COCOA BUTTER

Abstract

The present invention addresses the problem of providing, by a simple method, a method for conferring photodegradation resistance on cocoa butter, which has low photodegradation resistance. By performing degumming treatment using phospholipase, photodegradation resistance can be conferred to cocoa butter. When white chocolate was prepared using the thus-obtained cocoa butter, photodegradation was remarkably suppressed. Although any kind of phospholipase may be used, the use of phospholipase A2 is preferred as the effect therewith is particularly remarkable.

Claims

1. A method of producing cocoa butter having photodegradation resistance comprising: degumming by causing phospholipase to act on cocoa butter.

2. The method of producing cocoa butter having photodegradation resistance according to claim 1, wherein the phospholipase is phospholipase A2.

3. The production method of producing cocoa butter having photodegradation resistance according to claim 2, wherein an amount of the phospholipase A2 used is 500 to 200,000 IU with respect to 1 kg of cocoa butter.

4. The method of producing cocoa butter having photodegradation resistance according to claim 1, wherein the phospholipase is phospholipase A1.

5. The production method of producing cocoa butter having photodegradation resistance according to claim 4, wherein an amount of the phospholipase A1 used is 500 to 200,000 IU with respect to 1 kg of cocoa butter.

6. A method of imparting photodegradation resistance to cocoa butter comprising: degumming by causing phospholipase to act on cocoa butter.

7. The method of imparting photodegradation resistance to cocoa butter according to claim 6, wherein the phospholipase is phospholipase A2.

8. The method of imparting photodegradation resistance to cocoa butter according to claim 7, wherein an amount of the phospholipase A2 used is 500 to 200,000 IU with respect to 1 kg of cocoa butter.

9. The method of imparting photodegradation resistance to cocoa butter according to claim 6, wherein the phospholipase is phospholipase A1.

10. The method of imparting photodegradation resistance to cocoa butter according to claim 9, wherein an amount of the phospholipase A1 used is 500 to 200,000 IU with respect to 1 kg of cocoa butter.

11. A chocolate-like food having photodegradation resistance, comprising cocoa butter that is degummed by an action of phospholipase thereon as the cocoa butter, and contains no cacao component among non-oil components.

12. The chocolate-like food having photodegradation resistance according to claim 11, wherein the phospholipase is phospholipase A2.

13. The chocolate-like food having photodegradation resistance according to claim 11, wherein the phospholipase is phospholipase A1.

14. A method of producing the chocolate-like food having photodegradation resistance according to claim 11, comprising: using cocoa butter that is degummed by an action of phospholipase thereon as the cocoa butter, wherein a non-oil component does not contain a cacao component.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0070] Cocoa butter referred to in the present invention is the fat content of cacao beans. Generally, unpurified products are distributed in many cases, but purified products are also distributed in some cases. In the present invention, regardless of whether products are purified or not, commercially available cocoa butter can be appropriately used.

[0071] Phospholipases referred to in the present invention are enzymes that act on phospholipids. There are phospholipases A1, A2, B, C, and D according to acting portions. However, in the present invention, any phospholipase can be used. Among them, desirably, the phospholipases A2, A1, and D are used, and particularly, the phospholipase A2 is preferably used. When an appropriate phospholipase is used, an effect of imparting photodegradation resistance is significantly exhibited.

[0072] In the present invention, the activities of phospholipases are defined as follows.

[0073] The activity (unit: IU) of the phospholipases A2 and A1 is determined as follows.

[0074] Free fatty acids produced when a substrate of soybean lecithin is hydrolyzed are quantified using a commercially available Free Fatty Acid Quantification Assay Kit-Deten liner NEFA755 (commercially available from Kyowa Medex Co., Ltd.). Then, an amount of an enzyme that releases 1 mol of fatty acids over 1 minute is set as 1 U.

[0075] The activity (unit: IU) of the phospholipase D is determined as follows.

[0076] Choline produced when a substrate of phosphatidylcholine is hydrolyzed is quantified using a commercially available cholinesterase kit-NC (289-75181 commercially available from Wako Pure Chemical Industries, Ltd.). Here, the produced choline produces a red quinone dye with a choline oxidase, a peroxidase, and the like in the kit. Then, an amount of an enzyme that releases 1 mol of choline over 1 minute is set as 1 U.

[0077] In the present invention, although an amount of phospholipase used is not unconditionally determined because it varies according to setting of a reaction temperature and a reaction time, when a case in which phospholipase is used with general degumming conditions is assumed, an amount of phospholipase used is desirably 500 to 200,000 IU, more desirably 1,000 to 100,000 IU, and most desirably 5,000 to 50,000 IU with respect to 1 kg of cocoa butter. When an appropriate amount of phospholipase is used, an effect of imparting photodegradation resistance is significantly exhibited.

[0078] In the present invention, degumming is a process of removing phospholipids contained in vegetable oils. Since phospholipids are generally contained in vegetable oils, when phospholipids are removed by degumming, there is an effect of improving a quality of oil.

[0079] Generally, degumming is performed by adding hot water to a crude oil, stirring the mixture, and then centrifuging the mixture in many cases. In addition, the phospholipases A1 to A2 may be used.

[0080] According to the present invention, degumming using phospholipase can be performed by a conventional method. That is, degumming is performed such that phospholipase suspended in water is added to a melted oil and stirred and is left at a predetermined temperature, and then that with a gum quality is then centrifuged off. Here, it is possible to appropriately adjust a pH in consideration of an optimum pH of an enzyme and a stable pH range. In addition, in order to block metal ions, a citric acid treatment may be performed in combination.

[0081] The photodegradation resistance referred to in the present invention refers to resistance to degradation that occurs over time when light is emitted and is generally perceived as an unusual odor or unusual flavor. A specific method of evaluating photodegradation resistance is described in examples.

[0082] According to the present invention, when cocoa butter that is subjected to degumming using phospholipase is used, it is possible to obtain a chocolate-like food having photodegradation resistance. Here, desirably, the chocolate-like food is a food that does not contain a cacao component as a component other than an oil (referred to as a non-oil component). This is because food containing a cacao component among non-oil components, that is, a so-called black chocolate, has a certain level of resistance to photodegradation. Since a chocolate-like food containing no cacao component among non-oil components, that is, a white chocolate, has low resistance to photodegradation, an effect according to the present invention is significantly exhibited. Therefore, this is more preferable in application of the present invention.

[0083] Examples will be described below.

EXAMPLES

Examination 1 Treatment of Cocoa Butter Using the Phospholipase A2

[0084] As shown in Table 1, a degumming treatment was performed while an amount of the phospholipase A2 was changed. As a method, Degumming method using phospholipase A2 treatment on cocoa butter described below was performed. Here, in Examination Example 1, a treatment was performed in the same manner as in the Degumming method using phospholipase A2 treatment on cocoa butter except that no phospholipase A2 was added. In addition, in Examination Example 2, a treatment was performed by a general chemical degumming method.

[0085] Cocoa butter DF200 (commercially available from Barry Callebaut Cocoa Asia Pacific Pte Ltd) was used as cocoa butter. This product was unpurified cocoa butter that was squeezed and extracted from cacao beans.

TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Concentration of phospholipase A2 Examination Examination Examination Examination Examination Example 1 Example 2 Example 3 Example 4 Example 5 Concentration of 0.10% 1.00% 10.00% phospholipase A2 in phospholipase A2 suspension (weight %) Activity of phospholipase 100 1,000 10,000 A2 in phospholipase A2 suspension (IU/g) Concentration of 1.0% 1.0% 1.0% 1.0% 1.0% phospholipase A2 suspension or water in oil (weight %) Concentration of 0.001% 0.01% 0.10% phospholipase A2 in oil (weight %) Activity of phospholipase 1,000 10,000 100,000 A2 in oil (IU/kg)

[0086] PLA2 Nagase 10 P/R (commercially available from Nagase ChemteX Corporation) was used as the phospholipase A2. An activity value was 100,000 IU/g.

[0087] Degumming Method Using Phospholipase A2 Treatment on Cocoa Butter

1. Cocoa butter was melted at 65 to 70 C.
2. 0.144% of a 45 weight % citric acid aqueous solution was mixed in with respect to cocoa butter.
3. The mixture was stirred using a HOMOMIXER (commercially available from PRIMIX Corporation) at 3,000 rpm for 30 minutes.
4. An oil temperature was set to 50 to 55 C.
5. A 4% aqueous sodium hydroxide solution was mixed in and a pH was set to 7.0 to 7.5.
6. A 1 weight % phospholipase A2 suspension with a predetermined concentration was mixed thereinto.
7. The mixture was stirred at an oil temperature of 50 to 55 C. using a HOMOMIXER at 3,000 rpm for 60 minutes.
8. The mixture was centrifuged (2,000 g10 minutes) and the bottom layer was removed.
9. The oil temperature was set to 65 to 70 C.
10. 20 weight % of hot water with a temperature of 70 C. was mixed in and the mixture was stirred using a HOMOMIXER at 3,000 rpm for 3 minutes.
11. The mixture was centrifuged (2,000 g10 minutes) and the bottom layer was removed.
12. Dehydration and deactivation of an enzyme were performed at 110 C. for 10 minutes at 5 mmHg.

[0088] Preparation of Examination Example 2 According to a General Chemical Degumming Method of Cocoa Butter.

1. Cocoa butter was melted at 75 C.
2. 0.1% of a 75 weight % aqueous phosphoric acid solution was mixed in with respect to cocoa butter and 2% of hot water with a temperature of 75 C. was mixed in with respect to cocoa butter.
3. The mixture was stirred using a HOMOMIXER (commercially available from PRIMIX Corporation) at 5,000 rpm for 3 minutes.
4. The mixture was centrifuged (2,000 g10 minutes) and the bottom layer was removed.
5. 20 weight % of hot water with a temperature of 75 C. was mixed in and the mixture was stirred using a HOMOMIXER at 3,000 rpm for 3 minutes.
6. The mixture was centrifuged (2,000 g10 minutes) and the bottom layer was removed. 12. Dehydration was performed at 110 C. for 10 minutes at 5 mmHg to obtain an oil of Examination Example 2.

Examination 2 Treatment of Cocoa Butter Using the Phospholipase A1

[0089] As shown in Table 2, a degumming treatment was performed while an amount of the phospholipase A1 was changed. As a method, Degumming method using phospholipase A1 treatment on cocoa butter described below was performed.

[0090] Cocoa butter DF200 (commercially available from Barry Callebaut Cocoa Asia Pacific Pte Ltd.) was used as cocoa butter. This product was unpurified cocoa butter that was squeezed and extracted from cacao beans.

TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 Concentration of phospholipase A1 Examination Examination Example 6 Example 7 Concentration of phospholipase A1 1.00% 10.00% in phospholipase A1 suspension (weight %) Activity of phospholipase A1 in 100 1,000 phospholipase A1 suspension (IU/g) Concentration of phospholipase A1 1.0% 1.0% suspension in oil (weight %) Concentration of phospholipase A1 0.01% 0.10% in oil (weight %) Activity of phospholipase A1 in oil 1,000 10,000 (IU/kg)

[0091] Phospholipase A1 (commercially available from Mitsubishi-Chemical Foods Corporation) was used as the phospholipase A1. An activity value was 10,000 IU/g.

[0092] Degumming Method Using Phospholipase A1 Treatment on Cocoa Butter

1. Cocoa butter was melted at 65 to 70 C.
2. 0.144% of a 45 weight % citric acid aqueous solution was mixed in with respect to cocoa butter.
3. The mixture was stirred using a HOMOMIXER (commercially available from PRIMIX Corporation) at 3,000 rpm for 30 minutes.
4. An oil temperature was set to 50 to 55 C.
5. A 4% aqueous sodium hydroxide solution was mixed in and a pH was set to 4.5 to 5.0.
6. A 1 weight % phospholipase A1 suspension with a predetermined concentration was mixed thereinto.
7. The mixture was stirred at an oil temperature of 50 to 55 C. using a HOMOMIXER at 3,000 rpm for 60 minutes.
8. The mixture was centrifuged (2,000 g10 minutes) and the bottom layer was removed.
9. The oil temperature was set to 65 to 70 C.
10. 20 weight % of hot water with a temperature of 70 C. was mixed in and the mixture was stirred using a HOMOMIXER at 3,000 rpm for 3 minutes.
11. The mixture was centrifuged (2,000 g10 minutes) and the bottom layer was removed.
12. Dehydration and deactivation of an enzyme were performed at 110 C. for 10 minutes at 5 mmHg.

[0093] As shown in Table 2, a degumming treatment was performed while an amount of the phospholipase A1 was changed. As a method, Degumming method using phospholipase A1 treatment on cocoa butter described below was performed.

[0094] Cocoa butter DF200 (commercially available from Barry Callebaut Cocoa Asia Pacific Pte Ltd.) was used as cocoa butter. This product was unpurified cocoa butter that was squeezed and extracted from cacao beans.

Examination 3 Treatment of Cocoa Butter Using the Phospholipase D

[0095] As shown in Table 3, a degumming treatment was performed while an amount of the phospholipase D was changed. As a method, Degumming method using phospholipase D treatment on cocoa butter described below was performed.

[0096] Cocoa butter DF200 (commercially available from Barry Callebaut Cocoa Asia Pacific Pte Ltd.) was used as cocoa butter. This product was unpurified cocoa butter that was squeezed and extracted from cacao beans.

TABLE-US-00003 TABLE 3 Concentration of phospholipase D Examination Examination Example 8 Example 9 Concentration of phospholipase D in 0.20% 2.00% phospholipase D suspension (weight %) Activity of phospholipase D in 100 1,000 phospholipase D suspension (IU/g) Concentration of phospholipase D 1.0% 1.0% suspension in oil (weight %) Concentration of phospholipase D in 0.002% 0.02% oil (weight %) Activity of phospholipase D in oil 1,000 10,000 (IU/kg)

[0097] Phospholipase D form Streptomyces Choromofuscus (commercially available from SIGMA-ALDRICH) was used as the phospholipase D. An activity value was 50,000 IU/g.

[0098] Degumming Method Using Phospholipase D Treatment on Cocoa Butter

1. Cocoa butter was melted at 65 to 70 C.
2. 0.144% of a 45 weight % citric acid aqueous solution was mixed in with respect to cocoa butter.
3. The mixture was stirred using a HOMOMIXER (commercially available from PRIMIX Corporation) at 3,000 rpm for 30 minutes.
4. An oil temperature was set to 50 to 55 C.
5. A 4% aqueous sodium hydroxide solution was mixed in and a pH was set to 7.0 to 7.5.
6. A 1 weight % phospholipase D suspension with a predetermined concentration was mixed thereinto.
7. The mixture was stirred at an oil temperature of 50 to 55 C. using a HOMOMIXER at 3,000 rpm for 60 minutes.
8. The mixture was centrifuged (2,000 g10 minutes) and the bottom layer was removed.
9. The oil temperature was set to 65 to 70 C.
10. 20 weight % of hot water with a temperature of 70 C. was mixed in and the mixture was stirred using a HOMOMIXER at 3,000 rpm for 3 minutes.
11. The mixture was centrifuged (2,000 g10 minutes) and the bottom layer was removed.
12. Dehydration and deactivation of an enzyme were performed at 110 C. for 10 minutes at 5 mmHg.

Examination 4 Preparation of Chocolate-Like Food

[0099] Chocolate-like foods were prepared according to formulations in Table 4, which contained the oil prepared in Examination 1 and other oils.

[0100] As a preparation method, Method of preparing a chocolate-like food described below was performed. Then, an acceleration test of photodegradation was performed according to Photodegradation acceleration test method. Sensory evaluation of the obtained sample was performed according to Sensory evaluation method of a chocolate-like food described below. The results are shown in Table 5.

TABLE-US-00004 TABLE 4 Formulation of chocolate-like food Com- Com- Com- Com- parative parative parative parative Exam- Example 1 Example 2 Example 3 Example 4 Example 1 Example 2 Example 3 Example 4 Example 5 Example 6 ple 7 Oil 1 28.0 Oil 2 28.0 Oil of Examination 28.0 Example 1 Oil of Examination 28.0 Example 2 Oil of Examination 28.0 Example 3 Oil of Examination 28.0 Example 4 Oil of Examination 28.0 Example 5 Oil of Examination 28.0 Example 6 Oil of Examination 28.0 Example 7 Oil of Examination 28.0 Example 8 Oil of Examination 28.0 Example 9 Sugar 43.5 43.5 43.5 43.5 43.5 43.5 43.5 43.5 43.5 43.5 43.5 Whole milk 28.0 28.0 28.0 28.0 28.0 28.0 28.0 28.0 28.0 28.0 28.0 powder Lecithin 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 Sum 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 (unit is weight %)

[0101] NEWSS7 (commercially available from Fuji Oil Co., Ltd.) was used as an oil 1. This product is cocoa butter equivalents (CBE).

[0102] Cocoa butter used in Examination 1 was directly used as an oil 2.

[0103] Method of Preparing Chocolate-Like Food

1. An oil, sugar, and whole milk powder were mixed, and crushed using a roller.
2. Lecithin was added.
3. Conching was performed at 60 C. for 2 hours.
4. The temperature was adjusted to 30 C., and Chocolate Seed A (commercially available from Fuji Oil Co., Ltd.) was added at 0.2% with respect to chocolate, and seed tempering was performed.
4. The mixture was filled into a PC chocolate mold No. 81 (38 mm38 mm3 mm: oil 3.5 g, chocolate 4.2 g), and solidified at 10 C. for 30 minutes.

[0104] Photodegradation Acceleration Test Method

1. A chocolate-like food sample was put into a polyethylene bag and left at 23 C. and 1,000 lx.
2. Sampling was performed every day for 3 days. Each sample was kept in a cool and dark place so that photodegradation did not proceed any further.

[0105] Sensory Evaluation Method of Chocolate-Like Food

[0106] 7 trained panelists performed sensory evaluation using samples which were photodegraded in the Photodegradation acceleration test method and a control sample. Evaluation criteria were as follows, and results were scored according to consultation among the panelists.

[0107] On the 3rd day in the acceleration test, three points or more was determined to be satisfactory.

5 points Evaluated as the same as the control.
4 points Flavor was slightly inferior to the control, but was only slightly different.
3 points Flavor was inferior to the control, but was in an acceptable range.
2 points Flavor was obviously inferior to the control and was unacceptable.
1 point Flavor was greatly inferior to the control and was unacceptable.

[0108] On the 3rd day in the acceleration test, three or more points was determined to be satisfactory.

TABLE-US-00005 TABLE 5 Results Com- Com- parative Comparative parative Comparative Example 1 Example 2 Example 3 Example 4 Example 1 Example 2 Example 3 Example 4 Example 5 Example 6 Example 7 Immediately 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 after preparation 1.sup.st day 5 2 2 3 4 5 5 4 5 3 4 2.sup.nd day 4 1 2 2 3 4 4 3 4 3 3 3.sup.rd day 4 1 1 1 3 4 4 3 3 3 3

Consideration

[0109] Comparative Example 1 was a chocolate-like food containing no cocoa butter, and had photodegradation resistance.

[0110] In all of Comparative Example 2 in which commercially available cocoa butter was used, Comparative Example 3 in which cocoa butter subjected to the same treatment as in Examination Examples 2 to 5 except for phospholipase treatment was used, and Comparative Example 4 in which a general degumming treatment was performed, flavor decreased over time, and all failed.

[0111] In Examples 1 to 7 in which cocoa butter subjected to phospholipase treatment was used, flavor decreased constantly over time, but all were determined to be satisfactory. Based on the results, it can be clearly understood that photodegradation resistance can be imparted by performing phospholipase treatment on cocoa butter.