Method for producing granulated composition

Abstract

The present invention provides a granulation composition that can reduce the formation of aggregates during liquid dissolution, and a method for producing the same. [Solution] The granulated composition of the present invention is a granulated composition obtained by adding a solution containing acidic polysaccharides and polyphenols to particles containing water-soluble proteins.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a granulated composition in which an acidic polysaccharide is blended with a powder composition containing a water-soluble protein and a polyphenol, thereby reducing the generation of aggregates formed by the polyphenol and the water-soluble protein upon dissolution in a liquid, and a method for producing the same.

Background Art

[0002] For example, liquid compositions containing polyphenols contained in tea, fruits, etc. and water-soluble proteins such as collagen peptides as functional components are known. In such liquid compositions, aggregation may occur between positively charged protein particles and negatively charged polyphenols.

[0003] Conventionally, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses a liquid beverage in which pectin suppresses the formation of aggregates by water-soluble proteins and polyphenols. Regarding this mechanism, from the disclosures of Non-Patent Documents 1 to 3, it is predicted that the binding between positively charged protein particles and negatively charged polyphenols is prevented by the electrical or steric effect of pectin molecules. That is, pectin is a polysaccharide rich in carboxyl groups, and after dissolving pectin and polyphenols in a liquid, and then dissolving a water-soluble protein in the liquid, it is predicted that negatively charged pectin is adsorbed first around the positively charged protein particles.

[0004] Here, beverage powder compositions have advantages in terms of costs related to transportation, storage, etc. and in terms of suitability for long-term storage compared to liquid beverages. However, the manufacturing method thereof is not described in the above prior art. Note that powdering the liquid beverage described in Patent Document 1 to produce a beverage powder composition is not practical in terms of cost.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005] [

Patent Document 1

[0006] [Non-Patent Document 1] Unitech Foods Co., Ltd., "Use of Polysaccharides in Dairy Products", [online], [Retrieved July 24, 2024], Internet<URL:https: / / shokulab.unitecfoods.co.jp / article / detail78 / > [Non-Patent Document 2] Nitta Gelatin, "Web Research Institute Gelatin Research Laboratory 12. For Better Utilization", [online], [Retrieved July 24, 2024], Internet<URL:https: / / www.nitta-gelatin.co.jp / ja / labo / gelatin / 12.html> [Non-Patent Document 3] Journal of the Japan Society for Food Chemistry and Technology, 2011, Vol. 58, No. 11, pp. 559-566 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0007] The applicant manufactured a granulated composition by mixing three materials, for example, pectin, collagen peptide, and Rhodiola rosea leaf extract as a polyphenol, and granulating them with water as a binder. When it was checked whether this composition had the effect of suppressing the formation of aggregates, as described in Patent Document 1, aggregates were formed when the mixture was dissolved in liquid. In other words, simply mixing these three materials to manufacture a granulated composition does not reduce the formation of aggregates.

[0008] The object of the present invention is to provide a granulated composition containing a water-soluble protein and a polyphenol that can reduce the formation of aggregates when dissolved in liquid, and a method for producing the same. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] As a result of research conducted to solve the aforementioned problems, the inventors have found that a predetermined granulation composition and its manufacturing method can solve the above problems. The following describes various methods for solving the above problems.

[0010] The gist of the granulated composition of Embodiment 1 is that it is a granulated composition obtained by adding a solution containing acidic polysaccharides and polyphenols to particles containing water-soluble proteins. Embodiment 2 is characterized by a granulated composition obtained by adding a solution containing an acidic polysaccharide and a water-soluble protein to particles containing polyphenols.

[0011] Embodiment 3 is the granulated composition according to Embodiment 1 or 2, wherein the acidic polysaccharide is at least one selected from pectin, soybean polysaccharide, carrageenan, gum arabic, xanthan gum, gellan gum, agar, succinoglycan, tremel gum, and tragacanth gum.

[0012] Embodiment 4 is a granulated composition according to any one embodiment of Embodiments 1 to 3, wherein the polyphenol is at least one selected from quercetin glycosides, proanthocyanidins, catechins, and macululin glycosides.

[0013] Embodiment 5 is a granulated composition according to any one embodiment of Embodiments 1 to 4, wherein the water-soluble protein is at least one selected from collagen peptide, gelatin, and placenta.

[0014] Embodiment 6 is a granulated composition according to any one embodiment of Embodiments 1 to 5, wherein the granulated composition is a powdered beverage composition, a powdered food, or a cosmetic. The method for producing the granulated composition according to Embodiment 7 is characterized by comprising a mixing step of mixing an acidic polysaccharide, water, and a water-soluble protein to obtain a solution, and a granulation step of adding the solution to particles containing polyphenols using a fluidized bed granulator, agitated granulator, or extruder to produce granules.

[0015] The manufacturing method of the granulated composition of Aspect 8 mainly comprises a mixing step of mixing an acidic polysaccharide, water, and a polyphenol to obtain a solution, and a granulation step of adding the solution to particles containing a water-soluble protein and granulating the mixture using a fluidized bed granulator, a stirring granulator, or an extrusion granulator.

[0016] Aspect 9 is the manufacturing method of the granulated composition according to Aspect 7 or 8, wherein the acidic polysaccharide is at least one selected from pectin, soy polysaccharide, carrageenan, gum arabic, xanthan gum, gellan gum, agar, succinoglycan, tremellose, and tragacanth gum.

[0017] Aspect 10 is the manufacturing method of the granulated composition according to any one of Aspects 7 to 9, wherein the polyphenol is at least one selected from quercetin glycoside, proanthocyanidin, catechin, and macrurin glycoside.

[0018] Aspect 11 is the manufacturing method of the granulated composition according to any one of Aspects 7 to 10, wherein the water-soluble protein is at least one selected from collagen peptide, gelatin, and placenta.

[0019] Aspect 12 is the manufacturing method of the granulated composition according to any one of Aspects 7 to 11, wherein the granulated composition is a powder composition for beverages, a powder food, or a cosmetic.

Advantages of the Invention

[0020] According to the granulated composition and its manufacturing method of the present invention, the formation of aggregates can be reduced when the granulated composition is dissolved in a liquid.

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0021] Embodiments embodying the granulated composition according to the present invention will be described. The granulated composition is obtained by adding a solution containing an acidic polysaccharide and a polyphenol to particles containing a water-soluble protein. Or, it is obtained by adding a solution containing an acidic polysaccharide and a water-soluble protein to particles containing a polyphenol. Note that, regarding the granulated composition of the present invention, it is considered that specifying the state of the granulated composition obtained from the particles and the solution requires a very long time or is accompanied by difficulty. Therefore, the granulated composition of the present invention is one in which some of the invention-specific matters are specified by the manufacturing process.

[0022] Hereinafter, the above components contained in the granulated composition will be described. <Water-soluble protein> Water-soluble protein means a protein that is soluble in water, regardless of its solubility in water. Peptides are also included in water-soluble proteins. The water-soluble protein is not particularly limited and may be any of animal-derived proteins, plant-derived proteins, and microorganism-derived proteins, and can be appropriately selected according to the purpose and the like. Specific examples of water-soluble proteins include, for example, collagen, collagen peptide, gelatin, placenta, keratin, gluten, soy protein, casein, and the like. At least one selected from collagen peptide, gelatin, and placenta is preferable as the water-soluble protein.

[0023] Collagen peptide is a product obtained by reducing the molecular weight of collagen with an enzyme or the like from the viewpoint of improving ingestion, absorbability, etc., for example, a product hydrolyzed to a molecular weight of several thousand to several tens of thousands. <Polyphenol> Polyphenols are a general term for compounds having two or more hydroxyl groups on the same benzene ring, and are broadly divided into flavonoid and non-flavonoid types. Specific examples of flavonoid polyphenols include quercetin and its glycosides, proanthocyanidins and their glycosides, catechins, isoflavones, and tannins. Specific examples of quercetin glycosides include hyperoside, quercitrin, isoquercitrin, and rutin. Specific examples of proanthocyanidin glycosides include anthocyanidins. Specific examples of non-flavonoid polyphenols include macululin glycosides, chlorogenic acid, ellagic acid, lignans, curcumin, coumarin, and resveratrol. Lignans include sesamin, sesamimorin, and sesaminol. The polyphenol is preferably at least one selected from quercetin glycosides, proanthocyanidins, catechins, and macullin glycosides, and more preferably at least one selected from hyperoside, isoquercitrin, procyanidins, catechins, and macullin glycosides.

[0024] <Acidic polysaccharides> Acidic polysaccharides are polysaccharides that have a part in their molecule that functions as an acid, such as a carboxyl group. Specific examples of acidic polysaccharides include pectin, soybean polysaccharides, potassium alginate, sodium alginate, gum arabic, xanthan gum, gellan gum, succinoglycan, tremel gum, tragacanth gum, inulin, carrageenan, polygalacturonic acid, agar, polyphyllan, funoran, and furceran. From the viewpoint of being superior in reducing aggregates when the granulated composition is dissolved in liquid, at least one selected from pectin, soybean polysaccharides, carrageenan, gum arabic, xanthan gum, gellan gum, agar, succinoglycan, and tragacanth gum is preferred as the acidic polysaccharide. Cold water soluble pectin, such as the pectin used in the examples described later (trade name UTFC LM QS 400C: manufactured by Unitech Foods Co., Ltd.), is even more preferred as the acidic polysaccharide.

[0025] There is no particular limit to the lower limit of the amount (%) of acidic polysaccharides in the granulated composition, and it can be set appropriately depending on the purpose, but examples include 0.15% by mass, 0.20% by mass, 0.25% by mass, 0.3% by mass, and 0.35% by mass. By specifying within this range, the effect of reducing aggregates when the granulated composition is dissolved in liquid can be further improved.

[0026] Furthermore, because the above-mentioned acidic polysaccharides have a thickening effect, their addition to the above-mentioned solution increases the viscosity of the solution. Therefore, when a granulated composition is manufactured by spraying a solution containing the above-mentioned acidic polysaccharides onto particles, the sprayability of the solution may decrease. For this reason, the upper limit of the amount (%) of acidic polysaccharides to be added to the granulated composition can be, for example, 0.65% by mass, 0.60% by mass, 0.55% by mass, 0.50% by mass, 0.45% by mass, and 0.40% by mass. By specifying the amount within this range, the sprayability of the above-mentioned solution added to the particles during granulation of the granulated composition can be improved.

[0027] <Solution> For solutions containing acidic polysaccharides and polyphenols, or solutions containing acidic polysaccharides and water-soluble proteins, suitable solvents include hydrophilic organic solvents such as ethanol, water, and mixtures thereof. The method of obtaining a granulated composition by adding the solution to particles can be carried out using a fluidized bed granulator (described later), a stirrer granulator, or an extruder granulator.

[0028] <Other ingredients> The granulated composition may contain other components depending on the purpose, etc., as long as it does not impede the effects of the present invention. When the granulated composition is a food or beverage, other components include, for example, excipients, sweeteners, acidulants, flavorings, preservatives, etc. When the granulated composition is a cosmetic, other components include, for example, excipients, bases, emulsifiers, solvents, stabilizers, etc.

[0029] The following describes the application forms of the granulated composition. <Application form> The granulated composition can be applied in any form as long as it is mixed with a liquid, and can be used, for example, as a powdered beverage composition, powdered food, or cosmetic. Powdered beverages can be used in, for example, green juice drinks, tea-based beverages, sports drinks, beauty drinks, fruit juices, carbonated drinks, alcoholic beverages, and soft drinks. Powdered foods can be used in, for example, soups, seasonings, and jellies. The liquid in which the granulated composition is dissolved can be water, a hydrophilic organic solvent, or a mixture of water and a hydrophilic organic solvent. Examples of hydrophilic organic solvents include lower alcohols such as ethanol and organic solvents such as butylene glycol.

[0030] <Method for producing granulated composition> Next, a specific example of the method for producing the granulated composition of this embodiment will be described. A method for producing a granulated composition comprises a mixing step of mixing an acidic polysaccharide, water, and a water-soluble protein to obtain a solution, and a granulation step of adding the solution to particles containing polyphenols using a fluidized bed granulator, agitated granulator, or extruder to produce granules. Alternatively, the method comprises a mixing step of mixing an acidic polysaccharide, water, and a polyphenol to obtain a solution, and a granulation step of adding the solution to particles containing water-soluble protein using a fluidized bed granulator, agitated granulator, or extruder to produce granules.

[0031] First, an acidic polysaccharide is mixed with water and a water-soluble protein or polyphenol to obtain a solution. The total content of water-soluble protein or polyphenol in the solution is set appropriately from the viewpoint of granulation efficiency, but is preferably 0.3% by mass or more and 10% by mass or less.

[0032] Next, as an example, we will describe the case in which a granulated composition is manufactured using a fluidized bed granulator. A fluidized bed granulator can be any commercially available equipment and generally comprises a granulation chamber for producing the granulated composition and a spray nozzle for spraying the above solution onto the granules.

[0033] Hot air is introduced from the bottom of the granulation chamber of a fluidized bed granulator, lifting particles containing water-soluble proteins or polyphenols into the air. This creates a layer in which the particles become fluid. Subsequently, a solution is sprayed onto the particles from a spray nozzle to obtain a granulated composition in which the particles are aggregated or coated. In other words, a granulated composition containing aggregated granules, coated granules, or both can be obtained.

[0034] In addition to a fluidized bed granulator, granulated compositions can also be manufactured using a stirrer granulator or an extruder granulator. Even when using such granulators, due to their mechanisms, granulated compositions similar to those obtained with a fluidized bed granulator can be obtained. The following describes a method for manufacturing granulated compositions using a stirrer granulator or an extruder granulator. Commercially available equipment can be appropriately used as the stirrer granulator or extruder granulator.

[0035] A stirring granulator generally consists of a container, stirring blades, and crushing blades. A granulated composition can be obtained by placing particles containing water-soluble protein or polyphenol into the container of a stirring granulator, and then spraying the above solution from above and stirring.

[0036] An extrusion granulator generally comprises a screw, plunger, or roller, a plate with numerous holes (hereinafter also called a "screen die"), and a cutter. The above solution and particles containing water-soluble protein or polyphenol are fed into an extruder granulator, pressure is applied using a screw, plunger, or roller, and then the mixture is extruded through the holes of a screen die. The granulated composition can then be obtained by cutting it to an appropriate length with a cutter.

[0037] <Particle size> The median diameter (d50) of the granulated composition is set appropriately according to the application, purpose, particle size of the raw materials, etc., but for example, it is 10 μm to 1500 μm or 50 μm to 1000 μm. The median diameter (d50) can be determined based on the laser diffraction / scattering particle size distribution method, which measures the particle size distribution on a volume basis.

[0038] The particle size ratio (A / B) of the median diameter (A) of the granulated composition to the median diameter (B) of the raw material particles is set as appropriate, but from the viewpoint of manufacturing efficiency, it is preferably 1.2 or more and 3 or less, and more preferably 1.5 or more and 2.5 or less.

[0039] <Effects and Effects of the Embodiment> The operation and effects of this embodiment will now be described. (1) The granulated composition is obtained by adding a solution containing acidic polysaccharides and polyphenols to particles containing water-soluble proteins. This granulated composition can reduce the formation of aggregates when dissolved in a liquid.

[0040] (2) The granulated composition is obtained by adding a solution containing acidic polysaccharides and water-soluble proteins to particles containing polyphenols. This granulated composition can reduce the formation of aggregates when dissolved in a liquid.

[0041] (3) When the acidic polysaccharide is at least one selected from pectin, soybean polysaccharide, carrageenan, gum arabic, xanthan gum, gellan gum, agar, succinoglycan, tremel gum, and tragacanth gum, the formation of aggregates can be further reduced when dissolved in a liquid.

[0042] (4) Even when the polyphenol is at least one selected from hyperoside, isoquercitrin, procyanidin, catechin, and macullin glycoside, the formation of aggregates can be reduced when dissolved in a liquid.

[0043] (5) Even if the water-soluble protein is at least one selected from collagen peptides, gelatin, and placenta, the formation of aggregates can be reduced when dissolved in liquid.

[0044] (6) The granulated composition can be used to obtain a beverage powder composition, powder food, or cosmetic product that reduces the formation of aggregates when dissolved in a liquid. (7) The method for producing the granulated composition comprises a mixing step of mixing an acidic polysaccharide, water, and a water-soluble protein to obtain a solution, and a granulation step of adding the solution to particles containing polyphenols using a fluidized bed granulator, agitated granulator, or extruder to produce granules. According to this production method, a granulated composition that can reduce the formation of aggregates when dissolved in a liquid can be efficiently obtained.

[0045] (8) The method for producing the granulated composition comprises a mixing step of mixing an acidic polysaccharide, water, and polyphenol to obtain a solution, and a granulation step of adding the solution to particles containing water-soluble protein using a fluidized bed granulator, agitated granulator, or extruder granulator to produce granules. According to this production method, a granulated composition that can reduce the formation of aggregates when dissolved in a liquid can be efficiently obtained.

[0046] <Example of changes> This embodiment can be implemented with the following modifications. This embodiment and the following modifications can be combined with each other to the extent that they do not contradict each other technically.

[0047] The granulated compositions of the above embodiments do not preclude the use of other animal proteins, gelling agents, thickeners, excipients, sweeteners, acidulants, flavorings, preservatives, etc., as long as they do not interfere with the effects of the present invention.

[0048] The dosage form of the granulated composition in the above embodiment is not particularly limited and can be, for example, in powder or granular form. Furthermore, the granulated composition may be molded into cube or tablet form depending on the intended use. [Examples]

[0049] (Test Example 1) The following are examples to illustrate the structure and effects of the present invention in more detail, but the present invention is not limited to these examples. The values ​​in the table indicate the amount of each raw material used, and the unit is the mass (mg / packet) per sachet of granulated composition (2805-4000 mg).

[0050] <Preparation> Granulated compositions for Examples 1-4 and Comparative Examples 1-3 were prepared. The types of components contained in each of the granulated compositions for Examples 1-3 and Comparative Examples 1-3 are shown in Table 1.

[0051] As a water-soluble protein, we used porcine-derived collagen peptide (product name VERISOL P: GELITA Co., Ltd.) (median diameter 128.2 μm). As acidic polysaccharides, pectin (product name UTFC LM QS 400C: manufactured by Unitech Foods Co., Ltd.) and soybean polysaccharide (product name SM-1600: manufactured by San-Ei Gen F.F.I. Co., Ltd.) were used. Note that pectin (product name UTFC LM QS 400C: manufactured by Unitech Foods Co., Ltd.) is soluble even in cold water.

[0052] As polyphenols, we used Rhodiola rosea leaf extract (product name: Benetron, manufactured by Tokiwa Botanical Science Research Institute Co., Ltd.) and apple polyphenols (product name: ApplePhenon, manufactured by BGG Japan Co., Ltd.).

[0053] Pullulan was used as the neutral polysaccharide. Other ingredients used included functional materials other than those listed above, as well as excipients, sweeteners, acidulants, and flavorings.

[0054] For the granulated compositions of Examples 1-4 and Comparative Example 3, a solution was first prepared by adding 80°C water (hot water) to the components other than collagen peptide as shown in Table 1, so that the amount of water per sachet of the final granulated composition was 1.4 mL. Granulation was carried out using a LAB-1 fluidized bed granulator manufactured by Powrec. In Examples 1-3 and Comparative Example 3, granulation was performed by spraying the solution onto the collagen peptide as particles. In Example 4, granulation was performed by spraying the solution onto a mixture of collagen peptide as particles and other components.

[0055] In Comparative Example 1, the granulated composition was prepared by spraying water onto a mixture of collagen peptide and Rhodiola rosea leaf extract as particles. In Comparative Example 2, the granulated composition was prepared by spraying water onto a mixture of collagen peptide, Rhodiola rosea leaf extract, and pectin as particles.

[0056] Regarding the particle size of the particle material (*1 in Table 1), in Examples 1-3 and Comparative Examples 1-3, it is the particle size of the collagen peptide. In Example 4, it is the particle size of the mixture of collagen peptide and other components.

[0057] The percentage (mass%) of the amount (mg) of acidic polysaccharides or neutral polysaccharides in the granulated compositions of Examples 1 to 4 and Comparative Examples 2 and 3 is shown in the "Amount of Polysaccharides in Granulated Composition (mass%)" column of Table 1.

[0058] [Table 1]

[0059] <Formation of aggregates> One packet (2805-4000 mg) of the granulated compositions from Examples 1-4 and Comparative Examples 1-3 was dissolved in 150 mL of room temperature water to obtain aqueous solutions. After stirring for 10 seconds during dissolution, it was checked whether aggregates were formed.

[0060] Subsequently, for each example of granulated composition, the aggregates formed in 10 packets of the granulated composition were collected by filtering with circular qualitative filter paper No. 2 (ADVANTEC) and the mass after drying was measured. The results are shown in the "Amount of aggregates (mg / 10 packets)" column of Table 1.

[0061] Furthermore, regarding the amount of aggregates in Example 2 (※2 in Table 1), when one packet (2815 mg) of the granulated composition of Example 2 was dissolved in 150 mL of 80°C water (hot water), the amount of aggregates was 45 mg / 10 packets.

[0062] <Method for evaluating aggregates> Table 1's "Agglutination Reduction Effect" indicates whether the aggregate reduction effect was present or absent compared to Comparative Example 1 (product without acidic polysaccharides), which served as a control. The results are shown in the "Agglutination Reduction Effect" column of Table 1.

[0063] Furthermore, the reduction of aggregate formation was evaluated based on the following evaluation criteria. The results are shown in the "Agglomeration Evaluation Judgment" column of Table 1. • Evaluation criteria for "Agglutination Assessment" ◎(Good): 0 mg or more, and less than 200 mg.

[0064] ○ (Acceptable): 200 mg or more, and less than 400 mg. × (Not acceptable): The amount is 400mg or more. <Summary of evaluation results> As shown in Table 1, all of Examples 1 to 4 showed an effect of reducing aggregate formation compared to Comparative Example 1. Comparative Examples 2 and 3 did not show an effect of reducing aggregate formation compared to Comparative Example 1.

[0065] The results from Examples 1-3 show that granulated compositions obtained by spraying particles containing collagen peptides with a composition containing acidic polysaccharides and polyphenols can reduce the formation of aggregates when the granulated composition is dissolved in liquid.

[0066] The results of Example 4 show that a granulated composition obtained by spraying particles containing collagen peptides and other components with a composition containing acidic polysaccharides and polyphenols can reduce the formation of aggregates when the granulated composition is dissolved in liquid.

[0067] In Examples 1-4, it is thought that the acidic polysaccharides and polyphenols attached to the surface of the particles first dissolve in water. Next, it is thought that the pectin that dissolved in water earlier is adsorbed onto the collagen peptide. This is presumed to prevent the binding of the collagen peptide to the polyphenol.

[0068] Furthermore, the amount of aggregates formed when the granulated composition of Example 2 was dissolved in hot water was about the same as in Examples 1 and 3. In addition, Reference Examples 8 and 9, described later, can be said to have a greater effect in reducing aggregate formation compared to Reference Example 1. Here, soybean polysaccharides are poorly soluble in cold water. Considering this point, it is presumed that the aggregates in Example 2 contain a large amount of insoluble matter in which particles containing collagen peptides are coated with soybean polysaccharides. Therefore, it is presumed that the amount of aggregates in Example 2 consists little of aggregates formed by polyphenols and water-soluble proteins. From this, it is considered that Example 2 has a similar effect in reducing aggregate formation compared to Comparative Example 1 as it does in Examples 1 and 3.

[0069] (Test Example 2) In Test Example 2, unlike Test Example 1, no granulated composition was prepared. Instead, a simple test was conducted to determine whether aggregates formed during dissolution by dissolving each material in the following order. The values ​​in the table indicate the amount of each raw material used, and the unit is mass (mg).

[0070] <Formation of aggregates> In Reference Examples 1-6, each of the raw materials shown in the table below was simultaneously dissolved in 150 mL of 80°C water (hot water). After stirring for 10 seconds during dissolution in hot water, the formation of aggregates was visually confirmed.

[0071] In Reference Example 7, a powder mixture of collagen peptide and polyphenol was added to a solution prepared by dissolving 150 mL of the acidic polysaccharides shown in the table below in 80°C water (hot water). After stirring for 10 seconds during dissolution in hot water, the presence or absence of aggregates was visually confirmed.

[0072] In Reference Examples 8-18, collagen peptides were added to 150 mL of water (hot water) at 80°C to dissolve each of the acidic or neutral polysaccharides and each polyphenol shown in the table below. After stirring for 10 seconds during the dissolution in hot water, the formation of aggregates was visually confirmed.

[0073] Furthermore, porcine-derived collagen peptide (product name VERISOL P: manufactured by GELITA) was used as the water-soluble protein. As acidic polysaccharides, we used pectin (product name UTFC LM QS 400C: manufactured by Unitech Foods Co., Ltd.), soybean polysaccharide (product name SM-1600: manufactured by San-Ei Gen F.F.I. Co., Ltd.), gum arabic (product name Arabic Coal SS: manufactured by San-Ei Pharmaceutical Trading Co., Ltd.), succinoglycan (product name succinoglycan J: manufactured by MP Gokyo Food & Chemical Co., Ltd.), carrageenan (product name Carrageenan Hi-pHive: manufactured by San-Ei Gen F.F.I. Co., Ltd.), and xanthan gum (product name Echo Gum T: manufactured by MP Gokyo Food & Chemical Co., Ltd.).

[0074] As a neutral polysaccharide, pullulan (product name: Food Additive Pullulan, manufactured by Hayashibara Co., Ltd.) was used. The polyphenols used were Rhodiola rosea leaf extract (product name: Benetron, manufactured by Tokiwa Botanical Science Research Institute), apple polyphenols (product name: ApplePhenon, manufactured by BGG Japan), green tea extract (product name: Sunphenon 90MB-OP, manufactured by Taiyo Kagaku Co., Ltd.), mangosteen peel hot water extract (product name: Mangosteen Aqua, manufactured by Nippon Shinyaku Co., Ltd.), and pine bark extract (product name: Pycnogenol, manufactured by Tradepia Co., Ltd.). Pycnogenol contains more than 40 types of flavonoids, including proanthocyanidins, catechins, ecocatechins, and phenolic acids.

[0075] In Reference Examples 1 to 18, the ratio (mass %) of the amount of acidic polysaccharides or neutral polysaccharides to the total amount (mg) of each component other than water is shown in the "Amount of Polysaccharides in Each Formulation (mass %)" column of Tables 2 to 3.

[0076] [Table 2]

[0077] [Table 3]

[0078] <Method for evaluating aggregates> Unlike in Test Example 1, the amount of aggregates was not measured; instead, the reduction in aggregates was confirmed visually. The results are shown in the "Agglutination Reduction Effect" column of Tables 2 and 3.

[0079] Furthermore, the reduction of aggregate formation was evaluated based on the following evaluation criteria. The results are shown in the "Agglomeration Evaluation Judgment" column of Tables 2 and 3. • Evaluation criteria for "Agglutination Assessment" ◎ (Excellent): No noticeable aggregates were observed visually.

[0080] ○ (Acceptable): Aggregates are formed, although less so than in the control containing the corresponding polyphenol. × (Not acceptable): Aggregates similar to those found in the control containing the corresponding polyphenol are formed.

[0081] Regarding the "coagulation reduction effect," the control and comparison examples are shown in Table 4. In Table 4, Test Examples 1 and 2, which are in the same row, have similar combinations of components and the order in which the components dissolve in water, and can therefore be treated as equivalent in terms of the presence or absence of a coagulation reduction effect.

[0082] [Table 4]

[0083] <Summary of evaluation results> In Reference Examples 1-5, which served as controls for Reference Examples 6-14, aggregates formed in all cases upon dissolution in hot water. Furthermore, the "Agglutination Evaluation" was deemed unacceptable.

[0084] For Reference Examples 6, 7, and 14, there was no reduction in aggregate formation compared to the control Reference Example 1. As shown in Table 4, Reference Example 7 does not have a corresponding control test in Test Example 1. The test to confirm aggregation in the granulated composition corresponding to Reference Example 7 uses a granulated composition prepared by spraying a solution of pectin dissolved in 80°C water (hot water) onto a mixture of collagen peptide and Rhodiola rosea leaf extract as particles.

[0085] For reference examples 8-13 and 15-18, there was a reduction in aggregate formation compared to the control reference example 1. (Combining examples 1 and 2) Test examples 1 and 2 show that the conventional technology for reducing aggregation of water-soluble proteins and polyphenols in liquid beverages can also be applied to powdered beverages, powdered foods, and cosmetics.

[0086] Furthermore, from Test Example 1, we discovered an acidic polysaccharide material that is soluble in room temperature water and has an effect of improving aggregation. Therefore, a granulated composition obtained by adding a solution containing acidic polysaccharides and polyphenols to particles containing water-soluble proteins can reduce the formation of aggregates when dissolved in a liquid.

[0087] Furthermore, a granulated composition obtained by adding a solution containing acidic polysaccharides and water-soluble proteins to particles containing polyphenols can reduce the formation of aggregates when dissolved in a liquid.

Claims

1. A granulated composition obtained by adding a solution containing acidic polysaccharides and polyphenols to particles containing water-soluble proteins.

2. A granulated composition obtained by adding a solution containing acidic polysaccharides and water-soluble proteins to particles containing polyphenols.

3. The granulated composition according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the acidic polysaccharide is at least one selected from pectin, soybean polysaccharide, carrageenan, gum arabic, xanthan gum, gellan gum, agar, succinoglycan, tremel gum, and tragacanth gum.

4. The granulated composition according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the polyphenol is at least one selected from quercetin glycosides, proanthocyanidins, catechins, and macullin glycosides.

5. The granulated composition according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the water-soluble protein is at least one selected from collagen peptide, gelatin, and placenta.

6. The granulated composition according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the granulated composition is a powdered composition for beverages, a powdered food, or a cosmetic.

7. A mixing step to obtain a solution by mixing acidic polysaccharides, water, and water-soluble protein, A granulation process in which the solution is added to particles containing polyphenols and granulated using a fluid bed granulator, agitated granulator, or extruder granulator, A method for producing a granulated composition having the following characteristics.

8. A mixing step to obtain a solution by mixing acidic polysaccharides, water, and polyphenols, A granulation process in which the solution is added to particles containing water-soluble protein in a fluid bed granulator, agitated granulator, or extruder granulator to form granules, A method for producing a granulated composition having the following characteristics.

9. The method for producing a granulated composition according to claim 7 or claim 8, wherein the acidic polysaccharide is at least one selected from pectin, soybean polysaccharide, carrageenan, gum arabic, xanthan gum, gellan gum, agar, succinoglycan, tremel gum, and tragacanth gum.

10. The method for producing a granulated composition according to claim 7 or claim 8, wherein the polyphenol is at least one selected from quercetin glycosides, proanthocyanidins, catechins, and maculin glycosides.

11. The method for producing a granulated composition according to claim 7 or claim 8, wherein the water-soluble protein is at least one selected from collagen peptide, gelatin, and placenta.

12. The method for producing the granulated composition according to claim 7 or claim 8, wherein the granulated composition is a powdered composition for beverages, a powdered food, or a cosmetic.

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