Method for evaluating mastication target object and system for evaluating mastication target object

Abstract

To properly evaluate change of taste during mastication.SOLUTION: A method for evaluating a mastication target object includes: a pseudo-mastication step of compressing a mastication target object with the upper jig and the lower jig of a pseudo-oral cavity and supplying pseudo-saliva simulating saliva into the masticatory object; a discharge step of discharging, from the pseudo-oral cavity, a recovery liquid that is a part of the mastication target object while executing the pseudo-mastication step; a measurement step of measuring, in a time series, a mechanical property applied to the mastication target object in the compression of the pseudo-mastication step and the value relating to the taste of the recovery liquid; and an evaluation step of evaluating the mastication target object in accordance with measurement values measured in the time series.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a method and a system for evaluating a chewing object. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, for example, evaluation of food taste has been attracting attention, with the aim of providing foods that suit human preferences.

[0003] One method for evaluating the taste of food is, for example, to measure and evaluate values ​​related to the taste of the food itself. The taste of the food itself refers to the amount of components that make up the taste of the food itself, such as the amount of salt, sugar, or spicy components contained in the food. This method can estimate the taste of food before a person has chewed it. However, this method may not be able to estimate the taste of food during chewing.

[0004] Therefore, another method for evaluating food is, for example, a method of measuring and evaluating values ​​related to the taste of food after simulated mastication. The taste of food after simulated mastication refers to, for example, the taste (salt content, sugar content, amount of spicy components, etc.) after a simulated mastication action (hereinafter referred to as simulated mastication) is performed on the target food. Simulated mastication is a process that simulates the formation of a food bolus caused by a mastication action by, for example, crushing or grinding the food, or the addition of saliva in a mastication action by adding simulated saliva (a liquid that mimics the components and mechanical properties of saliva). This method makes it possible to estimate the taste of food caused by human mastication.

[0005] Techniques relating to the evaluation of food taste are disclosed below. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2022-183140 [Patent Document 2] WO2022 / 250167 publication [Patent Document 3] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-162731 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] However, in reality, human mastication involves gradually chewing and grinding food to form a bolus. Furthermore, human mastication involves gradually adding saliva. Furthermore, human mastication may involve swallowing portions of food that have been placed in the mouth little by little.

[0008] As such, no method has been disclosed for properly measuring and evaluating taste and changes in taste during mastication.

[0009] Therefore, one disclosure provides a method and system for evaluating a chewing object that can properly evaluate changes in taste during chewing. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] One disclosure includes a pseudo-chewing step of compressing a chewing object with an upper jig and a lower jig in a pseudo-mouth and injecting pseudo-saliva that simulates saliva into the chewing object; a discharging step of discharging a recovered liquid that is a part of the chewing object from the pseudo-mouth while performing the pseudo-chewing step; a measuring step of measuring, in time series, mechanical properties applied to the chewing object during the compression in the pseudo-chewing step and values ​​related to the taste of the recovered liquid; and an evaluation step of evaluating the chewing object in accordance with the measured values ​​measured in time series. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] One disclosure allows for proper evaluation of changes in taste during chewing. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1]FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a mastication object evaluation system 10. As shown in FIG. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the mastication object evaluation device 100. As shown in FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the simulated mastication device 200. As shown in FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a schematic diagram of the simulated chewing device 200. As shown in FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a processing flowchart of the measurement process S100. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the salt concentration and impulse of cheese. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] [First embodiment] A first embodiment will be described.

[0014] <Configuration example of mastication object evaluation system 10> FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a chewing object evaluation system 10. The chewing object evaluation system 10 includes a chewing object evaluation device 100 and a simulated chewing device 200. The chewing object evaluation system 10 is a system that performs simulated chewing of food using the simulated chewing device 200, measures the taste and mechanical property values ​​during the simulated chewing, and evaluates the food from the measurement results. The chewing object is something that a person may place in their mouth and chew, and includes, for example, food and medicine. Note that the chewing object hereinafter will be described using food as an example.

[0015] The simulated mastication device 200 performs simulated mastication on the food that is fed into it. The simulated mastication simulates the actions of a human chewing food (including, for example, crushing, compressing, and grinding) and adding saliva. In the simulated mastication, the simulated mastication device 200 crushes or grinds the food, or adds simulated saliva to the food. Furthermore, while continuing the simulated mastication (including at the end of the simulated mastication), the simulated mastication device 200 expels part or all of the crushed or ground food to which the simulated saliva has been added (hereinafter, may be referred to as a food bolus).

[0016] The simulated mastication device 200 measures components related to the taste of the discharged food bolus (hereinafter, may be referred to as recovered liquid) every time a discharge process is performed. In addition, the simulated mastication device 200 measures mechanical property values ​​applied to the food during simulated mastication. The simulated mastication device 200 transmits (outputs) these measurement values ​​to the mastication object evaluation device 100.

[0017] The mastication object evaluation device 100 evaluates the target food from the measurement values ​​acquired from the simulated mastication device 200. The mastication object evaluation device 100 analyzes, for example, the relationship between the change in taste of the simulated masticated food over time and the impulse, and evaluates the target food.

[0018] <Configuration Example of Mastication Object Evaluation Device 100> 2 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the mastication object evaluation device 100. The mastication object evaluation device 100 has a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 110, a storage 120, a memory 130, a communication circuit 140, and a display 150.

[0019] The storage 120 is an auxiliary storage device that stores programs and data, such as a flash memory, a hard disk drive (HDD), or a solid state drive (SSD). The storage 120 stores a measurement program 121 and a mastication object evaluation program 122.

[0020] The memory 130 is an area into which the programs stored in the storage 120 are loaded. The memory 130 may also be used as an area in which the programs store data.

[0021] The communication circuit 140 is a wired or wireless interface that connects to the simulated chewing device 200. The mastication object evaluation device 100 controls the simulated chewing device 200 and acquires measurement values ​​of the simulated chewing device 200 via the communication circuit 140.

[0022] Display 150 is a screen or display unit that displays, for example, measurement values, analysis results of the measurement values, food evaluation results, etc. Display 150 may be, for example, an integrated type or an externally connected type.

[0023] The CPU 110 is a processor that loads a program stored in the storage 120 into the memory 130, executes the loaded program, configures each unit, and realizes each process.

[0024] The CPU 110 executes the measurement program 121 to configure a measurement unit and perform measurement processing. The measurement processing is processing for measuring values ​​related to a food by simulating mastication of the food. Measurement targets include physical properties (mechanical property values, etc.) and chemical properties (taste, components of eluted substances, etc.). In the measurement processing, the mastication object evaluation device 100 causes the simulative mastication device 200 to measure values ​​related to mechanical property values ​​and taste during simulative mastication, and acquires the measurement values.

[0025] The CPU 110 executes the chewing object evaluation program 122 to configure an evaluation unit and perform a chewing object evaluation process. The chewing object evaluation process is a process for evaluating changes in the food based on acquired measurement values. In the chewing object evaluation process, the chewing object evaluation device 100 analyzes, for example, feature amounts calculated from the measurement values ​​or the measurement values ​​themselves, and evaluates changes in the food due to chewing.

[0026] <Configuration example of simulated mastication device 200> 3 is a diagram showing a configuration example of the simulated mastication device 200. The simulated mastication device 200 has an upper jig 201, a lower jig 202 (hereinafter, at least one of the upper jig 201 and the lower jig 202 may be referred to as a jig), a simulated saliva injection section 203, an outlet 204, and a wall 205. The simulated mastication device 200 performs simulated mastication in a state in which food is placed between the upper jig 201 and the lower jig 202 within the wall 205. Note that the start and stop of simulated mastication, the compressive force applied to the food by the jigs, the introduction of simulated saliva, the discharge of recovered liquid, and the like in the simulated mastication device 200 are controlled by, for example, the mastication object evaluation device 100 or a tester.

[0027] For example, the upper jig 201 and the lower jig 202 approach (or come into contact with) the upper jig 201 by pushing up the lower jig 202, thereby compressing (crushing) the food between the upper jig 201 and the lower jig 202. Furthermore, the upper jig 201 and the lower jig 202 may be subjected to a force that causes them to rotate around the center of the jig as an axis, thereby crushing the food between them. Furthermore, the lower jig 202 may move in conjunction with (for example, in the opposite direction to) the upper jig 201 during simulated chewing. That is, the upper jig 201 is a simulated upper tooth that simulates a human's upper teeth, and the lower jig 202 is a simulated lower tooth that simulates a human's lower teeth.

[0028] The artificial saliva injection section 203 is a hole opened in a part of the wall 205, and artificial saliva is injected into the inside of the wall 205 (above the lower jig 202) at a predetermined timing. The artificial saliva is initially injected, for example, at the start of simulated chewing. The predetermined timing may also be a timing linked to the movement of the upper jig 201 and the lower jig 202.

[0029] The wall 205 is made of, for example, transparent acrylic or glass, and prevents food crushed by simulated mastication and simulated saliva from leaking out. That is, the simulated mastication device 200 has the wall 205 to simulate the inside of a human mouth, and for example, the space surrounded by the wall 205, the upper jig 201, and the lower jig 202 can be simulated as the space inside a human mouth (hereinafter, may be referred to as a simulated mouth).

[0030] Discharge outlet 204 is configured, for example, as a cylindrical pipe, and discharges a portion of the food (recovered liquid) during simulated mastication. Discharge is performed, for example, at predetermined intervals. The recovered liquid is supplied directly to taste detector 207, for example, via an extension pipe connected to discharge outlet 204.

[0031] The recovered liquid acquisition portion 208 is a suction hole opened in the lower jig 202 and is an opening for recovering the recovered liquid.

[0032] <Measurement using the simulated chewing device 200> The simulated mastication device 200 measures taste and mechanical property values ​​during simulated mastication. FIG.

[0033] In the simulated chewing, the simulated chewing device 200 simulates the human action of chewing food with teeth or grinding food with teeth by, for example, moving the lower jig 202 while adding small amounts of simulated saliva little by little.

[0034] During simulated mastication, the simulated mastication device 200 acquires a small amount of recovered liquid (including a mixture of food and simulated saliva during simulated mastication) in a recovered liquid acquisition unit 208 and discharges it from a discharge port 204 via a recovered liquid passage 206. The recovered liquid passage 206 is connected to a recovered liquid acquisition unit 208 opened in the upper surface of the lower jig 202, and by applying suction from the discharge port 204 with a predetermined force, a substantially predetermined amount of recovered liquid can be discharged. Furthermore, by providing the recovered liquid acquisition unit 208 in the lower jig 202, it becomes possible to discharge the recovered liquid without stopping the simulated mastication. Furthermore, in order to prevent the recovered liquid from leaking from the recovered liquid acquisition unit 208 at times other than the discharge timing, the recovered liquid acquisition unit 208 may be, for example, an openable / closable type or may be sufficiently small in size. Furthermore, the recovered liquid may be prevented from leaking by applying a predetermined pressure to the recovered liquid passage 206. The recovered liquid may contain a portion of the bolus, and the recovered liquid acquisition unit 208 may be large enough to allow the bolus to pass through. The discharged recovered liquid is measured for taste (e.g., the amount of dissolved components) using, for example, the taste detector 207, and then discarded into a bucket or the like.

[0035] In other words, the object of taste measurement is the recovered liquid discharged at a certain timing, not the recovered liquid that has been discharged and accumulated in a bucket, etc. By measuring the taste of the recovered liquid discharged at a certain timing, it is possible to obtain values ​​that are close to the taste of the food remaining in the mouth (food that has been chewed) over time.

[0036] Furthermore, during simulated mastication, the simulated mastication device 200 measures mechanical characteristic values ​​(pressure, impulse, torque, etc.) using measuring devices (not shown) attached to (built into) the upper jig 201 and the lower jig 202. During simulated mastication, the simulated mastication device 200 expels a small amount of recovered liquid to gradually reduce the amount of food in the wall 205, thereby reproducing the phenomenon of the amount of food in the mouth decreasing as it is swallowed little by little. By measuring the impulse in chronological order, the simulated mastication device 200 can acquire a value close to the impulse in the mouth where food is gradually reduced.

[0037] Furthermore, by measuring the mechanical properties and taste multiple times in chronological order during a series of simulated chewing (from the start to the end of chewing), it is possible to obtain changes according to the progress of chewing, allowing for appropriate evaluation.

[0038] The measurement of the mechanical property values ​​is a value that simulates, for example, the pressure on the teeth and the texture on the tongue actually in the mouth. Therefore, the mechanical property values ​​may include, in addition to pressure, measurements of the roughness of the surface or cross section of the food (bolus).

[0039] The taste detector 207 measures (detects) values ​​related to taste. The taste detector 207 is a detector that can measure values ​​that change depending on components eluted from food or a food bolus. The taste detector 207 is configured, for example, by an electrochemical detector or an optical detector.

[0040] Electrochemical detectors can measure electrochemical properties resulting from the eluted components of a target substance, while optical detectors can measure optical characteristics resulting from the eluted components, such as absorbance.

[0041] In any case, when the amount of eluate of the object is greater than a predetermined amount, the eluate (recovered liquid) can be directly measured with any detector. On the other hand, if the amount of eluate is insufficient, the detector may not be able to detect an appropriate value. However, since the simulated chewing device 200 has a mechanism for introducing simulated saliva, by adjusting the amount of artificial saliva introduced, it is possible to avoid the situation where measurement is impossible due to a lack of eluate (recovered liquid).

[0042] <Measurement processing> 5 is a diagram showing an example of a processing flowchart of the measurement process S100. The measurement process is a process for measuring changes in the taste and mechanical property values ​​of food.

[0043] The tester puts a subject (food) into the simulated mastication device 200 (S100-1). Then, the tester or the mastication object evaluation device 100 causes the simulated mastication device 200 to start simulated mastication.

[0044] The simulated chewing device 200 introduces simulated saliva in the simulated chewing (S100-2), thereby simulating saliva added to the mouth.

[0045] The simulated chewing device 200 moves the jig (at least one of the upper jig 201 and the lower jig 202) in the vertical direction and in the rotational direction (S100-3), thereby simulating a chewing motion.

[0046] The simulated chewing device 200 measures the dynamic characteristic values ​​(S100-4). The dynamic characteristic values ​​are, for example, pressure, impulse, and torque, and can be estimated to approximate the force applied during a human chewing action.

[0047] The simulated mastication device 200 discharges the recovered liquid (S100-5). The recovered liquid simulates food during human mastication (including the start and end of mastication).

[0048] The simulated mastication device 200 measures the taste of the collected liquid (S100-6). The measured taste can be used to estimate the taste of the food being masticated by a human.

[0049] The simulated chewing device 200 repeats a series of simulated chewing actions (processes S100-2 to S100-6) until an end condition is met (No in S100-7). The end condition is a preset value, such as the passage of a predetermined time, a decrease in the amount of food in the mouth (in the wall 205) (including the food running out), or the execution of a predetermined number of chewing actions.

[0050] Then, when the termination condition is satisfied (Yes in S100-7), the simulated mastication device 200 terminates the process.

[0051] The simulated chewing device 200 can measure changes in the force exerted by the food on the detector and changes in the taste of the food by repeating a series of simulated chewing movements. The mastication object evaluation device 100 can evaluate changes in the target food in the human mouth.

[0052] Note that each of the steps S100-2 to S100-6 in the series of simulated chewing movements may be performed one or more times, or the order may be reversed. Also, some of the steps S100-2 to S100-6 in the series of simulated chewing movements may not be performed depending on the number of times they are performed.

[0053] <Evaluation of chewing objects> The evaluation of a chewing object refers to, for example, an evaluation of the physical properties of food that change due to chewing. The chewing object evaluation device 100 evaluates food based on, for example, how long the taste lasts, how strong the taste appears, and the relationship between mechanical property values ​​and taste.

[0054] As an example of evaluation, the mastication object evaluation device 100 evaluates a food higher the longer the flavor lasts and the shorter the time from the start of mastication until a strong flavor appears. Also, the mastication object evaluation device 100 evaluates a food higher, for example, the softer the texture (the shorter the time from the start of mastication until the impulse becomes equal to or less than a predetermined value). Furthermore, the evaluation of taste and the evaluation of texture may be scored, and a comprehensive evaluation may be performed using the total value, etc. Also, the evaluation of food may vary depending on the application. For example, if the food is intended to encourage extensive mastication by elderly people or the like, the longer the time from the start of mastication until the impulse becomes equal to or less than a predetermined value, the better the food can be evaluated.

[0055] The mastication object evaluation device 100 may, for example, divide the measurement values ​​along the time axis and extract feature quantities related to changes in the measurement values ​​using basic statistical values ​​such as average values ​​and variances, coefficients obtained from function approximations, frequency analysis by Fourier transform, differentiation and integration with respect to time, etc. Feature quantities can also be used as new feature quantities by, for example, performing arithmetic operations between feature quantities. The mastication object evaluation device 100 evaluates foods (evaluates changes in the physical properties of foods) using a single or multiple feature quantities.

[0056] Figure 6 shows an example of the salt concentration and impulse of cheese. Figure 6 shows an example of measurement values ​​when simulated chewing was performed for 90 seconds. The salt concentration was measured three times, at 30 seconds, 60 seconds, and 90 seconds. The impulse was measured 90 times at one-second intervals.

[0057] The salt concentration of cheese increases over time. When comparing the salt concentration of cheese with the dotted line (proportional line starting from 0) estimated solely from the salt concentration at 90 seconds, the actual measured value and estimated value are nearly equal at 30 seconds, but the actual measured value is stronger at 60 seconds. This suggests that once cheese has been chewed to a certain extent, a taste close to the final taste emerges, and that this taste persists. In other words, cheese can be evaluated as a food that develops a sufficient flavor with a little chewing, and maintains a certain degree of flavor even with prolonged chewing.

[0058] Additionally, the impulse applied to the cheese is strong at first (for about 0 to 15 seconds), but remains roughly the same thereafter. This indicates that cheese requires a certain amount of force at the start of chewing, but as it is dissolved by saliva and chewed, it softens to the point where it can be chewed with less force.

[0059] In an actual human mouth, a fixed amount of food does not remain all the time, but the amount of food decreases as the person swallows it little by little. The mastication object evaluation device 100 can simulate the actual human mouth and can evaluate not only the final taste but also changes in taste and impulse. [Explanation of symbols]

[0060] 10: Chewing object evaluation system 100: Chewing object evaluation device 110:CPU 120: Storage 121: Measurement program 122: Chewing object evaluation program 130: Memory 140: Communication circuit 150: Display 200: Simulated chewing device 201: Upper jig 202: Lower jig 203: Artificial saliva injection area 204: Outlet 205: Wall 206: Recovery liquid passage 207: Taste detector 208: Recovery liquid acquisition unit

Claims

1. a pseudo-chewing step of compressing an object to be chewed with an upper jig and a lower jig in a pseudo-mouth and injecting pseudo-saliva that simulates saliva into the object to be chewed; a discharge step of discharging a recovered liquid, which is a part of the chewing object, from the inside of the pseudo-mouth while performing the pseudo-chewing step; a measuring step of measuring, in time series, the mechanical properties applied to the object to be masticated during the compression in the simulated mastication step and the taste values ​​of the recovered liquid; an evaluation step of evaluating the object to be chewed according to the measured values ​​measured in time series; A method for evaluating a chewing object comprising the steps of:

2. In the evaluation step, the measured value is divided into predetermined time units, and a feature amount of a change in the value is calculated, and the evaluation is performed using the calculated feature amount. The method for evaluating a chewing object according to claim 1.

3. the lower jig has a suction hole that sucks the recovered liquid from a discharge port, The suction hole and the exhaust port are connected via a passage inside the lower jig. The method for evaluating a chewing object according to claim 1.

4. a pseudo-chewing step of compressing an object to be chewed with an upper jig and a lower jig in a pseudo-mouth and injecting pseudo-saliva that simulates saliva into the object to be chewed; a discharge step of discharging a recovered liquid, which is a part of the chewing object, from the inside of the pseudo-mouth while performing the pseudo-chewing step; a measuring step of measuring, in time series, mechanical properties applied to the object to be masticated during the compression in the simulated mastication step and values ​​related to the taste of the recovered liquid; a mastication object evaluation device that executes an evaluation step of evaluating the mastication object according to the measurement values ​​measured in time series; A chewing object evaluation system having the above.

5. an acquiring step of acquiring a value relating to the taste of a recovered liquid, which is a part of the object to be chewed and discharged from the inside of the artificial mouth, and a mechanical property applied to the object to be chewed in the compression of the artificial chewing, while performing the artificial chewing in which an object to be chewed is compressed in the artificial mouth and artificial saliva that simulates saliva is poured into the object to be chewed; an analysis step of analyzing the acquired data in time series; an evaluation step of evaluating the object to be chewed based on the analysis result in the analysis step; A method for evaluating a chewing object comprising the steps of:

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