阅读说明：本技术 含有植物提取物的颗粒的制造方法、抑制由含有植物提取物的颗粒产生微粉的方法、以及抑制含有植物提取物的颗粒的令人不快的味道的方法 (Method for producing plant extract-containing particles, method for suppressing generation of fine powder from plant extract-containing particles, and method for suppressing unpleasant taste of plant ) 是由 高山尚之 田口修也 伊藤真由美 岸孝礼 平山善丈 于 2019-10-03 设计创作，主要内容包括：本发明的目的在于,在通过挤压造粒进行的含有植物提取物的颗粒的制造中,抑制原料混合物的粘度上升,并且抑制使制造成品率恶化变差的微粉的产生,和/或抑制植物提取物特有的令人不快的味道。本发明涉及一种含有植物提取物的颗粒的制造方法,其特征在于,包括对含有植物提取物的原料混合物进行挤压造粒的工序,所述原料混合物的水分量为1～10％(w/w),所述原料混合物含有虫胶。(The purpose of the present invention is to suppress the increase in viscosity of a raw material mixture and the generation of fine powder that deteriorates the production yield and/or suppress the unpleasant taste peculiar to a plant extract in the production of a plant extract-containing granule by extrusion granulation. The present invention relates to a method for producing granules containing a plant extract, which is characterized by comprising a step of extruding and granulating a raw material mixture containing a plant extract, wherein the raw material mixture contains 1-10% (w/w) of water and contains shellac.)

1. A method for producing a granule containing a plant extract,

the method comprises a step of extruding and granulating a raw material mixture containing a plant extract, wherein the water content of the raw material mixture is 1-10% in terms of w/w, and the raw material mixture contains shellac.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein,

the raw material mixture contains more than 10% of plant extracts in terms of w/w.

3. The method of claim 1 or 2,

the plant extract is selected from at least one of Curcuma longa L, Curcuma xanthorrhiza L and Curcumae rhizoma.

4. The method of any one of claims 1 to 3,

the raw material mixture contains 0.1-2% of the shellac in terms of w/w.

5. The method of any one of claims 1 to 4,

the raw material mixture contains 3-8% of ethanol in terms of w/w.

6. The method of any one of claims 1 to 5,

the raw material mixture contains 1-5% of reducing syrup in terms of w/w.

7. The method of any one of claims 1 to 6,

the raw material mixture does not contain dextrin.

8. A method for inhibiting micropowder generation from plant extract-containing granules,

in the production of the plant extract-containing granules comprising a step of extruding and granulating a plant extract-containing raw material mixture, the raw material mixture contains 1 to 10% by weight of water and shellac.

9. A method for suppressing unpleasant taste of granule containing plant extract,

in the production of the plant extract-containing granules comprising a step of extruding and granulating a plant extract-containing raw material mixture, the raw material mixture contains 1 to 10% by weight of water and shellac.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a method for producing granules containing a plant extract.

The present invention also relates to a method for inhibiting the production of micropowder from plant extract-containing particles. The invention also relates to methods of inhibiting the unpleasant taste of particles containing plant extracts.

Background

Ingredients orally ingested as foods, beverages, feeds, drugs, quasi drugs, etc. sometimes contain ingredients that exhibit unpleasant tastes such as bitter taste, pungent taste, sour taste, astringent taste, etc. Plant extracts are also examples of such ingredients, which are bitter in most cases and therefore most often formulated as tablets or granulated products for dissolution in water for administration. In addition, plant extracts generally contain sugar, and therefore have viscosity, and even when powdered, they are in the form of small and heavy powders. Therefore, when a plant extract is used, there is a specific problem that the granulation load is large and granulation is difficult.

Patent document 1 discloses the following: in the production of granules containing a plant extract which has been difficult to granulate conventionally, by using a sugar alcohol and a starch as a base material, the amount of water used in a kneading step is reduced as much as possible, and by mixing the raw materials so that the water content of the powder mixture after kneading falls within a predetermined range, extrusion granulation can be easily performed without an increase in viscosity during kneading of the powder mixture, and granules which are porous, have excellent mouth solubility, are free from bitterness, and have a large volume can be obtained.

On the other hand, patent document 2 discloses a method for granulating food or enzyme, which is characterized in that, as a method for producing granulated food or enzyme having preferable texture and physical properties, an ethanol solution having a mixing volume ratio of ethanol/water of 5/5 to 9.5/0.5 and shellac are added to powdered food or powdered enzyme containing dextrin in an amount of 3 wt% to 99.5 wt% and then granulated. Patent document 3 discloses the following method: a highly stable sustained-release dry product having high thermal stability is produced by adding a mixed shellac alcohol solution to an emulsified preparation, a powdery flavor, an acidulant, a substance to be dispersed such as a sweetener, and powdery shellac, drying, and then pulverizing.

Documents of the prior art

Patent document

Patent document 1: japanese patent laid-open publication No. 2018-61483

Patent document 2: japanese laid-open patent publication No. 11-266847

Patent document 3: japanese laid-open patent publication No. 2009-55851

Disclosure of Invention

Technical problem to be solved by the invention

The invention described in patent document 1 solves the problem that a kneaded product containing a plant extract is not suitable for extrusion granulation because of its high viscosity. However, the present inventors have found the following new problems: the particles obtained by the method described in patent document 1 are porous and have excellent meltability in the mouth, but are brittle and easily broken, and therefore, fine powder is easily generated during production and much loss occurs. In addition, the method described in patent document 1 is not necessarily satisfactory as a method for suppressing unpleasant tastes such as bitterness and aftertaste peculiar to plant extracts in the granules containing plant extracts.

The purpose of the present invention is to suppress the increase in viscosity of a raw material mixture and the generation of fine powder that deteriorates the production yield, and/or suppress the unpleasant taste peculiar to a plant extract, in the production of granules containing a plant extract by extrusion granulation. Patent documents 2 and 3 do not describe a solution to the problem specific to the plant extract-containing granules.

Means for solving the problems

The present inventors have made intensive studies to solve the above problems, and as a result, have found that: in the production of granules containing a plant extract by extrusion granulation, by using a raw material mixture containing a water content of 1 to 10% (w/w) and shellac in addition to the plant extract, an increase in viscosity at the time of extrusion of the raw material mixture is suppressed, generation of fine powder is suppressed, and an unpleasant taste peculiar to the plant extract is suppressed, thereby completing the present invention.

That is, the present invention includes the following inventions.

(1) A method for producing a plant extract-containing granule, comprising a step of extruding and granulating a plant extract-containing raw material mixture, wherein the raw material mixture contains 1-10% (w/w) of water and contains shellac.

(2) The method according to (1), wherein the raw material mixture contains more than 10% (w/w) of the plant extract.

(3) The method according to (1) or (2), wherein the plant extract is an extract of at least one plant selected from the group consisting of Curcuma longa, Curcuma longa and Curcuma zedoaria.

(4) The process according to any one of (1) to (3), the raw material mixture containing 0.1 to 2% (w/w) of the shellac.

(5) The method according to any one of (1) to (4), wherein the raw material mixture contains 3 to 8% (w/w) of ethanol.

(6) The method according to any one of (1) to (5), wherein the raw material mixture contains 1 to 5% (w/w) of reducing syrup.

(7) The method according to any one of (1) to (6), wherein the raw material mixture does not contain dextrin.

(8) A method for suppressing generation of fine powder from plant extract-containing particles, wherein in the production of the plant extract-containing particles comprising a step of subjecting a plant extract-containing raw material mixture to extrusion granulation, a raw material mixture containing shellac and having a water content of 1 to 10% (w/w) is used as the raw material mixture.

(9) A method for suppressing an unpleasant taste of a plant extract-containing granule, wherein a raw material mixture containing shellac and having a water content of 1-10% (w/w) is used as the raw material mixture in the production of the plant extract-containing granule comprising a step of subjecting the raw material mixture containing plant extract to extrusion granulation.

The present specification contains the disclosure of japanese patent application No. 2018-189597, which is the basis of priority of the present application.

Effects of the invention

According to the present invention, in the production of granules containing a plant extract by extrusion granulation, an increase in viscosity of a raw material mixture can be suppressed, so granulation is easy, and generation of fine powder can be suppressed, so that loss at the time of production can be suppressed. In addition, the granules containing the plant extract produced by the method have suppressed unpleasant taste peculiar to the plant extract.

Detailed Description

One embodiment of the present invention relates to a method for producing plant extract-containing granules, which is characterized by comprising a step of extruding and granulating a plant extract-containing raw material mixture, wherein the raw material mixture contains 1 to 10% (w/w) of water and shellac. The raw material mixture having such a composition is suitable for granulation because the granulation load is small because the viscosity does not increase during extrusion granulation. Further, since the inclusion of the shellac having adhesive properties makes it difficult to disintegrate the granules formed by granulation, the generation of fine powder during granulation is suppressed, and the production yield is improved. In addition, the granules containing the plant extract produced by the method have suppressed unpleasant tastes such as unpleasant bitterness and aftertaste peculiar to the plant extract.

Another embodiment of the present invention relates to a method for suppressing generation of fine powder from plant extract-containing particles, wherein a raw material mixture having the above composition is used as the raw material mixture in the production of the plant extract-containing particles including a step of subjecting the raw material mixture containing a plant extract to extrusion granulation.

In another embodiment of the present invention, a method for suppressing an unpleasant taste of a plant extract-containing granule is provided, wherein a raw material mixture having the above composition is used as the raw material mixture in the production of the plant extract-containing granule including a step of subjecting the raw material mixture containing a plant extract to extrusion granulation.

The raw material mixture containing the plant extract can be produced by mixing the powdery raw material and the liquid raw material as described later.

(plant extract)

Examples of the "plant extract" used in the present invention include extracts of plants such as curcuma zedoary (curcuma aromatica), curcuma longa (curcuma longa), swertia japonica, gentian, grapefruit, tea, onion, buckwheat, persimmon, soybean, coffee, strawberry, sesame, parsley, sophora flavescens, barberry, quassia, bitter wood, lime, hop, and cacao. These plant extracts may be used alone or in combination of two or more. More preferably, the extract is one or more plants selected from the group consisting of Curcuma longa, Curcuma longa and Curcuma zedoaria. The plant extract-containing granules obtained by the present invention are particularly preferable because unpleasant tastes such as bitterness and aftertaste of these plant extracts are reduced.

In the present invention, the "plant extract" refers to an extract of a part (for example, a part which is usually taken in food, medicine, or the like) or all of a plant body of the above-mentioned plant with an extraction solvent. Examples of the extraction solvent include water, hot water, a hydrophilic organic solvent, and a mixed solvent of water and a hydrophilic organic solvent, preferably alcohol, water, and a mixed solvent of alcohol and water, and preferably alcohol is ethanol. When a mixed solvent of water and a hydrophilic organic solvent is used, the mixing ratio of water and the hydrophilic organic solvent is not particularly limited, and is, for example, preferably in the range of 10: 90 to 90: 10, and more preferably in the range of 20: 80 to 50: 50 in terms of weight ratio. More preferably, the plant extract is used as a part of a powder material in the form of powder. The powder of the plant extract can be prepared by drying the solvent phase obtained by the above-mentioned extraction and removing the solvent. Drying can be carried out by subjecting the solvent phase to a treatment such as concentration drying, spray drying, freeze drying, or the like.

(shellac)

Shellac, also known as shellac, is a resin used as a natural food additive. There are water insoluble shellac and water soluble shellac, and any kind of shellac can be used in the present invention. In the present invention, shellac has an effect of binding powder components in the granules to suppress the generation of micropowder and an effect of suppressing unpleasant taste derived from plant extracts. The shellac may be in the form of a shellac alcohol solution preparation dissolved in an alcohol such as methanol or ethanol, or in the form of a shellac aqueous alkali preparation dissolved in an aqueous alkali such as ammonia, or in the form of a powder. Shellac in the form of an alcoholic shellac solution preparation or an aqueous shellac alkali solution preparation can be used as a part of the liquid raw material. Powdered shellac can be used as part of the powder raw material. The concentration of shellac in the shellac alcohol solution preparation is not particularly limited, and can be, for example, in the range of 5 to 70% (w/w). In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, shellac is used in the form of a shellac alcohol solution preparation, in particular a shellac ethanol solution preparation.

(other Components)

The raw material mixture may contain other components in addition to the above-mentioned plant extract and shellac. The other components are not particularly limited as long as they are components that are acceptable in the final form of foods, beverages, pharmaceutical products, and the like and can be orally ingested, and examples thereof include sugar alcohols, starches, sweeteners, acidulants, vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and the like. Further, perfumes, pigments, preservatives and the like may be used as necessary.

The raw material mixture particularly preferably further contains a sugar alcohol and starch. The sugar alcohol has an effect of imparting good mouth solubility to the granules. Starch is important for forming granules.

Examples of the sugar alcohol include powdered reduced maltose (maltitol), reduced syrup, reduced lactose (lactitol), sorbitol, xylitol, erythritol, mannitol, isomalt, trehalose, palatinose, and reduced starch saccharide. These sugar alcohols may be used alone or in combination of two or more. Among these sugar alcohols, reduced maltose is preferably used in the form of powder because it is easily soluble in water, has a higher water absorption than plant extracts, and does not cause stickiness even when water is absorbed during kneading. In addition, in order to impart plasticity to the raw material mixture, it is preferable to add reducing syrup to the raw material mixture. As the reducing syrup, reducing maltose syrup is particularly preferable. The reducing syrup can be used as a binder contained in the liquid material. Preferably, the sugar alcohol includes powdered reduced maltose and reduced syrup.

Examples of the starch include corn starch, wheat starch, rice starch, potato starch, sweet potato starch, tapioca starch, and ester/ether cross-linked products, oxides, and partial decomposed products thereof. These starches may be used alone or in combination of two or more. Among these starches, corn starch is preferred for the following reasons: the particles are fine and consistent in particle size, so that the flowability is good, and the sliding property is good during extrusion granulation; the gelatinization temperature is high, and the viscosity is difficult to increase even if the paste is mixed with a liquid raw material and granulated; even if the viscosity becomes high, the plastic flow viscosity is low in stringiness.

Examples of the sweetener include monosaccharides (e.g., glucose, fructose, xylose, and galactose), disaccharides (e.g., sucrose, maltose, and lactose), oligosaccharides (e.g., fructooligosaccharides, maltooligosaccharides, isomaltooligosaccharides, galactooligosaccharides, and conjugated sugars), isomerized sugars (e.g., glucose fructose syrup, fructose glucose syrup, and granulated sugar-mixed isomerized sugar), and high-intensity sweeteners (e.g., sucralose, acesulfame potassium, thaumatin, stevia, and aspartame).

Examples of the acidulant include organic acids such as citric acid, malic acid, tartaric acid, acetic acid, phytic acid, lactic acid, fumaric acid, succinic acid, and gluconic acid, inorganic acids such as phosphoric acid, and sodium salts, potassium salts, and calcium salts thereof.

Examples of the vitamins include vitamin a, vitamin B1, vitamin B2, vitamin B6, vitamin C, vitamin D, vitamin E, vitamin K, nicotinic acid, and inositol.

Examples of the minerals include calcium, magnesium, zinc, iron, and potassium.

Examples of the antioxidant include vitamin C, tocopherol (vitamin E), enzyme-treated rutin, and catechin.

(method for producing pellets)

In the present invention, the plant extract-containing granules can be produced by a production process of granules by ordinary extrusion granulation, that is, mixing of powder raw materials, mixing (kneading) of the mixture of powder raw materials and a liquid raw material (kneading liquid) containing a binder, extrusion granulation, drying, size regulation, and sieving, in addition to using a raw material mixture having a predetermined composition.

The composition of the raw material mixture refers to the composition of the entire raw material composition formed by mixing the powder raw material and the liquid raw material.

The water content of the raw material mixture is not particularly limited as long as it is in the range of 1 to 10% (w/w), and more preferably 1.2 to 5% (w/w).

The content of shellac in the raw material mixture is not particularly limited, but is preferably 0.1 to 2% (w/w), more preferably 0.3 to 1.5% (w/w). The shellac content means the content as shellac resin. The shellac may be in the form of a solution dissolved in a solvent or may be in the form of a powder, but is preferably in the form of a solution.

The raw material mixture containing shellac and having such low moisture content is suitable for granulation because the viscosity is less likely to increase during extrusion granulation. Further, in granules obtained by granulating a raw material mixture containing low moisture and shellac, the powder components are bound by the shellac, so that disintegration is difficult, and generation of fine powder during production and distribution is suppressed.

The content of the plant extract in the raw material mixture is not particularly limited, but is preferably 10% (w/w) or more. The upper limit of the content of the plant extract in the raw material mixture is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, 50% (w/w) or less, preferably 35% (w/w) or less. Here, the content of the plant extract in the raw material mixture is a ratio of a dry weight of the plant extract to a total weight of the raw material mixture.

In order to make the raw material mixture have plasticity suitable for extrusion granulation, the raw material mixture preferably contains ethanol, and the content of ethanol is preferably 3-8% (w/w), more preferably 4-6% (w/w).

In order to impart plasticity suitable for extrusion granulation to the raw material mixture, the raw material mixture preferably contains a sugar alcohol and/or starch. The raw material mixture preferably contains a reducing syrup as the sugar alcohol, and the content of the reducing syrup is preferably 1 to 5% (w/w), more preferably 1.5 to 3% (w/w).

In an embodiment where the raw material mixture contains sugar alcohol (a part of which may be a reducing syrup), the total content of sugar alcohol in the raw material mixture is preferably 10 to 60% (w/w), more preferably 20 to 45% (w/w). The sugar alcohol other than the reducing syrup is more preferably a powdery sugar alcohol, and more preferably a powdery reducing maltose.

In the embodiment where the raw material mixture contains starch, the content of starch in the raw material mixture is preferably 5 to 50% (w/w), more preferably 10 to 25% (w/w).

In the embodiment using the sugar alcohol and the starch as the raw material mixture, the mixing ratio is not limited as long as the starch is the same amount as or less than the sugar alcohol in order to obtain a good granulated substance, and for example, the weight ratio of the sugar alcohol to the starch is preferably 1: 1 to 5: 1, more preferably 1: 1 to 3: 1.

The raw material mixture preferably does not contain dextrin.

(mixing of powder materials)

As the powder material, plant extracts, sugar alcohols, starches, other components, and the like can be used. The method for mixing the powder raw materials may be any method as long as the components of the powder raw materials can be uniformly mixed. Examples of the mixing machine include a V-type mixer, a ribbon type mixer, a container mixer, and a high-speed stirring mixer. The mixing temperature is not particularly limited, but is preferably 10 to 35 ℃, and more preferably 15 to 25 ℃. The mixing time is not particularly limited, but is preferably 0.5 to 5 minutes, and more preferably 1 to 2 minutes. The plant extract is preferably 10 wt% or more with respect to the total amount of the finally obtained granules.

(kneading)

Next, a liquid material is added to the powder mixture in which the above-described powder materials are mixed as a kneading liquid, and the mixture is kneaded to form a raw material mixture.

Examples of the liquid raw material include a shellac alcohol solution preparation, a shellac ammonia water solution preparation, a reducing syrup, water, ethanol, and a mixed solution of water and ethanol (ethanol aqueous solution preparation). In the case of using an ethanol aqueous solution preparation, the mixing ratio is not limited and can be selected as appropriate. Here, alcohol (edible fermented ethanol) may be used in addition to the commercially available ethanol aqueous solution preparation. The alcohol is not particularly limited as long as it is an alcohol for eating. For example, there are alcohols produced from natural materials containing starch or sugars by alcoholic fermentation with yeast, or alcohols containing these components, and aqueous solutions containing ethanol such as sake, liquor, wine, whisky, brandy and other alcoholic beverages, and fermented seasonings such as liqueurs can be used. The amount of the liquid raw material added to the powder mixture is not particularly limited as long as the water content of the kneaded raw material mixture is within the above range. The liquid raw material may be added with a binder as needed, and examples thereof include monosaccharides, disaccharides, polysaccharides, celluloses, sugar alcohols, and mixtures of two or more of these, and the binder is not particularly limited as long as it is pharmaceutically acceptable. The amount of the additive is not particularly limited as long as the additive can be granulated. When a powdery binder is used, it may be added to the powdery raw material. The reducing syrup used as the binder can be used as part of the liquid raw material.

(extrusion granulation)

Subsequently, the kneaded raw material mixture is subjected to extrusion granulation. Extrusion granulation is a process in which a raw material mixture having plasticity imparted by mixing and kneading liquid raw materials of powder raw materials is extruded from a screen having a plurality of holes or a die having a predetermined hole diameter by means of a screw, a roller, or the like, and granulated. Extrusion granulation is suitable for the method of the present invention in that granules can be produced smoothly and efficiently under low moisture conditions. Examples of the granulating machine include a forward extrusion granulator, a disk granulator, a ring granulator, a basket granulator, an oscillation granulator, and a cylinder granulator. In order to obtain a bulk specific gravity of a pellet having good instant property, a screen or a die having extrusion holes with a diameter of about 0.8 to 1.5mm is preferably used as conditions for extrusion granulation in the present invention.

(drying, finishing)

The drying of the granulated substance can be performed by a usual drying method. Examples of the dryer used for drying include a through-air dryer, a vacuum dryer, and a fluidized bed dryer. After drying, the granules can be screened and sized by a sieve, a dry-type granulator, or the like, as necessary.

The plant extract-containing granules produced by the method of the present invention can be provided as a food, or can be provided as an oral medicine, preferably a food. The pellets can be contained in a container or bag (for example, a container or bag made of paper, plastic, glass, or metal) used as a container or bag for food or medicine. In particular, it is preferably packaged in an amount (for example, about 1.5g to 2 g) per oral intake (e.g., stick-pack, subpackage, etc.). The packaging material is not limited as long as it is a material generally used for foods and medicines, and for example, a material obtained by combining aluminum foil, synthetic resin (polyethylene terephthalate, etc.), laminated paper, and the like can be used.

The particles containing a plant extract produced by the method of the present invention are preferably intraoral instant particles. The instant granules in the oral cavity are immediately dissolved in the presence of saliva even if taken without drinking water, and thus can be conveniently taken at any place or time.

Examples

The raw materials used in the examples and comparative examples are as follows. Hereinafter, "%" means "% (w/w)" unless otherwise specified.

Ethanol aqueous solution preparation: "Kohelsin" (manufactured by Mitsubishi chemical food Co., Ltd., ethanol 68%)

Reducing maltose syrup: "amplitude Syrup" (manufactured by Mitsubishi food Co., Ltd.)

Shellac ethanol solution formulation: "Drug HAS-312" (a solution preparation containing 25% shellac resin and 75% ethanol, manufactured by Yunqiu shellac, Ltd.)

Powder reduced maltose: "Lesys Fine Powder" (product of Mitsubishi food Co., Ltd., containing 99.5% maltitol)

Corn starch: "Corn Starch" (manufactured by Sanhe Starch industries Co., Ltd.)

< 1. preparation of test article

An ethanol aqueous solution preparation of liquid raw materials, reduced maltose syrup (binder), shellac ethanol aqueous solution preparation, perfume, and the like were mixed and dissolved at the ratio (% (w/w)) shown in table 1 to prepare a mixed solution. On the other hand, turmeric extracts (autumn turmeric extract and spring turmeric extract), zedoary extract, corn starch, powdered reduced maltose, sweetener, acidulant, and the like were uniformly mixed at the ratios (% (w/w)) shown in table 1 to prepare a powder mixture. The mixed solution was used as a kneading liquid, and was added to the powder mixture by spraying, followed by kneading. The kneaded raw material mixture was extruded through a screen having a pore diameter of 1.3mm using an extruder/granulator (multigram MG-55-1, manufactured by Dalton corporation), and granulated, dried at an air suction temperature of 60 ℃ for 10 minutes, and cooled to prepare pellets of the test products of comparative examples and examples 1 to 3.

[ Table 1]

(Unit:% (% w/w))

< 2. measurement of micropowder amount >

The granules of each test piece were classified by a JIS test sieve having a mesh opening size of 212. mu.m, and the weight of the granules passing through the sieve (having a particle size of less than 212 μm) and the weight of the granules remaining on the sieve (having a particle size of 212 μm or more) were measured to determine the respective proportions (% (w/w)).

The results are shown in Table 2.

In the comparative examples in which no shellac was contained in the liquid material, the fine powder smaller than 212 μm was about 40%, whereas in examples 1 to 3 in which shellac was contained in the liquid material, the fine powder smaller than 212 μm was about 22% or less, and the generation of the fine powder was suppressed as the mixing amount of shellac was higher.

[ Table 2]

Particle size	Comparative example	Example 1	Example 2	Example 3
					212 μm or more	60.56	78.08	80.36	87.01
Less than 212 μm	39.44	21.92	19.64	12.99

(Unit:% (% w/w))

< 3. evaluation of bitterness and aftertaste >

5 judges (subjects 1 to 5) ingested 1.8g of each test article, and evaluated the bitterness and aftertaste on 5 scales. The bitterness and aftertaste were "weak" as "1", the "slightly weak" as "2", the "normal" as "3", the "slightly strong" as "4", and the "strong" as "5". The average scores of the scores given by 5 judges were obtained for bitterness and aftertaste, respectively.

The results are shown in the following table. The results show that the more shellac is added, the more the bitterness and aftertaste of the granule is suppressed.

[ Table 3]

Comparative example shellac-free ethanol solution preparation

Evaluation on 1-5 Scale	Person to be detected 1	Person to be detected 2	Person to be detected 3	Person 4 to be detected	Person to be detected 5	Average score
							Bitter taste	5	4	5	5	3	4.4
Aftertaste	4	4	5	5	4	4.4

Example 1 shellacethanol solution preparation 1.67%)

Evaluation on 1-5 Scale	Person to be detected 1	Person to be detected 2	Person to be detected 3	Person 4 to be detected	Person to be detected 5	Average score
							Bitter taste	3	3	4	4	2	3.2
Aftertaste	4	4	5	4	3	4

Example 2 shellacethanol solution preparation 3.33%)

Evaluation on 1-5 Scale	Person to be detected 1	Person to be detected 2	Person to be detected 3	Person 4 to be detected	Person to be detected 5	Average score
							Bitter taste	3	3	3	3	2	2.8
Aftertaste	2	3	4	3	2	2.8

Example 3 shellacethanol solution preparation 5.00%)

Evaluation on 1-5 Scale	Person to be detected 1	Person to be detected 2	Person to be detected 3	Person 4 to be detected	Person to be detected 5	Average score
							Bitter taste	2	2	3	2	2	2.2
Aftertaste	1	2	3	2	3	2.2

< 4. evaluation of granulation suitability >

The granulation suitability of each test piece in the above extrusion granulation was evaluated on a scale where the raw material mixture after kneading became 200g by the minimum granulation load and the maximum granulation load (current value (a)) in the granulator. The minimum granulation load corresponds to the granulation load at the start of granulation. The maximum granulation load corresponds to the granulation load when the raw material mixture is kneaded and has the highest viscosity.

The results are shown in the following table. In the comparative example in which no shellac was added, the raw material mixture was kneaded and the viscosity was increased, so the difference between the maximum granulation load and the minimum granulation load was large (0.3A). It was confirmed that the increase in viscosity of the raw material mixture during kneading was suppressed as the amount of shellac added was increased, and the difference between the maximum granulation load and the minimum granulation load was decreased. That is, the result shows that granulation suitability is improved by adding shellac.

[ Table 4]

	Comparative example	Example 1	Example 2	Example 3
					Shellac ethanol solution preparation	0％	1.67％	3.33％	5.00％
Minimum granulation load (A)	2.2	2.2	2.2	2.2
					Maximum granulation load (A)	2.5	2.4	2.3	2.2

All publications, patents and patent applications cited in this specification are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety.