Method for removing micellized viruses

Abstract

The present invention provides a micellar removal method for removing pathogenic microorganisms from the mucous membrane of the oral cavity. [Solution] The device comprises a chewing body and a surfactant encapsulated within the chewing body.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a micellization removal means for removing pathogenic microorganisms from the mucous membrane in the oral cavity.

Background Art

[0002] Since pathogenic microorganisms invade through the mucous membranes of a person's eyes, nose, and mouth, causing various diseases, from the perspective of preventing infectious diseases, in addition to alcohol for disinfection, surfactants, reverse soaps, bactericides, etc. that can be used for disinfection are used to disinfect, sterilize, and wash fingers (skin) (see Patent Document 1). According to this, pathogenic microorganisms can be removed from the fingers, preventing the fingers from coming into contact with the eyes, nose, and mouth and allowing pathogenic microorganisms to adhere to the mucous membranes. In addition, pathogenic microorganisms may be contained in minute particles that float in the air for a long time, called microdroplets or aerosols, and the minute particles can directly invade the body through the nose or mouth and adhere to the mucous membranes. Measures such as disinfecting, sterilizing, and washing fingers against pathogenic microorganisms contained in such minute particles hardly make sense. Therefore, wearing a mask that covers the mouth and nose (see Patent Document 2) suppresses the inhalation of pathogenic microorganisms. Also, gargling with a gargle solution to sterilize and disinfect the oral cavity and throat (see Patent Document 3), or brushing teeth to keep the oral cavity clean, also prevent infection from pathogenic microorganisms.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Patent Document 3

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, there is a problem in that non-woven masks cannot completely prevent airborne pathogenic microorganisms contained in droplets and other fine particles. In other words, even when wearing a non-woven mask, there is a risk that pathogenic microorganisms may enter through the small gap between the mask and the face. Furthermore, since viruses, among pathogenic microorganisms, are tens to hundreds of nanometers in size, viruses attached to extremely fine particles can easily pass through the filter of a non-woven mask. Viruses that pass through a non-woven mask can enter the body via the nose and mouth, attaching to the mucous membranes near the upper respiratory tract and entering the body. For example, viruses can enter the body by binding to receptors and possess infectious ability even in small amounts. Therefore, wearing a non-woven mask cannot completely prevent pathogenic microorganisms from entering the oral cavity, and thus it is not an adequate infection prevention measure.

[0005] Furthermore, while gargling can expel viruses attached to the oral cavity, it has the problem that it cannot completely remove viruses attached to the mucous membranes of the upper respiratory tract, which gargling cannot reach. In addition, even if oral hygiene is maintained through brushing teeth, it is difficult to prevent viruses that have entered the oral cavity from multiplying and causing oral infection. Furthermore, gargling and brushing teeth are not things that can be done anytime, anywhere; they are limited to places with water taps, such as bathroom sinks, making them difficult to do when out and about.

[0006] This invention was made through the diligent research of the inventors in view of the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a means for removing pathogenic microorganisms that have entered the oral cavity and attached to the mucous membrane with a simple structure. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The present invention provides a means for the micelle removal of pathogenic microorganisms, characterized by comprising a masticatory body and a surfactant encapsulated within the masticatory body.

[0008] The present invention provides a means for the micelle removal of pathogenic microorganisms, characterized in that the surfactant contains a food-derived component.

[0009] The present invention provides a means for the micelle removal of pathogenic microorganisms, characterized in that the surfactant is encapsulated in microcapsules.

[0010] The method for removing pathogenic microorganisms by micelle formation according to the present invention is characterized by the presence of multiple microcapsules.

[0011] The method for micellar removal of pathogenic microorganisms according to the present invention is characterized in that the chewable body is one of the following: tablet type, chewing candy type, gummy candy type, hard candy type, soft candy type, or gum type.

[0012] The present invention provides a means for the micelle removal of pathogenic microorganisms, characterized in that the chewed body has air bubbles dispersed inside, and a surfactant is present in the air bubbles.

[0013] The present invention provides a means for the micelle removal of pathogenic microorganisms, characterized by having a second microcapsule encapsulated within the chewable body and containing a diluent.

[0014] The present invention provides a means for the micelle removal of pathogenic microorganisms, characterized in that the diluent contains one or more of the following: water, fragrance, acidulant, bittering agent, sweetener, and preservative.

[0015] The present invention provides a means for the micelle removal of pathogenic microorganisms, characterized in that the surfactant is an aromatic compound having a six-membered ring cyclic structure and a plurality of hydroxyl groups. [Effects of the Invention]

[0016] According to the present invention, pathogenic microorganisms that have entered the oral cavity and attached to the mucous membrane can be removed. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0017] [Figure 1]It is a schematic diagram showing the foaming structure 1 as the micellization removing means of the present embodiment.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0018] Embodiments of the micellization removing means of the present invention will be described below. The present invention is not limited to the following exemplary objects and the like, and can be arbitrarily modified and implemented without departing from the gist of the present invention.

[0019] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the chewable structure 1 as the micellization removing means of the present embodiment. The chewable structure 1 is one in which microcapsules 4 encapsulating a surfactant 2 are embedded inside a chewing body 10. The chewable structure 1 has a continuous foam type, that is, a structure in which bubbles are dispersed in the chewing body 10.

[0020] The surfactant 2 preferably contains at least one or more of those derived from foods such as saponin, lecithin, peptide, sodium caseinate, and so-called emulsifiers such as glycerin fatty acid ester, sorbitan fatty acid ester, propylene glycol fatty acid ester, sucrose fatty acid ester, oxyethylene fatty acid alcohol, sodium oleate and morpholine fatty acid salt, polyoxyethylene higher fatty acid alcohol, calcium stearoyl lactate, ammonium monoglyceride phosphate, etc., and it is more preferable to select those having foaming properties, as long as they can adhere to the mucous membranes of the upper respiratory tract such as in the oral cavity and pharynx by being ingested into the oral cavity and detach from the mucous membranes while micellizing pathogenic microorganisms such as viruses and bacteria attached thereto. Further, the surfactant 2 may be a dilution of sodium linear alkylbenzene sulfonate, alkyl glycoside, alkylamine oxide, benzalkonium chloride, benzethonium chloride, dialkyldimethylammonium chloride, polyoxyethylene alkyl ether, pure soap content (fatty acid potassium), pure soap content (fatty acid sodium), etc. that sterilize and inactivate pathogenic microorganisms at an appropriate concentration.

[0021] The microcapsules 4 are formed by coating the surfactant 2, which is the core substance, with a film. The film can use, for example, the base of hard capsule agents such as gelatin and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, or the base of soft capsule agents with glycerin or sorbitol added to gelatin or the like. Alternatively, excipients such as starch, lactose, dextrin, sucrose, and precipitated silica may be used as the film. Also, agar, pectin, sheep intestine, oblate, etc. can be adopted as the film.

[0022] Also, the microcapsules 4 are embedded in the masticatory body 具有10, and are formed to have a particle size of about 0.1 mm to 3 mm. The manufacturing method of the microcapsules 4 is not particularly limited. For example, the surfactant 2 may be wrapped with gelatin in sheet form, or the surfactant 2 may be filled into a substantially cylindrical hard capsule with one end closed and then closed with a cap. Also, a method of dropping into a coagulation liquid using a double or triple nozzle called the dropping method can be adopted.

[0023] The masticatory body 10 is preferably at least repeatedly chewable and capable of foaming the surfactant 2 in the oral cavity, and may be in the form of a tablet confectionery, chewing candy, gummy candy, hard candy, soft candy, or gum. Of course, the masticatory body 10 may have a structure with different hardnesses on the outside and inside. For example, it can be configured such that the outside is in the form of a hard candy and the inside is in the form of a gum.

[0024] According to the chewable structure 1 described above, when the chewable structure 1 is chewed, the microcapsules 4 are crushed and the surfactant 2 is released from the inside. By further repeating the chewing, the surfactant 2 and saliva are mixed and foam in the oral cavity, and the foam fills the oral cavity.

[0025] The foam, which expands to the upper respiratory tract, envelops viruses (pathogenic microorganisms) attached to the mucous membrane, generating micelles and detaching them from the mucous membrane. Specifically, the lipophilic groups of surfactant 2 bind to the hydrophobic components of the virus's surface, generating micelles that envelop each virus at the nanoscale, thus detaching the viruses from the upper respiratory tract mucous membrane. At the same time, the hydrophilic groups of surfactant 2 bind to moisture such as saliva in the oral cavity, removing the viruses. By appropriately selecting the components of surfactant 2 according to the target virus, it is possible to remove the virus while inactivating it.

[0026] As explained above, chewing the masticatory structure 1 generates foam in the oral cavity, and the foam can envelop viruses attached to the oral cavity and upper respiratory tract, allowing them to be detached from the mucous membrane. In other words, viruses that have entered the oral cavity and attached to the mucous membrane can be removed and inactivated, thereby reducing the risk of infection.

[0027] In the embodiments described above, saliva and surfactant were mixed to produce a foaming action in the oral cavity. However, by embedding a second microcapsule containing a diluent such as water, different from microcapsule 4, within the masticatory body 10, the diluent, saliva, and surfactant may be mixed to produce a foaming action and create a precursor state for micelle formation. In this way, for people who have difficulty producing saliva and therefore have difficulty producing a foaming action in their oral cavity, it is possible to easily produce a foaming action or create a precursor state for micelle formation in the oral cavity.

[0028] Alternatively, a high concentration of surfactant 2 may be encapsulated in microcapsules 4, and the surfactant 2 may be mixed with a diluent to an appropriate concentration while chewing the chewable body 10. The diluent may also contain one or more of the following: fragrances, acidulants, bittering agents, sweeteners, preservatives, etc., for example, a mixture with water. The diluent may also contain a cooling agent such as mint or xylitol.

[0029] In the embodiment described above, air bubbles were placed inside the masticatory body 10, but of course, the masticatory body 10 does not necessarily have to contain air bubbles. However, if the masticatory body 10 is configured to contain air bubbles, after the microcapsule is crushed, the foaming action of the surfactant 2 is generated within the air bubbles during repeated chewing, resulting in better foaming in the oral cavity. This makes it easier for the surfactant 2 to disperse in the oral cavity and upper respiratory tract, etc., enabling the removal of viruses over a wide area.

[0030] Alternatively, microcapsules 4 containing surfactant-like compounds may be embedded inside the masticatory tissue to form a masticatory structure 1. That is, compounds containing amphiphilic molecular structures among those found in food / plant tissues may be used as surfactants.

[0031] Examples of compounds containing amphiphilic molecules include compounds, groups of compounds, and classes of compounds, such as catechol, catechin, flavanoids, flavanols, quercetin, hesperidin, or tannins. Additionally, ubiquinol, coenzymes Q-12 and Q-10, uric acid, methionine, glutathione, thymol, carvacrol, eugenol, and water-soluble and fat-soluble vitamins may also be used. In particular, aromatic compounds with multiple hydrophobic (lipophilic) six-membered rings and multiple hydroxyl groups, such as catechol, catechin, and tannin, can be said to have a structure equivalent to a surfactant that can inactivate pathogenic microorganisms.

[0032] Surfactant-like compounds strongly bind to proteins and, through their hydrophilic groups, bind to moisture such as saliva to form micelles. On the other hand, pathogenic microorganisms, particularly enveloped viruses, can be described as masses of proteins that have lipophilic groups on their surface and spikes that bind locally to protein receptors such as ACE2, which are abundant in human mucous membranes.

[0033] Therefore, the above compound forms micelles with the pathogenic microorganism as the core, binding to the pathogenic microorganism using its lipophilic group and to saliva using its hydrophilic group. This action of the compound inactivates the pathogenic microorganism (especially enveloped viruses), preventing it from binding to ACE2 proteins, etc. In other words, similar to surfactants, introducing the compound into the oral cavity allows it to adhere to the oral mucosa while inactivating the pathogenic microorganism. This provides the effect of preventing the invasion of pathogenic microorganisms into the body.

[0034] Furthermore, although the chewable structure 1 was described as being composed of a chewable body containing microcapsules, the chewable structure may also be formed from edible powders impregnated with at least a surfactant. Examples of powders include grain flours such as wheat flour, rice flour, barley flour, rye flour, corn flour, teff flour, millet flour, soybean flour, soybean flour, chickpea flour, pea flour, buckwheat flour, potato starch, kudzu starch, tapioca flour, potato flour, chestnut flour, acorn flour, coconut flour, as well as sugar and salt. By impregnating such powders with a surfactant, it is also possible to create a chewable structure that does not contain microcapsules.

[0035] Furthermore, the chewable structure of the present invention may be in the form of a tablet or candy, etc., formed by compression molding of a powdered surfactant. The method for powdering the surfactant is not particularly limited, but for example, it can be dried using vacuum freeze-drying technology to form a powder.

[0036] The compression-molded chewable structure is composed of surfactants and surfactant-like compounds that inactivate pathogenic microorganisms, as well as excipients, stabilizers, preservatives, disintegrants, flavoring agents, lubricants, isotonic agents, and the like. Here, excipients include lactose, crystalline cellulose, starch, etc., and are used to improve the handling or shaping of chewable structures and to make them easier to take. Binders include carmellose sodium, etc., and are used to solidify powdered surfactants, etc. Stabilizers include sodium bisulfite, etc., and are used to prevent the decomposition of the active ingredients. The preservatives include parabens, benzalkonium chloride, chlorobutanol, and cresol, which are used to inhibit the growth of microorganisms in the chewable structure and prevent deterioration and spoilage. The disintegrants include carmellose calcium and crystalline cellulose, which are used to disintegrate the chewable structure in the oral cavity. Flavoring agents include citric acid and are used to adjust the taste. Lubricants include magnesium stearate, talc, hydrogenated vegetable oil, etc., which are used to improve the fluidity of powders and granules, to improve slipperiness during compression molding, to prevent tableting problems such as sticking, and to give the tablet surface a glossy finish. Isotonic agents include sodium chloride, glucose, etc., which are used to match the osmotic pressure with that of body fluids. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0037] 1... Chewable structure, 2... Surfactant, 4... Microcapsule, 10... Chewable body.

Claims

1. The masticatory body, A means for removing pathogenic microorganisms by micelle formation, characterized by comprising a surfactant encapsulated within the above-mentioned chewable body.

2. The means for micellar removal of pathogenic microorganisms according to claim 1, characterized in that the surfactant contains food-derived components.

3. The means for micellar removal of pathogenic microorganisms according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the surfactant is encapsulated in microcapsules.

4. The means for removing pathogenic microorganisms by micelle formation according to claim 3, characterized in that a plurality of the aforementioned microcapsules are present.

5. The means for micellar removal of pathogenic microorganisms according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the chewable body is of any type of tablet, chewing candy, gummy candy, hard candy, soft candy, or gum.

6. The chewing body has air bubbles dispersed inside, A means for the micelle removal of pathogenic microorganisms according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that a surfactant is present in the bubbles.

7. A means for the micelle removal of pathogenic microorganisms according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that it has a second microcapsule encapsulated within the chewable body and containing a diluent.

8. The means for micellar removal of pathogenic microorganisms according to claim 7, characterized in that the diluent contains one or more of the following: water, fragrance, acidulant, bittering agent, sweetener, and preservative.

9. The means for micellar removal of pathogenic microorganisms according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the surfactant is an aromatic compound having a six-membered ring cyclic structure and having multiple hydroxyl groups.

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