Pollen burst prevention agent and pollen burst prevention method as well as allergen microparticle dispersion prevention agent and allergen microparticle dispersion prevention method

Abstract

To provide an inexpensive pollen burst prevention agent that is inexpensive and effective against cedar pollen and a pollen burst prevention method, and to provide an allergen microparticle dispersion prevention agent and an allergen microparticle dispersion prevention method.SOLUTION: The pollen burst prevention agent according to the present invention consists of a solution containing polyacrylamide. The pollen burst prevention method according to another aspect of the present invention comprises coating pollen with a solution containing polyacrylamide to prevent bursting. The allergen microparticle dispersion prevention method according to another aspect of the present invention comprises coating allergen microparticles with a solution containing polyacrylamide to prevent dispersion.SELECTED DRAWING: None

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an agent for preventing pollen from exploding, a method for preventing pollen from exploding, and an agent for preventing allergen fine particle dispersion, and a method for preventing allergen fine particle dispersion. [Background technology]

[0002] Hay fever is a general term for seasonal allergic diseases caused by pollen. When pollen comes into contact with the mucous membranes of the nose or eyes, symptoms such as runny nose and sneezing occur, and in severe cases, the condition can interfere with daily life.

[0003] In order to control hay fever, it is important to take medication to suppress symptoms caused by allergic reactions, as well as to capture pollen so that it does not become dispersed.

[0004] As a technique for preventing pollen from scattering, for example, Patent Document 1 listed below discloses a pollen scattering inhibitor for cypress, birch, or alder, which comprises sorbitan oleate or sorbitan linoleate.

[0005] Furthermore, Patent Document 2 below discloses a technique for preventing the scattering of large amounts of pollen using natural or synthetic polymers. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 5423223 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-280560 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] However, the technology described in Patent Document 1 uses sorbitan oleate esters and the like and disperses them in organic solvents, which have the drawback of placing a heavy burden on the environment and making them difficult to use as everyday items. Furthermore, the technology is directed at pollen from cypress trees and the like, and its effectiveness against cedar pollen, which is the most prevalent pollen source, has not been verified.

[0008] Furthermore, the technology described in Patent Document 2 above discloses a technology that uses natural or synthetic polymers to prevent large amounts of pollen from scattering, but does not discuss the details.

[0009] In view of the above problems, the present invention aims to provide an agent and method for preventing pollen bursting that are inexpensive and effective against cedar pollen, as well as an agent and method for preventing the dispersion of allergen microparticles. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] A pollen burst inhibitor according to one aspect of the present invention that solves the above-mentioned problems comprises a solution containing polyacrylamide.

[0011] Furthermore, in this respect, although not limited thereto, the agent for preventing pollen bursting according to claim 1, wherein the polyacrylamide is an amphoteric polymer having an anionic group and a cationic group in the molecule.

[0012] Furthermore, in this respect, although not limited thereto, there is provided a pollen burst inhibitor according to claim 1, which contains polyacrylamide in the range of more than 0 ppm and not more than 40 ppm.

[0013] Also, in this respect, although not limited thereto, the polyacrylamide has a weight-average molecular weight in the range of 3 million to 5 million as determined by the GPC-MALS (gel permeation chromatography multi-angle light scattering) method, and the radius of gyration of the molecular weight component at a molecular weight of 3 million is 60 nm to 120 nm.

[0014] A method for preventing pollen from bursting according to another aspect of the present invention involves covering pollen with a solution containing polyacrylamide to prevent the pollen from bursting.

[0015] Furthermore, an agent for preventing the dispersion of allergen fine particles according to another aspect of the present invention comprises a solution containing polyacrylamide.

[0016] A method for preventing dispersion of allergen fine particles according to another aspect of the present invention prevents dispersion of allergen fine particles by covering the allergen fine particles with a solution containing polyacrylamide. [Effects of the Invention]

[0017] As described above, the present invention can provide an agent and method for preventing pollen from exploding, which are inexpensive and effective against cedar pollen, as well as an agent and method for preventing the dispersion of allergen fine particles. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0018] [Figure 1] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the results of a test for measuring the number of burst pollen grains in an example. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a view showing an SEM photograph of fine particles scattered from a test filter medium in an example. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a graph showing the particle size frequency distribution based on the number of particles in an example. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the cumulative undersize distribution of dispersed fine particles in Examples. [Figure 5] FIG. 1 is a graph showing the change over time in the number of fine particles dispersed from a test filter medium in an example. [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is a graph showing the change over time in the mass of particulate matter dispersed from a test filter medium in an example. [Figure 7] FIG. 1 is a view showing an SEM photograph of a test filter medium after spraying a test solution in an example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention can be embodied in many different forms and is not limited to the specific examples described in the following embodiments and examples.

[0020] (Pollen burst prevention agent) First, the pollen bursting inhibitor according to this embodiment (hereinafter referred to as the "present pollen bursting inhibitor") is made of a solution containing polyacrylamide.

[0021] The present pollen bursting inhibitor can prevent pollen from bursting by coating the surface of pollen with polyacrylamide in the pollen bursting inhibitor, thereby making it possible to suppress the occurrence of allergic diseases.

[0022] Furthermore, the target of this pollen bursting inhibitor is literally pollen. Pollen contains an outer wall of the pollen, and protoplasm and allergen particles contained within this wall. When pollen comes into contact with moisture in the air, it absorbs moisture, swells, and explodes. This explosion then scatters the allergen particles inside, which are then taken into the human body and cause allergic diseases. In other words, this pollen bursting inhibitor is effective in preventing pollen from bursting, making it possible to prevent the onset of allergic diseases.

[0023] Furthermore, although there is no limitation on the type of pollen, it is preferable to target pollen that is likely to cause allergic diseases.Specific examples include pollen from cedar, cypress, alder, rice, ragweed, mugwort, and Japanese knotweed, but it has been confirmed that the product is particularly effective against cedar pollen.

[0024] Here, "polyacrylamide" refers to a polymer (macromolecule) in which multiple acrylamides are bonded, and acrylamide is an organic compound having an acryl group and an amide group in its molecular structure. Polyacrylamide is, for example, represented by the following formula (1): [ka]

[0025] Furthermore, the polyacrylamide used as the pollen burst inhibitor may be at least one of anionic polyacrylamide having anionic groups in the molecule, cationic polyacrylamide having cationic groups in the molecule, and amphoteric polyacrylamide having anionic and cationic groups in the molecule, but amphoteric polyacrylamide is preferred.

[0026] Examples of methods for producing anionic polyacrylamide include, but are not limited to, copolymerizing an anionic monomer with (meth)acrylamide, or hydrolyzing a portion of polyacrylamide, which is a polymer of (meth)acrylamide, with an alkali.

[0027] Examples of methods for producing cationic polyacrylamide include, but are not limited to, copolymerizing a cationic monomer with (meth)acrylamide, or cationizing a portion of polyacrylamide, which is a polymer of (meth)acrylamide, by the Mannich reaction.

[0028] Examples of methods for producing amphoteric polyacrylamide include, but are not limited to, copolymerization of an anionic monomer, a cationic monomer, and (meth)acrylamide, cationization of a binary copolymer of an anionic monomer and (meth)acrylamide by the Mannich reaction, and hydrolysis of a portion of a (meth)acrylamide polymer with an alkali followed by further cationization by the Mannich reaction.

[0029] Examples of the anionic monomer for forming the anionic group include unsaturated monocarboxylic acids, unsaturated dicarboxylic acids, unsaturated tricarboxylic acids, unsaturated tetracarboxylic acids, unsaturated sulfonic acids, unsaturated phosphonic acids, and salts thereof. These may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

[0030] Among these, examples of unsaturated monocarboxylic acids and salts thereof include acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, 2-(meth)acrylamido-N-glycolic acid, N-acryloylglycine, 3-acrylamidopropanoic acid, 4-acrylamidobutanoic acid, and alkali metal or ammonium salts thereof, such as sodium and potassium salts.

[0031] Examples of unsaturated dicarboxylic acids and their salts include maleic acid, fumaric acid, itaconic acid, citraconic acid, and their alkali metal salts such as sodium and potassium salts or ammonium salts.

[0032] Examples of unsaturated tricarboxylic acids and their salts include aconitic acid, 3-butene-1,2,3-tricarboxylic acid, 4-pentene-1,2,4-tricarboxylic acid, and alkali metal salts such as sodium and potassium salts or ammonium salts thereof.

[0033] Examples of unsaturated tetracarboxylic acids and their salts include 1-pentene-1,1,4,4-tetracarboxylic acid, 4-pentene-1-sulfonic acid, styrenesulfonic acid, 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid, 2,3,4-tetracarboxylic acid, 3-hexene-1,1,6,6-tetracarboxylic acid, and alkali metal salts thereof, such as sodium and potassium salts, or ammonium salts thereof.

[0034] Examples of unsaturated sulfonic acids include vinyl sulfonic acid, α-phenylvinyl sulfonic acid, and alkali metal salts thereof such as sodium and potassium salts, or ammonium salts thereof.

[0035] Examples of unsaturated phosphonic acids include vinylphosphonic acid, α-phenylvinylphosphonic acid, and alkali metal salts such as sodium and potassium salts or ammonium salts thereof.

[0036] Among the above-mentioned anionic vinyl monomers, unsaturated monocarboxylic acids and unsaturated dicarboxylic acids, specifically acrylic acid, 2-acrylamido-N-glycolic acid, itaconic acid and salts thereof are particularly preferred in terms of their effectiveness as pollen burst inhibitors and particle dispersion inhibitors, as well as their economical advantages.

[0037] Furthermore, examples of cationic monomers for forming cationic groups include vinyl monomers having a tertiary amino group or a quaternary ammonium salt.

[0038] Examples of vinyl monomers having a tertiary amino group include dialkylaminoalkyl (meth)acrylates such as dimethylaminoethyl (meth)acrylate, diethylaminoethyl (meth)acrylate, dimethylaminopropyl (meth)acrylate, and diethylaminopropyl (meth)acrylate; dialkylaminoalkyl (meth)acrylamides such as dimethylaminopropyl (meth)acrylamide and diethylaminopropyl (meth)acrylamide; inorganic acid salts such as hydrochlorides and sulfates of the vinyl monomers having a tertiary amino group; and organic acid salts such as formates and acetates of the vinyl monomers having a tertiary amino group.

[0039] Examples of vinyl monomers having quaternary ammonium salts include those obtained by reacting the above-mentioned vinyl monomers having a tertiary amino group with a quaternizing agent. Examples of quaternizing agents include alkyl halides such as methyl chloride and methyl bromide, aralkyl halides such as benzyl chloride and benzyl bromide, dimethyl sulfate, diethyl sulfate, epichlorohydrin, 3-chloro-2-hydroxypropyltrimethylammonium chloride, and glycidyltrialkylammonium chloride. These vinyl monomers having a tertiary amino group or quaternary ammonium salt may be used alone or in combination.

[0040] The Mannich reaction can be achieved by reacting an anionic acrylamide copolymer with formaldehyde and a secondary amine or an alkanolamine. For example, dimethylamine or the like can be used as the secondary amine, and 2-amino-2-methyl-1-propanolamine or the like can be used as the alkanolamine.

[0041] Furthermore, in order to obtain amphoteric polyacrylamide, a terpolymer of an anionic monomer, a cationic monomer, and (meth)acrylamide, a binary copolymer of an anionic monomer and (meth)acrylamide, or a polymer of (meth)acrylamide can be prepared by, for example, a radical polymerization reaction. The polymerization initiator, chain transfer agent, and crosslinking agent used in this reaction are not particularly limited, and known agents can be used.

[0042] Examples of the polymerization initiator include persulfates such as sodium persulfate, potassium persulfate, and ammonium persulfate, peroxides such as hydrogen peroxide, benzoyl peroxide, tert-butyl hydroperoxide, and di-tert-butyl peroxide, bromates such as sodium bromate and potassium bromate, perborates such as sodium perborate, potassium perborate, and ammonium perborate, percarbonates such as sodium percarbonate, potassium percarbonate, and ammonium percarbonate, and perphosphates such as sodium perphosphate, potassium perphosphate, and ammonium perphosphate. In this case, these can be used alone or can be used as a redox polymerization initiator in combination with a reducing agent.

[0043] Examples of reducing agents include sulfites, hydrogen sulfites, organic amines such as N,N,N',N'-tetramethylethylenediamine, azo compounds such as 2,2'-azobis-2-amidinopropane hydrochloride, and reducing sugars such as aldose. Also usable are azo compounds such as azobisisobutyronitrile, 2,2'-azobis-2-amidinopropane hydrochloride, 2,2'-azobis-2,4-dimethylvaleronitrile, and 4,4'-azobis-4-cyanovaleric acid and its salts. Two or more of these initiators may be used in combination.

[0044] Examples of chain transfer agents include alkyl mercaptans, thioglycolic acid and its esters, isopropyl alcohol, and monomers having an allyl group such as allyl alcohol, allylamine, and (meth)allylsulfonic acid. Among these, alkali metal salts or ammonium salts of (meth)allylsulfonic acid, such as sodium salts and potassium salts of (meth)allylsulfonic acid, can be used.

[0045] Examples of the crosslinking agent include polyfunctional monomers such as di- to tetra-functional vinyl monomers, such as N-substituted (meth)acrylamides, di(meth)acrylates, bis(meth)acrylamides, and divinyl esters.

[0046] The specific production method for the radical polymerization reaction is not particularly limited, and various conventionally known methods can be employed. For example, under an inert gas atmosphere such as nitrogen gas, a reaction vessel equipped with a stirrer and a thermometer is charged with the above-mentioned monomer, water as a solvent (an organic solvent can also be used if necessary), and, if necessary, a chain transfer agent. If necessary, the pH is further adjusted with a pH adjuster, such as an acid such as sulfuric acid or hydrochloric acid, or an alkali such as sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, or ammonia. A polymerization initiator is then added, and the reaction is carried out at a reaction temperature of 20 to 90°C to obtain the desired ionic polyacrylamide or polyacrylamide. Alternatively, if necessary, polymerization can be carried out while adding some or all of the monomer, water, chain transfer agent, pH adjuster, polymerization initiator, and crosslinker dropwise to the reaction vessel.

[0047] Furthermore, the pollen burst inhibitor preferably contains a solvent for dispersing polyacrylamide. By using a solvent, polyacrylamide can be efficiently dispersed and the surface of pollen can be sufficiently covered. The solvent is preferably one that is harmless to humans, and is preferably water, for example. By using water as the solvent, it is possible to avoid using solvents such as organic solvents that have a large environmental impact and a large effect on the human body, and to make the agent highly safe for daily use.

[0048] In addition, in the solution containing the pollen burst inhibitor, the concentration of polyacrylamide is, by weight, preferably greater than 0 ppm and less than 40 ppm, more preferably in the range of 5 ppm to 30 ppm, and even more preferably in the range of 10 ppm to 25 ppm.That is, by using polyacrylamide greater than 0 ppm, it is possible to cover the surface of pollen and prevent pollen from bursting, although this is only speculation, and it is thought that the effect improves as the concentration increases to 5 ppm, 10 ppm, etc.On the other hand, if the concentration of polyacrylamide is too high, polyacrylamide becomes excessive, and self-aggregation of polyacrylamide becomes dominant, which may result in insufficient coverage of the surface of pollen, so it is preferably less than 40 ppm, more preferably less than 30 ppm, less than 25 ppm.

[0049] In addition to the water, the solvent of the present pollen burst inhibitor may contain alcohol. Examples of alcohol include methanol, ethanol, and propanol, but ethanol is preferred in consideration of its effects on the human body. It is speculated that the inclusion of alcohol in the present pollen burst inhibitor makes it easier for polyacrylamide to form clumps rather than chains, thereby enabling the pollen surface to be more firmly coated with polyacrylamide. The alcohol concentration in the solvent is not limited, but is preferably in the range of 0% to 20% by volume, and more preferably 10% or less.

[0050] In addition, the present pollen burst inhibitor may be appropriately blended with plant-based and animal-based fatty acids, viscous water-soluble polymer compounds, oxidizing agents, antioxidants, chelating agents, surfactants, emulsifiers, pH adjusters, solubilizers, stabilizers, functional additives, etc., as needed, within a range that does not impair the effectiveness of the present pollen burst inhibitor.

[0051] In addition, in this pollen bursting inhibitor, it is preferable that the polyacrylamide has a weight average molecular weight in the range of 3 million to 5 million as determined by the GPC-MALS (gel permeation chromatography multi-angle light scattering) method, and that the radius of gyration of the molecular weight component at a molecular weight of 3 million is 60 nm to 120 nm.

[0052] As described above, the molecular weight and radius of gyration of the polyacrylamide in the present pollen burst inhibitor are preferably evaluated using the GPC-MALS method. The GPC-MALS method involves separating the polymer using gel permeation chromatography (GPC) and measuring the molecular weight and radius of gyration using multi-angle light scattering (MALS) under the following measurement conditions:

[0053] (GPC-MALS measurement conditions) Column: Shodex SB-807HQ Elution: Phosphate buffer Flow rate: 1.0ml / min Detector: RI, MALS Injection volume: 50μl Concentration 750ppm

[0054] (How to prevent pollen from bursting) As is clear from the above description, by using the present pollen bursting prevention agent, it is possible to provide a pollen bursting prevention method according to this embodiment (hereinafter referred to as the present pollen bursting prevention method). That is, the present pollen bursting prevention method involves covering pollen with a solution containing polyacrylamide to prevent bursting. The pollen bursting prevention agent used here is as described above.

[0055] Furthermore, the present method for preventing pollen from bursting involves coating pollen with a solution containing polyacrylamide. The specific method for this coating is not limited, but preferably involves spraying the polyacrylamide solution onto the pollen using a sprayer or the like. This allows for simple and efficient coating. In this case, spraying may be performed on pollen floating in the air, but it is more efficient and preferable to spray on objects to which pollen has adhered. Examples of objects to which pollen has adhered include, but are not limited to, clothing, curtains, carpets, etc. in daily life, and filters installed in air purifiers, ventilation openings, etc. By spraying these with a solution containing polyacrylamide, it is possible to more effectively spray and coat the adhered pollen.

[0056] (Anti-allergenic particle dispersion agent) This embodiment also provides an agent for preventing the dispersion of allergen microparticles (hereinafter referred to as "the agent for preventing the dispersion of allergen microparticles"). Specifically, the agent for preventing the dispersion of allergen microparticles consists of a solution containing polyacrylamide. That is, in this embodiment, the agent for preventing pollen bursting also has the effect of preventing the dispersion of allergen microparticles.

[0057] The polyacrylamide and its solvent in this agent for preventing the dispersion of allergen particles are the same as those described above for the agent for preventing the dispersion of pollen particles. However, if alcohol is added to the solvent, the effect of preventing the dispersion of allergen particles is reduced. Therefore, from the viewpoint of preventing the dispersion of allergen particles, it is preferable not to include alcohol. However, it is important to determine the balance between the effect of preventing pollen bursting and the effect of preventing the dispersion of allergen particles.

[0058] (Method for preventing the dispersion of allergen particles) As is clear from the above description, the use of the present agent for preventing the dispersion of allergen microparticles also makes it possible to provide a method for preventing the dispersion of allergen microparticles according to this embodiment (hereinafter referred to as the "present method for preventing the dispersion of allergen microparticles"). That is, the present method for preventing the dispersion of allergen microparticles involves coating pollen with a solution containing polyacrylamide to prevent the dispersion of allergen microparticles. The agent for preventing the dispersion of allergen microparticles used here is as described above, and the coating method is also the same as the coating method used in the above method for preventing pollen from bursting.

[0059] As described above, according to this embodiment, it is possible to provide an agent and method for preventing pollen from exploding, which are inexpensive and effective against cedar pollen, as well as an agent and method for preventing the dispersion of allergen microparticles. [Example]

[0060] Here, we actually produced an agent for preventing pollen from bursting and an agent for preventing allergen particles from scattering, and confirmed their effects.

[0061] (Prevents pollen from bursting) First, cedar pollen was used as the pollen to be tested for its burst prevention effect, and 5 μL of the test solution was dropped onto it, and the number of bursting pollen grains was counted, and the pollen burst prevention effect was tested.

[0062] In this example, the polyacrylamide used had a weight average molecular weight of 4×10 obtained by the GPC-MALS method. 6 g / mol, and the polyacrylamide was bipolar, having carboxy ions as anions and quaternary ammonium ions as cations.

[0063] Furthermore, in this example, a base solution (APA161, manufactured by Espo Chemical Co., Ltd.) containing 1000 ppm of the above polyacrylamide in ion-exchanged water was used, and the concentration of polyacrylamide was adjusted by adding ion-exchanged water or ethanol as appropriate. Specifically, the following test solutions were prepared: a test solution containing ion-exchanged water only, a test solution containing ion-exchanged water containing 10 ppm of polyacrylamide, a test solution containing ion-exchanged water containing 15 ppm of polyacrylamide, a test solution containing ion-exchanged water containing 20 ppm of polyacrylamide, a test solution containing ion-exchanged water containing 25 ppm of polyacrylamide, a test solution containing ion-exchanged water containing 5% ethanol by volume, a test solution containing ion-exchanged water containing 5% ethanol by volume and 10 ppm of polyacrylamide, a test solution containing ion-exchanged water containing 5% ethanol by volume and 15 ppm of polyacrylamide, a test solution containing ion-exchanged water containing 5% ethanol by volume and 20 ppm of polyacrylamide, and a test solution containing ion-exchanged water containing 5% ethanol by volume and 25 ppm of polyacrylamide.

[0064] Using a digital microscope, 5 μL of each test solution was dropped onto cedar pollen (average particle size 30 μm) from Daigo Town, and the number of pollen grains that burst was counted. The results are shown in Figure 1. In this figure, the vertical axis represents the pollen burst rate, and the horizontal axis represents the polyacrylamide concentration.

[0065] As a result, it was confirmed that in both the test solution using ion-exchanged water (APA+DI water) and the test solution containing 5% vol. of ethanol in ion-exchanged water (APA+EtOH solution), the pollen burst rate decreased as the concentration of polyacrylamide increased, and that the pollen burst rate was minimized at 20 ppm. In addition to the above test solutions, test solutions were also adjusted up to 40 ppm, and it was confirmed that the pollen burst rate was lower than that of test solutions containing only ion-exchanged water and only ion-exchanged water and 5% vol. of ethanol.

[0066] From the above results, it was confirmed that by adding a certain amount of polyacrylamide, the polyacrylamide can cover the pollen surface and prevent pollen from bursting. Specifically, it was confirmed that the polyacrylamide concentration, in weight units, is of course greater than 0 ppm and less than 40 ppm, more preferably in the range of 5 ppm to 30 ppm, and even more preferably in the range of 10 ppm to 25 ppm. In other words, by using polyacrylamide greater than 0 ppm, it is possible, although speculative, to cover the pollen surface and prevent pollen from bursting, and the effect is thought to improve as the concentration increases to 5 ppm and 10 ppm. On the other hand, if the polyacrylamide concentration is too high, polyacrylamide becomes excessive, and self-aggregation of polyacrylamide becomes dominant, which may result in insufficient coverage of the pollen surface. Therefore, it was confirmed that the concentration is preferably 40 ppm or less, more preferably 30 ppm or less, or 25 ppm or less. In particular, in this example, it is clear that by using water as a solvent, it is possible to produce a highly safe everyday product without using solvents such as organic solvents that have a large environmental impact and a large effect on the human body.

[0067] Furthermore, although the minimum pollen burst rate could not be updated by adding alcohol to this pollen burst inhibitor, it was confirmed that the pollen burst prevention effect could be obtained even at low polyacrylamide concentration ranges, and that fluctuations in effectiveness due to changes in polyacrylamide concentration could be suppressed. Although this point is speculation, it is thought that by making it easier for polyacrylamide to form clumps rather than chains, it is possible to more firmly coat the pollen surface with polyacrylamide.

[0068] As described above, this example confirmed the effectiveness of the agent for preventing pollen bursting of the present invention.

[0069] (Prevents the dispersion of allergen particles) Next, a test was conducted to confirm the effectiveness of the present invention in preventing the scattering of allergen particles.

[0070] First, in this test, a medium-performance glass fiber filter (average fiber diameter dk = 3.2 μm, packing ratio α = 0.098, thickness L = 0.48 mm) was placed vertically and loaded with a suction surface wind speed of 0.1 m / s. A pollen suspension containing the above-mentioned cedar pollen was sprayed horizontally using a two-fluid spray nozzle (Kyoritsu Alloy Manufacturing, MMA100) to adhere to the medium-performance glass fiber filter. The pollen suspension was prepared by adding cedar pollen to a 25 ppm acetic acid solution at a weight ratio of 250:1 and then stirring. After the pollen was adhered to the medium-performance glass fiber filter, the prepared filter was dried in a dryer set at 30°C and stored in a desiccator under reduced pressure.

[0071] Then, from the test solutions prepared when confirming the pollen burst prevention effect, a test solution of ion-exchanged water only, a test solution of ion-exchanged water containing 20 ppm of polyacrylamide, and a test solution of ion-exchanged water containing 5% by volume of ethanol and 20 ppm of polyacrylamide were used and sprayed horizontally onto this prepared filter material using a two-fluid spray nozzle (Kyoritsu Alloy Manufacturing Co., Ltd., KSMMD075×3-A10W045), and each was dried and stored in the same way to prepare the test filter material.

[0072] After the above preparations, a pollen dispersion experiment was conducted to simulate the re-entrainment of pollen. In this experiment, a high-speed airflow with a surface velocity of 0.9 m / s was intermittently supplied for 15 minutes (one cycle consisting of 5 seconds of operation and 25 seconds of pause). The number concentration of dispersed allergen particles was measured using a light scattering measurement device (OPC, Optical Paticle Counter, Model P611, manufactured by Airy Technology).

[0073] Regarding these results, first, an SEM photograph of the particles dispersed from the test filter medium is shown in Figure 2. From this figure, it was confirmed that the particles dispersed were orbiculus (fine particles), their aggregates, and the outer walls of pollen.

[0074] Figure 3 shows the particle size frequency distribution based on the number of particles obtained from these data. This figure shows a peak at 0.7 μm. This indicates that the 0.7 μm particles are orbicules, or allergen particles, which are thought to have been present on the outer wall of pollen and detached from the pollen surface during the stirring process of the pollen suspension during pollen challenge.

[0075] In addition, Figure 4 shows the cumulative undersize distribution of the dispersed particles. According to this figure, the geometric mean diameter D pg It was confirmed that the size of the filter loaded with the pollen suspension was 0.87 μm, and that of the filter loaded with ion-exchanged water was 0.96 μm. This is thought to be due to the formation of aggregates when the ion-exchanged water was loaded.

[0076] Figure 5 shows the change over time in the number of particles dispersed from the test filter media, and Figure 6 shows the change over time in the mass of particles dispersed from the test filter media. These figures demonstrate that when the test solution contained 20 ppm of polyacrylamide in ion-exchanged water, the cumulative number of particles dispersed was 66.4% lower and the cumulative mass of particles dispersed was 69.2% lower than when only ion-exchanged water was sprayed. On the other hand, when the test solution contained 20 ppm of polyacrylamide in 5% ethanol by volume in ion-exchanged water, the cumulative number of particles dispersed was 33.0% lower and the cumulative mass of particles dispersed was 52.8% lower than when only ion-exchanged water was sprayed. These results confirm the effectiveness of preventing particle dispersion.

[0077] Figure 7 shows SEM photographs of the test filter media after spraying with ion-exchanged water alone ((a) in the figure), after spraying with a test solution containing polyacrylamide in ion-exchanged water ((b) in the figure), and after spraying with a test solution containing 20 ppm of polyacrylamide in a solution of 5% ethanol by volume in ion-exchanged water ((c) in the figure). These photographs clearly show the unevenness of the pollen surface in the test filter media sprayed with ion-exchanged water alone. On the other hand, in the case of the test solution containing polyacrylamide in ion-exchanged water, it was confirmed that aggregates were formed on the pollen surface, including fibrous allergen particles and peeled outer walls, and that the pollen surface was coated with a polyacrylamide film, forming a smooth surface. On the other hand, in the case of a test solution containing 20 ppm of polyacrylamide in 5% vol. ethanol in ion-exchanged water, it was confirmed that larger aggregates were formed compared to the case of a test solution containing polyacrylamide in ion-exchanged water. The reason for the relative decrease in the anti-scattering effect when ethanol was included is, although this is only speculation, thought to be that the finer droplets prevent a uniform coating of polyacrylamide from being sufficiently formed on the pollen surface, and the polyacrylamide itself is prone to agglomeration, so the polyacrylamide contained in the fine droplets quickly forms orbiculus aggregates on the pollen surface.

[0078] As described above, this test confirmed that there is an effect of preventing scattering of allergen fine particles, and the effect of the present invention was fully confirmed. [Industrial Applicability]

[0079] INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention has industrial applicability as an agent for preventing pollen from exploding and a method for preventing pollen from exploding, as well as an agent for preventing allergen microparticles from scattering and a method for preventing allergen microparticles from scattering.

Claims

1. A pollen burst prevention agent comprising a solution containing polyacrylamide.

2. 2. The agent for preventing pollen from bursting according to claim 1, wherein the polyacrylamide is an amphoteric polymer having an anionic group and a cationic group in the molecule.

3. 2. The pollen burst inhibitor according to claim 1, wherein the polyacrylamide is contained in an amount of more than 0 ppm and not more than 40 ppm.

4. The pollen bursting inhibitor according to claim 1, wherein the polyacrylamide has a weight average molecular weight in the range of 3,000,000 to 5,000,000 as determined by GPC-MALS (gel permeation chromatography-multiangle light scattering) method, and the radius of gyration of the molecular weight component at a molecular weight of 3,000,000 is 60 nm to 120 nm.

5. 2. The agent for preventing pollen from bursting according to claim 1, wherein the solvent is at least one of water and alcohol.

6. A method for preventing pollen from bursting by covering pollen with a solution containing polyacrylamide to prevent bursting.

7. An agent for preventing the dispersion of allergen particles, comprising a solution containing polyacrylamide.

8. A method for preventing the dispersion of allergen particles, which involves covering allergen particles with a solution containing polyacrylamide to prevent them from scattering.

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