Patent Description:
Nasogastric or oral tube feeding, or gastrostomy or jejunostomy tube feeding, have been conventionally used for patients and the elderly who have difficulty taking food by mouth. Nasogastric or oral tube feeding is a method of continuously injecting nutrients such as concentrated liquid food via a tube inserted from the nose or mouth into the esophagus, stomach, duodenum, or jejunum; and gastrostomy or jejunostomy tube feeding is a method of continuously injecting nutrients such as liquid food via a tube placed in an external fistula that is surgically or endoscopically created in a region from the esophagus to the jejunum (often the stomach).

Since patients and the elderly to whom tube feeding is applied often have a remarkably low function of the cardia at the upper stomach, gastro-esophageal reflux may occur when a concentrated liquid food in the stomach is in the state of a fluid. To prevent gastro-esophageal reflux, it is necessary to inject a concentrated liquid food at a low speed to a seated patient. At this time, the patient being fed must remain in the same seating position for a long period of time, and this imposes a great burden on care workers and the patient.

In contrast, when the concentrated liquid food is in the state of a gel, gastro-esophageal reflux can be suppressed; however, to inject the liquid food through a tube, a high pressure must be continuously applied by a pump or human power during the injection, which requires a special device and also imposes a great burden on care workers.

In order to prevent such gastro-esophageal reflux, or in order to alleviate the burden upon injection of liquid foods, various attempts have been made. More specifically, a tube-feeding nutritive food containing a gellan gum and alginic acid as gelling agents effective for preventing gastro-esophageal reflux (Patent Document <NUM>: <CIT>), a tube-feeding nutritive food containing a carrageenan, and alginic acid (Patent Document <NUM>: <CIT>), a concentrated liquid food obtained by adding one or more kinds of a thickening material selected from low methoxyl pectin, gellan gum, alginate and the like so as to adjust the viscosity to <NUM>-<NUM> mPa·s, and a vomit preventing food consisting of the liquid food and a calcium aqueous solution obtained by dissolving a water-soluble calcium salt (Patent Document <NUM>: <CIT>), a gelling agent for nutritive preparations comprising a two-part liquid composed of a solution containing a low methoxyl pectin and a condensed phosphate salt; and a solution containing a bivalent or polyvalent metal salt, wherein the gelling agent gelatinizes a nutritive preparation by being mixed with the nutritive preparation before tube injection (Patent Document <NUM>: <CIT>), a gelling agent for the liquid nutritive food composed of carrageenan and a mixture of locust bean gum with an extract of devil's tongue and used in the form of a solution state (Patent Document <NUM>: <CIT>), a gel type enteral nutrient obtained by blending agar and an alginic acid and/or a salt thereof (Patent Document <NUM>: <CIT>), a tube injection thickener for a protein-containing liquid food comprising a pair of (A) a xanthan gum-containing solution and (B) a solution obtained by adding locust bean gum and/or glucomannan to a protein-containing liquid food, followed by heat treating at <NUM> or more (Patent Document <NUM>: <CIT>), a gel-like thick liquid diet or nutritional supplement satisfying conditions including a pH of <NUM>-<NUM>, incorporation of <NUM>-<NUM> mass% of a water-soluble hemicellulose and/or HM pectin, and the like (Patent Document <NUM>: <CIT>), a gelling agent for an acidic thick liquid diet containing sodium alginate, a calcium salt insoluble/slightly soluble in neutral water, and a chelating agent (Patent Document <NUM>: <CIT>), a gelled tube feeding nutritious food containing <IMG>-carrageenan as a gelling agent (Patent Document <NUM>: <CIT>), a method for mitigating or preventing vomiting comprising: mixing a calcium ion supplying agent with an enteral nutrient; tube-administering the resulting mixture; and, before or after the tube administration of the mixture, tube-administering a solution containing one or more substances selected from kappa-carrageenan, iota-carrageenan, sodium alginate, and alginic acid (Patent Document <NUM>: <CIT>), an acidic gel-like enteral nutrient comprising (<NUM>) a protein, (<NUM>) an acidic polysaccharide, (<NUM>) one or more carrageenans selected from the group consisting of λ-carrageenan, <IMG>-carrageenan, κ2-carrageenan, and carrageenans including µ-component and v-component, wherein (<NUM>) the pH is adjusted to <NUM> to <NUM> (Patent Document <NUM>: <CIT>), an emulsified food product composition comprising (A) a lipid, (B) a thickener that gels in an acidic region, (C) at least one emulsion stabilizer selected from the group consisting of gum arabic and gum ghatti, and (D) a divalent metal salt (Patent Document <NUM>: <CIT>), and the like have been suggested. Patent Document <NUM> relates to an enteral nutrition comprising <NUM> to <NUM> mass% of alginic acid and/or sodium salt thereof, calcium, and <NUM> to <NUM> parts by mass of a chelating agent per part by mass of the calcium. Patent Document <NUM> relates to tan emulsified food composition comprising a lipid, a thickener that gels in an acidic region, at least one emulsion stabilizer selected from the group consisting of gum arabic and gum ghatti, and a divalent metal salt.

However, in the techniques disclosed in the above documents, the injection must be performed by applying a constant pressure because of the gel form, or, even when constant pressure application is not necessary, the viscosity of the agent is not sufficiently high to prevent gastro-esophageal reflux, thus requiring sequential injection of two liquids via a tube, thereby making the injection complicated. Further, the emulsified food product composition suggested in Patent Document <NUM> has limitations including that the protein source is a protein hydrolysate (low molecular substance), and that a calcium source is insoluble in the neutral range.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a concentrated liquid food that can be simply injected and is not likely to cause gastro-esophageal reflux.

The inventors of the present invention found that a concentrated liquid food comprising a polysaccharide that becomes gelated by combining with calcium, calcium, a chelating agent, a protein having emulsifiability, and a soybean polysaccharide can be injected via a tube without constant pressure application, and can be smoothly injected by gravity fall, and that this concentrated liquid food is immediately gelated or thickened when it is mixed with gastric fluid, thereby suppressing gastro-esophageal reflux. The inventors further found that these characteristics resolve the above problems, and also improve the effects of preventing aggregation and oil floating after storage (dispersion stability after storage), compared with previously known concentrated liquid foods. Based on such findings, the inventors completed the present invention.

Specifically, the present invention includes the following embodiments.

Step <NUM>. <NUM> of a sample is placed in a <NUM>-mL plastic bottle with an opening at an upper portion.

Step <NUM>. A flexible silicone tube with an inner diameter of <NUM> and a length of <NUM> is connected to the bottom of the plastic bottle.

Step <NUM>. The bottom surface of the plastic bottle is placed <NUM> above the end of the tube so that the sample flows out only by gravity via the tube.

Step <NUM>. The flow amount A (mL) of the sample that flows out in <NUM> minutes is measured with a measuring cylinder, and A×<NUM> (mL/hour) is determined as the tube fluidity of the concentrated liquid food.

Item <NUM>. Use of the concentrated liquid food according to any one of Items <NUM> to <NUM> for injection through nasogastric or oral tube feeding, or gastrostomy or jejunostomy tube feeding.

Item <NUM>. A method for manufacturing a concentrated liquid food, the method comprising incorporating in the concentrated liquid food,.

The present invention provides a concentrated liquid food that enables easy injection and suppresses gastro-esophageal reflux.

In this specification, the superscript "TM" denotes a trademark name.

The concentrated liquid food of the present invention contains a polysaccharide that becomes gelated by combining with calcium, a calcium, a chelating agent, a protein having emulsifiability, and soybean hemicellulose.

The "concentrated liquid food" of the present invention includes not only concentrated liquid foods (foods) but also enteral nutritions (pharmaceutical products).

The concentrated liquid food of the present invention comprises:.

wherein the concentrated liquid food has a viscosity of <NUM> mPa·s or less before contact with a simulated gastric fluid, and has a viscosity of <NUM>,<NUM> mPa·s or more after contact with a simulated gastric fluid.

"Polysaccharide that becomes gelated or thickened by combining with calcium" used in the present invention is a substance widely used as a thickener as a food additive. In the absence of calcium, the polysaccharide is dispersed in water in a pH range of <NUM> to <NUM> without being gelated, and, in the presence of calcium, it is gelated in a pH range of <NUM> or less.

The concentrated liquid food of the present invention contains, as the "polysaccharide that becomes gelated or thickened by combining with calcium," at least one member selected from the group consisting of pectins (preferably low methoxyl pectin) and alginic acids or salts thereof.

The "polysaccharide that becomes gelated or thickened by combining with calcium" used in the present invention is at least one member selected from the group consisting of pectins (preferably low methoxyl pectin) and alginic acids or salts thereof.

Pectin has galacturonic acid and rhamnose in the main chain, and forms a structure in which side chains mainly consisting of neutral sugars are bonded to the rhamnose in the main chain. Further, a part of the galacturonic acid, which constitutes the greatest part of the main chain, is esterified by methyl or acetyl. In this specification, the molar content (%) of the methyl-esterified galacturonic acid based on the total molar number of galacturonic acid is referred to as "degree of methyl esterification" or "DM. " More specifically, for example, the limitation that "the degree of methyl esterification is <NUM>% or less" or "the DM is <NUM>% or less" means that the pectin contains <NUM>% or less of methyl-esterified galacturonic acid in terms of molar content. The degree of methyl esterification (DM) may be measured by the method used in the Examples of this specification.

The DM of pectin varies depending on the type of plant from which the pectin was extracted, the season of extraction, and the like; however, upon extraction, the pectin contains a large amount of methyl ester, and has a DM of <NUM>% or more. This pectin is referred to as a high methoxyl pectin (HM pectin). In contrast, a pectin obtained by treating the HM pectin with acid, alkali, or enzyme so as to decrease DM is referred to as a low methoxyl pectin (LM pectin). LM pectin is known to be gelated by combining with calcium. The DM of LM pectin is <NUM>% or less.

The pectin used in the present invention is preferably a pectin having a DM of <NUM>% or less (i.e., LM pectin), more preferably a pectin having a DM of <NUM>% to <NUM>%.

The weight average molecular weight (Mw) of the pectin used in the present invention is preferably <NUM>,<NUM>/mol or less, more preferably <NUM>,<NUM>/mol or less.

In the present invention, pectins may be used solely or in a combination of two or more.

In the present invention, two or more kinds of pectin (preferably two or more kinds of LM pectin) may suitably be used together.

In the present invention, when two or more kinds of pectin (preferably two or more kinds of LM pectin) are used together, the proportion of the pectin having a DM of <NUM>% to <NUM>% and a Mw of <NUM>,<NUM>/mol or less is preferably <NUM> mass% or more, more preferably <NUM> mass% to <NUM> mass%, and particularly preferably <NUM> mass% to <NUM> mass%, based on the total pectin amount (preferably LM pectin) in the concentrated liquid food of the present invention.

A concentrated liquid food containing an excessive amount of a pectin (preferably LM pectin) having a molecular weight of <NUM>,<NUM>/mol or more tends to have an excessive viscosity before injection into gastric fluid. Further, a concentrated liquid food containing an excessive amount of a LM pectin having a DM of less than <NUM>% has a tendency such that the viscosity before contact with gastric fluid (before injection) becomes excessively high, thereby decreasing the tube fluidity. A concentrated liquid food containing an excessive amount of an LM pectin having a DM of more than <NUM>% has a tendency such that the viscosity after contact with gastric fluid (after injection) does not easily increase.

The content of pectin (preferably LM pectin) based on the total amount of the concentrated liquid food of the present invention is preferably <NUM> mass% to <NUM> mass%, further preferably <NUM> mass% to <NUM> mass%.

In the present invention, when two or more kinds of pectin are used, for example, the concentrated liquid food of the present invention preferably contains (<NUM>) a pectin having a weight average molecular weight (Mw) of <NUM>,<NUM>/mol or less, and a degree of methyl esterification (DM) of <NUM>% or less (i.e., Md-pectin), and (<NUM>) a pectin having a Mw of <NUM>,<NUM>/mol or more.

Although pectins usable as food additives obtained from various plants, such as citrus, apple, sugar beet or the like, can be used for the present invention, pectins originated from citrus are preferable. These pectins may be extracted from plants or may be obtained from commercial suppliers. Examples of commercial products include SAN SUPPORT™ P-<NUM>, and SAN SUPPORT™ P-<NUM> (product names, both are produced by San-Ei Gen F.

Further, in the present invention, pectin having a weight average molecular weight (Mw) of <NUM>,<NUM>/mol or less, and a degree of methyl esterification (DM) of <NUM>% or less (i.e., Md-pectin) is suitably used as a pectin. This pectin may be, for example, a pectin having a weight average molecular weight (Mw) of <NUM>,<NUM>/mol or less and a degree of methyl esterification (DM) of <NUM>% or less produced by treating a general commercially available pectin, such as SAN SUPPORT™ P-<NUM>, SAN SUPPORT™ P-<NUM>, or the like (hereinafter referred to as "a pectin material"), with a galacturonic acid hydrolytic enzyme, such as pectinase, and further hydrolyzing the ester bond of the methyl-esterified galacturonic acid using pectin methylesterase or the like, and prepared by purification (isolation) as necessary. A concentrated liquid food containing Md-pectin has a further preferable property such that the viscosity before contact with simulated gastric fluid further decreases, and separation of gastric fluid and the concentrated liquid food does not occur after the contact with simulated gastric fluid.

A method for producing Md-pectin is shown below.

Mw of the plant-derived pectin, such as citrus, apple, sugar beet or the like, is <NUM>,<NUM> to <NUM>,<NUM>/mol. Most commercially available pectin materials have a Mw within this range. The Md-pectin of the present patent is prepared by degrading such a pectin material so that the resulting pectin has a weight average molecular weight (Mw) of <NUM>,<NUM>/mol or less. Degradation of a pectin material into a low-molecular pectin is performed by enzymatic degradation. In the enzymatic degradation, an enzyme that hydrolyzes the galacturonic acid sugar chain of the pectin, such as pectinase, is added to a pectin material solution, followed by stirring under controlled temperature and pH, thereby hydrolyzing the sugar chains.

The DM of the pectin degraded into a low-molecular pectin by the above method depends on the DM of the pectin material. Thus, the DM is high when an HM pectin is used as the material, and low when an LM pectin is used as the raw material. When the DM of the pectin degraded into a low-molecular pectin is more than <NUM>%, it is necessary to hydrolyze the methyl ester bond of the galacturonic acid of the pectin by an acid or alkali treatment or a treatment using a de-esterification enzyme such as pectin methylesterase. To more strictly control the DM of pectin, a method using the enzyme is more preferable.

The molecular weight of Md-pectin must be <NUM>,<NUM>/mol or less, more preferably <NUM>,<NUM> to <NUM>,<NUM>/mol, and further preferably <NUM>,<NUM> to <NUM>,<NUM>/mol.

Further, the DM of Md-pectin must be <NUM>% or less, and more preferably <NUM>% or less.

The content of Md-pectin in the concentrated liquid food of the present invention is preferably <NUM> to <NUM> mass%, more preferably <NUM> to <NUM> mass%, and further preferably <NUM> to <NUM> mass%.

If the content is overly low, the viscosity of the concentrated liquid food of the present invention after contact with gastric fluid is not sufficiently high, and the gastro-esophageal reflux preventing effect may not be sufficient. On the other hand, when the content is excessively high, the viscosity before contact with gastric fluid (upon injection) becomes excessively high, and the tube fluidity may not be sufficient.

The Md-pectin of the present invention is preferably used in a combination with one or more other pectins. The Md-pectin of the present invention may be used in a combination with one or more other pectins or in a combination with one or more other polysaccharides.

The one or more other polysaccharides are, for example, at least one member selected from the group consisting of sodium alginate (including alginic acid material, Md-sodium alginate), carrageenan, gellan gum, soybean polysaccharide, gum arabic, gum ghatti, xanthan gum, guar gum, locust bean gum, glucomannan, psyllium seed gum, and tamarind seed gum.

When the concentrated liquid food of the present invention contains other polysaccharide(s) (i.e., polysaccharide(s) other than pectin), the content of the polysaccharide(s) is <NUM> to <NUM> parts by mass, preferably <NUM> to <NUM> parts by mass, and further preferably <NUM> to <NUM> parts by mass, per part by mass of Md-pectin.

An alginic acid or a salt thereof is a sodium, potassium, calcium, or ammonium salt of a linear acidic polysaccharide constituted of uronic acid, and is a copolymer of α-L-guluronic acid (G) and β-D-mannuronic acid (M). In this specification, the molar content (%) of α-L-guluronic acid relative to the total molar number of α-L-guluronic acid (G) and β-D-mannuronic acid (M) is referred to as a guluronic acid content or G content. More specifically, for example, when it is recited that "the guluronic acid content is <NUM>% or more" or that "the G content is <NUM>% or more," it means an alginic acid or a salt thereof containing, in a molar content, <NUM>% or more of α-L-guluronic acid (G) and less than <NUM>% of β-D-mannuronic acid (M). G content may be measured by the method disclosed in the Examples of this specification.

The alginic acid or a salt thereof used in the present invention has a G content of preferably <NUM>% to <NUM>%, and more preferably <NUM>% to <NUM>%. Further, the weight average molecular weight (Mw) of alginic acid or a salt thereof is preferably <NUM>,<NUM>/mol or less, and more preferably <NUM>,<NUM>/mol or less.

A concentrated liquid food containing an excessive amount of alginic acid or a salt thereof having a Mw of more than <NUM>,<NUM>/mol tends to have an excessively high viscosity before contact with gastric fluid (upon injection), thereby decreasing the tube fluidity. Further, the viscosity after contact with gastric fluid (after injection) of a concentrated liquid food containing an excessive amount of alginic acid or a salt thereof having a G content of less than <NUM>% is less likely to increase.

The content of the alginic acid or a salt thereof based on the total amount of the concentrated liquid food of the present invention is preferably <NUM> mass% to <NUM> mass%, and further preferably <NUM> mass% to <NUM> mass%.

In the present invention, the alginic acid or salts thereof may be used solely or in a combination of two or more.

In the present invention, two or more kinds of alginic acid or salts thereof may suitably be used.

In the present invention, when two or more kinds of alginic acid or salts thereof are used, the concentrated liquid food of the present invention preferably contains, for example, (<NUM>) an alginic acid or a salt thereof having a Mw of <NUM>,<NUM>/mol or less and a G content of not less than <NUM>% and less than <NUM>%; and (<NUM>) an alginic acid or a salt thereof having a Mw of <NUM>,<NUM>/mol or less and a guluronic acid content of <NUM>% or more.

In the present invention, any alginic acid or a salt thereof usable as a food additive may be used; however, sodium salt is preferable. An alginic acid or a salt thereof can be obtained from commercial suppliers. Examples of commercially available products include SAN SUPPORT™ P-<NUM>, P-<NUM>, P-<NUM>, P-<NUM>, and P-<NUM> (product names, San-Ei Gen F. , all of them are sodium salt).

Further, in the present invention, an alginic acid or a salt thereof having a weight average molecular weight (Mw) of <NUM>,<NUM>/mol or less and a guluronic acid content of <NUM>% to <NUM>% may suitably be used as an alginic acid or a salt thereof. Such an alginic acid or a salt thereof may be, for example, an alginic acid or a salt thereof having a weight average molecular weight (Mw) of <NUM>,<NUM>/mol or less and a guluronic acid content of <NUM>% or more (Md-alginic acid) produced by hydrolyzing generally commercially available alginic acid and/or sodium salt thereof (hereinafter referred to as "alginic acid material"), such as SAN SUPPORT™ P-<NUM>, P-<NUM>, P-<NUM>, P-<NUM>, or P-<NUM>, with an acid or enzyme, followed by precipitation under a specific pH condition, or a treatment to convert mannuronic acid into guluronic acid, and optional purification (isolation). A concentrated liquid food produced by using Md-alginic acid has a further preferable property such that the viscosity before contact with simulated gastric fluid further decreases, and separation of gastric fluid and the concentrated liquid food does not occur after the contact with simulated gastric fluid.

A method for producing Md-sodium alginate is shown below.

The Mw of an alginic acid material extracted from brown algae is <NUM>,<NUM> to <NUM>,<NUM>/mol, and the Mw of most commercially available alginic acid materials are also within this range (however, only a few commercially available alginic acids or salts thereof, such as SAN SUPPORT™ P-<NUM>, P-<NUM>, or the like, have a Mw of <NUM>,<NUM>/mol or less). The Md-sodium alginate of the present invention is prepared by degrading such an alginic acid material so that the material has a Mw of <NUM>,<NUM>/mol or less. The degradation of alginic acid into a low-molecular alginic acid is performed by acid hydrolysis or enzymatic degradation. In acid hydrolysis, an alginic acid material is suspended in a hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid, or like inorganic acid solution diluted with <NUM> to <NUM>, followed by heating, thereby hydrolyzing the uronic acid sugar chains. In contrast, in enzymatic degradation, an enzyme that hydrolyzes the uronic acid sugar chain of alginic acid, such as alginate lyase, is added to an alginic acid material solution, followed by stirring under controlled temperature and pH, thereby hydrolyzing the uronic acid sugar chains.

The G content of an alginic acid material varies depending on the type of brown algae from which the alginic acid material is extracted, the picking season, and the like; however, most commercially available alginic acid materials have a G content in the range of <NUM> to <NUM>%. Md-sodium alginate in the present invention has a high G content, i.e., <NUM>% or more. To ensure such a high G content, a selective precipitation method or enzymatic method is used. The selective precipitation method is a method using a difference in solubility depending on the binding form of the guluronic acid and mannuronic acid in the alginic acid sugar chain at a specific pH. In alginic acid, at a pH range of less than <NUM>, the region in which guluronic acid and mannuronic acid alternately appear (GM block) has a high solubility, and the region in which guluronic acid is mainly present (G block) and the region in which mannuronic acid is mainly present (M block) have low solubility. Further, at a pH range of not less than <NUM> and less than <NUM>, the GM block and M block have high solubility, and the G block has low solubility. Using this nature, by selectively precipitating the G block, and collecting the precipitates, it is possible to increase the G content in the alginic acid sugar chain. The pH during the precipitation of alginic acid must be <NUM> or less, preferably not less than <NUM> and less than <NUM>, more preferably not less than <NUM> and less than <NUM>. In contrast, in the enzymatic method, an enzyme called C5-epimerase, which converts mannuronic acid into guluronic acid, is used. By adding C5-epimerase to an alginic acid material solution, followed by stirring under a controlled temperature and pH, it is possible to convert the mannuronic acid in the sugar chain into guluronic acid, thus increasing the G content.

The molecular weight of the Md-sodium alginate thus prepared must be <NUM>,<NUM>/mol or less, more preferably <NUM>,<NUM> to <NUM>,<NUM>/mol, and further preferably <NUM>,<NUM> to <NUM>,<NUM>/mol. Further, the G content of the Md-sodium alginate must be <NUM>% or more, more preferably <NUM>% or more, and further preferably <NUM>% or more.

Further, the content of Md-sodium alginate in the concentrated liquid food of the present invention is preferably <NUM> to <NUM> mass%, more preferably <NUM> to <NUM> mass%, and further preferably <NUM> to <NUM> mass%. If the content is overly low, the viscosity of the concentrated liquid food of the present invention after contact with gastric fluid may not become sufficiently high, and the gastro-esophageal reflux preventing effect may not be sufficient; on the other hand, if the content is excessively high, the viscosity before contact with gastric fluid (upon injection) may become excessively high and the tube fluidity may be insufficient.

The Md-sodium alginate used for the present invention must be used in a combination with an alginic acid material; however, the Md-sodium alginate may also be further combined with one or more other polysaccharides.

Examples used for the combination include pectins (including pectin material, Md-pectin), carrageenan, gellan gum, soybean polysaccharide, gum arabic, gum ghatti, xanthan gum, guar gum, locust bean gum, glucomannan, psyllium seed gum, tamarind seed gum, and the like.

When the concentrated liquid food of the present invention contains polysaccharide(s) other than Md-sodium alginate and alginic acid material, the content of the polysaccharide(s) is <NUM> to <NUM> parts by mass, preferably <NUM> to <NUM> parts by mass, and further preferably <NUM> to <NUM> parts by mass, per part by mass of alginic acid or sodium salt thereof.

The "calcium source" used in the present invention may be soluble or insoluble at a pH range of <NUM> to <NUM> before contact with gastric fluid; however, the calcium source must have an ability to generate free calcium ions at a low pH range after contact with gastric fluid. The form of the "calcium source" used in the present invention is not particularly limited insofar as the above conditions are satisfied and it is a water-soluble calcium source having a solubility of <NUM>/<NUM> or more at <NUM> under a pH of <NUM>, for example, the calcium source may be a salt or ion.

In this specification, the "water-soluble calcium source" means a calcium source having a solubility of <NUM>/<NUM> or more at <NUM> under a pH of <NUM>.

In this specification, the "water-insoluble calcium source" means a calcium source having a solubility of less than <NUM>/<NUM> at <NUM> under a pH of <NUM>.

More specifically, the "calcium source" may be a "calcium supply source.

In this specification, the "calcium content" designates a value calculated based on only the calcium content in the calcium source (this may also be referred to as "the content of calcium source on the calcium basis").

Examples of water-soluble calcium sources include calcium chloride, calcium sulfate, calcium citrate, calcium gluconate, calcium monohydrogen phosphate, and calcium dihydrogen phosphate.

Examples of water-insoluble calcium sources include calcined calcium (sea urchin shell, shell, bone, reef-building coral, lactic, egg shell), uncalcined calcium (shell, bone, coral, nacreous layer, egg shell), calcium carbonate, and calcium trihydrogen phosphate, and hydrates thereof.

In the present invention, the calcium sources may be used solely or in a combination of two or more.

The calcium source used in the present invention is a water-soluble calcium source.

Further, the calcium source may be included in the nutrients described later.

The calcium content in the concentrated liquid food of the present invention can be suitably determined based on the recommended dietary allowance amount, adequate intake, dietary goal, or tolerable intake amount described in the Dietary Reference Intakes for Japanese <NUM>. However, on the calcium basis, the calcium content is <NUM> mass% to <NUM> mass%, preferably <NUM> mass% to <NUM> mass%, and more preferably <NUM> mass% to <NUM> mass%.

However, when the calcium content in the concentrated liquid food of the present invention is less than <NUM> mass%, the viscosity of the concentrated liquid food after contact with gastric fluid (after injection) is less likely to increase; on the other hand, when the calcium content is more than <NUM>%, the viscosity of the concentrated liquid food of the present invention before contact with gastric fluid (before injection) tends to become excessively high, thereby decreasing the tube fluidity.

The concentrated liquid food of the present invention contains a chelating agent.

Specifically, an embodiment of the concentrated liquid food of the present invention comprises:.

In the present invention, at least one member selected from the group consisting of trisodium citrate and tripottasium citrate is used.

The concentrated liquid food of the present invention contains a chelating agent in an amount of <NUM> mass% to <NUM> mass%, more preferably <NUM> mass% to <NUM> mass%, and even more preferably <NUM> mass% to <NUM> mass%.

When the content of the chelating agent in the concentrated liquid food of the present invention is less than <NUM> wt%, the viscosity of the concentrated liquid food of the present invention before contact with gastric fluid (upon injection) becomes excessively high, and the tube fluidity tends to decrease. On the other hand, when the content of the chelating agent is more than <NUM> wt%, the viscosity of the concentrated liquid food of the present invention after contact with gastric fluid (after injection) is less likely to increase.

Unhydrolyzed proteins derived from milk, soybean, and wheat have desirable emulsifiability, and serve to stabilize an emulsified concentrated liquid food. The study of the present invention found that, among these proteins with emulsifiability, unhydrolyzed milk protein has a particularly high effect of stabilizing concentrated liquid foods. In the present invention, an "unhydrolyzed protein" means a protein that was not artificially degraded into a low-molecular protein by a chemical or physical treatment using acid, alkali, enzyme, radial ray, elevated pressure and the like. Degradation of protein into a low-molecular protein means degrading a protein into a protein having a molecular weight of, for example, <NUM> Da or less. Therefore, in the present invention, unhydrolyzed proteins encompass proteins in which molecular chains are partially cleaved during food processing steps without an intention of degrading them into a low-molecular protein by thermal stirring, homogenization, or the like. The protein having emulsifiability used in the present invention is preferably a protein contained in a dairy product, such as powdered whole milk or powdered skim milk, or an unhydrolyzed milk protein such as whole milk protein, casein or sodium salt thereof, whey protein, lactoglobulin, or lactalbumin, more preferably casein or sodium salt thereof, or whey protein.

The concentrated liquid food of the present invention contains a protein having emulsifiability preferably in an amount of <NUM> mass% to <NUM> mass%, more preferably <NUM> mass% to <NUM> mass%, and further preferably <NUM> mass% to <NUM> mass%.

For example, as a protein source other than protein having emulsifiability, an enzymatically degraded protein product may also be used. However, when a degraded protein product is used, the ratio of the degraded protein product is preferably not more than <NUM> parts by mass, and more preferably not more than <NUM> parts by mass, per part by mass of the unhydrolyzed protein.

Milk proteins, such as whey protein and whole milk protein, often form a salt with calcium. Such calcium can also serve as the calcium of the calcium source as an essential ingredient of the concentrated liquid food of the present invention. More specifically, the milk proteins that form a salt with calcium may be a calcium source as an essential ingredient of the concentrated liquid food of the present invention.

In the present invention, the protein having emulsifiability may be used solely or in a combination of two or more.

As water-soluble soybean polysaccharide (Soybean Hemicellulose), a water-soluble polysaccharide extracted from water-soluble dietary fibers generated during the production of separated soybean protein may be used. The soybean hemicellulose is presumably constituted of sugars, such as galactose, arabinose, galacturonic acid, rhamnose, xylose, fucose and glucose, and has a structure in which galactan and arabinan are bound to a rhamnogalacturonic acid chain. Since soybean hemicellulose is emulsifiable and also serves to prevent aggregation of protein in the acidic range, soybean hemicellulose is necessary for stable storage of the concentrated liquid food of the present invention. The soybean hemicellulose used in the present invention is not particularly limited insofar as it satisfies the above conditions. Examples of commercially available soybean hemicellulose preparations include "SM-<NUM>" and "SM-<NUM>" produced by San-Ei Gen F.

In the present invention, soybean hemicellulose may be used solely or in a combination of two or more.

The concentrated liquid food of the present invention contains soybean hemicellulose in an amount of <NUM> mass% to <NUM> mass%, preferably <NUM> mass% to <NUM> mass%, and more preferably <NUM> mass% to <NUM> mass%. When the content of the soybean hemicellulose is less than <NUM> mass%, aggregation of lipids or proteins in the concentrated liquid food easily occurs. On the other hand, when the content of the soybean hemicellulose is more than <NUM>%, the viscosity before contact with gastric fluid (before injection) becomes excessively high, and adverse effects, including a decrease in tube fluidity and a decrease in solubility of pectin, alginic acid or a salt thereof, occur.

The concentrated liquid food of the present invention preferably has a caloric value of <NUM> kcal/mL or more, and may generally contain at least one nutrient selected from the group consisting of protein ingredients, including the "protein having emulsifiability" described above, lipids, carbohydrates, minerals, vitamins, and the like. The concentrated liquid food of the present invention preferably contains protein ingredients, lipids, carbohydrates, minerals, and vitamins.

The lipids may be general lipids used for food. Specific examples of the lipids include soybean oil, cottonseed oil, safflower oil, cone oil, rice oil, coconut oil, perilla oil, sesame oil, linseed oil, palm oil, rapeseed oil, and like plant oils; sardine oil, cod liver oil, and like fish oils; and long-chain-fatty-acid triglycerides (LCT), medium-chain-fatty-acid triglycerides (MCT), etc., as a source of essential fatty acids. Of these, for example, medium-chain-fatty-acid triglycerides (MCT) having <NUM> to <NUM> carbon atoms are generally preferable. The use of medium-chain-fatty-acid triglyceride (MCT) increases lipid adsorption. Concentrated liquid foods containing MCT generally have a high adhesive property, and thus have a tendency such that the amount of residues on the inner wall of the tube used for tube injection increases. However, the concentrated liquid food of the present invention has a low adhesive property even though it contains MCT, and only a small amount of residues is adhered to the inner wall of the tube. The lipid content in the concentrated liquid food of the present invention is preferably <NUM> mass% to <NUM> mass%, and more preferably <NUM> mass% to <NUM> mass%.

The carbohydrates may be general carbohydrates used for food. Examples of the carbohydrates include monosaccharides, such as glucose and fructose; various sugars, such as maltose and sucrose; sugar alcohols, such as xylitol, sorbitol, glycerin, and erythritol; polysaccharides, such as dextrin and cyclodextrin; and oligosaccharides, such as fructooligosaccharide, galactosaccharide, and lactosucrose. Of these, for example, dextrin is preferable because of its low taste impact. The carbohydrate content in the concentrated liquid food of the present invention is preferably <NUM> mass% to <NUM> mass%, and more preferably <NUM> mass% to <NUM> mass%.

Examples of minerals other than calcium include sodium, potassium, magnesium, iron, copper, and zinc. The mineral may be in the form of a salt that is used as a food additive. The mineral content in the concentrated liquid food of the present invention can be suitably determined based on the recommended dietary allowance amount, adequate intake, dietary goal, or tolerable intake level described in the Dietary Reference Intakes for Japanese <NUM>. The usual content determined according to the above are such that the content of sodium can be <NUM> to <NUM>,<NUM>/L; the content of potassium can be <NUM>,<NUM> to <NUM>,<NUM>/L; the content of magnesium can be <NUM> to <NUM>/L; the content of iron can be <NUM> to <NUM>/L; the content of copper can be <NUM> to <NUM>/L; and the content of zinc can be <NUM> to <NUM>/L.

Examples of vitamins include vitamin A, vitamin B1, vitamin B2, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, vitamin C, vitamin D, vitamin E, vitamin K, niacin, biotin, pantothenic acid, and folic acid. The vitamin content in the concentrated liquid food of the present invention can be suitably determined based on the recommended dietary allowance amount, adequate intake, dietary goal, or tolerable intake level described in the Dietary Reference Intakes for Japanese <NUM>. The usual content determined according to the above is such that the content of vitamin A can be <NUM> to <NUM>,<NUM>/L; the content of vitamin B1 can be <NUM> to <NUM>/L; the content of vitamin B2 can be <NUM> to <NUM>/L; the content of vitamin B6 can be <NUM> to <NUM>/L; the content of vitamin B12 can be <NUM> to <NUM>/L; the content of vitamin C can be <NUM> to <NUM>,<NUM>/L; the content of vitamin D can be <NUM> to <NUM>µg/L; the content of vitamin E can be <NUM> to <NUM>/L; the content of vitamin K can be <NUM> to <NUM>/L; the content of niacin can be <NUM> to <NUM>/L; the content of biotin can be <NUM> to <NUM>µg/L; the content of pantothenic acid can be <NUM> to <NUM>/L; and the content of folic acid can be <NUM> to <NUM>,<NUM>µg/L.

The concentrated liquid food of the present invention can further contain an additive, etc., usually contained in a concentrated liquid food, insofar as the effects of the present invention are not impaired. For example, the concentrated liquid food of the present invention may contain dietary fiber. The dietary fiber may be a water-soluble dietary fiber or a water-insoluble dietary fiber generally used for food. Examples of water-soluble dietary fibers include pectin, alginic acid or a salt thereof, agarose, glucomannan, galactomannan, water-soluble hemicellulose, indigestible dextrin, and indigestible oligosaccharide. Examples of water-insoluble dietary fibers include microcrystalline cellulose, fermentation cellulose, lignin, chitin, and chitosan. The polysaccharides that become gelated or thickened by combining with calcium, such as pectin, alginic acid or a salt thereof, and soybean hemicellulose, which is preferable ingredients of the concentrated liquid food of the present invention, may also serve as such a dietary fiber. The dietary fiber content in the concentrated liquid food of the present invention can be suitably determined based on the recommended dietary allowance amount, adequate intake, dietary goal, or tolerable intake level described in the Dietary Reference Intakes for Japanese <NUM>. The usual fiber content determined according to the above is <NUM> to <NUM>/L.

The viscosity of the concentrated liquid food of the present invention before contact with gastric fluid (upon injection) must be <NUM> mPa·s or less, preferably <NUM> to <NUM> mPa·s, and more preferably <NUM> to <NUM> mPa·s or less. Further, the viscosity after contact with gastric fluid must be <NUM>,<NUM> mPa·s or more, and more preferably <NUM>,<NUM> mPa·s or more. The viscosity is measured using a Brookfield rotational viscometer under measurement conditions described later.

Further, before the contact with gastric fluid, the concentrated liquid food of the present invention has a tube fluidity measured by the tube fluidity measurement method detailed below of <NUM> to <NUM>/hour, and more preferably <NUM> to <NUM>/hour.

The viscosity is measured using a Brookfield rotational viscometer.

The viscosity before contact with gastric fluid is measured by placing <NUM> of the concentrated liquid food in a cylindrical glass tube (inner diameter = <NUM>, height = <NUM>) that can be hermetically-sealed with a cap. Further, the viscosity after contact with gastric fluid is measured by placing <NUM> of simulated gastric fluid (an aqueous solution containing <NUM>% hydrochloric acid and <NUM>% common salt; pH = <NUM>) in the cylindrical glass tube, adding <NUM> of concentrated liquid food, sealing the cylindrical glass tube with a cap, and shaking the glass tube upside-down five times so as to mix the simulated gastric fluid with the concentrated liquid food. The mixture is left to stand at <NUM> for <NUM> minutes. The temperature is then returned to <NUM>, and the viscosity is measured.

The concentrated liquid food of the present invention having such viscosity characteristics can be easily injected, and is sufficiently gelated or thickened when it is injected into the stomach, thereby preventing gastro-esophageal reflux.

Step <NUM>. A flexible silicone tube with an inner diameter of <NUM> (<NUM> Fr) and a length of <NUM> is connected to the bottom of the plastic bottle.

Step <NUM>. The bottom surface of the plastic bottle is placed <NUM> above the top end of the tube so that the sample flows out only by gravity via the tube.

Step <NUM>. The flow amount A (mL) of the sample that flows out in <NUM> minutes is measured with a measuring cylinder, and A×<NUM>(mL/hour) is determined to be the tube fluidity of the concentrated liquid food.

The pH of the concentrated liquid food of the present invention is generally <NUM> to <NUM>, preferably <NUM> to <NUM>, and more preferably <NUM> to <NUM>.

When the pH is less than <NUM>, the viscosity of the concentrated liquid food of the present invention before contact with gastric fluid (upon injection) tends to become excessively high. On the other hand, when the pH is more than <NUM>, the taste of the concentrated liquid food may be degraded.

The pH can be adjusted by using, if necessary, a pH adjuster, such as an organic acid and/or a salt thereof, a pH adjuster of an inorganic acid and/or a salt thereof, or the like. Examples of the pH adjuster include organic acids, such as phytic acid, citric acid, lactic acid, gluconic acid, adipic acid, tartaric acid, and malic acid, and salts thereof; sodium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate, sodium hydroxide, etc. Of these, citrate, etc., can also serve as a chelating agent that is an essential ingredient of the concentrated liquid food of the present invention.

The concentrated liquid food of the present invention can be produced by mixing these ingredients in an arbitrary manner, insofar as the two conditions below are satisfied. The mixing may be performed by using a propeller stirrer; however, it is preferable to homogenize the mixture with a polytron type high-speed mixer or a high-pressure homogenizer after the addition of the lipid so as to stably store the concentrated liquid food.

Condition <NUM>: The polysaccharide that becomes gelated or thickened by combining with calcium and the water-soluble calcium do not coexist in the absence of a chelating agent. Condition <NUM>: The soybean hemicellulose is added before mixing with the lipid.

More specifically, for example, an aqueous solution or an aqueous dispersion containing calcium, protein having emulsifiability, and nutrients other than lipids (which may contains protein ingredients and/or calcium), and soybean hemicellulose is prepared, and the solution or dispersion is mixed with a polysaccharide that is gelated in the presence of calcium; thereafter, the lipid is added to obtain the concentrated liquid food of the present invention.

The resulting concentrated liquid food of the present invention can be sterilized, if necessary, by ultrahigh-temperature sterilization (UHT) under the conditions of <NUM> to <NUM> for <NUM> to <NUM> minutes before or after it is placed in the container.

Specifically, an embodiment of the concentrated liquid food of the present invention may be a concentrated liquid food comprising:.

and the concentrated liquid food may be produced, for example, by a method comprising the step of mixing:.

The concentrated liquid food of the present invention can be injected as are conventional concentrated liquid foods, by nasogastric or oral tube feeding, or gastrostomy or jejunostomy tube feeding.

In particular, since the concentrated liquid food of the present invention has a low viscosity upon injection (until it comes into contact with gastric fluid) and high tube fluidity, it can be injected via a thin nasal-administration tube (<NUM> Fr or less) with a low pressure such as <NUM> Pa or less, or without applying a pressure, i.e., injected only by gravity (injected by free drip). Thus, the concentrated liquid food of the present invention can be easily injected by nasogastric or oral tube feeding, or gastrostomy or jejunostomy tube feeding in a manner less stressful for the person being fed (the person receiving care). The gastrostomy and intestinal fistula can be created, for example, by percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) and percutaneous endoscopic jejunostomy (PEJ), respectively. Additionally, since the concentrated liquid food of the present invention is thickened (semi-solidified) in the stomach (after it comes into contact with gastric juice), the injection can be performed at a high speed compared with general concentrated liquid food. More specifically, although the injection speed of general liquid food must be adjusted to about <NUM> to <NUM>/h so as to avoid gastro-esophageal reflux, it is not necessary to adjust the injection speed of the concentrated liquid food of the present invention; the concentrated liquid food of the present invention may be injected at <NUM>/h or more. Therefore, by using the concentrated liquid food of the present invention, the caregiver can feed a person (the person receiving care) in a relatively short time without any special instrument, such as a pressure pump. Further, constant attention by the caregiver will not be necessary, thereby reducing the burden and improving the quality of care. In addition, the seating position of the person being fed (the person receiving care) does not need to remain the same for a long period of time during the meal, thereby reducing the burden of the person receiving care because, for example, bedsores can be reduced. Further, since the concentrated liquid food of the present invention is semi-solidified in the stomach, the prevention of diarrhea can also be expected.

The concentrated liquid food of the present invention has high storage stability of dispersibility.

More specifically, in a test using the "method for Evaluating Dispersion Stability after Storage" below, the concentrated liquid food of the present invention is preferably graded as A(Good), more preferably graded as AA(Excellent).

Each concentrated liquid food was stored for two days at <NUM> after preparation, then the liquid food was left to stand in a constant-temperature bath at <NUM> for <NUM> minutes or more. Thereafter, separation of oil layer or aggregation of proteins was visually confirmed so as to evaluate the dispersion stability after storage. The stability was evaluated at the following four levels.

AA(Excellent) Separation of oil layer or generation of agglomerates was not observed.

A(Good) Separation of oil layer or generation of agglomerates was slightly observed.

B(Normal) Although apparent separation of oil layer or agglomerates was observed, resuspension was possible by mixing.

C(Inferior) Separation of oil layer or agglomerates was observed, and resuspension was not possible by mixing.

A method for manufacturing the dispersibility of the concentrated liquid food of the present invention comprises incorporating, in the concentrated liquid food,.

In this method, incorporation of these ingredients in the concentrated liquid food may be achieved by producing the concentrated liquid food using these ingredients, or adding these ingredients to the concentrated liquid food.

The method may be performed, for example, by mixing, upon the production of the concentrated liquid food, (A) a polysaccharide that becomes gelated or thickened by combining with calcium, (B) a calcium, (C) a chelating agent, (D) a protein having emulsifiability, and (E) soybean hemicellulose.

The details of this method can be understood based on the concentrated liquid food and the production method thereof described above.

The present invention is explained below in further detail with reference to Examples. However, the scope of the invention is not limited to these Examples.

In the Examples below, "mass%" may be abbreviated as "%.

In the Examples of the present invention, SAN SUPPORT™ P-<NUM>, P-<NUM>, P-<NUM>, P-<NUM>, P-<NUM>, P-<NUM>, P-<NUM>, and P-<NUM> (all produced by San-Ei Gen F. ) were used as pectin.

Further, four kinds of Md-pectins (MDP), i.e., MDP-<NUM>, MDP-<NUM>, MDP-<NUM>, and MDP-<NUM> having a weight average molecular weight (Mw) of <NUM>,<NUM>/mol or less and a degree of methyl esterification (DM) of <NUM>% to <NUM>% or less, prepared from SAN SUPPORT™ P-<NUM> and P-<NUM> (both are produced by San-Ei Gen F. ) were used. As a control, low molecular weight pectins LP-<NUM> and LP-<NUM> having a Mw of <NUM>,<NUM>/mol or less and a DM of more than <NUM>% were used.

<NUM> of a pectin material (SAN SUPPORT™ P-<NUM>) was dispersed in <NUM> of ultra pure water. <NUM> (corresponding to <NUM> U) of a pectinase (product name: Pectinex Yield MASH, produced by Novozyme, diluted <NUM>,<NUM>-fold) liquid was added to this dispersion and an enzymatic treatment was performed at <NUM> for <NUM> minutes; thereafter, the mixture was heated at <NUM> or more for <NUM> minutes to deactivate the enzyme. <NUM> (corresponding to <NUM> U) of pectin methylesterase (product name: Novo shape XL, produced by Novozyme, diluted <NUM>-fold) was added to this solution, and an enzymatic treatment was performed at <NUM> for <NUM> minutes; thereafter, the mixture was heated at <NUM> or more for <NUM> minutes to deactivate the enzyme. By spray-drying this solution, a powdered sample was collected.

<NUM> of a pectin material (SAN SUPPORT™ P-<NUM>) was dispersed in <NUM> of ultra pure water. <NUM> (corresponding to <NUM> U) of a pectinase (product name: Pectinex Yield MASH, produced by Novozyme, diluted <NUM>,<NUM>-fold with ultra pure water) liquid was added to this dispersion and an enzymatic treatment was performed at <NUM> for <NUM> minutes; thereafter, the mixture was heated at <NUM> or more for <NUM> minutes to deactivate the enzyme. <NUM> (corresponding to <NUM> U) of pectin methylesterase (product name: Novo shape XL, produced by Novozyme, diluted <NUM>-fold) was added to this solution, and an enzymatic treatment was performed at <NUM> for <NUM> minutes; thereafter, the mixture was heated at <NUM> or more for <NUM> minutes to deactivate the enzyme. By spray-drying this solution, a powdered sample was collected.

<NUM> of a pectin material (SAN SUPPORT™ P-<NUM>) was dispersed in <NUM> of ultra pure water. <NUM> (corresponding to <NUM> U) of a pectinase (product name: Pectinex Yield MASH, produced by Novozyme, diluted <NUM>,<NUM>-fold with ultra pure water) liquid was added to this dispersion and an enzymatic treatment was performed at <NUM> for <NUM> minutes; thereafter, the mixture was heated at <NUM> or more for <NUM> minutes to deactivate the enzyme. <NUM> (corresponding to <NUM> U) of pectin methylesterase (product name: Novo shape XL, produced by Novozyme, diluted <NUM>-fold with ultra pure water) was added to this solution, and an enzymatic treatment was performed at <NUM> for <NUM> minutes; thereafter, the mixture was heated at <NUM> or more for <NUM> minutes to deactivate the enzyme. By spray-drying this solution, a powdered sample was collected.

<NUM> of a pectin material (SAN SUPPORT™ P-<NUM>) was dispersed in <NUM> of ultra pure water. <NUM> (corresponding to <NUM> U) of a pectinase (product name: Pectinex Yield MASH, produced by Novozyme, diluted <NUM>,<NUM>-fold with ultra pure water) liquid was added to this dispersion and an enzymatic treatment was performed at <NUM> for <NUM> minutes; thereafter, the mixture was heated at <NUM> or more for <NUM> minutes to deactivate the enzyme. <NUM> (corresponding to 45U) of pectin methylesterase (product name: Novo shape XL, produced by Novozyme, diluted <NUM>-fold with ultra pure water) was added to this solution, and an enzymatic treatment was performed at <NUM> for <NUM> minutes; thereafter, the mixture was heated at <NUM> or more for <NUM> minutes to deactivate the enzyme. By spray-drying this solution, a powdered sample was collected.

<NUM> of a pectin material (SAN SUPPORT™ P-<NUM>) was dispersed in <NUM> of ultra pure water. <NUM> (corresponding to <NUM> U) of a pectinase (product name: Pectinex Yield MASH, produced by Novozyme, diluted <NUM>,<NUM>-fold with ultra pure water) liquid was added to this dispersion and an enzymatic treatment was performed at <NUM> for <NUM> minutes; thereafter, the mixture was heated at <NUM> or more for <NUM> minutes to deactivate the enzyme. By spray-drying this solution, a powdered sample was collected.

Further, as sodium alginate, SAN SUPPORT™ P-<NUM>, P-<NUM>, P-<NUM>, P-<NUM>, P-<NUM>, P-<NUM>, P-<NUM>, P-<NUM>, and P-<NUM> (all produced by San-Ei Gen F. ) were used.

Further, four kinds of Md-sodium alginate (MDA), i.e., MDA-<NUM>, MDA-<NUM>, MDA-<NUM>, and MDA-<NUM> having a weight average molecular weight (Mw) of <NUM>,<NUM>/mol or less and a guluronic acid content of <NUM>% or more were prepared as follows by using SAN SUPPORT™ P-<NUM> and P-<NUM> (San-Ei Gen F. ) as alginic acid materials for preparing Md-alginic acid. Further, as a control, low molecular weight sodium alginates LA-<NUM> and LA-<NUM> having a Mw of <NUM>,<NUM>/mol or less and a G content of less than <NUM>% were prepared.

<NUM> of an alginic acid material (SAN SUPPORT™ P-<NUM>) was suspended in <NUM> of <NUM> hydrochloric acid, followed by stirring at <NUM> for <NUM> hours. The supernatant was decanted off, and <NUM> of <NUM> hydrochloric acid was added, followed by heating at <NUM> for <NUM> hours. The suspension was centrifuged for <NUM> minutes at <NUM>×g. After the supernatant was discarded, the residue was suspended in <NUM> of ultra pure water. This operation was repeated twice. The precipitates were suspended in <NUM> of ultra pure water, and the pH was adjusted to <NUM> using <NUM> NaOH, followed by stirring for <NUM> hours at <NUM>. The suspension was centrifuged for <NUM> minutes at <NUM>×g, and the supernatant was discarded. After the precipitates were suspended in <NUM> of ultra pure water, the pH was adjusted to <NUM> using <NUM> NaOH and the precipitates were dissolved. This solution was filtered with a GF/A glass filter (pore diameter: <NUM> pm), and a powdered sample was collected by freeze-drying.

<NUM> of an alginic acid material (SAN SUPPORT™ P-<NUM>) was dispersed in <NUM> of phosphate buffer (<NUM>) having a pH of <NUM>. <NUM> U of an alginate lyase (product name: alginate lyase S, produced by Nagase Enzymes) liquid was added to this dispersion, and an enzymatic treatment was performed for <NUM> minutes at <NUM>; thereafter, <NUM> of <NUM> sodium hydroxide was added to deactivate the enzyme. The pH of this solution was adjusted to <NUM> using <NUM> hydrochloric acid, followed by stirring for <NUM> hours at <NUM>. The suspension was centrifuged for <NUM> minutes at <NUM>×g, and the supernatant was discarded. After the precipitates were suspended in <NUM> of ultra pure water, the pH was adjusted to <NUM> using <NUM> NaOH and the precipitates were dissolved. This solution was filtered with a GF/A glass filter (pore diameter: <NUM> pm), and a powdered sample was collected by freeze-drying.

<NUM> of an alginic acid material (SAN SUPPORT™ P-<NUM>) was suspended in <NUM> of <NUM> hydrochloric acid, followed by stirring at <NUM> for <NUM> hours. The supernatant was decanted off, and <NUM> of <NUM> hydrochloric acid was added, followed by heating at <NUM> for <NUM> hours. The suspension was centrifuged for <NUM> minutes at <NUM>×g. After the supernatant was discarded, the residue was suspended in <NUM> of ultra pure water. This operation was repeated twice. The resultant precipitate was suspended in <NUM> of ultra pure water and the pH was adjusted to <NUM> using <NUM> sodium hydroxide, followed by stirring for <NUM> hours at <NUM>. The suspension was centrifuged for <NUM> minutes at <NUM>×g, and only the supernatant was collected. The pH was adjusted to <NUM> using <NUM> hydrochloric acid. The suspension was centrifuged for <NUM> minutes at <NUM>×g. After the supernatant was discarded, the residue was suspended in <NUM> of ultra pure water. Thereafter, pH was adjusted to <NUM> using <NUM> NaOH and the precipitates were dissolved. This solution was filtered with a GF/A glass filter (pore diameter: <NUM> pm), and a powdered sample was collected by freeze-drying.

The degree of methyl esterification (DM) and weight average molecular weight (Mw) were measured with respect to the above pectins, and the guluronic acid content (G content) and Mw were measured with respect to the above sodium alginates. Tables <NUM> and <NUM> show the results.

<NUM> of pectin was dispersed in <NUM> of ultra pure water while stirring with a magnetic stirrer. <NUM> of this dispersion was measured, and <NUM> of <NUM> sulfuric acid copper solution was added to the dispersion, followed by stirring and mixing. <NUM> of <NUM> sodium hydroxide was added and mixed, and the mixture was left to stand for <NUM> hours at <NUM>. The resulting liquid was centrifuged for <NUM> minutes at <NUM>,<NUM>×g, and the supernatant was adjusted in pH to <NUM> using <NUM> hydrochloric acid, and adjusted to <NUM>. <NUM> (corresponding to <NUM> U) of alcohol oxidase (EC <NUM>. <NUM>, Sigma-Aldrich) was added and stirred, and the mixture was left to stand at <NUM> for at least an hour; thereafter, <NUM> of <NUM>,<NUM>-pentanedione reagent (Sigma-Aldrich) was added and stirred. The resulting mixture was left to stand for <NUM> minutes at <NUM>, and further left to stand for <NUM> minutes at <NUM>. The quantitative determination of methanol was performed at <NUM> absorbency. The DM(%) is determined by the formula below.

The G content of sodium alginate was determined by dividing the peak area from <NUM> to <NUM> ppm derived from the proton bonded to the carbon at the <NUM>-position of the guluronic acid by the sum of the peak area from <NUM> to <NUM> ppm and the peak area from <NUM> to <NUM> ppm derived from the proton bonded to the carbon at the <NUM>-position of the mannuronic acid. These peak areas were observed in measurement by <NUM>H-NMR. G content(%) is determined by the formula below.

The method for preparing samples and the <NUM>H-NMR measurement method are described below. Sodium alginate was dissolved in deuterium oxide and then freeze-dried. This operation was repeated three times, and exchangeable protons were removed, followed by drying under reduced pressure for <NUM> hours. Each of the samples obtained by drying under reduced pressure was dissolved in deuterium oxide so as to have a content of about <NUM> mass%, and sodium trimethylsilylpropionate (TSP) was added as an internal standard. The <NUM>H-NMR measurement was performed with an ECA600 NMR measurement apparatus (JEOL Ltd. ) under the following conditions.

The Mw of pectin and sodium alginate was determined by separating a diluted sample solution by size separation chromatography and measuring the weight average molecular weight with a multi-angle light scattering detector and a refractive index detector by the following method.

<NUM> of pectin or sodium alginate on a dry weight basis was added to <NUM> of ion-exchanged water, and the mixture was stirred with a Polytron type mixer at a rotation speed of <NUM>,<NUM> rpm for <NUM> minute to disperse pectin or sodium alginate, thereby preparing a <NUM> mass% dispersion. The dispersion was diluted <NUM>-fold with <NUM> NaNO<NUM> aqueous solution and stirred with a Polytron type mixer (Silent Crusher M; Heidolph) at a rotation speed of <NUM>,<NUM> rpm for <NUM> minute to prepare a <NUM> mass% dispersion. The obtained dispersion was filtered through a PTFE membrane filter with a pore size of <NUM> to remove insoluble matter, followed by gel filtration chromatography under the following conditions. The weight average molecular weight (Mw(g/mol)) was then calculated using analysis software (ASTRA Version <NUM>, Wyatt Technology Corporation) from measurement values obtained by using a multi-angle light scattering detector (DAWN-EOS, Wyatt Technology Corporation) and a refractive index detector (RI-<NUM>, Showa Denko K.

Generally, pectins having a DM of less than <NUM>% are classified as "LM pectin," and pectins having a DM of <NUM>% or more are classified as "HM pectin. " In the present invention, LM pectins are further classified as follows.

The pectins are further classified as follows based on the measured values of weight average molecular weight (Mw).

According to the above classification, the various SAN SUPPORT preparations containing pectins used in the present Examples can be classified as shown in Table <NUM>. In the tables below, for example, "LHM pectin," "LMw pectin," and the like may be simply referred to as "LHM," "LMw," and the like.

Further, in addition to the above classification, pectins having a Mw of <NUM>,<NUM>/mol or less and a DM of <NUM>% or less are classified as MDP, and pectins having a Mw of <NUM>,<NUM>/mol or less and a DM of more than <NUM>% are classified as LP.

As in the classification of pectins, sodium alginates used in the present invention are classified as follows based on the G content.

According to the above classification, the various SAN SUPPORT preparations containing sodium alginates used in the present Examples can be classified as shown in Table <NUM>. In the tables below, for example, "LG sodium alginate," "LMw sodium alginate," and the like may simply be referred to as "LG," "LMw," and the like.

Further, in addition to the above classification, sodium alginates having a Mw of <NUM>,<NUM>/mol or less and a guluronic acid content of <NUM>% or more are classified as MDA, and sodium alginates having a Mw of <NUM>,<NUM>/mol or less and a guluronic acid content of less than <NUM>% are classified as LA.

Concentrated liquid foods were prepared according to method (<NUM>-<NUM>) below. Further, the viscosity of each concentrated liquid food before and after contact with simulated gastric fluid was evaluated according to method (<NUM>-<NUM>) below, and tube fluidity was evaluated according to method (<NUM>-<NUM>) below.

<NUM> of sodium caseinate was added to <NUM> of ion-exchanged water, and the mixture was stirred with a propeller stirrer for <NUM> minutes at normal temperature. After this dispersion was heated to <NUM>, <NUM> of calcium chloride (dihydrate), <NUM> of potassium chloride (anhydrous), <NUM> of trisodium citrate, <NUM> of soybean hemicellulose (SM-<NUM>, San-Ei Gen F. ), <NUM> of dextrin, and <NUM> of caster sugar were added and dispersed by mixing for <NUM> minutes at <NUM> with a propeller stirrer. The total amount of each dispersion was adjusted to <NUM> with ion-exchanged water, and the dispersion was left to stand for at least <NUM> minutes in a constant-temperature water bath maintained at <NUM>; thereafter, <NUM> of medium-chain fatty acid triglyceride (MCT, Nisshin OilliO Group Ltd. ) was added and mixed for <NUM> minutes at normal temperature with a propeller stirrer, followed by a single homogenization at <NUM> MPa, thereby preparing solution A-<NUM>.

The pectins (SAN SUPPORT™ P-<NUM>, P-<NUM>, both produced by San-Ei Gen F. ), the sodium alginates (SAN SUPPORT™ P-<NUM>, P-<NUM>, both produced by San-Ei Gen F. ), or guar gum (VIS TOP™ D-<NUM>, San-Ei Gen F. ) in the amounts specified in Table <NUM> was added to <NUM> of ion-exchanged water heated to <NUM>, and dispersed by mixing for <NUM> minutes at <NUM> with a propeller stirrer. The total amount of each dispersion was adjusted to <NUM> with ion-exchanged water, thereby preparing solutions B-<NUM> to B-<NUM>.

Solution A-<NUM> and solutions B-<NUM> to B-<NUM> were mixed at the proportions shown in Table <NUM>, thereby preparing concentrated liquid foods of Examples <NUM> and <NUM> and Comparative Examples <NUM> and <NUM>. These concentrated liquid foods had a pH of <NUM> to <NUM>.

The measurement of the viscosity before contact with gastric fluid is performed by placing <NUM> of the concentrated liquid food in a cylindrical glass tube (inner diameter = <NUM>, height = <NUM>) that can be hermetically sealed with a cap. Further, the viscosity after contact with gastric fluid is measured by placing <NUM> of simulated gastric fluid (an aqueous solution containing <NUM>% hydrochloric acid and <NUM>% common salt; pH = <NUM>) in the cylindrical glass tube, adding <NUM> of concentrated liquid food, sealing the cylindrical glass tube with a cap, and shaking the glass tube upside-down five times so as to mix the simulated gastric fluid with the concentrated liquid food. The mixture is left unattended at <NUM> for <NUM> minutes. Thereafter, after the temperature is returned to <NUM>, the viscosity is measured.

The viscosity was measured using a Brookfield rotational viscometer (BL II viscometer, Tokyo Keiki Inc.

<NUM> of concentrated liquid food was placed in a <NUM>-mL plastic bottle with an opening at an upper portion. A flexible silicone tube with an inner diameter of <NUM> and a length of <NUM> was connected to the bottom of the plastic bottle. The bottom surface of the plastic bottle was placed <NUM> above the top end of the tube so that the sample flowed out only by gravity via the tube. The flow amount A (mL) of the sample that flowed out in <NUM> minutes was measured with a measuring cylinder, and A×<NUM> (mL/hour) was determined to be the tube fluidity of the concentrated liquid food.

Table <NUM> shows the viscosity of the concentrated liquid food before and after the contact with simulated gastric fluid, ratios of these viscosities (viscosity increasing rate), and the tube fluidity. In the tables below, "Na alginate" means "sodium alginate.

The viscosities before contact with simulated gastric fluid of the concentrated liquid foods of Examples <NUM> and <NUM> containing a sodium alginate or a pectin, which is a polysaccharide that becomes gelated or thickened by combining with calcium, were both <NUM> mPa·s or less; and further, their tube fluidities were <NUM>/h or more. Further, their viscosities after contact with simulated gastric fluid were both <NUM>,<NUM> mPa·s or more. The results suggested that the concentrated liquid foods of the present invention have a sufficiently low viscosity before contact with gastric fluid (upon injection), and thus have high fluidity, and that the concentrated liquid foods of the present invention are thickened in the stomach (after injection), thereby preventing gastro-esophageal reflux.

It was also suggested that, in contrast, in Comparative Example <NUM>, which did not use a polysaccharide other than soybean polysaccharide, and Comparative Example <NUM> using guar gum, which is a polysaccharide that is not gelated by combining with calcium, although the viscosities before contact with simulated gastric fluid were <NUM> mPa·s or less, the viscosities after contact with simulated gastric fluid were even lower, and that, therefore, the gastro-esophageal reflux preventing effect cannot be expected from these concentrated liquid foods.

Concentrated liquid foods were prepared according to method (<NUM>-<NUM>) below. Further, the viscosities of the concentrated liquid foods before and after contact with simulated gastric fluid were evaluated according to method (<NUM>-<NUM>) above.

Solution A-<NUM> was prepared in the same manner as that for preparing Solution A-<NUM> in (<NUM>-<NUM>) above.

Pectins (SAN SUPPORT™ P-<NUM>, P-<NUM>, P-<NUM>, P-<NUM>, P-<NUM>, P-<NUM>, P-<NUM>, P-<NUM>, all produced by San-Ei Gen F. ) in the amounts specified in Table <NUM> were added to <NUM> of ion-exchanged water heated to <NUM>, and dispersed by mixing for <NUM> minutes at <NUM> using a propeller stirrer. The total amount of each dispersion was adjusted to <NUM> with ion-exchanged water, thereby preparing solutions B-<NUM> to B-<NUM>.

Solution A-<NUM> and solutions B-<NUM> to B-<NUM> were mixed at the proportions specified in Table <NUM> to prepare concentrated liquid foods of Examples <NUM> to <NUM> and Comparative Examples <NUM> to <NUM>. These concentrated liquid foods had a pH of <NUM> to <NUM>.

Table <NUM> shows the viscosities of the concentrated liquid foods before and after contact with simulated gastric fluid, and ratios of these viscosities (viscosity increasing rate).

In the concentrated liquid foods of Examples <NUM> to <NUM> containing <NUM>% to <NUM>% of a single kind of LM pectin having a DM of less than <NUM>%, all of their before contact with simulated gastric fluid were <NUM> mPa·s or less, and all viscosities after contact with simulated gastric fluid were <NUM>,<NUM> mPa·s or more. The results suggested that the concentrated liquid foods of the present invention have a sufficiently low viscosity before contact with gastric fluid (upon injection), and thus have high fluidity, and that the concentrated liquid foods of the present invention are thickened in the stomach (after injection), thereby preventing gastro-esophageal reflux.

Comparing the concentrated liquid foods of Examples <NUM> to <NUM>, the viscosities of the concentrated liquid foods of Examples <NUM> to <NUM> containing LMM pectin having a DM of <NUM>% to <NUM>% tend to increase after contact with simulated gastric fluid.

The viscosity increasing rate was the highest in the concentrated liquid food of Example <NUM> containing a pectin (SAN SUPPORT™ P-<NUM>) having a molecular weight of <NUM>,<NUM>/mol or less (LMw) and a DM of <NUM>% to <NUM>% (MMw). It was thus suggested that this concentrated liquid food was comprehensively superior. Further, Examples <NUM> and <NUM> containing SAN SUPPORT™ P-<NUM> at different concentrations also have a tendency of a high viscosity increasing rate. Further, in the concentrated liquid foods of Examples <NUM> to <NUM> containing <NUM> kinds of LM pectins including SAN SUPPORT™ P-<NUM>, all of their viscosities before contact with simulated gastric fluid were <NUM> mPa·s or less, and all viscosities after contact with simulated gastric fluid were <NUM>,<NUM> mPa·s or more. The viscosity increasing rate was the highest in the concentrated liquid food of Example <NUM> containing SAN SUPPORT™ P-<NUM> (LMM, LMw) in an amount of <NUM>% (<NUM>% of the total pectin) relative to the concentrated liquid food, and SAN SUPPORT™ P-<NUM> (LMM, HMw) in an amount of <NUM>% (<NUM> % of the total pectin) relative to the concentrated liquid food. It was thus suggested that this concentrated liquid food was comprehensively superior.

In contrast, the viscosity increasing rates of the concentrated liquid foods of Examples <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> containing SAN SUPPORT™ P-<NUM> or P-<NUM> (LMM, MMw) in an amount of <NUM>% or more relative to the total pectin (i.e., the content of SAN SUPPORT™ P-<NUM> relative to the total pectin is less than <NUM>%) were lower than that of Example <NUM> containing only SAN SUPPORT™ P-<NUM>.

In contrast, in Comparative Examples <NUM> to <NUM> containing HM pectin having a DM of <NUM>% or more and Comparative Example <NUM> containing LM pectin but its content is <NUM>%, although the viscosities before contact with simulated gastric fluid were <NUM> mPa·s or less, the viscosities did not sufficiently increase after contact with simulated gastric fluid. It was thus suggested that the gastro-esophageal reflux preventing effect after contact with gastric fluid (after injection) cannot be expected from these Comparative Examples. Further, the viscosity before contact with simulated gastric fluid of Comparative Example <NUM> containing <NUM>% of LM pectin was more than <NUM> mPa·s. It was thus suggested that this concentrated liquid food has insufficient fluidity before contact with gastric fluid (upon injection).

Sodium alginates (SAN SUPPORT™ P-<NUM>, P-<NUM>, P-<NUM>, P-<NUM>, P-<NUM>, P-<NUM>, P-<NUM>, P-<NUM>, all produced by San-Ei Gen F. ) in the amounts specified in Table <NUM> were mixed with <NUM> of ion-exchanged water heated to <NUM>, and dispersed by mixing for <NUM> minutes at <NUM> using a propeller stirrer. The total amount of each dispersion was adjusted to <NUM> with ion-exchanged water, thereby preparing solutions B-<NUM> to B-<NUM>.

Solution A-<NUM> and solutions B-<NUM> to B-<NUM> were mixed at the proportions specified in Table <NUM> to prepare concentrated liquid foods of Examples <NUM> to <NUM> and Comparative Examples <NUM> and <NUM>. These concentrated liquid foods had a pH of <NUM> to <NUM>.

In the concentrated liquid foods of Examples <NUM> to <NUM> containing <NUM>% to <NUM>% of a single kind of sodium alginate, all of their viscosities before contact with simulated gastric fluid were <NUM> mPa·s or less, and all viscosities after contact with simulated gastric fluid were <NUM>,<NUM> mPa·s or more. The results suggested that the concentrated liquid foods of the present invention have a sufficiently low viscosity before contact with gastric fluid (upon injection), and thus have high fluidity, and that the concentrated liquid foods of the present invention are thickened in the stomach (after injection), thereby preventing gastro-esophageal reflux.

Comparing the concentrated liquid foods of Examples <NUM> to <NUM>, there was a tendency for liquid foods containing sodium alginate having a relatively low molecular weight (LMw, MMw), i.e., <NUM>,<NUM>/mol or less, to have high viscosity increasing rates in Examples other than Example <NUM> using sodium alginate having a G content of less than <NUM>%. Among Examples <NUM> to <NUM> using sodium alginate (MG) having a G content of <NUM>% to <NUM>% and sodium alginate (HG) having a G content of <NUM>% or more, the viscosity increasing rates were higher than those of the concentrated liquid foods (Examples <NUM> to <NUM>) containing only a single kind of sodium alginate, except for Example <NUM>. It was thus suggested that it is possible to improve the viscosity increasing rate by incorporating a proper balance of MG and HG of sodium alginate.

In contrast, for Comparative Example <NUM> containing <NUM>% of sodium alginate, although the viscosity before contact with simulated gastric fluid was <NUM> mPa·s or less, the viscosity did not sufficiently increase after contact with simulated gastric fluid. It was thus suggested that the gastro-esophageal reflux preventing effect cannot be expected from this Comparative Example. Further, the viscosity before contact with simulated gastric fluid of Comparative Example <NUM> containing <NUM>% of sodium alginate was more than <NUM> mPa·s. It was thus suggested that this concentrated liquid food has insufficient fluidity before contact with gastric fluid (upon injection).

Concentrated liquid foods were prepared according to method (<NUM>-<NUM>) below. Further, the viscosities of the concentrated liquid foods before and after contact with simulated gastric fluid were evaluated according to method (<NUM>-<NUM>) above. Further, according to method (<NUM>-<NUM>) below, the stabilities of the concentrated liquid foods (dispersion stability after storage) were evaluated after the concentrated liquid foods were left to stand for two days at <NUM>.

<NUM> of sodium caseinate was added to <NUM> of ion-exchanged water, and the mixture was stirred for <NUM> minutes at normal temperature with a propeller stirrer. After this dispersion was heated to <NUM>, <NUM> of calcium chloride (dihydrate), <NUM> of potassium chloride (anhydrous), <NUM> of trisodium citrate, <NUM> of dextrin, <NUM> of caster sugar, and soybean hemicellulose (SM-<NUM>, San-Ei Gen F. ), gum ghatti (Gum Ghatti SD, San-Ei Gen F. ), or gum arabic (Gum Arabic SD, San-Ei Gen F. ) in the amounts specified in Table <NUM> were added and dispersed by mixing for <NUM> minutes at <NUM> using a propeller stirrer. The total amount of each dispersion was adjusted to <NUM> with ion-exchanged water, and the dispersion was left to stand for at least <NUM> minutes in a constant-temperature water bath at <NUM>, thereby preparing Solutions A-<NUM> to A-<NUM>.

Pectin (SAN SUPPORT™ P-<NUM>, P-<NUM>, both produced by San-Ei Gen F. ) or sodium alginate (SAN SUPPORT™ P-<NUM>, P-<NUM>, all produced by San-Ei Gen F. ) in the amount specified in Table <NUM> was added to <NUM> of ion-exchanged water heated to <NUM>, and dispersed by mixing for <NUM> minutes at <NUM> using a propeller stirrer. The total amount of each dispersion was adjusted to <NUM> with ion-exchanged water, thereby preparing solutions B-<NUM> and B-<NUM>.

Solutions A-<NUM> to A-<NUM> and solutions B-<NUM> and B-<NUM> were mixed at the proportions shown in Table <NUM>, and stirred with a Polytron type mixer (Silent Crusher M; Heidolph) for <NUM> seconds at a rotation speed of <NUM>,<NUM> rpm. Thereafter, <NUM> of medium-chain fatty acid triglyceride (MCT, Nisshin OilliO Group Ltd. ) was added and further stirred at a rotation speed of <NUM>,<NUM> rpm for a minute to prepare concentrated liquid foods of Examples <NUM> to <NUM> and Comparative Examples <NUM> to <NUM>. These concentrated liquid foods had a pH of <NUM> to <NUM>.

After being stored for two days at <NUM> after the preparation, each concentrated liquid food was left to stand in a constant-temperature bath at <NUM> for at least <NUM> minutes. Separation of oil layer and aggregation of proteins were visually confirmed, and the dispersion stability after storage was evaluated. The stability was evaluated at the following four levels.

Table <NUM> shows the viscosities of the concentrated liquid foods before and after contact with simulated gastric fluid, ratios of these viscosities (viscosity increasing rate), and dispersion stabilities after storage after the concentrated liquid foods were left to stand for <NUM> days at <NUM>.

For the concentrated liquid foods of Examples <NUM> to <NUM> containing <NUM>% to <NUM>% of soybean hemicellulose, all of their viscosities before contact with simulated gastric fluid were <NUM> mPa·s or less, and all viscosities after contact with simulated gastric fluid were <NUM>,<NUM> mPa·s or more. Further, after the concentrated liquid foods were left to stand for <NUM> days at <NUM>, separation of oil layer, aggregation of proteins and the like were hardly observed; these concentrated liquid foods were thus in good condition. The liquid foods using pectin as a polysaccharide that becomes gelated or thickened by combining with calcium, and liquid foods using sodium alginate as a polysaccharide that becomes gelated or thickened by combining with calcium had similar stabilities. The results suggested that the concentrated liquid foods of the present invention have a sufficiently low viscosity before contact with gastric fluid (upon injection), and thus have high fluidity, that the concentrated liquid foods of the present invention are thickened in the stomach (after injection), thereby preventing gastro-esophageal reflux, and that the concentrated liquid foods of the present invention ensure desirable dispersion stability after storage. In contrast, in the concentrated liquid foods of Comparative Examples <NUM> and <NUM> containing gum ghatti instead of soybean hemicellulose, the concentrated liquid foods of Comparative Examples <NUM> and <NUM> containing gum arabic, and the concentrated liquid food of Comparative Example <NUM> that did not contain polysaccharides other than sodium alginate, although all of their viscosities before contact with simulated gastric fluid were <NUM> mPa·s or less and all viscosities after contact with simulated gastric fluid were <NUM>,<NUM> mPa·s or more, after the concentrated liquid foods were left to stand for <NUM> days at <NUM>, apparent separation of oil layer and agglomerates were observed. The generated agglomerates could not be resuspended even after intense shaking in the concentrated liquid foods other than Comparative Example <NUM> using pectin as a polysaccharide that becomes gelated or thickened by combining with calcium, and gum ghatti. The viscosity before contact with simulated gastric fluid of the concentrated liquid food of Comparative Example <NUM> that does not contain polysaccharides other than pectin was higher than <NUM> mPa·s. It was thus suggested that this concentrated liquid food has insufficient fluidity before contact with gastric fluid (upon injection). The results revealed that soybean hemicellulose is necessary to ensure stable storage of the concentrated liquid foods of the present invention.

Concentrated liquid foods were prepared according to method (<NUM>-<NUM>) below. Further, the viscosities of the concentrated liquid foods before and after contact with simulated gastric fluid were evaluated according to method (<NUM>-<NUM>) above. Further, according to method (<NUM>-<NUM>) above, the stabilities after storage of the concentrated liquid foods were evaluated after the concentrated liquid foods were left to stand for <NUM> days at <NUM>.

<NUM> of sodium caseinate was added to <NUM> of ion-exchanged water, and the mixture was stirred for <NUM> minutes at normal temperature with a propeller stirrer. After this dispersion was heated to <NUM>, <NUM> of potassium chloride (anhydrous), <NUM> of dextrin, <NUM> of caster sugar, <NUM> of soybean hemicellulose (SM-<NUM>, San-Ei Gen F. ), and calcium chloride dihydrate and trisodium citrate in the amounts specified in Table <NUM> were added and dispersed by mixing for <NUM> minutes at <NUM> using a propeller stirrer. The total amount of each dispersion was adjusted to <NUM> with ion-exchanged water, and the dispersion was left to stand for at least <NUM> minutes in a constant-temperature water bath at <NUM>, thereby preparing Solutions A-<NUM> to A-<NUM>.

Solutions B-<NUM> and B-<NUM> were prepared in the same manner as that for preparing Solutions B-<NUM> and B-<NUM> in (<NUM>-<NUM>) above.

Solutions A-<NUM> to A-<NUM> and solutions B-<NUM> and B-<NUM> were mixed at the proportions shown in Table <NUM>, and stirred with a Polytron type mixer (Silent Crusher M; Heidolph) at a rotation speed of <NUM>,<NUM> rpm for <NUM> seconds. Thereafter, <NUM> of medium-chain fatty acid triglyceride (MCT, Nisshin OilliO Group Ltd. ) was added and further stirred at a rotation speed of <NUM>,<NUM> rpm for <NUM> minute to prepare concentrated liquid foods of Examples <NUM> to <NUM> and Comparative Examples <NUM> to <NUM>. These concentrated liquid foods had a pH of <NUM> to <NUM>.

Table <NUM> shows the viscosities of the concentrated liquid foods before and after contact with simulated gastric fluid, ratios of these viscosities (viscosity increasing rate), and stabilities after the concentrated liquid foods were left to stand for <NUM> days at <NUM>. In the tables below, "CaCl<NUM>" designates "calcium chloride", and "citric acid 3Na" designates "trisodium citrate".

In all of the concentrated liquid foods of Examples <NUM> to <NUM> containing <NUM>% to <NUM>% of a water-soluble calcium chloride-derived calcium and <NUM>% to <NUM>% of trisodium citrate as a chelating agent, the viscosities before contact with simulated gastric fluid (before injection) were <NUM> mPa·s or less, and the viscosities after contact with simulated gastric fluid (after injection) were <NUM>,<NUM> mPa·s or more. Further, after the concentrated liquid foods were left to stand for <NUM> days at <NUM>, separation of oil layer, aggregation proteins, and the like were hardly observed; the concentrated liquid foods were thus in a good condition. The concentrated liquid foods using pectin as a polysaccharide that becomes gelated or thickened by combining with calcium, and concentrated liquid foods using sodium alginate as a polysaccharide that becomes gelated or thickened by combining with calcium had similar stabilities. The results suggested that the concentrated liquid foods of the present invention have a sufficiently low viscosity before contact with gastric fluid (upon injection) and thus have high fluidity, that the concentrated liquid foods of the present invention are thickened in the stomach (after injection), thereby preventing gastro-esophageal reflux, and that the concentrated liquid foods of the present invention had desirable dispersion stabilities. In contrast, in the concentrated liquid foods of Comparative Examples <NUM> and <NUM> that contain neither calcium chloride-derived calcium nor trisodium citrate, and the concentrated liquid foods of Comparative Examples <NUM> and <NUM> that contain trisodium citrate but do not contain calcium chloride-derived calcium, although the viscosities before contact with simulated gastric fluid were <NUM> mPa·s or less, the viscosities were not increased after contact with simulated gastric fluid. The viscosities before contact with simulated gastric fluid of the concentrated liquid foods of Comparative Examples <NUM> and <NUM> that contain calcium but do not contain trisodium citrate were higher than <NUM> mPa·s, suggesting that the fluidities before contact with gastric fluid (upon injection) of these concentrated liquid foods are insufficient. These results revealed that a water-soluble calcium source-derived calcium and a chelating agent are necessary to ensure that the concentrated liquid food of the present invention has a sufficiently low viscosity before contact with gastric fluid (upon injection) and high fluidity, and is thickened after contact with gastric fluid (after injection) to prevent gastro-esophageal reflux.

Concentrated liquid foods were prepared according to method (<NUM>-<NUM>) below. Further, the viscosities of the concentrated liquid foods before and after contact with simulated gastric fluid were evaluated according to method (<NUM>-<NUM>) above. Further, according to method (<NUM>-<NUM>) above, the stabilities of the concentrated liquid foods were evaluated after the concentrated liquid foods were left to stand for two days at <NUM>.

Sodium caseinate or soybean peptide (HINUTE-AM, Fuji Oil Co. ), calcium chloride (dihydrate), and trisodium citrate in the amounts specified in Table <NUM> were added to <NUM> of ion-exchanged water, and the mixture was stirred for <NUM> minutes at normal temperature with a propeller stirrer. After each dispersion was heated to <NUM>, <NUM> of potassium chloride (anhydrous), <NUM> of dextrin, <NUM> of caster sugar, and <NUM> of soybean hemicellulose (SM-<NUM>, San-Ei Gen F. ) were added and mixed for <NUM> minutes using a propeller stirrer. Then the total amount of each mixture was adjusted to <NUM> with ion-exchanged water, thereby preparing solutions A-<NUM> to A-<NUM>. The "casein Na" in the tables below designates "sodium caseinate".

Solutions A-<NUM> to A-<NUM> and solutions B-<NUM> and B-<NUM> were mixed at proportions shown in Table <NUM>, and stirred with a Polytron type mixer (Silent Crusher M; Heidolph) at a rotation speed of <NUM>,<NUM> rpm for <NUM> seconds. Thereafter, <NUM> of medium-chain fatty acid triglyceride (MCT, Nisshin OilliO Group Ltd. ) was added and further stirred at a rotation speed of <NUM>,<NUM> rpm for <NUM> minute to prepare concentrated liquid foods of Examples <NUM> and <NUM> and Comparative Examples <NUM> and <NUM>. These concentrated liquid foods had a pH of <NUM> to <NUM>.

Table <NUM> shows the viscosities of the concentrated liquid foods before and after contact with simulated gastric fluid, ratios of these viscosities (viscosity increasing rate), and stabilities (dispersion stabilities after storage) with the concentrated liquid foods having been left to stand for <NUM> days at <NUM>.

In the concentrated liquid foods of Examples <NUM> and <NUM> containing sodium caseinate, which is an unhydrolyzed milk protein having emulsifiability, the viscosities before contact with simulated gastric fluid were <NUM> mPa·s or less, and the viscosities after contact with simulated gastric fluid were <NUM>,<NUM> mPa·s or more. Further, after the concentrated liquid foods were left unattended for <NUM> days at <NUM>, separation of oil layer, aggregation of proteins, and the like were hardly observed; the concentrated liquid foods were thus in a good condition. The liquid food using pectin as a polysaccharide that becomes gelated or thickened by combining with calcium, and the liquid food using sodium alginate as a polysaccharides that becomes gelated or thickened by combining with calcium have similar stabilities. The results suggested that the concentrated liquid foods of the present invention have a sufficiently low viscosity before contact with gastric fluid (upon injection), and thus have high fluidity, that the concentrated liquid foods of the present invention are thickened in the stomach (after injection), thereby preventing gastro-esophageal reflux, and that the concentrated liquid foods of the present invention have desirable dispersion stabilities.

In contrast, in the concentrated liquid foods of Comparative Examples <NUM> and <NUM> containing unemulsifiable soybean peptide, although the viscosities before contact with simulated gastric fluid were <NUM> mPa·s or less and the viscosities after contact with simulated gastric fluid were <NUM>,<NUM> mPa·s or more, after these concentrated liquid foods were left to stand for <NUM> days at <NUM>, apparent separation of oil layer and agglomerates were observed. In particular, the agglomerates generated in the concentrated liquid food of Comparative Example <NUM> could not be resuspended even by intense shaking. The results revealed that a protein having emulsifiability is necessary to ensure stable storage of the concentrated liquid food of the present invention.

Concentrated liquid foods were prepared using Md-pectin, a pectin material, and a low molecular weight pectin according to method (<NUM>-<NUM>) below, and the viscosities of these concentrated liquid foods before and after contact with simulated gastric fluid were evaluated according to method (<NUM>-<NUM>) above, and the appearances after contact with simulated gastric fluid were evaluated according to method (<NUM>-<NUM>) below.

<NUM> of dextrin, <NUM> of caster sugar, <NUM> of calcium chloride (dihydrate), <NUM> of magnesium chloride (hexahydrate), <NUM> of potassium chloride (anhydrous), <NUM> of soybean hemicellulose (SM-<NUM>, San-Ei Gen F. ), and <NUM> of trisodium citrate were added to and mixed with <NUM> of ion-exchanged water, and dispersed in the water. <NUM> of sodium caseinate was added to the dispersion and stirred. <NUM> of corn oil was added to and mixed with this dispersion. After stirring, <NUM> of a pectin material (SAN SUPPORT™ P-<NUM>, San-Ei Gen F. ), and Md-pectin in Table <NUM>, a pectin material or a low molecular weight pectin in amounts specified in Table <NUM> were added and mixed, and the total amount of the mixture was adjusted to <NUM> with ion-exchanged water. Each dispersion was subjected to a single homogenization at <NUM> MPa, thereby preparing concentrated liquid foods of Examples <NUM> to <NUM> and Comparative Examples <NUM> to <NUM>. These concentrated liquid foods had a pH of <NUM> to <NUM>.

The appearances of these concentrated liquid foods after contact with simulated gastric fluid were observed mainly in terms of separation of the gastric fluid portion and the concentrated liquid food portion. A separated simulated gastric fluid is observed as a transparent layer or a cloudy white semitransparent layer in an upper portion of the concentrated liquid food. The presence or absence of separation was evaluated at the following four levels.

Table <NUM> shows the viscosities of the concentrated liquid foods before and after contact with simulated gastric fluid, ratios of these viscosities (viscosity increasing rate), and the appearances.

In the concentrated liquid foods of Examples <NUM> to <NUM>, the viscosities before contact with simulated gastric fluid were <NUM> mPa·s or less, and the viscosities after contact with simulated gastric fluid were <NUM> mPa·s or more. Further, the observation of the appearances of these concentrated liquid foods after contact with simulated gastric fluid revealed that the concentrated liquid foods of Examples <NUM> to <NUM> form a viscous sol together with simulated gastric fluid.

When the viscosity according to the viscosity measurement method is <NUM> mPa·s or less, it is possible to cause the liquid food to flow (flow out) only by gravity even when the liquid food is supplied via a nasal thin tube. Therefore, the concentrated liquid food of the present invention can reduce the burden of the caregiver and the person receiving care, and also sufficiently thickened in the stomach, thereby preventing gastro-esophageal reflux.

In contrast, in the concentrated liquid food of Comparative Example <NUM> that contains <NUM>% of a pectin material but does not contain Md-pectin, although the viscosity before contact with simulated gastric fluid was <NUM> mPa·s or less, the viscosity after contact with simulated gastric fluid was <NUM>,<NUM> mPa·s or less, and sufficient viscosity increase was not observed. Further, in Comparative Examples <NUM> and <NUM> containing <NUM> mass% of pectin material in total, the viscosities before contact with simulated gastric fluid were significantly high; further, after the concentrated liquid foods came in contact with simulated gastric fluid, the concentrated liquid foods and simulated gastric fluid were not mixed but separated.

In Comparative Examples <NUM> and <NUM> containing a low molecular weight pectin, although the viscosities before contact with simulated gastric fluid were <NUM> mPa·s or less, which was sufficiently low, the viscosities after contact with simulated gastric fluid were <NUM>,<NUM> mPa·s or less, and sufficient viscosity increase was not observed. Further, the observation of the appearances of these concentrated liquid foods revealed that the sol-like concentrated liquid food portion and gastric fluid portion were slightly separated.

The above results revealed that the concentrated liquid foods containing Md-pectin can be easily injected, become thickened in the stomach, and are not separated from simulated gastric fluid when they are thickened and can be combined with simulated gastric fluid. It was thus revealed that the use of Md-pectin enables the preparation of a concentrated liquid food that more easily prevents gastro-esophageal reflux.

Concentrated liquid foods were prepared using Md-alginic acid, an alginic acid material and a low molecular weight sodium alginate according to method (<NUM>-<NUM>) below, and the viscosities of the concentrated liquid foods before and after contact with simulated gastric fluid were evaluated according to method (<NUM>-<NUM>) above, and the appearances after contact with simulated gastric fluid were evaluated according to method (<NUM>-<NUM>) above.

<NUM> of dextrin, <NUM> of caster sugar, <NUM> of calcium chloride (dihydrate), <NUM> of magnesium chloride (hexahydrate), <NUM> of potassium chloride (anhydrous), <NUM> of soybean hemicellulose (SM-<NUM>, San-Ei Gen F. ) and <NUM> of trisodium citrate were added to and mixed with <NUM> of ion-exchanged water, and dispersed in the water. <NUM> of sodium caseinate was added to the dispersion and stirred. <NUM> of corn oil was added to and mixed with this dispersion. After stirring, <NUM> of sodium alginate (SAN SUPPORT™ P-<NUM>, San-Ei Gen F. ), and Md-alginic acid in the amount specified in Table <NUM>, or an alginic acid material or a low molecular weight sodium alginate in the amounts specified in Table <NUM> were added, and the total amount of the mixture was adjusted to <NUM> with ion-exchanged water. Each dispersion was subjected to a single homogenization at <NUM> MPa, thereby preparing concentrated liquid foods of Examples <NUM> to <NUM> and Comparative Examples <NUM> to <NUM>. These concentrated liquid foods had a pH of <NUM> to <NUM>.

Table <NUM> shows the viscosities of the concentrated liquid foods before and after contact with simulated gastric fluid, ratios of these viscosities (viscosity increasing rate), and their appearances.

In the concentrated liquid foods of Examples <NUM> to <NUM>, the viscosities before contact with simulated gastric fluid were <NUM> mPa·s or less, and the viscosities after contact with simulated gastric fluid were <NUM>,<NUM> mPa·s or more. Further, the observation of their appearances after contact with simulated gastric fluid revealed that the concentrated liquid foods of Examples <NUM> to <NUM> form a soft gel; the concentrated liquid foods were gelated together with the simulated gastric fluid captured therein.

In contrast, in the concentrated liquid food of Comparative Example <NUM> that contains <NUM> mass% of an alginic acid material but does not contain Md-alginic acid, although the viscosity before contact with simulated gastric fluid was low, thus enabling easy injection, the viscosity after contact with simulated gastric fluid was <NUM>,<NUM> mPa·s or less, and sufficient viscosity increase was not observed. Further, in Comparative Examples <NUM> and <NUM> containing <NUM> mass% of alginic acid material in total but do not contain Md-alginic acid, the viscosities before contact with simulated gastric fluid were excessively high. Further, the appearances of Comparative Examples <NUM> to <NUM> after contact with simulated gastric fluid were observed, with the result that the gelated concentrated liquid food portion and gastric fluid portion were separated. Although the gelated concentrated liquid food portion does not cause gastro-esophageal reflux, the separated gastric fluid portion may cause gastro-esophageal reflux due to its low viscosity.

In Comparative Examples <NUM> and <NUM> that contain low molecular weight alginic acid but do not contain Md-alginic acid, although the viscosities before contact with simulated gastric fluid were <NUM> mPa·s or less, which are sufficiently low, the viscosities after contact with simulated gastric fluid were <NUM>,<NUM> mPa·s or less, and sufficient viscosity increase was not observed. Further, the observation of their appearances revealed that the gelated concentrated liquid food portion and gastric fluid portion were slightly separated.

The above results revealed that the concentrated liquid foods containing Md-alginic acid can be easily injected, are thickened in the stomach, and are not separated from simulated gastric fluid when they are thickened and can be combined with simulated gastric fluid. It was thus revealed that the use of Md-alginic acid enables the preparation of a concentrated liquid food that more easily prevents gastro-esophageal reflux.

Concentrated liquid foods were prepared according to method (<NUM>-<NUM>) below. Further, the viscosities of the concentrated liquid foods before and after contact with simulated gastric fluid were evaluated according to method (<NUM>-<NUM>) above, and the tube fluidities were evaluated according to method (<NUM>-<NUM>). Further, according to method (<NUM>-<NUM>) above, the stabilities of the concentrated liquid foods were evaluated after they were left to stand for <NUM> days at <NUM>.

<NUM> of dextrin, <NUM> of medium-chain triglyceride (O. O, Nisshin OilliO Group Ltd. ), <NUM> of sodium caseinate, and <NUM> of milk protein isolate (WPI, CP Kelco) were added to <NUM> of ion-exchanged water, and dispersed by mixing for <NUM> minutes. The dispersion was heated to <NUM>, and <NUM> of Homogen™ <NUM> (San-Ei Gen F. ), which is an emulsifier preparation, <NUM> of microcrystalline cellulose, <NUM> of soybean hemicellulose (SM-<NUM>, San-Ei Gen F. ), and a pectin or a sodium alginate in the amounts specified in Table <NUM> were added and mixed for <NUM> minutes, thereby being dispersed. The resulting dispersion was cooled to <NUM> to <NUM> (hereinafter referred to as "room temperature"), and <NUM>% of potassium chloride and calcium triphosphate (a water-insoluble calcium source) in the amount specified in Table <NUM> were added and mixed for <NUM> minutes, thereby being dispersed. Then the total amount was adjusted to <NUM> with ion-exchanged water. This dispersion was homogenized two times at <NUM> MPa, and further subjected to retort sterilization for <NUM> minutes at <NUM>, thereby preparing concentrated liquid foods of Examples <NUM> to <NUM> and Comparative Examples <NUM> to <NUM>. These concentrated liquid foods had a pH of <NUM> to <NUM>.

In the concentrated liquid foods of Examples <NUM> to <NUM> containing pectin, Md-pectin, alginate and/or Md-alginic acid, and a water-insoluble calcium source, the viscosities before contact with simulated gastric fluid were <NUM> mPa·s or less, and the viscosities after contact with simulated gastric fluid were <NUM>,<NUM> mPa·s or more. Further, the observation of their appearances after contact with simulated gastric fluid revealed that the concentrated liquid foods of Examples <NUM>, and <NUM> to <NUM> containing MDP-<NUM> or SAN SUPPORT™ P-<NUM> as Md-pectin or Md-alginic acid form a soft gel in which the concentrated liquid foods are gelated together with the simulated gastric fluid captured therein; in contrast, in the concentrated liquid foods of Examples <NUM> and <NUM> that did not contain Md-pectin or Md-alginic acid, separation of the simulated gastric fluid layer was slightly observed.

In contrast, in the concentrated liquid foods of Comparative Examples <NUM> and <NUM> that do not contain Md-pectin or alginate and/or Md-alginic acid, although the viscosities before contact with simulated gastric fluid were low, thus enabling easy injection, the viscosities after contact with simulated gastric fluid were <NUM>,<NUM> mPa·s or less, and sufficient viscosity increase was not observed.

The above results revealed that a calcium source is indispensable in the preparation of the concentrated liquid food of the present patent that can be easily injected, and is thickened in the stomach to prevent gastro-esophageal reflux. On the other hand, since the concentrated liquid foods of Examples <NUM> to <NUM> did not contain a chelating agent, it was also confirmed that a chelating agent is not indispensable when a water-insoluble calcium source is used.

Claim 1:
A concentrated liquid food, comprising:
(A) a polysaccharide which is one or more members selected from the group consisting of pectins, and alginic acids or salts thereof that becomes gelated or thickened by combining with calcium;
(B) <NUM> mass% to <NUM> mass% on a calcium basis of a water-soluble calcium source having a solubility of <NUM>/<NUM> or more at <NUM> under a pH of <NUM>;
(C) <NUM> mass% to <NUM> mass% of at least one member selected from the group consisting of trisodium citrate and tripotassium citrate;
(D) a protein having emulsifiability; and
(E) <NUM> mass% to <NUM> mass% of a soybean hemicellulose,
wherein the concentrated liquid food has a viscosity of <NUM> mPa·s or less before contact with a simulated gastric fluid, and has a viscosity of <NUM>,<NUM> mPa·s or more after contact with a simulated gastric fluid when the viscosity is measured with the following viscosity method:
the viscosity is measured using a Brookfield rotational viscometer at a measurement Temperature of <NUM> and a rotation rate of <NUM> rpm; wherein the viscosity before contact with gastric fluid is measured by placing <NUM> of the concentrated liquid food in a cylindrical glass tube (inner diameter = <NUM>, height = <NUM>) that can be hermetically-sealed with a cap;
and wherein the viscosity after contact with gastric fluid is measured by placing <NUM> of simulated gastric fluid (an aqueous solution containing <NUM>% hydrochloric acid and <NUM>% common salt; pH = <NUM>) in the cylindrical glass tube, adding <NUM> of concentrated liquid food,
sealing the cylindrical glass tube with a cap, and shaking the glass tube upside-down five times so as to mix the simulated gastric fluid with the concentrated liquid food; the mixture is left to stand at <NUM> for <NUM> minutes; the temperature is then returned to <NUM>, and the viscosity is measured.