hydrolyzed with acid or enzyme, and separated and purified to obtain glucosamine.

[0018] In the composition of the present invention, the weight ratio of component (B) (calculated as glucosamine) to component (A) (calculated as ergothioneine) ((B) calculated as glucosamine / (A) calculated as ergothioneine) is 0.2 to 150. Ergothioneine or its salt has bitter taste like pricking the tongue. In addition, glucosamine compounds also have its unique peculiar smell. In the composition containing components (A) and (B), when the weight ratio ((B) / (A)) of component (B) (glucosamine conversion) relative to component (A) (ergothioneine conversion) is above range, the bitter taste from component (A) can be suppressed, and the peculiar smell from component (B) can also be suppressed simultaneously. Therefore, the continuous intake of ergothioneine or its salt and glucosamine compounds can be made easy. The weight ratio ((B) / (A)) is preferably 0.4 to 130, more preferably 0.5 to 120, further preferably 1 to 100, particularly preferably 5 to 80, and most preferably 10 to 50.

[0019] The content of ergothioneine or a salt thereof contained in the composition of the present invention is not particularly limited and can be set according to its form and the like. The content of thioneine or its salt in the composition of the present invention, calculated by thioneine, for example, preferably more than 0.1% by weight in the composition, more preferably more than 0.5% by weight, further preferably more than 0.6% by weight, further preferably more than 0.8% by weight, particularly preferably more than 1% by weight, in addition, preferably less than 50% by weight, more preferably less than 40% by weight, further preferably less than 30% by weight, further preferably less than 20% by weight, particularly preferably less than 10% by weight. In one embodiment, the content of thioneine or its salt, calculated by thioneine, preferably 0.1-50% by weight in the composition of the present invention, more preferably 0.5-40% by weight, further preferably 0.6-30% by weight, further preferably 0.8-20% by weight, particularly preferably 1-10% by weight. The composition of the present invention, when containing more than two compounds as thioneine or its salt, the content of thioneine or its salt refers to their total content. The content of thioneine can be measured by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The amount of ergothioneine or its salt converted to ergothioneine or an expression similar thereto, in the case of ergothioneine, refers to the amount thereof. In the case of a salt of ergothioneine, it refers to the value obtained by multiplying the number of moles of the salt by the molecular weight of ergothioneine.

[0020] The content of the glucosamine compound contained in the composition of the present invention is not particularly limited and can be set according to its form, etc. The content of the glucosamine compound in the composition of the present invention, calculated as glucosamine, is, for example, preferably 0.02% by weight or more, more preferably 0.1% by weight or more, further preferably 1% by weight or more, further preferably 5% by weight or more, more preferably 10% by weight or more, further preferably 20% by weight or more, particularly preferably 30% by weight or more, further particularly preferably 40% by weight or more, and preferably 99% by weight or less, more preferably 95% by weight or less, further preferably 90% by weight or less, further preferably 80% by weight or less, further preferably 70% by weight or less, and particularly preferably 60% by weight or less. In one embodiment, the content of the glucosamine compound, calculated as glucosamine, in the composition of the present invention is preferably 0.02 to 99 weight percent, more preferably 0.1 to 99 weight percent, further preferably 1 to 99 weight percent, further preferably 5 to 95 weight percent, more preferably 10 to 90 weight percent, further preferably 20 to 80 weight percent, particularly preferably 30 to 70 weight percent, and further particularly preferably 40 to 60 weight percent. When the above content contains two or more compounds as the glucosamine compound, it refers to their total content. The content of the glucosamine compound can be measured by HPLC. The amount of a glucosamine-based compound expressed in terms of glucosamine or similar expressions refers to the amount of glucosamine in the case of glucosamine, and refers to the value obtained by multiplying the number of moles of the compound by the molecular weight of glucosamine in the case of a compound other than glucosamine.

[0021] The content of ergothioneine or a salt thereof in the composition of the present invention is preferably 1 to 100 mg, more preferably 2 to 50 mg, further preferably 5 to 25 mg, particularly preferably 5 to 20 mg, in terms of ergothioneine per daily intake for adults. The content of the glucosamine compound in the composition of the present invention is preferably 10 to 5000 mg, more preferably 20 to 3000 mg, and even more preferably 50 to 2000 mg, in terms of glucosamine per daily intake for adults.

[0022] Ergothioneine or its salt and glucosamine compounds are included in natural products or food and drink, and are compounds with edible experience. Therefore, from the perspective of safety, it is generally believed that ergothioneine or its salt and glucosamine compounds, for example, have fewer problems in daily intake. According to the present invention, a kind of high safety can be provided, and the bitter taste from ergothioneine or its salt and the peculiar smell from glucosamine compounds are alleviated and the composition easily taken in.

[0023] As described above, ergothioneine or its salt is known to exert a variety of physiological activities or health functions, for example, it is known to have an antioxidant effect, a brain function improvement effect, an anti-aging effect, an eye disease improvement effect, a whitening effect, an ultraviolet absorption effect, a melanin production inhibitory effect, an active oxygen elimination effect, an elastase activity inhibitory effect, a wrinkle formation inhibitory effect, a skin relaxation inhibitory effect, an autophagy promoting effect, etc. Therefore, the composition of the present invention can be suitably used for anti-oxidation, brain function improvement, anti-aging, eye disease, whitening, ultraviolet absorption, melanin production inhibition, elimination of active oxygen, elastase activity inhibition, wrinkle formation inhibition, skin sagging inhibition, autophagy promotion, etc.

[0024] Glucosamine compounds are known to exert health functions such as improving pain in osteoarthritis of the knee or hip, etc. Since the composition of the present invention contains glucosamine compounds, it can also be used to obtain the above-mentioned effects exerted by these substances.

[0025] The composition of the present invention can be used for either therapeutic use (medical use) or non-therapeutic use (non-medical use). The term "non-therapeutic" refers to a concept that does not include medical behavior, that is, human surgery, treatment or diagnosis. The composition of the present invention can be in the form of food and beverage, medicine, quasi-drug, feed, etc. The composition of the present invention can also be a raw material or preparation used by being formulated into food and beverage, medicine, quasi-drug, feed, etc.

[0026] The composition of the present invention is an oral composition. Specific examples of the oral composition include foods and drinks, oral pharmaceuticals, quasi-drugs, and feeds. Foods and drinks or oral pharmaceuticals are preferred, and foods and drinks are more preferred.

[0027] As long as the effect of the present invention is not damaged, the composition of the present invention can also contain any additive, any composition on the basis of thioneine or its salt and glucosamine compounds.These additives and composition can be selected according to the form of the composition, and can use the material that can be generally used for oral compositions such as food and drink, pharmaceuticals, quasi-drugs, feeds, etc. When the composition of the present invention is made into food and drink, pharmaceuticals, quasi-drugs, feeds, etc., its manufacture method is not particularly limited, and can be manufactured by a general method.In one embodiment, the composition of the present invention can be a material consisting of thioneine or its salt and glucosamine compounds. The form of the oral composition of the present invention is not particularly limited, and may be solid (powder, granule, tablet, etc.), liquid, paste, or the like.

[0028] For example, when the composition of the present invention is made into food and drink, it is possible to prepare ingredients (for example, food raw materials, food additives used as required, etc.) that can be used for food and drink in ergothioneine or its salt and glucosamine compounds, and make various food and drink. Food and drink are not particularly limited, and for example, general food and drink, health food, health supplement food, health drink, functional label food, specific health food, patient food and drink, etc. can be enumerated. Above-mentioned health food, health supplement food, functional label food, specific health food, etc., for example, can be used in the various preparation forms of granules, tablets, granules, powders, capsules, chewables, dry syrups, syrups, liquids, beverages, drinks, liquid foods, etc.

[0029] When the composition of the present invention is made into pharmaceuticals or quasi-medical products, for example, in ergothioneine or its salt and glucosamine compounds, the carrier allowed in pharmacology, the additive added as required, etc., are prepared, and the pharmaceuticals or quasi-medical products of various dosage forms are made. Such carriers, additives, etc., as long as they are materials allowed in pharmacology that can be used for pharmaceuticals or quasi-medical products, for example, can be enumerated: one or more than two of excipients, binding agents, disintegrants, lubricants, antioxidants, coloring agents, etc. As the dosage form for oral administration of pharmaceuticals or quasi-medical products, can be enumerated: liquid, tablet, powder, fine granules, granules, sugar-coated tablets, capsules, suspensions, emulsions, chewing agents, etc.

[0030] When the composition of the present invention is made into feed, ergothioneine or its salt and glucosamine compounds can be mixed into feed. Feed also includes feed additives. As feed, for example, feed for livestock such as cattle, pigs, chickens, sheep, horses, etc.; feed for small animals such as rabbits, rats, mice, etc.; pet food for dogs, cats, birds, etc., etc.

[0031] The subject to which the composition of the present invention is ingested or administered (may also be referred to as the subject to be administered) is not particularly limited, but is preferably a human or a non-human mammal, and more preferably a human.

[0032] The present invention also includes the following methods. A method for suppressing bitterness from ergothioneine or its salt and peculiar smell from glucosamine compounds, characterized in that, in an oral composition containing (A) ergothioneine or its salt and (B) glucosamine compounds, the weight ratio ((B) / (A)) of component (B) (glucosamine conversion) relative to component (A) (ergothioneine conversion) is adjusted to 0.2-150. In the preparation of the oral composition, by adjusting the weight ratio ((B) / (A)) of component (B) (glucosamine conversion) to component (A) (ergothioneine conversion) to the above range, an oral composition in which the bitter taste from ergothioneine or its salt and the peculiar taste from the glucosamine compound are suppressed can be obtained.

[0033] By the above method, the bitter taste from ergothioneine or its salt and the peculiar smell from glucosamine compounds can be effectively suppressed. By suppressing the bitter taste from ergothioneine or its salt and the peculiar smell from glucosamine compounds, the taste of the oral composition can be improved. In the above method, thioneine or its salt, glucosamine compounds and their preferred embodiment are the same as the oral composition of the present invention described above. The preferred range of the weight ratio ((B) / (A)) of component (B) (glucosamine conversion) relative to component (A) (thioneine conversion) is also the same as the oral composition of the present invention.

[0034] According to the above method, bitterness derived from ergothioneine or a salt thereof and foreign taste derived from glucosamine compounds can be suppressed, and other methods may be combined as a method for suppressing these unpleasant flavors. Other methods of suppressing the unpleasant flavor include, for example, a method of adding a sweetener or a flavoring agent to the component having the unpleasant flavor to prepare a formulation; a method of coating the component with a sugar coating to prepare a formulation; or a method of sealing the component in a capsule to prepare a formulation.

[0035] Glucosamine compounds are useful for suppressing the bitterness of ergothioneine or its salt. The present invention also includes an application of a (B) glucosamine compound for suppressing the bitterness from (A) ergothioneine or its salt. With regard to the amount of glucosamine compounds used, it is preferred that the weight ratio ((B) / (A)) of the (B) glucosamine compound (glucosamine conversion) relative to (A) ergothioneine or its salt (ergothioneine conversion) reaches an amount of 0.2 or more, and more preferably the above-mentioned weight ratio reaches an amount of 0.2 to 150.

[0036] Ergothioneine or its salt is useful for suppressing the peculiar smell of glucosamine compounds. The present invention also includes a use of (A) ergothioneine or its salt for suppressing the peculiar smell from (B) glucosamine compounds. As for the usage amount of ergothioneine or its salt, it is preferred that the weight ratio ((B) / (A)) of (B) glucosamine compounds (glucosamine conversion) relative to (A) ergothioneine or its salt (ergothioneine conversion) reaches an amount of 0.2 or more, and more preferably the above-mentioned weight ratio reaches an amount of 0.2 to 150.

[0037] In this specification, the numerical range represented by the lower limit and the upper limit, i.e., "lower limit - upper limit", includes the lower limit and the upper limit. For example, the range represented by "1 to 2" means 1 or more and 2 or less, including 1 and 2. In this specification, the upper limit and the lower limit can be set as a range of any combination. Example

[0038] The present invention will be described in more detail below based on examples. However, the present invention is not limited to these examples.

[0039] The materials used in the following evaluation tests are as follows. (A) Ergothioneine: Raw material containing 100% L-ergothioneine (B) Glucosamine hydrochloride: Raw material containing 100% glucosamine hydrochloride

[0040] <Example 1: Flavor evaluation test of a composition containing ergothioneine and glucosamine hydrochloride> Compositions containing ergothioneine and glucosamine hydrochloride were prepared and subjected to sensory evaluation by three panelists skilled in sensory evaluation. The above (A) and (B) were mixed in the amounts shown in Table 1 to prepare the compositions of samples 1 to 9 (compositions containing ergothioneine and glucosamine hydrochloride). The weight ratios of (B) / (A) in the compositions of samples 1 to 9 ((B) / (A) converted to glucosamine) are shown in Table 1. Three panelists each placed the total amount of the prepared composition (for example, in sample 1, a total of 11 mg of ergothioneine 10 mg and glucosamine hydrochloride 1 mg) directly on the tongue, and evaluated the bitterness intensity from ergothioneine and the odor intensity from glucosamine hydrochloride according to the following criteria.

[0041] Evaluation criteria for bitterness from (A) ergothioneine Evaluation was performed on a scale of 1 to 5 points (5 levels), with the bitterness intensity of only the above-mentioned (A) ergothioneine (10 mg) being 5 points (control group 1) and the case where no bitterness derived from ergothioneine was felt being 1 point. The evaluations of the three panelists were counted, and the average values ​​are shown in Table 1. 5 points: Strong bitterness from ergothioneine 4 points: Feel the bitter taste from ergothioneine 3 points: Slightly bitter taste from ergothioneine 2 points: The bitter taste from ergothioneine is not noticeable 1 point: No bitter taste from ergothioneine

[0042] Evaluation criteria for off-flavor derived from (B) glucosamine hydrochloride The evaluation was conducted on a scale of 1 to 5 points (5 levels), with the intensity of the unique odor of only the above-mentioned (B) glucosamine hydrochloride (10 mg), which was accompanied by saltiness, sweetness remaining on the tongue, and astringency being 5 points (control group 2), and 1 point being the case where no odor from glucosamine hydrochloride was felt. The evaluations of the three panelists were counted, and the average values ​​are shown in Table 1. 5 points: Strong odor from glucosamine hydrochloride 4 points: The unpleasant smell from glucosamine hydrochloride is felt 3 points: Slightly detectable odor from glucosamine hydrochloride 2 points: The odor from glucosamine hydrochloride is not noticeable 1 point: No odor from glucosamine hydrochloride is detected

[0043] When the average values ​​of the bitterness evaluation derived from ergothioneine and the offensive taste evaluation derived from glucosamine hydrochloride are both less than 4.0 points, it is evaluated that the bitterness derived from ergothioneine and the offensive taste derived from glucosamine hydrochloride are suppressed.

[0044] [Table 1]

[0045] When glucosamine hydrochloride is not allocated, the bitter taste (control group 1) of the piercing tongue from thioneine can be strongly felt.On the other hand, when only having glucosamine hydrochloride, the peculiar smell (control group 2) from glucosamine hydrochloride can be strongly felt.In samples 2 to 7 and sample 9 that are 0.2 to 150 scopes at (B) glucosamine hydrochloride (glucosamine conversion) relative to the weight ratio ((B) / (A)) of (A) thioneine, the bitter taste from thioneine and the peculiar smell from glucosamine hydrochloride are both effectively alleviated.

Claims

1. An oral composition, characterized in that Contains the following ingredients (A) and (B): (A) ergothioneine or a salt thereof, and (B) glucosamine compounds, The weight ratio of the component (B) (calculated as glucosamine) to the component (A) (calculated as ergothioneine), that is, (B) / (A) is 0.2 to 150.

2. The composition according to claim 1, characterized in that The glucosamine compound is at least one selected from the group consisting of glucosamine, its derivatives, and salts thereof.

3. The composition according to claim 2, characterized in that The derivative of glucosamine is a compound in which at least one hydrogen atom of the hydroxyl group and / or the amino group of glucosamine is substituted with an acyl group and / or an alkyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms.

4. The composition according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that It is a food and drink.

5. A method for suppressing the bitter taste from ergothioneine or its salt and the peculiar smell from glucosamine compounds, characterized in that, In an oral composition containing the following ingredients (A) and (B): (A) ergothioneine or a salt thereof, and (B) glucosamine compounds, The weight ratio of the component (B) (calculated as glucosamine) to the component (A) (calculated as ergothioneine), that is, (B) / (A), is adjusted to 0.2 to 150.

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