A growth promoter for the genus Brautia, and an agent for improving the intestinal environment.

Abstract

Providing agents that promote the growth of Brautia species and agents that improve the intestinal environment. [Solution] The Brautia species growth promoter and intestinal environment improvement agent of the present invention both contain one selected from the group consisting of sphingoglycolipids and fiber derived from peaches as an active ingredient.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a promoter for the growth of bacteria belonging to the genus Blautia and an agent for improving the intestinal environment.

Background Art

[0002] Peaches have been regarded as effective for health, longevity, beauty, etc. since ancient times, and are widely consumed in mainland China and our country. Although peaches contain various useful components, it has been revealed that they contain a particularly large amount of plant ceramides (sphingolipids) compared to other plants (Patent Document 1), and have attracted attention as a source of plant ceramides (Patent Document 2). Peach ceramide (peach-derived sphingolipid) is expected to have effects such as whitening and wrinkle improvement in addition to the safety and skin moisturizing improvement and firmness recovery effects (Non-Patent Document 1) similar to other plant ceramides (Patent Document 3).

[0003] Furthermore, the present inventors have confirmed that peach-derived fiber components (peach fiber: fiber obtained by freeze-drying the fiber after extracting the residue of peach juice from peach pulp without seeds with ethanol, peach pulp: residue of peach juice from peach pulp without seeds freeze-dried) have an inhibitory effect on glycation and an inhibitory effect on active oxygen [DPPH (diphenylpicrylhydrazyl) activity], etc. (Patent Document 4).

[0004] In recent years, it has been found that Aspergillus-derived sphingolipids mainly composed of sphingolipids having a specific structure with a methyl group in the sphingoid base moiety have an effect of promoting the growth of Blautia coccoides, an intestinal bacterium (Patent Document 5, Non-Patent Documents 2 and 3), and new uses of sphingolipids are expected.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

[0006] [Non-Patent Document 1] Yuki Kobayashi et al., FOOD Style21, Vol.19, No.6, 22-26 (2015) [Non-Patent Document 2] H. Hamajima et.al., SpringerPlus (2016) 5:1321 [Non-Patent Document 3] H.Dai et.al.,International Journal of Molecular Sciences.2022,23,5300. [Non-Patent Document 4] The National Institute of Biomedical Innovation, Health and Nutrition (NIBIOHN)'s Intestinal Microbiota Database (website: https: / / microbiome.nibiohn.go.jp / ) [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0007] The present invention aims to provide a growth promoter for Brautia species bacteria and an agent for improving the intestinal environment. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] As mentioned above, peaches contain various physiologically active components, but their details have not yet been sufficiently investigated. Through diligent research, the inventors discovered that sphingoglycolipids and dietary fiber (peach fiber, peach pulp) derived from peaches have the effect of promoting the growth of Brautia cocoides, known as a beneficial bacterium, and conversely, inhibiting the growth of Escherichia coli, known as a harmful bacterium.

[0009] This invention was completed through further research based on the aforementioned findings, and has the following embodiments. Item 1. A growth promoter for the genus Blautia, containing as an active ingredient one selected from the group consisting of sphingoglycolipids and fiber derived from peaches. Item 2. The Blautia growth promoter described in Item 1, wherein the Blautia species is Blautia coccoides. Item 3. An intestinal environment improving agent containing one selected from the group consisting of sphingoglycolipids and fiber derived from peaches as an active ingredient. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the present invention, a Blautia species growth promoter is provided, which contains sphingoglycolipids derived from peaches and / or fiber derived from peaches as active ingredients. This Blautia species growth promoter is expected to increase the proportion of the beneficial bacterium Blautia cocoides in the intestinal flora by promoting its growth, while also improving the intestinal environment by suppressing the growth of harmful bacteria such as Escherichia coli, thereby contributing to the maintenance and promotion of health.

[0011] In particular, sphingoglycolipids derived from peaches and / or fiber derived from peaches promote the growth of Brautia cocoides while suppressing the growth of harmful bacteria such as Escherichia coli. Therefore, it is expected that this will improve the intestinal environment and contribute to maintaining and promoting health. Accordingly, the present invention provides an intestinal environment improving agent containing sphingoglycolipids derived from peaches and / or fiber derived from peaches as active ingredients.

[0012] From these facts, it is considered that the sphingolipids derived from peach and / or the fibers derived from peach are useful as prebiotic materials.

Brief Description of Drawings

[0013] [Figure 1] A figure showing the results of Experimental Example 1. The effects of test samples (peach ceramide, rice ceramide, peach fiber, peach pulp, defatted rice bran, and soybean ceramide) on the growth of Blautia coccoides are shown as the difference in absorbance (ΔA600) of the medium before and after cultivation of B. coccoides. The relative values are shown when the absorbance (ΔA600) of the control (without addition of test sample) is set to "1" (the same applies to Figures 2 and 3). [Figure 2] A figure showing the results of Experimental Example 2. The effects of test samples (peach ceramide, rice ceramide, peach fiber, peach pulp, defatted rice bran, and soybean ceramide) on the growth of Lactobacillus casei are shown as the difference in absorbance (ΔA600) of the medium before and after cultivation of the lactic acid bacteria. [Figure 3] A figure showing the results of Experimental Example 3. The effects of test samples (peach ceramide, rice ceramide, peach pulp, defatted rice bran, and soybean ceramide) on the growth of Escherichia coli are shown as the difference in absorbance (ΔA600) of the medium before and after cultivation of Escherichia coli.

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0014] I. Agents that promote the growth of Blautia species bacteria. The promoter for increasing Lautitia bacteria of the present invention contains as an active ingredient the sphingolipids derived from peach and / or the fibers derived from peach.

[0015] (Sphingolipids derived from peach) Sphingoglycolipids are complex sugars in which a monosaccharide or sugar chain is attached to a sphingolipid called ceramide, which is formed by an amide bond between sphingosine and a fatty acid. Sphingoglycolipids include galactosylceramide, in which galactose is attached to ceramide, and glucosylceramide, in which glucose is attached to ceramide; these are collectively called glycosylceramides.

[0016] Peaches are known to contain a large amount of sphingoglycolipids (Patent Document 1). The sphingoglycolipids derived from peaches are mainly glycosylceramides, and preferably glucosylceramides.

[0017] The method for preparing peach-derived sphingoglycolipids is not particularly limited, but for example, the method described in Patent Document 1 or 2 can be used. Although not limited, for example, as described in Patent Document 2, a method can be used in which the peach raw material is extracted with ethanol or an ethanol / hexane mixture, the obtained primary extract is further partition-extracted with hexane / water, and the sphingoglycolipids are recovered from the obtained hexane solution layer. The hexane solution layer can be subjected to activated carbon treatment and / or chromatographic treatment as needed to prepare sphingoglycolipids with a higher degree of purity. Here, as the peach raw material, the flesh and peel of the peach fruit with the seeds removed can be used. Alternatively, the fibrous portion obtained by removing the juice from the flesh can also be used. These may be dried before being subjected to the extraction treatment. The maturity of the peach fruit is not particularly limited; for example, it may be a young peach such as a thinned peach, or a mature peach. Peach-derived sphingoglycolipids can be commercially available, and for example, the applicant can use the trade name "Peach Ceramide®" which is sold by the applicant.

[0018] (Fiber derived from peaches) Peach-derived fibers are the fibrous components of the flesh and / or peel of the peach fruit, after the seed has been removed. While not limited, for example, the product can be prepared by drying the residue (juicing residue) obtained by juicing the pulp (which may include the peel) after removing the seeds from the peach fruit, either as is or after solvent extraction. The maturity of the peach fruit is not limited; as mentioned above, both young and mature peaches can be used. While not limited, the solvent used for solvent extraction can be ethanol or aqueous ethanol. Conventional drying methods can be used, such as freeze-drying, hot air drying, fluidized bed drying, vacuum drying, vacuum freeze-drying, forced-air drying, and natural drying (including sun drying). After drying, pulverization (powdering) may be performed as needed. Peach-derived fibers can be commercially available, and for example, the applicant may use the trade names "Peach Fiber" and "Peach Powder" sold by the applicant. "Peach Fiber" is obtained by freeze-drying the fibers remaining after extracting the residue from the juiced mature peach pulp with ethanol. "Peach Powder" is obtained by freeze-drying the residue from the juiced mature peach pulp with the pits removed and then powdering it.

[0019] (Blautia genus fungi) Bacteria belonging to the genus Brautia (Blautia bacteria) are anaerobic bacteria that exist in the large intestine and are known to account for more than 1% of the intestinal bacteria in about 90% of Japanese people (National Institute of Biomedical Innovation, Health and Nutrition (NIBIOHN) Intestinal Bacteria Database: Non-Patent Literature 4). The Blautia species targeted by this invention includes Blautia coccoides (hereinafter referred to as "B. coccoides"). B. coccoides is a Gram-positive cocci or coccobacillus measuring 0.6 to 1.0 × 0.6 to 1.5 μm, and is a non-motile, non-spore-forming, non-pathogenic, obligate anaerobic bacterium.

[0020] B. coccoides is one of the most dominant bacteria in the human gut, and is considered a beneficial gut bacterium because it is reduced in the intestines of the elderly and patients with various diseases including diabetes, cirrhosis, colorectal cancer, and breast cancer; there have been no reports of infections caused by B. coccoides; and the main products of glucose metabolism by B. coccoides are short-chain fatty acids such as acetic acid, lactic acid, and succinic acid. Most of the short-chain fatty acids produced by glucose metabolism by B. coccoides are absorbed by the mucosal tissue of the large intestine and used as an energy source for epithelial cell proliferation, mucus secretion, and water and mineral absorption, thereby maintaining and activating large intestine function. In addition, some of the short-chain fatty acids produced are absorbed and transported throughout the body, where they are used as an energy source and material for synthesizing fats in tissues such as the liver, muscles, and kidneys. Furthermore, short-chain fatty acids are known to have various useful functions, such as suppressing the growth of harmful bacteria by creating a slightly acidic environment in the intestines, stimulating the mucosa of the large intestine to promote peristalsis, and regulating immune responses. Therefore, when the proliferation of B. coccoides in the intestines is promoted and its proportion in the gut microbiota increases, the production of short-chain fatty acids in the intestines is also enhanced. As a result, the intestinal environment is improved, and it can be expected that health will be maintained or improved.

[0021] (Lautia species growth promoter) As shown in Experimental Example 1 described later, the aforementioned peach-derived sphingoglycolipids and peach-derived fibers have the effect of promoting the growth of Blautia bacteria, particularly B. coccoides, a beneficial intestinal bacterium. For this reason, any one selected from the group consisting of peach-derived sphingoglycolipids and peach-derived fibers (hereinafter collectively referred to as "peach-derived substances") is useful as an active ingredient in a Blautia bacteria growth promoter.

[0022] The Blautia fungal growth promoter of the present invention may consist solely of a peach-derived active ingredient, or it may contain other ingredients that are permissible as pharmaceuticals, quasi-drugs, or food products, in addition to the active ingredient, to the extent that they do not interfere with the effects of the present invention. The peach-derived content in the Blautia growth promoter can be appropriately selected and adjusted from a range of 1 to 100% by mass per 100% by mass of the Blautia growth promoter. Although not limited, the amount of peach-derived content in the Blautia growth promoter can be appropriately adjusted so that the daily intake of peach-derived content for humans is, for example, 100 to 5000 mg.

[0023] The Brautia growth promoter of the present invention can be taken orally or enterally. Therefore, the Brautia growth promoter can be in a form that is administered orally (oral ingestion) or enterally. Preferably, it is taken orally and has an oral ingestion form (oral administration form). Such oral ingestion forms are not limited, but include tablets, capsules, granules, powders, jellies, lozenges, syrups, and liquids.

[0024] The Brautia growth promoter of the present invention can be prepared as a pharmaceutical, quasi-drug, or food / beverage. Alternatively, the Brautia growth promoter of the present invention can be mixed with existing pharmaceuticals, quasi-drugs, or food / beverages. In either case, food / beverages are preferred. Food and beverages include foods and beverages intended for health, health maintenance, health promotion, etc., and these include health foods, functional foods, nutritional compositions, nutritional supplements, supplements, health foods, foods for specified health uses, nutrient function foods, foods with functional claims, and prebiotics.

[0025] II. Intestinal Environment Improvement Agents The intestinal environment improving agent of the present invention contains peach-derived sphingoglycolipids and / or peach-derived fiber as active ingredients. As mentioned above, peach-derived sphingoglycolipids and peach-derived fiber have the effect of promoting the growth of Blautia species, particularly B. coccoides, a beneficial intestinal bacterium (see Experimental Example 1). On the other hand, as shown in Experimental Example 3 described later, peach-derived sphingoglycolipids and peach-derived fiber have the effect of suppressing the growth of Escherichia coli, which is known as a harmful bacterium. Therefore, it is thought that by orally ingesting these peach-derived substances, it is possible to improve the intestinal environment to a favorable state by adjusting the number of bacteria in the intestinal flora (increasing the proportion of B. coccoides and decreasing the proportion of Escherichia coli). For this reason, peach-derived substances are useful as intestinal environment improvers.

[0026] The proportion of peach-derived material in the intestinal environment improving agent of the present invention, the daily intake amount, and the form of administration (form of intake) are the same as those of the Brautia species growth promoter described above, and the description in column I above can be applied.

[0027] In this specification, the terms “contains” and “includes” include the meanings of “consisting of” and “substantially consisting of.” [Examples]

[0028] The present invention will be described below in detail with reference to examples, but the present invention is not limited to the following examples unless its essence is changed. The following experiments were conducted at room temperature (25±5℃) and atmospheric pressure unless otherwise specified. Unless otherwise specified, "%" below means "mass%" and "parts" means "parts by mass".

[0029] The materials used in the following experimental examples are listed in Table 1. [Table 1]

[0030] Experimental Example 1: Effects on the growth of Blautia species Using the test samples listed in Table 1, Blautia species were cultured under anaerobic conditions in the presence of each test sample, and the increase in bacterial growth was measured to evaluate the effect of each test sample on the growth capacity of the bacteria.

[0031] (1) Preparation of culture medium containing test samples Each test sample was dissolved or uniformly dispersed in ethanol to prepare test solutions of various concentrations. Specifically, 5 mg / mL and 10 mg / mL solutions were prepared for peach ceramide and rice ceramide, respectively, while 5 mg / mL solutions were prepared for the remaining test samples (peach fiber, peach pulp, defatted rice bran, and soybean ceramide). Each test solution was added at a ratio of 1 mL to 100 mL of GAM medium to prepare the culture medium containing the test samples. Prior to this, it was confirmed that Blautia coccoides grows in BAM medium under anaerobic conditions.

[0032] (2)Culture Add 10 Blautia coccoides to the culture medium containing the test sample. 6 The cells were inoculated at a concentration of / mL and cultured under anaerobic conditions using an aneropack at 30°C for 24 hours. For control, GAM medium with ethanol added instead of the test sample was used as the culture medium, and Blautia cocoides was inoculated and cultured anaerobically in the same manner as above.

[0033] (3) Proliferation evaluation The absorbance of the culture medium at 600 nm (A600) was measured 24 hours after the start of culture, and the difference in absorbance before and after culture (ΔA600) was calculated. Each test was performed three times, and the average value was calculated.

[0034] (4) Results The results are shown in Figure 1. In Figure 1, the results for each test sample (ΔA600) are shown as relative values ​​with the control result (ΔA600) set to "1" (the same applies to Figures 2 and 3, which are the results for experimental examples 2 and 3). As can be seen from Figure 1, although the degree of effect varied, all test samples showed an effect of promoting the growth of Blautia cocoides. Among them, peach ceramide and peach pulp showed significantly higher effects. Furthermore, peach ceramide showed a dose-dependent growth-promoting effect.

[0035] Experimental Example 2: Effects on Lactic Acid Bacteria Growth Similar to Experimental Example 2, lactic acid bacteria (Lactobacillus casei) were cultured under anaerobic conditions in the presence of each test sample listed in Table 1, and the increase in bacterial growth was measured to evaluate the effect of the test sample on the growth capacity of the bacteria.

[0036] (1) Preparation of culture medium containing test samples To 100 mL of MRS medium, 1 mL of each test solution prepared in Experimental Example 1 was added to prepare the culture medium containing the test sample. Prior to this, it was confirmed that Lactobacillus casei (L. casei) grows in MRS medium under anaerobic conditions.

[0037] (2)Culture Add 10 L. casei to the culture medium containing the test sample. 6 The cells were inoculated at a concentration of / mL and cultured under anaerobic conditions using an aneropack at 30°C for 24 hours. For control, MRS medium with ethanol added instead of the test sample was used as the culture medium, and L. casei was inoculated and cultured anaerobically in the same manner as above.

[0038] (3) Proliferation evaluation The absorbance of the culture medium at 600 nm (A600) was measured 24 hours after the start of culture, and the difference in absorbance before and after culture (ΔA600) was calculated. Each test was performed three times, and the average value was calculated.

[0039] (4) Results The results are shown in Figure 2. As can be seen from Figure 2, none of the test samples showed any effect in promoting the proliferation of L. casei.

[0040] Experimental Example 3: Effects on E. coli Growth Similar to Experimental Example 2, Escherichia coli was cultured under aerobic conditions in the presence of each test sample listed in Table 1, and the increase in bacterial growth was measured to evaluate the effect of the test sample on the growth capacity of the bacteria.

[0041] (1) Preparation of culture medium containing test samples To 100 mL of LB medium, 1 mL of each test solution prepared in Experimental Example 1 was added to prepare the culture medium containing the test sample. Prior to this, it was confirmed that Escherichia coli (E. coli) could grow in LB medium under aerobic conditions.

[0042] (2)Culture Add 10 E. coli to the culture medium containing the test sample. 6 The cells were inoculated at a concentration of / mL and cultured under aerobic conditions at 30°C for 24 hours. For control, MRS medium with ethanol added instead of the test sample was used as the culture medium, and E. coli was inoculated and cultured aerobically in the same manner as above.

[0043] (3) Proliferation evaluation The absorbance of the culture medium at 600 nm (A600) was measured 24 hours after the start of culture, and the difference in absorbance before and after culture (ΔA600) was calculated. Each test was performed three times, and the average value was calculated.

[0044] (4) Results The results are shown in Figure 3. As can be seen from Figure 3, rice ceramide and soybean ceramide were found to promote the growth of E. coli, but peach ceramide and peach pulp did not have this effect; rather, they were found to inhibit the growth of E. coli.

[0045] As the above experimental examples show, peach-derived ceramides and fibers were found to have the effect of promoting the growth of Blautia coccoides, a beneficial bacterium in the gut microbiota, and suppressing the growth of Escherichia coli, a harmful bacterium. Therefore, it is expected that peach-derived ceramides and fibers will improve the intestinal environment by increasing the proportion of beneficial bacteria (B. coccoides) and decreasing the proportion of harmful bacteria (E. coli) in the gut microbiota. [Industrial applicability]

[0046] According to the present invention, it is possible to regulate the intestinal microbiota. Specifically, by selectively promoting the growth of Blautia coccoides, an anaerobic intestinal bacterium considered to be beneficial, it is possible to increase its proportion in the intestinal microbiota. Furthermore, by suppressing the growth of Escherichia coli, considered to be harmful, it is possible to reduce its proportion in the intestinal microbiota. Thus, according to the present invention, it is expected that improving the intestinal environment will contribute to maintaining and improving human health.

Claims

1. A growth promoter for the genus Blautia, containing one selected from the group consisting of sphingoglycolipids and fiber derived from peaches as an active ingredient.

2. The Blautia species growth promoter according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the Blautia species is Blautia coccoides.

3. An intestinal environment improving agent containing one active ingredient selected from the group consisting of sphingoglycolipids and fiber derived from peaches.

Images