Composition

Abstract

To provide a composition for calming intestinal disorders that contains hemicellulose and cellulose in a specific weight ratio.SOLUTION: Blending hemicellulose and cellulose in a specific weight ratio in a composition makes it possible to make an oral composition that exhibits an excellent effect of calming intestinal disorders.SELECTED DRAWING: None

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a composition containing hemicellulose and cellulose in a specific weight ratio. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, various lifestyle-related diseases have become widespread due to the influence of changes in eating habits, unbalanced diet, stress, and the like. Intestinal disorders such as constipation and diarrhea are known to be one of the symptoms caused by lifestyle habits. Constipation in particular can cause various problems such as abdominal pain, headaches, and rough skin, and can also cause colon cancer. Therefore, the development of intestinal regulation compositions that improve intestinal disorders such as constipation is being promoted.

[0003] As an example of an intestinal regulation composition, a composition containing indigestible dextrin (Patent Document 1) is known. However, the effects of the intestinal regulation compositions developed so far are not necessarily sufficient, and there has been a demand for the development of a new intestinal regulation composition. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 05-255404 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a composition that exerts an intestinal regulating effect. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, the present inventors conducted extensive research into various substances and discovered that a composition containing hemicellulose and cellulose in a specific weight ratio exerts an intestinal regulating effect, thereby completing the present invention.

[0007] The outline of the present invention is as follows. <1> 1. A composition for treating intestinal disorders, comprising hemicellulose and cellulose, the weight ratio of cellulose to hemicellulose in the composition being hemicellulose:cellulose=1:1 to 1.90. <2> 1. A composition for treating intestinal disorders, comprising hemicellulose and cellulose, the weight ratio of cellulose to hemicellulose in the composition being hemicellulose:cellulose=1:1.23 to 1.60. <3> 1. A composition for treating intestinal disorders, comprising hemicellulose and cellulose, the weight ratio of cellulose to hemicellulose in the composition being hemicellulose:cellulose=1:1.28 to 1.37. <4> The hemicellulose is derived from young barley leaves. <1> ~ <3> The intestinal regulation composition according to any one of the preceding claims. <5> 1. A composition for improving laxative activity, comprising hemicellulose and cellulose, the weight ratio of cellulose to hemicellulose in the composition being hemicellulose:cellulose=1:1 to 1.90. <6> 1. A composition for improving intestinal environment, comprising hemicellulose and cellulose, wherein the weight ratio of cellulose to hemicellulose in the composition is hemicellulose:cellulose=1:1 to 1.90. Effect of the Invention

[0008] The composition of the present invention improves bowel movements and thereby improves the intestinal environment, and therefore can exert an intestinal regulating effect. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] The present invention will be described in detail below.

[0010] (hemicellulose) In the present invention, hemicellulose means hemicellulose quantified by the Southgate method. Specifically, after enzymatically removing starch from a composition, 5% sulfuric acid is added, and the mixture is heated (100°C, 2.5 hours) with a reflux condenser attached, and the volume of the soluble fraction obtained is determined, and glucose is quantified by the phenol-sulfuric acid method and multiplied by a coefficient of 0.9.

[0011] As the hemicellulose used in the present invention, those fractionated or purified from plants by known methods, processed products (such as crushed products or extracts) of plants containing hemicellulose, or mixtures thereof can be used. In the present invention, the type of plant from which hemicellulose is derived is not particularly limited, but examples thereof include wheat such as barley, wheat, oats, and rye, grass family plants such as rice, millet, and bamboo; Asteraceae plants such as mugwort; Apiaceae plants such as angelica tree and Peony; Mulberry family plants such as mulberry; Houttuynia cordata plants such as dokudami; Lamiaceae plants such as perilla; Brassicaceae plants such as komatsuna, kale, cabbage, and broccoli; and Convolvulaceae plants such as sweet potato. From the viewpoint of further exerting the effects of the present invention, it is preferable to use hemicellulose derived from a grass family plant or a cruciferous plant, more preferably hemicellulose derived from barley, wheat, or kale, even more preferably hemicellulose derived from young barley leaves or young wheat leaves, and particularly preferably hemicellulose derived from young barley leaves.

[0012] The amount of hemicellulose can be quantified by the Southgate method, which is an analytical method for fractionating and quantifying dietary fiber by its constituent sugars. After enzymatically treating starch in a sample, the sample is fractionated into hemicellulose, cellulose, and lignin fractions based on their solubility in sulfuric acid at various concentrations, and the amount of constituent sugars in each fraction is quantified.

[0013] There is no particular limit to the amount of hemicellulose that an adult should consume per day, but in order to maximize the effects of the present invention, the amount is preferably 0.3 g or more, more preferably 0.5 g or more, even more preferably 0.6 g or more, and particularly preferably 0.7 g or more.

[0014] The content of hemicellulose in the composition of the present invention is not particularly limited, but is preferably from 0.1 to 25% by weight, more preferably from 0.2 to 20% by weight, and particularly preferably from 0.3 to 18% by weight.

[0015] (cellulose) Cellulose is a type of natural polymeric compound in which glucose molecules are polymerized in a linear chain through glycosidic bonds, and is a compound contained in the cell walls of plants. In the present invention, cellulose refers to cellulose quantified by the Southgate method.

[0016] Examples of the cellulose used in the present invention include cellulose derived from plants, cellulose derived from bacteria, and cellulose produced by microorganisms, and may be powdered or crystallized. Cellulose fractionated or purified from plants by known methods or commercially available cellulose may be used, or a processed product of a plant containing cellulose (such as a crushed product or an extract) may be used as the cellulose. Also, the fractionated or purified cellulose may be mixed with a processed product of a plant and used as the cellulose, or a commercially available cellulose may be mixed with a processed product of a plant and used as the cellulose. When using cellulose derived from a plant in the present invention, the type of plant from which the cellulose is derived is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include wheat such as barley, wheat, oats, and rye, gramineous plants such as rice, millet, and bamboo grass; Asteraceae plants such as mugwort; Umbelliferae plants such as Angelica keiskei and Peucedanum gracilis; Mulberry plants such as mulberry; Houttuynia cordata plants such as Houttuynia cordata; Lamiaceae plants such as perilla; Cruciferae plants such as komatsuna, kale, cabbage, and broccoli; Convolvulaceae plants such as sweet potato. In order to maximize the effects of the present invention, it is preferable to use cellulose derived from a Gramineae plant or a Brassicaceae plant, it is more preferable to use cellulose derived from barley, wheat or kale, it is even more preferable to use cellulose derived from young barley leaves or young wheat leaves, and it is particularly preferable to use cellulose derived from young barley leaves.

[0017] The amount of cellulose can be quantified by analysis by the Southgate method, similarly to the amount of hemicellulose.

[0018] There are no particular limitations on the amount of cellulose that an adult should consume per day, but from the viewpoint of better exerting the effects of the present invention, the amount is preferably 0.6 g or more, more preferably 0.8 g or more, even more preferably 1.0 g or more, and particularly preferably 1.1 g or more.

[0019] The content of cellulose in the composition of the present invention is not particularly limited, but is preferably from 1 to 30% by weight, more preferably from 3 to 28% by weight, and particularly preferably from 5 to 25% by weight.

[0020] (Intestinal Regulation Composition) The composition of the present invention contains both hemicellulose and cellulose in a specific weight ratio, and exhibits an excellent effect of regulating the intestines by improving bowel movements.

[0021] That is, when the weight ratio of cellulose to hemicellulose is in the range of 1:1 to 1.90 (meaning that 1 to 1.90 parts by weight of cellulose is contained per 1 part by weight of hemicellulose), the composition of the present invention exerts an excellent intestinal regulation effect. From the viewpoint of further exerting the effects of the present invention, the weight ratio of cellulose to hemicellulose in the composition of the present invention is preferably 1.10 to 1.80, more preferably 1.23 to 1.78, even more preferably 1.23 to 1.60, even more preferably 1.23 to 1.47, particularly preferably 1.23 to 1.37, and most preferably 1.28 to 1.37.

[0022] There is no particular restriction on the total daily intake of cellulose and hemicellulose for an adult, but from the viewpoint of better exerting the effects of the present invention, it is preferably 0.9 g or more, more preferably 1.3 g or more, even more preferably 1.6 g or more, and particularly preferably 1.8 g or more.

[0023] The total content of cellulose and hemicellulose in the composition of the present invention is not particularly limited, but is preferably from 0.1 to 55% by weight, more preferably from 3 to 50% by weight, and particularly preferably from 5 to 45% by weight.

[0024] Since the composition of the present invention exerts an intestinal regulation effect, it can be used as an intestinal regulation composition. When the composition of the present invention is used as an intestinal regulation composition, there is no particular limitation as long as it can be distinguished from other products as a product in terms of its use for intestinal regulation. For example, the scope of the present invention includes products that display the intestinal regulation effect on the main body, packaging, instructions, or advertising materials of the product of the present invention. Note that the composition of the present invention is not limited to products that display the components of the present invention (hemicellulose and cellulose) as active ingredients for intestinal regulation on the product packaging, etc., and may display, for example, a generic concept of the components of the present invention (such as dietary fiber) as an active ingredient, or may not specify an active ingredient.

[0025] In the present invention, the intestinal regulation effect means the action of regulating the stomach. The action of regulating the stomach is a concept that includes the action of improving bowel movements (bowel movement improving action) and the action of improving the intestinal environment (intestinal environment improving action). The bowel movement improving action means, for example, in a person prone to constipation, the action of increasing the frequency and amount of bowel movements, the action of relieving abdominal pain associated with constipation, the action of improving the stool odor and the condition of the stool, etc., and in a person prone to diarrhea, the action of reducing the frequency and severity of diarrhea, the action of improving abdominal pain associated with diarrhea, the action of improving the stool odor and the condition of the stool, etc. The intestinal environment improving action means, for example, the action of improving the intestinal flora, the action of increasing good bacteria in the intestine, and the action of reducing bad bacteria. Therefore, the composition of the present invention is useful as a bowel movement improving composition or an intestinal environment improving composition.

[0026] Specifically, examples of the composition of the present invention include those which display, on any part of the product or advertising material, for example, on the product itself, packaging, instruction manual, product sales website, etc., such as "improves bowel movements," "improves bowel movements," "improves bowel movements," "increases the frequency and amount of bowel movements," "increases the frequency and amount of bowel movements," "improves bowel habits," "regulates stool condition (stool color, odor, amount, shape)," "relieves stomach distress," "for those prone to constipation," "for those who want to improve their stomach condition," "for those concerned about their stomach condition," "for those troubled by stomach condition," "improves intestinal environment," "improves intestinal environment of the large intestine," "improves intestinal environment," "improves intestinal flora," "regulates intestinal condition," "increases bifidobacteria," "increases beneficial bacteria," etc.

[0027] The composition of the present invention is not particularly limited as long as it is in a form that can be taken orally, and may be any of a pharmaceutical product (including quasi-drugs), a so-called health food, a food for specified health uses, or a food with functional claims; however, it is preferable that it is a food for specified health uses or a food with functional claims, and it is particularly preferable that it is a food with functional claims.

[0028] The composition of the present invention may contain other commonly used materials in addition to the above-mentioned hemicellulose and cellulose, to the extent that the effects of the present invention are not impaired. As such materials, various excipients, binders, gloss agents, lubricants, stabilizers, diluents, extenders, thickeners, emulsifiers, antioxidants, pH adjusters, colorants, flavorings, additives, etc. may be suitably selected. The content of materials other than hemicellulose and cellulose may be adjusted depending on the dosage form of the present invention.

[0029] Examples of the form of the composition of the present invention include tablets, capsules, powders, granules, liquids, rods, plates, blocks, solids, rounds, pastes, creams, caplets, gels, chewables, and sticks. Among these dosage forms, from the viewpoint of manufacturability and ease of ingestion, powders, granules, and tablets are preferred, powders and granules are more preferred, and granules are particularly preferred. When the composition of the present invention is in the form of powder or granules, it has excellent manufacturability, such as good fluidity and ease of filling into individual packets. In addition, since the composition of the present invention has the characteristic of being easily dispersible when suspended in water, it is particularly preferred that it is a powdered drink (meaning a powder or granules that are poured with water, hot water, milk, etc. and stirred for drinking). The form of a powdered drink is also preferred from the viewpoint of easy drinking during meals and the like, and also of increasing palatability.

[0030] When the composition of the present invention is in the form of a powdered beverage, the amount to be taken per serving is not particularly limited, but from the viewpoint of exerting the effects of the present invention more effectively, it is preferably 1 to 10 g, more preferably 2 to 8 g, and particularly preferably 3 to 6 g. Furthermore, when 3 to 6 g of the composition of the present invention (powdered beverage) is suspended in 100 mL of water or hot water and taken as a beverage, the taste is particularly excellent.

[0031] The packaging form of the composition of the present invention is not particularly limited, and can be suitably selected from blister packs such as PTPs, strip packaging, heat seals, aluminum packaging such as aluminum pouches, film packaging using plastics or synthetic resins, glass containers such as vials, plastic containers such as ampoules, PET bottles, aluminum cans, steel cans, and the like. From the viewpoint of the storage stability of hemicellulose and cellulose, aluminum packaging is particularly preferred. EXAMPLES

[0032] The present invention will be described in more detail below with reference to examples. However, the present invention is not limited to these examples, and the present invention can take various forms as long as the object of the present invention can be achieved.

[0033] <Test to confirm intestinal regulation effect> In order to confirm that the ingestion of the composition of the present invention improves bowel movements and exerts an effect of regulating the intestines, the following test was carried out.

[0034] [Test substance] Test substances for the Examples and Comparative Examples were prepared by adding excipients so that the ratios of cellulose, hemicellulose, and the total of cellulose and hemicellulose were as shown in Table 1. In the Examples, cellulose derived from young barley leaves and hemicellulose derived from young barley leaves were used. In the Comparative Examples, commercially available cellulose (product name "Cellulose" manufactured by Oriental Yeast Co., Ltd.) was used.

[0035] [Table 1]

[0036] [Test Method] Male ICR mice (7 weeks old: Japan SLC Co., Ltd.) were acclimated for 5 days and then used for the test. During the acclimation period, the mice were allowed to freely consume MF powdered feed (manufactured by Oriental Yeast Co., Ltd.). After that, the mice were divided into 6 groups (4 mice per group) and the test was started. During the test period, the mice in each group were allowed to freely consume MF powdered feed (manufactured by Oriental Yeast Co., Ltd.) mixed with the test substance at a ratio of 10% by weight. The wet feces weight and feces number were measured 24 hours after the 7th day after the start of the test.

[0037] [result] The test results are shown in Table 2 (values ​​are average values).

[0038] [Table 2]

[0039] In the group administered with the test substance (Examples 1-5) in which the weight ratio of cellulose to hemicellulose in the composition was hemicellulose:cellulose = 1:1 to 1.90, the wet feces weight and feces number were increased compared to the group administered with cellulose only (Comparative Example). Therefore, it was found that the ingestion of the composition of the present invention improves bowel movements and exerts an intestinal regulation effect. In particular, the wet feces weight was greatly increased in the group administered with the test substance (Examples 2 and 3) in which the weight ratio of cellulose to hemicellulose in the composition was hemicellulose:cellulose = 1:1.28 to 1.37. From this, it was found that when the weight ratio of cellulose to hemicellulose in the composition was hemicellulose:cellulose = 1:1.28 to 1.37, the intestinal regulation effect was particularly remarkable.

[0040] (Production example) A production example of the present invention will be described below. [Production Example 1-4: Granular powdered beverage] As shown in Table 3, after mixing hemicellulose and cellulose with other raw materials, fluidized bed granulation was performed using a granulator to produce the granular powdered beverage described in Production Example 1-4. The produced powdered beverage was filled into an aluminum pouch so that each bag contained 5 g. Hemicellulose and cellulose do not easily adhere to the granulator, making it easy to clean the granulator. In addition, by filling the powdered beverage into an aluminum pouch, hemicellulose and cellulose can be stably stored. The powdered beverage described in Production Example 1-4 may be taken at 5 g per serving, three times a day. If 5 g of the powdered beverage is suspended in 100 mL of water or hot water, it can be taken as a beverage with particularly excellent palatability. The powdered beverage of Production Example 1-4 is easily dispersed in water or hot water, so it can be taken with a little stirring. The formulation described in Table 3 may be produced without granulation, but it is preferable to granulate it to make it into a granular form because the granulated product has improved hydrophilicity to water and saliva and is easier to take. Moreover, all of the powdered beverages of Production Examples 1 to 4 are effective for regulating the intestines. Production Examples 1 and 2 are expected to have a more excellent effect on regulating the intestines than Production Examples 3 and 4.

[0041] [Table 3]

[0042] [Production Example 5-7: Tablets] As shown in Table 4, after mixing hemicellulose and cellulose with other raw materials, tableting was performed using a rotary tablet press to produce tablets of Production Examples 5-7. Hemicellulose and cellulose do not easily adhere to tablet presses or mixers and are easy to wash. The tablets were produced with a tablet diameter of 8 mmφ, a tablet thickness of 4.5 mm, a weight of 300 mg, and a hardness of 5 kgf or more. The tablets described in Production Examples 5-7 can be taken at 5 to 6 tablets per day, and can be taken with water or the like. In addition, all of the tablets of Production Examples 5-7 are effective for intestinal regulation. In Production Example 5, a better intestinal regulation effect can be expected compared to Production Examples 6 and 7.

[0043] [Table 4]

[0044] [Production Example 8-10: Hard Capsule] As shown in Table 5, hard capsules were produced by mixing hemicellulose and cellulose with other raw materials and coating with a film containing gelatin or hydroxypropylcellulose. Hemicellulose and cellulose do not easily adhere to mixers or filling machines and are easy to clean. Hard capsules were produced with 300 mg per capsule. 5 to 6 capsules per day can be taken with water or the like. All of the hard capsules of Production Examples 8 to 10 are effective for intestinal regulation. Production Example 8 is expected to have a better intestinal regulation effect than Production Examples 9 and 10.

[0045] [Table 5] [Industrial Applicability]

[0046] The composition of the present invention exhibits an excellent intestinal regulating effect and is therefore highly industrially useful.

Claims

[Claim 1] A composition for regulating intestinal function, comprising hemicellulose and cellulose, the weight ratio of cellulose to hemicellulose in the composition being hemicellulose:cellulose=1:1.28-1.78.

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