Composition for changing microbial composition of surrounding space

Abstract

To provide a composition for supplying microorganisms to a surrounding space to change a microbial composition of the surrounding space, which is less likely to cause an excessive increase in humidity in the surrounding space, an unexpected change in the microbial composition, or a decrease in the number of viable bacteria.SOLUTION: A composition for supplying microorganisms to a surrounding space to change a microbial composition of the surrounding space comprises solid particles with microorganisms attached thereto.SELECTED DRAWING: None

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to compositions for altering the microbial composition of a surrounding space. [Background technology]

[0002] Many types of microorganisms exist in the human body (e.g., intestines, skin, etc.), forming a so-called microflora (microbiome). Rapid urbanization in recent years has reduced contact between humans and nature, and it has been suggested that this may be causing various diseases by disrupting the symbiotic relationship between humans and microorganisms. The present inventors believe that taking in air containing a variety of microorganisms into the body plays an important role in regulating the symbiotic relationship between humans and microorganisms.

[0003] Patent Document 1 describes a method for evaluating a microbial testing environment, such as a chamber device used in bioaerosol testing. This evaluation method includes a step of spraying microorganisms onto a surface to be evaluated, in which a bacterial suspension is sprayed using a nebulizer installed in the space inside the spray chamber device. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2013-172665 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] One possible method for supplying microorganisms to a surrounding space and changing the microbial composition of the surrounding space is to spray a bacterial suspension using a nebulizer, as described in Patent Document 1. However, with this method, the water in the sprayed bacterial suspension evaporates, causing an excessive increase in humidity in the surrounding space, potentially reducing the comfort of the surrounding space. Furthermore, depending on the storage conditions of the bacterial suspension, unexpected changes in the bacterial composition may occur. Furthermore, the evaporation of water from the sprayed bacterial suspension may result in the loss of bacterial carriers, potentially reducing the number of viable bacteria.

[0006] Therefore, the present disclosure provides a composition for supplying microorganisms to a surrounding space to change the microbial composition of the surrounding space, which is less likely to cause an excessive increase in humidity in the surrounding space, an unexpected change in the microbial composition, or a decrease in the number of viable bacteria. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] Aspects of the present disclosure include the following. [Aspect 1] 1. A composition for supplying microorganisms to an ambient space to alter the microbial composition of said ambient space, comprising: A composition comprising solid particles having microorganisms attached thereto. [Aspect 2] 2. The composition of embodiment 1, wherein the solid particles having attached microorganisms are soil particles. [Aspect 3] Aspect 3. The composition of aspect 1 or 2, further comprising a dispersion-promoting material that promotes dispersion of the solid particles, the dispersion-promoting material being in the form of linear, planar, or three-dimensional pieces. [Aspect 4] 4. The composition of claim 3, wherein the fugitive material is formed from a material comprising fibers. [Aspect 5] Aspect 5. The composition of aspect 3 or 4, wherein the fugitive material is curved or bent. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] By using the composition of the present disclosure, it is possible to supply microorganisms to the surrounding space and change the microbial composition of the surrounding space. When the composition of the present disclosure is used to change the microbial composition of the surrounding space, an excessive increase in humidity in the surrounding space, an unexpected change in the microbial composition, and a decrease in the number of viable bacteria are unlikely to occur. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically illustrating an example of an apparatus used to change the microbial composition of a surrounding space using a composition according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2(A) is a graph showing the average number of particles of 0.3 μm or more and less than 0.5 μm measured in Examples 1 to 4. FIG. 2(B) is a graph showing the average number of particles of 0.5 μm or more and less than 1.0 μm measured in Examples 1 to 4. FIG. 2(C) is a graph showing the average number of particles of 1.0 μm or more and less than 2.0 μm measured in Examples 1 to 4. FIG. 2(D) is a graph showing the average number of particles of 2.0 μm or more and less than 5.0 μm measured in Examples 1 to 4. FIG. 2(E) is a graph showing the average number of particles of 5.0 μm or more and less than 10.0 μm measured in Examples 1 to 4. FIG. 2(F) is a graph showing the average number of particles of 10.0 μm or more measured in Examples 1 to 4. [Figure 3] FIG. 3(A) is a graph showing the average number of particles of 0.3 μm or more and less than 0.5 μm measured in Examples 1, 2, and 5. FIG. 3(B) is a graph showing the average number of particles of 0.5 μm or more and less than 1.0 μm measured in Examples 1, 2, and 5. FIG. 3(C) is a graph showing the average number of particles of 1.0 μm or more and less than 2.0 μm measured in Examples 1, 2, and 5. FIG. 3(D) is a graph showing the average number of particles of 2.0 μm or more and less than 5.0 μm measured in Examples 1, 2, and 5. FIG. 3(E) is a graph showing the average number of particles of 5.0 μm or more and less than 10.0 μm measured in Examples 1, 2, and 5. FIG. 3(F) is a graph showing the average number of particles of 10.0 μm or more measured in Examples 1, 2, and 5. [Figure 4]FIG. 4(A) is a graph showing the average number of particles of 0.3 μm or more and less than 0.5 μm measured in Examples 1, 2, and 6 to 10. FIG. 4(B) is a graph showing the average number of particles of 0.5 μm or more and less than 1.0 μm measured in Examples 1, 2, and 6 to 10. FIG. 4(C) is a graph showing the average number of particles of 1.0 μm or more and less than 2.0 μm measured in Examples 1, 2, and 6 to 10. FIG. 4(D) is a graph showing the average number of particles of 2.0 μm or more and less than 5.0 μm measured in Examples 1, 2, and 6 to 10. FIG. 4(E) is a graph showing the average number of particles of 5.0 μm or more and less than 10.0 μm measured in Examples 1, 2, and 6 to 10. FIG. 4(F) is a graph showing the average number of particles of 10.0 μm or more measured in Examples 1, 2, and 6 to 10. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a graph showing the amounts of DNA measured in Examples 6 and 9. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings as appropriate. In the drawings referred to in the following description, the same components or components having similar functions are designated by the same reference numerals, and repeated explanations may be omitted. For convenience of explanation, the dimensional ratios and shapes of each part in the drawings may be exaggerated and may differ from the actual dimensional ratios and shapes.

[0011] In this application, unless otherwise specified, numerical ranges expressed using the symbol "~" include the numerical values ​​before and after the symbol "~" as the lower and upper limits, respectively. The upper and lower limits described in this application can be used alone or in any combination.

[0012] In this application, unless otherwise specified, "comprising" means that additional components or elements may be included, and includes "consisting essentially of" and "consisting of." "Consisting essentially of" means that additional components or elements may be included that do not have a substantial adverse effect. "Consisting of" means that the material or element is included only, but does not exclude the further inclusion of unavoidable impurities.

[0013] I. Compositions for Altering the Microbial Composition of Ambient Spaces The composition according to the embodiment is used to supply microorganisms to a surrounding space to change the microbial composition of the surrounding space. The surrounding space is an indoor space or an outdoor space. The composition according to the embodiment contains solid particles having microorganisms attached thereto (hereinafter, appropriately referred to as "microorganism-attached particles"). Optionally, the composition may further contain a dispersion-promoting material that promotes dispersion of the solid particles.

[0014] Natural or artificial soil particles can be used as the microorganism-attached particles. The microorganism-attached particles may include one or more selected from coarse sand, fine sand, silt, and clay. The microorganism-attached particles may be sandy soil, loamy sand soil, sandy loam, loam, silty loam, sandy clay loam, clay loam, silty clay loam, sandy clay soil, light clay soil, silty clay soil, or heavy clay soil. The microorganism-attached particles may be, for example, andosol (e.g., volcanic ash soil), diluvial soil (e.g., red-yellow soil, brown forest soil, red forest soil, red soil, yellow soil, dark red soil, gray plateau soil, gley plateau soil), alluvial soil (e.g., brown lowland soil, gray lowland soil, immature sand dune soil), or soil for various uses such as agriculture (e.g., rice paddies, fields, forests, grasslands), civil engineering, and green spaces (e.g., turfgrass, flower beds). Artificially produced inorganic or organic particles to which microorganisms are attached can also be used as microorganism-attached particles.

[0015] The microorganism-adhering particles may have an average particle size of 2 mm or less, or 0.1 μm to 2 mm, but is not limited thereto. In this application, the average particle size means the particle size at which the integrated value (cumulative distribution) is 50% in the volume-based particle size distribution measured by the dry sieving test method specified in JIS Z 8815:1994.

[0016] The composition of the microorganisms attached to the solid particles is not particularly limited. For example, the microorganisms attached to the solid particles may have a composition similar to that of any soil microbiome.

[0017] The dispersion-promoting material is a small piece of material that promotes the dispersion of microorganism-adhered particles when the microorganism-adhered particles are dispersed into the surrounding space by stirring, etc. The shape, size, material, specific gravity, specific surface area, elastic modulus, etc. of the dispersion-promoting material may be appropriately selected depending on the properties of the microorganism-adhered particles, the dispersion conditions, etc.

[0018] The scattering-promoting material may be a linear piece having a length greater than the average particle diameter of the microorganism-adhered particles, or a planar or three-dimensional piece having a major axis greater than the average particle diameter of the microorganism-adhered particles. The scattering-promoting material may be, for example, a linear piece having a length of 1 to 100 mm and a diameter of 0.1 to 1 mm, a planar piece having a major axis diameter of 1 to 100 mm, a minor axis diameter of 1 to 100 mm, and a thickness of 0.01 to 1 mm, or a three-dimensional piece having a major axis diameter of 1 to 100 mm, a minor axis diameter of 1 to 100 mm, and a thickness of 1 to 100 mm. Examples of linear scattering-promoting materials include threads such as embroidery thread. Examples of planar scattering-promoting materials include paper (e.g., copy paper, paper towels), cloth (e.g., nonwoven fabrics such as felt, woven fabrics), metal foils (e.g., aluminum foil), and plastic sheets. Examples of three-dimensional scattering-promoting materials include cotton. The linear scattering-promoting material may be straight, curved, and / or bent. The planar scattering-promoting material may be flat, or may be curved and / or bent. The scattering-promoting material is preferably made of a material containing fiber such as paper, cloth, thread, or cotton, and at least a portion of its surface may be fluffy.

[0019] II. Methods for Altering Microbial Composition A method for changing the microbial composition of a surrounding space using the composition according to the above embodiment will now be described. First, an example of an apparatus used in this method will be described with reference to FIG. 1. In the following description, when the apparatus is installed so as to be able to change the microbial composition of the surrounding space, the upstream side in the direction of gravity is defined as "up" and the downstream side in the direction of gravity is defined as "down."

[0020] The device 1 for changing the microbial composition of the surrounding space shown in Figure 1 comprises a storage container 10 for storing the composition according to the above embodiment inside, and a dispersion unit 20 for dispersing the microorganism-adhered particles contained in the storage container 10 into the surrounding space.

[0021] The storage vessel 10 has an opening 12. The opening 12 may be formed in the top of the storage vessel 10. Microorganism-adhered particles are released from the inside of the storage vessel 10 to the outside (i.e., the surrounding space) through the opening 12.

[0022] The scattering unit 20 is an agitator that stirs the composition contained inside the storage container 10. The scattering unit 20 includes a movable blade 22 provided inside the storage container 10 and a drive unit 24 that drives the movable blade 22.

[0023] The movable wing 22 is supported by the container 10 and has a shaft 223 and a protrusion 225 that rotates integrally with the shaft 223. The movable wing 22 is a rotating body that rotates around the shaft 223. The shaft 223 is parallel to the direction of gravity. The protrusion 225 includes a spiral wire. Note that the shape of the protrusion 225 is not limited to that shown in FIG. 1 and may have various suitable shapes.

[0024] The driving unit 24 includes a power source, such as an electric motor, for rotating the shaft 223. The rotation speed and the like of the driving unit 24 may be controlled by a control unit (not shown).

[0025] A method for altering the microbial composition of a surrounding space using the device 1 and compositions according to the embodiments will now be described.

[0026] The composition according to the embodiment described above is stored inside the storage container 10. Next, when the scattering unit 20 is operated, the composition is agitated by the rotating movable blades 22. As a result, microorganism-adhered particles are stirred up and scattered from the inside of the storage container 10 to the outside of the storage container 10 (i.e., the surrounding space) through the opening 12. As a result, microorganisms are supplied to the surrounding space, and the microbial composition of the surrounding space changes. For example, the amount of microorganisms and / or the number of microbial species in the surrounding space increases.

[0027] This method, in which solid particles act as carriers for microorganisms, offers the following advantages over using water as a carrier for microorganisms. First, excessive humidity in the surrounding space is unlikely to increase. Second, the microbial composition is more stable and easier to control, making unexpected changes in the microbial composition less likely to occur. Furthermore, the solid particles acting as carriers absorb moisture, maintaining an appropriate level of moisture for a long period of time, reducing the loss of viable bacteria count.

[0028] Although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described in detail above, the present disclosure is not limited to the above embodiments, and various design modifications can be made without departing from the technical scope described in the claims. [Example]

[0029] The present disclosure will be specifically described below using examples, but the present disclosure is not limited to these examples.

[0030] Example 1 Ventilation volume: 0.5m 3 The device shown in Figure 1 was installed in the center of a space measuring 1.7 m long, 2.6 m wide, and 2.4 m high, with a 25°C air-conditioning setting and a 24°C / min rotation. A particle counter was placed approximately 1 m away from the device toward a corner of the space. Commercially available potting soil (HB-101 potting soil, Flora Co., Ltd.) was ground using an electric mill (LAB MILL II, Osaka Chemical Co., Ltd.) to obtain soil particles, which were then placed in the device's container. The soil particles were stirred with a mixer for three hours to disperse them, while the particle count in 14.15 L of air was measured every 10 minutes using the particle counter. The average particle count in the space was calculated by averaging the measurements taken one to three hours after the start of dispersion. The results are shown in Table 1.

[0031] Example 2 The average number of particles in the space was determined in the same manner as in Example 1, except that the mixture prepared as follows was used instead of the soil particles. The results are shown in Table 1.

[0032] Copy paper was cut into 2 mm x 3 mm pieces (0.55 g per piece) using a cross-cut shredder (Kanematsu Industries Co., Ltd.). The pieces cut using the shredder were curved and had fuzzy cut surfaces. These pieces were mixed with soil particles as a scatter accelerator to prepare a mixture. The results are shown in Table 1.

[0033] Example 3 The average number of particles in the air was determined in the same manner as in Example 2, except that small pieces (0.33 g per piece) made from paper towels were used as the scattering accelerator instead of copy paper. The results are shown in Table 1.

[0034] Example 4 The average number of particles in the air was determined in the same manner as in Example 2, except that small pieces (1.5 g per piece) made from drawing paper were used instead of copy paper as the scattering accelerator. The results are shown in Table 1.

[0035] Example 5 The average number of particles in the air was determined in the same manner as in Example 2, except that small pieces made using a cutter instead of shredder scissors were used as the scattering-accelerating material. The results are shown in Table 1. The small pieces made using the cutter were flat and had smooth cut surfaces.

[0036] Example 6 Ventilation volume: 0.5m 3 / min, air conditioning set temperature 25℃, 3000L of air in a space 1.7m long, 2.6m wide and 2.4m high was sucked and collected using an MD8 Air Scan Sampler (manufactured by Sartorius).

[0037] Next, the average number of particles in the air was determined in the same manner as in Example 2, except that small pieces made from aluminum foil were used as the scattering accelerator instead of copy paper. The results are shown in Table 1.

[0038] Similarly, while the device was operated to disperse soil particles, 3000 L of air in the space was sucked in and collected using the MD8 AirScan sampler. DNA was extracted from the air collected before and during dispersal, and the amount of DNA converted to 16S rRNA was measured using real-time PCR. The results are shown in Figure 5.

[0039] Example 7 The average number of particles in the air was determined in the same manner as in Example 2, except that small pieces made from a plastic sheet were used as the scattering accelerator instead of copy paper. The results are shown in Table 1.

[0040] Example 8 The average particle number in the air was determined in the same manner as in Example 2, except that embroidery thread was used instead of copy paper and small pieces of embroidery thread approximately 5 mm long, cut using craft scissors instead of shredder scissors, were used as the scattering accelerator. The results are shown in Table 1.

[0041] Example 9 Ventilation volume: 0.5m 3 / min, air conditioning set temperature 25℃, 3000L of air in a space 1.7m long, 2.6m wide and 2.4m high was sucked and collected using an MD8 Air Scan Sampler (manufactured by Sartorius).

[0042] Next, the average number of particles in the air was determined in the same manner as in Example 2, except that felt was used instead of copy paper and small pieces made with craft scissors instead of shredder scissors were used as scattering accelerators. The results are shown in Table 1.

[0043] Similarly, while the device was operated to disperse soil particles, 3000 L of air in the space was sucked in and collected using the MD8 AirScan sampler. DNA was extracted from the air collected before and during dispersal, and the amount of DNA converted to 16S rRNA was measured using real-time PCR. The results are shown in Figure 5.

[0044] Example 10 The average number of particles in the air was determined in the same manner as in Example 2, except that cotton cloth was used instead of copy paper and small pieces made with cutting scissors were used as the scattering accelerator. The results are shown in Table 1.

[0045] [Table 1]

[0046] The measurement results of the average particle number for Examples 1 to 4 are shown in Figures 2(A) to 2(F), the measurement results of the average particle number for Examples 1, 2, and 5 are shown in Figures 3(A) to 3(F), and the measurement results of the average particle number for Examples 1, 2, and 6 to 10 are shown in Figures 4(A) to 4(F). The error bars in the figures represent standard deviations.

[0047] It was confirmed that soil particles were dispersed into the air in all Examples. Furthermore, in Examples 2 to 10, in which the dispersion-accelerating material was used, the number of particles dispersed into the air was significantly greater than in Example 1, in which the dispersion-accelerating material was not used.

[0048] In Example 4, in which small pieces of drawing paper with a relatively large specific gravity were used as the scattering accelerator, the number of particles of 10 μm or larger in size tended to be small (see FIGS. 2(A) to 2(F)).

[0049] In Example 2, in which small pieces made by cutting copy paper with shredder scissors were used as the scattering accelerator, the number of particles in the air was greater than in Example 5, in which small pieces made by cutting copy paper with a cutter were used as the scattering accelerator (see Figures 3(A) to 3(F)). This result shows that the curved and fluffy scattering accelerator can more efficiently promote the scattering of soil particles.

[0050] In Examples 2, 8, 9, and 10, in which small pieces of fiber-containing copy paper, embroidery thread, felt, and cotton cloth were used as scattering accelerators, the number of particles 5 μm or larger in size was greater than in Examples 6 and 7, in which small pieces of fiber-free aluminum foil and plastic sheet were used as scattering accelerators (see Figures 4(A) to 4(F)).

[0051] The DNA quantity measurement results for Examples 6 and 9 shown in Figure 5 confirmed that scattering soil particles increased the amount of DNA in the air. An increase in DNA quantity means an increase in the amount of microorganisms. In Example 9, in which small pieces of felt were used as the scattering promoter, the amount of microorganisms in the air was greater than in Example 6, in which small pieces of aluminum foil were used as the scattering promoter. It is believed that the fact that small pieces of felt were able to more efficiently scatter large particles of 5 μm or more compared to small pieces of aluminum foil contributed to the large increase in the amount of microorganisms. [Explanation of symbols]

[0052] 1: device, 10: container, 12: opening, 20: scattering unit, 22: movable blade, 24: drive unit, 223: shaft, 225: protrusion

Claims

1. 1. A composition for supplying microorganisms to an ambient space to alter the microbial composition of said ambient space, comprising: A composition comprising solid particles having microorganisms attached thereto.

2. The composition of claim 1 , wherein the solid particles having attached microorganisms are soil particles.

3. 3. The composition according to claim 1, further comprising a scattering accelerator that accelerates the scattering of the solid particles, the scattering accelerator being in the form of linear, planar, or three-dimensional pieces.

4. The composition of claim 3 , wherein the fugitive is formed from a material comprising fibers.

5. The composition of claim 3 , wherein the fugitive material is curved or bent.

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