Patent Description:
Food will react with oxygen in the air, and thus become dark in color or discolored during processing and storage, resulting in having lower quality. In the past, kojic acid was used as a discoloration inhibitor against food discoloration, but is now prohibited because kojic acid was suspected of causing cancer. As substitutes for kojic acid, sulfites such as sodium hyposulfite, sodium hydrogen sulfite, and sodium pyrosulfite are now used but have an unfavorable impact on the human body, and the Food Sanitation Law of Japan regulates the residual concentration of sulfite for each kind of food. For example, the residual concentration of sulfite in terms of the residual amount of sulfur dioxide is less than <NUM>/kg for kampyo gourd, less than <NUM>/kg for raisin, less than <NUM>/kg for fruit liquor or miscellaneous liquor, less than <NUM>/kg for shucked prawn meat or shucked frozen raw crab meat, and less than <NUM>/kg for food that is not particularly designated.

On the other hand, food discoloration inhibitors that are naturally-derived and safer are under study. For example, it is known that a ferulic acid contained in plant cell walls and the like has a discoloration inhibition effect, and Non-Patent Literature <NUM> states that dipping Litopenaeus vannamei shrimps in a solution containing a ferulic acid suppresses polyphenol oxidase activity suppression and suppresses browning. However, to exhibit the same browning suppression effect as sulfite, the solution needs to have a ferulic acid concentration of <NUM> wt% (<NUM>,<NUM> ppm, <NUM> wt% in terms of catechin) or more, and this is problematic in that the production of a high concentration ferulic acid is costly.

Furthermore, Patent Literature <NUM> describes a method in which sugar cane squeezed juice, sucrose derived from sugar cane, or cellobiose is used as a black-discoloration inhibitor for crustaceans.

Patent literature <NUM> describes a prawn preservative including an ascorbic acid compound at effective concentration and a reducing sugar compound in a ratio of <NUM>-<NUM> to the ascorbic acid compound contained and a method of preserving a prawn.

Non-patent literature <NUM> and non-patent literature <NUM> disclose several lignin compositions and methods to characterize lignin compositions. Non-patent literature <NUM> discloses antioxidant properties of lignin in the presence of oil and probably in the presence of other fat soluble substances. Non-patent literature <NUM> relates to various methods for preservation of meat products.

A problem is to provide a food discoloration inhibitor that is naturally-derived and safe.

As a result of intensive studies, the present inventors have found out that a low molecular weight lignin having a molecular weight peak in a molecular weight range of <NUM>,<NUM> to <NUM>,<NUM> and/or a high molecular weight lignin having a molecular weight peak in a molecular weight range of <NUM>,<NUM> to <NUM>,<NUM> have/has a food discoloration inhibitor effect in place of sulfites, wherein the molecular weight peak is measured at a wavelength of <NUM> by GPC molecular weight analysis using an UV detector. Thus the present inventors have completed the present invention.

That is, the present invention has the following components (<NUM>) to (<NUM>).

The food discoloration inhibitor used for inhibiting food discoloration according to the present invention is a highly safe naturally-derived discoloration inhibitor, and has a discoloration inhibition effect that is the same as or greater than sulfites used as a food discoloration inhibitor have.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail.

Lignins are high molecular weight phenolic compounds derived from plants. Lignins have complicated and various structures, the details of which have not been clarified. In addition, although the molecular weights of lignins vary with the type of biomass, the extraction method, and the analysis method, the general number average molecular weights that have been reported are <NUM> to <NUM> (<NPL>)).

The food discoloration inhibitor used for inhibiting food discoloration according to the present invention contains, as an effective ingredient, a low molecular weight lignin having a molecular weight peak in a molecular weight range of <NUM>,<NUM> to <NUM>,<NUM> and/or a high molecular weight lignin having a molecular weight peak in a molecular weight range of <NUM>,<NUM> to <NUM>,<NUM>, wherein the molecular weight peak is measured at a wavelength of <NUM> by GPC molecular weight analysis.

The low molecular weight lignin used in the present invention has a molecular weight peak in a molecular weight range of preferably <NUM>,<NUM> to <NUM>,<NUM>, more preferably <NUM>,<NUM> to <NUM>,<NUM>.

The high molecular weight lignin used in the present invention has a molecular weight peak in a molecular weight range of preferably <NUM>,<NUM> to <NUM>,<NUM>, more preferably <NUM>,<NUM> to <NUM>,<NUM>.

In addition, the molecular weight of a lignin can be judged based on the number average molecular weight. The low molecular weight lignin used in the present invention has an average molecular weight of preferably <NUM>,<NUM> to <NUM>,<NUM>, more preferably <NUM>,<NUM> to <NUM>,<NUM>, wherein the average molecular weight is a number average molecular weight measured by GPC molecular weight analysis using an UV detector. The high molecular weight lignin used in the present invention has an average molecular weight of preferably <NUM>,<NUM> to <NUM>,<NUM>, more preferably <NUM>,<NUM> to <NUM>,<NUM>, wherein the average molecular weight is a number average molecular weight measured by GPC molecular weight analysis using an UV detector. The lignin containing both a low molecular weight lignin and a high molecular weight lignin used in the present invention has an average molecular weight of preferably <NUM>,<NUM> to <NUM>,<NUM>, more preferably <NUM>,<NUM> to <NUM>,<NUM>, wherein the average molecular weight is a number average molecular weight measured by GPC molecular weight analysis using an UV detector.

In addition, the low molecular weight lignin and the high molecular weight lignin used in the present invention may have a plurality of molecular weight peaks as long as the peaks are in the above-mentioned molecular weight ranges. Furthermore, the lignins may have a molecular weight peak outside the above-mentioned molecular weight ranges, and in this case, it is preferable that the highest peak of the molecular weight peaks at a wavelength of <NUM> is in a molecular weight range of <NUM>,<NUM> to <NUM>,<NUM> for the low molecular weight lignin used in the present invention and in a molecular weight range of <NUM>,<NUM> to <NUM>,<NUM> for the high molecular weight lignin used in the present invention.

<FIG> shows a specific example of a GPC molecular weight analysis performed using an UV detector on a lignin containing both a low molecular weight lignin used in the present invention and a high molecular weight lignin used in the present invention. In addition, <FIG> shows a specific example of a low molecular weight lignin used in the present invention, and <FIG> shows a specific example of a high molecular weight lignin used in the present invention.

Hereinafter in the DESCRIPTION, a low molecular weight lignin used in the present invention is referred to as the low molecular weight lignin according to the present invention, and a high molecular weight lignin used in the present invention is referred to as the high molecular weight lignin according to the present invention.

GPC is an abbreviation of Gel Permeation chromatography, and enables compounds in a measurement sample to be separated in accordance with the molecular size. In addition, detecting the relative amounts of the separated polymers using a detector enables the molecular weights to be calculated. In a GPC molecular weight analysis, a standard polymer is used to preliminarily determine the relationship between the elution time and the molecular weight, on the basis of which relationship, the molecular weight of a measurement sample is calculated. The molecular weights of the low molecular weight lignin according to the present invention and the high molecular weight lignin according to the present invention are values measured using polyethylene glycol and polyethylene oxide as standard polymers.

As a detector for GPC molecular weight analysis, a detector capable of detecting the absorption wavelength region of lignin ranging from <NUM> to <NUM> can be used. In the present invention, values measured at <NUM> at which cinnamic acids have no absorption were used in a GPC molecular weight analysis in order to eliminate the impact of cinnamic acids such as a coumaric acid and a ferulic acid that are low molecular weight aromatics. Values for the lignin according to the present invention were detected using a multiple wavelength ultraviolet-visible absorption detector (SPD-M20A) made by Shimadzu Corporation. Number average molecular weights can be calculated using the following Equation (<NUM>) from the molecular weights obtained by GPC molecular weight analysis. In Equation (<NUM>), Mn represents a number average molecular weight, M represents a molecular weight, N represents the number of polymers, and C represents a sample concentration.

A column to be used for GPC molecular weight analysis is not limited to any particular one, and TSKgelGMPWXL and G2500PWXL were used to measure molecular weight values in the present invention.

Examples of plants that can be used as raw materials for the low molecular weight lignin according to the present invention and/or the high molecular weight lignin according to the present invention include: conifers such as pine, cedar, and cypress; broadleaf trees such as eucalyptus and acacia; herbaceous biomass such as bagasse that is the sugar cane residual left after the juice is extracted, switchgrass, napier grasses, erianthus, corn stover, rice straw, and wheat straw; biomass derived from the aquatic environment such as algae and sea grasses; cereal hull biomass such as corn hulls, wheat hulls, soya bean hulls, and chaff; and the like. Bagasse is preferable.

Examples of methods of extracting the low molecular weight lignin according to the present invention and/or the high molecular weight lignin according to the present invention from the plants include extraction with an organic solvent (ethanol, ethyl acetate, or the like), acid extraction, alkaline extraction, hydrothermal extraction, alkaline hydrothermal extraction, alkaline hot-water extraction, and the like. Alkaline extraction or alkaline hot-water extraction is preferable, and alkaline hot-water extraction is more preferable.

Examples of alkaline compounds to be used for alkaline extraction, alkaline hydrothermal extraction, or alkaline hot-water extraction include, but are not particularly limited to, sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, calcium hydroxide, magnesium hydroxide, ammonia, and the like. Sodium hydroxide and potassium hydroxide are preferable, and sodium hydroxide is more preferable.

For alkaline hot-water extraction, reaction conditions are preferably a pH of <NUM> to <NUM>, a temperature of <NUM> to <NUM>, and for <NUM> hours or more, more preferably a pH of <NUM> to <NUM>, a temperature of <NUM> to <NUM>, and for one hour or more. The upper limit of the alkaline concentration is not limited to a particular one as long as the concentration enables the food discoloration inhibitor used for inhibiting food discoloration according to the present invention to be obtained. An alkaline concentration that is too high to biomass causes the lignin to have a lower molecular weight, and accordingly causes problems that effective ingredients for the food discoloration inhibitor used according to the present invention cannot be obtained, and that coloring ingredients are generated in large amounts and color food to be processed. For example, sodium hydroxide is preferably <NUM>/L or less.

A hydrothermal treatment is a method of extracting lignin by treatment with pressurized hot-water (<NUM> to <NUM>).

An alkaline hydrothermal extraction is a method of extracting lignin by treatment with pressurized hot-water (<NUM> to <NUM>) under a pH condition of alkaline hot-water extraction.

Specific examples of alkaline hot-water extraction methods include a method in which the low molecular weight lignin according to the present invention and/or the high molecular weight lignin according to the present invention can be extracted by allowing a solution having a bagasse concentration of <NUM>/L (dry weight) to react with a <NUM> (wt/wt)% sodium hydroxide aqueous solution at <NUM> for two hours. The dry weight is a weight obtained after the bagasse is dried at <NUM> until the bagasse has a constant weight.

In a case where it is desired to separate the low molecular weight lignin according to the present invention from the high molecular weight lignin according to the present invention, allowing the lignin mixture to be neutralized to pH <NUM> or less and undergo solid-liquid separation can separate the low molecular weight lignin according to the present invention as a liquid fraction from the high molecular weight lignin according to the present invention as a solid fraction. This is because it is characteristic of the low molecular weight lignin according to the present invention to dissolve in water under a pH <NUM> condition and it is characteristic of the high molecular weight lignin according to the present invention to deposit in water without dissolving. The high molecular weight lignin that is insolubilized under a pH <NUM> condition can then be dissolved in water at a pH made more alkaline than pH <NUM>, for example, pH <NUM> or more.

The amount of the low molecular weight lignin according to the present invention and/or the high molecular weight lignin according to the present invention contained in the food discoloration inhibitor according to the present invention is preferably <NUM> wt% or more as the amount of polyphenol in terms of catechin. The amount is more preferably <NUM> wt% or more, most preferably <NUM> wt% or more. The upper limit of the polyphenol amount is not limited to a particular one in achieving the food discoloration inhibitor effect, and is preferably <NUM> wt% or less in that, when another brown ingredient is mixed together and when the polyphenol concentration is adjusted to a large value by concentration, the mixed brown ingredient gets adhered to food and changes the appearance and flavor of the food. In a case where the food discoloration inhibitor used for inhibiting food discoloration according to the present invention is used as a solution, the inhibitor can be used after being adjusted so as to have a concentration in the above-mentioned range. In a case where the inhibitor is kneaded into food, the inhibitor is preferably used after being adjusted so that the weight ratio to food can be in the above-mentioned range.

The polyphenol amount in the food discoloration agent used according to the present invention in terms of catechin is a value calculated using the Folin-Chiocalteu method. The Folin-Chiocalteu method was originally developed in order to analyze aromatic amino acids such as tyrosine and tryptophan, and proteins having these. It is a method in which a phenolic hydroxyl group, which is alkaline, reduces phosphotungstic acid or molybdic acid, and the generated blue color is quantitated by colorimetry at <NUM> to <NUM>. The same operation can be carried out using a specific reference material such as gallic acid or catechin, and quantitative values can be indicated in terms of the compound. Values in terms of catechin are used in the present invention.

The food discoloration inhibitor used according to the present invention has a food discoloration inhibition effect. Discoloration to be inhibited by the food discoloration inhibitor used according to the present invention refers to a change from a natural color tone to brown in a process in which food is preserved. Color is important as an index for determining freshness, and discoloration inhibition can enhance the quality and commodity value of food.

A food to which the food discoloration inhibitor is applied according to the present invention is not limited to a particular one as long as it is a food whose color changes during preservation, and is preferably fresh food. A fresh food used in the present invention is a food that is not completely heated, and may be a food a part of which, such as the surface, is heated, but is preferably an unheated food. An unheated food refers to a food that is preserved at room temperature (<NUM>) or less after the food is produced or harvested. In the present invention, a completely heated food is a food the central part of which is heated at a temperature of <NUM> or more for one minute or more.

Examples of fresh foods include cut foods, foods made by mixing a plurality of foods that have been cut into pieces, and seasoned foods, and unseasoned foods are preferable.

Specific examples of fresh foods include: crustaceans such as prawns and crabs; meats such as beef, pork, and chicken; fishes such as tunas, salmons, trouts, bonitos, sardines, Pacific sauries, horse mackerels, Pacific sauries, yellowtails, cods, Atka mackerels, breams, sand lances, pufferfishes, octopuses, and squids; vegetables such as cabbages, lettuces, spinaches, eggplants, cucumbers, onions, okras, and potatoes; fruits such as apples, bananas, persimmons, peaches, and avocados. Crustaceans such as prawns and crabs, minced meats, tunas, cabbages, and apples are preferable.

Specific examples of crustaceans include Bathysquillidae, Gonodactylidae, Odontodactylidae, Harpiosquillidae, Squillidae, Aristeidae, Solenoceridae, Penaeidae, Sicyoniidae, Sergestidae, Oplophoridae, Atyidae, Pasiphaeidae, Eugonatonotidae, Palaemonidae, Alpheidae, Hippolytidae, Pandalidae, Glyphocrangonidae, Crangonidae, Cambaridae, Astacidae, Nephropidae, Thaumastochelidae, Polychelidae, Palinuridae, Scyllaridae, Axiidae, Galatheoidae, Porcellanidae, Lithodidae, Potamonidae, Raninidae, Homolodromiidae, Dynomenidae, Latreilliidae, Homolidae, Dorippidae, Calappidae, Inachidae, Hymenosomatidae, Parthenopidae, Cancridae, Leucosiidae, Cheiragonidae, Corystidae, Portunidae, Geryonidae, Xanthidae, Goneplacidae, Ocypodidae, Grapsidae, Pinnotheridae. In particular, preferable examples among these are: Panulirus japonicus in Palinuridae; Ibacus, Parribacus japonicus, and Scyllarides squamosus in Scyllaridae; Penaeus monodon, Litopenaeus vannamei (white tiger prawn), Marsupenaeus japonicus, Metapenaeus joyneri, Metapenaeopsis barbata, Litopenaeus vannamei (whiteleg shrimp), Penaeus semisulcatus in Penaeidae; Sergia lucens in Sergestidae; Pandalus borealis and Pandalus nipponensis in Pandalidae; and Nephropus japonicus in Nephropidae.

In a method of using the food discoloration inhibitor according to the present invention, the low molecular weight lignin according to the present invention and/or the high molecular weight lignin according to the present invention may be used as a solution in which the lignin(s) are dissolved, or may be used as the lignin(s) solidified by concentration or drying. In a process of cooking food or in preserving food, the food may be dipped in the inhibitor, the inhibitor may be kneaded into food, the inhibitor may be applied to the surface of the food, or the inhibitor may be adhered to the food by spraying. Once the discoloration inhibitor has been in good contact with food, the effect of the inhibitor lasts even after the food is rinsed with water. In a case where food such as vegetable, fruit, and meat, dipping the cut sides which contact oxygen, and hence which are susceptible to discoloration can suppress the discoloration. In a case where food is a crustacean such as a prawn, dipping the whole food is effective, and has an effect of inhibiting the discoloration of the whole crustacean food.

A method of evaluating the discoloration suppression effect using the food discoloration inhibitor used for inhibiting food discoloration according to the present invention may be, for example, a method in which panelists evaluate the ratio of the discolored area by visual observation and compare the evaluation results with the food for which the food discoloration inhibitor according to the present invention has not been used. Specifically, the discolored areas can be rated at the following grades from <NUM> to <NUM>, as described in Non-Patent Literature <NUM>. <NUM>: no brown, <NUM>: a brown ratio of <NUM>% or more and less than <NUM>%, <NUM>: a brown ratio of <NUM>% or more and less than <NUM>%, <NUM>: a brown ratio of <NUM>% or more and less than <NUM>%, <NUM>: a brown ratio of <NUM>% or more and less than <NUM>%, <NUM>: a brown ratio of <NUM>% or more and <NUM>% or less.

The food discoloration inhibitor used according to the present invention may be a composition containing the low molecular weight lignin according to the present invention and/or the high molecular weight lignin according to the present invention and another ingredient. The another ingredient is not limited to a particular one as long as the ingredient does not inhibit a food discoloration inhibition action. It is known that a cinnamic acid derived from plants, particularly a coumaric acid and/or a ferulic acid, originally has a food discoloration inhibition action, and accordingly, using a coumaric acid and/or a ferulic acid together with the low molecular weight lignin according to the present invention and/or the high molecular weight lignin according to the present invention is expected to have the effect of increasing the food discoloration inhibition action.

A coumaric acid and a ferulic acid are known to have a food discoloration inhibitor effect, but need to have a concentration of <NUM> wt% or more in a liquid to achieve a discoloration inhibition effect for food which is dipped in the acids. However, addition of a coumaric acid and/or a ferulic acid at a high concentration will lower economical competitiveness. In a case where the food discoloration inhibitor used according to the present invention contains a coumaric acid and a ferulic acid, the composition contains preferably less than <NUM> wt% of coumaric acid and less than <NUM> wt% of ferulic acid, more preferably <NUM> to <NUM> wt% of coumaric acid and <NUM> to <NUM> wt% of ferulic acid. The concentrations of a coumaric acid and a ferulic acid can be quantitated by high performance liquid chromatography using a hydrophobic column and an UV detector.

In addition, a coumaric acid and a ferulic acid can be measured in the amount of polyphenol using the same method as the low molecular weight lignin or high molecular weight lignin according to the present invention. The composition preferably contains <NUM> to <NUM> wt% of coumaric acid and <NUM> to <NUM> wt% of ferulic acid as amounts of polyphenols in terms of catechin.

In a case where the food discoloration inhibitor used according to the present invention contains a coumaric acid and a ferulic acid, the amount of polyphenol contained in the food discoloration inhibitor used according to the present invention is preferably <NUM> wt% or more, more preferably <NUM> wt% or more, in terms of catechin, including the low molecular weight lignin according to the present invention and/or the high molecular weight lignin according to the present invention.

The food discoloration inhibitor used according to the present invention may contain an ingredient other than a coumaric acid and a ferulic acid as far as the ingredient does not inhibit the food discoloration inhibition effect.

The food discoloration inhibitor used according to the present invention may be used as a solution in which the inhibitor is dissolved or as a solidified inhibitor. In a process of cooking food or in preserving food, the food may be dipped in the inhibitor, the inhibitor may be kneaded into the food, or the inhibitor may be adhered to the surface of the food. Once the food discoloration inhibitor has been in good contact with food, the effect of the food discoloration inhibitor used according to the present invention lasts even after the food is rinsed with water.

Below, the present invention will be described specifically.

GPC molecular weight analyses were carried out under the following conditions.

Using the standard sample, a relationship between elution time and logarithms of a molecular weight was obtained preliminarily, converted as a weight fraction per LogM (wherein M is a molecular weight), dW/dlogM (wherein W is a weight), and plotted with logarithms of the molecular weight as the abscissa against the ordinate such that the peak area corresponded to <NUM>, followed by using the plot for analysis. The number average molecular weight was calculated using Equation (<NUM>).

The amount of polyphenol was measured under the following conditions using the Folin-Chiocalteu method. A suitably diluted measurement sample in an amount of <NUM>, <NUM> of a phenol reagent solution (from Nacalai Tesque, Inc. ), and <NUM> of water were added to a <NUM> graduated flask and left to stand at room temperature for five minutes, and, to the resulting mixture, <NUM> of a <NUM>% sodium carbonate aqueous solution was added. To the resulting mixture, water was further added to make up <NUM>, and mixed, and the resulting mixture was left to stand at room temperature for two hours. Part of the reaction liquid was taken out, filtrated through a PTFE filter <NUM> in diameter, and measured for absorbance at <NUM> (the sample was suitably diluted such that the absorbance was <NUM> ABS or less). The measurement result was calculated in terms of catechin using a catechin reagent (from Sigma-Aldrich Co. LLC, having a purity of <NUM>% or more) as a standard material. In the below-mentioned Test Examples, the results of polyphenol amounts measured in accordance with this Reference Example are shown in Tables <NUM> to <NUM>. In the Tables, the mark "-" indicates that the catechin conversion cannot be carried out separately between the low molecular weight lignin/high molecular weight lignin according to the present invention and other lignins. The mark "<NUM>" in the Tables indicates that having no content is theoretically evident or that no value was detected in a measurement by the Folin-Chiocalteu method.

The concentration of an aromatic compound such as a coumaric acid or a ferulic acid was measured under the following conditions.

Bagasse in an amount of <NUM> (purchased from Taito Nosan K. , produced in Vietnam) at <NUM> wt% by dry weight was added to and mixed with a <NUM> (wt/wt)% sodium hydroxide aqueous solution, the resulting mixture was allowed to react at <NUM> for two hours, and adjusted to pH <NUM> with <NUM> N hydrochloric acid, and then, the solid was separated through a sieve, and filtrated through an MF film (tradename: TREFII, HFS Type, made by Toray Industries, Inc. ) to prepare a bagasse alkaline hot-water extract. This alkaline extract was subjected to GPC molecular weight analysis by the method described in Reference Example <NUM>. The analysis result is shown in <FIG>. This analysis result confirms that the obtained lignin contained the low molecular weight lignin according to the present invention having a peak at a molecular weight of <NUM>,<NUM> and the high molecular weight lignin according to the present invention having a molecular weight peak at a molecular weight of <NUM>,<NUM>. In addition, the number average molecular weight was <NUM>,<NUM>. Furthermore, the amount of polyphenol in this bagasse alkaline hot-water extract was <NUM> wt% in terms of catechin, as measured in accordance with Reference Example <NUM>. In addition, measurement of a coumaric acid and a ferulic acid by the method described in Reference Example <NUM> showed <NUM> wt% of coumaric acid and <NUM> wt% of ferulic acid, and the polyphenol content of the liquid containing only a coumaric acid and a ferulic acid at the same respective concentrations was <NUM> wt% in terms of catechin. This fact has revealed that the low molecular weight lignin and high molecular weight lignin according to the present invention existed at <NUM> wt% in terms of catechin.

Five frozen Litopenaeus vannamei shrimps (tradename: Myoko Yuki shrimp, produced by IMT Engineering Inc. ), L size (about <NUM> per shrimp), for which the food discoloration inhibitor according to the present invention was not used, were quickly thawed with cold water and dipped in <NUM> of the above-mentioned bagasse alkaline hot-water extract (<NUM> per shrimp) for five minutes. After the dipping, the shrimps were washed with tap water, wrapped in a wrap film, and stored at <NUM> for six days. State observations were carried out on Day <NUM> and Day <NUM> during the storage, and the ratio of the areas which turned brown was evaluated in an appearance test by six panelists. The discoloration was evaluated by visual observation at six grades in the following evaluation values from <NUM> to <NUM> (an average value of five shrimps) set in accordance with the method described in Non-Patent Literature <NUM>. <NUM>: no brown, <NUM>: a brown ratio of <NUM>% or more and less than <NUM>%, <NUM>: a brown ratio of <NUM>% or more and less than <NUM>%, <NUM>: a brown ratio of <NUM>% or more and less than <NUM>%, <NUM>: a brown ratio of <NUM>% or more and less than <NUM>%, <NUM>: a brown ratio of <NUM>% or more and <NUM>% or less. The measurement results and the averages of the panelists evaluation results are shown in Table <NUM>.

The bagasse alkaline hot-water extract prepared in Test Example <NUM> was neutralized to pH <NUM> with <NUM> N hydrochloric acid, followed by depositing the high molecular weight lignin according to the present invention. Diatomaceous earth at <NUM>% was added to and mixed with the liquid, the resulting mixture was subjected to solid-liquid separation using a filter press (Model YTO, made by Yabuta Kikai Co. ), and the low molecular weight lignin liquid according to the present invention and the high molecular weight lignin according to the present invention were separated into the filtrate side and the solid content side respectively. The obtained filtrate was adjusted to pH <NUM> with <NUM>%(wt/v) sodium hydroxide, and the resulting liquid was subjected to GPC molecular weight analysis by the method described in Reference Example <NUM>. The GPC molecular weight analysis result is shown in <FIG>. This analysis result confirms that the obtained lignin had the main peak from the low molecular weight lignin according to the present invention having a peak at a molecular weight of <NUM>,<NUM>. In addition, the number average molecular weight determined from the GPC molecular weight analysis result was <NUM>,<NUM>. Furthermore, the amount of polyphenol in this low molecular weight lignin according to the present invention was <NUM> wt% in terms of catechin, as measured in accordance with Reference Example <NUM>. In addition, measurement of a coumaric acid and a ferulic acid by the method described in Reference Example <NUM> showed <NUM> wt% of coumaric acid and <NUM> wt% of ferulic acid, and the polyphenol content of the liquid containing only a coumaric acid and a ferulic acid at the same respective concentrations was <NUM> wt% in terms of catechin. This fact has revealed that the low molecular weight lignin according to the present invention existed <NUM> wt% in terms of catechin. The discoloration inhibition effect test was performed on shrimps using the same operation and conditions as in Test Example <NUM> except that the low molecular weight lignin liquid according to the present invention obtained in Test Example <NUM> was used. The measurement results and the averages of the panelist evaluation results are shown in Table <NUM>.

To the solid content separated in Test Example <NUM>, <NUM>% (wt/v) of sodium hydroxide was added to adjust the pH to <NUM> and allow the high molecular weight lignin according to the present invention to dissolve. This high molecular weight lignin liquid according to the present invention was adjusted to pH <NUM> with <NUM> N hydrochloric acid, and the resulting liquid was subjected to GPC molecular weight analysis by the method described in Reference Example <NUM>. The GPC molecular weight analysis result is shown in <FIG>. This analysis result confirms that the obtained lignin was the high molecular weight lignin according to the present invention having a peak at a molecular weight of <NUM>,<NUM>, not containing the low molecular weight lignin according to the present invention. In addition, the number average molecular weight determined from this analysis result was <NUM>,<NUM>. Furthermore, the amount of polyphenol in this high molecular weight lignin liquid according to the present invention was <NUM> wt% in terms of catechin, as measured in accordance with Reference Example <NUM>. In addition, the liquid was measured for a coumaric acid and a ferulic acid by the method described in Reference Example <NUM>, and neither coumaric acid nor ferulic acid was detected. The discoloration inhibition effect test was performed on shrimps using the same operation and conditions as in Test Example <NUM> except that the high molecular weight lignin liquid according to the present invention obtained in Test Example <NUM> was used. The measurement results and the averages of the panelist evaluation results are shown in Table <NUM>.

The bagasse alkaline hot-water extract in Test Example <NUM> was diluted two-fold with distilled water. The test was performed using the same operation and conditions as in Test Example <NUM> except that the obtained two-fold diluted bagasse alkaline hot-water extract was used. The measurement results and the averages of the panelist evaluation results are shown in Table <NUM>.

The discoloration inhibition effect test was performed on shrimps using tap water. The test was performed using the same operation and conditions as in Test Example <NUM> except that tap water was used. The measurement results and the averages of the panelist evaluation results are shown in Table <NUM>.

These results confirm that tap water exhibits no discoloration inhibition effect.

Some sugar cane from which leaves had been removed were washed, crushed, and then squeezed while imbibition water (<NUM> warm water) was added at a ratio of a sugar cane weight of <NUM> to an imbibition water weight of <NUM>. The obtained juice was used to perform a discoloration inhibition effect test on shrimps. The test was performed using the same operation and conditions as in Test Example <NUM> except that the sugar cane squeezed juice was used. The measurement results and the averages of the panelist evaluation results are shown in Table <NUM>.

Bagasse was adjusted to have a dry weight of <NUM> (wt/wt)% (a moisture content of <NUM>%), and hydrothermally-processed (high pressure cooking-processed) under high pressure at <NUM> for ten minutes. The obtained bagasse hydrothermally-processed product was subjected to solid-liquid separation, and the obtained bagasse hydrothermally-processed liquid was adjusted to pH <NUM> with <NUM> N sodium hydroxide. Next, the resulting liquid was subjected to GPC molecular weight analysis by the method described in Reference Example <NUM>. The result is shown in <FIG>. This analysis result has revealed that the bagasse hydrothermally-processed liquid contained lignins having a molecular weight peak at a molecular weight of <NUM>,<NUM>, a molecular weight of <NUM>,<NUM>, and a molecular weight of <NUM>,<NUM> in peak order from higher to lower. In addition, the number average molecular weight determined from the GPC molecular weight analysis result was <NUM>,<NUM>. The amount of polyphenol in this bagasse hydrothermally-processed liquid was <NUM> wt% in terms of catechin, as measured in accordance with Reference Example <NUM>. Accordingly, the bagasse hydrothermally-processed liquid was found to contain almost no lignin having reducing power. In the bagasse hydrothermally-processed liquid, the effective ingredient having the highest peak had the peak at a molecular weight of <NUM>,<NUM> or less. This effective ingredient having the highest peak was different from the low molecular weight lignin according to the present invention and the high molecular weight lignin according to the present invention, but the composition of the ingredient included the low molecular weight lignin according to the present invention and the high molecular weight lignin according to the present invention. Furthermore, the liquid was measured for a coumaric acid and a ferulic acid by the method described in Reference Example <NUM>, and neither coumaric acid nor ferulic acid was detected. In addition, the solid content of the bagasse hydrothermally-processed liquid was measured and found to be <NUM>%.

The test was performed using the same operation and conditions as in Test Example <NUM> except that the shrimps were dipped in <NUM> of the bagasse hydrothermally-processed liquid for five minutes. The measurement results and the averages of the panelist evaluation results are shown in Table <NUM>.

A ferulic acid (purchased from Tokyo Chemical Industry Co. , having a purity of <NUM>% or more and a molecular weight of <NUM>) was adjusted to pH <NUM> with <NUM> N sodium hydroxide, and thus a ferulic acid liquid having <NUM>/L (<NUM> wt%) of the acid was prepared. In addition, the amount of polyphenol in the ferulic acid liquid was <NUM> wt% in terms of catechin, as measured in accordance with Reference Example <NUM>. The test was performed using the same operation and conditions as in Test Example <NUM> except that the prepared ferulic acid liquid was used. The measurement results and the averages of the panelist evaluation results are shown in Table <NUM>.

A sodium pyrosulfite liquid was prepared so as to have <NUM>/L (<NUM> wt%) of sodium pyrosulfite (purchased from Nacalai Tesque, Inc. , having a purity of <NUM>% or more, otherwise known as sodium disulfite). The test was performed using the same operation and conditions as in Test Example <NUM> except that the prepared sodium pyrosulfite liquid was used. The measurement results and the averages of the panelist evaluation results are shown in Table <NUM>.

The bagasse alkaline hot-water extract in Test Example <NUM> was diluted four-fold with distilled water to prepare a diluted liquid. The test was performed using the same operation and conditions as in Test Example <NUM> except that the four-fold diluted liquid was used. The measurement results and the averages of the panelist evaluation results are shown in Table <NUM>.

The results in Table <NUM> have revealed that, compared with the result in Test Example <NUM>, the discoloration of the shrimps was remarkably inhibited in Test Examples <NUM> to <NUM>, the conditions of which allowed the shrimps to be dipped in the solutions that contained the low molecular weight lignin according to the present invention and/or the high molecular weight lignin according to the present invention and had a polyphenol content of <NUM> wt% or more in terms of catechin, and that the conditions exhibited a high discoloration inhibition effect. The results have also revealed that Test Examples <NUM> to <NUM> showed a discoloration inhibition effect on shrimps which was the same as or greater than the sodium pyrosulfite in Test Example <NUM> showed, and can be substitutes for sulfite which is an existing food discoloration inhibitor. Furthermore, the comparison between Test Examples <NUM> to <NUM> and Test Example <NUM> has revealed that the discoloration inhibition effect according to the present invention is not simply proportional to the polyphenol concentration of the liquid resulting from the dipping, and, in addition, that the discoloration inhibition effect of the low molecular weight lignin according to the present invention and/or the high molecular weight lignin according to the present invention (Test Examples <NUM> to <NUM>) is higher than that of the ferulic acid (Test Examples <NUM> and <NUM>).

The cut sides of a quarter cut cabbage were dipped in <NUM> of the bagasse alkaline hot-water extract prepared in Test Example <NUM> for five minutes. After the dipping, the dipped parts of the cabbage were washed with tap water, wrapped in a wrap film, and stored at <NUM> for seven days. State observations were carried out on Day <NUM> and Day <NUM> during the storage, and the degree of discoloration on the cut sides of the cabbage was evaluated in an appearance test by panelists. The discoloration was evaluated by visual observation at the following grades from <NUM> to <NUM> (an average value of two pieces) in accordance with the method described in Non-Patent Literature <NUM>. <NUM>: no brown, <NUM>: a brown ratio of <NUM>% or more and less than <NUM>%, <NUM>: a brown ratio of <NUM>% or more and less than <NUM>%, <NUM>: a brown ratio of <NUM>% or more and less than <NUM>%, <NUM>: a brown ratio of <NUM>% or more and less than <NUM>%, <NUM>: a brown ratio of <NUM>% or more and <NUM>% or less. The results are shown in Table <NUM>.

The test was performed using the same operation and conditions as in Test Example <NUM> except that the low molecular weight lignin liquid according to the present invention which was the same as in Test Example <NUM> was used. The averages of the results are shown in Table <NUM>.

The test was performed using the same operation and conditions as in Test Example <NUM> except that the high molecular weight lignin liquid according to the present invention obtained in Test Example <NUM> was used. The results are shown in Table <NUM>.

The test was performed using the same operation and conditions as in Test Example <NUM> except that tap water was used. The results are shown in Table <NUM>.

The test was performed using the same operation and conditions as in Test Example <NUM> except that the sugar cane squeezed juice in Test Example <NUM> was used. The results are shown in Table <NUM>.

The test was performed using the same operation and conditions as in Test Example <NUM> except that the bagasse hydrothermally-processed liquid in Test Example <NUM> was used. The results are shown in Table <NUM>.

The test was performed using the same operation and conditions as in Test Example <NUM> except that the ferulic acid liquid in Test Example <NUM> was used. The measurement results and the panelist evaluation results are shown in Table <NUM>.

The test was performed using the same operation and conditions as in Test Example <NUM> except that the sodium pyrosulfite liquid in Test Example <NUM> was used. The results are shown in Table <NUM>.

The results in Table <NUM> have revealed that, compared with the result in Test Example <NUM>, the discoloration of the cabbages was inhibited in Test Examples <NUM> to <NUM> which allowed the cabbages to be dipped in the solutions that contained the low molecular weight lignin according to the present invention and/or the high molecular weight lignin according to the present invention and had a polyphenol content of <NUM> wt% or more in terms of catechin, and that the solutions exhibited a high discoloration inhibition effect. The results have also revealed that the discoloration inhibition action on cabbages in Test Examples <NUM> to <NUM> was the same discoloration inhibition action as the sodium pyrosulfite in Test Example <NUM> showed, and that the food discoloration inhibitor used for inhibiting food discoloration according to the present invention can be a substitute for sulfite which is an existing food discoloration inhibitor.

Minced beef and pork mixed meat in an amount of <NUM> was dipped in <NUM> of the bagasse alkaline hot-water extract prepared in Test Example <NUM> for five minutes. After the dipping, the dipped parts were washed with tap water, wrapped in a wrap film, and stored at <NUM>. State observations were carried out on Days <NUM> to <NUM>, and the degree of discoloration was evaluated by visual observation in an appearance test by six panelists. The discoloration was evaluated by visual observation at the following grades from <NUM> to <NUM> (an average value of two specimens). <NUM>: no brown, <NUM>: a brown ratio of <NUM>% or more and less than <NUM>%, <NUM>: a brown ratio of <NUM>% or more and less than <NUM>%, <NUM>: a brown ratio of <NUM>% or more and less than <NUM>%, <NUM>: a brown ratio of <NUM>% or more and less than <NUM>%, <NUM>: a brown ratio of <NUM>% or more and <NUM>% or less. The results are shown in Table <NUM>.

The test was performed using the same operation and conditions as in Test Example <NUM> except that the low molecular weight lignin liquid according to the present invention in Test Example <NUM> was used. The results are shown in Table <NUM>.

The test was performed using the same operation and conditions as in Test Example <NUM> except that the high molecular weight lignin liquid according to the present invention in Test Example <NUM> was used. The results are shown in Table <NUM>.

The test was performed using the same operation and conditions as in Test Example <NUM> except that the ferulic acid liquid in Test Example <NUM> was used. The results are shown in Table <NUM>.

The results in Table <NUM> have revealed that, compared with the result in Test Example <NUM>, the discoloration of the minced meat was inhibited in Test Examples <NUM> to <NUM> which allowed the minced meat to be dipped in the solutions that contained the low molecular weight lignin according to the present invention and/or the high molecular weight lignin according to the present invention and had a polyphenol content of <NUM> wt% or more in terms of catechin, and that the solutions exhibited a high discoloration inhibition effect. The results have also revealed that the discoloration inhibition action on minced meat in Test Examples <NUM> to <NUM> was the same discoloration inhibition action as the sodium pyrosulfite in Test Example <NUM> showed, and that the food discoloration inhibitor used for inhibiting food discoloration according to the present invention can be a substitute for sulfite which is an existing food discoloration inhibitor.

Yellowfin tuna in an amount of about <NUM> ±<NUM> (purchased from Fresh Deli Tamaya) was dipped in <NUM> of the bagasse alkaline hot-water extract prepared in Test Example <NUM> for five minutes. After the dipping, the dipped parts were washed with tap water, wrapped in a wrap film, and stored at <NUM>. State observations were carried out on Days <NUM> to <NUM>, and the degree of discoloration was evaluated in an appearance test by six panelists. The discoloration was evaluated by visual observation at the following grades from <NUM> to <NUM> (an average value of two specimens) in accordance with the method described in Non-Patent Literature <NUM>. <NUM>: no brown, <NUM>: a brown ratio of <NUM>% or more and less than <NUM>%, <NUM>: a brown ratio of <NUM>% or more and less than <NUM>%, <NUM>: a brown ratio of <NUM>% or more and less than <NUM>%, <NUM>: a brown ratio of <NUM>% or more and less than <NUM>%, <NUM>: a brown ratio of <NUM>% or more and <NUM>% or less. The results are shown in Table <NUM>.

The test was performed in the same manner as in Test Example <NUM> except that the sodium pyrosulfite liquid in Test Example <NUM> was used. The results are shown in Table <NUM>.

the results in Table <NUM> have revealed that, compared with the result in Test Example <NUM>, the discoloration of the yellowfin tuna was inhibited in Test Examples <NUM> to <NUM> which allowed the yellowfin tuna to be dipped in the solutions that contained the low molecular weight lignin according to the present invention and/or the high molecular weight lignin according to the present invention and had a polyphenol content of <NUM> wt% or more in terms of catechin, and that the solutions exhibited a high discoloration inhibition effect. The results have revealed that the discoloration inhibition action on yellowfin tuna in Test Examples <NUM> to <NUM> was the same discoloration inhibition action as the sodium pyrosulfite in Test Example <NUM> showed, and that the food discoloration inhibitor used for inhibiting food discoloration according to the present invention can be a substitute for sulfite which is an existing food discoloration inhibitor.

The cut side of a half-cut apple was dipped in <NUM> of the bagasse alkaline hot-water extract prepared in Test Example <NUM> for five minutes. After the dipping, the dipped parts were washed with tap water, wrapped in a wrap film, and stored at <NUM>. State observations were carried out on Days <NUM> to <NUM>, and the degree of discoloration was evaluated in an appearance test by six panelists. The discoloration was evaluated by visual observation at the following grades from <NUM> to <NUM> (an average value of two specimens) in accordance with the method described in Non-Patent Literature <NUM>. <NUM>: no brown, <NUM>: a brown ratio of <NUM>% or more and less than <NUM>%, <NUM>: a brown ratio of <NUM>% or more and less than <NUM>%, <NUM>: a brown ratio of <NUM>% or more and less than <NUM>%, <NUM>: a brown ratio of <NUM>% or more and less than <NUM>%, <NUM>: a brown ratio of <NUM>% or more and <NUM>% or less. The results are shown in Table <NUM>.

The test was performed using the same operation and conditions as in Test Example <NUM> except that the tap water in Test Example <NUM> was used. The results are shown in Table <NUM>.

The results in Table <NUM> have revealed that, compared with the result in Test Example <NUM>, the discoloration of the apple was inhibited in Test Examples <NUM> to <NUM> which allowed the apple to be dipped in the solutions that contained the low molecular weight lignin according to the present invention and/or the high molecular weight lignin according to the present invention and had a polyphenol content of <NUM> wt% or more in terms of catechin, and that the solutions exhibited a high discoloration inhibition effect. The results have revealed that the discoloration inhibition action on apple in Test Examples <NUM> to <NUM> was the same as or greater than the discoloration inhibition effect which the sodium pyrosulfite in Test Example <NUM> showed, and that the food discoloration inhibitor used for inhibiting food discoloration according to the present invention can be a substitute for sulfite which is an existing food discoloration inhibitor.

A lignosulfonic acid liquid (a solution of <NUM>% SAN-X P252, made by Nippon Paper Chemicals Co. , dissolved in an aqueous solution adjusted to pH <NUM> with NaOH) was subjected to GPC molecular weight analysis by the method described in Reference Example <NUM>. The result is shown in <FIG>. This analysis result of the lignosulfonic acid liquid confirms that the obtained lignin contained a lignin having a peak at a molecular weight of <NUM>,<NUM>. In addition, the number average molecular weight was <NUM>,<NUM>. Furthermore, the amount of polyphenol in this bagasse alkaline hot-water extract was <NUM> wt% in terms of catechin, as measured in accordance with Reference Example <NUM>. The discoloration inhibition effect test was performed on shrimps using the liquid further adjusted to pH <NUM> with <NUM> N hydrochloric acid. The test was performed using the same operation and conditions as in Test Example <NUM> except that the lignosulfonic acid liquid was used. The measurement results and the averages of the panelist evaluation results are shown in Table <NUM>.

Bagasse in an amount of <NUM> (purchased from Taito Nosan K. , produced in Vietnam) at <NUM> wt% by dry weight was added to and mixed with a <NUM> (wt/wt)% sodium hydroxide aqueous solution, the resulting mixture was allowed to react at <NUM> for five minutes, and adjusted to pH <NUM> with <NUM> N hydrochloric acid, and then, the solid was separated through a sieve, and filtrated through an MF film (tradename: TREFII, HFS Type, made by Toray Industries, Inc. ) to prepare a bagasse alkaline hydrothermally-processed liquid. This alkaline hydrothermally-processed liquid was subjected to GPC molecular weight analysis by the method described in Reference Example <NUM>. The analysis result is shown in <FIG>. This analysis result confirms that the obtained lignin contained a lignin having a peak at a molecular weight of <NUM>,<NUM>. In addition, the number average molecular weight was <NUM>,<NUM>. This bagasse alkaline hydrothermally-processed liquid was neutralized to pH <NUM> with <NUM> N hydrochloric acid, and concentrated three-fold (v/v) under reduced pressure. The polyphenol content of the three-fold concentrated bagasse alkaline hydrothermally-processed liquid was measured in accordance with Reference Example <NUM> and found to be <NUM> wt% in terms of catechin. The test was performed using the same operation and conditions as in Test Example <NUM> except that the three-fold concentrated bagasse alkaline hydrothermally-processed liquid was used. The measurement results and the averages of the panelist evaluation results are shown in Table <NUM>.

The bagasse hydrothermally-processed liquid obtained in Test Example <NUM> was dried under reduced pressure at <NUM> until the weight did not change any more, and the solid content of the resulting product was measured and found to be <NUM>%. The polyphenol amount measured before the drying was <NUM> wt% in terms of catechin, and accordingly the solid content was calculated at <NUM> wt% in terms of catechin.

The test was performed in the same manner as in Test Example <NUM> except that the shrimps were dredged with <NUM> of the solid content of the bagasse hydrothermally-processed liquid for five minutes. The measurement results and the averages of the panelist evaluation results are shown in Table <NUM>.

From the results in Table <NUM>, the comparison between Test Examples <NUM> to <NUM> and Test Examples <NUM> and <NUM> has revealed that, even at the same polyphenol concentration of <NUM>%, the lignins having a molecular weight peak at a molecular weight of more than <NUM>,<NUM> or less than <NUM>,<NUM> had a lower discoloration inhibition effect on shrimps, wherein the molecular weight peak was measured at a wavelength of <NUM> by GPC molecular weight analysis using an UV detector.

Claim 1:
A method of inhibiting food discoloration, comprising bringing the food discoloration inhibitor in contact with a food, wherein said food discoloration inhibitor comprises a low molecular weight lignin having a molecular weight peak in a molecular weight range of <NUM>,<NUM> to <NUM>,<NUM> and/or a high molecular weight lignin having a molecular weight peak in a molecular weight range of <NUM>,<NUM> to <NUM>,<NUM>, wherein said molecular weight peak is measured at a wavelength of <NUM> by GPC molecular weight analysis using an UV detector and the lignin(s) content as a polyphenol amount is <NUM> wt% or more in terms of catechin.