Evaluation and screening methods for substance that improves odor caused by decreased physical activity

Abstract

To identify the cause of odor that occurs and increases with a decreased physical activity to propose a method to improve it, and to utilize such a method to provide an appropriate healthcare product tailored to each individual's health condition.SOLUTION: The present invention pertains to a method for evaluating the suppression, removal, masking, and / or harmonization effects of odors associated with a decreased physical activity that evaluates the inhibitory effect of a test substance on odor associated with decreased physical activity (such as musty odor, caregiver odor, bedridden odor, elderly odor, senior odor, etc.) by using the test substance and measuring changes in the content of at least one fatty acid selected from a group consisting of propionic acid, caprylic acid, and capric acid contained in body odor.SELECTED DRAWING: None

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for evaluating and screening substances that improve odors caused by a decrease in physical activity.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, odors related to the care of the elderly and others have become a serious problem for those involved in caregiving. The unique odor floating in the care space is mainly caused by urine and feces. Among them, urine on the floor and bedding due to urine leakage, etc., becomes an unpleasant odor and floats over time, which is considered to be a major cause. Also, body odor due to aging, sebum odor due to a decrease in the frequency of bathing and changing clothes, etc. are also considered to be causes. As a countermeasure against the odor in such a care space, it is recommended to perform frequent cleaning and washing in order to remove the cause of the odor and keep clothes and bedding clean. In addition, as care for the odor floating throughout the care space, dedicated deodorants, etc. are also being utilized.

[0003] Also, a method is known in which a composition containing an ester of salicylic acid or the like is prepared as a pseudo-care odor that more faithfully reproduces the odor existing in the care space, and the deodorizing effect is evaluated using it (see Patent Document 1: JP 2019-203096 A). In addition, methods for evaluating the unpleasantness of care odor using a pseudo-care odor composition containing specific phenols, aldehydes, etc. (see Patent Document 2: JP 2017-165959 A) have been developed. However, there are cases where such conventionally known pseudo-care odors do not sufficiently reproduce the actual care odor, and a new approach to care odor is strongly demanded.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object thereof is to find the causes of odors that occur and increase as physical activity decreases, and to propose methods for improving them. Another object is to utilize such methods to provide appropriate healthcare products suitable for each level of health. [Means for Solving the Problems]

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, the present inventors conducted research on the relationship between physical activity and body odor in the elderly and the like. As a result, it was found that in the body odor of the elderly with a significantly reduced physical activity level, specific fatty acid components were significantly increased. Furthermore, it was clarified that these components may be the cause of discomfort and anxiety in caregivers. The present inventors have found a method for evaluating and screening substances that improve odors that occur and increase as physical activity decreases, using the increase and decrease of the above specific fatty acid components in body odor as an index. That is, the gist of the present invention is as follows.

[0007] [1] A method for evaluating the effect of suppressing odors associated with a decrease in physical activity, which uses a change in the content of at least one fatty acid selected from the group consisting of propionic acid, caprylic acid, and capric acid contained in body odor due to the use of a test substance as an index. [2] A method for screening a substance having an effect of suppressing and / or removing odors associated with a decrease in physical activity, which uses a change in the content of at least one fatty acid selected from the group consisting of propionic acid, caprylic acid, and capric acid contained in body odor due to the use of a test substance as an index to screen for a substance having an effect of suppressing odors associated with a decrease in physical activity. [3]A method for evaluating the odor suppression effect of a test substance accompanying a decrease in physical activity level, using as an index the change in odor generated from at least one fatty acid selected from the group consisting of propionic acid, caprylic acid, and capric acid by the test substance, for evaluating the odor suppression, removal, masking, and / or harmonization effect accompanying a decrease in physical activity level. [4]A method for screening a substance having an odor suppression effect accompanying a decrease in physical activity level, using as an index the change in odor generated from at least one fatty acid selected from the group consisting of propionic acid, caprylic acid, and capric acid by the test substance, for screening a substance having an odor suppression, removal, masking, and / or harmonization effect accompanying a decrease in physical activity level. [5]A method for reducing discomfort, gloom, uneasiness, depression, and / or irritation caused by odor accompanying a decrease in physical activity level by reducing the content of at least one fatty acid selected from the group consisting of propionic acid, caprylic acid, and capric acid contained in body odor, or by suppressing, removing, masking, and / or harmonizing the odor generated from the above fatty acids. [6]A method for screening a substance for reducing discomfort, gloom, uneasiness, depression, and / or irritation caused by odor accompanying a decrease in physical activity level, using as an index the change in the content of at least one fatty acid selected from the group consisting of propionic acid, caprylic acid, and capric acid contained in body odor due to the use of a test substance, or using as an index the suppression, removal, masking, and / or harmonization effect of the odor generated from the above fatty acids. [7]An odor model composition accompanying a decrease in physical activity level, containing at least one fatty acid selected from the group consisting of propionic acid, caprylic acid, and capric acid as a component of the odor accompanying a decrease in physical activity level. [8]A composition containing at least one fatty acid selected from the group consisting of propionic acid, caprylic acid, and capric acid, which is used as an index for determining the level of decrease in physical activity level, an index agent for determining the level of decrease in physical activity level. [9]The index agent for determining the level of decrease in physical activity according to [8], wherein the decrease in physical activity is due to any one of a care state, social withdrawal, and physical disability.

Advantages of the Invention

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to improve the odor associated with a decrease in physical activity of the elderly and the like, and to provide appropriate healthcare products suitable for each level of health. Furthermore, according to the present invention, it is expected to be effective not only for the elderly but also for the odor caused by the younger generation with a decreased physical activity.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009]

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Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0010] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail. The terms used in this specification are construed in the meaning commonly used in the technical field, unless otherwise specified.

[0011] [Evaluation Method for Suppression and / or Removal Effect of Odor Associated with Decrease in Physical Activity] The method for evaluating the effect of suppressing and / or removing odor associated with a decrease in physical activity amount of the present invention is characterized by evaluating the odor suppression effect of a test substance associated with a decrease in physical activity amount, using as an index the change in the content of at least one fatty acid selected from the group consisting of propionic acid, caprylic acid, and capric acid contained in body odor due to the use of the test substance. According to the method of the present invention, when evaluating a test substance, not only sensory evaluation is used, but also the amount of propionic acid, caprylic acid, or capric acid in body odor is quantified, so that an objective evaluation can be performed, and thus it becomes possible to efficiently search for excellent odor countermeasure substances.

[0012] The body odor of the elderly and others with a decreased physical activity amount contains a large amount of at least one fatty acid selected from the group consisting of propionic acid, caprylic acid, and capric acid, and the odor caused by these components can be the cause of discomfort, uneasiness, depression, and irritation felt by caregivers and the like, as revealed by the research of the present inventors. From this research result, by reducing the amount of these specific fatty acids in body odor or suppressing and removing the odor of these specific fatty acids, it was considered that it was possible to improve the odor of hikikomori (withdrawal odor), nursing care odor, bedridden odor, old person odor, elderly odor, senior odor, etc. caused by the body odor of the elderly and others with a decreased physical activity amount. That is, by using at least one fatty acid selected from the group consisting of propionic acid, caprylic acid, and capric acid as an index, it becomes possible to appropriately evaluate whether a test substance is effective in improving the odor of hikikomori (withdrawal odor), nursing care odor, bedridden odor, old person odor, elderly odor, senior odor, and to search for truly effective odor countermeasure substances.

[0013] In this specification, the odor associated with a decrease in physical activity refers to a specific odor that occurs due to reasons related to physical and mental health, aging, etc., resulting in a decrease in activity level, a reduction in going out, a tendency to stay indoors, or becoming bedridden. Such an odor may also be referred to as a shut-in odor (hikikomori odor), a nursing care odor, a bedridden odor, an old person odor, an elderly person odor, a senior odor, etc., but the way of referring to the odor is not limited. The shut-in odor (hikikomori odor) refers to the odor emitted by a person who tends to stay in a room, and examples include odors derived from sweat and sebum that are likely to occur in a person with a decreased physical activity level and a reduced frequency of going out. The nursing care odor is the odor that occurs at the site of nursing care such as in a hospital, a nursing care facility, or home nursing care. The bedridden odor refers to the odor emitted by a person who is in a bedridden state and spends a long time living on the bed. The old person odor, the elderly person odor, and the senior odor all refer to the body odor of the elderly. Also, the odor associated with a decrease in physical activity includes not only those caused by the elderly but also those caused by young people.

[0014] In this specification, the method for measuring the content of at least one fatty acid selected from the group consisting of propionic acid, caprylic acid, and capric acid contained in body odor is not particularly limited. For example, an odor component is collected from a part of the clothing worn in a state where the subject is in direct contact with the body using a collector such as MonoTrap (registered trademark), the collected odor component is taken out by a thermal desorption method or the like, and measured by analysis using GC / MS or the like. Another example is a method in which a part of the above clothing is placed in a dedicated vial or the like and headspace analysis (HS-SPME-GC / MS) is performed.

[0015] One embodiment of the present invention is a method for evaluating the odor suppression and removal effects associated with a decrease in physical activity of a test substance, using as an index the change in the content of at least one fatty acid selected from the group consisting of propionic acid, caprylic acid, and capric acid contained in the body odor of the elderly or the like with a decreased physical activity level due to the intake of the test substance. When the body odor of the elderly or the like with a decreased physical activity level changes due to the intake of the test substance (including pharmaceuticals, supplements, various foods and beverages, etc.), and the content of at least one fatty acid selected from the group consisting of propionic acid, caprylic acid, and capric acid decreases as compared with before the intake of the test substance, the above test substance is evaluated to have an odor suppression or removal effect associated with a decrease in physical activity. Conversely, even when the test substance is ingested, if the body odor of the elderly or the like with a decreased physical activity level does not change or increases in the content of at least one fatty acid selected from the group consisting of propionic acid, caprylic acid, and capric acid as compared with before the intake of the test substance, the above test substance is evaluated not to have an odor suppression or removal effect associated with a decrease in physical activity. Note that the above intake refers to taking the test substance into the body by a method other than external application.

[0016] One embodiment of the present invention uses, as an index, the change in the content of at least one fatty acid selected from the group consisting of propionic acid, caprylic acid, and capric acid contained in the body odor of the elderly or the like with reduced physical activity due to external application (such as application or washing) of a test substance, to evaluate the odor suppression and removal effects associated with the reduction in physical activity of the test substance. By applying a test substance (including pharmaceuticals, quasi-drugs, cosmetics, detergents, etc.) externally, the body odor of the elderly or the like with reduced physical activity changes. When the content of at least one fatty acid selected from the group consisting of propionic acid, caprylic acid, and capric acid decreases compared to before ingestion of the test substance, the test substance is evaluated to have an odor suppression or removal effect associated with the reduction in physical activity. Conversely, even if the test substance is applied externally, if there is no change or an increase in the content of at least one fatty acid selected from the group consisting of propionic acid, caprylic acid, and capric acid compared to before application of the test substance, the test substance is evaluated not to have an odor suppression or removal effect associated with the reduction in physical activity.

[0017] In the present invention, the test substance is not particularly limited. For example, it can include single substances such as natural compounds, organic compounds, inorganic compounds, nucleic acid oligomers, proteins, peptides, etc., as well as expression products of compound libraries, nucleic acid oligomer libraries, peptide libraries, gene libraries, cell extracts, cell culture supernatants, fermentation microbial products, marine organism extracts, plant extracts, prokaryotic cell extracts, eukaryotic single-cell extracts, animal cell extracts, etc. The test substance may be a novel substance or a known substance. These test substances may form salts. As salts of the test substance, salts with physiologically acceptable acids or bases are preferred. Also, the test substance may be one of the above substances, a combination of two or more, or a composition containing these.

[0018] In the above evaluation method, even if there is no change in the content of at least one fatty acid selected from the group consisting of propionic acid, caprylic acid, and capric acid in the body odor components of the subject due to the ingestion or external application of the test substance, if the odor associated with the decrease in physical activity is improved by a sensory test, the test substance can be considered to have an effect of masking the odor caused by at least one fatty acid selected from the group consisting of propionic acid, caprylic acid, and capric acid, or a harmonizing effect.

[0019] [Evaluation Method for Suppression, Removal, Masking and / or Harmonizing Effect of Odor Associated with Decrease in Physical Activity] The evaluation method for the suppression, removal, masking and / or harmonizing effect of the odor associated with the decrease in physical activity of the present invention is characterized by evaluating the suppression effect of the odor associated with the decrease in physical activity of the test substance, using as an index the change in the odor generated from at least one fatty acid selected from the group consisting of propionic acid, caprylic acid, and capric acid by the test substance. By directly evaluating the effect on the odor generated from at least one fatty acid selected from the group consisting of propionic acid, caprylic acid, and capric acid, it is possible to appropriately evaluate whether the test substance is effective in improving symptoms such as hikikomori odor (reclusive odor), nursing care odor, bedridden odor, elderly odor, senior odor, etc., and to find truly effective odor countermeasure substances. In addition, the concept of "odor suppression" includes, in addition to suppressing the odor by removing, masking, or harmonizing the odor, suppressing the odor by making it impossible to feel the odor by blocking the olfactory receptor of propionic acid, caprylic acid, or capric acid. Examples of substances that block the olfactory receptor include blockers and antagonists of the olfactory receptor.

[0020] One embodiment of the present invention is to add a test substance to at least one fatty acid selected from the group consisting of propionic acid, caprylic acid, and capric acid, and then evaluate by sensory evaluation or using equipment such as an odor discrimination device whether the odor of the test substance is suppressed, removed, masked, or whether there is a harmonizing effect, so as to determine whether it is a substance that can improve odors associated with a decrease in physical activity, such as the odor of social withdrawal (hikikomori odor), nursing care odor, bedridden odor, old person odor, senior odor, etc.

[0021] Another embodiment of the present invention is a method of evaluating whether, by using a test substance on a subject or on clothing or other items that have absorbed the subject's odor, the odor generated from at least one fatty acid selected from the group consisting of propionic acid, caprylic acid, and capric acid is suppressed, removed, masked, or whether there is a harmonizing effect. In this method, it is evaluated by sensory evaluation or using equipment such as an odor discrimination device whether the test substance is a substance that can improve odors associated with a decrease in physical activity, such as the odor of social withdrawal (hikikomori odor), nursing care odor, bedridden odor, old person odor, senior odor, etc.

[0022] Another embodiment of the present invention is a method for evaluating whether a test substance is a blocker or antagonist of an olfactory receptor for propionic acid, caprylic acid, or capric acid. By determining whether the binding of propionic acid, caprylic acid, or capric acid as an odor molecule to an olfactory receptor protein is inhibited by the test substance, it is evaluated whether the test substance is a blocker or antagonist of the olfactory receptor. For a test substance evaluated to be a blocker or antagonist of the olfactory receptor by this evaluation method, further, with respect to at least one fatty acid selected from the group consisting of propionic acid, caprylic acid, and capric acid, in a test system to which this test substance is added, it can be evaluated by sensory evaluation whether its odor is suppressed and felt. Also, by using this test substance on a subject having a body odor such as a cloistered odor or clothes or other things to which the odor of the subject has transferred, it can also be evaluated by sensory evaluation whether the odor generated from at least one fatty acid selected from the group consisting of propionic acid, caprylic acid, and capric acid they have is suppressed and felt.

[0023] Another embodiment of the present invention is to evaluate, by sensory evaluation, whether or not the odor of a test substance is suppressed and felt in a test system in which the test substance is added to at least one fatty acid selected from the group consisting of propionic acid, caprylic acid, and capric acid. Further, by using this test substance for a subject having a shut-in odor or the like or for clothes or other items to which the odor of the subject has transferred, it is evaluated by sensory evaluation whether or not the odor generated from at least one fatty acid selected from the group consisting of propionic acid, caprylic acid, and capric acid they have is suppressed and felt. And for the test substance whose effect has been confirmed by these sensory evaluations, it can be evaluated whether it is a blocker or antagonist of the olfactory receptor of propionic acid, caprylic acid, or capric acid. By determining whether the binding between propionic acid, caprylic acid, or capric acid as an odor molecule and the olfactory receptor protein is inhibited by the test substance whose effect has been confirmed by the above sensory evaluation, it can be evaluated whether the test substance is a blocker or antagonist of the above olfactory receptor.

[0024] The test substance evaluated to have the above effect by the method of the present invention can be suitably used for products (pharmaceuticals, quasi-drugs, cosmetics, detergents, supplements, various foods and drinks, etc.) for improving odors such as shut-in odor (odor of social withdrawal), nursing care odor, bedridden odor, aged odor, senior odor, etc., which are odors associated with a decrease in physical activity.

[0025] [Method for screening substances having an action of suppressing and / or removing odors associated with a decrease in physical activity] The screening method of a substance having an action of suppressing and / or removing odor associated with a decrease in physical activity amount according to the present invention is characterized in that screening is performed by evaluating the odor suppression effect of a test substance associated with a decrease in physical activity amount, using as an index a change in the content of at least one fatty acid selected from the group consisting of propionic acid, caprylic acid, and capric acid contained in body odor due to the use of the test substance. According to the method of the present invention, when evaluating a test substance, not only by sensory evaluation but also by quantifying the amount of propionic acid, caprylic acid, or capric acid in body odor, an objective evaluation can be made, so that it becomes possible to efficiently screen excellent odor countermeasure substances.

[0026] One embodiment of the present invention is a method for evaluating the odor suppression and removal effects of a test substance associated with a decrease in physical activity amount, using as an index a change in the content of at least one fatty acid selected from the group consisting of propionic acid, caprylic acid, and capric acid contained in the body odor of the elderly or the like with a decreased physical activity amount due to the intake of the test substance, and screening the test substance. When the body odor of the elderly or the like with a decreased physical activity amount changes due to the intake of the test substance (including pharmaceuticals, quasi-drugs, supplements, various foods and drinks, etc.), and the content of at least one fatty acid selected from the group consisting of propionic acid, caprylic acid, and capric acid decreases, the above test substance is evaluated to have an effect of suppressing or removing odor associated with a decrease in physical activity amount. Note that the above intake refers to taking a test substance into the body by a method other than external application.

[0027] One embodiment of the present invention is a method for screening a test substance by using, as an index, a change in the content of at least one fatty acid selected from the group consisting of propionic acid, caprylic acid, and capric acid contained in the body odor of the elderly or the like with a reduced physical activity level, caused by external application (such as application or washing) of the test substance. When the body odor of the elderly or the like with a reduced physical activity level changes due to external application (such as application or washing) of the test substance (including pharmaceuticals, quasi-drugs, cosmetics, detergents, etc.), and the content of at least one fatty acid selected from the group consisting of propionic acid, caprylic acid, and capric acid decreases, the test substance is evaluated as having an effect of suppressing or removing the odor associated with the reduced physical activity level.

[0028] In the above screening method, even if there is no change in the content of at least one fatty acid selected from the group consisting of propionic acid, caprylic acid, and capric acid in the body odor components of the test subject due to ingestion or external application of the test substance, if the odor associated with the reduced physical activity level is improved by a sensory test, the test substance can be considered to have an effect of masking the odor caused by at least one fatty acid selected from the group consisting of propionic acid, caprylic acid, and capric acid, or an effect of harmonizing.

[0029] [Method for screening substances having an effect of suppressing, removing, masking, and / or harmonizing the odor associated with a reduced physical activity level] The screening method of a substance having an odor suppression, removal, masking and / or harmonization effect associated with a decrease in physical activity amount of the present invention is characterized by screening a substance having an odor suppression effect associated with a decrease in physical activity amount, using, as an index, a change in odor generated from at least one fatty acid selected from the group consisting of propionic acid, caprylic acid and capric acid by a test substance. By evaluating the effect on at least one fatty acid selected from the group consisting of propionic acid, caprylic acid and capric acid directly by sensory evaluation or using an instrument such as an odor discrimination device, it is possible to appropriately evaluate whether or not the test substance is effective in improving the odor of social withdrawal (hikikomori odor), nursing care odor, bedridden odor, old person odor, elderly odor, senior odor, and to find a truly effective odor countermeasure substance. In addition, the concept of "odor suppression" in the above includes suppressing the odor not only by removing, masking, harmonizing the odor, but also by blocking the olfactory receptor of propionic acid, caprylic acid or capric acid to make the odor not felt. Examples of the substance that blocks the olfactory receptor include blockers and antagonists of the olfactory receptor.

[0030] One embodiment of the present invention is a method for screening a substance having the above effects by evaluating whether or not the test substance added to at least one fatty acid selected from the group consisting of propionic acid, caprylic acid and capric acid suppresses, removes or masks its odor and whether or not it has a harmonization effect, and thus whether or not it is a substance that improves the odor of social withdrawal (hikikomori odor), nursing care odor, bedridden odor, old person odor, elderly odor, senior odor, etc., which is an odor associated with a decrease in physical activity amount.

[0031] Another embodiment of the present invention is to use a test substance on a subject or clothing or other items to which the odor of the subject has transferred, and to evaluate whether the odor generated from at least one fatty acid selected from the group consisting of propionic acid, caprylic acid, and capric acid they possess is suppressed, removed, masked, or exhibits a harmonizing effect, thereby evaluating whether it is a substance that improves odors such as hikikomori odor (social withdrawal odor), nursing care odor, bedridden odor, old person odor, senior odor, etc., which are odors associated with a decrease in physical activity, and screening for substances having the above effects. In this method, whether the test substance is a substance that can improve odors such as hikikomori odor (social withdrawal odor), nursing care odor, bedridden odor, old person odor, senior odor, etc., is evaluated by sensory evaluation or using equipment such as an odor discrimination device.

[0032] Another embodiment of the present invention is a method for screening a blocker or antagonist of an olfactory receptor for propionic acid, caprylic acid, or capric acid. Using as an index whether the test substance inhibits the binding of propionic acid, caprylic acid, or capric acid as an odor molecule to an olfactory receptor protein, the blocker or antagonist of the above olfactory receptor is screened. Regarding the blocker or antagonist of the olfactory receptor found by this screening method, by using it on the elderly or others having hikikomori odor, etc., or clothing or other items to which the odor of the elderly or others has transferred, it is evaluated by sensory evaluation by panelists whether the odor generated from at least one fatty acid selected from the group consisting of propionic acid, caprylic acid, and capric acid they possess is suppressed and felt, and further, a test substance having a more excellent effect can be screened.

[0033] Another embodiment of the present invention is to evaluate, by sensory evaluation, whether the odor of a test substance is suppressed and felt in a test system in which the test substance is added to at least one fatty acid selected from the group consisting of propionic acid, caprylic acid, and capric acid, and to screen for substances having a suppressing effect. Further, by using this test substance on a subject having a smell such as a hikikomori smell or clothes or other items to which the odor of the subject has transferred, it is evaluated by sensory evaluation whether the odor generated from at least one fatty acid selected from the group consisting of propionic acid, caprylic acid, and capric acid they have is suppressed and felt, and substances having a suppressing effect are screened. And for the test substance whose suppressing effect has been confirmed by these methods, it is possible to evaluate whether it is a blocker or antagonist of the olfactory receptor of propionic acid, caprylic acid, or capric acid. By evaluating whether the binding between propionic acid, caprylic acid, or capric acid as an odor molecule and the olfactory receptor protein is inhibited by the test substance whose effect has been confirmed by the above sensory evaluation, it is possible to screen for a substance that also has an effect in the above sensory evaluation and is also a blocker or antagonist of the above olfactory receptor.

[0034] The test substance evaluated to have the above effect by the method of the present invention can be suitably used for products (pharmaceuticals, quasi-drugs, cosmetics, detergents, supplements, various foods and drinks, etc.) for improving smells such as hikikomori smell (withdrawal smell), nursing care smell, bedridden smell, old person smell, senior smell, etc., which are odors associated with a decrease in physical activity.

[0035] [Method for reducing discomfort, darkness, uneasiness, depression, and / or irritation caused by odors associated with a decrease in physical activity] The present invention includes a method for reducing discomfort, darkness, uneasiness, depression, and / or irritation caused by odors associated with a decrease in physical activity by reducing the content of at least one fatty acid selected from the group consisting of propionic acid, caprylic acid, and capric acid contained in body odor, or suppressing, removing, masking, and / or harmonizing the odor generated from the above fatty acids.

[0036] In the body odor of the elderly and others with reduced physical activity, at least one fatty acid selected from the group consisting of propionic acid, caprylic acid, and capric acid is contained in a large amount. The research by the present inventors has revealed that the odor caused by these components can be the cause of discomfort, uneasiness, depression, and irritation felt by caregivers and the like. From this research result, it is considered effective as a countermeasure against the odor of hikikomori (reclusive odor), nursing care odor, bedridden odor, old person odor, elderly odor, senior odor, etc. caused by the body odor of the elderly and others with reduced physical activity to make it not felt by suppressing, removing, masking, and / or harmonizing the odor of these specific fatty acids.

[0037] In this method, by using a substance that reduces the content of at least one fatty acid selected from the group consisting of propionic acid, caprylic acid, and capric acid contained in body odor, and a substance that suppresses, removes, masks, and / or harmonizes the odor generated from the above fatty acids, it is possible to reduce discomfort, gloom, uneasiness, depression, and / or irritation caused by the odor accompanying the decrease in physical activity. Also, by using a blocker or antagonist of the olfactory receptor of at least one fatty acid selected from the group consisting of propionic acid, caprylic acid, and capric acid, it is possible to reduce discomfort, gloom, uneasiness, depression, and / or irritation caused by the odor accompanying the decrease in physical activity by making it not feel the odor of these specific fatty acids. Such substances can be obtained by the above-described evaluation method and screening method of the present invention. In the present invention, using a blocker or antagonist of the olfactory receptor of at least one fatty acid selected from the group consisting of propionic acid, caprylic acid, and capric acid means ingesting the above blocker or antagonist, or a composition containing them, or applying it externally (such as applying, washing, etc.).

[0038] [Method for screening substances that reduce discomfort, darkness, uneasiness, depression, and / or irritation caused by odors associated with decreased physical activity] The present invention uses, as an index, a change in the content of at least one fatty acid selected from the group consisting of propionic acid, caprylic acid, and capric acid contained in body odor due to the use of a test substance, or uses, as an index, the suppression, removal, masking, and / or harmonization effect of the odor generated from the above fatty acids, to screen substances that reduce discomfort, darkness, uneasiness, depression, and / or irritation caused by odors associated with decreased physical activity.

[0039] As described above, by using a substance that reduces the content of at least one fatty acid selected from the group consisting of propionic acid, caprylic acid, and capric acid contained in body odor, a substance that exhibits the suppression, removal, masking, and / or harmonization effect of the odor generated from the above fatty acids, a blocker or antagonist of the olfactory receptor of the above fatty acids, etc., it is possible to make it impossible to feel the odor of these specific fatty acids, thereby reducing discomfort, darkness, uneasiness, depression, and / or irritation caused by odors associated with decreased physical activity.

[0040] [Use of substances obtained by the screening method of the present invention] Substances obtained by the above-described screening method of the present invention, which exhibit the effect of suppressing, removing, masking, and / or harmonizing odors associated with decreased physical activity, and substances that reduce discomfort, darkness, uneasiness, depression, and / or irritation caused by odors associated with decreased physical activity, are suitably used in compositions such as pharmaceuticals, quasi-drugs, cosmetics, detergents, foods and drinks, etc., for which these effects are expected.

[0041] The present invention also includes a substance having an effect of suppressing, removing, masking and / or harmonizing the odor associated with a decrease in physical activity amount, which was found by the screening method of the present invention, and a substance for reducing discomfort, darkness, uneasiness, depression and / or irritation caused by the odor associated with a decrease in physical activity amount. Such a composition of the present invention is suitably used for compositions such as pharmaceuticals, quasi-drugs, cosmetics, detergents, foods and drinks, etc. which are expected to have the above effects. In addition, since the composition of the present invention is divided into a composition for use on humans and a composition for use other than humans, details will be described below. Each composition can contain various components according to the purpose within a range not impairing the effects of the present invention, in addition to the substance obtained by the above screening.

[0042] Hereinafter, the above composition will be specifically described separately for the case where (1) it is a composition for use on humans and (2) it is for use other than humans, specifically, for use on textile products, hard surfaces, spaces, etc.

[0043] (1) When it is a composition for use on humans The above composition can be suitably used, for example, as pharmaceuticals, quasi-drugs, other foods and drinks such as granules, fine granules, capsules, tablets, powders, liquids, etc.; detergents such as body soaps, facial cleansers, shampoos, etc., hair care agents such as cleansing sheets, treatments, dry shampoos, etc., cleansing agents, deodorant agents, antiperspirant agents, perfumes, ointments, liquids, suspensions, emulsifiers (emulsions and creams), gels, liniments, lotions, poultices, mists, aerosol agents, powders, granules, etc. for external use. It is particularly suitably used as a product for caregiving.

[0044] When the above composition is a composition for use on humans, examples of optional components include anti-inflammatory agents, cooling agents, bactericides, vitamins, organic acids, moisturizing components, polyhydric alcohols, scrubbing agents, ultraviolet absorbing components, ultraviolet scattering components, astringent components, peptides or their derivatives, amino acids or their derivatives, cleaning components, cutin softening components, cell activating components, anti-aging components, blood circulation promoting components, whitening components, powders, etc.

[0045] The pH of the above composition is usually pH 3.0 to 11.0, preferably pH 4.0 to 10. This pH can be adjusted, for example, by using a pH adjuster described later.

[0046] The method for producing the above composition is not particularly limited. A substance obtained by the screening method of the present invention, which has the effect of suppressing, removing, masking and / or harmonizing the odor associated with the decrease in physical activity amount, a substance that reduces the discomfort, darkness, uneasiness, depression and / or irritation caused by the odor associated with the decrease in physical activity amount, and other components formulated as necessary are formulated and mixed, and can be produced by a conventional method.

[0047] (2) When it is a composition used for non-human When the above composition is used for non-human, specifically, when it is a composition used for textile products, hard surfaces, spaces, etc., the form of use can be solid forms such as liquid, gel, powder, granule, etc., but it is preferably used in a liquid form. In the case of liquid, especially as spray, lotion, etc., bedding such as pillows and sheets, fabrics such as handkerchiefs and towels, clothing such as underwear, lingerie, suits, sweaters, footwear such as shoes and slippers, pulp, paper, non-woven fabric products such as absorbent liners, urine pads, disposable underwear, textile products such as curtains and sofas, tableware, cooking utensils such as pots, cooking tables, ranges, floors, walls, wallpapers, trash cans, toilets, bathtubs, drainage outlets, etc. having hard surfaces, and spaces are suitable for use. Also, it can be used as a stationary type by impregnating or spraying on paper, non-woven fabric, etc. and using it as a filter for an air purifier or as a device for generating an odor suppressing substance. The above composition can be suitably used as a deodorant (space deodorant, room fragrance, etc.) for the above textile products, hard surfaces, spaces, etc. used by the elderly, etc. who are concerned about the odor caused by the decrease in physical activity amount. It can also be used comfortably for a certain period in terms of smell for objects that cannot be washed frequently. In addition, the above composition can be suitably used as a detergent, softener, etc. for the above textile products such as clothing used by the elderly, etc. who are concerned about the odor caused by the decrease in physical activity amount, and products specialized for nursing care odor.

[0048] The above composition is preferably filled in a mist-type spray container and adjusted so that the amount of each spray is 0.1 to 1 ml. As the spray container to be used, known spray containers such as trigger spray containers (direct pressure or accumulator type) and dispenser-type pump spray containers can be used.

[0049] When the above composition is used for non-human purposes, optional components include, for example, polyhydric alcohols, surfactants, deodorants, various commonly used solvents, oils, gelling agents, salts such as sodium sulfate and N,N,N-trimethylglycine, pH adjusters, antioxidants, preservatives, bactericidal and antibacterial agents, fragrances, pigments, ultraviolet absorbers, and the like.

[0050] The method for producing the above composition is not particularly limited, and the above components can be blended and mixed and produced by a conventional method.

[0051] [Odor model composition associated with decreased physical activity] The present invention also includes an odor model composition associated with a decrease in physical activity, which contains at least one fatty acid selected from the group consisting of propionic acid, caprylic acid, and capric acid as an odor component associated with a decrease in physical activity. Body odor of the elderly and the like with decreased physical activity contains a large amount of at least one fatty acid selected from the group consisting of propionic acid, caprylic acid, and capric acid, and the odor caused by these components can cause discomfort, uneasiness, depression, and irritation felt by caregivers and the like, as revealed by the research of the present inventors. Therefore, a model odor composition containing at least one fatty acid selected from the group consisting of these propionic acid, caprylic acid, and capric acid is used as a standard composition for body odor of people with problems of odor due to decreased physical activity, and it can be used in the evaluation and screening of substances that reduce the amounts of propionic acid, caprylic acid, and capric acid in the model odor composition, or suppress, remove, mask, or harmonize the odor of these specific fatty acids.

[0052] Body odor associated with a decrease in physical activity has multiple components in addition to at least one fatty acid selected from the group consisting of propionic acid, caprylic acid, and capric acid. The odor model composition of the present invention preferably contains odor components that constitute other body odors other than at least one fatty acid selected from the group consisting of propionic acid, caprylic acid, and capric acid. Examples of other odor components include aldehydes, fatty acids, ketones, ammonia, and the like.

[0053] [Indicator for determining the level of decrease in physical activity] The indicator for determining the level of decrease in physical activity of the present invention is a composition containing at least one fatty acid selected from the group consisting of propionic acid, caprylic acid, and capric acid, and is used as an indicator for determining the level of decrease in physical activity. According to the research of the present inventors, it has been clarified that in the body odor of the elderly and others with a decreased physical activity, the contents of propionic acid, caprylic acid, and capric acid increase with the decrease in physical activity. From this research result, it has been found that the contents of propionic acid, caprylic acid, and capric acid in body odor serve as an indicator for determining the situation of the decrease in physical activity. When using the indicator for determining the level of decrease in physical activity of the present invention as a reference, the level of decrease in physical activity of the subject can be determined from the body odor of the subject such as the elderly or the content of at least one fatty acid selected from the group consisting of propionic acid, caprylic acid, and capric acid contained therein. The method for collecting the sample for the above level determination conforms to the method described in the examples of the present application.

[0054] [Apparatus for evaluating the odor of a space] The present invention includes an apparatus for evaluating the odor of a space, which is provided with an odor sensor for at least one fatty acid selected from the group consisting of propionic acid, caprylic acid, and capric acid in the air. By providing the odor sensor for at least one fatty acid selected from the group consisting of propionic acid, caprylic acid, and capric acid in the air, the evaluation apparatus of the present invention can measure the content of at least one fatty acid selected from the group consisting of propionic acid, caprylic acid, and capric acid in the air, and can display the evaluation result of the odor of the space corresponding to that value. As described above, according to the research of the present inventors, it has been clarified that in the body odor of the elderly and the like with a reduced amount of physical activity, the contents of propionic acid, caprylic acid, and capric acid increase, and it has been found that these can cause discomfort, uneasiness, depression, and irritation felt by caregivers and the like. According to the apparatus for evaluating the odor of the space of the present invention, when the contents of propionic acid, caprylic acid, and capric acid in the air are higher than the reference value, there is a high possibility of giving discomfort, uneasiness, depression, and irritation to the people present at the scene, so the evaluation of the odor of the space becomes low. Conversely, when the contents of propionic acid, caprylic acid, and capric acid in the air are lower than the reference value, there is a low possibility of giving discomfort, uneasiness, depression, and irritation to the people present at the scene, so the evaluation of the odor of the space becomes high.

[0055] [Apparatus for evaluating body odor] Further, the present invention also includes an apparatus which is provided with an odor sensor for at least one fatty acid selected from the group consisting of propionic acid, caprylic acid, and capric acid in the body odor, evaluates the body odor, and emits a signal to promote physical activity when at least one fatty acid selected from the group consisting of propionic acid, caprylic acid, and capric acid in the body odor becomes higher than the reference value. The apparatus of the present invention can be linked with applications of smartphones and tablets.

Examples

[0056] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to examples, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0057] [Test 1] Sensory Test The subjects living in the elderly facilities were grouped as follows according to their degree of self-sufficiency in daily life, and body odor collection was carried out. In this test, since we wanted to investigate the difference in body odor due to the activity level of the subjects, only women were used as subjects for the purpose of eliminating the influence of gender differences. Group A: Those who are generally self-sufficient in indoor life but do not go out without assistance, 11 people Group B: Those who require some assistance in indoor life and mainly live on the bed during the day but can maintain a sitting position, 11 people

[0058] A gauze of about 20 cm × 20 cm size with deodorization treatment on the upper back was sewn onto the deodorized clothes, and after the above-mentioned subjects wore it from after bathing until before bathing the next day, the gauze was collected and cut into pieces of 5 cm × 5 cm size. The cut gauze was grouped together and placed in a 500 mL disposable beaker, covered with aluminum foil, and left standing for 1 hour. Then, the lid of the beaker was opened, and sensory evaluation was carried out according to the following criteria. The evaluation was carried out by 9 people centered on professional panels.

[0059] Regarding the evaluation criteria, the items related to the intensity of odor (overall odor intensity, aging odor, sweat odor, oil odor, fecal odor, medicine odor, stuffy and dusty odor) are shown in Table 1, the pleasantness / unpleasantness is shown in Table 2, the quality of odor is shown in Table 3, and the items related to the subjective symptoms of the sensory evaluators (fatigue, uneasiness, depression, irritation) are shown in Table 4. In the evaluation of the subjective symptoms of the sensory evaluators, a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) with a length of 10 cm was used on the evaluation sheet.

[0060]

Table 1

[0061]

Table 2

[0062]

Table 3

[0063] [Table 4]

[0064] Regarding the above sensory evaluation, the average values of the evaluation results of each panelist were calculated and shown in Figures 1 to 4 respectively. As shown in Figure 1, in Group B, the intensity of all odors increased compared to Group A, especially the fecal and urine odor, and the dusty and stuffy odor increased significantly. Also, as shown in Figures 2 to 4, in Group B, compared to Group A, there was a tendency to promote the fatigue, discomfort, darkness, uneasiness, depression, and irritation feelings of the evaluators. Table 5 shows the results evaluated by 9 panelists for Group A, and Table 6 shows the results evaluated by 9 panelists for Group B.

[0065] [Table 5]

[0066] [Table 6]

[0067] [Test 2] Analytical test The subjects living in the elderly facility were grouped in the same way as in Test 1, and body odor collection was carried out in the same way. There were 5 subjects in both Group A and Group B.

[0068] A gauze of about 20 cm × 20 cm size with deodorization treatment on the upper back was sewn onto the deodorized clothes, and after the above-mentioned subject wore it from after bathing until before bathing the next day, the gauze was collected and cut into pieces of 5 cm × 5 cm size. The cut gauze was put into a dedicated vial with a volume of 20 mL for each sample and subjected to headspace analysis (HS-SPME-GC / MS) to analyze propionic acid, caprylic acid (octanoic acid), and capric acid (decanoic acid). Peak area values were calculated for each component, and the average was obtained for each group. The values of group B were calculated based on the values of group A (set as 1) for each, and the results are shown in Figures 5 to 7. The peak area value mentioned here is used as an index for comparing the differences in the contents of propionic acid, caprylic acid (octanoic acid), and capric acid (decanoic acid) in body odor.

[0069] As shown in Figures 5 to 7, in the headspace analysis, the result was that the contents of propionic acid, caprylic acid (octanoic acid), and capric acid (decanoic acid) in group B were significantly higher than those in group A. It was strongly suggested that these components might be related to the intensity of discomfort.

[0070] As described above, a unique odor (odor of shut-in elderly) emerged from the elderly with decreased self-care ability, and there was also a strong tendency for general malodors (odor of sweat, oil, feces and urine). It was suggested that the causative components of the unique odor from the elderly with decreased self-care ability were propionic acid, caprylic acid (octanoic acid), and capric acid (decanoic acid). It was found that these odors might increase the fatigue, discomfort, uneasiness, and depression of people around such as caregivers. Hitherto, urine odor and feces odor have mainly been used as indicators of the malodor of caregiving odor, but by using propionic acid, caprylic acid (octanoic acid), and capric acid (decanoic acid) as indicators, more effective measures against caregiving odor can be taken.

Industrial Applicability

[0071] According to the present invention, it is possible to improve odors associated with a decrease in physical activity levels in the elderly and the like, and to provide appropriate healthcare products suitable for each level of health. Furthermore, according to the present invention, it is expected to be effective not only for the elderly but also for odors caused by people of all ages other than the elderly, such as younger generations with reduced physical activity levels.

Claims

1. Using a test substance, an evaluation method for the odor suppression and / or removal effect associated with a decrease in physical activity amount, which evaluates the odor suppression effect of the test substance by using, as an index, the change in the content of at least one fatty acid selected from the group consisting of propionic acid, caprylic acid, and capric acid contained in body odor, which accompanies a decrease in physical activity amount.

2. Using a test substance, a screening method for a substance having an odor suppression and / or removal effect associated with a decrease in physical activity amount, which screens a substance having an odor suppression effect accompanying a decrease in physical activity amount by using, as an index, the change in the content of at least one fatty acid selected from the group consisting of propionic acid, caprylic acid, and capric acid contained in body odor.

3. Using a test substance, an evaluation method for the odor suppression, removal, masking, and / or harmonization effect associated with a decrease in physical activity amount, which evaluates the odor suppression effect of the test substance by using, as an index, the change in the odor generated from at least one fatty acid selected from the group consisting of propionic acid, caprylic acid, and capric acid, which accompanies a decrease in physical activity amount.

4. Using a test substance, a screening method for a substance having an odor suppression, removal, masking, and / or harmonization effect associated with a decrease in physical activity amount, which screens a substance having an odor suppression effect accompanying a decrease in physical activity amount by using, as an index, the change in the odor generated from at least one fatty acid selected from the group consisting of propionic acid, caprylic acid, and capric acid.

5. A method for reducing discomfort, gloominess, uneasiness, depression, and / or irritation caused by odor accompanying a decrease in physical activity amount by reducing the content of at least one fatty acid selected from the group consisting of propionic acid, caprylic acid, and capric acid contained in body odor, or by suppressing, removing, masking, and / or harmonizing the odor generated from the above fatty acids.

6. Using a test substance, a screening method for a substance that reduces discomfort, gloominess, uneasiness, depression, and / or irritation caused by odor accompanying a decrease in physical activity amount, by using, as an index, the change in the content of at least one fatty acid selected from the group consisting of propionic acid, caprylic acid, and capric acid contained in body odor, or by using, as an index, the suppression, removal, masking, and / or harmonization effect of the odor generated from the above fatty acids.

7. An odor model composition associated with a decrease in physical activity level, comprising at least one fatty acid selected from the group consisting of propionic acid, caprylic acid, and capric acid as a component of the odor associated with the decrease in physical activity level.

8. A composition comprising at least one fatty acid selected from the group consisting of propionic acid, caprylic acid, and capric acid, which is used as an indicator for determining the level of decrease in physical activity level, an indicator agent for determining the level of decrease in physical activity level.

9. The indicator agent for determining the level of decrease in physical activity level according to Claim 8, wherein the decrease in physical activity level is caused by any one of a care state, social withdrawal, and a physical disorder.

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