Antibacterial and deodorizing agents and methods using microorganisms and plant components.

Abstract

To provide an antibacterial deodorant that exhibits enhanced abilities through a combination of components extracted from microbes, plants and the like with antibacterial deodorizing capabilities, further extending its effective range to include viruses, and also provide an antibacterial deodorizing method.SOLUTION: An antibacterial deodorant exhibits comprehensive abilities to inhibit the growth of fungi and inactivate virus in space and deodorize the space through a combination of volatile substances released by microbes in a spore state and plants.SELECTED DRAWING: None

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an antibacterial and deodorizing agent using spore microorganisms and plant components, and an antibacterial and deodorizing method.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, various types of antibacterial agents and antifungal agents have been developed and used. Among them, there are those that use microorganisms for antibacterial and deodorizing purposes. For example, Patent Document 1 describes a deodorizing agent obtained by impregnating a mineral carrier with various microorganisms such as Bacillus and drying it. By spraying this on the sludge to be deodorized, the microorganisms are activated by the moisture in the sludge to perform deodorization.

[0003] Among the antibacterial methods using microorganisms, there are those that perform antibacterial and deodorizing in a space using vapor substances generated by microorganisms. For example, Patent Document 2 describes an antibacterial and deodorizing method using a novel microorganism belonging to the genus Bacillus.

[0004] In addition, components extracted from woods such as cypress are called phytoalexins and are known to have antibacterial ability. For example, Patent Document 3 describes a sterilizing spray using components extracted from cypress.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Patent Document 3

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] The microorganisms used in Patent Document 2 utilize a state called "spores," which are formed by microorganisms in an environment where they cannot survive, as a way to cope with that environment. In this state, the microorganisms cease activity and can survive dangerous conditions such as dryness, high temperatures, and low temperatures. When handling live microorganisms as commercial products, transportation and storage are particularly problematic, but by utilizing this spore state, this problem is solved and management becomes easy.

[0007] Patent Document 2 describes an antibacterial and deodorizing method that utilizes microorganisms in spore form. This method is not limited by the temperature and humidity suitable for microbial activity, is highly safe, and can be used in various spaces, including not only rooms at normal temperature but also refrigerators and air conditioners.

[0008] If we can further enhance the capabilities of microbial antibacterial and deodorizing agents that utilize this spore state, and confer antiviral capabilities to them, we can provide an even safer and healthier environment. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The inventors of this invention have diligently researched antibacterial and deodorizing agents that possess not only antibacterial and deodorizing functions but also antiviral functions using microorganisms. As a result, they have discovered that when microorganisms released by microorganisms are combined with plant components, the virus inactivation ability is significantly increased compared to when each component is used individually, leading to the completion of this invention. The purpose of this invention is to propose an antibacterial and deodorizing agent that possesses not only antibacterial and deodorizing functions but also antiviral functions.

[0010] To achieve the above objective, the invention described in claim 1 is essentially an antibacterial deodorant characterized by the use of microorganisms and plant components that have deodorizing and antibacterial capabilities.

[0011] The antibacterial and deodorizing agent of the present invention is a mixture of a microorganism that has the characteristics of suppressing the growth of fungi present in a space and deodorizing malodors, or a mixture of two or more microorganisms including the microorganism, which have been dried while supported on a microbial carrier, and a plant component, or a mixture of plant components supported on a carrier.

[0012] The microorganisms used should possess deodorizing and antibacterial properties, form spores, and be safe and harmless to humans. Examples of microorganisms possessing these characteristics include those of the Bacillus genus.

[0013] Novel Gram-positive spore-forming bacilli belonging to the genus Bacillus (a novel microorganism with accession number NITE P-02127, deposited with the Patent Organism Depository Center of the National Institute of Technology and Evaluation and received on October 2, 2015) can be used. This microorganism has the characteristic of inhibiting the growth of fungi or decomposing odor components.

[0014] Here, a microbial carrier refers to a material that has the ability to retain microorganisms. Specifically, particulate carriers such as porous glass, ceramics, metal oxides, activated carbon, kaolinite, bentonite, zeolite, silica gel, alumina, anthracite, and perlite; gel-like carriers such as starch, agar, chitin, chitosan, polyvinyl alcohol, alginic acid, polyacrylamide, carrageenan, agarose, and gelatin; ion-exchange resin cellulose, ion-exchange resins, cellulose derivatives, glutaraldehyde, polyacrylic acid, and urethane polymers can be used. Natural or synthetic polymer compounds are also effective, and papers made from cotton, hemp, or pulp materials with cellulose as the main component, or polymer acetates modified from natural materials can also be used. Furthermore, fabrics made of synthetic polymers such as polyester and polyurethane can also be used. These materials are preferably those that have good adhesion to microorganisms and fine pores. It is even more preferable to use fine materials that can be easily penetrated during injection.

[0015] Plant components include, for example, trees of the genus Chamaecyparis in the family Cupressaceae, such as Japanese cypress, Taiwanese cypress, Western cypress, Sawara cypress, Lawson cypress, Chamaecyparis obtusa, Peacock cypress, Golden Chamaecyparis obtusa, Suiryu cypress, Itoh cypress, Golden cypress, Shinobu cypress, Golden Shinobu cypress, and Himuro cedar; trees of the genus Thuja in the family Cupressaceae, such as Japanese cypress and Japanese cedar; Japanese cypress, Asunaro, Trees of the genus Thujopsis in the cypress family, such as Thujopsis dolabrata and Thujopsis cuspidata; trees of the genus Juniperus in the cypress family, such as Juniperus chinensis, Juniperus serrata, Juniperus chinensis, and Juniperus occidentalis; trees of the genus Cryptomeria in the cypress family, such as Japanese cedar, Japanese cedar, Japanese cedar, Japanese cedar, golden cedar, Japanese cedar, and green cedar; Abies mariesii, fir, Japanese fir, and Japanese cypress Essential oils extracted from wood, bark, leaves, etc., consisting of one or more species selected from the following: trees of the genus Abies in the pine family, such as fir, saffron, balsam fir, three-toed fir, white fir, amabilis fir, Japanese apricot, California red fir, grand fir, and noble fir; trees of the genus Cedrus in the pine family, such as Himalayan cedar; trees of the genus Picea in the pine family, such as Sakhalin spruce and spruce; trees of the genus Pinus in the pine family, such as Japanese red pine, longleaf pine, white pine, and dwarf pine; trees of the genus Larix in the pine family, such as Japanese larch; trees of the genus Tsuga in the pine family, such as Japanese hemlock; trees of the genus Sciadopitys in the pine family, such as Japanese umbrella pine; trees of the genus Torreya in the yew family, such as Japanese nutmeg; trees of the Myrtaceae family, such as eucalyptus. In addition, hinokitiol, an antibacterial component extracted from plants such as those of the cypress family, can also be used.

[0016] The carrier for supporting the plant components can be the same as the microbial carrier described above.

[0017] The carrier supporting the plant components may be coated to adjust the amount of plant components released. For this coating, natural resins such as rosin and rosin esters, solid waxes such as beeswax and paraffin wax, polymer resins such as polyvinyl alcohol, higher fatty acids, higher alcohols, shellac, sugar esters, etc., can be used. [Effects of the Invention]

[0018] According to the present invention, for fungi existing in a space, due to the synergistic effect of volatile components generated from spore-state microorganisms and plant components, the growth of fungi and the like is suppressed, malodors are deodorized, and viruses are inactivated. Therefore, without performing operations such as spraying with a spray or coating with a brush, by simply placing the present invention in the space, the effect can be obtained even in every corner of the space. Further, it can be used in a dried room or at low temperatures. Moreover, since it has high safety, it can be continuously used in an environment where people live.

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0019] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail.

Examples

[0020] (Field Example 1) 1-1: Selection of Plant Components to be Used First, in order to select the components to be used, the present inventors conducted virus inactivation tests using essential oils of various plants and microbial powders. As essential oils of plants, tea tree essential oil, lavender essential oil, cypress essential oil, eucalyptus essential oil, juniper berry essential oil, marjoram essential oil, ylang-ylang essential oil, frankincense essential oil, palmarosa essential oil, hinoki essential oil, and hiba essential oil were prepared.

[0021] 1-2: Method for Producing Microbial Powder Microorganisms belonging to the genus Bacillus and the like form spores when they are in a state unsuitable for survival such as a dry state, and become a state suitable for preservation that is resistant to drying and temperature changes. Utilizing this, after impregnating a porous substance with a microbial culture solution and then drying it, spore-forming microorganisms can be created by promoting spore formation. 1 kg of perlite as a porous powder carrier was impregnated with 2 L of the microbial culture solution of the microorganism to be used. Thereafter, the carrier carrying the microorganism was placed under drying at normal temperature and dried to reduce the moisture content to 10% or less, thereby creating spore-forming microbial powder. Using the microbial strains owned by the company for the microorganisms, spore-forming microbial powder was created for each.

[0022] 1-3: Viral Inactivation Test in Space For the test bacteria used in this test, Escherichia coli phage was used as a substitute for pathogenic virus. It is said that Escherichia coli phage covered with an envelope is less affected by antiviral agents than influenza virus. 20 μl of Escherichia coli phage solution with a pfu / ml of the 10^8 class was dropped onto a 1 cm square filter paper and placed inside a 2L airtight box. The test substance was placed in the box so as not to come into contact with the test bacterial solution and sealed. When the test substance was essential oil, 10 μl was dropped onto a petri dish placed inside the box. When the test substance was microbial powder, 1 g of the powder was placed in a petri dish placed inside the box. After 24 hours, the filter paper was taken out, and using Escherichia coli as the host cell, the number of plaques was counted. An empty test without using the test substance was also conducted in the same manner. During these tests, an agar medium prepared only with water was placed and adjusted so that the humidity inside the container exceeded 90%.

[0023] The test results are shown in Table 1. For plant essential oils such as eucalyptus and cypress, and for microbial powder using strain NITE P-02127, a slight decrease in the number of plaques was confirmed.

[0024]

Table 1

[0025] 1-4: Preparation of Microbial Volatile Substance Reproducing Liquid [[ID=二十]]Although it is the microbial powder of strain NITE P-02127 that showed some effectiveness, qualitative analysis of the volatile substances released was performed and their components have been analyzed. A microbial volatile substance reproducing liquid was prepared by blending these components to reproduce the volatile substances released from microorganisms. This reproducing solution contains organic acids, aromatic aldehydes, etc. Also, it has a higher concentration than the original release concentration. By using this in the test, the differences in phenomena that occur when using microorganisms can be clearly distinguished.

[0026] 1-5: Viral Inactivation Test in Space Using the aforementioned essential oils and the liquid reproducing the volatile substances of the NITE P-02127 strain of microorganisms, which had shown some degree of effectiveness, these were mixed, and the aforementioned spatial virus inactivation test was repeated. If the sample was a liquid, 10 μl was dropped into a petri dish placed inside the box. If the sample was a liquid and a powder, 5 μl of the liquid and 0.5 g of the powder were placed in two separate petri dishes inside the box.

[0027] The test results, shown in Table 2, indicate that when each essential oil was mixed with the microbial volatile substance reproduction liquid, a significant improvement in plaque reduction performance was observed. Enhanced performance also occurred when mixing cypress and Japanese cypress. Furthermore, a significant improvement in performance was observed when microbial powder and the cypress / Japanese cypress essential oil mixture were used simultaneously.

[0028] [Table 2]

[0029] It was found that using wood components such as cypress and hinoki essential oils simultaneously with volatile substances from microbial powder (NITE strain P-02127) produces a synergistic effect, resulting in a high virus inactivation capability.

[0030] Some components in the microbial powder reproduction liquid are not suitable for long-term release due to degradation in the air, but spore-forming microorganisms continue to produce these components over long periods. Therefore, when used in combination with a formulation that releases plant components, it is possible to inactivate viruses in the air over a long period.

[0031] (Example 2) 2-1: Method for producing microbial powder 1 kg of perlite, used as a porous powder carrier, was impregnated with 2 L of microbial culture solution of the microorganism to be used. The carrier, now supported by the microorganism, was then placed at room temperature to dry, reducing the moisture content to less than 10% to create spore-forming microbial powder. For each spore-forming microbial powder, the aforementioned NITE P-02127 strain was used to create the microbial powder.

[0032] 2-2: Method for producing sustained-release phytoncide beads Next, phytoncide beads can be created by embedding a mixture of plant components and a coating material such as rosin into the pores of a carrier. Using Viscopearl (manufactured by Rengo Co., Ltd.) as a carrier, 0.3 kg of these cellulose beads were mixed with 1 kg of rosin ester AA-G (manufactured by Arakawa Chemical Industries) melted by heat, and 0.1 kg of plant-derived components consisting of cypress essential oil and hinoki essential oil. This mixture was then permeated and stirred to create phytoncide beads 2. A mixture of equal parts of these phytoncide beads 2 and microbial powder 1 was used as the microbial phyton agent 3.

[0033] 2-2: Test method for sustained virus inactivation test in a space In this study, E. coli phage was used as a test bacterium, substituted for a pathogenic virus. 20 μl of E. coli phage solution with a pfu / g class of 10^8 was dropped onto a 1 cm square filter paper and placed inside a 2 L airtight box. 3 2 g of microbial phytoncide was placed inside the box as a sample, ensuring it did not come into contact with the test bacterium solution, and the box was sealed. After 24 hours, the filter paper was removed, and the number of plaques was measured using E. coli as the host cell. A blank test without a sample was also performed in the same manner. During these tests, water was added to the container as needed to maintain a humidity level exceeding 90%. After the test was completed, microbial phytonicide 3 was removed and left in an open room. After a certain number of days, the same test was repeated.

[0034] The test results are shown in Table 3. A significant reduction in phages was confirmed even after a considerable number of days. It is believed that both the sustained release effect of the coated beads and the long-lasting effect of the microbial powder in spore form continued over the long term.

[0035] [Table 3]

[0036] 2-3: In-situ virus inactivation test A virus inactivation test similar to the one described above was performed using influenza virus instead of E. coli phage. A 2 cm circular glass filter paper was placed, and the influenza virus (Influenza virus H1N1 A / PR / 8 / 34 ATCC VR-1469) was used. 7 x 10^7 PFU / mL was added dropwise in 0.05 mL increments and placed inside a 2L airtight container. 2 g of microbial phytoncide 3 was placed as the sample, and after 6 hours, the filter paper was removed. The number of plaques using MDCK cells (canine kidney cells) as host cells was measured, and the viral infectivity titer was determined.

[0037] The test results are shown in Table 4. A high inactivation rate of 99.99% was confirmed not only for phages but also for viruses.

[0038] [Table 4]

[0039] 2-4: Deodorization test and antibacterial test The microbial powder 1 that constitutes the microbial phytonant 3 has antibacterial properties against fungi and deodorizing properties against ammonia and amines. Furthermore, as is generally known, cypress and Japanese cypress have antibacterial and deodorizing properties, so this microbial phytonant 3 combines the aforementioned antiviral effect with antibacterial and deodorizing properties.

[0040] Deodorization Test: A 10L Baron box was prepared, and the odor to be tested was generated inside at room temperature. Microbial phytonicide 3 was placed in a non-woven fabric bag containing 1 g and sealed, and suspended inside the Baron box so as not to touch the walls. The concentration of the test substance was observed. Gastec's detector tube method was used for observation.

[0041] Table 5 shows the changes in the concentrations of the subjects. A decrease in ammonia, trimethylamine, and hydrogen sulfide in the subjects was confirmed.

[0042] [Table 5]

[0043] Antimicrobial test: Ordinary agar plates coated with Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus were placed inside a 2L airtight box. Microbial phytoncide 3 was placed inside the box without contact with the plates, the box was sealed, and left undisturbed at room temperature for 48 hours. Growth on the agar plates was observed. A control without the microbial phytoncide was also prepared.

[0044] In the control group, E. coli and Staphylococcus aureus formed large colonies on the agar plate, but in the group containing microphytonulant 3, no colonies of either were visible to the naked eye. This suggests that the growth of these microorganisms was suppressed. [Industrial applicability]

[0045] According to the present invention, a highly safe antibacterial, deodorizing, and antiviral agent or method utilizing naturally occurring microorganisms and plants can be used in various spaces. In a home setting, it can be used in rooms, air conditioners, entrances, toilets, and other areas.

Claims

1. An antiviral agent having the ability to inactivate viruses in a space, comprising a microorganism having accession number NITE P-02127 in a spore state, and essential oils of cypress and hinoki cypress.

2. An antiviral method using the antiviral agent described in Claim 1.

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