Equol-containing composition and method for producing the same

Abstract

To provide an equol-containing composition that has reduced bitterness, in particular an equol-containing composition that has reduced bitterness and is not or essentially not restricted in application to foods.SOLUTION: The present invention provides an equol-containing composition having an equol-containing substance and at least one masking agent selected from the group consisting of thaumatin and Siraitia grosvenorii extract, where the equol-containing composition furthermore has at least one sweetener selected from the group consisting of aspartame, neotame, advantame, acesulfame potassium, stevia, curculin, monellin, monatin, miraculin, and hernandulcin as needed.SELECTED DRAWING: None

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an equol-containing composition, particularly an equol-containing composition having a masking agent and an equol-containing substance, and more particularly an equol-containing composition containing at least one masking agent selected from thaumatin and Momordica Rosa extract and an equol-containing substance. The present invention also relates to a method for producing the composition. [Background technology]

[0002] Isoflavones, which are found in large quantities in legumes such as soybeans and kudzu, are a type of polyphenol and a flavonoid whose basic structure is isoflavone. Recent research has revealed that isoflavones have female hormone (estrogen) and antioxidant effects, and that ingesting isoflavones has a preventive effect against breast cancer, prostate cancer, osteoporosis, hypercholesterolemia, heart disease, menopausal disorders, and other conditions. For example, in soybeans, isoflavones exist as glycosides covalently bound to sugars, such as daidzin, glycitin, and genistin, and only small amounts of aglycones exist. Some of these glycosides are further malonylated or acetylated. When these glycosides enter the human or animal body, they are converted to daidzein, glycitein, and genistein, respectively, by the action of digestive enzymes or β-glucosidase, an enzyme produced by intestinal bacteria. Furthermore, it is known that daidzein is enzymatically converted by the action of intestinal bacteria to dihydrodaidzein, and then to O-desmethylangolensin (O-DMA) or equol.

[0003] Of these metabolic products, equol is known to have the highest estrogenic activity. However, in humans, there are individual differences in isoflavone metabolism, and as mentioned above, only a few people possess intestinal bacteria capable of fermenting daidzein to produce equol, with the rate of such bacteria being approximately 50% in Japanese and approximately 30% in Westerners. Therefore, there has been a problem in that people who do not possess equol-producing bacteria are unable to produce equol in their bodies even if they ingest legume foods such as soybeans. To overcome these problems, attempts have been made to produce equol ex vivo using anaerobic microorganisms such as lactic acid bacteria (Patent Documents 1 to 4).

[0004] The equol-containing fermented soybean hypocotyl obtained in this manner has a bitter taste, which has been a problem when ingesting equol. In order to reduce this bitterness, Patent Document 5 employs a method of blending cocoa mass. Although cocoa mass can mask the bitterness, there are problems in that the bitterness of the cocoa mass remains, and the flavor, particularly the aroma, of the cocoa mass remains, limiting the uses of the obtained equol-containing fermented soybean hypocotyl as a food product.

[0005] Moreover, Patent Document 6 employs a method of extracting with an aqueous ethanol solution in order to reduce the bitterness of saponin. However, extraction with an aqueous ethanol solution has a problem in that the extraction step requires a lot of work. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] JP 2006-204296 A. [Patent Document 2] Special Publication No. 2006-504409. [Patent Document 3] JP 2008-61584 A. [Patent Document 4] JP 2010-104241 A. [Patent Document 5] WO2008 / 153158. [Patent Document 6] JP 2013-188220 A. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an equol-containing composition with reduced bitterness. Specifically, an object of the present invention is to provide an equol-containing composition with reduced bitterness that has no or almost no limitations on its application to foods. Another object of the present invention is to provide an equol-containing composition that requires less processing effort and has a reduced bitterness, other than or in addition to the above object. A further object of the present invention is to provide a food product containing the equol-containing composition, other than or in addition to the above object. Another object of the present invention is to provide a method for producing the above-mentioned equol-containing composition, other than or in addition to the above-mentioned object. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In order to solve the above problems, the present inventors have discovered the following invention. <1> An equol-containing composition comprising at least one masking agent selected from the group consisting of thaumatin and swingle extract, and an equol-containing substance. <2> the above <1> In the above, the masking agent is preferably thaumatin.

[0009] <3> the above <1> or <2> In the present specification, the equol-containing composition contains 0.1 to 20 parts by weight, preferably 0.5 to 12 parts by weight, more preferably 1 to 10 parts by weight, and most preferably 2 to 7 parts by weight of a masking agent relative to 5.6 parts by weight of isoflavone. In this specification, isoflavone refers to daidzein, genistein, and glycitein.

[0010] <4> the above <1> ~ <3> In any of the above, the equol-containing composition contains saponin, and the equol-containing composition contains 0.1 to 20 parts by weight, preferably 0.5 to 12 parts by weight, more preferably 1 to 10 parts by weight, and most preferably 2 to 7 parts by weight of a masking agent per 30 parts by weight of saponin. <5> the above <1> ~ <4> In any of the above, the equol-containing composition preferably contains 0.1 to 20 parts by weight, preferably 0.5 to 12 parts by weight, more preferably 1 to 10 parts by weight, and most preferably 2 to 7 parts by weight of a masking agent per 1000 parts by weight of the equol-containing substance.

[0011] <6> the above <1> ~ <5> In any one of the above, it is preferable that the composition further contains at least one sweetener selected from the group consisting of aspartame, neotame, advantame, acesulfame potassium, stevia, curculin, monellin, monatin, miraculin, and hernandurcin.

[0012] <7> the above <1> ~ <6> In any one of the above, the sweetener may be aspartame and / or acesulfame potassium, preferably aspartame.

[0013] <8> the above <1> ~ <7> In any one of the above, the equol-containing composition contains 3 to 20 parts by weight, preferably 5 to 15 parts by weight, and more preferably 7 to 12 parts by weight of the sweetener per 5.6 parts by weight of isoflavone.

[0014] <9> the above <1> ~ <8> In any one of the above, the equol-containing composition contains saponin, and the equol-containing composition preferably contains 3 to 20 parts by weight, preferably 5 to 15 parts by weight, and more preferably 7 to 12 parts by weight of a sweetener per 30 parts by weight of saponin. <10> the above <1> ~ <9> In any of the above, the equol-containing composition preferably contains 3 to 20 parts by weight, preferably 5 to 15 parts by weight, and more preferably 7 to 12 parts by weight of a sweetener per 1000 parts by weight of the equol-containing substance.

[0015] <11> the above <1> ~ <10> A food product comprising the equol-containing composition described in any one of the above.

[0016] <12> (A) preparing an equol-containing substance; and (B) adding and mixing at least one masking agent selected from the group consisting of thaumatin and swingle extract to the equol-containing substance; The present invention relates to a method for producing an equol-containing composition, the method comprising the steps of: obtaining an equol-containing composition comprising at least one masking agent selected from the group consisting of thaumatin and Momordica monk extract; and producing an equol-containing substance.

[0017] <13> the above <12> In the above, the equol-containing material is in a liquid state, and the liquid is preferably subjected to the step (B) and then subjected to a step of drying the liquid. <14> the above <12> In the above, the equol-containing material is preferably in a solid form, and step (B) is preferably carried out on the solid form.

[0018] <15> the above <12> ~ <14> In any one of the above, before the step (B), or approximately simultaneously with the step (B), or after the step (B), (C) adding and mixing at least one sweetener other than the masking agent, the sweetener being selected from the group consisting of aspartame, neotame, advantame, acesulfame potassium, stevia, curculin, monellin, monatin, miraculin, and hernandurcin; It is preferable to have Effect of the Invention

[0019] The present invention makes it possible to provide an equol-containing composition with reduced bitterness. Furthermore, the present invention can provide an equol-containing composition with reduced bitterness that has no or almost no limitations on its application to foods, in addition to or in addition to the above effects. Furthermore, the present invention can provide an equol-containing composition that requires less processing effort and has a reduced bitterness, other than or in addition to the above effects.

[0020] Furthermore, the present invention can provide foods that contain the equol-containing composition, other than or in addition to the above effects. Furthermore, the present invention can provide a method for producing the above-mentioned equol-containing composition, in addition to or in addition to the above-mentioned effects. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0021] The present application provides an equol-containing composition with reduced bitterness, particularly an equol-containing composition comprising an equol-containing substance and at least one masking agent selected from the group consisting of thaumatin and Momordica monk extract. The present application also provides a food product containing the equol-containing composition. The present application further provides the equol-containing composition.

[0022] <Equol-containing composition> The equol-containing composition of the present invention comprises an equol-containing substance and at least one masking agent selected from the group consisting of thaumatin and Momordica Rosa extract (Group A). <<Masking agent>> The masking agent is at least one selected from Group A, and is preferably thaumatin.

[0023] The amount of the masking agent in the equol-containing composition is not particularly limited as long as it is an amount that is effective in suppressing bitterness, but it is preferable to include the masking agent in the following amounts. The equol-containing composition preferably contains 0.1 to 20 parts by weight, preferably 0.5 to 12 parts by weight, more preferably 1 to 10 parts by weight, and most preferably 2 to 7 parts by weight of a masking agent per 5.6 parts by weight of isoflavone. When Momordica flower extract is used as the masking agent, the Momordica flower extract is preferably contained in an amount of 2 to 6 parts by weight, preferably 2 to 3 parts by weight, per 5.6 parts by weight of isoflavone.

[0024] For example, when the equol-containing composition contains saponin, the equol-containing composition preferably contains 0.1 to 20 parts by weight, preferably 0.5 to 12 parts by weight, more preferably 1 to 10 parts by weight, and most preferably 2 to 7 parts by weight of a masking agent per 30 parts by weight of saponin. When Momordica flower extract is used as the masking agent, the equol-containing composition preferably contains 2 to 6 parts by weight, preferably 2 to 3 parts by weight of Momordica flower extract per 30 parts by weight of saponin.

[0025] The masking agent is contained in an amount of 0.1 to 20 parts by weight, preferably 0.5 to 12 parts by weight, more preferably 1 to 10 parts by weight, and most preferably 2 to 7 parts by weight, per 1000 parts by weight of the equol-containing substance.When Momordica flower extract is used as the masking agent, the Momordica flower extract is contained in an amount of 2 to 6 parts by weight, preferably 2 to 3 parts by weight, per 1000 parts by weight of the equol-containing substance.

[0026] <<Contains equol>> The equol-containing substance is not particularly limited as long as it contains equol. The equol-containing material may be a commercially available equol-containing material or may be an equol-containing material produced by oneself. The equol-containing material is preferably an equol-containing fermented product, more preferably an equol-containing fermented soybean hypocotyl product or an equol-containing fermented soybean hypocotyl extract. For example, when the equol-containing material is an equol-containing fermented soybean hypocotyl product, the equol-containing material contains components derived from the equol-containing fermented soybean hypocotyl product. When the equol-containing material is an equol-containing fermented soybean hypocotyl extract, the equol-containing material contains components derived from the equol-containing fermented soybean hypocotyl extract.

[0027] The equol-containing fermented soybean hypocotyl or the equol-containing fermented soybean hypocotyl extract may be in liquid or solid form. The equol-containing composition may also be in liquid or solid form, but is preferably in solid form, and more preferably in powder form.

[0028] The components derived from the equol-containing fermented soybean hypocotyl depend on the production method, but may include, but are not limited to, daidzein, genistein, glycitein, saponin, oils and fats, proteins, and the like.

[0029] When the equol-containing material is an equol-containing fermented soybean hypocotyl or an equol-containing fermented soybean hypocotyl extract, the equol-containing fermented soybean hypocotyl or equol-containing fermented soybean hypocotyl extract may be commercially available or may be produced in-house. When producing an equol-containing fermented soybean hypocotyl or an equol-containing fermented soybean hypocotyl extract, it can be produced by a conventionally known production method.

[0030] <<Sweetener>> The equol-containing composition of the present invention may contain a sweetener in addition to the masking agent. The sweetener is preferably at least one selected from the group (Group B) consisting of aspartame, neotame, advantame, acesulfame potassium, stevia, curculin, monellin, monatin, miraculin, and hernandurcin. The sweetener is preferably aspartame and / or acesulfame potassium, more preferably aspartame.

[0031] When the equol-containing composition of the present invention contains a sweetener, the sweetener is contained in an amount of 3 to 20 parts by weight, preferably 5 to 15 parts by weight, and more preferably 7 to 12 parts by weight, per 5.6 parts by weight of isoflavone. Furthermore, for example, when the equol-containing composition contains saponin, the equol-containing composition preferably contains 3 to 20 parts by weight, preferably 5 to 15 parts by weight, and more preferably 7 to 12 parts by weight of a sweetener per 30 parts by weight of saponin.

[0032] Furthermore, the sweetener is contained in an amount of 3 to 20 parts by weight, preferably 5 to 15 parts by weight, and more preferably 7 to 12 parts by weight, per 1000 parts by weight of the equol-containing substance. By setting the masking agent content and the sweetener content within the above ranges, it is possible to provide an equol-containing composition with reduced bitterness, in particular an equol-containing composition that has a moderate sweetness and reduced bitterness.

[0033] The equol-containing composition of the present invention may be in any form as long as it contains an equol-containing substance, a masking agent, and optionally a sweetener. Furthermore, it may contain components other than the equol-containing substance and the masking agent, and when a sweetener is contained, it may contain components other than the equol-containing substance, the masking agent, and the sweetener.

[0034] <Food with equol-containing composition> The present application provides a food product having an equol-containing composition. Herein, "equol-containing composition" has the same definition as above. Examples of foods that use soybean flour include, but are not limited to, supplements, mochi, warabimochi, toast, shiratama dango, ice cream, jelly, gummies, candy, juice, chocolate, cookies, and biscuits.

[0035] <Method of producing an equol-containing composition having a masking agent and an equol-containing substance> The present application provides a method for producing an equol-containing composition having a masking agent and an equol-containing substance. The equol-containing composition having a masking agent and an equol-containing substance can be produced, for example, as follows. (A) preparing an equol-containing substance; and (B) adding and mixing at least one masking agent selected from the group consisting of thaumatin, stevia, aspartame, and swingle extract with the equol-containing substance; By having the above, it is possible to obtain an equol-containing composition containing an equol-containing substance and at least one masking agent selected from the group consisting of thaumatin, stevia, aspartame, and Momordica flower extract. Here, the terms "equol-containing substance" and "masking agent" have the same definitions as those described above. The amount of the "masking agent" added can be the same as the amount of the "masking agent" contained in the above-mentioned "masking agent."

[0036] Step (A) is a step of preparing an equol-containing substance. Note that the definition of "equol-containing substance" is the same as that described above. Preparing the equol-containing product includes obtaining a commercially available equol-containing product and / or manufacturing the equol-containing product.

[0037] Step (B) is a step of adding a masking agent to the equol-containing material and mixing them. The masking agent, as described above, has the same definition as "masking agent" above. The amount of the masking agent depends on the amount of equol contained in the equol-containing product, the amount of saponin contained in the equol-containing product, etc. The amount of the masking agent added is preferably the same as the amount contained in the above-mentioned "masking agent."

[0038] When the equol-containing material is in liquid form, step (B) is preferably performed by adding a masking agent to the liquid equol-containing material and mixing it. The liquid is then preferably dried to form a solid, particularly a powder. The addition and mixing of the masking agent can be performed by a conventional method. Furthermore, when the equol-containing substance is in a solid form, the (B) step is preferably performed by adding a masking agent to the solid equol-containing substance and mixing them. If the masking agent is in a solid form, particularly in a powder form, and the equol-containing substance is in a powder form, they can be mixed by a conventionally known method. Alternatively, the solid masking agent may be dissolved in a solvent such as water to make it liquid, and the liquid may be added to the equol-containing substance and mixed. In this case, it is preferable to carry out a step of drying the solvent such as water to make it solid, particularly in a powder form.

[0039] Before step (B), or approximately simultaneously with step (B), or after step (B), (C) adding and mixing at least one sweetener selected from the group consisting of aspartame, neotame, advantame, acesulfame potassium, stevia, curculin, monellin, monatin, miraculin, and hernandurcin; It is preferable to have The "sweetener" has the same definition as the above-mentioned "sweetener", and the amount added should be the same as the content of the "sweetener".

[0040] The amount of sweetener will depend on the amount of equol and the amount of saponin contained in the equol-containing product, but it is appropriate to use, for example, 3 to 20 parts by weight, preferably 5 to 15 parts by weight, and more preferably 7 to 12 parts by weight per 1,000 parts by weight of the equol-containing product.

[0041] If the sweetener is liquid, it is preferable to mix them in the same manner as when the masking agent is liquid, and if the sweetener is solid, it is preferable to mix them in the same manner as when the masking agent is solid.

[0042] The method for producing an equol-containing composition of the present invention may include steps other than steps (A) and (B). When the method for producing an equol-containing composition of the present invention includes step (C), it may include steps other than steps (A), (B), and (C). Such steps include, but are not limited to, a step of producing an equol-containing product, a drying step of turning the above-mentioned liquid into a solid, a pulverizing step of turning the solid into a powder, etc. It should be noted that the drying step, pulverizing step, etc. may be carried out by a conventionally known method. The present invention will be described based on examples, but the scope of the present invention is not limited to the following examples. EXAMPLES

[0043] [Production Example 1] (Enzyme treatment) Soybean germ (manufactured by Fuji Oil) was pulverized using a Waring blender. Deionized water was added to 27 g of the pulverized soybean germ, and the pH was adjusted to 4 to 7 to make 135 mL. 270 mg of Pectinase G Amano was added thereto, and aglyconization was carried out with stirring at 50°C for 20 to 24 hours to obtain an enzyme-treated liquid.

[0044] (seed culture) 5.9 g of GAM bouillon medium (manufactured by Nissui Pharmaceutical) and 1.2 g of L-arginine hydrochloride were dissolved in 100 mL of pure water, and 20 mL of each was dispensed into 18 mm test tubes for culturing anaerobic bacteria (manufactured by Sanshin Kogyo) while nitrogen gas was passed through them. The tubes were then sealed with butyl rubber stoppers and plastic caps and sterilized at 115°C for 15 minutes. This medium was inoculated with Asaccharobacter celatus DSM18785 strain that had been frozen and stored at -80°C, and the gas phase was replaced with hydrogen gas that had been passed through a sterile filter for more than 2 minutes. After that, the medium was cultured with shaking at 37°C and 200 spm for 20 hours to obtain a seed culture solution.

[0045] (fermentation) L-arginine hydrochloride and GAM bouillon medium were added to the enzyme-treated liquid to make 180 mL, which was then sterilized in a steam autoclave at 115°C for 15 minutes. After cooling to room temperature, the above-mentioned seed culture liquid was inoculated and the gas phase was aseptically replaced with hydrogen gas for at least 2 minutes. Fermentation was then carried out under shaking culture conditions at 37°C and 250 spm to obtain a post-fermentation culture liquid.

[0046] (Powderization) The above-mentioned post-fermentation culture solution was heated at 80°C for 10 minutes and freeze-dried to obtain an equol-containing soybean germ fermented product. The contents of equol, daidzein, genistein, glycitein, and saponin in this fermented product were measured by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and the following results were obtained. The conditions for the HPLC method can be exemplified as follows, but are not limited to these.

[0047] [High performance liquid chromatography conditions] Column: Phenomenox Luna 5uC18, 2.0mm x 150mm (Shimadzu GLC) Mobile phase: Water / methanol [55:45, v / v] Flow rate: 0.2mL / min Column temperature: 40℃ Detection: UV280nm Retention times: daidzein 19.6 min, glycitein 22.5 min, equol 25.6 min, genistein 35.0 min

[0048] The saponin analysis was carried out as follows. The specimen (equivalent to 1 mg of saponin) was extracted with a mixture of 1 mL of water and 18 mL of methanol. The insoluble matter was further extracted with 20 mL of methanol, and the extracts were mixed. Methanol was removed from this mixture by vacuum concentration. 10 mL of 10% hydrochloric acid in methanol was added, and the mixture was heated to reflux at 80°C for 2 hours, after which ethanol was added and this was used as a sample for HPLC analysis. 10 mg of each of the standards of soyasapogenol A (molecular weight: 474.72) and soyasapogenol B (molecular weight: 458.73) were precisely weighed into a 100 mL measuring flask, dissolved in ethanol, and adjusted to the specified volume to prepare standard solutions. The contents of soybean saponin Ab (molecular weight: 1437.52) and soybean saponin Bb (molecular weight: 943.12) were calculated from the molecular weights of soyasapogenol A and soyasapogenol B.

[0049] [High performance liquid chromatography conditions] Column: Inertsil ODS-2 5 μm, φ2.0 mm × 150 mm (GL Sciences) Mobile phase: acetonitrile / 1% acetic acid water = 7:3 Flow rate: 0.2mL / min Column temperature: 40℃ Detection: UV 210nm Retention times: Sapogenol A 6.78 min, Sapogenol B 14.13 min

[0050] Content Equol 4.5mg / g Daidzein 1.7mg / g Genistein 0.29mg / g Glycitein 3.6mg / g Saponin 30mg / g

[0051] [Example 1] Acesulfame K, aspartame, sucralose, thaumatin, Luo Han Guo extract (containing 72% mogroside V), and one of stevia extract (containing 80.0% or more steviol glycosides) were added to the equol-containing soybean germ fermented product obtained in Production Example 1 and mixed thoroughly to obtain an equol-containing composition. The equol-containing composition was tasted by five panelists. The amount of addition was calculated to provide the same sweetness as sugar. The taste test was conducted while rinsing the mouth with tap water as necessary, since sweetness or bitterness remained in the mouth. The bitterness of the additive-free product was rated as 5, the sweetness as 1, and the sweetness of the product with the same weight of sugar added as the fermented soybean germ product as 5, were rated on a 5-point scale. The results are shown in Table 1. From Table 1, it can be seen that the addition of Acesulfame K, Aspartame, and Sucralose produced a sweet taste but also a bitter taste, and was not effective enough. On the other hand, Thaumatin and Luo Han Guo Extract did not produce much sweetness, but reduced the bitterness, demonstrating their usefulness as masking agents.

[0052] [Table 1]

[0053] [Example 2] An equol-containing composition was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1, except that the additive was thaumatin and its amount was changed to the amount shown in Table 2. The composition was then subjected to a tasting test by five panelists in the same manner as in Example 1. The results are shown in Table 2. As can be seen from Table 2, by increasing the amount of thaumatin added, the sweetness was weakened but the bitterness was reduced. According to the panelists who tasted the samples, by increasing the amount of thaumatin added, the taste became closer to that of soybean flour.

[0054] [Table 2]

[0055] [Example 3] An equol-containing composition was obtained in the same manner as in Examples 1 and 2, except that the additive was changed to Monk Fruit Extract in an amount shown in Table 3. The composition was then subjected to tasting by a panel of five people in the same manner as in Examples 1 and 2. The results are shown in Table 3. As can be seen from Table 3, by increasing the amount of Monk Fruit Extract added, the sweetness gradually increases and the bitterness decreases, but increasing the amount produces a bitterness different from that of the equol-containing soybean germ fermented product.

[0056] [Table 3]

[0057] [Example 4] An equol-containing composition was obtained in the same manner as in Examples 1 to 3, except that the additives were changed to aspartame and thaumatin shown in Table 4 and their amounts were changed to those shown in Table 4. The composition was subjected to tasting by five panelists in the same manner as in Examples 1 to 3. The results are shown in Table 4.

[0058] From Table 4, it was found that increasing the amount of aspartame increases the sweetness, and reduces the bitterness suppressing effect of adding thaumatin. Furthermore, from Table 4, and particularly from Examples 4-3 to 4-7, it was found that too much thaumatin causes bitterness to be felt. Furthermore, according to the panelists, increasing the amount of aspartame caused a lingering sweetness to be felt. Furthermore, according to the panelists, it was found that, overall, a flavor similar to soybean powdered sugar was felt. From the above, it was found that an aspartame content of 5 to 10 parts by weight provides a moderate sweetness, and a thaumatin content of 2 to 7 parts by weight can mask the lingering bitterness.

[0059] [Table 4]

[0060] [Reference example 2] The bitterness-reduced equol-containing composition of Example 4-4 was used in 1) mochi, 2) warabimochi, 3) toast, 4) shiratama dango, and 5) ice cream, and was tried to be ingested as food. 1) Mochi Commercially available cut rice cakes were soaked in water and then heated in a microwave oven to soften them. The rice cakes were then sprinkled with the equol-containing composition of Example 4-4, which had reduced bitterness, and a panel of people tasted them. The panelists said that the taste was similar to kinako mochi and was delicious. 2) Warabimochi A panel of people tasted the commercially available warabimochi coated with the equol-containing composition with reduced bitterness of Example 4-4. The panelists said that the taste was comparable to that of the soybean powder sugar that came with the warabimochi.

[0061] 3) Toast A slice of commercially available bread (one of six slices) was toasted in a toaster and spread with margarine. The equol-containing composition with reduced bitterness of Example 4-4 was sprinkled on the slice, and a panel of people tasted it. The panelists said it tasted the same as toast sprinkled with soybean flour. 4) Shiratama dango Commercially available shiratama flour was mixed with water and then rolled into balls of about 3 cm in size. The balls were placed in boiling water and the balls that rose to the top were scooped up. The balls were then sprinkled with the equol-containing composition of Example 4-4 with reduced bitterness, and a panel of people tasted them. The panelists said that they could eat the balls without any bitterness, and that they tasted like soybean flour shiratama dumplings. 5) Ice Cream A panel of people tasted a commercially available vanilla ice cream that was sprinkled with the equol-containing composition with reduced bitterness of Example 4-4. The panelists commented that the vanilla flavor of the ice cream had a Japanese taste and was easy to eat without feeling any bitterness.

Claims

[Claim 1] At least one masking agent selected from the group consisting of thaumatin and monk fruit extract. and an equol-containing composition having an equol-containing substance.