Ginkgo leaf extract composition and oral composition

Abstract

To provide a ginkgo leaf extract composition that has excellent dispersibility and solubility in water or acidic solvent, and can prevent the formation of a precipitate for a long time, and an oral composition containing the ginkgo leaf extract composition.SOLUTION: A ginkgo leaf extract composition contains (A) ginkgo leaf extract, (B) enzymatically decomposed lecithin, (C) saponin, (D) glycerol, and (E) fatty acid ester.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a ginkgo leaf extract composition and an oral composition containing said ginkgo leaf extract composition. [Background technology]

[0002] Ginkgo biloba is used in medicines, cosmetics, health foods, etc. in Europe, and in Japan, it is used in health foods (granules, tablets, beverages, etc.), cosmetics, luxury items, etc. The active ingredients of ginkgo biloba include about 20 kinds of flavonoid glycosides such as quercetin, isorhamnetin, kaempferol, and terpene lactones such as ginkgolides and bilobalide. These active ingredients are known to have various useful functions such as improving circulatory function, promoting and improving blood flow (preventing neuralgia, stiff shoulders, poor circulation, and improving headaches and migraines), preventing aging, improving stomach health, healthy eyes, healthy brain, preventing senile dementia (especially preventing dementia caused by cerebrovascular disorders such as cerebral infarction and cerebral thrombosis), preventing heart disease (lowering blood pressure and cholesterol, preventing arteriosclerosis), and improving allergy symptoms (improving symptoms of atopic dermatitis and asthma).

[0003] In the production of ginkgo leaf extract, extraction is mainly performed using aqueous ethanol for efficient extraction of active ingredients and from the viewpoint of safety. Therefore, when ginkgo leaf extract is used in food and beverages, health foods, cosmetics, medicines, etc., it has a problem that it is very difficult to dissolve in aqueous solutions and is difficult to work with.

[0004] In addition, when ginkgo leaf extract is used in soft drinks and the like that have a low pH due to the use of fruit juice or an acidulant, the dissolution stability of the ginkgo leaf extract is significantly reduced, and even at an extremely low concentration of about 0.01% by mass, precipitation occurs, which causes a problem of impairing the appearance of the product. Furthermore, there is also a problem that the flavonoid glycoside, which is one of the active ingredients of the ginkgo leaf extract, is easily decomposed under acidic conditions.

[0005] In response to these problems, a liquid water-dispersible or water-soluble ginkgo leaf extract composition has been proposed which contains ginkgo leaf extract, Quillaja saponin, enzymatically hydrolyzed lecithin, dextrin, cyclodextrin, or a mixture thereof, and which has excellent dispersibility and solubility in water and can prevent the formation of precipitation for a long period of time when added to foods and beverages, health foods, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, etc. (see Patent Document 1).

[0006] However, the ginkgo leaf extract composition proposed above has a problem in that its solubility in acidic solvents is not fully satisfactory.

[0007] Therefore, there is currently a strong demand for the prompt provision of a ginkgo leaf extract composition that has excellent dispersibility and solubility in water or acidic solvents and can prevent the formation of precipitates over a long period of time. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0008] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 4502549 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0009] The present invention aims to solve the above-mentioned problems and achieve the following objectives: That is, the present invention aims to provide a ginkgo leaf extract composition that has excellent dispersibility and solubility in water or an acidic solvent and can prevent the formation of precipitation for a long period of time, and an oral composition containing the ginkgo leaf extract composition. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] The means for solving the above problems are as follows. <1> A ginkgo leaf extract composition comprising (A) ginkgo leaf extract, (B) enzymatically hydrolyzed lecithin, (C) saponin, (D) glycerin, and (E) a fatty acid ester. <2> The above <1> 2. A composition for oral administration comprising the ginkgo leaf extract composition according to claim 1. Effect of the Invention

[0011] According to the present invention, it is possible to solve the above-mentioned problems of the conventional art and achieve the above-mentioned object, and to provide a ginkgo leaf extract composition that has excellent dispersibility and solubility in water or acidic solvents and can prevent the formation of precipitation for a long period of time, and an oral composition containing the ginkgo leaf extract composition. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0012]

Figure 1

Figure 2

[0013] (Ginkgo Leaf Extract Composition) The ginkgo leaf extract composition of the present invention contains (A) ginkgo leaf extract, (B) enzymatically hydrolyzed lecithin, (C) saponin, (D) glycerin, and (E) fatty acid ester, and may further contain other ingredients as necessary.

[0014] <(A) Ginkgo Leaf Extract> Ginkgo biloba (scientific name: Ginkgo biloba ) is a member of the Ginkgo family ( Ginkgoaceae ) Ginkgo ( Ginkgo) is a deciduous tree belonging to the genus Ginkgo. The ginkgo is distributed throughout the world by artificial transplantation and is easily available from these areas. The ginkgo has a stem height of 20m to 30m and is a type of gymnosperm. The method for obtaining the ginkgo leaves is not particularly limited and can be appropriately selected depending on the purpose. The leaves may be collected from nature or may be commercially available.

[0015] The ginkgo leaf extract can be easily obtained by a method commonly used for plant extraction, for example, a method in which ginkgo leaves used as the extraction raw material are immersed in a treatment tank filled with an extraction solvent, and soluble components are dissolved while stirring appropriately as necessary, and then the ginkgo leaf extract is obtained by filtering to remove the extraction residue, and it is preferable that the ginkgo leaf extract is further crudely purified or purified.

[0016] The size of the ginkgo leaves used as the extraction raw material is not particularly limited and can be appropriately selected depending on the purpose. For example, the size of the ginkgo leaves as they are when harvested, the size of the leaves cut to the desired size, or the size of the leaves pulverized (powdered) can be mentioned.

[0017] The state of the ginkgo leaves used as the extraction raw material is not particularly limited and can be appropriately selected depending on the purpose, and examples thereof include the state as collected, dried, crushed, juiced, etc. Among these, the dried state is preferred.

[0018] The method for drying the ginkgo leaves is not particularly limited and can be appropriately selected depending on the purpose. Examples of the method include drying in the sun and drying using a commonly used dryer.

[0019] The method for pulverizing the ginkgo leaves is not particularly limited and can be appropriately selected depending on the purpose. Examples of the method include pulverizing the ginkgo leaves using a mixer, sugar mill, power mill, jet mill, impact crusher, etc.

[0020] The method for converting the ginkgo leaves into the juice is not particularly limited and can be appropriately selected depending on the purpose. For example, squeezing or the like can be used.

[0021] The extraction solvent for the ginkgo leaf extract is not particularly limited and can be appropriately selected depending on the purpose. Examples of the solvent include water, a hydrophilic solvent, and a mixture thereof.

[0022] The water is not particularly limited and can be appropriately selected depending on the purpose, and examples thereof include pure water, tap water, well water, mineral water, hot spring water, spring water, fresh water, purified water, hot water, ion-exchanged water, physiological saline, phosphate buffer, phosphate buffered physiological saline, etc. These may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

[0023] The hydrophilic solvent is not particularly limited and can be appropriately selected depending on the purpose, and examples thereof include lower alcohols having 1 to 5 carbon atoms, such as methanol, ethanol, propyl alcohol, isopropyl alcohol, etc.; lower aliphatic ketones, such as acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, etc.; polyhydric alcohols having 2 to 5 carbon atoms, such as 1,3-butylene glycol, propylene glycol, glycerin, etc. These may be used alone or in combination of two or more kinds.

[0024] The mixed solvent of water and the hydrophilic solvent is not particularly limited and can be appropriately selected depending on the purpose, but when the lower alcohol is used as the hydrophilic solvent, it is preferable to use 1 to 90 parts by mass of the hydrophilic solvent with respect to 10 parts by mass of the water, when the lower aliphatic ketone is used as the hydrophilic solvent, it is preferable to use 1 to 40 parts by mass of the hydrophilic solvent with respect to 10 parts by mass of the water, and when a polyhydric alcohol is used as the hydrophilic solvent, it is preferable to use 1 to 90 parts by mass of the hydrophilic solvent with respect to 10 parts by mass of the water. These may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

[0025] Among these, the extraction solvent for the ginkgo leaf extract is preferably a mixed solvent of water and ethanol (hydrous ethanol) from the viewpoints of safety and ease of handling. When the aqueous ethanol is used as the extraction solvent, the concentration of ethanol is not particularly limited and can be appropriately selected depending on the purpose, but is preferably 50% by mass or more, and more preferably 70% by mass or more.

[0026] The amount of the extraction solvent used is not particularly limited and can be appropriately selected depending on the purpose, but is preferably 5 to 15 times (by mass) the amount of ginkgo leaves used as the extraction raw material.

[0027] The extraction conditions for the ginkgo leaf extract (extraction time, extraction temperature, atmospheric conditions such as pressure, etc.) are not particularly limited and can be appropriately selected from known methods depending on the purpose. The extraction time for dissolving the soluble components of the ginkgo leaf extract is usually about 30 minutes to 2 hours. The temperature of the extraction solvent is preferably room temperature or a temperature not higher than the boiling point of the solvent used. When a mixed solvent of water and ethanol is used as the extraction solvent, extraction is preferably carried out at 40° C. to 80° C. for 30 minutes to 4 hours.

[0028] The state of the ginkgo leaf extract is not particularly limited and can be appropriately selected depending on the purpose, and may be, for example, the ginkgo leaf extract itself, a crude or purified product of the ginkgo leaf extract, a concentrate of the ginkgo leaf extract, a diluted product of the ginkgo leaf extract, a dried product of the ginkgo leaf extract, etc. The ginkgo leaf extract may be obtained by mixing or dissolving the dried product of the ginkgo leaf extract again in a solvent such as water, a hydrophilic solvent, or a mixture thereof.

[0029] The purification method of the ginkgo leaf extract is not particularly limited and can be appropriately selected according to the purpose, and examples thereof include chromatography such as partition chromatography, adsorption chromatography, ion exchange chromatography, and size exclusion chromatography, liquid-liquid partition extraction, and membrane separation. These purification methods may be performed alone or in combination of two or more. Among these, the ginkgo leaf extract is preferably one that is purified using the adsorption resin.

[0030] The adsorption resin is not particularly limited and can be appropriately selected depending on the purpose, but aromatic or aromatic modified adsorption resins are preferred. Specific examples of the adsorption resin include Diaion HP20, Diaion HP21, Sepabeads SP825L, Sepabeads SP850, Sepabeads SP207 (all manufactured by Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation), Amberlite XAD-2, Amberlite XAD4, Amberlite XAD7 (all manufactured by Organo Corporation), and the like.

[0031] An example of such a commercially available ginkgo leaf extract is Ginkgo Leaf Extract C (manufactured by Maruzen Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.).

[0032] The ginkgo leaf extract contains, as active ingredients, flavonoid glycosides such as quercetin, isorhamnetin, and kaempferol, and terpene lactones such as ginkgolide and bilobalide.

[0033] The content of the ginkgo leaf extract in the ginkgo leaf extract composition is not particularly limited and can be appropriately selected according to the purpose, but is preferably 0.01% by mass to 50% by mass, more preferably 0.1% by mass to 30% by mass, based on the total amount of the ginkgo leaf extract composition. If the content of the ginkgo leaf extract is 0.01% by mass or more, it is advantageous in that the desired effect of the active ingredient ginkgo leaf extract can be obtained, and if it is 50% by mass or less, it is advantageous in that the dispersibility and solubility in water or acidic solvent are good, and the formation of precipitation can be prevented for a long period of time.

[0034] <(B) Enzymatically Decomposed Lecithin> The enzymatically decomposed lecithin as the component (B) is not particularly limited and can be appropriately selected depending on the purpose, and examples thereof include enzyme-treated products of soybean-derived lecithin, egg-derived lecithin, rapeseed-derived lecithin, etc. These may be used alone or in combination of two or more kinds.

[0035] The method for obtaining the enzymatically decomposed lecithin is not particularly limited and can be appropriately selected depending on the purpose. The enzymatically decomposed lecithin may be appropriately produced by a known production method, or a commercially available product may be used.

[0036] The enzymatically hydrolyzed lecithin is generally obtained by treating phospholipids, which are diacylglycerophospholipids extracted from poultry egg yolks (egg yolks of chickens, quails, ducks, etc.), animals and plants (egg yolks of soybeans, rapeseeds, etc.), with phospholipase A, resulting in the lyso form (lysophospholipid) in which one fatty acid of the phospholipid has been cleaved. Also included are those obtained by directly enzymatically treating the animal or plant raw materials with phospholipase A and then extracting by a conventional method, or those obtained by synthesis, and further, if necessary, those obtained by subjecting the enzymatically decomposed lecithin to hydrogenation treatment.

[0037] The lysophospholipids, depending on the structure of the phosphate ester, include, for example, lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC), lysophosphatidylethanolamine (LPE), lysophosphatidylinositol (LPI), lysophosphatidic acid (LPA), lysophosphatidylserine (LPS), lysophosphatidylglycerol (LPG), etc. These may be used alone or in combination of two or more kinds.

[0038] The content of each of the lysophospholipids in the enzymatically decomposed lecithin is not particularly limited and can be appropriately selected depending on the purpose. The content of each of the lysophospholipids in the enzymatically decomposed lecithin can be measured by supercritical fluid chromatography. The content of each lysophospholipid varies depending on the state of the raw material of the enzymatically decomposed lecithin. In the case of soybean-derived lecithin, it is known that the phospholipid composition and fatty acid composition in the lecithin vary depending on the climate change such as temperature and drought during soybean cultivation, and the maturity of soybeans at harvest time (see DL Dornbos et al., Journal of the American Oil Chemists' Society, 01 Sep 1989, Vol. 66, Issue 9, p. 1371-1373).

[0039] Commercially available enzymatically hydrolyzed lecithin products include, for example, SLP-LPC70 and SLP-White Lyso (both manufactured by Tsuji Oil Mills, Ltd.; an enzymatically treated product of soybean-derived lecithin), Elmeizer A (manufactured by Kyowa Hakko Co., Ltd.; an enzymatically treated product of soybean-derived lecithin), Sun Lecithin A1 (manufactured by Taiyo Kagaku Co., Ltd.; an enzymatically treated product of soybean-derived lecithin), and Lysophospholipid Nagase L (manufactured by Nagase ChemteX Corporation; an enzymatically treated product of soybean-derived lecithin).

[0040] The commercially available enzymatically decomposed lecithin products can be roughly divided into those in which the mass ratio [LPA / LPC] calculated from the content (mass) of the lysophosphatidylcholine and the content (mass) of the lysophosphatidic acid measured by supercritical fluid chromatography is less than 150, and those in which the mass ratio [LPA / LPC] is 150 or more. SLP-LPC70, SLP-White Lyso, Elmizer A, and Sun Lecithin A1 have a mass ratio [LPA / LPC] of less than 150, while Lysophospholipid Nagase L has a mass ratio [LPA / LPC] of 150 or more. There is no particular upper limit to the mass ratio [LPA / LPC] of the lysophospholipid Nagase L, and it can be selected appropriately depending on the state of the raw material of the enzymatically hydrolyzed lecithin, but it is preferably 3,000 or less, more preferably 1,500 or less, and even more preferably 1,200 or less.

[0041] The content of the enzymatically decomposed lecithin in the ginkgo leaf extract composition is not particularly limited and can be appropriately selected depending on the purpose, but is preferably 0.3% by mass to 4% by mass, more preferably 0.3% by mass to 2% by mass, based on the total amount of the ginkgo leaf extract composition. If the content of the enzymatically decomposed lecithin is 0.3% by mass or more or 4% by mass or less, it is advantageous in terms of good dispersibility and solubility in water or acidic solvents.

[0042] <(C) Saponin> The saponin used as component (C) is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the purpose. However, taking into consideration today's health-consciousness, from the standpoint of safety, it is preferable for the saponin to be derived from a natural product, and it is more preferable for the saponin to be derived from a plant.

[0043] The plant-derived saponin is not particularly limited and can be appropriately selected according to the purpose, and examples thereof include Quillaja saponin, soybean saponin, yucca saponin, soybean saponin, tea seed saponin, beet saponin, carrot saponin, and licorice saponin (glycyrrhizic acid). These may be used alone or in combination of two or more. Among these, Quillaja saponin is preferred because it has excellent surface activity and is easily available. The method for obtaining the saponin is not particularly limited and can be appropriately selected depending on the purpose. The saponin may be obtained from a plant collected from nature, or a commercially available product may be used.

[0044] The Quillaja saponin used as the raw material is Quillaja saponaria ) is a member of the Quillajaceae family ( Quillajaceae ) Quillaja genus ( Quillaja) is an evergreen small tree. The Quillaja grows naturally in Chile, Bolivia, and Peru in South America, and is easily available from these regions. The bark of the Quillaja contains tannins and triterpene saponins. The Quillaja saponin (Quillaja saponin) is a triterpene saponin with quillajaic acid as the aglycone, and is known to have excellent surface activity and homogeneity compared to saponins obtained from other plants, and is widely used in industrial fields such as food emulsifiers, vitamin E, solubilization of flavors, foaming agents for toothpaste and beverages, toiletry products, and photographic films.

[0045] The plant-derived saponin can be easily obtained by a method commonly used for plant extraction. For example, the method includes immersing an extraction raw material such as the plant in a treatment tank filled with an extraction solvent, stirring appropriately as necessary to elute soluble components, and then filtering to remove the extraction residue to obtain the saponin. It is preferable that the saponin is a crude or purified product.

[0046] The part of the plant used as the extraction raw material is not particularly limited and can be appropriately selected depending on the type of the plant used as the extraction raw material, and examples of the part include leaves, branches, trunks, bark, flowers, fruits, roots, etc. When Quillaja quilla is used as the extraction raw material, the bark is preferred among these.

[0047] The size of each part of the plant to be used as the extraction raw material is not particularly limited and can be appropriately selected depending on the purpose. For example, the size of the part as it is when it is harvested, the desired size after cutting, or the size after pulverization (powder) can be mentioned.

[0048] The state of each part of the plant used as the extraction raw material is not particularly limited and can be appropriately selected depending on the purpose, and examples thereof include the state as collected, dried, crushed, squeezed, etc. Among these, the dried state is preferred.

[0049] The method for drying each of the extracted parts of the plant used as the extraction raw material is not particularly limited and can be appropriately selected depending on the purpose. For example, a method of drying in the sun, a method of drying using a commonly used dryer, etc. can be mentioned.

[0050] The method for pulverizing each part of the plant used as the extraction raw material is not particularly limited and can be appropriately selected depending on the purpose. For example, pulverization methods using a mixer, sugar mill, power mill, jet mill, impact crusher, etc. can be mentioned.

[0051] The method for squeezing each part of the plant used as the extraction raw material is not particularly limited and can be appropriately selected depending on the purpose. For example, squeezing can be used.

[0052] The extraction solvent for extracting saponin from the plant is not particularly limited and can be appropriately selected depending on the purpose. Examples of the extraction solvent include water, a hydrophilic solvent, and a mixed solvent thereof. The water and the hydrophilic solvent are not particularly limited and can be appropriately selected depending on the purpose. For example, the same as those described for the ginkgo leaf extract as the component (A) can be used.

[0053] The mixed solvent of water and the hydrophilic solvent is not particularly limited and can be appropriately selected depending on the purpose, but when the lower alcohol is used as the hydrophilic solvent, it is preferable to use 1 to 90 parts by mass of the hydrophilic solvent with respect to 10 parts by mass of the water, when the lower aliphatic ketone is used as the hydrophilic solvent, it is preferable to use 1 to 40 parts by mass of the hydrophilic solvent with respect to 10 parts by mass of the water, and when a polyhydric alcohol is used as the hydrophilic solvent, it is preferable to use 1 to 90 parts by mass of the hydrophilic solvent with respect to 10 parts by mass of the water. These may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

[0054] Among these, the extraction solvent is preferably a mixed solvent of water and ethanol (hydrous ethanol) from the viewpoints of safety and ease of handling. When the aqueous ethanol is used as the extraction solvent, the concentration of ethanol is not particularly limited and can be appropriately selected depending on the purpose, but is preferably 50% by mass or more, and more preferably 70% by mass or more.

[0055] The amount of the extraction solvent used is not particularly limited and can be appropriately selected depending on the purpose, but is preferably 5 to 15 times (by mass) the amount of each part of the plant used as the extraction raw material.

[0056] The extraction conditions (extraction time, extraction temperature, atmospheric conditions such as pressure, etc.) for extracting saponin from the plant are not particularly limited, and can be appropriately selected from known methods depending on the purpose. The extraction time for eluting saponin from each of the extracted parts of the plant is usually about 30 minutes to 2 hours. The temperature of the extraction solvent is preferably room temperature or a temperature not higher than the boiling point of the solvent used. When a mixed solvent of water and ethanol is used as the extraction solvent, extraction is preferably carried out at 40° C. to 80° C. for 30 minutes to 4 hours.

[0057] The state of the saponin is not particularly limited and can be appropriately selected depending on the purpose, and may be, for example, the extracted saponin itself, a crude or purified product of the saponin, a concentrate of the saponin, a diluted product of the saponin, a dried product of the saponin, etc. The saponin may also be a dried product of the saponin that has been mixed or dissolved again in a solvent such as water, a hydrophilic solvent, or a mixture thereof.

[0058] The purification method of the saponin is not particularly limited and can be appropriately selected depending on the purpose, and examples thereof include chromatography such as partition chromatography, adsorption chromatography, ion exchange chromatography, and size exclusion chromatography, liquid-liquid partition extraction, membrane separation, etc. These purification methods may be performed alone or in combination of two or more.

[0059] Commercially available saponins include, for example, Quillajasaponins such as Quillayanin C-100, Quillayanin P-20, and Quillayanin S-100 (all manufactured by Maruzen Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.).

[0060] The purity of the saponin is not particularly limited and can be appropriately selected depending on the purpose, but taking into consideration the unique taste of saponin, a higher purity is preferable.

[0061] The saponin content in the plant extract can be measured by diluting the plant extract containing the saponin appropriately with water, adding an alkaline solution to the dilution, and then adding at least one of an organic solvent, an organic acid, and water, and performing liquid chromatography.

[0062] The content of the saponin in the ginkgo leaf extract composition is not particularly limited and can be appropriately selected depending on the purpose, but is preferably 0.01% by mass to 30% by mass, more preferably 0.1% by mass to 10% by mass, and even more preferably 0.1% by mass to 0.5% by mass of the entire ginkgo leaf extract composition. If the content of the saponin is 0.01% by mass or more or 30% by mass or less, the dispersibility and solubility in water or an acidic solvent are good, and it is advantageous in that the formation of precipitation can be prevented for a long period of time.

[0063] <(D) Glycerin> The glycerin used as the component (D) is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the purpose, but is preferably food-grade glycerin that is highly safe. The glycerin used may be one that has been appropriately synthesized by a known method, or a commercially available product.

[0064] The content of glycerin in the ginkgo leaf extract composition is not particularly limited and can be appropriately selected according to the purpose, but is preferably 40% by mass to 90% by mass, more preferably 60% by mass to 90% by mass, of the entire ginkgo leaf extract composition. If the content of glycerin is 40% by mass or more, it is advantageous in that the dispersibility and solubility in water or acidic solvent are good and the formation of precipitation can be prevented for a long period of time, and if the content is 90% by mass or less, it is advantageous in that the desired effect of the ginkgo leaf extract, which is an active ingredient, can be easily obtained.

[0065] <(E) Fatty acid ester> The fatty acid ester as the component (E) is not particularly limited and can be appropriately selected according to the purpose, and examples thereof include glycerin fatty acid ester, sucrose fatty acid ester, etc. These may be used alone or in combination of two or more. Among these, glycerin fatty acid ester is preferred, and polyglycerin fatty acid ester is more preferred.

[0066] The number of carbon atoms in the fatty acid portion of the fatty acid ester is not particularly limited and can be appropriately selected depending on the purpose, but 12 to 18 is preferable.

[0067] The polyglycerol fatty acid ester contains polyglycerol, which is a polymer of glycerol, and fatty acids as constituent components, and these components are formed by ester bonds via the hydroxyl groups of the polyglycerol and the carboxylic acids of the fatty acids. The polyglycerol fatty acid ester may be an appropriately synthesized product or a commercially available product.

[0068] The degree of polymerization of glycerin in the polyglycerol fatty acid ester is not particularly limited and can be appropriately selected depending on the purpose.

[0069] Specific examples of the fatty acid ester include polyglycerin fatty acid esters such as polyglyceryl-10 laurate, polyglyceryl-10 myristate, polyglyceryl-5 laurate, polyglyceryl-5 myristate, polyglyceryl-5 oleate, polyglyceryl-10 oleate, polyglyceryl-10 palmitate, polyglyceryl-10 stearate, and polyglyceryl-5 stearate; and sucrose fatty acid esters such as sucrose laurate, sucrose myristate, sucrose oleate, sucrose palmitate, and sucrose stearate. These may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

[0070] Specific examples of commercially available fatty acid esters include SANSOFT Q-12S (polyglyceryl-10 laurate), SANSOFT Q-14S (polyglyceryl-10 myristate), SANSOFT A-121E (polyglyceryl-5 laurate), SANSOFT A-141E (polyglyceryl-5 myristate), SANSOFT A-171E (polyglyceryl-5 oleate) (all manufactured by Taiyo Kagaku Co., Ltd.), NIKKOL DECAGLYN 1-OVEX (polyglyceryl-10 oleate) (manufactured by Nikko Chemicals Co., Ltd.), DK Ester (registered trademark) F-140 (sucrose fatty acid ester, HLB value 13), DK Ester (registered trademark) SS (sucrose fatty acid ester, HLB value 19), DK Ester (registered trademark) F-160 (sucrose fatty acid ester, HLB value 15), DK Ester (registered trademark) F-110 (sucrose fatty acid ester, HLB value 11), DK Ester (registered trademark) F-90 (sucrose fatty acid ester, HLB value 9.5), DK Ester (registered trademark) F-70 (sucrose fatty acid ester, HLB value 8), DK Ester (registered trademark) F-500 (sucrose fatty acid ester, HLB value 6), DK Ester (registered trademark) F-20W (sucrose fatty acid ester, HLB value 2), DK Ester (registered trademark) F-10 (sucrose fatty acid ester, HLB value 1), DK Ester (registered trademark) FA-10E (sucrose fatty acid ester) (all manufactured by Daiichi Kogyo Seiyaku Co., Ltd.).

[0071] The content of the fatty acid ester in the ginkgo leaf extract composition is not particularly limited and can be appropriately selected depending on the purpose, but is preferably 0.1% by mass to 50% by mass, more preferably 0.1% by mass to 10% by mass, based on the total amount of the ginkgo leaf extract composition. When the content of the fatty acid ester is 0.1% by mass or more or 50% by mass or less, the ginkgo leaf extract composition has good dispersibility and solubility in water or an acidic solvent, and has a viscosity that makes it easy to handle.

[0072] The state of the ginkgo leaf extract composition is not particularly limited and can be appropriately selected depending on the purpose. For example, the composition may be in a paste form or liquid form. These conditions can be appropriately adjusted by the method for producing the ginkgo leaf extract composition.

[0073] -Manufacturing method- A method for producing a paste or liquid of a ginkgo leaf extract composition will now be described. The method for producing the paste or liquid ginkgo leaf extract composition is not particularly limited and can be appropriately selected depending on the purpose. For example, the composition can be produced by adding and mixing the ginkgo leaf extract (A), the enzymatically hydrolyzed lecithin (B), the saponin (C), the glycerin (D), and the fatty acid ester (E), and concentrating the mixture under reduced pressure using an apparatus such as a rotary evaporator.

[0074] -Applications- The ginkgo leaf extract composition of the present invention has excellent dispersibility and solubility in water or acidic solvents and can prevent the formation of precipitates for a long period of time, and therefore can be widely used in a wide range of fields, including cosmetics, foods and beverages, pharmaceuticals, etc. In addition, it can be suitably used in the oral composition of the present invention described below.

[0075] The ginkgo leaf extract composition of the present invention is suitable for use in humans, but can also be used in animals other than humans (e.g., mice, rats, hamsters, dogs, cats, cows, pigs, monkeys, etc.) as long as the respective functional effects are achieved.

[0076] (Oral Composition) The oral composition of the present invention contains the ginkgo leaf extract composition of the present invention, and further contains other ingredients such as an acidic pH adjuster, if necessary.

[0077] Since the oral composition of the present invention contains the ginkgo leaf extract composition, by virtue of the action of the ginkgo leaf extract, which is the active ingredient of the ginkgo leaf extract composition, it can be used for improving circulatory function, promoting blood flow (preventing neuralgia, stiff shoulders, poor circulation, and improving headaches or migraines), preventing aging, strengthening the stomach, healthy eyes, and healthy brain, preventing senile dementia (particularly preventing dementia caused by cerebrovascular disorders such as cerebral infarction and cerebral thrombosis), preventing heart disease (reducing blood pressure and cholesterol, preventing arteriosclerosis), and improving allergic symptoms (improving symptoms of atopic dermatitis and asthma).

[0078] The oral composition refers to a composition that is unlikely to cause harm to human health and is taken orally or by administration to the digestive tract in normal social life, and is not limited to administrative classifications such as food, medicine, quasi-drug, etc. Therefore, the oral composition refers to a wide range of foods and drinks that constitute general foods, health foods (functional foods and drinks), health functional foods (specified health foods, nutrient functional foods, functional foods), quasi-drugs, medicines, etc. that are taken orally.

[0079] The type of the oral composition is not particularly limited and can be appropriately selected depending on the purpose, and examples thereof include beverages such as tea drinks, soft drinks, carbonated drinks, nutritional drinks, fruit drinks, and lactic acid drinks; cold desserts such as ice cream, ice sherbet, and shaved ice; noodles such as soba, udon, harusame, gyoza wrappers, shumai wrappers, Chinese noodles, and instant noodles; sweets such as candy, candy, gum, chocolate, tablet candy, snacks, biscuits, jelly, jam, cream, baked goods, and bread; seafood products such as crab, salmon, clams, tuna, sardines, shrimp, bonito, mackerel, whale, oysters, pacific saury, squid, ark shells, scallops, abalone, sea urchin, salmon roe, and tokobushi; processed seafood and livestock foods such as kamaboko, ham, and sausage; processed dairy products such as milk and fermented milk; oils and fats and oil-processed foods such as salad oil, tempura oil, margarine, mayonnaise, shortening, whipped cream, dressing, etc.; condiments such as sauces and sauces; retort pouch foods such as curry, stew, oyakodon, porridge, porridge, Chinese rice bowl, katsudon, tempura bowl, eel bowl, hayashi rice, oden, mabo dolph, beef bowl, meat sauce, egg soup, omelet rice, gyoza, shumai, hamburger, meatballs, etc.; side dishes such as salads and pickles; various forms of health, beauty, or nutritional supplement foods; medicines and quasi-drugs such as tablets, granules, capsules, drinks, lozenges, mouthwash, etc.; oral fresheners used in the mouth, such as mouth fresheners and breath fresheners, and toothpastes, etc.

[0080] Among these, the type of the oral composition is preferably a beverage having a pH of 2 to 7.

[0081] <Ginkgo Leaf Extract Composition> The ginkgo leaf extract composition contained in the oral composition is the ginkgo leaf extract composition of the present invention described above. The content of the ginkgo leaf extract composition in the oral composition is not particularly limited and can be appropriately adjusted taking into consideration the purpose of use, symptoms, gender, etc. When the type of the oral composition is a beverage, the content of the ginkgo leaf extract composition in the beverage is not particularly limited and can be appropriately selected depending on the purpose, but is preferably 0.01% by mass to 50% by mass.

[0082] <Other ingredients> The other components in the oral composition are not particularly limited and can be appropriately selected from auxiliary raw materials, additives, or other components used in the production of ordinary oral compositions according to the purpose, and examples thereof include various additives such as acidic pH adjusters, glucose, fructose, sucrose, maltose, sorbitol, stevioside, rubusoside, corn syrup, dl-α-tocopherol, sodium erythorbate, glycerin, propylene glycol, fatty acid esters other than the component (E), gum arabic, carrageenan, casein, gelatin, pectin, agar, vitamin B, nicotinamide, calcium pantothenate, amino acids, calcium salts, colorants, flavorings, preservatives, solvents, stabilizers, and antioxidants. These may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

[0083] The content of the other components in the oral composition is not particularly limited as long as it does not impair the effects of the present invention, and can be appropriately selected depending on the purpose.

[0084] The acidic pH adjuster is not particularly limited and can be appropriately selected from known pH adjusters depending on the purpose, and examples thereof include phosphoric acid, ascorbic acid, citric acid, tartaric acid, malic acid, lactic acid, phytic acid, gluconic acid, succinic acid, fumaric acid, etc. These may be used alone or in combination of two or more. The content of the acidic pH adjuster is not particularly limited and can be appropriately selected depending on the desired pH. EXAMPLES

[0085] The present invention will be specifically described below with reference to examples, comparative examples, and test examples, but the present invention is not limited to these examples and test examples.

[0086] Example 1 8 mL of 50% by volume ethanol was added to 2.00 g of ginkgo leaf extract (product name: Ginkgo Leaf Extract C, manufactured by Maruzen Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.), and dissolved under heating at 60° C. to obtain 10 mL of a solution. Furthermore, 4 mL of 50% by volume ethanol was added to 0.10 g of fatty acid ester 1 (product name: Sunsoft A-141E, manufactured by Taiyo Kagaku Co., Ltd.) and dissolved under heating at 60° C. to obtain 4 mL of a solution. In addition, 0.09 g of enzymatically decomposed lecithin 1 (product name: SLP-White Lyso, manufactured by Tsuji Oil Mills) was dispersed in 4 mL of distilled water to obtain 4 mL of a dispersion. 10 mL of the ginkgo leaf extract solution, 4 mL of the fatty acid ester 1 solution, and Quillaja saponin (product name: Quillayanin C-100, manufactured by Maruzen Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.) equivalent to 0.041 g of partially hydrolyzed saponin were added to 7.50 g of glycerin, and the mixture was concentrated under reduced pressure at 60° C. using a rotary evaporator N-1100 (manufactured by Tokyo Rikakikai Co., Ltd.). After ethanol was evaporated from the solvent by the reduced pressure concentration, 4 mL of the enzymatically decomposed lecithin 1 dispersion was added, and the mixture was further concentrated to 10 g under reduced pressure at 60° C. to obtain 10 g of the ginkgo leaf extract composition of Example 1 in liquid form.

[0087] Example 2 In Example 1, 10 g of the ginkgo leaf extract composition of Example 2 was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1, except that the type of enzymatically hydrolyzed lecithin was changed from Enzymatically Hydrolyzed Lecithin 1 (product name: SLP-White Lyso, manufactured by Tsuji Oil Mills Co., Ltd.) to Enzymatically Hydrolyzed Lecithin 2 (product name: Sun Lecithin A1, manufactured by Taiyo Kagaku Co., Ltd.).

[0088] Example 3 8 mL of 50% by volume ethanol was added to 2.00 g of ginkgo leaf extract (product name: Ginkgo Leaf Extract C, manufactured by Maruzen Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.), and dissolved under heating at 60° C. to obtain 10 mL of a solution. Furthermore, 4 mL of 50% by volume ethanol was added to 0.10 g of fatty acid ester 1 (product name: Sunsoft A-141E, manufactured by Taiyo Kagaku Co., Ltd.) and dissolved under heating at 60° C. to obtain 4 mL of a solution. A mixture of 7.50 g of glycerin and 0.09 g of enzymatically decomposed lecithin 3 (product name: Elmeizer A, manufactured by Kyowa Hakko Kogyo Co., Ltd.) was mixed, and 10 mL of the solution of the ginkgo leaf extract, 0.041 g of partially hydrolyzed saponin equivalent to Quillaja saponin (product name: Quillayanin C-100, manufactured by Maruzen Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.), and 4 mL of the solution of the fatty acid ester 1 were added to the mixture. The mixture was concentrated to 10 g under reduced pressure at 60° C. using a rotary evaporator N-1100 (manufactured by Tokyo Rikakikai Co., Ltd.), to obtain a liquid ginkgo leaf extract composition of Example 3.

[0089] Example 4 In Example 3, 10 g of the ginkgo leaf extract composition of Example 4 was obtained in the same manner as in Example 3, except that the type of enzymatically hydrolyzed lecithin was changed from Enzymatically Hydrolyzed Lecithin 3 (product name: Elmeizer A, manufactured by Kyowa Hakko Kogyo Co., Ltd.) to Enzymatically Hydrolyzed Lecithin 4 (product name: Lysophospholipid Nagase L, manufactured by Nagase ChemteX Corporation).

[0090] Example 5 In Example 2, the type and amount of fatty acid ester added was changed from 0.10 g of fatty acid ester 1 (product name: Sunsoft A-141E, manufactured by Taiyo Kagaku Co., Ltd.) to 0.50 g of fatty acid ester 2 (product name: Sunsoft Q-14S, manufactured by Taiyo Kagaku Co., Ltd.), and the amount of glycerin added was changed from 7.50 g to 7.10 g. Except for this, 10 g of ginkgo leaf extract composition of Example 5 was obtained in the same manner as in Example 2.

[0091] Example 6 In Example 2, the type and amount of fatty acid ester added was changed from 0.10 g of fatty acid ester 1 (product name: Sunsoft A-141E, manufactured by Taiyo Kagaku Co., Ltd.) to 0.30 g of fatty acid ester 2 (product name: Sunsoft Q-14S, manufactured by Taiyo Kagaku Co., Ltd.), and the amount of glycerin added was changed from 7.50 g to 7.30 g. Except for this, 10 g of ginkgo leaf extract composition of Example 6 was obtained in the same manner as in Example 2.

[0092] Comparative Example 1 10 g of a ginkgo leaf extract composition of Comparative Example 1 was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1, except that fatty acid ester 1 was not added.

[0093] Comparative Example 2 10 g of a ginkgo leaf extract composition of Comparative Example 2 was obtained in the same manner as in Example 2, except that fatty acid ester 1 was not added.

[0094] Comparative Example 3 10 g of a ginkgo leaf extract composition of Comparative Example 3 was obtained in the same manner as in Example 3, except that fatty acid ester 1 was not added.

[0095] Comparative Example 4 10 g of a ginkgo leaf extract composition of Comparative Example 4 was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1, except that the enzymatically decomposed lecithin 1 and the fatty acid ester 1 were not added.

[0096] Comparative Example 5 10 g of a ginkgo leaf extract composition of Comparative Example 5 was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1, except that enzymatically decomposed lecithin 1 and Quillaja saponin were not added.

[0097] For each of the ginkgo leaf extract compositions of Examples 1 to 6 and Comparative Examples 1 to 5, "transmittance," "storage stability (turbidity)," "storage stability (precipitation)," and "foamability" were evaluated by the methods described below. The results are shown in Tables 1 and 2 below. The content of each component described in the Examples and Comparative Examples in Tables 1 and 2 below is shown in "mass (g)."

[0098] - Preparation of test samples - Each ginkgo leaf extract composition of Examples 1 to 6 and Comparative Examples 1 to 5 was weighed out in an amount equivalent to 80 mg of ginkgo leaf extract, and diluted with 20 mM sodium citrate buffer at pH 3.5 to give a diluted solution of 100 mL (ginkgo leaf extract concentration: 0.80% by mass). These diluted solutions were exposed to 90°C for 10 minutes and then left to stand at 5°C for one week to prepare test samples.

[0099] <Transmittance> Using an ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometer (model: UV-1800, manufactured by Shimadzu Corporation), each test sample of the examples and comparative examples was placed in a glass cell with an optical path length of 10 mm, and the transmittance (% T) at 600 nm was measured.

[0100] <Storage stability (turbidity)> The turbidity of each test sample in the Examples and Comparative Examples was visually confirmed and evaluated according to the following evaluation criteria. [Evaluation criteria for storage stability (turbidity)] - : Transparent, no turbidity observed +: Slight turbidity observed ++: Turbidity is observed +++: A lot of turbidity is observed ++++: More turbidity observed +++++: Significantly more turbidity is observed

[0101] <Storage stability (precipitation)> The precipitation of each test sample of the Examples and Comparative Examples was visually confirmed and evaluated according to the following evaluation criteria. [Evaluation criteria for storage stability (precipitation)] -: No precipitation observed +: Slight precipitation observed ++: Precipitation observed +++: A lot of precipitation is observed ++++: More precipitate observed +++++: Significantly large amounts of precipitation are observed

[0102] <Foaming property> Each ginkgo leaf extract composition of Examples 1 to 6 and Comparative Examples 1 to 5 was weighed out in an amount equivalent to 16 mg of ginkgo leaf extract and diluted with 20 mM potassium phosphate buffer at pH 6.0 to give 100 mL of diluted solution (ginkgo leaf extract concentration: 0.16% by mass). 15 mL of the diluted solution was placed in a 50 mL Nessler tube (diameter: 2 cm), plugged and shaken 40 times, after which the height (mm) from the liquid surface to the foam surface was measured as the foam height, and this was used to evaluate the foamability.

[0103] [Table 1]

[0104] [Table 2]

[0105] Example 7 In Example 4, 10 g of the ginkgo leaf extract composition of Example 7 was obtained in the same manner as in Example 4, except that the type of fatty acid ester was changed from Fatty Acid Ester 1 (product name: Sunsoft A-141E, manufactured by Taiyo Kagaku Co., Ltd.) to Fatty Acid Ester 2 (product name: Sunsoft Q-14S, manufactured by Taiyo Kagaku Co., Ltd.).

[0106] Example 8 In Example 7, the amount of fatty acid ester 2 (product name: Sunsoft Q-14S, manufactured by Taiyo Kagaku Co., Ltd.) added was changed from 0.10 g to 1.00 g, and the amount of glycerin added was changed from 7.50 g to 6.60 g, but the same method as that described in Example 7 was used to obtain 10 g of ginkgo leaf extract composition of Example 8.

[0107] Example 9 In Example 3, the type and amount of fatty acid ester added was changed from 0.10 g of fatty acid ester 1 (product name: Sunsoft A-141E, manufactured by Taiyo Kagaku Co., Ltd.) to 0.05 g of fatty acid ester 2 (product name: Sunsoft Q-14S, manufactured by Taiyo Kagaku Co., Ltd.), and the amount of glycerin added was changed from 7.50 g to 7.55 g. Except for this, 10 g of the ginkgo leaf extract composition of Example 9 was obtained in the same manner as in Example 3.

[0108] For each of the ginkgo leaf extract compositions of Examples 7 to 9, the "transmittance," "storage stability (turbidity)," and "storage stability (precipitation)" were evaluated in the same manner as in the evaluation of the ginkgo leaf extract compositions of Examples 1 to 6 and Comparative Examples 1 to 5, except that test samples were prepared in the manner described below. In addition, the foaming properties of each of the ginkgo leaf extract compositions of Examples 7 to 9 were evaluated in the same manner as in the evaluation of the foaming properties of the ginkgo leaf extract compositions of Examples 1 to 6 and Comparative Examples 1 to 5. The results are shown in Table 3 below. The content of each component described in the examples in Table 3 below is shown in "mass (g)."

[0109] - Preparation of test samples - Each of the ginkgo leaf extract compositions of Examples 7 to 9 was weighed out in an amount equivalent to 16 mg of ginkgo leaf extract, and diluted with 20 mM sodium citrate buffer at pH 3.5 to give a diluted solution of 100 mL (ginkgo leaf extract concentration: 0.80% by mass). These diluted solutions were exposed to 90°C for 10 minutes and then left to stand at 5°C for one week to prepare test samples.

[0110] [Table 3]

[0111] <Sensory evaluation> The ginkgo leaf extract composition of Example 2 equivalent to 16 mg of ginkgo leaf extract was weighed out, diluted with water to 100 mL (ginkgo leaf extract concentration: 0.16% by mass), exposed to 90°C for 10 minutes, and cooled with water to obtain test sample 1. In addition, 16 mg of the ginkgo leaf extract composition of Example 7 was weighed out, diluted with water to 100 mL (ginkgo leaf extract concentration: 0.16% by mass), exposed to 90°C for 10 minutes, and cooled with water to obtain test sample 2. In addition, a control sample was prepared by weighing out 16 mg of ginkgo leaf extract (product name: Ginkgo Leaf Extract C, manufactured by Maruzen Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.), diluting it with water to 100 mL (ginkgo leaf extract concentration: 0.16% by mass), exposing it to 90°C for 10 minutes, and cooling it with water.

[0112] The sensory evaluation of the smell and taste was carried out by 13 adult panelists (8 men, 5 women) smelling the smell of the test sample 1 (ginkgo leaf extract composition of Example 2), the test sample 2 (ginkgo leaf extract composition of Example 7), or the control sample (ginkgo leaf extract), tasting them, and answering a questionnaire. The questionnaire evaluation method was carried out by the panelists evaluating the following items based on the seven-level evaluation criteria: "ease of drinking," "smell," "characteristic flavor," "bitterness and astringency," "aftertaste (bitterness)," and "aftertaste." The average score of the evaluations of the 13 panelists was taken as the evaluation result for each item, and is shown in Table 4 below and in Figures 1 and 2.

[0113] [Easy to drink evaluation criteria] 3: Very easy to drink 2: Quite easy to drink 1: Somewhat easy to drink 0: Neither -1: Slightly difficult to drink -2: Quite hard to drink -3: Very difficult to drink

[0114] [Odor evaluation criteria] 3: Very little 2: I barely feel it 1: Somewhat unresponsive 0: Neither -1: Somewhat -2: Feel it quite a bit -3: Very sensitive

[0115] [Evaluation criteria for distinctive flavor] 3: Very little 2: I barely feel it 1: Somewhat not felt 0: Neither -1: Somewhat -2: Feel it quite a bit -3: Very sensitive

[0116] [Evaluation criteria for bitterness and astringency] 3: Very little 2: I barely feel it 1: Somewhat not felt 0: Neither -1: Somewhat -2: Feel it quite a bit -3: Very sensitive

[0117] [Aftertaste (bitterness) evaluation criteria] 3: Very little 2: I barely feel it 1: Somewhat not felt 0: Neither -1: Somewhat -2: Feel it quite a bit -3: Very sensitive

[0118] [Aftertaste evaluation criteria] 3: Very little 2: I barely feel it 1: Somewhat not felt 0: Neither -1: Somewhat -2: Feel it quite a bit -3: Very sensitive

[0119] [Table 4]

[0120] (Test Example 1) The following enzymatically decomposed lecithins 1 to 4 were used as test samples, and the mass ratios [LPA / LPC] of the enzymatically decomposed lecithins 1 to 4 were determined by the following method. For the enzymatically decomposed lecithin 4, three different lots were used as the test samples. Enzymatically decomposed lecithin 1: SLP White Lyso (Tsuji Oil Mills, phospholipid content: 96% to 98% by mass) Enzymatically decomposed lecithin 2: Sunlecithin A1 (manufactured by Taiyo Kagaku Co., Ltd., content of enzymatically decomposed lecithin: 33% by mass) Enzymatically decomposed lecithin 3: Elmizer A (Kyowa Hakko Kogyo Co., Ltd., content of enzymatically decomposed lecithin: 100% by mass) · Enzymatically hydrolyzed lecithin 4: Lysophospholipid Nagase L (manufactured by Nagase ChemteX Corporation, content as enzymatically hydrolyzed lecithin: 18% by mass)

[0121] <Preparation of Sample Solution or Standard Solution for LPA Analysis> LPA has strong metal coordination properties and is difficult to analyze because it adsorbs to columns and pipes in ordinary HPLC and SFC using metal pipes. Therefore, methylation was performed with reference to the method of Shibata Shintai et al. (Oleoscience, 14, 2014, p.329 - 335) to obtain a sample for LPA analysis. Each of the test samples was prepared with methanol so that the content as enzymatically hydrolyzed lecithin was 4 mg / mL. Also, an LPA standard product (1 - Oleoyl Lysophosphatidic Acid (sodium salt) manufactured by Cayman Chemical) was prepared with methanol so that it was 10 μg / mL. To 1 mL of the methanol solution containing each test sample or LPA standard product, 0.5 mL of trimethylsilyldiazomethane (TMS - diazomethane) was added at 0°C, and the mixture was reacted at room temperature (25 ± 5°C) for 10 minutes. After the reaction solution was concentrated to dryness, it was prepared with methanol so that the phospholipid content was 100 μg / mL. The solution filtered through a membrane filter (pore size 0.2 μm) was used as the sample solution or standard solution for LPA analysis.

[0122] <Preparation of Sample Solution or Standard Solution for LPC Analysis> Each of the test samples was prepared with methanol so that the content as enzymatically hydrolyzed lecithin was 100 μg / mL, and the solution filtered through a membrane filter (pore size 0.2 μm) was used as the sample solution for LPC analysis. Also, an LPC standard product (L - α - Lysophosphatidylcholine, egg yolk - derived, manufactured by Fujifilm Wako Pure Chemical Corporation) was prepared with methanol so that it was 1 μg / mL, 5 μg / mL, or 10 μg / mL, and each solution filtered through a membrane filter (pore size 0.2 μm) was used as the standard solution for LPC analysis.

[0123] <Analysis> It has been shown that phospholipids have similar retention times in supercritical fluid chromatography, regardless of the type of fatty acid chain (Waters application 'Lipid Class Separation Using UPC 2 / MS'). As shown in Table 5, since the molecular weight of each type of phospholipid is determined, mass chromatograms were prepared within the range of masses that could be detected for methylated LPA and LPC, and quantification was performed under the analytical conditions described below. Since soybean lecithin contains almost no fatty acids with 14 or less carbon atoms or 20 or more carbon atoms, these were excluded from the mass spectrum to be quantified (Matsumoto Yoshinobu et al., Journal of Kawasaki Medical Welfare Society, 15, 2005, pp. 209-216). The peaks of the LPA analysis sample solution were identified by comparing with the retention time of the LPA analysis standard solution, and the area was calculated by adding up all the peaks between 3.5 and 4.0 minutes. The peaks of the LPC analysis sample solution were identified by comparing with the retention time of the LPC analysis standard solution, and the area was calculated by adding up all the peaks between 6.9 and 7.6 minutes. The peak area of ​​methylated LPA or LPC in each analytical sample solution was substituted into the calibration curve of the standard solution to calculate the respective quantitative values, and the mass ratio [LPA / LPC] was calculated. The results are shown in Table 6 below. [Analysis conditions] · SFC device: ACQUITY UPC 2 (Waters) MS instrument: Xevo G2 Tof (Waters) Column: Viridis BEH (1.7 μm, 100 × 3.0 mm id, Waters) Column temperature: 40℃ Mobile phase: A=CO2, B=0.1%NH3 / methanol Gradient program: 0 min (A:B = 99:1) → 7.0 min (A:B = 50:50) → 7.5 min (A:B = 50:50) Flow rate: 1.6mL / min · Injection volume: 1.0μL Detector: MS - MS conditions for LPA - Polarity: Negative mode (ES - ) Capillary voltage: 2.0kV Extraction cone voltage: 4.0kV Cone Voltage: 10V Source temperature: 120℃ Desolvation temperature: 450℃ Cone gas flow: 50L / hour Desolvation gas flow: 800L / hour Mass scan range: 50Da~1,500Da Scan time: 0.2sec -1 - MS conditions for LPC - Polarity: Positive (ES + ) Capillary voltage: 3.0kV Extraction cone voltage: 4.0kV Cone Voltage: 30V Source temperature: 120℃ Desolvation temperature: 450℃ Cone gas flow: 50L / hour Desolvation gas flow: 800L / hour Mass scan range: 50Da~1,500Da Scan time: 0.2sec -1

[0124] [Table 5] In Table 5, "fatty acid chain" is a numerical expression showing a fatty acid by combining the number of carbon atoms and the number of double bonds (number of carbon atoms: number of double bonds).

[0125] [Table 5]

[0126] Details of each component used in the above examples and comparative examples are shown in Table 7 below.

[0127] [Table 7]

[0128] Examples of aspects of the present invention include the following. <1> A ginkgo leaf extract composition comprising (A) ginkgo leaf extract, (B) enzymatically hydrolyzed lecithin, (C) saponin, (D) glycerin, and (E) a fatty acid ester. <2> (E) The fatty acid ester is at least one of a sucrose fatty acid ester and a glycerin fatty acid ester. <1> 1. A ginkgo leaf extract composition according to claim 1. <3> The above <1> from <2> 1. A composition for oral administration comprising the ginkgo leaf extract composition according to any one of claims 1 to 9. <4> The above beverages have a pH of 2 to 7. <3> The oral composition according to claim 1, [Industrial Applicability]

[0129] The ginkgo leaf extract composition of the present invention has excellent dispersibility and solubility in water or acidic solvents and can prevent the formation of precipitation for a long period of time, and therefore can be widely used in a variety of fields, including cosmetics, food and beverages, and pharmaceuticals. In addition, since the oral composition of the present invention contains the ginkgo leaf extract composition, it can be suitably used for improving circulatory function, promoting blood flow (preventing neuralgia, stiff shoulders, poor circulation, and improving headaches or migraines), preventing aging, strengthening the stomach, healthy eyes, and healthy brain, preventing senile dementia (particularly, preventing dementia due to cerebrovascular disorders such as cerebral infarction and cerebral thrombosis), preventing heart disease (reducing blood pressure and cholesterol, preventing arteriosclerosis), and improving allergic symptoms (improving the symptoms of atopic dermatitis and asthma).

Claims

1. The composition contains (A) ginkgo leaf extract, (B) enzymatically decomposed lecithin, (C) saponin, (D) glycerin, and (E) a fatty acid ester (excluding unsaturated fatty acid esters), The content of the enzymatically decomposed lecithin (B) is 0.3% by mass to 4% by mass, The content of the saponin (C) is 0.01% by mass to 30% by mass, The content of the (D) glycerin is 40% by mass to 90% by mass, The content of the (E) fatty acid ester is 0.1% by mass to 50% by mass. A ginkgo leaf extract composition comprising:

2. A ginkgo leaf extract composition as described in claim 1, wherein the (E) fatty acid ester is at least one of a sucrose fatty acid ester and a glycerin fatty acid ester.

3. The sucrose fatty acid ester is at least one selected from the group consisting of sucrose laurate, sucrose myristic acid ester, sucrose oleate, sucrose palmitate, and sucrose stearate; The ginkgo leaf extract composition according to claim 2, wherein the glycerol fatty acid ester is at least one selected from the group consisting of polyglyceryl-10 laurate, polyglyceryl-10 myristate, polyglyceryl-5 laurate, polyglyceryl-5 myristate, polyglyceryl-5 oleate, polyglyceryl-10 oleate, polyglyceryl-10 palmitate, polyglyceryl-10 stearate, and polyglyceryl-5 stearate.

4. An oral composition comprising a ginkgo leaf extract composition according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The oral composition according to claim 4, which is a beverage having a pH of 2 to 7.

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