| abstract |
The present invention relates to a composition containing as its main component proanthocyanidin oligomer to which a substance having a phloroglucinol ring structure or resorcinol ring structure has been bonded and reduced in the molecular weight, which is obtained by heating plant materials containing proanthocyanidin polymer or extract thereof with a substance having a phloroglucinol ring structure or resorcinol ring structure in an acidic aqueous solution, production method thereof, and uses of the composition in health products and pharmaceutical products. According to the invention, proanthocyanidin oligomer having physiological activity, to which a substance having a phloroglucinol ring structure or resorcinol ring structure has been bonded and reduced in the molecular weight to such a level that the oligomer can be absorbed into living body, which has been conventionally difficult to obtain at high yield from plant raw materials, can be produced efficiently and easily. |