Development and Functional Evaluation of Health Drink Composed of Persimmon Vinegar and Red Ginseng for the Promotion of Vitality.

The study was undertaken to evaluate the functional effect of persimmon vinegar drink composed of red ginseng, apricot( Prunus mume ), abdicated emperor mushroom( Phellinus linteus ) and Rubus coreanus Miq. The final formulation was persimmon vinegar (6.61%), red ginseng concentrate (2.2%), Prunus mume concentrate(2.2%), Rubus coreanus Miq. concentrate(2.2%), Phellinus linteus and liquorice concentrate(2.2%), jujube concentrate (6.61%), mineral water(66.06%), frutose(11.87%) and lemon flavor(0.05%). Saccharinity, pH and acidity were 13.1°Bx, 3.52, 4.35g/L, respectively. The male Sprague‐Dawley rats were employed and randomly assigned to four groups(A;original drink, B;2 times dilute, C;4 times dilute and D;control). The persimmon vinegar drink was administered orally by gavage everyday for 4 weeks. Physical exercise was induced by swimming and running endurance to rats twice per week from day 14~28. Exercise endurance was not influenced by feeding of persimmon vinegar drink. Serum ALP and BUN concentrations were significantly higher and lower in control, respectively(P<0.05). Serum cortisol concentration was lower in 4 times dilute group(C), but higher testosterone concentration in group C(app. 40%) compared to control. Sperm count was increased by 37% in group A than control. From the results, persimmon vinegar drink may help to recovering fatigue, although the endurance had not exhibited among groups. However, hematochemicals and androgenicity were improved desirably.