Health benefits of semi-dried persimmons proved(美容・健康効果実証 あんぽ柿極上成分)

 
Fukushima University research fellow Hitomi Shikano, left, and Junichi Suda of the JA Fukushima Mirai agricultural cooperative show a persimmon.(あんぽ柿に含まれている成分の可視化に成功した鹿野氏(左)と須田部長)

 Ampogaki half-dried persimmons, a specialty of northern Fukushima Prefecture, contain about three times more vitamin A1 than fresh ones, a Fukushima University research fellow has found using a cutting-edge analysis device.
 Findings by Hitomi Shikano, 31, provide scientific evidence for the fruit's beauty and health benefits that producers have promoted so far based only on tradition and their own experience. She has also found that ampogaki contain a wealth of vitamin B6, which is said to be effective in preventing hangovers.
"We will also be analyzing other local specialties to uplift Fukushima Prefecture," the researcher said.
 The JA Fukushima Mirai agricultural cooperative, which conducted the research with Shikano, hopes that the findings will help attract new consumers for ampogaki, thus expanding sales channels and reviving their consumption, which suffered a setback following the accident at the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant triggered by the March 2011 earthquake.

 福島大の鹿野仁美研究員(31)は、県北地方特産のあんぽ柿に含まれるビタミンA1の量が生柿に比べ約3倍多いことを最先端の分析機器を使い突き止めた。ほかにも二日酔い予防に効果のあるとされるビタミンB6を多く含んでいることも発見。生産者がこれまで経験則で説明してきたあんぽ柿の美容、健康効果を裏付ける結果となった。
 鹿野氏は「ほかの特産品についても分析を進め、福島県を盛り上げたい」と強調。共同研究したJAふくしま未来の担当者は「(あんぽ柿の)新たな消費者の開拓につながる」と述べ、原発事故で落ち込んだ消費の回復や販路拡大に期待を込めた。

 Shikano has been conducting her research under Prof. Shu Taira of the university's Faculty of Food and Agricultural Sciences. Using a device that can visualize in different colors the amount of certain components contained in a given item, she examined cross-sections of ampogaki and fresh persimmons provided by farmers in Date, in the northern part of the prefecture.
 The analysis showed that ampogaki contain vitamin A1 -- which is said to have anti-wrinkle effects -- at a level 3.4 times higher than in fresh persimmon. Most of this nutrient is contained in the outer part of the fruit. Vitamin B6 in ampogaki is 2.3 times higher, while vitamin B1, which is said to be effective in preventing beriberi, is 2.5 times higher. These two kinds of nutrients are contained in an area near the seeds of the fruit.

 鹿野氏は同大食農学類の平修教授の下で研究を続けてきた。成分とその量を色分けした視覚イメージとして「見える化」できる分析機器「イメージング質量分析装置」を使い、伊達市梁川町の農家から提供を受けた柿とあんぽ柿の断面を分析した。
 この結果、あんぽ柿はしわとりなどの美容効果があるとされるビタミンA1の含有量が生柿の3.4倍で、特に外側に多く含まれていたことが判明。ビタミンB6は2.3倍、かっけを予防するビタミンB1は2.5倍とそれぞれ多く、いずれも種に近い部分に含まれていたことが分かった。

 In fresh persimmon, vitamin A1 can be found only in the skin, which is usually peeled off and discarded in processing. According to Taira, it was known that ampogaki contained vitamin A1, but it was unclear until now how much or in which part of the fruit the nutrient is found.
 It is believed that ampogaki contain more vitamin A1 than fresh persimmon because of the beta-carotene conversion while being dried and exposed to sunlight.

 生柿のビタミンA1は表皮にしかなく、あんぽ柿の製造工程で表皮は削って廃棄されている。平氏によると、あんぽ柿にビタミンA1が含まれていることは分かっていたが、含有する量や位置は不明だった。ビタミンA1が生柿よりも増える理由については、干して日光に当てることでβカロテンがビタミンA1に変わったとみている。

 Persistent harmful rumors have damaged the prefecture's agricultural prospects, with shipments of ampogaki still hovering at about 70% of the level before the nuclear accident, but these findings may help reverse that.
 "[Shikano's findings] have added new value to ampogaki," said Junichi Suda, planning division chief at JA Fukushima Mirai. "We'll think of new ways to promote ampogaki, such as [making a tagline saying] 'Ampogaki for beauty.'"
 A paper by Shikano and fellow researchers will be featured in the August issue of Journal of Oleo Science, an English-language journal published by the Japan Oil Chemists' Society.

( Translated by The Japan News )

 あんぽ柿の出荷量は原発事故前の約7割にとどまるなど、風評の影響は根強い。同JAの須田淳一企画部長は「(あんぽ柿に)新たな付加価値が付いた。『美容のためのあんぽ柿』など新しい売り方を考えたい」と展望を語った。
 論文は、日本油化学会の英文誌「ジャーナル・オブ・オレオ・サイエンス」の8月号に掲載される予定。

 【 2020年6月16日付・福島民友新聞掲載 】