Water-soluble composition with adhesive properties

Abstract

The invention relates to a water-soluble composition, characterized in that it comprises: A solution of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) or polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP); 10 to 50% by mass of a compound selected from: A salt selected from CaCl2 and MgCl2; Silica beads; Figure to be published with the abbreviation: Figure 1 A

Description

Title of the invention: Water-soluble composition with adhesive properties Technical field of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a water-soluble composition, which can in particular be used for particle collection. State of the art

[0002] The collection of particles present on a surface is useful for various applications, including: - Verify the effectiveness of decontamination after pollution, - Perform analyses on the collected particles, - Check for contamination of containers and work surfaces used in the food processing industry...

[0003] In all these applications, it is useful to have a device that allows for the simple and rapid sampling of particles. By particles, we mean all types of biological compounds, such as bacteria, DNA molecules, spores, viruses, or any other type of particle, such as beads, dust, biofilm or pollen.

[0004] Particle collection devices are already known in the prior art. The most common solutions use cotton swabs or brushes that are applied to the surface to collect the particles present. The collected particles are then detached from the sampling tool by immersion in a specific buffer solution. Detection kits, generally test strips, are then used to determine the nature of the contamination. These solutions are effective when there is significant contamination (suspicious powder, stain, etc.). However, when the contamination is low, it is necessary to carry out a larger-scale collection to increase the number of particles collected.

[0005] For collecting particles over a large area, there is equipment in the form of a vacuum cleaner or collector. This type of equipment includes a compressor that sends sterile water under pressure through a spray nozzle that detaches contaminants from the treated surface (fabric, fibrous surfaces, etc.). A second area of ​​the spray nozzle also allows for the recovery of the particle-laden water by suction. The water and the aspirated particles are collected in a reservoir and are then analyzed in a laboratory. This device is focused on DNA recovery but could also be used for other contaminants (particles, bacteria, spores, etc.). However, this solution proves to be particularly bulky.

[0006] Another technique used in the food industry to ensure that a part To clean up a production line contaminated by bacteria, sterile sponges are used to collect the bacteria after moistening the collection area with a buffer solution. The sponge collects the liquid containing the bacteria, which is then recovered and cultured for a few hours or days to verify the presence of bacteria. However, in this solution, bacteria can adhere to the surface of the sponge material (polyurethane, polypropylene, etc.) and therefore may not be present in the collected liquid. Furthermore, these sponges are not suitable for collecting particles over large areas and can even spread contamination from a contaminated area (A) to a clean area (B). Finally, the sponge often needs to be moistened before collection.

[0007] Patent application FR2366554A1 (corresponding to US4144760) describes a sampling device using a water-soluble plastic that, after moistening, becomes sticky and allows the capture of biological particles on a surface by apposition. Once capture is complete, the plastic film is partially or completely dissolved to collect the captured elements. This technique requires prior moistening of the plastic film to partially dissolve it and make it sticky. This step is very delicate because if the moistening is insufficient, the material is not sticky enough, and if it is too excessive, the material dissolves and no longer performs its collection function.

[0008] Documents WO2017 / 209628A1, US2011 / 256531A1 and US4144760A1 also describe sampling devices.

[0009] Patent application EP3591372A1 describes a device for collecting particles present on a surface. The device is in the form of a foam roller impregnated with a water-soluble material, which allows the particles to be collected and easily returned to solution. The water-soluble material is in the form of a gel or film deposited on the surface of the roller. For example, the gel is a composition comprising polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), water, and glycerol.

[0010] After a certain period of storage, this type of gel tends to lose its adhesive properties, rendering the device inoperative. Adding an alcohol (such as glycerol) delays the drying of the film but does not preserve its adhesive characteristics.

[0011] The object of the invention is to propose a water-soluble composition capable of retaining its stickiness over time, thus allowing a particle collection device using this composition to be used at all times, even after long-term storage. Description of the invention

[0012] This goal is achieved through a water-soluble composition, which includes: A solution of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) or polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP); 10 to 50% by mass of a compound chosen from: • A salt chosen from CaC12 and MgC12; • Silica beads;

[0013] According to a particular embodiment, the composition also comprises up to 50% by mass of glycerol.

[0014] Advantageously, the composition comprises: 10% to 20% of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) or polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) in an aqueous solution, to which 20% to 40% by mass of glycerol and 10% to 30% by mass of salt selected from CaCl2 and MgCl2 are added.

[0015] Preferably, the composition comprises: 10% polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) or polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) in water, then 30% by mass of glycerol, and 20% by mass of a CaCl2 salt.

[0016] The invention also relates to a particle collection device, comprising a support having a collection surface and a water-soluble type material deposited on its collection surface, the water-soluble material having a water-soluble composition as defined above. Brief description of the figures

[0017] Other features and advantages will become apparent in the detailed description that follows, given in relation to the accompanying drawings in which: Figures IA and IB represent an example of the realization of a particle collection device, for example made in the form of a roller; Fig. 2 shows the different steps that are implemented for particle collection using the particle collection device shown in Fig. 1A; Figure 3 shows a diagram representing the collection yield as a function of the storage time of a collection device;

[0018] Detailed description of at least one embodiment

[0019] A particle collection device 1, 10, as shown in [Fig. 1A] and [Fig. 1B], comprises, for example, a support 2, 20 having a collection surface 30. In this embodiment, the support 2, 20 may be formed of a cylindrical roller having a lateral surface forming said collection surface 30. The roller may be rotatably mounted around a rod 4 forming an axis of rotation (X). The rod 4 may be connected to a gripping handle 5 of the device.

[0020] The device comprises a water-soluble material, covering at least partially its collection surface 30, advantageously the entire collection surface 30 of the support.

[0021] The water-soluble material is in the form of a gel 3 or a film. By gel, we mean a material which has sufficient viscosity, in particular between 500 mPa s and 50000 mPa s.

[0022] The gel 3 is deposited on the collection surface 200 of the support 2, 20. In the case of a roller-shaped support, it is therefore deposited on the lateral surface of the roller.

[0023] The support 2 can be made entirely of a non-deformable material, for example a hard plastic, or of an elastically deformable material, such as a deformable foam, such as for example a polymer foam, for example of the polyurethane (PU), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyethylene (PE), or silicone type.

[0024] The principle of particle collection is illustrated by [Fig.2].

[0025] With reference to [Fig.2], the different stages of the collection process implemented at The following are used with the aid of a collection device 1 as described above:

[0026] El: Device 1 is ready for use and requires no preparation. The gel 3 is already present on the collection surface 30 of the roller and the device is always ready for use.

[0027] E2: The roller is placed on the surface SI to be sampled (a flat surface in this example) so as to bring the gel 3 on the roller into contact with the surface SI to be sampled. Passing the roller over the surface SI to be sampled causes the roller to rotate around its axis (X). During the application of the roller, the particles P on the surface SI to be sampled are detached from the surface to be sampled and adhere to the gel 3. Several passes may be necessary.

[0028] E3: The particles P are collected on the collection surface 30 of the device. To be recovered, the collection surface is immersed at least partially or even completely in an aqueous solution 60, for example an aqueous buffer (e.g., phosphate salt - PBS), present in a collection reservoir 6. To facilitate immersion, the entire support 2 can be detached from the rest of the device.

[0029] E4: During immersion of the collection surface, the gel 3 dissolves in the aqueous solution 60, thereby releasing the collected particles P into the solution. Analysis of the aqueous solution 60 will then allow identification of the collected particles P.

[0030] According to the invention, the gel is composed of: - A solution of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) or polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) present in a proportion between 5% and 30% in an aqueous solution; - 10 to 50% by mass of a compound chosen from: • a salt such as CaC12 or MgC12, • silica beads;

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[0047] - 0 to 50% by mass of glycerol; It should be noted that the presence of glycerol is optional. The PVP solution is obtained, for example, by dissolving 13g of polypyrrolidone in 150ml of distilled water. After complete dissolution, for example, 30% by mass of glycerol is added, followed by 20% by mass of CaCl2. Advantageously, a composition according to the invention is as follows: - 10% to 20% PVA or PVP in the water, then - 20% to 40% glycerol, and - 10% to 30% by mass of MgC12 or CaC12 in the solution. A preferred composition is, for example, the following: - 10% PVP or PVA in the water, then - 30% glycerol, and - 20% by mass of CaC12 in the solution. According to a particular aspect of the invention, by adding a salt such as CaC12 or MgC12, the drying of the gel is delayed and the sticky characteristics of the material are maintained over time. The salt chosen is advantageously that composed of CaC12. According to a particular feature, the gel can therefore be deposited on the collection surface of the roller in order to obtain complete coverage of its surface. The coated surface of the roller is then oven-cured to dry the gel. The roller is then ready for use. Upon removal from the oven, the roller is wrapped in a non-stick film to protect the sticky gel. The roll can be stored at atmospheric pressure or placed in a bag and vacuum-sealed. Of course, the gel could be deposited on the collection surface of a collection device with a different architecture (cotton swab, brush, sponge, sphere, beads...). It should be noted that the composition described above could be used for applications other than particle collection, such as as a hydrogel in ECG or EEG measurements, or as an adhesive that does not dry or dries very slowly. The adhesive power of the composition was tested in two trials. It was first tested for collecting polystyrene beads from 5pm to 1Opm in diameter, spread over a surface of lm2. For the polystyrene beads, the protocol was as follows: Step 1: Deposition of the beads contained in an aqueous solution onto the surface to be treated. The deposition is done by distributing drops of liquid on the surface or using a spray that distributes drops containing the beads on the surface. Step 2: Waiting for the drops containing the beads to dry completely on the surface - 4 hours at room temperature.

[0048] Step n°3: Passing the roller over the surface.

[0049] Step n°4: Introduction of the roller into a reservoir containing 10ml of aqueous solution.

[0050] Step n°5: Agitation (30 seconds) of the reservoir so that the water contained in it is in contact with the surface of the roller and dissolves the sticky film.

[0051] Step n°6: Recovery of a calibrated volume of solution (20pl) and deposit on a counting slide.

[0052] Step n°7: Counting the number of beads recovered in the 20pl sample and comparing with the quantity of beads initially deposited on the surface.

[0053] The collection principle is also validated on Bacillus thuringiensis spores.

[0054] Protocol used for Bacillus thuringensis spores

[0055] Step n°1: Preparation of the spore solution with counting of spores in the initial solution.

[0056] Step n°2: The deposition is done by distributing a defined volume (1ml) of liquid drops over the surface or using a spray which distributes the drops containing the spores over the surface.

[0057] Step n°2: Waiting for the drops containing the spores to dry completely on the surface - 4H at room temperature.

[0058] Step n°3: Passing the roller over the surface.

[0059] Step n°4: Introduction of the roller into a reservoir containing 10ml of aqueous solution.

[0060] Step n°5: Agitation (30 seconds) of the reservoir so that the water contained in it is in contact with the surface of the roller and dissolves the sticky film.

[0061] Step n°6: Deposition of 100pl of solution onto a suitable culture dish.

[0062] Step n°7: Place in an incubator at 36°C overnight.

[0063] Counting the number of colonies on the culture dishes and comparing them with the number of spores deposited on the surface.

[0064] In both cases, in conjunction with [Fig. 3], no loss of collection efficiency was observed, regardless of the storage time of the roller. This means that the roller, impregnated with the composition of the invention, retained its adhesive power over time. For example, with spores, the roller collected 90% of the spores spread over a 2 m² area, even after 9 weeks of storage.

[0065] The invention has many advantages, including: - The guarantee of maintaining the adhesive power of the composition over time, even after a long period of storage; - Ease of manufacturing the composition; Ease of use of the composition; Obtain a ready-to-use tool; The possibility of recovering all the particles collected by the roller in the gel dissolution solution;

Claims

Demands

1. Use of a water-soluble composition for collecting particles on a surface, characterized in that said composition comprises: - A solution of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) or polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP); - 10 to 50% by mass of a compound selected from: • A salt selected from CaC12 and MgC12;

2. Use according to claim 1, characterized in that the composition also comprises up to 50% by mass of glycerol.

3. Use according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the composition comprises: 10% to 20% of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) or polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) in an aqueous solution, to which is added 20% to 40% by mass of glycerol and 10% to 30% by mass of salt selected from CaCl2 and MgCl2.

4. Use according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the composition comprises: - 10% of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) or polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) in water, then - 30% by mass of glycerol, and - 20% by mass of a salt of Cacl2.

5. Particle collection device, comprising a support having a collection surface (30) and a water-soluble type material deposited on its collection surface, characterized in that the water-soluble material has a water-soluble composition as defined in one of the preceding claims.

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