JP7825212B2 - saliva stimulants - Google Patents

Description

IPOD FERM BP-11530

The present invention relates to saliva secretion promoters, etc.

The number of people suffering from dry mouth is increasing year by year. From around the age of 50, the amount of saliva decreases with age, which is known to lead to pneumonia due to swallowing disorders, dry mouth, weakened immunity, and a decline in quality of life. In addition, in recent years, an increasing number of young people are suffering from dry mouth due to factors such as a decreased frequency of chewing, increased mouth breathing, and excessive stress. As such, a decrease in saliva volume is becoming a problem across all generations.

Euglena is a microalgae belonging to the genus Euglena, and is used as a food ingredient. Euglena extracts have also been applied to the skin (Patent Document 1). Paramylon is a β-1,3-glucan produced by Euglena, and has been reported to be useful for wound healing and allergy suppression. However, the relationship between Euglena or β-1,3-glucan and saliva volume is not yet known.

Special table 2008-526954 publication

The objective of the present invention is to provide a saliva secretion promoter.

As a result of intensive research in light of the above-mentioned problems, the inventors discovered that the above-mentioned problems could be solved by a saliva secretion stimulant containing at least one selected from the group consisting of Euglena, paramylon, a paramylon processed product, and β-1,3-glucan. Further research based on this finding led to the completion of the present invention. Specifically, the present invention encompasses the following aspects:

Item 1. A saliva secretion stimulant containing at least one member selected from the group consisting of Euglena, paramylon, a paramylon processed product, and β-1,3-glucan.

Item 2. The saliva secretion stimulant according to Item 1, containing at least one member selected from the group consisting of Euglena, paramylon, and processed paramylon products.

Item 3. The saliva secretion stimulant according to Item 1 or 2, which contains Euglena, and the Euglena is Euglena gracilis.

Item 4. The saliva secretion stimulant according to Item 1 or 2, which contains Euglena, and the Euglena is Euglena gracilis strain EOD-1 (accession number FERM BP-11530).

Item 5. The saliva secretion stimulant according to any one of Items 1 to 4, for use in at least one selected from the group consisting of improving the oral environment, preventing or ameliorating dry mouth, preventing or ameliorating bad breath, preventing dental caries, preventing periodontal disease, preventing oral mucosal infections, improving oral flora, and preventing or ameliorating swallowing disorders.

Item 6. The saliva secretion stimulant according to any one of Items 1 to 5, which is a food composition, a nutritional supplement, a food additive, or a medicine.

Item 7. The saliva secretion stimulant described in any one of Items 1 to 6, which is an oral composition.

Item 8. Contains at least one selected from the group consisting of Euglena, paramylon, processed paramylon products, and β-1,3-glucan.
A composition for use in at least one selected from the group consisting of improving the oral environment, preventing or improving dry mouth, preventing or improving bad breath, preventing dental caries, preventing periodontal disease, preventing oral mucosal infections, improving oral flora, and preventing or improving swallowing disorders.

The present invention provides a saliva secretion promoter.

The results of measuring saliva volume are shown below (Test Example 1). The vertical axis shows saliva volume (mL). On the horizontal axis, 0W indicates the test start date (before intake began), and 2W indicates the measurement results two weeks after the start of the test. In the legend, placebo indicates the control diet intake group, and EOD-1 indicates the test diet intake group. ** indicates significance between the groups indicated (P value < 0.05, unpaired t-test).

In this specification, the expressions "contain" and "comprise" include the concepts of "contain," "comprise," "consist essentially of," and "consist only of."

In one aspect, the present invention relates to a saliva secretion stimulant (sometimes referred to herein as the "agent of the present invention") containing at least one selected from the group consisting of Euglena, paramylon, a paramylon processed product, and β-1,3-glucan. This is described below.

1. Euglena Euglena is a microalgae belonging to the genus Euglena, and is not particularly limited insofar as it is so. Specific examples of Euglena include Euglena gracilis , Euglena longa , Euglena caudata , Euglena oxyuris, Euglena tripteris, Euglena proxima , Euglena viridis, Euglena sociabilis, Euglena ehrenbergii, Euglena deses, Euglena pisciformis, Euglena spirogyra , Euglena acus , Euglena geniculata , Euglena intermedia , Euglena mutabilis , Euglena sanguinea , Euglena stellata , Euglena terricola , Euglena klebsi , Euglena rubra , and Euglena cyclopicola . Among these, from the viewpoint of ensuring the effects of the present invention, Euglena gracilis is preferred, and the Euglena gracilis EOD-1 strain (internationally deposited on June 28, 2013, with the International Patent Organism Depositary, National Institute of Technology and Evaluation (NITE-IPOD, Room 120, 2-5-8 Kazusa Kamatari, Kisarazu City, Chiba Prefecture, Japan, Postal Code 292-0818) under the Budapest Treaty under Accession Number FERM BP-11530) is more preferred, from the viewpoint of ensuring the effects of the present invention.

The form of Euglena is not particularly limited, as long as it contains the Euglena cell body or most of its components. Examples of the form of Euglena include a dry powder of Euglena, a suspension of Euglena, and a Euglena extract. Of these, a dry powder of Euglena is preferred.

The paramylon content of Euglena in a dry state is, for example, 50% or more, preferably 60% or more, and more preferably 70% or more.

Euglena may be of one type alone or a combination of two or more types.

2. β-1,3-glucan and paramylon β-1,3-glucan are not particularly limited as long as they have a single sugar chain (or sugar chain structure) as the main chain, in which glucose units are linked only by β-1,3 bonds. β-1,3-glucan is not limited to linear ones, but also includes those with branched chains.

The weight-average molecular weight of the β-1,3-glucan derivative is not particularly limited, but is, for example, 1×10 ⁴ to 2×10 ⁶ , preferably 5×10 ⁴ to 1×10 ⁶ , and more preferably 1×10 ⁵ to 1×10 ^6. The weight-average molecular weight can be measured by the GPC method.

Beta-1,3-glucan may be obtained by chemical synthesis, but natural beta-1,3-glucans produced by various organisms are preferred from the standpoint of availability and other factors. Examples of natural beta-1,3-glucans include paramylon, curdlan, laminaran, callose, lentinan, and schizophyllan. Of these, paramylon is particularly preferred. Paramylon is described below.

Paramylon is a β-1,3-glucan derived from Euglena, and is not particularly limited in that respect.

The Euglena from which paramylon is derived is the same as explained above in "1. Euglena."

The mass average molecular weight of paramylon is not particularly limited, but is, for example, 1×10 ⁴ to 5×10 ⁶ , preferably 2×10 ⁴ to 1×10 ⁶ , more preferably 5×10 ⁴ to 1×10 ⁶ , and even more preferably 1×10 ⁵ to 5×10 ⁵ .

The mass average molecular weight can be measured by SEC-MALS analysis under the following conditions:
Detector: Multi-angle scattering detector (DAWN HELEOS II, manufactured by Wyatt Technology)
Differential refractometer detector (Wyatt Technology Optilab T-rEX)
Columns used: 2 TSKgel α-M (Tosoh)
Mobile phase: DMSO with 0.05M potassium bromide
Flow rate: 0.5 mL/min.

Paramylon exists within Euglena cells as paramylon particles, which are typically composed of triple helical structures formed by β-1,3-glucan chains highly aggregated in a regular pattern.

The shape of the paramylon particles is not particularly limited, but they are usually flat spheroids.

The particle size distribution of the paramylon particles is not particularly limited, but is, for example, 0.5 to 15 μm, preferably 1 to 6 μm. The average particle size of the paramylon particles is also not particularly limited, but is, for example, 1 to 10 μm, preferably 2 to 4 μm.

The form of paramylon is not particularly limited, as long as it contains paramylon. Examples of the form of Euglena include a dry powder form of paramylon and a suspension of paramylon, with a dry powder form of paramylon being preferred.

Paramylon may be used alone or in combination of two or more types.

3. Method for Producing Euglena and Paramylon Euglena can be produced in large quantities by a method including a step of culturing Euglena contained in a liquid (culturing step). The culturing step can be carried out, for example, according to a known method (e.g., the method described in Japanese Patent No. 5883532). In the culturing step, microalgae of the genus Euglena are typically cultured under aerobic conditions while stirring a liquid (culture solution) containing water, Euglena, and nutrients that can be utilized by Euglena.

Nutrients include sugars (monosaccharides such as glucose and fructose), minerals (e.g., sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium, iron, zinc, molybdenum, copper, phosphorus, nitrogen, sulfur, or boron), B vitamins (e.g., vitamin B1 (thiamine), vitamin B2 (riboflavin), niacin, pantothenic acid, vitamin B6 (pyridoxine, pyridoxal, or pyridoxamine), vitamin B12 (cyanocobalamin), folic acid, and biotin). There are no particular restrictions on the concentration of nutrients in the culture medium, as long as they allow Euglena to survive and grow.

The light conditions for the culture step are not particularly limited, and the culture step may be carried out under either light or dark conditions. When culturing heterotrophically, the culture is carried out under dark conditions. As light conditions, a normal light intensity for growing algae can be used. As dark conditions, for example, a light intensity of less than 10 μmol/m ² /s, preferably a completely dark condition with no light at all, can be used.

The culture temperature during the culture step is not particularly limited, as long as it is a temperature at which Euglena can grow. The culture temperature (temperature of the culture medium) is, for example, 20°C to 35°C.

The pH of the liquid used in the culture process is not particularly limited, as long as it allows Euglena to grow. A pH of 3.0 to 5.5, for example, is used as the pH at which Euglena can grow.

After the culturing step, it is preferable to concentrate the Euglena by centrifuging the liquid or by gravity separation. Depending on the desired form, the obtained Euglena can be subjected to additional processing (e.g., suspension in liquid, dispersion in water or oil, extraction, drying and powdering, etc.).

Paramylon particles can be produced by separating, isolating, or purifying them from Euglena according to or in accordance with known methods (e.g., the method described in Japanese Patent No. 5883532). Paramylon particles can be easily obtained, for example, by disrupting the Euglena cell membrane and recovering the intracellular components. If necessary, paramylon particles may also be purified. Various methods for purifying paramylon particles are known (e.g., Japanese Patent No. 5883532), and these methods can be used. Purification steps include, for example, surfactant treatment and washing. The obtained Euglena can be subjected to additional processing (e.g., suspension in liquid, dispersion in water or oil, dry powdering, etc.) depending on the desired form.

4. Paramylon Processed Products Paramylon processed products are obtained by processing paramylon, such as physical or chemical treatment, and are not particularly limited insofar as they are obtained. Examples of paramylon processed products include fibrous paramylon and amorphous paramylon. Amorphous paramylon can be obtained by chemical treatment according to or in accordance with known methods, for example, the method described in JP 2011-184592 A.

Fiberized paramylon is preferred as a processed paramylon product. Fiberized paramylon is described below.

Fibrilized paramylon is a β-1,3-glucan derived from Euglena, and is not particularly limited as long as it is in a fibrous form. Previously, amorphous paramylon obtained by chemically treating paramylon particles (such as with alkali) has been reported, but this does not appear to be fibrous when observed under an electron microscope, and is an amorphous mass with an irregular shape and size, so it is not included in the category of fibrous paramylon.

The weight-average molecular weight of fibrous paramylon is not particularly limited, but is, for example, 1×10 ⁴ to 2×10 ⁷ , preferably 1×10 ⁵ to 5×10 ⁵ .

The weight average molecular weight can be measured by SEC-MALS analysis using the following method:
Detector: Multi-angle scattering detector (DAWN HELEOS II, manufactured by Wyatt Technology)
Differential refractometer detector (Wyatt Technology Optilab T-rEX)
Columns used: 2 TSKgel α-M (Tosoh)
Mobile phase: DMSO with 0.05M potassium bromide
Flow rate: 0.5 mL/min.

The diameter of the fibers of fibrous paramylon is not particularly limited, but is, for example, 10 to 500 nm, preferably 20 to 300 nm, and more preferably 50 to 200 nm. The diameter of the fibers of fibrous paramylon can usually be measured based on an electron microscope image of the fibrous paramylon.

The submerged volume of fibrous paramylon in water is not particularly limited, but is, for example, 30 to 300 mL/g, preferably 50 to 250 mL/g, and more preferably 70 to 200 mL/g.

The submerged volume can be measured according to or by the following method:
Measurements were performed according to the method described in "Dietary Fiber - Fundamentals and Applications - 3rd Edition, p. 111, Daiichi Publishing, Tokyo, edited by the Editorial Committee of the Japanese Society for Dietary Fiber Studies (2008)." Specifically, the procedure is as follows: 125 mg of the sample slurry test sample (equivalent to dry mass) is weighed into a 25 mL plastic tube, and the plastic tube is vigorously shaken by hand to agitate the contents. The contents are then transferred to a 25 mL graduated cylinder, and purified water is added to the tube until the total volume reaches 25 mL. The liquid in the graduated cylinder is stirred and then allowed to stand at 37°C for 24 hours. This allows the sample to settle, resulting in the formation of two layers separated by an interface: a layer containing primarily the precipitated sample (lower layer) and a layer containing primarily water (upper layer). The volume of the lower layer is determined from the graduated cylinder scale, and the resulting volume is divided by the sample mass (dry mass) to calculate the submerged volume (mL/g). The test is performed three or four times, and the average and standard deviation are calculated.

Fiberized paramylon has a relatively high resistance to enzymatic degradation. For example, the amount of monomer (glucose) produced by degradation with β-glucanase is, for example, 0.1 to 50 mg, preferably 1 to 10 mg, per 1 g of fiberized paramylon.

This amount can be measured according to or by the following method:
A reaction solution (30 mg test substance (dry weight), 5 mL buffer solution (Tokyo Chemical Industry Co., Ltd., B0156, potassium hydrogen phthalate-sodium hydroxide buffer (pH 4.0)), 0.1 mL enzyme solution (Japan Biocon Corporation, endo-1,3-β-Glucanase (enzyme content: 50 units/mL)), and purified water (10 mL reaction volume) was prepared and shaken horizontally at 45 rpm for 24 hours at 40°C. After shaking, the samples were immediately frozen and stored, then lyophilized for concentration. After lyophilization, 0.5 mL of purified water was added to each sample and stirred (20-fold concentration). Centrifugation (10,000 G, 5 minutes, 4°C) and supernatant recovery were repeated twice. The glucose concentration in the recovered supernatant was measured using a measurement kit (Wako Pure Chemical Industries, Ltd., Glucose CII-Test Wako). Based on the measured values, the amount of glucose produced (mg) per 1 g test substance was calculated.

Fibrilized paramylon has relatively low solubility in alkaline solutions. For example, fibrous paramylon is insoluble in a 0.1 to 0.3 M aqueous solution of sodium hydroxide. Here, "insoluble" means, for example, that the absorbance (660 nm) of the solution after suspending fibrous paramylon in the aqueous solution (e.g., immediately after suspension to after one hour) is, for example, 0.1 or higher, preferably 1.0 or higher.

Solubility can be measured according to or by the following method:
250 mg (dry weight) of the test substance was suspended in 10 mL of test solution (pure water, 0.1 M NaOH aqueous solution, 0.3 M NaOH aqueous solution) in a vial. After vigorously shaking the vial by hand for 20 seconds and then shaking it on a shaker at 80 rpm for 1 hour, the absorbance of the liquid in the vial at 660 nm was measured. The absorbance was measured using a JASCO V-730 spectrophotometer.

The relative value of the crystallinity of fibrous paramylon to that of granular paramylon (crystallinity of fibrous paramylon/crystallinity of granular paramylon) is, for example, 0.60 to 0.90, preferably 0.65 to 0.80.

Crystallinity can be measured according to or by the following method:
XRD measurements were performed on the test material under the following conditions: Instrument: PANalytical X'Pert3 Powder, Tube voltage: 45 kV, Tube current: 40 mA, Measurement range: 5.005 to 50.018°, Measurement interval: 0.013°, Analysis software: HighScore. Crystallinity was determined by the ratio of the intensity of the amorphous portion to the intensity of the crystalline portion at 2θ = 5 to 80°. Analysis was performed after removing the instrument-induced background from each measurement (background setting: Auto, Bending factor: 0, Granularity: 100), and the amorphous portion was determined by the tangent line passing through 2θ = 14, 29°. The conditions for the pending factor and granularity used to determine the amorphous portion of each were 0/20.

The fibrous paramylon may be in a form dispersed in a solvent such as water, or in a dried form. Even if the fibrous paramylon is in a dried form, it can be redispersed in water.

In this specification, "dry form" refers to a product having a moisture content of 15% by mass or less, preferably 10% by mass or less, and more preferably 5% by mass or less.

As fibrous paramylon, defibrated paramylon particles obtained by physically defibrating these paramylon particles can be preferably used. Furthermore, defibrated Euglena obtained by applying this defibration treatment to Euglena can also be used as fibrous paramylon.

The defibration treatment is not particularly limited, as long as it is a treatment that can defibrate the β-1,3 glucan present in the paramylon particles without breaking the hydrogen bonds (for example, by breaking less than 10%, less than 5%, less than 2%, or less than 1% of the hydrogen bonds of the β-1,3 glucan), or a treatment that can unravel some or all of the β-1,3-glucan chains present in the paramylon particles or the triple helix structures formed thereby. Preferably, the defibration treatment is carried out without breaking the hydrogen bonds of the β-1,3 glucan present in the paramylon particles, resulting in a fibrous form. Known processes that can grind (shear) or pulverize (preferably grind (shear)) fine particles such as paramylon particles can be used as the defibration treatment.

The defibration process can be carried out using known equipment such as a grinder (shearer) or pulverizer. Examples of equipment used for the defibration process include a stone mill, jet mill, twin-screw kneader, high-pressure homogenizer, high-pressure emulsifier, twin-screw extruder, and bead mill. Among these, stone mills and bead mills are preferred.

The defibration process can be carried out wet or dry. Wet defibration is preferred, as it allows for more efficient dispersion of fibrous paramylon in the solution. When wet defibration is carried out, there are no particular restrictions on the solvent, as long as it is capable of dispersing fibrous paramylon, and water is preferably used.

The defibration treatment may be performed on one type of paramylon alone or in combination with two or more types. Furthermore, the paramylon may be partially defibrated, and as long as it contains defibrated paramylon, it is within the scope of the present invention.

5. Uses At least one selected from the group consisting of Euglena, paramylon, a paramylon processed product, and β-1,3-glucan (hereinafter sometimes referred to as the "active ingredient of the present invention") has a saliva secretion promoting effect. Therefore, the active ingredient of the present invention can be used to promote saliva secretion. Note that "promotion" not only includes increasing the amount of saliva, but also suppressing a decline in saliva that is on the decline (reducing the extent of the decline or preventing it from declining).

The active ingredient of the present invention can be used, for example, to improve the oral environment, prevent or improve dry mouth, prevent or improve bad breath, prevent dental caries, prevent periodontal disease, prevent oral mucosal infections, improve oral flora, and prevent or improve swallowing disorders. "Improvement" refers to the improvement or alleviation of symptoms or conditions, the prevention or delay of worsening symptoms or conditions, and the reversal, prevention, or delay of the progression of symptoms or conditions, and includes "treatment." The active ingredient of the present invention can preferably be used for comprehensive purposes that include multiple of these uses (two or more, more preferably three or more, even more preferably four or more, even more preferably five or more, and even more preferably six or more).

Furthermore, the active ingredient of the present invention has the following uses, purposes and targets:
(a) Suppressing the decrease in saliva secretion that occurs with age (b) Suppressing the decrease in saliva secretion under stressful conditions (c) Suppressing the decrease in saliva secretion under physical stressful conditions (d) Suppressing the decrease in saliva secretion during exercise (e) Suppressing the decrease in saliva secretion due to mouth breathing (f) For those with dry mouths (g) For those who find it difficult to produce saliva (h) For those who feel a sticky sensation in the mouth (i) For those who are concerned about bad breath (j) For those who find it difficult to swallow (k) For those who are concerned about the discomfort of wearing a mask (l) For those who are concerned about the discomfort in their mouth when they wake up in the morning (m) For those who are concerned about bad breath when they talk (n) For those who are concerned about tooth decay (o) For those who are concerned about weakening gums (p) For those who want to keep their mouth moist (q) For those who want to keep their mouth fresh (r) For those who want to keep their throat moist (s) For those who want a fresh mouth from the moment they wake up (t) For those who want to keep their mouth clean (u) For those who want to keep their mouth youthful (v) For those who want to keep their mouth fresh at all times.

The agent of the present invention can be used in various fields, for example, as a food composition (including health foods, health-promoting agents, and nutritional supplements (supplements, etc.)), food additive, cosmetic, cosmetic additive, pharmaceutical, reagent, feed, etc. The agent of the present invention is preferably an oral composition.

The form of the agent of the present invention is not particularly limited, and can take the form commonly used for each application depending on the intended use.

When the agent of the present invention is intended for use as a food composition, the agent may be in the form of liquid, gel, or solid food, such as juice, soft drinks, tea, soup, soy milk, and other beverages, salad oil, dressing, yogurt, jelly, pudding, furikake, infant formula, cake mix, dairy products (e.g., powder, liquid, gel, solid, etc.), bread, or confectionery (e.g., cookies, etc.).

When the agent of the present invention is intended for use as a cosmetic product, it may take the form of, for example, emulsion, cosmetic liquid, face cream, hand cream, lotion, body soap, shampoo, conditioner, cosmetic gel, pack, foundation, lip cream, facial cleanser, etc.

When the agent of the present invention is intended for pharmaceutical use, examples of its form include formulations suitable for parenteral ingestion (particularly topical formulations), such as ointments, topical liquids (liniments, lotions, etc.), sprays (topical aerosols, pump sprays, etc.), creams, gels, patches (plasters, tapes such as plasters (reservoir-type, matrix-type, etc.), poultices, patches, microneedles, etc.), eye drops, eye ointments, nasal drops, suppositories, semisolid rectal preparations, and enemas; and formulations suitable for oral ingestion (oral formulations), such as tablets (including orally disintegrating tablets, chewable tablets, effervescent tablets, lozenges, jelly drops, etc.), pills, granules, fine granules, powders, hard capsules, soft capsules, dry syrups, liquids (including drinks, suspensions, and syrups), and jellies.

When the agent of the present invention is used as an additive, health promoting agent, nutritional supplement (such as a supplement), etc., the agent may be in the form of, for example, a tablet (including orally disintegrating tablets, chewable tablets, effervescent tablets, lozenges, jelly drops, etc.), pill, granule, fine granule, powder, hard capsule, soft capsule, dry syrup, liquid (including suspension and syrup), jelly, etc.

The agent of the present invention may further contain other ingredients as needed. These other ingredients are not particularly limited, as long as they are ingredients that can be incorporated into food compositions (including health foods, health-promoting agents, and nutritional supplements (supplements, etc.)), food additives, cosmetics, cosmetic additives, pharmaceuticals, reagents, feed, etc., and examples include bases, carriers, solvents, dispersants, emulsifiers, buffers, stabilizers, excipients, binders, disintegrants, lubricants, thickeners, colorants, fragrances, chelating agents, etc.

The content of the active ingredient in the agent of the present invention depends on the intended use, mode of use, and condition of the subject to be treated, and is not limited to a specific amount, but can be, for example, 0.0001 to 100% by mass, and preferably 0.001 to 50% by mass.

The dosage of the agent of the present invention (e.g., administered, ingested, inoculated, etc.) is not particularly limited as long as it is an effective amount that exhibits a saliva secretion-promoting effect, and is typically 0.1 to 10,000 mg/kg body weight per day in terms of dry weight of the active ingredient. The above dosage is preferably administered in divided doses once or more times a day (e.g., 1 to 3 times), and can be increased or decreased as appropriate depending on the patient's age, condition, and symptoms.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the amount of Euglena applied (dry weight) per day is preferably 100 to 1000 mg, more preferably 250 to 750 mg, and even more preferably 400 to 600 mg. Application is preferably once a day, and more preferably daily. The application period is preferably 3 days or more, more preferably 1 week or more, and even more preferably 2 weeks or more. It can also be applied for an even longer period (4 weeks or more, 6 weeks or more, or 8 weeks or more). Because the active ingredient of the present invention is naturally derived and highly safe, there is no particular upper limit to the application period, but it can be, for example, 3 years, 1 year, 6 months, 3 months, or 2 months.

The present invention will be described in detail below based on examples, but the present invention is not limited to these examples.

Manufacturing Example 1
The test food was made into capsule tablets (capsule components: pullulan and sorghum pigment) using dried powder (manufactured by Kobelco Eco-Solutions, paramylon content 70% or more) of Euglena gracilis EOD-1 strain (National Institute of Technology and Evaluation, Patent Organism Depositary Center (NITE-IPOD)) with the following composition, and the control food was made into capsule tablets (capsule components: pullulan and sorghum pigment) containing dextrin.

Test Example 1
The test outline is as follows:
・Test food intake period: 2 weeks ・Test food intake amount: 2 capsules/day
Subjects: 41 people (male; 20.8±0.7 years old) 21 people took the test food and 20 people took the control food).

There were two types of test foods (Production Example 1): a test food and a control food (placebo). The test food was a food containing Euglena gracilis EOD-1 strain, and the control food (placebo) was a food not containing Euglena gracilis EOD-1 strain.

Two capsules of the test food were taken once a day with dinner (the test food contained 500 mg of Euglena gracilis EOD-1 strain (350 mg of paramylon derived from Euglena gracilis EOD-1 strain)) for two weeks. If participants were unable to take the food at dinner time, they were asked to take it before going to bed that day.

On the first day of the study (before intake began) and two weeks after the start of the study (on the final day of the study), saliva was collected within 30 minutes of waking up without eating anything. Saliva was then thoroughly soaked into a Salivet cotton ball (manufactured by SARSTEDT) for one minute. The amount of saliva collected was quantified.

The results are shown in Figure 1. In the control diet group, saliva volume significantly decreased over the test period. It is known that saliva volume decreases due to stress and fatigue. The subjects in this study were members of a university soccer team, and the start of the study coincided roughly with the start of the university soccer league in which the university participated. This is thought to be the reason for the decrease in saliva volume in the control diet group. In contrast, in the test diet group, no decrease in saliva volume was observed over the test period, and saliva volume was significantly higher after ingestion of the test diet (2 weeks) than in the control diet group. These findings demonstrate that Euglena has a saliva-stimulating effect. It is speculated that these effects are due to the paramylon contained in Euglena.

Claims (7)

A saliva secretion stimulant containing Euglena. The saliva secretion stimulant according to claim 1, containing dry powder of Euglena. The saliva secretion stimulant according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the Euglena is Euglena gracilis. The saliva secretion stimulant according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the Euglena is Euglena gracilis strain EOD-1 (accession number FERM BP-11530). The saliva secretion stimulant according to any one of claims 1 to 4, for use in at least one selected from the group consisting of improving the oral environment, preventing or improving dry mouth, preventing or improving bad breath, preventing dental caries, preventing periodontal disease, preventing oral mucosal infections, improving oral flora, and preventing or improving swallowing disorders. The saliva secretion stimulant according to any one of claims 1 to 5, which is a food composition, a nutritional supplement, a food additive, or a medicine. The saliva secretion stimulant according to any one of claims 1 to 6, which is an oral composition.