Anti-norovirus agents, disinfectants and cleaning agents

Abstract

To provide an anti-norovirus agent that has an excellent anti-norovirus effect and is light in color and does not easily spoil the appearance of the object.SOLUTION: Provided is an anti-norovirus agent containing an extract of a linden plant by 0.005 mass% or more and 0.17 mass% or less. Said anti-norovirus agent contains a predetermined amount of an extract of a linden plant, and, as a result, exhibits an excellent anti-norovirus effect and achieves an excellent effect that it is light in color and does not easily impair the appearance of the object.SELECTED DRAWING: None

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an anti-norovirus agent, a disinfectant, and a cleaning agent. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, cases of infectious gastroenteritis and food poisoning caused by norovirus have been occurring frequently throughout the year, with peak outbreaks occurring from November to March. Norovirus is an envelopeless RNA virus classified in the Caliciviridae family and Norovirus genus, and is highly resistant to alcohol (ethanol, isopropanol, etc.), cationic soap, heat, acid (gastric acid, etc.), and dryness. The incubation period for norovirus is thought to be one to two days, with primary symptoms being nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, but may also include abdominal pain, headache, fever, chills, muscle pain, sore throat, and fatigue.

[0003] Oral infection is known to be one of the routes of norovirus infection, and infection occurs when food or water contaminated with the virus is orally ingested. Therefore, restaurants, cafeterias, factories, and other food preparation and processing facilities are required to take measures to prevent food, water, and equipment from becoming contaminated with the virus.

[0004] Norovirus is so highly infectious that ingesting as few as 10 to 100 noroviruses can cause illness. Therefore, there is a need for an anti-norovirus agent that acts directly on the norovirus and reduces or eliminates its infectivity.

[0005] According to the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, in order to inactivate norovirus, it is recommended that cooking utensils and the like be heated at 85°C for one minute and disinfected with 200 ppm sodium hypochlorite (see Non-Patent Document 1). However, inactivating norovirus by heating poses a problem of the heat resistance of the object being disinfected, and sodium hypochlorite is highly corrosive to metals, so its use may be limited. Furthermore, in places with a lot of organic soiling, such as kitchens, sodium hypochlorite may decompose, making it less effective.

[0006] Furthermore, sodium hypochlorite is difficult to apply to the human body due to the risk of damaging the skin and mucous membranes, and it must be handled and used with care because it reacts with acid to produce toxic gases. Under these circumstances, there is a strong demand for an anti-norovirus agent that is easy to handle and can exert a sufficient inactivation effect even when sodium hypochlorite cannot be used.

[0007] The use of food-derived virus inactivating substances is being investigated as a method for inactivating norovirus and other viruses safely in the human body.

[0008] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses that a composition is prepared by mixing an extract of a plant of the genus Diospyros, which contains tannins, with ethanol, and that the use of this composition can inactivate norovirus and the like.

[0009] Furthermore, for example, Patent Document 2 describes a norovirus killing agent containing a predetermined amount of proanthocyanidins from grape seed extract. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0010] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2008 / 153077 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2013-47196 [Non-patent literature]

[0011] [Non-Patent Document 1] Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare website: "Q&A about Norovirus"; https: / / www.mhlw.go.jp / stf / seisakunitsuite / bunya / kenkou_iryou / shokuhin / syokuchu / kanren / yobou / 040204-1.html#04 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0012] As mentioned above, Patent Document 1 shows that a composition containing a tannin-containing extract of a plant of the genus Diospyros and ethanol can inactivate norovirus, etc. However, this composition has a problem in that it is brown in color and mars the appearance of the object to be disinfected.

[0013] The norovirus killing agent of Patent Document 2 has an excellent norovirus killing effect. However, even this norovirus killing agent has a brown color depending on the mode of use, and when applied to white or transparent objects to be disinfected (e.g., tableware, cooking utensils, processing equipment, conveyers, cloth, etc.), there is a problem that the appearance of the objects to be disinfected may be marred, and further improvement is required.

[0014] Under these circumstances, a primary object of the present invention is to provide an anti-norovirus agent that has excellent anti-norovirus effect and is light in color so as not to impair the appearance of an object. Another object of the present invention is to provide a disinfectant and a cleaner that use the anti-norovirus agent. [Means for solving the problem]

[0015] The present inventors conducted extensive research to solve the above-mentioned problems. As a result, they found that the use of an extract of a Tilia plant in an anti-norovirus agent exhibits excellent anti-norovirus effects, is light in color, and is less likely to impair the appearance of the object. Furthermore, they found that the anti-norovirus agent also has excellent storage stability in high-temperature environments. The present invention was completed based on these findings and through further research.

[0016] That is, the present invention provides the following aspects of the invention. Item 1. An anti-norovirus agent containing 0.005% by mass or more and 0.17% by mass or less of an extract of a plant of the genus Tilia. Item 2. The anti-norovirus agent according to Item 1, wherein the extract of a plant of the genus Tilia is contained in an aqueous ethanol solution having a concentration of 30% by mass or more. Section 3. CIE1976 L * a * b * Item 3. The anti-norovirus agent according to Item 1 or 2, wherein the color difference ΔE1 from a 95% by volume aqueous ethanol solution in color space is less than 10.00. Item 4. After storing in a 40°C environment for 30 days, CIE1976 L * a * b * Item 4. The anti-norovirus agent according to any one of Items 1 to 3, wherein the color difference ΔE2 from a 95% by volume aqueous ethanol solution in color space is less than 15.00. Section 5. CIE1976 L * a * b * Color change ΔE before and after storing in a 40°C environment for 30 days in the color space 12 Item 5. The anti-norovirus agent according to any one of Items 1 to 4, wherein the β-glucan value is less than 5.00. Item 6. The anti-norovirus agent according to any one of Items 1 to 5, wherein the Tilia plant is at least one species selected from the group consisting of linden, Tilia cordata, Summer tree, Tilia americana, linden, Manchuria linden, and Tilia asiatica. Item 7. A disinfectant comprising the anti-norovirus agent according to any one of Items 1 to 6. Item 8. A cleaning agent comprising the anti-norovirus agent according to any one of Items 1 to 6. [Effects of the Invention]

[0017] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an anti-norovirus agent that exhibits excellent anti-norovirus effect and is light in color so as not to impair the appearance of an object. Furthermore, according to the present invention, it is also possible to provide a disinfectant and a cleaning agent that use the anti-norovirus agent. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0018] [Figure 1]1 is a graph showing the relationship between the number of days (30 days) that an anti-norovirus agent was stored in a 40°C environment and the color difference ΔE. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] The anti-norovirus agent of the present invention, and the disinfectant and cleaning agent using the same, are described in detail below. In this specification, numerical values ​​connected with "~" indicate a numerical range that includes the numerical values ​​before and after "~" as the lower and upper limits. When multiple lower limits and multiple upper limits are listed separately, any lower limit and upper limit can be selected and connected with "~".

[0020] The anti-norovirus agent of the present invention is characterized by containing 0.005% by mass or more and 0.17% by mass or less of an extract of a plant of the genus Linden. Due to the inclusion of a predetermined amount of the extract of a plant of the genus Linden, the anti-norovirus agent of the present invention exhibits excellent anti-norovirus effects and exhibits the excellent effect of being light in color and not damaging the appearance of an object.

[0021] The anti-norovirus agent of the present invention contains an extract of a plant of the genus Tilia as an active ingredient. The extract of the anti-norovirus agent of the present invention is derived from a plant of the genus Tilia, has a high inactivating effect on norovirus, and can inactivate norovirus safely in the human body.

[0022] Among the Tilia species, there are the Tilia miqueliana Maxim., Tilia cordata Mill., Tilia ulmifolia Scop., Tilia parvifolia Ehrh., Summer linden (Tilia platyphyllos Scop.), Western linden (Tilia × europaea L.), American linden (Tilia americana L.), Large linden (Tilia maximowicziana Shiras.), Manchu linden (Tilia mandshurica Rupr. et Maxim. var. mandshurica), and Japanese linden (Tilia mandshurica Rupr. et Maxim. var. rufovillosa (Hatus.)). The extracts of plants of the genus Tilia are preferably used alone or in combination of two or more.

[0023] The part of the plant of the genus Tilia to be extracted is not particularly limited as long as the effects of the present invention are achieved, and examples thereof include above-ground parts such as leaves, branches, stems, flowers, buds, fruits, and peels, or mixtures thereof, with flowers being preferred. The extract of the plant of the genus Tilia preferably includes an extract of the flowers of Tilia cordata.

[0024] The extracted part of a plant of the genus Tilia can be prepared by subjecting the part to solvent extraction either as is or after crushing using a crusher.

[0025] The extract of a linden plant can be easily obtained by utilizing a method commonly used for plant extraction. Alternatively, a commercially available product may be used as the extract of a linden plant. The extract of a linden plant includes an extract of a linden plant, a diluted or concentrated solution of the extract, a dried product of the extract, or any of the crude or purified products thereof.

[0026] The extraction solvent for extracts of plants of the genus Tilia is not particularly limited and can be appropriately selected depending on the purpose, and examples thereof include water, hydrophilic solvents, and mixtures thereof. The water is not particularly limited and examples thereof include pure water, tap water, well water, mineral water, hot spring water, spring water, fresh water, purified water, hot water, ion-exchanged water, saline, phosphate buffer, and phosphate-buffered saline. The hydrophilic solvent is not particularly limited and examples thereof include lower alcohols having 1 to 5 carbon atoms, such as methanol, ethanol, propyl alcohol, and isopropyl alcohol; lower aliphatic ketones, such as acetone and methyl ethyl ketone; and polyhydric alcohols having 2 to 5 carbon atoms, such as 1,3-butylene glycol, propylene glycol, and glycerin. The mixed solvent of water and a hydrophilic solvent is not particularly limited and can be appropriately selected depending on the purpose, but when a lower alcohol is used, it is preferably added in an amount of 1 to 90 parts by mass per 10 parts by mass of water, when a lower aliphatic ketone is used, it is preferably added in an amount of 1 to 40 parts by mass per 10 parts by mass of water, and when a polyhydric alcohol is used, it is preferably added in an amount of 1 to 90 parts by mass per 10 parts by mass of water. The extraction solvent is preferably used at room temperature or a temperature below the boiling point of the solvent. Among these, water and aqueous ethanol are preferred as the extraction solvent.

[0027] The extraction method for extracting a linden plant extract is not particularly limited, as long as it is capable of dissolving the fat-soluble components contained in the linden plant extract material into the solvent, and can be carried out according to conventional methods. Furthermore, no special extraction method is required for the extraction process; any device can be used at room temperature or under reflux heating. Specifically, the extraction method includes, for example, placing the linden plant extract material in a treatment tank filled with a solvent such as aqueous ethanol, and, with appropriate stirring as needed, heating and extracting the fat-soluble components in a reflux extractor at 80°C for 2 hours. Hot filtration is then performed to elute the fat-soluble components, followed by concentration under reduced pressure using an evaporator and further filtration in the same manner. The extraction conditions can be adjusted appropriately depending on the extract material, but the amount of the extraction solvent is preferably 5 to 20 times the amount of the extract material (by mass), the extraction time is preferably 1 to 3 hours, and the extraction temperature is preferably 20 to 95°C.

[0028] The obtained extract of a plant of the genus Linden may be subjected to treatments such as dilution, concentration, drying, purification, etc., according to conventional methods to obtain a diluted product, concentrate, dried product, crude product, purified product, etc. The obtained extract of a plant of the genus Linden may be used as an anti-norovirus agent as is, but the concentrate and dried product are preferred in terms of ease of use. When obtaining the dried product, a carrier such as dextrin or cyclodextrin may be added to improve hygroscopicity.

[0029] The anti-norovirus agent of the present invention may contain a predetermined amount of an extract of a plant of the genus Tilia, and commercially available extracts of plants of the genus Tilia are readily available. Examples of commercially available products include "Lilium Extract Powder MF," "Lilium Extract," and "Lilium Extract BG-J," both from Maruzen Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., and "Falcorex Lilium" from Ichimaru Pharcos Co., Ltd.

[0030] Components contained in extracts of plants of the genus Tilia are known to include, for example, essential oils, mucilaginous polysaccharides, tannins, flavonoids, kaempferol glycosides, and phenols in the case of flowers.

[0031] The anti-norovirus agent of the present invention may contain 0.005 to 0.17% by mass of an extract of a plant of the genus Linden, but from the viewpoint of achieving a favorable anti-norovirus effect and a light color, the content of the extract of a plant of the genus Linden is preferably 0.008 to 0.17% by mass, and more preferably 0.01 to 0.17% by mass. In the anti-norovirus agent of the present invention, the content of the extract of a plant of the genus Linden means the concentration of components derived from plants of the genus Linden.

[0032] From the viewpoint of achieving a favorable anti-norovirus effect and a light color, the anti-norovirus agent of the present invention is * a * b * In the color space, the color difference ΔE1 from a 95% vol. ethanol aqueous solution is preferably less than 10.00, and particularly preferably less than 5.00. When the color difference ΔE1 from a 95% vol. ethanol aqueous solution is 5.00≦ΔE1<10.00, the anti-norovirus agent is lightly colored but pale, and is unlikely to impair the appearance of a white or colorless object. When ΔE1<5.00, the anti-norovirus agent is extremely pale, and is perceived as nearly colorless and transparent to the naked eye, so there is little risk of impairing the appearance of a white or colorless object.

[0033] Furthermore, the anti-norovirus agent of the present invention was stored at 40°C for 30 days and then passed CIE1976 L * a * b * In the color space, the color difference ΔE2 from a 95% by volume ethanol aqueous solution is preferably less than 15.00, more preferably less than 10.00, and particularly preferably less than 5.00. If the color difference ΔE2 from a 95% by volume ethanol aqueous solution after 30 days of storage in a high-temperature environment of 40°C is less than 15.00, the storage stability is good, and if the color difference ΔE2 is less than 10.00, the storage stability is excellent, and if the color difference ΔE2 is less than 5.00, the storage stability is particularly excellent.

[0034] Furthermore, the anti-norovirus agent of the present invention is * a* b * Color change ΔE before and after storing in a 40°C environment for 30 days in the color space 12 is preferably less than 5.00.

[0035] The noroviruses that the anti-norovirus agents of the present invention inactivate are at least one of human norovirus (HNV), feline calicivirus (FCV), and murine norovirus (MNV), with human norovirus being a particularly suitable target for inactivation.

[0036] The anti-norovirus agent of the present invention preferably further contains at least one of water and a polar organic solvent in addition to the extract of a Tilia plant.

[0037] The polar organic solvent is not particularly limited as long as it does not inhibit the effects of the present invention, but lower alcohols such as ethanol and isopropanol are preferred, with ethanol being more preferred. Furthermore, the anti-norovirus agent of the present invention preferably contains an aqueous ethanol solution. That is, the anti-norovirus agent of the present invention is particularly preferably one in which an extract of a Tilia plant is contained in an aqueous ethanol solution.

[0038] For example, when the anti-norovirus agent of the present invention is used as a disinfectant or a cleaning agent, the ethanol concentration in the aqueous ethanol solution has a lower limit of about 30% by mass or more, and an optimal range of about 30% by mass to about 60% by mass.

[0039] From the viewpoint of enhancing the inactivating effect on norovirus, the pH of the anti-norovirus agent of the present invention is preferably in the range of 2.0 to 10.0, more preferably in the range of 2.5 to 7.0.

[0040] The pH of the anti-norovirus agent of the present invention can be adjusted using known pH adjusters or buffer solutions. Examples of pH adjusters include inorganic acids such as hydrochloric acid, nitric acid, sulfuric acid, and phosphoric acid; organic acids such as acetic acid, malic acid, citric acid, lactic acid, fumaric acid, succinic acid, tartaric acid, gluconic acid, phosphoric acid, benzoic acid, ascorbic acid, erythorbic acid, sorbic acid, adipic acid, cinnamic acid, itaconic acid, ferulic acid, and phytic acid, and their salts; alkali metal hydroxides such as sodium hydroxide and potassium hydroxide; and carbonates such as potassium carbonate and sodium bicarbonate. Examples of buffer solutions include phosphate buffer solutions, citrate-phosphate buffer solutions, and lactate buffer solutions.

[0041] The anti-norovirus agent of the present invention may also contain an additive. The additive is not particularly limited, and additives that can be used in known antiviral agents can also be used in the present invention. Examples of additives include antioxidants and amino acids. A single type of additive may be used, or two or more types may be mixed and used. When the anti-norovirus agent of the present invention contains an additive, the concentration thereof is not particularly limited as long as it does not inhibit the effects of the present invention, and may be, for example, about 0.001 to 4.0% by mass.

[0042] Examples of antioxidants include L-ascorbic acid, L-ascorbic acid palmitate, L-ascorbic acid phosphate magnesium salt, L-ascorbic acid 2-glucoside, sodium L-ascorbate, D-ascorbic acid, sodium D-ascorbate, L-cysteine, N-acetyl L-cysteine, cystine, oxidized glutathione, reduced glutathione, L-ergothioneine, thioctic acid, ferulic acid, edetate, propyl gallate, tocopherol, dibutylhydroxytoluene, butylhydroxyanisole, sodium sulfite, potassium sulfite, potassium metabisulfite, sulfur dioxide, coffee bean extract (chlorogenic acid), green tea extract (catechin), rosemary extract, bayberry extract, amla extract, yeast extract, etc. The inclusion of an antioxidant can suppress discoloration of the anti-norovirus agent of the present invention due to oxidation.

[0043] Examples of amino acids include L-phenylalanine, L-methionine, L-isoleucine, L-alanine, DL-alanine, L-serine, L-cysteine, L-arginine, L-lysine, L-valine, L-glycine, L-theanine, L-threonine, L-proline, L-histidine, L-glutamine, L-glutamic acid, L-leucine, L-tryptophan, L-ornithine, L-citrulline, L-tyrosine, L-carnitine, and salts thereof. The inclusion of an amino acid allows the pH of the anti-norovirus agent of the present invention to be adjusted and also prevents discoloration due to oxidation.

[0044] The anti-norovirus agent of the present invention may also contain general antiviral ingredients such as acyclovir, and general antibacterial ingredients such as phenoxyethanol, chlorhexidine gluconate, benzalkonium chloride, benzethonium chloride, cetylpyridinium chloride, alkyldiaminoethylglycine hydrochloride, and isopropylmethylphenol, within the scope of the present invention.

[0045] In addition, adding glycerin fatty acid esters to enhance the disinfecting power against general bacteria does not affect the inactivation effect against norovirus, so there is no problem. Examples of glycerin fatty acid esters include glycerin monocaprate, glycerin monolaurate, glycerin monomyristate, glycerin monopalmitate, glycerin monostearate, glycerin monoisostearate, glycerin monooleate, and glycerin monobehenate; glycerin difatty acid esters such as glycerin distearate, glycerin diisostearate, and glycerin dioleate; and monoglyceride derivatives such as acetate monoglyceride, citrate monoglyceride, succinate monoglyceride, diacetyltartaric acid monoglyceride, and lactic acid monoglyceride. In the present invention, one or more of these can be selected and used. In terms of enhancing the disinfecting effect against general bacteria, it is preferable to use glycerin monofatty acid esters of fatty acids having 8 to 12 carbon atoms, such as glycerin monocaprylate, glycerin monocaprate, and glycerin monolaurate.

[0046] Furthermore, surfactants other than the above-mentioned glycerin fatty acid esters can be added to the anti-norovirus agent of the present invention for the purpose of imparting cleansing properties and foaming properties, as long as they do not affect the inactivation of norovirus or the stability of the composition. Examples of such surfactants that can be used include cationic surfactants such as primary to tertiary fatty amine salts, quaternary ammonium salts, and 2-alkyl-1-alkyl-1-hydroxyethylimidazolinium salts; alkyl betaine surfactants such as N,N-dimethyl-N-alkyl-N-carboxymethylammonium betaine; amino carboxylic acid surfactants such as N,N-dialkylamino alkylene carboxylic acids; alkyl sulfobetaine surfactants such as N,N,N-trialkyl-N-sulfo alkylene ammonium betaine; and imidazoline amphoteric surfactants such as 2-alkyl-1-hydroxyethyl-1-carboxymethylimidazolinium betaine. Furthermore, for the purposes of increasing foaming, improving formulation stability, flavoring, etc., water-soluble polymers such as gum arabic, carrageenan, sodium carboxymethylcellulose, hydroxycellulose, and sodium polyacrylate; sequestering agents such as sodium ethylenediaminetetraacetate, tripolyphosphate, and hexametaphosphate; inorganic salts such as sodium chloride, potassium chloride, and sodium sulfate; and flavorings may be added.

[0047] The anti-norovirus agent of the present invention can be used as a disinfectant or a cleaner (sterilizing cleaner) either directly or by adding various carriers, other surfactants, bactericides, and other additives. That is, the disinfectant and cleaner of the present invention each contain the anti-norovirus agent of the present invention.

[0048] The disinfectant or cleaner of the present invention can be provided in various forms, such as liquid, liquid-impregnated sheet, gel, or powder, but is preferably in liquid or liquid-impregnated sheet form in order to act on a wide range of disinfection targets in a short period of time. Liquid disinfectants or cleaners can be provided as lotions, sprays, etc., and can be filled into bottles with measuring caps, trigger-type spray containers, squeeze-type or dispenser-type pump spray containers, etc., and used by spraying or atomizing. Liquid-impregnated disinfectants or cleaners in sheet form can be provided as wet wipes by impregnating paper, cloth, etc. with the disinfectant or cleaner liquid and filling them into containers such as bottles or buckets.

[0049] The disinfectant or cleaner of the present invention can be widely used for disinfecting and sterilizing the inside of facilities such as hospital rooms, rooms, kitchens, bathrooms, washrooms, and toilets, as well as for disinfecting and sterilizing the inside of furniture such as tables, chairs, and bedding, and instruments, devices, and equipment such as tableware, cooking utensils, and medical supplies, and for disinfecting and sterilizing the inside of places where norovirus may be present or objects that may be contaminated with norovirus.

[0050] The disinfectant or cleaner of the present invention may be used in an amount sufficient to thoroughly wet the surface of the object to be disinfected. The time during which the disinfectant or cleaner of the present invention acts on the object to be disinfected may be short, and sufficient disinfection or sterilizing / cleaning effects can be obtained in 1 to 5 minutes. [Example]

[0051] The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to examples and comparative examples. Note that "%" for each component in Table 1 means % by mass unless otherwise specified. Details of each component used in the examples and comparative examples are as follows:

[0052] · Tibetan linden extract: Tibetan linden extract powder MF (Maruzen Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.) Note that since it contains 50% by mass of dextrin, Table 1 lists the concentration of ingredients derived from Tibetan linden excluding this. Grape seed extract: Gravinol SE (Kikkoman Biochemifa Corporation) Magnesium sulfate: "Magnesium sulfate (anhydrous)" manufactured by Fujifilm Wako Pure Chemical Industries, Ltd.

[0053] <Examples 1 to 3 and Comparative Examples 1 to 5> The components were mixed to obtain the composition shown in Table 1 to prepare an anti-norovirus agent.

[0054] <Norovirus inactivation evaluation> Using each of the norovirus agents obtained in Examples 1 to 3 and Comparative Examples 1 to 5, the disappearance of human norovirus (HNV) genes was confirmed by the following procedure, and norovirus inactivation was evaluated. The results are shown in Table 1. The effect of the composition of the present invention on norovirus was examined by RT-PCR as follows. Because norovirus cannot be cultured in the laboratory, a norovirus sample crudely purified from the feces of a norovirus patient (estimated viral titer of approximately 8.0) was diluted 10-fold with PBS to prepare a norovirus test solution. 900 μL of the sample solution was mixed with 100 μL of the virus solution and allowed to react on a rotator for 1 minute. Immediately afterwards, 140 μL of the treatment solution was sampled, and viral RNA was extracted using QIAGEN's QIAamp® Viral RNA Mini Kit. cDNA was obtained from the extracted viral RNA using random hexamers and reverse transcriptase. PCR was performed using the resulting cDNA as a template and primers G2-SKF (CNTGGGAGGGCGATCGCAA: SEQ ID NO: 3) and G2-SKR (CCRCCNGCATRHCCRTTRTACAT: SEQ ID NO: 4). The primers were selected based on Figure 3 and Table 11 in the appendix to Food Safety Inspection Notification No. 0514004, dated May 14, 2007, entitled "Methods for Detecting Norovirus." Note that other primers may be used as long as they are capable of detecting norovirus genes. The resulting PCR products were separated by agarose gel electrophoresis, and viral genes were detected. ○: The band derived from the human norovirus (HNV) gene has disappeared, and the product has an inactivating effect against HNV. ×: The band derived from the human norovirus (HNV) gene did not disappear, and there was no inactivation effect on HNV.

[0055] <Color evaluation> The norovirus agents obtained in Examples 1 to 3 and Comparative Examples 1 to 5 were each measured for color (CIE 1976 L) using a color difference meter (Konica Minolta CR-5 color difference meter). * a * b * The color space (color difference ΔE1) was measured. Each norovirus agent was sandwiched between two transparent glass cells (height 45 mm, thickness 1.25 mm, width 10 mm), and measurements were performed with an optical path length of 10 mm. Table 1 shows the color difference ΔE1 from the chromaticity (100,0,0) of a 95% ethanol aqueous solution.

[0056] The color difference ΔE1=√((L0-L1) 2 +(a0-a1) 2 +(b0-b1) 2 )

[0057] The evaluation of pale colors was based on the following evaluation criteria using color difference ΔE1. ΔE1<5.00: The anti-norovirus agent is extremely light in color and is recognized as nearly colorless and transparent to the naked eye, so there is almost no risk of impairing the appearance of the target object, even if the target object is white or colorless. 5.00≦ΔE1<10.00: Lightly colored but pale, and does not spoil the appearance of white or colorless objects. 10.00≦ΔE1: The color is conspicuous and may spoil the appearance of white or colorless objects.

[0058] [Table 1]

[0059] As mentioned above, the linden extract used contains 50% by mass of dextrin, and Table 1 shows the concentrations of components derived from linden excluding this.

[0060] <Color change in storage environment at 40°C> The anti-norovirus agents (80 mL) obtained in Example 2 and Comparative Example 1 were placed in 100 mL PP sampler bottles manufactured by Sanplatec Co., Ltd. and stored in a high-temperature incubator (TVN680TA) manufactured by Advantec at 40°C for 30 days. The color difference ΔE2 from the chromaticity (100, 0, 0) of a 95% by mass aqueous ethanol solution was measured in the same manner as in <Color evaluation> above. The results are shown in Table 2.

[0061] The color difference ΔE2=√((L0-L2) 2 +(a0-a2) 2 +(b0-b2) 2 )

[0062] The evaluation of pale colors was based on the following evaluation criteria using color difference ΔE2. ΔE2<5.00: The anti-norovirus agent is extremely light in color and appears nearly colorless and transparent to the naked eye, so there is little risk of it impairing the appearance of white or colorless objects. 5.00≦ΔE2<10.00: Lightly colored but pale, and does not spoil the appearance of white or colorless objects. 10.00≦ΔE2<15.00: The color is noticeable and may spoil the appearance of white or colorless objects, but this is within the acceptable range considering that the product was stored in a 40°C environment for 30 days. 15.00≦ΔE2: The color is very noticeable.

[0063] Next, the change in color difference ΔE before and after storage 12 The change in color difference ΔE 12 is calculated using the following formula: The results are shown in Table 2. The relationship between the number of days elapsed since storage and the color difference ΔE is shown in the graph of Figure 1. ΔE 12 =√((L1-L2) 2 +(a1-a2) 2 +(b1-b2) 2 )

[0064] [Table 2]

[0065] As mentioned above, the linden extract used contains 50% by mass of dextrin, and Table 2 shows the concentrations of components derived from linden excluding this.

[0066] As is clear from the results shown in Tables 1 and 2, the anti-norovirus agent containing extract from the linden tree (a plant of the genus Tilia) has excellent anti-norovirus effects and is light in color, so it does not damage the appearance of the object being treated. Furthermore, discoloration was effectively suppressed even after storage for 30 days in a high-temperature environment of 40°C, demonstrating excellent storage stability.

Claims

1. An anti-norovirus agent comprising an extract of a plant of the genus Tilia in an amount of 0.005% by mass or more and 0.17% by mass or less, the extract of a plant of the genus Tilia is an extract of the floral parts of Tilia cordata; The extract of the flower parts of Tilia cordata is obtained by extracting the flower parts of Tilia cordata as an extraction raw material into an extraction solvent using an aqueous ethanol solution as an extraction solvent.

2. The anti-norovirus agent according to claim 1 , wherein the extract of a plant of the genus Tilia is contained in an aqueous ethanol solution having a concentration of 30% by mass or more.

3. CIE 1976 L * a * b * In the color space, the color difference ΔE with a 95% ethanol aqueous solution 1 The anti-norovirus agent according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the β-glucan group is less than 10.

00.

4. After storing in a 40°C environment for 30 days, CIE1976 L * a * b * In the color space, the color difference ΔE with a 95% ethanol aqueous solution 2 The anti-norovirus agent according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the β-glucan group is 0.05 or less than 15.

00.

5. CIE 1976 L * a * b * In the color space, the color change ΔE before and after storing in a 40°C environment for 30 days 12 The anti-norovirus agent according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the β-glucan group is less than 5.

00.

6. A disinfectant for anti-norovirus, comprising the anti-norovirus agent according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. A cleaning agent for anti-norovirus purposes, comprising the anti-norovirus agent according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

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