JP2008179619A - Astaxanthin-containing composition - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a stable astaxanthin containing composition with improved dispersibility in an aqueous liquid and an oil in water (O/W) type emulsion with good dispersion of astaxanthin dispersed in the aqueous liquid, and further, foods, cosmetics, feeds and medicinal compositions with improved absorbability of astaxanthin. <P>SOLUTION: Provided are an astaxanthin containing composition comprising astaxanthin and an oleyl polyglycerate, an oil in water (O/W) type emulsion prepared by the dispersion of the composition in the aqueous liquid, and foods, cosmetics, feeds and medicinal compositions containing them. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an astaxanthin-containing composition having improved astaxanthin stability and absorbability, an oil-in-water emulsion obtained by dispersing the composition in an aqueous liquid, and the composition and / or an oil-in-water emulsion. The present invention relates to foods, cosmetics, feeds and pharmaceutical compositions.

  Astaxanthin is a kind of carotenoid, which is a natural reddish pigment. Astaxanthin is contained in some of krill, faffia yeast, and algae, stored in seafood in the flow of the food chain, and also in salmon, salmon roe, shrimp, crabs and the like. Astaxanthin has a strong antioxidant action, and its activity is said to be 10 times that of β-carotene and 1000 times that of vitamin E. Antioxidant components in the living body are useful for eliminating active oxygen, suppressing synthesis of lipid peroxide, and the like, and lack of antioxidant components can cause diseases such as cardiovascular disorders, inflammation of various parts, and cerebral infarction. Therefore, the high antioxidant power of astaxanthin is extremely useful for the living body.

  Astaxanthin, which has strong antioxidant power, is a substance that can pass through the blood-brain barrier and also the retinal barrier. It prevents, treats, and improves diseases caused by active oxygen, prevents sunburn by creating a skin resistant to ultraviolet rays, and produces melanin. It is a component that is expected to suppress blemishes and prevent spots.

  However, astaxanthin is a fat-soluble substance and has a property of being hardly soluble in water. Astaxanthin shows high solubility in ether and the like, but is hardly soluble in water. For this reason, there is a problem that astaxanthin has a very low absorbability from the digestive tract in oral administration. In addition, astaxanthin is unstable and has a problem of being decomposed by light or the like.

  Several proposals have been made so far to improve the absorbability and stability of astaxanthin. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an astaxanthin powder composition obtained by drying a suspension of alga bodies containing astaxanthin, a surfactant, an antioxidant, an excipient, and a water suspension. Patent Document 2 discloses an astaxanthin emulsion in which astaxanthin-containing oil is added to a solution of glycerin, glycerin fatty acid ester and sucrose fatty acid ester, and water is further added. Patent Document 3 discloses a self-emulsifying soft capsule in which carotenoids are dissolved or suspended in a component comprising a system of fats and oils, a surfactant and a polyhydric alcohol and then encapsulated in a soft capsule.

  Vitamin B1 derivatives, on the other hand, are effective in treating symptoms such as beriberi, neuralgia, muscle pain, central nervous system disorder, peripheral neuritis, peripheral nerve paralysis, myocardial metabolic disorders, gastrointestinal motor dysfunction, and recovery from severe physical fatigue It is known that Ascorbic acid, known as vitamin C, has an antioxidant effect, collagen synthesis promoting effect, immune function enhancement effect, symptom reduction and prevention effect such as stress and fatigue, and cholesterol conversion to bile acid. It is known to be used in medicine, supplements, cosmetics, and the like.

International Publication WO2002 / 077105 JP 2001-316601 A JP 58-128141 A

  An object of the present invention is to provide a stable astaxanthin-containing composition having improved dispersibility in an aqueous liquid, and an oil-in-water emulsion in which astaxanthin is well dispersed in an aqueous liquid. Furthermore, it is providing the foodstuffs, cosmetics, feed, and pharmaceutical composition which improved the absorbability of astaxanthin.

  As a result of intensive studies to solve the above problems, the present inventors have found that astaxanthin is excellent when blended with polyglycerin oleate as an emulsifier without using a high-pressure treatment that is usually used for emulsification. A dispersion composition can be obtained, and when this composition is mixed with an aqueous liquid, astaxanthin is dispersed as uniform fine particles to form a stable oil-in-water emulsion, and the present invention has been completed. It was.

That is, the present invention includes the following inventions.
(1) An astaxanthin-containing composition comprising astaxanthin and polyglycerin oleate.
(2) The composition as described in (1) which contains 4-80 mass% of polyglycerol oleate.
(3) The composition according to (1) or (2), further comprising a polyglycerol condensed ricinoleic acid ester.
(4) The composition according to (3), further comprising polyglycerol monomyristate.
(5) The composition according to any one of (1) to (4), further comprising a fat-soluble vitamin and / or coenzyme Q10.
(6) The composition according to any one of (1) to (5), which further contains one or more water-soluble vitamins selected from vitamin B group and vitamin C.
(7) An oil-in-water emulsion obtained by dispersing the composition according to any one of (1) to (6) in an aqueous liquid.
(8) A food, cosmetic or feed comprising the composition according to any one of (1) to (6) and / or the oil-in-water emulsion according to (7).
(9) A pharmaceutical composition comprising the composition according to any one of (1) to (6) and / or the oil-in-water emulsion according to (7).

  When the astaxanthin-containing composition of the present invention is dissolved or dispersed in an aqueous liquid, it is dispersed in the aqueous liquid as uniform fine particles, and a stable oil-in-water emulsion can be provided. Therefore, the astaxanthin-containing composition of the present invention and the oil-in-water emulsion thereof can be easily applied to foods, cosmetics, feeds, pharmaceutical compositions, and the like, and foods and cosmetics with improved astaxanthin absorbability. , Feed and pharmaceutical compositions are provided.

  The astaxanthin-containing composition of the present invention (hereinafter sometimes referred to as the composition of the present invention) is characterized by using polyglycerin oleate as an emulsifier for dispersing astaxanthin in an aqueous liquid. In addition, the astaxanthin-containing composition of the present invention is preferably an emulsion composition that itself is in the form of an emulsion.

  Astaxanthin used in the astaxanthin-containing composition of the present invention may be either natural astaxanthin or synthesized astaxanthin. Examples of natural astaxanthin include those extracted from organisms containing astaxanthin, such as Haematococcus algae, and examples of synthesized astaxanthin include commercially available synthetic astaxanthin (SIGMA). In the present invention, astaxanthin includes not only free astaxanthin but also ester. Astaxanthin has two hydroxyl groups in the molecule and can form a monoester or a diester. The ester of astaxanthin is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include esters with fatty acids such as palmitic acid, stearic acid, oleic acid, EPA, and DHA.

  The astaxanthin-containing composition of the present invention contains astaxanthin in an amount of usually 0.05 to 50% by mass, preferably 1 to 20% by mass in the composition.

The polyglycerol oleate (polyglycerol oleate) used in the astaxanthin-containing composition of the present invention refers to an ester of polyglycerol and oleic acid. The polyglycerin oleate is preferably a mono-hexaester of polyglycerin and oleic acid, specifically polyglycerin monooleate, polyglycerindiolate, polyglycerin trioleate, polyglycerin tetraoleate, polyglycerin penta. Olate, polyglycerol hexaoleate, more preferably polyglycerol monooleate is used. The polyglycerin is not particularly limited, but polyglycerin having an average degree of polymerization calculated from a hydroxyl value of usually 2 to 15, preferably 4 to 10 may be used. The average degree of polymerization (n) calculated from the hydroxyl group is a value calculated by terminal analysis, and is calculated from the following (Formula 1) and (Formula 2).
(Formula 1) Molecular weight = 74n + 18
(Formula 2) hydroxyl value = 56110 (n + 2) / molecular weight

  The hydroxyl value is a value that serves as an index of the number of hydroxyl groups contained in the esterified product, and is required for neutralizing acetic acid necessary for acetylating the free hydroxyl group contained in 1 g of the esterified product. This refers to the number of milligrams of potassium hydroxide, and the number of milligrams of potassium hydroxide is calculated according to the Japan Oil Chemists 'Society edited by “The Japan Oil Chemists' Society, Standard Oil Analysis Test Method (I), 1996 edition”. .

  As a method for producing the polyglycerol oleate, a general method for producing a polyglycerol fatty acid ester can be used. For example, a direct esterification method using an alkali catalyst of oleic acid and polyglycerin has been industrially implemented. In the enzymatic method, lipase is used as an enzyme, and oleic acid is used for esterification of polyglycerol. Examples of polyglycerin oleate are commercially available products such as tetraglycerin monooleate (SY Glyster MO-3S; Sakamoto Yakuhin Kogyo, Tetraglyn 1-O; Daiichi Kogyo), pentaglycerin monooleate (Sunsoft A). -171A; Taiyo Kagaku), decaglycerin pentaoleate (Decalyn 5-O; Daiichi Kogyo) and the like can be used.

  The astaxanthin-containing composition of the present invention contains polyglycerol oleate in an amount of usually 4 to 80% by mass, preferably 6 to 60% by mass, and more preferably 10 to 50% by mass in the composition. By setting the polyglycerin oleate to 4% by mass or more, stability and dispersibility when the astaxanthin-containing composition is dispersed in an aqueous liquid can be enhanced.

  When a polyglycerin condensed ricinoleic acid ester is further added to the astaxanthin-containing composition of the present invention, the dispersibility in an aqueous liquid and the stability of the resulting oil-in-water emulsion can be further improved. Further, when polyglycerin monomyristate is further blended in addition to the polyglycerin condensed ricinoleic acid ester, the dispersibility in an aqueous liquid and the stability of the resulting oil-in-water emulsion can be further enhanced.

  The polyglycerin condensed ricinoleic acid ester used in the astaxanthin-containing composition of the present invention is an ester of a condensate (condensed ricinoleic acid) obtained by partially condensing a hydroxyl group and a carboxyl group in a ricinoleic acid molecule with ricinoleic acid in advance and polyglycerin Point. Here, as the polyglycerin, the same polyglycerin oleate as described above can be used. Specifically, the average degree of polymerization calculated from the hydroxyl value is usually 2 to 15, preferably 4-10 polyglycerols can be used. Condensed ricinoleic acid is a mixture obtained by heating ricinoleic acid to cause a polycondensation reaction, and those having an average degree of polymerization of 2 to 10, preferably 3 to 6 are used.

  Polyglycerin condensed ricinoleic acid ester is, for example, a castor oil fatty acid (containing about 90% ricinoleic acid) decomposed and refined from castor oil, added with a small amount of alkali and heated at 180 to 210 ° C. under a nitrogen gas stream, The hydroxyl group in the alkyl group of one fatty acid molecule is esterified with the carboxyl group of another fatty acid molecule, and further reacted with other fatty acid molecules to form a high molecular weight fatty acid. It can also be produced by esterification at 180 to 210 ° C. under an air stream. As such polyglycerin condensed ricinoleic acid ester, for example, commercially available products such as tetraglycerin condensed ricinoleate (Poem PR-100; Riken Vitamin), polyglycerin condensed ricinoleate (SY glycerine CRS-75, SY glycerine CR-310, SY glycerin) CR-500; Sakamoto Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.).

  When mix | blending polyglycerin condensed ricinoleic acid ester with the astaxanthin containing composition of this invention, it mix | blends in the quantity of 0.05-50 mass% normally in a composition, Preferably it is 0.5-20 mass%.

  Polyglycerol monomyristate refers to a monoester of polyglycerol and myristic acid. As the polyglycerin, the same polyglycerin oleate as described above can be used. Specifically, the average degree of polymerization calculated from the hydroxyl value is usually 2 to 15, preferably 4 to 10. Polyglycerin can be used. As such polyglycerin monomyristate, for example, commercially available products such as pentaglycerin monomyristate (Sunsoft A-141E; Taiyo Kagaku), hexaglycerin monomyristate (SY Glyster MM-500: Sakamoto Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.), etc. Can be mentioned.

  When blending polyglycerin monomyristate in the astaxanthin-containing composition of the present invention, it is generally blended in an amount of 0.05 to 50% by mass, preferably 0.5 to 20% by mass in the composition.

  In the astaxanthin-containing composition of the present invention, highly viscous polyglycerin oleate, and in some cases polyglycerin monomyristate and / or polyglycerin condensed ricinoleic acid ester are used. May increase. As such fats and oils, synthetic oils, vegetable fats, animal fats and mixtures thereof can be used, but edible oils, particularly natural animal and vegetable oils, are preferably used. Examples of vegetable oils include soybean oil, safflower oil, olive oil, germ oil, sesame oil, corn oil, rapeseed oil, sunflower oil, and cottonseed oil. Examples of animal fats include EPA, DHA, beef tallow, chicken tallow, pork tallow, sheep tallow, mackerel oil, and cod oil. Alternatively, medium chain triglycerides, mono-, di- and triesters of fatty acids having 4 to 22 carbon atoms can also be used. These fats and oils are preferable from the viewpoint of safety, and may be used alone or in combination of two or more. The degree of fluidity can be appropriately adjusted according to the form of the intended formulation, for example, soft capsule content liquid, bathing liquid, and the like. When fats and oils are mix | blended with the composition of this invention, it mix | blends in the quantity of 5-80 mass% normally in a composition, Preferably it is 10-60 mass%.

  The astaxanthin-containing composition of the present invention may further contain other emulsifiers such as surfactants, as long as the effects of the present invention are not hindered. Such emulsifiers include other polyglycerin fatty acid esters, sucrose fatty acid esters, surfactants such as sorbitan fatty acid esters and propylene glycol fatty acid esters, and polyhydric alcohols such as starch, dextrin and cyclodextrin.

  Moreover, since the astaxanthin-containing composition of the present invention is excellent in dispersibility in aqueous liquids and can form stable oil-in-water emulsions, fat-soluble vitamins and water-soluble vitamins may be further blended. . Also, coenzyme Q10 that is fat-soluble can be blended.

  As a water-soluble vitamin, 1 or more types selected from the vitamin B group and vitamin C can be mix | blended, for example. The vitamin B group includes vitamin B1, vitamin B1 derivatives, vitamin B2, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, vitamin B13, and various vitamin B complexes such as niacin, biotin, pantothenic acid, nicotinic acid, and folic acid.

  Examples of vitamin B1 derivatives include thiamine or a salt thereof, thiamine disulfide, fursultiamine or a salt thereof, dicetiamine, bisbuthiamine, bisbenchamine, benfotiamine, thiamine monophosphate disulfide, chicotiamine, octothiamine, prosultiamine, etc. All the compounds having the physiological activity of vitamin B1 are included.

  As the fat-soluble vitamin, one or more selected from vitamin A, vitamin D and derivatives thereof, vitamin E, vitamin K and β-carotene can be blended.

  The amount of water-soluble vitamin and fat-soluble vitamin is generally in the range of 0.001 to 35% by mass, preferably 0.01 to 12% by mass in the composition.

  The form and production method of the astaxanthin-containing composition of the present invention are not particularly limited. For example, astaxanthin that is fat-soluble is used as it is or in a state where it is blended in an oil or fat, this is a mixture containing a polyglycerin oleate and an oil and fat ( If necessary, it is further melted in polyglycerin-condensed ricinoleate and / or polyglycerin monomyristate), stirred and dispersed to give a liquid emulsion (hereinafter referred to as an astaxanthin emulsion composition). Can be formed. In the stirring and dispersion of the melt, for example, a high-pressure homogenizer may be used to finely disperse, thereby forming a uniform and fine emulsion. These steps are performed at, for example, about 35 to 90 ° C, preferably 50 to 80 ° C. When adding vitamins or the like, the mixture may be cooled to 30 ° C. or lower, added with vitamins, and then uniformly dispersed at room temperature or lower.

  When the astaxanthin-containing composition of the present invention is in the form of a capsule, for example, the above astaxanthin emulsion composition can be used to produce a capsule according to a conventional method. The base material of the capsule is not limited to a specific one. Commonly used alkali-treated gelatin, acid-treated gelatin and the like are preferably used, but vegetable raw material films such as pullulan, carrageenan and starch may be used.

  The astaxanthin-containing composition of the present invention can be easily dispersed and emulsified in an aqueous liquid by adding to the aqueous liquid and stirring, and is an oil-in-water containing excellent astaxanthin having high stability and absorbability. Type emulsion. The aqueous liquid is not particularly limited as long as it is a liquid mainly composed of water, but preferably contains 40% by mass or more, more preferably 75% by mass or more of water. In order to disperse and emulsify the astaxanthin-containing composition of the present invention in an aqueous liquid, for example, a form in which it is dispersed in a beverage and consumed, a form in which it is dispersed and emulsified in hot water, and used as a bath agent, etc. Is included. In the present specification, the oil-in-water emulsion may be described separately from or in combination with the astaxanthin-containing composition before being dispersed in the aqueous liquid. However, since it contains astaxanthin and polyglycerin oleate, Included in the astaxanthin-containing composition of the invention.

  When the astaxanthin-containing composition of the present invention is dispersed in an aqueous liquid, a water-soluble substance or the like may be further added. Examples of water-soluble substances include agar, gelatin, xanthan gum, gum arabic, casein, dextrin, carmellose sodium (CMC sodium), D-mannitol, pullulan, polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), corn fiber, starch, guar gum and pectin Plant-derived water-soluble polysaccharides and the like, and at least one water-soluble substance selected from these is preferably used.

  An organic acid may be added to the astaxanthin-containing composition and the oil-in-water emulsion of the present invention for the purpose of increasing the stability of astaxanthin. Examples of the organic acid include citric acid, succinic acid, fumaric acid, lactic acid, gluconic acid, malic acid and tartaric acid, and malic acid, tartaric acid or a mixture thereof is preferably added. The addition amount of the organic acid is in the range of 0.05 to 30% by mass, preferably 1 to 20% by mass, based on the mass of the astaxanthin-containing composition.

  In the oil-in-water emulsion of astaxanthin of the present invention, astaxanthin is well and stably dispersed in the aqueous liquid. The dispersibility of astaxanthin can be evaluated by visually evaluating the dispersion, or by measuring the average particle size of the particles contained in the dispersion using, for example, a laser diffraction / scattering particle size distribution analyzer. The average particle size of the particles contained in the oil-in-water emulsion of the present invention is usually 3.5 μm or less, preferably 0.001 to 3 μm, more preferably 0.01 to 2 μm.

  The astaxanthin-containing composition of the present invention includes a composition in a solid form. In the case of a solid form, the preparation method is not particularly limited. For example, an astaxanthin emulsion composition in a liquid form prepared as described above is once dispersed in an aqueous liquid, and the resulting oil-in-water emulsion is obtained. Water can be removed by subjecting to a step such as drying to obtain an astaxanthin-containing composition in a solid form. Dispersing the above astaxanthin emulsion composition in an aqueous liquid provides an excellent oil-in-water emulsion of astaxanthin that has high stability and absorbability, but by drying it into a solid form A composition that is easy to handle can be provided. Moreover, when this solid composition is mixed with an aqueous liquid, it quickly dissolves or disperses, so that a stable oil-in-water emulsion containing astaxanthin can be easily regenerated.

  Alternatively, the astaxanthin emulsion composition may be dispersed in an aqueous liquid as necessary and adsorbed or supported on an excipient to form a solid form, for example, a powder form. Here, any excipient can be used as long as it can adsorb or carry the astaxanthin-containing composition. For example, powdered lactose, microcrystalline cellulose, β-cyclodextrin, sugar (simple Saccharides, oligosaccharides, polysaccharides, etc., specifically starch, dextrin, enzymatically decomposed dextrin, etc.), fine silicon dioxide, sugar alcohol and the like. These excipients may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

  By appropriately selecting the excipient, the functionality and characteristics of the solid form of the astaxanthin-containing composition can be changed. For example, when sorbitol, dextrin or mannitol is used as an excipient, the solubility in an aqueous liquid can be increased. When lactose, corn starch, sorbitol or crystalline cellulose is used, an astaxanthin-containing composition in a solid form capable of direct compression and having plastic deformability is obtained. Chewable tablets, tablets, time-dissolving tablets, effervescent tablets and the like can also be appropriately prepared.

  As a method of solidifying, for example, pulverizing, for example, an astaxanthin emulsified composition dispersed in an aqueous liquid in a fluidized bed in which at least a part of the excipient is fluidized by a rising air stream heated as necessary (i.e., An oil-in-water emulsion of astaxanthin) can be sprayed and then dried to use a fluidized bed granulation method. Alternatively, a stirring granulation method or the like comprising adding an astaxanthin emulsion composition dispersed in an aqueous liquid to a layer in which at least a part of the excipient is stirred by a stirring blade or the like by dropping or spraying can be used. .

  Further, the astaxanthin emulsion composition is dispersed in an aqueous liquid, the water is removed by a spray drying method, the obtained dry powder is physically mixed with the above-mentioned excipient, granulated as desired, In particular, an astaxanthin-containing composition in powder or granular form may be prepared.

  When the astaxanthin-containing composition of the present invention is dissolved or dispersed in an aqueous liquid, it is dispersed in the aqueous liquid as uniform fine particles, and a stable oil-in-water emulsion can be provided. Since astaxanthin can be efficiently dispersed in an aqueous liquid, astaxanthin can be blended in a high content. The astaxanthin-containing composition of the present invention helps the good absorption of astaxanthin and enables the ingestion of astaxanthin efficiently. It is also excellent in terms of high safety. Therefore, the astaxanthin-containing composition of the present invention and its oil-in-water emulsion can be easily and advantageously applied to foods, cosmetics, feeds and the like. Therefore, the present invention also relates to foods, cosmetics and feeds containing the astaxanthin-containing composition and / or oil-in-water emulsion.

  The food of the present invention includes health foods and functional foods. Specific examples include foods in various forms such as powders, tablets, fine granules, tablets, granules, capsules, and liquid foods. In such a form of food, an appropriate excipient (eg, starch, processed starch, lactose, glucose, water, etc.) is added to the astaxanthin-containing composition and / or oil-in-water emulsion produced as described above. Thereafter, it can be produced using conventional means. Furthermore, the food of the present invention includes liquid foods such as soups, juices, milk drinks, cocoa drinks, tea drinks, jelly-like drinks; semi-solid foods such as puddings, yogurts, and spreads such as butter and jam; bread Udon noodles; confectionery such as cookies, chocolate, candy and rice crackers; sprinkles; and powdered beverages for dispersion into aqueous liquids. Examples of the feed of the present invention include those obtained by applying or spraying the above astaxanthin-containing composition and / or oil-in-water emulsion as a feed additive, particularly on granular feed.

  Since the food of the present invention is highly safe and excellent in taste, it can be easily and continuously ingested not only by healthy people but also by elderly people and those who have difficulty swallowing. Moreover, astaxanthin can be efficiently absorbed by ingesting the food and feed of the present invention. Moreover, since astaxanthin has a reddish orange color, the astaxanthin-containing composition of the present invention can also be used as a food pigment or a feed pigment.

  Examples of the cosmetics of the present invention include those intended for washing shampoos, facial cleansers, toothpastes, body shampoos, etc .; creamy cosmetics such as cold creams and vanishing creams; basic cosmetics such as emulsions and lotions; Finishing cosmetics: permanent hair, hair styling, hair licking, hair rinsing cosmetics and the like. The cosmetic of the present invention includes a bath agent. When the astaxanthin-containing composition of the present invention is dispersed in hot water as a bath agent, it quickly disperses in hot water, and the yellow to red pigment of astaxanthin colors hot water, and astaxanthin is absorbed from the skin and exhibits an effect. .

  The content of the astaxanthin-containing composition and / or the oil-in-water emulsion in the food, cosmetics and feed of the present invention is appropriately determined according to the form and the amount of intake that should be desired. In the case of a solid or semi-solid form such as granules or granules, it is generally in the range of 0.05 to 50% by mass, preferably about 1 to 20% by mass, and is in a liquid form such as a liquid or beverage. In the case, it is generally in the range of 0.0001 to 8% by mass, and preferably about 0.001 to 1% by mass. The daily intake of astaxanthin varies depending on the age, body weight, health condition, etc., but is usually about 0.1 to 20 mg, preferably about 0.5 to 12 mg for adults.

  Astaxanthin has a strong antioxidant action, and its activity is said to be 10 times that of β-carotene and 1000 times that of vitamin E. Therefore, it is known to be effective for diseases such as cardiovascular disorders caused by lack of antioxidant components in the living body, inflammation of each part, cerebral infarction and the like. For example, it has been reported that astaxanthin has an effect of suppressing or preventing the oxidation of serum LDL (low density lipoprotein) and is effective in preventing or suppressing arteriosclerosis, ischemic heart disease or ischemic brain damage. (For example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-155659). In addition, astaxanthin has a blood neutral fat inhibitory effect, and diseases or symptoms involving blood neutral fat, such as hyperlipidemia, arteriosclerosis, hypertension, myocardial infarction, cerebrovascular disorder, cerebral infarction It is also reported to be effective for the treatment and / or prevention of diseases or symptoms such as angina pectoris, pancreatitis, diabetes, fatty liver and metabolic disorders (for example, JP-A-2006-16408).

  Since the astaxanthin-containing composition and the oil-in-water emulsion thereof according to the present invention help to absorb astaxanthin well and efficiently take in astaxanthin, it is possible to treat and / or treat diseases and symptoms as described above. It can be easily and advantageously applied to pharmaceutical compositions for prevention. Therefore, the present invention also relates to a pharmaceutical composition containing the astaxanthin-containing composition and / or an oil-in-water emulsion thereof.

  Examples of the dosage form of the pharmaceutical composition of the present invention include tablets, capsules, granules, powders, powders, syrups, dry syrups, liquids, suspensions and other oral preparations, inhalants, suppositories and the like. Examples include topical preparations such as intestinal preparations, ointments, creams, gels, patches, external preparations for skin, drops, injections and the like. Of these, oral preparations, particularly capsules encapsulating the oil-in-water emulsion of the present invention are preferred.

  The pharmaceutical composition of such a dosage form includes an astaxanthin-containing composition and / or an oil-in-water emulsion, which is an active ingredient, commonly used additives such as excipients, disintegrants, binders, lubricants. A surfactant, alcohol, water, a water-soluble polymer, a sweetener, a corrigent, a sour agent, and the like can be blended according to the dosage form and can be produced according to a conventional method. Liquid preparations such as liquids and suspensions may be dissolved or suspended in water or other suitable medium immediately before taking. In the case of tablets and granules, the preparations may be prepared by a well-known method. The surface may be coated.

  The content of the astaxanthin-containing composition and / or the oil-in-water emulsion in the pharmaceutical composition is appropriately determined according to the form and the amount of intake that should be desired, but based on the amount of astaxanthin, solids such as powders and granules Or, in the case of a semi-solid form, it is generally in the range of 0.05 to 50% by mass, preferably about 1 to 20% by mass, and in the case of a liquid form such as a liquid or a beverage, Is in the range of 0.0001 to 8% by mass, preferably about 0.001 to 1% by mass. The daily intake of astaxanthin varies depending on the age, body weight, health condition, etc., but is usually about 0.1 to 20 mg, preferably about 0.5 to 12 mg for adults.

  The food, pharmaceutical composition and feed of the present invention further include fat-soluble vitamins such as vitamin A, vitamin E and β-carotene, water-soluble vitamins such as vitamin B group and vitamin C, calcium, potassium, iron, zinc and yeast. Mineral content of, L-carnitine, creatine, α-lipoic acid, glutathione, green juice, collagen, carrot, soy isoflavone, peptide, amino acid, garlic, lecithin, royal jelly, propolis, anthocyanin, glucosamine, dietary fiber, glutathione, Any nutrient or nutrient food material such as ceramide, plant sterol, EPA, DHA, hyaluronic acid, α-linolenic acid, lycopene, lutein, polyunsaturated fatty acid, various proteins and carbohydrates may be added and blended. In addition, carbohydrates and proteins may be added as appropriate. Moreover, you may mix | blend various additives (for example, a taste ingredient, a flavor, a sweetener, etc.) for improving flavor, and stabilizers, such as a dispersing agent and an emulsifier. The food of the present invention is preferably in the form of managing the above-mentioned daily intake as health food or functional food.

  Similarly, the cosmetics of the present invention further contain fat-soluble vitamins such as vitamin A, vitamin E and β-carotene, water-soluble vitamins such as vitamin B group and vitamin C, and minerals such as calcium, potassium, iron, zinc and yeast. Any nutrients such as food can be added and blended.

  In the foods, pharmaceutical compositions, cosmetics and feeds of the present invention, when water-soluble vitamins and fat-soluble vitamins are blended, the amount is appropriately determined according to the form, the type of vitamin to be blended, and the amount of intake that should be desired. However, in the case of a solid or semi-solid form such as a powder or a granule, it is generally in the range of 0.0001 to 30% by mass, preferably about 0.01 to 15% by mass. In the case of a liquid form such as a beverage, it is generally in the range of 0.0001 to 5% by mass, preferably about 0.001 to 1% by mass.

  EXAMPLES Hereinafter, although an Example demonstrates this invention in detail, this invention is not limited to these Examples.

Example 1 Production of Astaxanthin-Containing Composition An emulsion composition containing astaxanthin was produced with the composition shown in Table 1 below.

Production method: 75 g of astaxanthin oil, 85 g of tetraglycerin monooleate (SY Glyster MO-3S: manufactured by Sakamoto Yakuhin Kogyo), 25 g of hexaglycerin monomyristate (SY Glyster MM-500: manufactured by Sakamoto Yakuhin Kogyo), polyglycerin condensed ricinoleic acid ester (SY Glister CRS-75: Sakamoto Yakuhin Kogyo Co., Ltd.) 20 g, Vitamin E (Cobitol F-1000-2: Cognis Japan Co., Ltd.) 10 g, Medium chain fatty acid triglyceride (Kao Co., Ltd.) 85 g are taken and heated to about 70 ° C. After stirring and dissolving so as to be uniform, the temperature was lowered to room temperature, and 300 g of a uniform emulsion composition was obtained. Using this emulsified composition, soft capsules were produced under the conditions of a capsule content of 300 mg and a coating mass of about 160 mg using oval No. 6 by a conventional method for producing soft capsules.
(Example 2)
Soft capsules having a capsule content of 300 mg were prepared in the same manner as in Example 1 with the formulation shown in Table 2.

(Example 3)
In Example 1, instead of tetraglycerin monooleate, decaglycerin pentaoleate (Decaglyn 5-O; Daiichi Kogyo), instead of hexaglycerin monomyristate (SY Glyster MM-750: Sakamoto Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.) Soft capsules were prepared in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the product of Table 3 was used.

Example 4
Soft capsules having a capsule content of 300 mg were produced in the same manner as in Example 1 with the formulation shown in Table 4.

(Example 5)
Soft capsules having a capsule content of 300 mg were produced in the same manner as in Example 1 with the formulation shown in Table 5.

(Example 6)
Soft capsules having a capsule content of 300 mg were produced in the same manner as in Example 1 with the formulation shown in Table 6.

(Example 7)
Soft capsules having a capsule content of 300 mg were produced in the same manner as in Example 1 with the formulation shown in Table 7. However, vitamins B1, B2, and B6 were added after the temperature of the mixture was set to 30 ° C. or less and dispersed uniformly.

(Comparative Example 1)
Soft capsules having a capsule content of 300 mg were produced in the same manner as in Example 1 with the formulation shown in Table 8.

(Comparative Example 2)
Soft capsules having a capsule content of 300 mg were produced in the same manner as in Example 1 with the formulation shown in Table 9.

(Comparative Example 3)
A soft capsule having a capsule content of 300 mg was produced in the same manner as in Example 1 using the monolauric acid sorbitan ester (SL-10; Nikko Chemicals) as the emulsifier and the composition shown in Table 10.

(Example 10) Dispersibility test 1 g of each emulsified composition before encapsulation prepared in Examples 1 to 5 and Comparative Examples 1 to 3 was mixed with 100 ml of water and dispersed with stirring with a stirrer for 1 minute. The average particle size of the particles contained in the liquid was measured using a laser diffraction / scattering type particle size distribution analyzer (MICROTRAC FRA; manufactured by Nikkiso Co., Ltd.). Further, the ease of dispersion in water was visually observed and evaluated. The results obtained are shown in Table 11 below. The ease of dispersion was evaluated according to the following criteria.
(-: Disperse well, +: Dispersion takes time, ++: Dispersion takes considerable time)

  From the results of Table 11, it can be seen that the composition of the example has very good dispersibility in water and the average particle size of the particles is small compared to the composition of the comparative example.

  From the above results, it was shown that the astaxanthin-containing composition of the present invention is a composition having extremely high dispersibility in water.

(Example 11) Absorbability test Rats (Wistar / ST, male) were orally administered under fasting conditions so that each emulsified composition prepared in Example 4 before encapsulation was 30 mg / kg as astaxanthin. did. Blood was collected from the femoral artery previously cannulated 3, 6, 9, and 12 hours after administration. Astaxanthin concentration in plasma was measured under the following conditions using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and was defined as the amount of astaxanthin absorbed. As a control, astaxanthin oil (a product containing 6 g of astaxanthin in 75 g, diluted four-fold with soybean oil so as to have the same astaxanthin concentration as in Example 4) was orally administered to the same dose as astaxanthin. , Measured in the same manner. The results were calculated as blood concentration at 3 hours after administration (Cmax) and AUC at 24 hours, and are shown in Table 12.
HPLC conditions Column: Nucleosil 100C-5C18
Mobile phase: methanol: water: ethyl acetate 82: 8: 10
Flow rate: 1 mL / min
Detector: UV spectrophotometer 478nm
Temperature: 30 ° C

表１２の結果から、本発明のアスタキサンチン含有組成物は、アスタキサンチンを単に油に分散させたアスタキサンチンオイルに比べて、極めて高い吸収性を示した。

From the results in Table 12, the astaxanthin-containing composition of the present invention showed extremely high absorbability compared to astaxanthin oil in which astaxanthin was simply dispersed in oil.

(Example 12) Manufacture of tablets 50 g of the emulsified composition before encapsulating the capsule prepared in Example 1 was mixed with 1000 ml of water, and the resulting oil-in-water emulsion was dried by spray drying to obtain astaxanthin. Containing dry powder was prepared.

  20 g of the obtained dry powder, 73.8 g of crystalline cellulose (Asahi Kasei) and 5 g of polyvinylpyrrolidone (BASF) were mixed, 30 mL of ethanol was added thereto, and granules were produced according to a conventional method by a wet method. After the granules were dried, 1.2 g of magnesium stearate was added to form granules for tableting, and tableting was performed using a tableting machine to produce 100 tablets each having 1 g (astaxanthin per tablet). Containing 0.2 g of dry powder).

(Example 13) Production of granules 10 g of astaxanthin-containing dry powder prepared in Example 12, 170 g of lactose (DMV) and 60 g of crystalline cellulose (Asahi Kasei) were mixed, and 130 mL of ethanol was added thereto, and a kneader was used. And kneading for 5 minutes by the usual method. After kneading, the mixture was sieved with 10 mesh and dried at 50 ° C. in a dryer. After drying, the size was adjusted to obtain 240 g of a granule. This was individually packaged so as to be 4 g per package (including 0.167 g of astaxanthin-containing dry powder per package).

(Example 14) Manufacture of syrup agent While boiling 400 g of purified water, 750 g of sucrose and 1 g of astaxanthin-containing dry powder prepared in Example 12 were added and dissolved, and the mixture was wiped with heat. Purified water was added to make a total volume of 1000 mL to produce a syrup (containing 20 g of astaxanthin-containing dry powder per 20 mL).

(Example 15) Production of cream

Claims (9)

  An astaxanthin-containing composition comprising astaxanthin and polyglycerin oleate.   The composition of Claim 1 which contains 4-80 mass% of polyglycerol oleate.   Furthermore, the composition of Claim 1 or 2 containing a polyglycerol condensed ricinoleic acid ester.   Furthermore, the composition of Claim 3 containing a polyglycerol monomyristate.   Furthermore, the composition of any one of Claims 1-4 containing a fat-soluble vitamin and / or coenzyme Q10.   Furthermore, the composition of any one of Claims 1-5 containing 1 or more types of the water-soluble vitamin selected from the vitamin B group and vitamin C.   An oil-in-water emulsion obtained by dispersing the composition according to any one of claims 1 to 6 in an aqueous liquid.   A food, cosmetic or feed comprising the composition according to any one of claims 1 to 6 and / or the oil-in-water emulsion according to claim 7.   A pharmaceutical composition comprising the composition according to any one of claims 1 to 6 and / or the oil-in-water emulsion according to claim 7.