PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a deterioration inhibitor having high safety and having excellent inhibitory effect against the deterioration of flavor and aroma of a carotenoid-containing food caused by light, heat, or a change with time.SOLUTION: A flavor deterioration inhibitor contains as an active ingredient a product obtained by treating unfermented tea extract with laccase and inhibits the flavor deterioration of carotenoids, such as β-carotene, lycopene, and astaxanthin, and a carotenoid-containing food and beverage caused by light, heat, or a change with time. A flavor composition contains the flavor deterioration inhibitor and food flavors. A carotenoid-containing food product contains the flavor composition.SELECTED DRAWING: NoneCOPYRIGHT: (C)2017,JPO&INPIT【課題】カロテノイド含有飲食品の光、加熱または経時変化に起因する香味や香気の劣化に対して、抑制効果に優れ且つ安全性が高い劣化抑制剤の提供。【解決手段】不発酵茶抽出液をラッカーゼで処理することによって得られる生成物を有効成分とする、β-カロテン、リコペン又はアスタキサンチン等のカロテノイド及びカロテノイド含有飲食品の、光、加熱又は経時変化に起因する香味劣化抑制剤、香味劣化抑制剤と食品用香料を含有する香料組成物、及び香料組成物を含有するカロテノイド含有飲食品。【選択図】なし
