Abstract: A material which contains a lipophilic component having a pungent taste or flavor such as a spicy component (e.g., a capsaicin) and a bitter component (e.g., a turmeric extract), in which the pungent taste and/or flavor of the lipophilic component can be reduced effectively, and in which the separation among components contained therein is not caused; a method for producing the material; a composition such as a food, a beverage, a cosmetic and a medicine, which contains the material; and a liquid composition having such a form that the material is dispersed in water.

Abstract: It has been necessary to use a relatively large amount of cyclodextrin in order to produce a composite material, but the amount of the cyclodextrin needs to be reduced from the viewpoint of costs; in this respect, the present invention provides a composite material comprising a food or active pharmaceutical ingredient, a phytosterol ester, a medium-chain fatty acid triacylglyceride, and a cyclodextrin.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a material containing a saponin wherein the bitterness peculiar to saponin is effectively suppressed. According to the present invention, a saponin, a phytosterol and/or a phytosterol ester, and a cyclodextrin are mixed to form a complex, so as to suppress bitterness. The complex of the present invention can be formed in the presence of water by mixing a saponin, a phytosterol and/or a phytosterol ester, and a cyclodextrin. The complex of the present invention can be contained in a composition such as a food or beverage.

Abstract: Provided is a method for preventing decomposition/deterioration of a lipophilic component due to interaction with water, or due to interaction with light, enzymes, oxygen, or heat in the presence of water. The method for preventing decomposition/deterioration of the lipophilic component in the presence of water is characterized in that a complex comprising a lipophilic component, a phytosterol ester, and a cyclodextrin is formed, and the aforementioned lipophilic component is preserved in the form of said complex in the presence of water.

Abstract: Disclosed are: a material which contains a lipophilic component having a pungent taste or flavor such as a spicy component (e.g., a capsaicin) and a bitter component (e.g., a turmeric extract), in which the pungent taste and/or flavor of the lipophilic component can be reduced effectively, and in which the separation among components contained therein is not caused; a method for producing the material; a composition such as a food, a beverage, a cosmetic and a medicine, which contains the material; and a liquid composition having such a form that the material is dispersed in water.