METHOD FOR REFINING NATURAL PRODUCT FOR PRODUCTION OF FOOD, MEDICINE AND COSMETIC IN HIGH PURITY

摘要

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method for improving the chromaticity of an extract of a natural product while keeping the biological activity thereof by irradiating the extract with radioactive rays. SOLUTION: This method for improving the chromaticity of the extract of the natural product comprises (1) a step for obtaining an extract of the natural product by subjecting the natural product to extraction with a solvent and (2) a step for irradiating the extract with an adequate amount of radioactive rays. According to the method, impurities such as the residual agrochemical of the natural product and microorganism are removed while the biological activity of the natural product is kept to improve the chromaticity. As a result, the extract of the natural product obtained by the method can widely be utilized for foods, medicines and cosmetics.