Antibacterial and antiviral animal bedding and the production method of this animal bedding

Abstract

The invention relates to animal bedding, in which antibacterial properties are conferred by synthesizing silver nanoparticles using the in-situ method in the animal bedding sawdust, along with the production method of this animal bedding. The animal bedding subject to the invention is used in poultry, pet, cattle, cat, hamster, horse, pig, ostrich, cow, and small livestock. Thanks to the silver nanoparticles synthesized on wood sawdust in the product in question, the release of ammonia and the bad odor caused by ammonia, which occurs as a result of the hydrolysis of urea coming from the urine and feces of animals as well as bacteria from other sources, via the urease enzyme, can be prevented.

Description

[0001] ANTIBACTERIAL AND ANTIVIRAL ANIMAL BEDDING AND THE PRODUCTION METHOD OF THIS ANIMAL BEDDING

[0002] Technical Field

[0003] The invention relates to animal bedding, in which antibacterial properties are conferred by synthesizing silver nanoparticles using the in-situ method in the animal bedding sawdust, along with the production method of this animal bedding. The silver nanoparticles synthesized on the animal bedding sawdust prevent the release of ammonia and the unpleasant odor caused by the hydrolysis of urea from urine by the enzyme systems of animal feces, urine, and external bacteria on the bedding.

[0004] Known Status of the Technique

[0005] Animal bedding is used for poultry, pets, cattle, and small livestock. Animals such as cats, rabbits, hamsters, horses, chickens, pigs, birds, ostriches, and cows also use animal bedding. Animal bedding is used to prevent the release of ammonia from urine and / or feces on the surface where the animal is located and to remove moisture and odor.

[0006] Animal bedding is used in production areas of poultry farming, especially in chicken farming. Coarse wood sawdust, rice husks, and straws are commonly used as bedding material in poultry farming. These animal beddings provide heat insulation in the poultry environment and are used to control moisture, ammonia, odor, and microorganisms that occur in the coop through feces, thus having significant effects on the performance and health of poultry. In the animal bedding used in poultry farming, pathogenic microorganisms and viruses can develop from feces and / or urine after use, and these pathogens can cause various diseases in humans and animals. The quality of the animal bedding material used in poultry farming is particularly important in terms of ammonia emission. Due to economic concerns in poultry farming, the ammonia emission and microbial load resulting from the continued use of the bedding for several production cycles without replacement increase over time [1], Ammonia emissions can cause serious health problems and performance losses both in terms of environmental issues and production targets of the animals being raised. High levels of ammonia exposure in the indoor environment of poultry can reduce growth rates, egg production, and feed utilization rates, as well as increase susceptibility to respiratory diseases in poultry [2], For these reasons, existing animal beddings such as wood sawdust, rice husks, and straw do not provide the necessary antibacterial properties to prevent the gradual release of ammonia, pathogens, and the formation of bacteria after use.

[0007] Animal bedding is also used in domestic animals, especially in cats, where cats urinate and defecate in a container containing animal bedding in domestic environments. The animal bedding used in cats is also known as cat litter. Animal beddings used in cats (cat litters) can be produced from mineral sources such as bentonite, sepiolite, and diatomite, chemical sources such as silica gel, or natural sources such as oak, beech, hornbeam, and pine wood sawdust. In cats, bedding is used to properly dispose of cat feces and urine, which harbor harmful microorganisms and serve as a source of ammonia and bacteria. The bedding used in cats is expected to provide a dry and hygienic environment, not emit odors, be easy to dispose of, be long-lasting, dust-free, light, and inexpensive. The ammonia smell that occurs after a cat urinates and defecates in the bedding adversely affects the air quality in the environment, causing discomfort and requiring the cat owner to put more effort and time into keeping the bedding clean. Additionally, inhaling ammonia has toxic effects on cats [3], Therefore, in this case, the existing animal beddings used in cats, obtained from mineral sources such as bentonite, sepiolite, and diatomite, chemical sources such as silica gel, or natural sources such as oak, beech, hornbeam, and pine wood sawdust, also do not provide the necessary antibacterial properties to reduce the formation of bacteria caused by animal urine and feces.

[0008] The common problem encountered in animal beddings used in the poultry and pet industries is the formation of odor due to the presence of urine and / or feces, resulting in bacterial and ammonia emissions. Particularly, the unpleasant ammonia odors emanating from animal beddings are caused by the breakdown of nitrogenous compounds in urine by bacterial enzymes, leading to the production of urea and ammonia [4], The bacteria and odors that can develop in animal bedding are further exacerbated by the fact that these areas are often wet or humid. Therefore, in the current technique, animal beddings generally contain materials with high moistureabsorbing properties, such as clay and wood sawdust. The use of wood sawdustbased materials in these animal beddings leads to the consumption of natural resources. Due to the fact that these animal beddings do not have a long-term use and need to be changed frequently, both the consumption of natural resources and the cost are damaging, exhausting, and disruptive. However, while wood sawdust-based sources are sustainable, mineral-based sources have limited reserves worldwide. These animal beddings neither eliminate odor and moisture nor provide an antibacterial feature that prevents bacterial formation, thereby extending the life of the bedding and reducing the need for frequent replacement, which will limit the consumption of natural resources.

[0009] In the current technique, methods known for preventing the unpleasant odor caused by ammonia emissions in animal beddings used in the poultry and pet industries include the use of automatic manure cleaning devices, the use of perfumes and artificial fragrances in bedding material, the use of microorganisms, and the use of metal nanoparticles. However, in methods where metal nanoparticles are used as antibacterial agents in the content of animal bedding, no precaution is provided against health problems that may arise from animals coming into contact with metal nanoparticles and directly inhaling them.

[0010] In another known case of the technique, patent CN111837971 B describes an automatic cat litter cleaning device to prevent odor from spreading from the cat litter. This automatic cat litter cleaning device includes a storage rotating part and a sand sieving mechanism, and even though this mechanism allows for the automatic cleaning of cat feces, the cat feces cannot be isolated from the surrounding environment, thus the unpleasant odor still spreads to the surroundings.

[0011] In another known case of the technique, clay-based bedding material is used for cats. When this clay-based bedding comes into contact with feces and urine, the contact areas solidify. The solidified and clumped feces can be easily disposed of. However, clay-based cat litter material has disadvantages such as being heavy, dusty, having limited ammonia retention capacity, and limited liquid absorption capacity.

[0012] In the known technique, many perfumes and artificial fragrances are being developed for cat litter to prevent the development of ammonia odor in cat litter. With this method, the unpleasant and harmful ammonia odor in the cat litter can be suppressed. However, in this method, the ammonia emission and the amount of bacteria formed in the animal bedding do not decrease. In this case, although the odor is suppressed, the animal continues to be harmed by ammonia.

[0013] In another known case of the technique, wood sawdust is used in both poultry and cat bedding due to their moisture-absorbing properties. Wood sawdust is preferred as bedding material because they provide a dry environment and are lightweight due to their liquid absorption capacity. However, this product does not have antibacterial properties. Therefore, its effectiveness against ammonia emission and ammonia- related odor formation is low.

[0014] In another known case of the technique, patent CN107318673A describes a method for preparing antibacterial animal bedding for use in chicken coops. The antibacterial chicken coop bedding contains fermented bacteriocins, unslaked lime, and tea residue raw materials. The rich tea polyphenols in the tea residue contribute to the bacteriostatic activity of the product, ensuring the drying of the bedding and increasing its antibacterial capacity.

[0015] Another known case of the technique is patent CN201410711384, which relates to preparing microbial-containing bedding for use in cat litter to prevent ammonia odor. This method involves using various microorganisms in the bedding material to break down components into other forms, thereby providing odor-removing properties. However, the living environment of the microorganisms used in this method is challenging. In the presence of strong acids, alkalis, or heavy metal ions, some beneficial bacteria cannot survive effectively, thus limiting the application areas.

[0016] In the current technique, transition metals and metal nanoparticles are used to prevent odor formation and provide antibacterial properties in animal bedding used for cats. In this technique, metal nanoparticles used to prevent odor formation are synthesized in a separate process and then mixed into the bedding material for use. However, these metal nanoparticles do not distribute homogeneously within the animal bedding and create nano pollution by spreading in the air. Since cats have a behavior of smelling the materials they will defecate on, it is likely that they may experience health problems due to smelling these metal nanoparticles during defecation. In this case, in all sectors where animal bedding is used, such as the poultry sector, large and small livestock farming including hamsters, horses, pigs, ostriches, and cows, and the pet sector, it has become necessary to develop an animal bedding and its production method that prevents ammonia emission, moisture, and odor formation from animal feces and / or urine without harming animal health, and that has antibacterial properties.

[0017] Brief Description and Purposes of the Invention

[0018] The invention describes an animal bedding made from animal bedding sawdust that have been synthesized with silver nanoparticles using an in-situ method to impart antibacterial properties. Additionally, the antiviral effects of silver nanoparticles are known. The antibacterial properties are imparted to the wood sawdust through silver nanoparticles, and the silver nanoparticles synthesized on the animal bedding sawdust through sunlight or artificial light sources can prevent the emission of ammonia and the unpleasant odor caused by the enzymatic systems of bacteria from sources other than the urine and feces of animals, as well as the effects of urea and similar metabolites from urine and feces. The ability to obtain the wood sawdust from various branches of industry and the use of sunlight in the synthesis of silver nanoparticles make the invention environmentally friendly and highly cost-effective. The in-situ synthesis of silver nanoparticles on the sawdust prevents direct inhalation of the silver nanoparticles by animals and any harm caused by the silver nanoparticles.

[0019] One aim of the invention is to provide antibacterial and antiviral wood sawdust that can be used as animal bedding. In the invention, the antibacterial and antiviral properties are imparted to the animal bedding through silver nanoparticles synthesized on the sawdust. This sawdust, with their antibacterial properties, have the ability to reduce the emission of ammonia and the development of ammonia odor in the environment caused by bacteria resulting from animal urine and / or feces.

[0020] Another aim of the invention is to prevent the potential harm to animal health from the antibacterial agents contained in the antibacterial animal bedding. In the invention, silver nanoparticles are synthesized on the wood sawdust to be used as animal bedding using an in-situ method, thus preventing the dispersion of silver nanoparticles in the animal bedding environment and their direct inhalation by animals. Since the silver nanoparticles are synthesized on the sawdust, the animal does not directly inhale the silver nanoparticles in the animal bedding and does not come into direct contact with the silver nanoparticles used as antibacterial agents. This prevents the animal from being harmed by the silver nanoparticles present in the animal bedding.

[0021] Another objective of the invention is to make the animal bedding production method fast, environmentally friendly, and economical. In the invention, silver nanoparticles are synthesized with in-situ method on wood sawdust using photochemical methods. In this synthesis method, sunlight is used as a catalyst, and the synthesis is carried out under sunlight or artificial light sources, making the production of the invention according to green chemistry methodology due to the very short duration of the synthesis. Additionally, in this synthesis method, water is used instead of organic solvents that could contribute negatively to the increase in CO2 in the atmosphere during the preparation of the AgNO3 solution used in the synthesis of silver nanoparticles on the animal bedding sawdust, providing an environmentally friendly method.

[0022] Description of Figures

[0023] Figure 1. SEM image of wood sawdust containing nano-silver.

[0024] Figure 2. Comparison of FTIR spectra (A: Wood sawdust sample, B: Wood sawdust sample containing nano-silver).

[0025] Detailed Description of the Invention

[0026] The invention is related to animal bedding, where silver nanoparticles are synthesized in wood sawdust using an in-situ method to impart antibacterial and antiviral properties. This animal bedding is particularly effective in reducing diseases, especially those caused by viruses, due to its antiviral effect.

[0027] The invention is used for poultry, pets, cattle, and small livestock. The animals are cats, hamsters, rabbits, horses, pigs, birds, ostriches, or cows. The production method for the antibacterial and antiviral animal bedding, subject to the invention, involves:

[0028] I) The shredding and sieving processes for transforming wood and similar plant-based materials, which can serve as raw materials for wood sawdust or shavings raw material, into the desired size.

[0029] II) Preparation of AgNO3 solutions to impart antibacterial properties to the animal bedding sawdust.

[0030] III) Application of the optimal level of AgNO3 onto the sawdust sample.

[0031] IV) Exposing the sawdust sample to sunlight or an artificial light source for the synthesis of silver nanoparticles and conducting photochemical reactions, followed by drying.

[0032] V) Direct packaging of the final product obtained depending on the animal bedding to be applied, and / or reducing it to a smaller size, and / or preparing pellets and similar materials used in animal bedding production for further product development.

[0033] In one application of the invention, the method for producing antibacterial and antiviral animal bedding includes:

[0034] I) The shredding and sieving processes are carried out to bring tree and plantbased materials, which are made of sawdust or shavings raw materials for animal bedding, to the desired size to achieve maximum efficiency for the relevant animal group.

[0035] II) Preparation of AgN03 solutions in the concentration range of 0.001 - 1 .000 g / L, which will impart antibacterial properties to the animal bedding sawdust.

[0036] III) Application of optimal levels of AgNO3 to the sawdust sample.

[0037] IV) Performing photochemical reactions by exposing the sawdust sample to sunlight or artificial light sources for the synthesis of silver nanoparticles on the sawdust sample, followed by drying.

[0038] V) Direct packaging of the final product obtained depending on the animal bedding to be applied, and / or reducing it to a smaller size, and / or preparing pellets and similar materials used in animal bedding production for further product development. The invention includes animal bedding sawdust containing silver nanoparticles synthesized by the in-situ method on the animal litter of the method subject to the invention obtained in this way.

[0039] This animal bedding sawdust material can consist of any alternative sources of wood and plant origin used in sawdust production worldwide.

[0040] In one embodiment of the invention, the mentioned wood sawdust material is obtained from pine and / or oak and / or beech and / or hornbeam and / or poplar trees.

[0041] The silver nanoparticles on the animal bedding sawdust confer antibacterial and antiviral properties to the said animal bedding. Thanks to the silver nanoparticles on the sawdust, the emission of ammonia and the resulting unpleasant odor, caused by the hydrolysis of urea and similar metabolites from urine, as well as by bacteria from other sources, can be prevented. In the method subject to the invention, silver nanoparticles will be applied to the sawdust sample via spray. In this method, an AgNO3 solution is applied to the sawdust material via the spray method. Subsequently, when the AgNO3 solution layer on the sawdust is exposed to sunlight or artificial light sources, photochemical reactions commence, leading to the formation of Ag nanoparticles on the surface of the sawdust.

[0042] The invention enables the production of animal bedding in a fast, environmentally friendly, and cost-effective manner. In the invention, in-situ silver nanoparticles are synthesized on the animal bedding sawdust using photochemical reactions. In this synthesis method, sunlight or artificial light sources are used as catalysts, and due to the rapid synthesis under sunlight, the production of the invention is carried out according to green chemistry methodology. Additionally, using water as a solvent in the synthesis of silver nanoparticles on the animal bedding sawdust in this method also provides an environmentally friendly approach.

[0043] In the invention, as the silver nanoparticles are synthesized on the bedding surface, the animal does not directly inhale the silver nanoparticles within the bedding, and there is no direct contact with the silver nanoparticles used as antibacterial agents. This prevents any harm to the animal caused by the silver nanoparticles present in the animal bedding. Unlike the current technique, the animal bedding in the present invention differs in that the antibacterial agent it contains is synthesized directly onto the surface of the bedding, thereby providing both antibacterial properties to prevent moisture / odor formation and preventing the dispersion of antibacterial agent silver nanoparticles in the environment for inhalation by the animal, thus avoiding any adverse effects on animal health.

[0044] The animal bedding subject to the invention was examined using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to visualize the silver nanoparticles attached to the bedding at different magnifications. Particle measurements were taken from 15 different areas at a magnification of x100,000. The measurements revealed that the nano-silver particles ranged from 39.45 nm to 65.20 nm. The imaging is described in Figure 1 , and the particle measurement results are presented in Table 1 .

[0045] Table 1. Nano Silver Particles Measured at x100,000 Magnification with Scanning Electron Microscopy In the invention, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) was used to compare wood sawdust samples and wood sawdust samples with attached nano-silver. The obtained FTIR spectra showed approximately 90% similarity in the 1000-1100 cm-1 range, approximately 94% similarity in the 1300-1500 cm-1 range, approximately 98% similarity in the 2000-2300 cm-1 range, approximately 95% similarity in the 2900-3000 cm-1 range, and approximately 93% similarity in the 2900-3000 cm-1 range. The FTIR spectrum obtained is visually shown in Figure 2.

[0046] The antibacterial efficacy of the wood sawdust sample containing nano-silver in the invention was tested according to ASTM 2149 "Standard Test Method for Determining the Antimicrobial Activity of Antimicrobial Agents Under Dynamic Contact Conditions" method against the gram-positive bacterium Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 6538 and the gram-negative bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 15442 microorganisms.

[0047] The test results are presented in Table 2 and Table 3. The selected bacteria for analysis in the wood sawdust sample containing silver nanoparticles are species representing gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria in international standards. S. aureus is a skin pathogen that produces enterotoxins. P. aeruginosa, on the other hand, is an opportunistic pathogen resistant to many antibiotics and disinfectants due to its resistance mechanisms. The analyzed sample exhibited a 99.999% reduction against the test bacteria.

[0048] Table 2. Antibacterial activity on S. aureus Table 3. Antibacterial activity on P. aeruginosa.

[0049] REFERENCES

[0050] [1] Bolan NS, Szogi AA, Chuasavathi T, Seshadri B, Rothrock MJ, Panneerselvam P, Uses and Management of Poultry Litter. World's Poultry Science Journal. 2010; 66 (4): 673-698. [2] Carlile FS, Ammonia in poultry houses. World's Poultry Science 1984; 40: 99-113.

[0051] [3] Dodd KT, Gross DR. Ammonia inhalation toxicity in cats: a study of acute and chronic respiratory dysfunction. Arch Environ Health. 1980 Jan-Feb;35(1 ):6~14.

[0052] [4] Cliff MA, Heymann H, Physical and sensory characteristics of cat litter. Journal of Sensory Studies. 2007 May; 6(4):255 - 266.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A method for producing an antibacterial and antiviral animal bedding, comprising the process steps ofI) shredding and sieving the wood and similar plant-based materials that can serve as sawdust and shavings raw materials,II) preparing AgNOs solutions to impart antibacterial properties to the animal bedding sawdust,III) applying optimal amount of AgNOs onto the bedding sawdust sample,IV) exposing the sawdust sample to sunlight or artificial light sources to conduct photochemical reactions for the synthesis of silver nanoparticles and drying them, andV) direct packaging of the final product obtained and / or reducing it to a smaller size, and / or preparing pellet and similar materials used in animal bedding production for further product development, depending on the animal bedding to be applied.

2. Method according to Claim 1 , comprising the process steps ofI) shredding and sieving of wood and similar plant-based materials that can serve as sawdust and shavings raw materials,II) preparing AgNOs solutions in the concentration range of 0.001 - 1.000 g / L to impart antibacterial properties to the animal bedding sawdust,III) applying optimal amount of AgNOs onto the bedding sawdust sample,IV) exposing the sawdust sample to sunlight or artificial light sources to conduct photochemical reactions for the synthesis of silver nanoparticles and drying them, andV) direct packaging of the final product obtained and / or reducing it to a smaller size, and / or preparing pellet and similar materials used in animal bedding production for further product development, depending on the animal bedding to be applied.

3. Method for producing antibacterial animal bedding according to Claims 1 or 2, wherein the animal bedding sawdust used in step (I) comprises wood and similar plant-based sawdust and / or shaving products.

4. Method for producing antibacterial animal bedding according to Claims 1 or 2, wherein the animal bedding sawdust used in step (I) comprises sawdust or shavings of plant origin like pine and / or oak and / or beech and / or hornbeam and / or poplar wood.

5. Method for producing antibacterial animal bedding according to Claims 1 or 2, wherein in step (III), AgNOs is applied to the sawdust sample using a spray method.

6. Method for producing antibacterial animal bedding according to Claims 1 or 2, wherein said animal is a pet.

7. Method for producing antibacterial animal bedding according to Claims 1 or 2, wherein said animal is a cat.

8. Method for producing antibacterial animal bedding according to Claims 1 or 2, wherein said animal is poultry.

9. Method for producing antibacterial animal bedding according to Claims 1 or 2, wherein said animal is cattle.

10. Method for producing antibacterial animal bedding according to Claims 1 or 2, wherein said animal is a chicken.

11. Method for producing antibacterial animal bedding according to Claims 1 or 2, wherein said animal is a horse.

12. Method for producing antibacterial animal bedding according to Claims 1 or 2, wherein said animal is a pig.

13. Method for producing antibacterial animal bedding according to Claims 1 or 2, wherein said animal is an ostrich.

14. Method for producing antibacterial animal bedding according to Claims 1 or 2, wherein said animal is a bird.

15. Method for producing antibacterial animal bedding according to Claims 1 or 2, wherein said animal is a hamster.

16. Method for producing antibacterial animal bedding according to Claims 1 or 2, wherein said animal is a rabbit.

17. Method for producing antibacterial animal bedding according to Claims 1 or 2, wherein said animal is a cow.

18. Method for producing antibacterial animal bedding according to any one of the previous claims, comprising silver nanoparticles synthesised on the surface of the animal bedding sawdust and similar products to it.

19. An animal bedding according to Claim 18, wherein said animal is a pet.

20. An animal bedding according to Claim 18, wherein said animal is a cat.

21. An animal bedding according to Claim 18, wherein said animal is poultry.

22. An animal bedding according to Claim 18, wherein said animal is a chicken.

23. An animal bedding according to Claim 18, wherein said animal is cattle.

24. An animal bedding according to Claim 18, wherein said animal is a horse.

25. An animal bedding according to Claim 18, wherein said animal is a pig.

26. An animal bedding according to Claim 18, wherein said animal is an ostrich.

27. An animal bedding according to Claim 18, wherein said animal is a bird.

28. An animal bedding according to Claim 18, wherein said animal is a cow.

29. An animal bedding according to Claim 18, wherein said animal is a rabbit.

30. An animal bedding according to Claim 18, wherein said animal is a hamster.

31. An animal bedding according to Claim 18, wherein said animal bedding sawdust can be used both on its own and as an additive in other animal bedding materials.

32. An animal bedding according to Claim 18, wherein said animal bedding can be used in the form of sawdust, shavings, or compressed pellets.

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