(12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2009/ A1

Transcription

1 (19) United States US A1 (12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2009/ A1 Fujihara et al. (43) Pub. Date: (54) SWEETENER CONTAINING D-PSICOSE AND FOODS AND DRINKS OBTANED BY USING THE SAME (75) Inventors: Hideki Fujihara, Itami-shi (JP); Kazuhiro Okuma, Itami-shi (JP); Tetsuo Iida, Itami-shi (JP); Ken Izumori, Kagawa (JP); Masaaki Tokuda, Kagawa (JP); Kazuhiro Fukuda, Kagawa (JP) Correspondence Address: WESTERMAN, HATTORI, DANELS & ADRIAN, LLP 1250 CONNECTICUT AVENUE, NW, SUITE 700 WASHINGTON, DC (US) (73) Assignees: MATSUTANCHEMICAL INDUSTRY CO.,LTD., Itami-shi, Hyogo (JP); NATIONAL UNIVERSITY CORPORATION KAGAWA UNIVERSITY, Takamatsu-shi, Kagawa (JP) (21) Appl. No.: 12/514,216 (22) PCT Filed: Mar. 26, 2007 (86). PCT No.: PCT/UP2007/ S371 (c)(1), (2), (4) Date: May 8, 2009 (30) Foreign Application Priority Data Nov. 10, 2006 (JP) Publication Classification (51) Int. Cl. A2.3L I/236 ( ) (52) U.S. Cl /548 (57) ABSTRACT Providing a D-psicose-containing Sweetener with modi fication of taste of D-psicose, comprising D-psicose, a Sugar alcohol and/or a high intensity Sweetener, preferably containing D-psicose as main component, particularly a low-calorie Sweetener and/or a Sweetener giving refreshing feel in oral cavity, as well as foods and drinks obtained by using D-psicose-containing Sweetener with modifica tion of taste of D-psicose, and or products given with Sweetness. The Sugar alcohol is one or more Sugar alcohols selected from group consisting of Sorbitol, mannitol, lac titol, maltitol, xylitol and erythritol, while high intensity Sweetener is one or more high intensity Sweeteners as selected from aspartame, acesulfame K, Sodium cyclamate, Sodium saccharin, Sucralose (under trade name), Stevia Sweetener, dulcin, taumatin, neotame and monellin.

2 SWEETENER CONTAINING D-PSICOSE AND FOODS AND DRINKS OBTANED BY USING THE SAME TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a D-psicose-con taining sweetener with modification of taste of D-psi cose, comprising a combination of D-psicose, a Sugar alcohol and/or a high intensity Sweetener. More specifically, invention relates to a low-calorie Sweetener, a Sweetener giv ing refreshing feel in oral cavity as well as foods and drinks and like obtained by using same. BACKGROUND ART Sucrose is a sweetener of good sweetness quality and is popular in a great number of people. In recent years, however, it has been noted that excess intake of Sucrose causes obesity and various lifestyle-related diseases. In Such circumstance, low-calorie Sweeteners have been developed from standpoint of health-oriented minds D-Psicose is contained at an extremely small amount in molasses and isomerized Sugars and is one of rare Sugars enzymatically producible from D-fructose with epi merase. It is expected that D-psicose may be applicable to various foods, because D-psicose has physiological functions Such as anti-oxidative property and has almost Zero-kilocalo rie energy although D-psicose is at a Sweetness level of 60 to 70% of Sweetness level of sucrose and because D-psicose is highly soluble. In case of using D-psicose as a Sweetener for foods, D-psicose is used at a large amount when intending to give Sweetness at a needed level to a food, so that resulting food gets too much heavy taste, and additionally start of Sweetness of D-psicose is just slow. Thus, use of D-psicose alone is not practical Alternatively, sugar alcohols and high intensity Sweeteners contain very low calories, and are used as Sweet eners as alternative Sucrose. Compared with Sucrose, how ever, taste of Sugar alcohols in a first stage of ingestion may sometimes be too sharp or aftertaste reof may sometimes be unfavorable Because a high intensity sweetener having sweet ness about several hundred folds or more that of sucrose can exert intended Sweetness even when added at a small amount, such Sweetener is used as a low-calorie Sweetener. However, Sweetness of Such Sweetener may sometimes too slowly start or such Sweetener has unique bitterness, disadvantageously. Hence, use of such Sweeteneralone is not common but generally, such Sweetener is used in combi nation. High intensity Sweeteners, for example, aspartame, acesulfame K and Sucralose (under trade name) are widely used as Sweeteners in diet foods and drinks, owing to high Sweetness ratio. However, consumers have got used to taste of so-called regular products using Sucrose, isomerized Sugars for long years. Some of consumers are disagreeable with taste of foods using high intensity Sweeteners. Concerning se three types of high intensity Sweeteners, various investigations have been made mainly about a com bined use reof with trehalose and erythritol (patent refer ence 1), a combined use reof with dietary fiber (patent reference 2) or a combined use reof with O-glycosylated Stevia extract (patent reference 3). Currently, however, resulting tastes have not yet satisfied consumers having got used to taste of Sucrose, isomerized Sugars Patent reference 1: JP-A Patent reference 2: JP-A Patent reference 3: JP-A DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION Problems that Invention is to Solve It is a very important issue to develop a measure for reducing intake of Sucrose as one of major caloric sources and as an important Sweetener for cooking and to develop a Sweetener as an alternative Sucrose, which is at a low calorie and gives taste comparable to that of Sucrose Therefore, it is an object of invention to provide a D-psicose-containing Sweetener with modification of taste of D-psicose, particularly a low-calorie Sweetener, by improving problems of D-psicose. Such as slow start of Sweetness of D-psicose and heavy taste through use of D-psicose at a large amount to modify taste so that resulting Sweetener can widely be used in foods and drinks like sucrose. It is an object of invention to provide a D-psicose-containing Sweetener with modi fication of taste of D-psicose and with refreshing feel, particularly a low-calorie Sweetener, by improving prob lems of D-psicose, such as slow start of sweetness of D-psicose and heavy taste through use of D-psicose at a large amount without any reduction of refreshing feel of D-psicose to modify taste, so that resulting Sweetener can widely be used in foods and drinks like Sucrose It is anor object of invention to provide a drink or a food with extremely favorite taste and controlled calories, using D-psicose-containing Sweetener with modification of taste of D-psicose, as well as or prod ucts given with Sweetness. Means for Solving Problems The inventors made investigations so as to solve problems of conventional techniques. Consequently, inventors found that a combined use of D-psicose and a Sugar alcohol and/or a high intensity Sweetener could improve slow start of Sweetness of D-psicose and could also com pensate drawbacks of tastes specific to sugar alcohol and high intensity Sweetener, so that excellent taste could be expressed. Thus, invention has been achieved Specifically, gist of invention resides in a D-psicose-containing Sweetener with modification of taste of D-psicose, particularly a low-calorie Sweetener and/ or a Sweetener giving refreshing feel in oral cavity, which comprise D-psicose, a Sugar alcohol and/or a high intensity Sweetener, which preferably contains D-psicose as main component More specifically, gist of invention resides in a D-psicose-containing Sweetener with modification of taste of D-psicose, particularly a low-calorie Sweetener and/or a Sweetener giving refreshing feel in oral cavity, which comprise D-psicose, one or more Sugar alcohols selected from group consisting of Sorbitol, mannitol, lac titol, maltitol, xylitol and erythritol, and/or one or more high intensity Sweeteners as selected from group consisting of aspartame, acesulfame K, Sodium cyclamate, Sodium saccha rin, Sucralose (under trade name), Stevia Sweetener, dulcin, taumatin, neotame and monellin, which preferably contains D-psicose as main component The gist of invention resides in foods and drinks obtained by using D-psicose-containing Sweetener with modification of taste of D-psicose, as well as or products given with Sweetness. Advantages of Invention In accordance with invention, a low-calorie sweetener with taste comparable to that of sucrose can be provided using D-psicose. By combining D-psicose, a Sugar alcohol and/or a high intensity Sweetener toger, problems such as slow start of sweetness of D-psicose and heavy taste reof when used at a large amount can be improved to modify taste, so that a low-calorie Sweetener usable in a wide range of foods and drinks like Sucrose can be provided.

3 0017. By modifying slow start of sweetness of D-psicose and heavy taste reof when used at a large amount with no reduction of refreshing taste of D-psicose to modify taste, a D-psicose-containing Sweetener, par ticularly a low-calorie Sweetener can be provided, which has modified taste and refreshing feel and which can be used in a wide range of foods and drinks like Sucrose In accordance with invention, foods and drinks with extremely favorable taste and calorie control, as well as or products given with Sweetness can be provided, using D-psicose-containing Sweetener with modification of taste of D-psicose. The low-calorie sweetener provided in accordance with invention has appropriate Sweet quality at good solubility and low calorie, so low-calorie Sweet ener can be used in a wide range of foods and drinks including beverages, candies, cold confectionaries, yoghurt, and choco late. Additionally, low-calorie Sweetener is suitable for giving Sweetness to base materials of pharmaceutical prod ucts (for example, Sugar-coated tablets) and quasi-pharma ceutical products Using D-psicose-containing sweetener with modification of taste of D-psicose, in accordance with invention, re can be provided foods and drinks with extremely favorable taste such as high refreshing feel and calorie control, as well as or products given with Sweet CSS. BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION The D-psicose-containing sweetener with modi fication of taste of D-psicose, particularly low-calorie Sweetener and/or Sweetener giving refreshing feel in oral cavity are described below in specific embodiments A D-psicose-containing sweetener with modi fication of taste of D-psicose, comprising D-psicose and a Sugar alcohol, particularly a low-calorie Sweetener and/or a Sweetener giving refreshing feel in oral cavity A sweetener described above in 1, wherein Sugar alcohol is Sorbitol, mannitol, lactitol, maltitol. Xylitol, or erythritol, or two or more reof in combination A D-psicose-containing sweetener with modi fication of taste of D-psicose, comprising D-psicose and a high intensity Sweetener, particularly a low-calorie Sweetener and/or a Sweetener giving refreshing feel in oral cavity A sweetener described above in 3, wherein high intensity Sweetener is aspartame, acesulfame K. Sodium cyclamate, sodium saccharin, Sucralose, Stevia Sweetener, dulcin, taumatin, neotame, or monellinor two or more reof in combination A D-psicose-containing sweetener with modi fication of taste of D-psicose, comprising D-psicose, a Sugar alcohol and a high intensity Sweetener, particularly a low-calorie Sweetener and/or a Sweetener giving refreshing feel in oral cavity A sweetener described above in 5, wherein Sugar alcohol is Sorbitol, mannitol, lactitol, maltitol. Xylitol, or erythritol, or two or more reof in combination and high intensity Sweetener is aspartame, acesulfame K. Sodium cyclamate, Sodium saccharin, Sucralose (under trade name), Stevia Sweetener, dulcin, taumatin, neotame, or monellin or two or more reof in combination D-psicose referred to in accordance with inven tion is produced enzymatically from D-fructose with epime rase, and may be completely purified or may contain an extremely small amount of impurities during enzymatic production. Relatively readily, D-psicose is prepared by approaches using for example epimerase (see for example JP-A ). The resulting D-psicose solution is purified if necessary by methods for deproteination, decoloring and desalting, and is n concentrated, from which a syrup-like D-psicose product can be collected. By fractionation and purification by column chromatography, furrmore, a specimen at a purity as high as 99% or more can readily be obtained. Such D-psicose may be used as a monosaccharide as it is The sugar alcohol referred to in accordance with invention means a polyhydric alcohol prepared by reducing aldehyde and ketone groups in a Sugar to convert se groups to primary and secondary alcohol groups, respec tively, and includes reduced glutinous maltose syrup contain ing as main ingredients erythritol, Sorbitol. Xylitol, arabi tol, mannitol, maltitol, isomaltitol, lactitol, palatinit, and maltitol; maltitol syrup, reduced malto-oligosaccharide, and reduced isomalto-oligosaccharide. Herein, those Sugar alco hols if y can exist in both D forms and L forms such as sorbitol and mannitol may include D forms and L forms reof unless orwise stated, with no specific limitation to forms Preferably, a sugar alcohol is used at an amount of 5 to 1,000 parts per 100 parts of D-psicose Within range, slow start of sweetness in former stage and latter stage are in good balance. At 5 parts or less, former stage is insufficient so that not any intended Sweetener can be provided. At 1,000 parts or more, unfavorable aftertaste of a sugar alcohol gets stronger. Thus, 30 to 300 parts are more preferable The high intensity sweetener means a Sweetener with a sweetness level several tens-fold to several hundreds fold that of Sucrose, and includes for example aspartame, acesulfame K, Sodium cyclamate, sodium saccharin, Sucral ose (under trade name), Stevia Sweetener, dulcin, taumatin, neotame, and monellin The high intensity sweetener is used at an amount of to 5 parts per 100 parts of D-psicose. Within range, start of sweetness in former stage and sweet ness in latter stage are in good balance. At parts or less, former stage is insufficient, while at 5 parts or more, bitterness of sweetenerat a sweetness level emerges or after-sweetness is too strong, unfavor ably. Still furrmore, 0.05 to 1.5 parts are preferable The form of low-calorie sweetener of inven tion may satisfactorily be any form Such as Solids for example powders, fine powders, granules, crystals, and tablets; aque ous solutions; and solutions. Furr, method for produc ing same is not specifically limited. Without departing from objects of invention, furrmore, low-calorie Sweetener of invention may contain or Sweetness ingredients and those for use as fillers and carriers, which are not ingredients so as to give taste Additionally, D-psicose, a sugar alcohol and/or a high intensity Sweetener may preliminarily be mixed toger. In some case, however, se may separately be added. In conclusion, D-psicose, a Sugar alcohol and/or a high intensity sweetener should concurrently exist in final foods or drinks. Still furr, low-calorie Sweetener of invention may be used in combination with Sweeteners con ventionally used. In case that low-calorie Sweetener is used as a part of an alternative of caloric Sucrose and fructose, for example, calorie reduction can be attained, and addition ally, resulting Sweetness can be diversified via com bination of or sweeteners, to satisfy preference.

4 0035. In accordance with invention, re are provided foods and drinks as well as or products given with Sweet ness, as obtained by using D-psicose-containing Sweet ener with modification of taste of D-psicose, particu larly low-calorie Sweetener and/or Sweetener giving refreshing feel in oral cavity The foods and drinks referred to herein mean gen eral foods requiring Sweetness, such as drinks, candy, cold confectioneries, yoghurt, and chocolate. Additionally, or products given with Sweetness are products given with Sweetness, such as pharmaceutical products, and oral com positions In or words, D-psicose-containing sweetener with modification of taste of D-psicose, particularly low-calorie Sweetener and/or Sweetener giving refreshing feel in oral cavity have got improvements in problems of D-psicose, such as slow start of Sweetness and heavy taste due to use reofat a large amount, to modify taste reof, so that sweeteners are in good harmonization with or types of taste of various Substances, including Sour taste, salty taste, stringency, umami and bitterness, like Sucrose. Hence, Sweeteners can be used in a wide range of common foods and drinks So as to give sweetness reto or improve taste or quality reof The sweeteners can be used as sweeteners, taste modifiers and quality modifies for various seasonings for example soy sauce, powdery soy sauce, miso paste, powdery miso, unrefined sake (moromi), fermented seasoning (iyan), seasoned powders for sprinkling on rice, mayonnaise, dress ings, edible Vinegar, seasoned Vinegar, powdery Vinegar for Sushi, Chinese seasoning mix, dip for tempura, noodle Soup, sauce, ketchup, gravy for broiled meat, Solid curry gravy, powdery or Solid stew gravy, Soup Stock, Japanese soup sea soning mix, combined seasonings, mirin, new type-mirin, table Sugar, and coffee Sugar The sweeteners can be used as sweeteners, taste modifiers and quality modifiers for various drinks and foods, for example various Japanese-style confectioneries, such as rice cracker, very small rice biscuits, Sweetened rice cracker, rice cake, buns witbean-jam fillings, steamed mixture of rice powder, Sugar and or powders (ui-ro), bean jams, Sweet jellied adzuki-bean paste, water-enriched sweet jellied adzuki-bean paste, kingyoku (boiled, concentrated and cooled agar in water), jelly, sponge cake (pao de Castella), and candies; various western-type confectioneries such as bread, biscuits, crackers, cookies, pie, pudding, buttercream, custardcream, chou a la creme, waffle, Sponge cake, dough nut, chocolate, chewing gum, caramel, and candies; cold confectioneries Such as ice cream and sherbet, syrups such as syrups for fruit dipping and ice syrups; pastes Such as flower paste, peanut paste and fruit paste; processed foods of fruit and vegetables, such as jam, marmalade, fruit-dipped syrups, and Sugar-coated fruits; cereal-processed foods such as breads, noodles, cooked rice, and artificial meat, pickles Such as pickles for curry on rice, radish pickles in Sweet vinegar, thinly sliced radish pickles in Sweet Vinegar, and rakkyo (a kind of garlic) pickles, pickle seasoning mix Such as season ing mix for radish pickle and seasoning mix for Chinese cabbage pickle, cattle products such as ham and sausage; fish products such as fish ham, fish sausage, fish cake, bar-shaped fish cake with holes, and tempura; Various tidbits such as sea urchin, Squad sprinkled with salt, kelp seasoned with vinegar, dried and sliced squad, mirin-seasoned, dried fugu (globe fish); foods boiled down in soy sauce and Sugar Such as those produced from seaweed (nori), vegetables harvested on mountainous regions, dried squad, Small fishes and shellfish; household dishes such as boiled bean, potato salad, and rolled kelp; dairy products; bottled or canned fish, cattle meat, fruit and vegetable; liquors and wines such as syntic liquor, fruit wine, western-style liquors, and liquors; refreshing bev erages such as coffee, cocoa, juice, carbonate drinks, lactate drinks, and lactic acid bacterium drinks; premix powders Such as pudding mix, and hot cake mix; instant foods and drinks such as instant juice, instant coffee, instant adzuki bean Soup, and instant Soups Drinks to be essentially at low calories particularly include for example carbonate drinks such as cola, sport drinks, fruit drinks, dairy drinks, and tea drinks. It can be said that in particular, carbonate drinks causing obesity at excess intake are most Suitable targets Examples of pharmaceutical products given with clude Sugar-coated tablets. Since taste and odor of drugs in Sugar-coated tablets are masked with Sugar coating layer on Surface, Sugar-coated tablets are readily administered and have good appearance. Additionally because Such Sugar-coated tablets have a moisture-proof property, Sugar-coated tablets have been used widely in pharmaceutical products such as Solid pharmaceutical prepa rations and foods. Such Sugar-coated tablets can be produced generally by coating a Sucrose solution on a tablet and drying resulting tablet, and repeating process to complete formation of Sugar coating layer, preparing tablet shape to an ellipse shape, coating a wax reon and polishing Surface for gloss As Sucrose solution for Sugar coating, generally, re is used Sucrose as a base material to which binders such as gelatin, gum Arabic and polyvinyl pyrrolidone are prelimi narily added so as to enhance intensity of Sugar coating layer of resulting Sugar-coated tablet. If necessary, furr, powders such as talc, calcium Sulfate, calcium phosphate and precipitated calcium carbonate are added. Drugs with strong odorand with strong bitterness hardly prepared as oral agents are modified as Sugar-coated tablets. In place of Sugar for use in Sugar-coated tablets or in addition to Sugar, lower-calorie Sweetener of invention may be used. As well known, additionally, so many drugs hardly administrable exist. Because barium has unique odor and taste, barium is modified in a form readily administrable with some additives. But such barium preparation may furr be modified possi bly. So as to prepare more readily administrable liquid phar maceutical preparations and auxiliary diagnostic agents by giving Sweetness reto, low-calorie Sweetener and/or Sweetener giving refreshing feel in oral cavity in accordance with invention may possible be used. Some drugs are in powders. Hence, such drugs may be modified as readily administrable preparations by adding low-calorie Sweetener and/or Sweetener giving refreshing feel in oral cavity in accordance with invention reto In case of giving Sweetness to an oral composition, oral composition can be prepared according to general methods by blending low-calorie Sweetenerinaccordance with invention. The low-calorie Sweetener in accordance with invention is most suitable for giving taste to toothpaste, tooth liquid, and mouthwash. In accordance with invention, term "oral composition means a compo sition to be masticated or to be used for gargling and includes for example foods such as chewing gum, candies, confection ary tablets, and confectionary films; and pharmaceutical products such as toothpaste, tooth liquid and mouthwash The invention is now described in more detail in and Examples. However, inven tion is never limited to se Examples. EXAMPLE According to formulations in table 1, samples were prepared by dissolving erythritol and D-psicose in water ( 1 and 2 and 1 through 5) Herein, D-psicose used was supplied from Rare Sugar Research Center, National University Corporation Kagawa University.

5 TABLE D-Psicose 16.7 O.835 S.O Erythritol Water To 100 To 100 To 100 TO 100 TO 100 To O.63 To Five panelists drank samples in Comparative Examples 1 and 2 and 1 through 5 for sensory evaluation The panel was composed of five males with refined EXAMPLE According to formulations in table 3, samples were prepared by dissolving Xylitol and D-psicose in water. TABLE D-Psicose Xylitol Water O.83 S.O S.O O.83 To 100 To 100 TO 100 TO 100 TO 100 TO 100 TO The individual panelists scored and ranked intensity and level in terms of start of sweetness in former stage, good balanced Sweetness and heavy taste in individual samples (in or words, greater numerical scores show higher ranks). The results of sen sory test of Sweeteners are shown in Table 2. TABLE 2 Results of sensory test of Sweeteners former Balance of Comparative Comparative Test Test Test Test Test Example The results in Table 2 show that compared with Comparative with no combination, sweeteners of invention are improved in terms of start of former stage and balance in 2 through 4; compared with Comparative, sweeteners of invention are improved in terms of balance in sweetness and heavy taste in 2 through Five panelists drank samples in Comparative Examples 1 and 2 and Present Inventions ( 1 through 5) for sensory evaluation The panel was composed of five males with refined 0054 The individual panelists scored and ranked intensity and level in terms of start of former stage, good balanced Sweetness and heavy taste in individual samples (in or words, greater numerical scores show higher ranks). The results of sen sory test of Sweeteners are shown in Table 4. TABLE 4 Results of Sensory test of Sweeteners former Balance of Comparative Comparative Test Test Test Test Test Example 5

6 0055. The results in Table 4 show that compared with Comparative with no combination, sweeteners of invention are improved in terms of start of former stage, balance in Sweetness and heavy taste in 2 through 4, compared with Comparative, sweeteners of invention are improved in terms of balance in Test Examples 2 through 4. EXAMPLE According to formulations in table 5, samples were prepared by dissolving aspartame and D-psicose in Water. TABLE D-Psicose O.83 S.O Aspartame O.OS O.O475 O.O3S O.O2S O.O15 Water To 100 To 100 To 100 TO 100 TO 100 TO O.OO2S To Five panelists drank samples in Comparative Examples 1 and 2 and Present Inventions ( 1 through 5) for sensory evaluation The panel was composed of five males with refined The individual panelists scored and ranked intensity and level in terms of start of sweetness in former stage, good balanced Sweetness and heavy taste in individual samples (in or words, greater numerical scores show higher ranks). The results of sen sory test of Sweeteners are shown in Table 6. TABLE 6 Results of Sensory test of Sweeteners former Balance of Comparative Comparative Test Test TABLE 6-continued Results of sensory test of sweeteners former Balance of Test Test Test Example The results in Table 6 show that compared with Comparative with no combination, sweeteners of invention are improved in terms of balance in 2 through 4, compared with Comparative, sweeteners of invention are improved in terms of start of former stage, balance in Sweetness and heavy taste in Test Examples 2 through 4. EXAMPLE According to formulations in table 7, samples were prepared by dissolving acesulfame K and D-psicose in Water. TABLE 7 Formulations (unit: g D-Psicose Acesulfame K Water O.83 S.O O.OS O.O475 O.O3S O.O2S O.O15 O.OO2S To 100 To 100 To 100 TO 100 TO 100 TO 100 TO 100

7 0062 Five panelists drank samples in Comparative Examples 1 and 2 and Present Inventions ( 1 through 5) for sensory evaluation The panel was composed of five males with refined The individual panelists scored and ranked intensity and level in terms of start of sweetness in former stage, good balanced Sweetness and heavy taste in individual samples (in or words, greater numerical scores show higher ranks). The results of sen sory test of Sweeteners are shown in Table 8. TABLE 8 Results of Sensory test of Sweeteners Slow start of SweetneSS in former Balance of Comparative Comparative Test Test Test Test Test Example The results in Table 8 show that compared with Comparative with no combination, sweeteners of invention are improved in terms of start of former stage and balance in 2 through 4; compared with Comparative, sweeteners of invention are improved in terms of balance in sweetness and heavy taste in 2 through 4. EXAMPLE According to formulations in table 9, samples were prepared by dissolving maltitol, erythritol and D-psi cose in water. TABLE D-Psicose O O.O 16.O Maltitol O O.25 TABLE 9-continued Erythritol O O.25 Water To 100 TO 100 TO 100 TO 100 TO 100 TO Five panelists drank samples in Comparative Examples 1 and 2 and Present Inventions ( 1 through 4) for sensory evaluation The panel was composed of five males with refined The individual panelists scored and ranked intensity and level in terms of start of former stage, good balanced Sweetness and heavy taste in individual samples (in or words, greater numerical scores show higher ranks). The results of sen sory test of Sweeteners are shown in Table 10. TABLE 10 Results of sensory test of Sweeteners former Balance of Comparative Comparative Test Test Test Test (0070. The results in Table 10 show that compared with Comparative with no combination, sweeteners of invention are improved in terms of start of former stage and balance in 2 and 3; compared with Comparative, sweeteners of invention are improved in terms of balance in Sweetness and heavy taste in 2 and 3. EXAMPLE According to formulations in table 11, samples were prepared by dissolving acesulfame K. Sucralose and D-psicose in water. D-Psicose Acesulfame K Sucralose Water TABLE O.O2S O.O24 O.O15 O.O1 O.OO1 O.OO83 O.OO8 O.OOS O.OO33 O.OOO33 To 100 To 100 TO 100 TO 100 TO 100 TO 100

8 0072 Five panelists drank samples in Comparative Examples 1 and 2 and Present Inventions ( 1 through 4) for sensory evaluation The panel was composed of five males with refined 0074 The individual panelists scored and ranked intensity and level in terms of slow start of Sweetness in former stage, good balanced Sweetness and heavy taste in individual samples (in or words, greater numerical scores show higher ranks). The results of sen sory test of Sweeteners are shown in Table 12. TABLE 12 Results of sensory test of Sweeteners former Balance of Comparative Comparative Test Test Test Test The results in Table 12 show that compared with Comparative with no combination, sweeteners of invention are improved in terms of start of former stage and balance in 2 and 3; compared with Comparative, sweeteners of invention are improved in terms of balance in sweetness and heavy taste in 2 and 3. EXAMPLE According to formulations in table 13, samples were prepared by dissolving acesulfame K. Sucralose, eryth ritol and D-psicose in water Five panelists drank samples in Comparative Examples 1 and 2 and Present Inventions ( 1 through 4) for sensory evaluation The panel was composed of five males with refined The individual panelists scored and ranked intensity and level in terms of slow start of Sweetness in former stage, good balanced Sweetness and heavy taste in individual samples (in or words, greater numerical scores show higher ranks). The results of sen sory test of Sweeteners are shown in Table 14. TABLE 1.4 Results of sensory test of Sweeteners former Balance of Comparative Comparative Test Test Test Test The results in Table 14 show that compared with Comparative with no combination, sweeteners of invention are improved in terms of start of former stage and balance in 2 and 3; compared with Comparative, sweeteners of invention are improved in terms of balance in Sweetness and heavy taste in 2 and 3. TABLE 13 ) D-Psicose O Acesulfame K O.O167 O.O16 O.O12S O.O1 Sucralose O.O167 O.OOS3 O.O12S O.O1 Erythritol S 2.5 Water To 100 To 100 To 100 To 100 To O.OO1 O.OOO33 O.25 To 100

9 EXAMPLE According to formulations in table 15, sour drinks were prepared. TABLE D-Psicose Stevia O.O2 O.O15 O.O1 O.OOS Erythritol Citric acid O.1 O.1 O.1 O.1 O.1 Sodium citrate O.O2 O.O2 O.O2 O.O2 O.O2 Potassium chloride O.O2 O.O2 O.O2 O.O2 O.O2 Flavor O.1 O.1 O.1 O.1 O.1 Water To 100 To 100 TO 100 TO 100 TO Five panelists drank samples in Comparative Examples 1 and 2 and Present Inventions ( 1 through 3) for sensory evaluation The panel was composed of five males with refined The individual panelists scored and ranked intensity and level in terms of start of sweetness in former stage, good balanced Sweetness and heavy taste in individual samples (in or words, greater TABLE 16-continued Results of sensory test of drinks former Balance of Comparative Test Test Test I0085. The results in Table 16 show that compared with Comparative with no combination, drinks using Sweeteners of invention are improved interms of start of sweetness in former stage and balance in Sweetness; compared with Comparative, drinks are improved in terms of balance in Sweetness and heavy taste. EXAMPLE 9 I0086 According to formulations in table 17, cold con fectioneries were prepared by routine methods. TABLE 17 ) Comparative Example /S orange juice D-Psicose 3O.O O 25 Maltitol 1S.O Sucralose O.O1 O.OO83 O.OO67 O.OOS O.OO Fiber So Palm oil 1.O 1.O 1.O 1.O 1.O 1.O 1.O Emulsifying agent O.1 O.1 O.1 O.1 O.1 O.1 O.1 Stabilizer O.3 O.3 O.3 O.3 O.3 O.3 O.3 Flavor O.1 O.1 O.1 O.1 O.1 O.1 O.1 Water To 100 TO 100 TO 100 TO 100 TO 100 TO 100 TO 100 numerical scores show higher ranks). The results of sen- I0087 Five panelists drank samples in Comparative sory test of drinks are shown in Table 16. Examples 1 and 2 and Present Inventions ( TABLE 16 1 through 5) for sensory evaluation. I0088. The panel was composed of five males with refined Results of sensory test of drinks I0089. The individual panelists scored and ranked intensity and level in terms of start of former Balance of former stage, good balanced Sweetness and heavy taste in individual samples (in or words, greater Comparative numerical scores show higher ranks). The results of sen sory test of cold confectioneries are shown in Table 18.

10 TABLE 18 Results of sensory test of cold confectionaries former Balance of Comparative Comparative Test Test Test Test Test Example The results in Table 18 show that compared with Comparative with no combination, cold con fectioneries using Sweeteners of invention are improved in terms of start of sweetness in former stage and balance in Sweetness; compared with Compara tive, cold confectioneries are improved in terms of balance in Sweetness and heavy taste. EXAMPLE According to formulations in table 19, yogurts were prepared. TABLE 19 Comparative Example D-Psicose 1O.O 2.5 S.O 7.5 Acesulfame K O.O3 O.O225 OO15 O.OO75 Defatted milk powder Fiber So Gelatin O.3 O.3 O.3 O.3 O.3 Agar O.2 O.2 O.2 O.2 O.2 Flavor O.1 O.1 O.1 O.1 O.1 Water Starter 6.O 6.O 6.O 6.O 6.O 0092 Five panelists drank samples in Comparative Examples 1 and 2 and Present Inventions ( 1 through 3) for sensory evaluation The panel was composed of five males with refined The individual panelists scored and ranked intensity and level in terms of start of sweetness in former stage, good balanced Sweetness and heavy taste in individual samples (in or words, greater numerical scores show higher ranks). The results of sen sory test of yogurt are shown in Table 20. TABLE 20 Results of sensory test of yogurts former Balance of Comparative Comparative Test Test Test (0095. The results in Table 20 show that compared with Comparative with no combination, yogurts using Sweeteners of invention are improved interms of start of sweetness in former stage and balance in Sweetness; compared with Comparative, yoghurts are improved in terms of balance in Sweetness and heavy taste. EXAMPLE 11 Sensory Test of Refreshing Feel It is understood that refreshing feel differs from profile of dissolution heat actually measured with a meter, because refreshing feel depends on particle size of a composition and dissolution property reof and also depends on Sweetness level, sharpness in Sweetness and bodily taste of a food composition. Therefore, xylitol as a Sugar alcohol actually giving refreshing feel and Sucrose as a general Sweetener as a comparison were used for a sensory test in humans Six panelists drank 0.6 g of each of sugars, and ranked and scored refreshing feel in three grades. (In or words, a Smaller numerical score represents a higher rank.) The panel was composed of six males and females with refined taste in 20 to 50 years old. The results of sensory test are shown in Table 21. TABLE 21 Results of D-psicose sensory test Refreshing feel in mouth Sucrose 3 D-Psicose Xylitol The results in table 21 apparently show that D-psi cose kept at anhydrous state enhanced oral refreshing feel when D-psicose absorbed water. The dissolution heat of D-psicose was actually measured. The endormic heat during dissolution was 27.4 cal/g. It was first revealed that D-psicose was characterized by Such high negative dissolu tion heat. The dissolution heat was 4936 cal/mol per mol, and it was shown that D-psicose exerted an action almost similar to that of erythritol for use as an endormic agent, which was at 5239 cal/mol. The sweetness of xylitol is closer to

11 Sweetness of Sucrose, than that of D-psicose. The sharp sweetness of xylitol may have influenced evaluation of oral refreshing feel. EXAMPLE Then, a sensory test was done so as to verify wher or not co-existence of xylitol with highly acclaimed refreshing feel with D-psicose could retain refreshing feel and improve balance in Sweetness Six panelists ingested 0.6 g xylitol, 0.6 g. D-psicose, and 0.4 g Xylitol--0.2 g D-psicose, and n ranked refreshing feel reof. In three grades, refreshing feel was scored. Simultaneously, panelists ranked order of preferable sweetness in three grades. The panel was composed of six males and females with refined taste in 20 to 50 years old. The results of sensory test are shown in table 22. TABLE 22 Results of sensory test of D-psicose Oral refreshing feel Preferable SweetneSS D-Psicose 3 2 Xylitol 1 3 D-Psicose + Xylitol Results in Table 22 show that combined use of D-psicose and xylitol could retain refreshing feel reof to produce a preferable sweetness. It was shown that combined use of D-psicose with Sugar alcohol could retain refreshing feel of D-psicose and could also produce a preferable sweetness. EXAMPLE As food materials bringing about refreshing feel, re have been known stimulant Substances Such as menthol, mint oil and peppermint oil. It is suggested that raw materials causing stimulation when humans ingest raw materials may give preferable influences to sweetness and refresh ing feel of D-psicose. 0103) 5 mg of menthol was added to 1 g of solid sweetener D-psicose--xylitol (2:1) in accordance with invention. Then, resulting mixture was ingested in trials, so that refreshing feel was enhanced while resulting sweetness was preferable. The combination reof is prefer ably used for candies for throat soothing, gums, edible films, and oral compositions. The Sweetener of invention to which menthol is preliminarily added was in good taste bal ance compared with menthol added to D-psicose alone. EXAMPLE 1.4 Chewing Gum Composition According to composition list in table 23 (chew ing gum), a chewing gum was prepared, to enclose Solid sweetener with refreshing action in accordance with invention 0.5g of sweetener of invention (D-psicose-- Xylitol (2:1) per 2 g chewing gum). TABLE 23 Chewing gun Ingredient Ratio (%) Gum base 1 Gum base 2 3O.O 3O.O Glutinous starch syrup ph adjuster Glycerin 3.5 Citric acid 3.5 Lemon flavor 3.0 Green tea extract 3 Yellow dye from safflower O.3 Appropriate ratio Appropriate ratio EXAMPLE 1.5 Edible Film Composition According to composition list in table 24 (water soluble film), an edible film was prepared, on which sweetener with refreshing action was sprinkled in powder 0.5 g of sweetener of invention (D-psicose--xylitol 2:1) per 2g edible film. TABLE 24 Edible film Ingredient Ratio (%) Film-forming agent Hydrocolloid 6O.O 3.0 Plasticizer 2O.O Flavor 1O.O Sugar alcohol Appropriate ratio 0106 Through use of crystalline D-psicose as a composition, chewing gum and edible film in Examples 14 and 15, respectively can get refreshing feel and fresh Sweetness. It was shown that more tasteful chewing gum or edible film was obtained with sweeteneras a combina tion of D-psicose and a Sugar alcohol in accordance with invention Existing pharmaceutical ingredients for common use in a mouthwash composition, for example cetylpyri dinium chloride, triclosan, cineole, thymol, Zinc chloride, methyl salicylate and vitamin E can be added to edible film. INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY It is a very important issue to develop a measure for reducing intake of Sucrose as one of major caloric sources and an important Sweetener for cooking or to develop a Sweet ener as an alternative Sucrose, which is at a low calorie and gives taste comparable to that of sucrose. Therefore, it can be provided a low-calorie Sweetener and/or a Sweetener giving refreshing feel in oral cavity, by improving problems of D-psicose, such as slow start of sweetness of D-psi cose and heavy taste reof when used at a large amount to modify taste, so that resulting Sweeteners can widely be used in foods and drinks like sucrose. 1. A D-psicose-containing Sweetener with modification of taste of D-psicose, comprising D-psicose, a Sugar alco hol and/or a high intensity Sweetener. 2. A Sweetener according to claim 1, containing D-psicose as main component.

12 3. A Sweetener according to claim 1, wherein Sugar alcohol comprises one or more Sugar alcohols selected from group consisting of Sorbitol, mannitol, lactitol, maltitol, xylitol and erythritol. 4. A Sweetener according to claim 1, wherein high intensity Sweetener comprises one or more high intensity Sweeteners as selected from group consisting of aspar tame, acesulfame K, Sodium cyclamate, sodium saccharin, Sucralose (under trade name), Stevia Sweetener, dulcin, tau matin, Neotame and monellin. 5. A sweetener according to claim 1, which is a low-calorie SWeetener. 6. A Sweetener according to claim 1, which is a Sweetener giving refreshing feel in oral cavity. 7. A food or a drink obtained by using a D-psicose-con taining sweetener with modification of taste of D-psi cose according to claim 1, as well as or products given with SWeetneSS.