Disinfectant

Abstract

We provide a disinfectant that is highly safe, easy to manage, and environmentally friendly, making it suitable for inactivating pathogens such as viruses and bacteria. [Solution] A disinfectant that reduces pathogens from a target object is formulated to contain 1 to 10% by weight of sodium silicate, 0.1 to 1% by weight of sodium carbonate, 0.1 to 1% by weight of potassium carbonate, 0.1 to 1% by weight of sodium phosphate, 0.1 to 1% by weight of potassium phosphate, and water, and to have a pH (hydrogen ion concentration) in the range of 12.1 to 14.0.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a disinfectant that reduces pathogens such as viruses, bacteria, and molds.

Background Art

[0002] There are no specific drugs for many viral infections, and symptomatic treatment to relieve symptoms is the main treatment method. Therefore, it is important to prevent the occurrence of infectious diseases in advance, and proper disinfection is necessary. For example, Non-Patent Document 1 below states that "the number of food poisoning patients caused by norovirus accounts for about half of the total number of food poisoning patients, and its control is one of the important issues in food poisoning countermeasures. One of the important countermeasures is the establishment of a useful disinfectant", presenting the necessity of a disinfectant useful for inactivating norovirus.

[0003] Conventionally, for spraying, wiping, and dipping for disinfection purposes, alcohol-based disinfectants (ethanol, isopropanol) and chlorine-based disinfectants mainly composed of sodium hypochlorite are often used. Alcohol-based disinfectants are often used for disinfecting fingers, and chlorine-based disinfectants are often used for disinfecting equipment in medical facilities, restaurants, etc. Also, various proposals have been made regarding the removal and disinfection of viruses, bacteria, etc. (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 to 5 below).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Patent Document 3

Patent Document 4

Patent Document 5

Non-Patent Documents

[0005] [Non-Patent Document 1] "Research Report on Inactivation Conditions for Norovirus in FY2015," National Institute of Health Sciences [Overview of the Initiative] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0006] Alcohol-based disinfectants are highly effective against enveloped viruses such as the novel coronavirus, but less effective against non-enveloped viruses. Disinfectants with an alcohol concentration of 60% (by weight) or higher are highly volatile and flammable, and are classified as hazardous materials under the Fire Service Act. Improper handling may cause fires. Furthermore, many alcohol-based disinfectants are highly volatile and cannot maintain the moist conditions necessary to inactivate pathogens for extended periods, potentially resulting in insufficient inactivation.

[0007] On the other hand, chlorine-based disinfectants, whose main component is sodium hypochlorite, have an inactivating effect on many types of viruses and bacteria. For example, sodium hypochlorite is recommended by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare as a disinfectant that is useful for inactivating norovirus.

[0008] However, chlorine-based disinfectants, whose main component is sodium hypochlorite, may see a significant decrease in effectiveness in contaminated environments (actual usage environments). For example, chlorine-based disinfectants may experience a significant decrease in their inactivation effect when they come into contact with dirt or organic matter such as proteins, so it is necessary to remove as much dirt as possible from the objects to be disinfected (equipment, etc.) before use. Furthermore, Non-Patent Document 1 mentioned above discusses the need to verify the effectiveness of disinfectants in contaminated environments.

[0009] Furthermore, sodium hypochlorite is prone to degradation and has low stability, so if not properly managed, its inactivation effect may be significantly reduced. Experimental reports (Artec Co., Ltd.) have also shown a decrease in disinfecting power at various temperature ranges within the operating environment (20-30°C) and at different temperatures of the disinfecting solution.

[0010] This invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and aims to provide a disinfectant that is highly safe, easy to manage, and environmentally friendly, and is suitable for use in inactivating pathogens. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] In solving the above problems, the inventor decided to develop a disinfectant from natural ingredients and compounds with the same components, assuming that it would not create resistant bacteria. Furthermore, in recent years, from the perspective of the environment and safety, there has been a shift from acidic disinfectants to alkaline ones. Alkaline disinfectants have the characteristic of lifting and dissolving dirt and proteins. The dirt is neutralized and turns into water, making them highly safe and environmentally friendly.

[0012] Incidentally, natural hot springs that are highly alkaline or highly acidic have long been said to have the effect of inactivating viruses and molds. For example, the hot spring water used at "Obinata no Yu," a public bath in the hot spring town of Hakuba Village, Kitaazumi District, Nagano Prefecture, is formed by the reaction of serpentinite and hydrothermal water. It is highly alkaline with a pH (hydrogen ion concentration) of 11.2 to 11.6, and is said to repel viruses and molds. Serpentinite is a rock composed of serpentine, which contains silicate minerals.

[0013] Therefore, the inventor focused on silicate minerals contained in strongly alkaline natural hot springs and completed the present invention by incorporating a compound with the same components as natural ore.

[0014] The disinfectant (1) according to the present invention is a disinfectant that reduces pathogens from a target object, and is characterized by containing 1 to 10% by weight of sodium silicate, 0.1 to 1% by weight of sodium carbonate, 0.1 to 1% by weight of potassium carbonate, 0.1 to 1% by weight of sodium phosphate salt, 0.1 to 1% by weight of potassium phosphate salt, and water, and having a pH in the range of 12.1 to 14.0.

[0015] The disinfectant (2) according to the present invention is characterized in that, in the disinfectant (1) above, the sodium silicate is anhydrous sodium metasilicate.

[0016] The disinfectant (3) according to the present invention is characterized in that, in the disinfectant (1) or (2) above, the sodium phosphate salt is sodium polyphosphate and the potassium phosphate salt is potassium dihydrogen phosphate.

[0017] The disinfectant (4) according to the present invention is characterized in that, in addition to the disinfectant (1) above, it further contains 0.2 to 0.3% by weight of glycerin.

[0018] The disinfectant (5) according to the present invention is characterized in that, in addition to the disinfectant (1) above, it further contains 0.2 to 0.4% by weight of Hyaloveil.

[0019] Furthermore, in the context of the disinfectant according to the present invention, "disinfection" refers to reducing pathogens such as viruses, bacteria, and molds from an object by using the disinfectant.

[0020] The disinfectants (1) to (5) described above have an inactivating effect against a wide range of viruses and bacteria. Furthermore, they have the same components as natural minerals, are gentle on the skin like natural hot spring water, and are unlikely to harm the fish habitat even if released into rivers, making them highly safe and environmentally friendly. In addition, these disinfectants do not contain organic matter and do not degrade in sunlight, making them easy to manage. Of course, they do not fall under the category of hazardous materials under the Fire Service Act. Therefore, we can provide disinfectants that are highly safe, easy to manage, and environmentally friendly, making them suitable for use in inactivating pathogens.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0021] Hereinafter, a disinfectant according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. The disinfectant according to an embodiment of the present invention contains 1 to 10% by weight of sodium silicate, 0.1 to 1% by weight of sodium carbonate, 0.1 to 1% by weight of potassium carbonate, 0.1 to 1% by weight of sodium phosphate salt, 0.1 to 1% by weight of potassium phosphate salt, and contains water as the remaining component. Further, the disinfectant according to an embodiment of the present invention has a pH within the range of 12.1 to 14.0.

[0022] Various components such as sodium silicate constituting the above disinfectant have effects as shown in the following examples. Sodium silicate forms a protective film on the skin surface which is the object to be disinfected, and protects the skin from external stimuli. Sodium carbonate makes the dirt of pathogenic bacteria and organic substances float up from the object to be disinfected, and cleans the object to be disinfected (for example, skin). Potassium carbonate exhibits an indirect antibacterial effect that the metal ions contained in the component inhibit the cell function of pathogenic bacteria. Sodium phosphate salt inhibits the enzyme activity of bacteria, thereby disturbing the metabolism of bacteria and suppressing the growth. Potassium phosphate salt adsorbs to the cell membrane of bacteria, destroys a part of its structure, and inhibits cell wall synthesis.

[0023] As the above sodium silicate, anhydrous sodium metasilicate (Na2SiO3) is preferable. Anhydrous sodium metasilicate exhibits a cleaning effect by emulsifying and dispersing oil dirt and sebum dirt.

[0024] There are many types of the above sodium phosphate salt and potassium phosphate salt, but the combination of sodium polyphosphate (Na5P3O10) and potassium dihydrogen phosphate (KH2PO4) has high pH stability and is optimal. In the combination of sodium dihydrogen phosphate (NaH2PO4) and potassium dihydrogen phosphate, it is difficult to stabilize the pH. Also, in the combination of trisodium phosphate (Na3PO4) and tripotassium phosphate (K3PO4), crystals may remain at the bottom and the disinfectant may become cloudy. In addition, purified water and desalination-concentrated RO (Reverse Osmosis) deep-sea water are also possible options for the water source.

[0025] The disinfectant according to the above embodiment is strongly alkaline, and therefore has a disinfecting effect by lifting and dissolving dirt, proteins, and other substances from the surface of the target object. The disinfectant has low volatility, making it easy to ensure sufficient wetting time to disinfect pathogens. Furthermore, it can inactivate many types of pathogens without changing the concentration according to the application, has an inactivating effect on a wide range of viruses and bacteria, and is fast-acting. For example, it can inactivate not only enveloped viruses such as the novel coronavirus, but also enveloped viruses such as norovirus.

[0026] Furthermore, since the above disinfectant is composed of the same components as natural minerals that originally exist in nature, it is gentle on the skin, just like natural hot spring water, and even if it is released into rivers, it is unlikely to harm the habitat of fish, making it highly safe and environmentally friendly. In addition, the above disinfectant is composed only of inorganic components and does not contain organic matter, and does not degrade in sunlight, making it easy to manage, transfer to other containers, and convenient to use.

[0027] The above disinfectant preferably contains 0.2 to 0.3% by weight of glycerin. The appropriate amount of glycerin enhances moisturizing properties, preventing skin irritation and roughness, while also increasing liquid adhesion to the target object, further improving the inactivation effect against pathogens.

[0028] Furthermore, the above disinfectant preferably contains 0.2 to 0.4% by weight of Hyaloveil. The appropriate amount of Hyaloveil forms an invisible coating on the object, which increases its moisturizing properties, prevents dryness and irritation of hands and skin, and also prevents dirt from adhering to the object. [Examples]

[0029] Examples of the present invention will now be described. The disinfectant D1 according to Example 1 contains 1 to 10% by weight of anhydrous sodium metasilicate, 0.1 to 1% by weight of sodium carbonate, 0.1 to 1% by weight of potassium carbonate, 0.1 to 1% by weight of sodium polyphosphate, and 0.1 to 1% by weight of potassium dihydrogen phosphate, with purified water as the residual component, and has a pH in the range of 13.1 to 14.0.

[0030] Table 1 below shows the results of a test conducted by Japan Microbiological Clinic Co., Ltd. to evaluate the inactivation of the disinfectant D1 (test sample) in Example 1 against the test subject (mold). Contact time is the time the disinfectant D1 (test sample) was in contact with the test subject. Disinfection rate is the percentage reduction in the test subject after the contact time.

[0031] [Table 1]

[0032] Disinfectant D1 can reduce Aspergillus orientale and Penicillium fuciformis by 99.999% with a 10-minute contact time, and reduce Aspergillus orientale by 99.999% with a 1-minute contact time, demonstrating a high disinfecting effect against these molds. [Examples]

[0033] Disinfectant D2 in Example 2 is prepared by diluting disinfectant D1 (pH 14.0) from Example 1 with purified water as a disinfectant stock solution, and adjusting the pH to approximately 12.6 (within the range of 12.6 ± 0.1). When a disinfectant is alkaline, a lower pH is preferable in terms of skin irritation, and pH 12.6 is gentler on the skin than pH 13.1. Pathogenic viruses, bacteria, and fungi have growth limits at which they stop growing. The alkaline growth limit for fungi is said to be pH 8.5, and the alkaline growth limit for bacteria is said to be pH 9. In addition, many viruses are inactivated at pH 12.6 or higher. For example, the growth limit for foot-and-mouth disease virus is pH 12.6, and the growth limit for porcine circovirus is pH 12.5.

[0034] Table 2 below shows the results of tests evaluating the inactivation of disinfectant D2 (test sample) in Example 2 against the test subjects. Tests against influenza virus, Escherichia coli, norovirus, adenovirus, coxsackievirus (the virus that causes herpangina and hand-foot-and-mouth disease), and RSV were conducted by Osaka University Laboratory: Protectia Co., Ltd.

[0035] Tests for Staphylococcus aureus, enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli, O-157, Salmonella, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Vibrio parahaemolyticus were conducted by Nippon Microbiology Clinic Co., Ltd. Tests for the novel coronavirus were conducted by the Institute of Veterinary Microbiology, Joint Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Yamaguchi University.

[0036] As shown in Table 2 below, disinfectant D2 exhibits rapid action and inactivation effects not only against enveloped viruses such as the novel coronavirus, but also against non-enveloped viruses such as norovirus. Furthermore, disinfectant D2 also exhibits rapid action and inactivation effects against bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus.

[0037] [Table 2]

[0038] Table 3 below shows the inactivation evaluation of the strongly alkaline electrolyzed water (test sample) according to Comparative Example 1 against the test subjects (influenza virus, E. coli, norovirus). Strongly alkaline electrolyzed water has recently attracted attention as a disinfectant. Although strongly alkaline electrolyzed water is as strongly alkaline as the disinfectant according to the present invention, it has a lower immediate effect than disinfectant D2 according to Example 2. Furthermore, electrolyzed water has the problem of being difficult to control in terms of pH. Therefore, the pH of strongly alkaline electrolyzed water is unstable, and it tends to neutralize and reduce its inactivation effect when it comes into contact with organic matter.

[0039] [Table 3]

[0040] Furthermore, as a comparative example, the antibacterial properties of a calcined scallop shell aqueous solution will be explained. While a calcined scallop shell aqueous solution shows a high inactivation effect against E. coli and the novel coronavirus, it does not have an immediate effect against influenza, norovirus, Staphylococcus aureus, etc., and is therefore unsuitable for use as a disinfectant.

[0041] Table 4 below compares the inactivation effect of disinfectant D2 in Example 2 with the inactivation effects of commercially available products A to D. It shows the contact time and reduction rate for each test subject. Commercial product A is an ethanol-based disinfectant. Commercial product B is a benzalkonium-based disinfectant. Commercial product C is sodium hypochlorite, used at a concentration of 200 ppm. Commercial product D is polyhexamethylene biguanide (PHMB), used at a concentration of 500 ppm.

[0042] As shown in Table 4 below, disinfectant D2 in Example 2 exhibits a broader inactivation effect and faster action than commercially available products A to D.

[0043] [Table 4]

[0044] Incidentally, regarding disinfectants, as explained in the section on "Problems the Invention Aims to Solve," it is necessary to verify their effectiveness in contaminated environments. Therefore, we conducted tests to verify the effectiveness of their inactivation effect in the presence of organic matter, using feline calicivirus, which belongs to the same Caliciviridae family as norovirus.

[0045] Specifically, an antiviral test was conducted using a virus solution containing 5% bovine serum, referencing the ASTM E1052-20 standard US test method. As a result, for disinfectant D2 in Example 2, a very high inactivation effect of over 99.99996% was confirmed after 30 seconds of action, as shown in Table 5 (Osaka University Lab: Test report prepared by Protectia Co., Ltd.). However, none of the commercially available products A to D showed a high inactivation effect of over 99.99%.

[0046] Furthermore, while the strongly alkaline electrolyzed water and calcined scallop shell aqueous solutions mentioned above are alkaline, they are susceptible to organic matter. They neutralize organic matter upon contact, reducing their effectiveness. Therefore, it is not possible to evaluate their effectiveness against norovirus, adenovirus, and coxsackievirus, which often coexist with organic matter, in contaminated environments (actual usage environments).

[0047] Furthermore, the disinfectant D2 in Example 2 has a low BOD (Biochemical Oxygen Demand) of 0.5 mg / L, making it very close to pure water. In addition, the corrosiveness of disinfectant D2 to non-ferrous metals was investigated by immersing 1-yen coins (aluminum), 5-yen coins (brass), and 10-yen coins (copper) in disinfectant D2. As a result, no changes were observed even after 7 days, and it was determined that there were no corrosive issues.

[0048] Furthermore, skin irritation tests, eye irritation tests, and acute oral toxicity tests were conducted on the disinfectant D2. For the skin irritation test, an in vitro regenerated human epidermal test was performed using human three-dimensional cultured skin, and the result was judged as "non-irritating" based on the criteria of the OECD guideline (No. 439). For the eye irritation test, an in vitro eye irritation test was performed using the short-term exposure STE method with SIRC cells, and the result was judged as "not classified" based on the criteria of the OECD guideline (No. 491). For acute oral toxicity, the LD50 (oral lethal dose for half of users) was 87,200 mg / kg, and the result was judged as "not applicable" to "poison." A higher LD50 value indicates higher safety; for example, the LD50 of table salt is 3,000-3,500 mg / kg, so disinfectant D2 can be said to be safer than table salt. [Examples]

[0049] The disinfectant D3 in Example 3 was prepared by diluting the disinfectant D1 from Example 1 with purified water as a stock solution for disinfection, and adjusting the pH to 12.1. In tests evaluating inactivation, the disinfectant D3 in Example 3 also showed an inactivation effect comparable to that of the disinfectant D2 in Example 2. [Industrial applicability]

[0050] As described above, the disinfectant according to the present invention has a high inactivation effect against a wide range of pathogens and can be used as part of measures to prevent contact infection. 1. By spraying the disinfectant according to the present invention onto the hands, hand disinfection becomes possible (aerosol disinfection). 2. By wiping environmental surfaces (tables, equipment, etc.) with the disinfectant according to the present invention, it becomes possible to disinfect environmental surfaces (wiping disinfection). This is particularly effective in restaurants. 3. Hand sanitization becomes possible (impregnation disinfection) using a hand wipe (impregnation sheet) soaked in the disinfectant agent according to the present invention. It is suitable for use before meals. For example, alcohol-based impregnation sheets are sometimes used on airplanes, but this is a suitable alternative.

[0051] Needless to say, the potential uses of the disinfectant according to the present invention are not limited to these. Furthermore, as mentioned above, because it is highly safe, easy to manage, and environmentally friendly, it is very effective for use in childcare facilities and is suitable for disinfecting toys and equipment.

Claims

1. A disinfectant that reduces pathogens from an object, Sodium silicate in an amount of 1 to 10% by weight, Sodium carbonate in a concentration of 0.1 to 1% by weight. Potassium carbonate in a weight of 0.1 to 1%, 0.1 to 1% by weight of sodium phosphate salt, Potassium phosphate salt in an amount of 0.1 to 1% by weight, and contains water, A disinfectant characterized by having a pH within the range of 12.1 to 14.

0.

2. The disinfectant according to claim 1, characterized in that the sodium silicate is anhydrous sodium metasilicate.

3. The aforementioned sodium phosphate salt is sodium polyphosphate, The disinfectant according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the potassium phosphate salt is potassium dihydrogen phosphate.

4. Furthermore, the disinfectant according to claim 1 is characterized by containing 0.2 to 0.3% by weight of glycerin.

5. Furthermore, the disinfectant according to claim 1, characterized in that it contains 0.2 to 0.4% by weight of Hyaloveil.

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