AU2020369293A1

AU2020369293A1 - Method for producing animal hair of animals including mammals, method for raising animals including mammals, and feed or food product for animals including mammals and method for producing same

Info

Publication number: AU2020369293A1
Application number: AU2020369293A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Yuki Kobayashi
Original assignee: KIT CO Ltd; Bosquet Silicon Corp
Current assignee: KIT CO Ltd; Bosquet Silicon Corp
Priority date: 2019-10-21
Filing date: 2020-10-12
Publication date: 2022-06-09
Also published as: JP2021180670A; JPWO2021079781A1; TW202131799A; JP6923772B1; WO2021079781A1

Abstract

One method of the present invention for producing animal hair of a mammal includes an introduction step for introducing one or more elements selected from the group consisting of (1)-(4) into the body of a mammal.　(1) Fine silicon particles or very fine silicon particles which have the ability to generate hydrogen. (2) A flocculate of fine silicon particles or very fine silicon particles which have the ability to generate hydrogen. (3) A compound containing fine silicon particles or very fine silicon particles which have the ability to generate hydrogen. (4) A compound containing a flocculate of fine silicon particles or very fine silicon particles which have the ability to generate hydrogen.

Description

DESCRIPTION TITLE OF THE INVENTION: METHOD FOR PRODUCING ANIMAL HAIR OF ANIMALS INCLUDING MAMMALS, METHOD FOR RAISING ANIMALS INCLUDING MAMMALS, AND FEED OR FOOD PRODUCT FOR ANIMALS INCLUDING MAMMALS, AND METHOD FOR PRODUCING SAME TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001]

The present invention relates to a method for producing animal hair of an

animal including a mammal, a method for raising an animal including a mammal, a feed

or food product for an animal including a mammal, and a method for producing the feed

or food product.

BACKGROUND ART

[0002]

In a body of an animal, active oxygen can be present, which can be produced in

the body. Active oxygen is necessary for life support. For example, there is

disclosed a method for promoting the growth of animals and plants excluding humans in

which a plasma oxidation-reduction method for oxidizing or reducing amino acids with

active oxygen (hydroxyl radicals or the like) species or active hydrogen in plasma is

used for animal/plant cells of either seeds or budding yeast (Patent Document 1).

[0003]

Meanwhile, the active oxygen is known to oxidize and damage cells which

form a living body. For example, active oxygen, particularly, hydroxyl radicals which

have the strongest oxidizing power in the active oxygen are considered to cause various

diseases. Therefore, it is desirable that excess active oxygen, particularly hydroxyl

radicals, which have not been used in a reaction beneficial for an animal, are prevented from being present in the animal's body wherever possible.

[0004]

Hydroxyl radicals produced in the animal's body can be eliminated by reacting

with some substances. Hydrogen is known as an example of substances which

eliminate the hydroxyl radicals. Hydrogen reacts with hydroxyl radicals to produce

water, and does not produce any substances harmful to the living body. Therefore, for

humans, a device for producing hydrogen water containing hydrogen which eliminates

hydroxyl radicals in the body has been proposed (e.g., Patent Document 2).

[0005]

However, the concentration of hydrogen in hydrogen water is as low as 1.6

ppm (concentration of saturated hydrogen) at a maximum, and in addition, hydrogen in

hydrogen water is easily diffused into the air, whereby the concentration of hydrogen

significantly decreases with the elapse of time. Therefore, in a method in which

hydrogen water is ingested, it is not easy to take hydrogen in the body in an amount

sufficient to react the hydrogen with hydroxyl radicals in the body of an animal

including a human. Further, even when hydrogen is absorbed in the animal's body and

transported to each organ, the concentration of hydrogen in each organ returns to the

original concentration in about 1 hour (Non-Patent Document 2). Meanwhile,

hydroxyl radicals are constantly generated in the body by metabolism or the like.

Therefore, the effect of ingesting hydrogen water is considered to be extremely limited.

[0006]

The present inventor has studied water decomposition due to silicon

nanopowder and hydrogen generation, and described the results (Non-Patent Document

1 and Patent Documents 3 and 4). In addition, there is disclosed a part of examples of

utilization of silicon nanopowder for an animal or a plant (Patent Document 5).

PRIOR ART DOCUMENTS PATENT DOCUMENTS

[0007]

Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2016-152796

Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent No. 5514140

Patent Document 3: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2016-155118

Patent Document 4: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2017-104848

Patent Document 5: International Publication WO 2018/037819

NON-PATENT DOCUMENTS

[0008]

Non-Patent Document 1: Shinsuke MATSUDA et al., Concentration of

hydrogen and splitting water using silicon nanoparticle, Extended Abstracts of the 62nd

JSAP Spring Meeting, 2015, 11a-A27-6,

Non-Patent Document 2: C. Liu, R. Kurokawa, et al., Estimation of the

hydrogen concentration in rat tissue using an airtight tube following the administration

of hydrogen via various routes., Sci. Rep., 4, 2014, 5485

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION PROBLEMS TO BE SOLVED BY THE INVENTION

[0009]

As described above, even when a high concentration of hydrogen water is

ingested, the amount of hydrogen contained in 1 liter of hydrogen water is only 18 ml at

a maximum in terms of gas. In some cases, a sufficient amount of hydrogen is not

always taken in the body, resulting in a problem of causing pneumophagia (so-called

"burp").

[0010]

In addition, unlike humans, the effect of hydrogen water on animals other than

humans (including mammals) that drink water irregularly or randomly or come into

contact with water can be said to be more limited. Additionally, a case has been

reported in which the ingestion of water by animals other than humans (including

mammals) is significantly reduced due to a change in temperature, and it can be said

that the effect of hydrogen water is more limited. Needless to say, the amount of water

ingested by humans can also vary depending on changes in the environment. Further,

the compound described in Patent Document 5, which is disclosed by the present

inventor, can be said to be one of effective means capable of generating hydrogen in a

living body. However, there are various animals (which include mammals including

humans), and the presence or absence of an influence of hydrogen that can be generated

in the animal's body, which is different from the prevention or suppression of aging or

problems of the animal's skin, or what the influence is like, if it exists, is still under

research and development.

SOLUTIONS TO THE PROBLEMS

[0011]

Among various animals or mammals including humans (hereinafter, unless

otherwise specified, the animals are collectively referred to as "mammals" in the present

application), the present invention focuses on the hair of a mammal that has not been

considered for the influence of hydrogen so far as the present inventor knows, or the

hair (animal hair) of at least one selected from the group consisting of sheep, goats,

rabbits, camels, llamas, alpacas, vicunas, guanacos, yaks, cows, musk oxen, chiru,

raccoon dogs, minks, sables, raccoons, foxes, horses, chinchillas, dogs, and cats. The

present inventor has conducted intensive analysis on utilization or influence of

hydrogen generated from a "silicon microscopic particle" or an aggregate of silicon microscopic particles to be described later, or a silicon fine particle that may include

"silicon nanopowder" or an aggregate of silicon fine particles, in consideration of the

ecology of a specific animal of the animals (including mammals).

[0012]

More specifically, the present inventor has brought the silicon microscopic

particle or the silicon fine particle into contact with a "water-containing liquid"

containing water or body fluid (including sweat) inside or outside the body of the

animal (including a mammal). Then, the present inventor has tried that the contact

causes hydrogen to be generated in the body, skin and/or mucous membrane of the

animal, or causes the body, skin and/or mucous membrane to be partially exposed to

hydrogen, via an oral route or a transanal route, or via percutaneous ingestion (also

referred to as "percutaneous absorption", and generally referred to as "percutaneous

ingestion" hereinafter) or transmucosal absorption. Thereafter, the present inventor

has analyzed the influence on the physical properties of the hair obtained from the

animal (i.e., animal hair) (e.g., excellent in indices: average fiber diameter, average fiber

length, whiteness measurement, the number of colored fibers, single fiber tenacity and

elongation, cuticle quality, and/or the amount of animal hair (including mammalian

hair) of the whole body per animal).

[0013]

As a result, the present inventor has found that the hydrogen generated from a

silicon microscopic particle or an aggregate of silicon microscopic particles, or a silicon

fine particle or an aggregate of silicon fine particles can influence the physical

properties of the animal hair (which includes mammalian hair, and the same applies

hereinafter in this paragraph). The present invention has been created based on the

above-described viewpoints and findings. In addition to the above-described indices, the alkali solubility, the absolute value of the shrinkage ratio, the strength retention, the elongation retention, the water droplet diffusion time, and/or the amount of animal hair of the whole body per animal can be evaluated in the embodiments to be described later.

Further, the length, diameter, softness, and/or gloss of the animal hair can also be

indices for evaluation in the embodiments to be described later.

[0014]

Further, the present inventor has found that hydrogen is continuously or

intermittently supplied into the body of a specific animal of the above-described

animals by once giving the above-described silicon microscopic particle or an aggregate

of silicon microscopic particles or the above-described silicon fine particle or an

aggregate of silicon fine particles to the animal for a long time (24 hours or more, 36

hours or more in a narrower sense, 48 hours or more in a much narrower sense, and 168

hours or more in the narrowest sense) using an oral route or a transanal route, or via

percutaneous ingestion or transmucosal absorption, from the outside of the body of the

animal, and this can contribute to more accurate improvement of the physical properties

of animal hair (including mammalian hair).

[0015]

Through repeated research and development, the present inventor has found

that, by focusing on the silicon microscopic particles themselves or the silicon fine

particles themselves, more specifically, the surfaces of the silicon microscopic particles,

the surfaces of the silicon fine particles, the oxidation state and composition of a silicon

oxide membrane covering each of the surfaces, the physical and chemical surface

configuration state of the surface of the silicon oxide membrane, and more microscopic

physical properties or characteristics at the interface between each of the surfaces and

the silicon oxide membrane, and actively utilizing the physical properties or characteristics, a hydrogen generation amount from the silicon microscopic particles or the silicon fine particles can be significantly increased, and the hydrogen generating capability can be more strongly or more accurately drawn over a longer time. Further, the present inventor has found that the hydrogen generation amount required depending on the use, the method for forming the silicon microscopic particle or the silicon fine particle, the amount of the silicon microscopic particle or the silicon fine particle used, the size of the particles, or the pH value, or the like can be arbitrarily adjusted.

[0016]

The present inventor has analyzed and studied the surface of the silicon

microscopic particle, the surface of the silicon fine particle, the silicon oxide membrane

covering each of the surfaces, and/or the interface between each of the surfaces and the

silicon oxide membrane from various viewpoints. As a result, it has been found that a

silicon oxide membrane containing multiple types of oxides which are

stoichiometrically different from SiO2 , and referred to as "silicon suboxide", at least

partially covering the surface of the silicon microscopic particle or the surface of the

silicon fine particle, is formed on the surface of the silicon microscopic particle or the

silicon fine particle, thereby leading to stronger and/or more accurate drawing of a

hydrogen generating capability of the silicon microscopic particle or the silicon fine

particle for a longer time.

[0017]

Note that the "silicon suboxide" contains many silicon dangling bonds. It is

considered that the silicon dangling bonds have an energy level in the band gap, and

chemical species move in a hopping manner through the energy level. Therefore, the

silicon dangling bonds promote the diffusion or migration of chemical species

(hydroxide ions (OH- ions)) which oxidize the silicon microscopic particle or the silicon fine particle. Further, it is considered that the silicon dangling bonds present at the interface between the silicon and the silicon oxide membrane reduce the activation energy of the hydrogen generation reaction.

[0018]

Further, the present inventor has found that the suboxide present in the silicon

oxide membrane acts as a chain reaction-mediated active intermediate.

[0019]

It has been known that the hydrogen generation due to the reaction between

silicon and water can be described by the following chemical reaction formula.

In the chemical reaction formula (1), silicon reacts with hydroxide ions (OH-)

to produce SiO 2 , hydrogen, and electrons (e). This reaction is considered to occur at

the interface between the silicon and the silicon oxide membrane. The produced

electrons move to the surface of the silicon oxide membrane, and water molecules

receive the electrons as shown in the chemical reaction formula (2), whereby hydroxide

ions and hydrogen are produced. Therefore, after the whole reaction (chemical

reaction formula (1) + chemical reaction formula (2) = chemical reaction formula (3))

occurs, the concentration of the hydroxide ion does not change. Meanwhile, the

chemical reaction represented by the chemical reaction formula (1) is a rate-limiting

reaction, so that the reaction rate remarkably increases as the concentration of the

hydroxide ion increases.

[0020]

[Chemical Formula 1]

Si +20H - SiO 2 2+ H+2e ••

2H 2 0+2e- 2OH+ H 2 •(2)

Si+2H 20-- 2H 2 + SiO 2 ••(3)

[0021]

Here, the chemical reaction formula (1) is not a one-step reaction, and is

composed of multi-step reactions shown by the following (4) to (7).

[0022]

[Chemical Formula 2]

2Si+OH -> 1 Si2 O+-2H 2+ e .0.(4)

1 Si 2 O+OH--, 2SiO+ - H 2+e •••(5)

2SiO+OH - 1 Si2 O 3 +-L H 2+e •••(6)

Si 2 O 3 +OH - 2SiO 2 +-LH 2+e •0•(7)

[0023]

The amount of the silicon suboxide has hardly changed during the hydrogen

generation. This is considered to be because the reactions of the chemical reaction

formulae (4) to (7) proceed in parallel. The silicon suboxide Si2 0, SiO, and Si 2 03 are

present at the interface between the silicon oxide membrane and the silicon and/or in the

silicon oxide membrane. It is considered that, as each reaction proceeds, the silicon

suboxide is formed, and the silicon suboxide is further oxidized, which causes an

increased amount of silicon dioxide (SiO 2 ). Therefore, it can be said that the above

"broadly defined" "silicon oxide" is a mixed composition of the silicon suboxide and

silicon dioxide.

[0024]

In the meantime, the mechanism of hydrogen generation by the reaction of the

silicon microscopic particle or an aggregate of silicon microscopic particles, or the

silicon fine particle or an aggregate of silicon fine particles, with water molecules is

shown in the above-described formulae (1) to (3) in (Chemical Formula 1). However,

as described above, the present inventor has found that the reactions represented by the

formulae (1) to (3) in (Chemical Formula 1) are limited in the case of contacting with a

medium having a low pH value (typically, a pH value of less than 5), but the reactions

proceed in the case of contacting with a medium having a pH value of 6 or more.

Therefore, very interestingly, it has been found that hydrogen can be effectively

generated even in the case of a weakly acidic water-containing liquid having a pH value

of 6. As a result of further investigation, the present inventor has found that the

contact with a medium having more preferably a pH value of 7 or more (or more than 7),

still more preferably a pH value of more than 7.4, and very preferably a basicity

(hereinafter, referred to as "alkaline") of more than 8 is effective to promote the

generation of hydrogen.

[0025]

Due to the occurrence of the above-described chemical reaction formulae (5) to

(7), hydrogen is generated when the silicon suboxide is oxidized and the silicon dioxide

(SiO 2 ) is formed. Since the reactions of the above-described chemical reaction

formulae (4) to (7) occur, OH- ions penetrate into the silicon oxide membrane.

[0026]

Therefore, by forming the silicon oxide membrane containing many silicon suboxides, and/or the interface between the silicon oxide membrane and a nano-order silicon crystal layer, the present inventor obtained the following findings (X) and (Y).

(X) The reaction between the silicon microscopic particle or the silicon fine

particle and moisture (particularly the hydroxide ions (OH- ions)) is promoted to

provide a stronger hydrogen generating capability of the silicon microscopic particle or

the silicon fine particle, that is, lead to the continuous generation or more accurate

drawing of a large volume of hydrogen gas for a long time.

(Y) As shown by the above-described reaction formulae (1) to (7), the

hydrogen generation rate can be arbitrarily controlled by controlling the pH value

utilizing the reaction of the OH- ions.

[0027]

As described above, a suitable state for generating hydrogen has been clearly

formed, in which the hydrogen generating capability of the silicon microscopic particle

or the silicon fine particle is stronger, that is, a large volume of hydrogen gas is

continuously generated for a long time, or is more accurately drawn.

[0028]

The present inventor has realized a silicon microscopic particle or silicon fine

particle containing many silicon suboxides by subjecting the above-described silicon

microscopic particle or silicon fine particle to an additional treatment, and also

succeeded in changing the silicon microscopic particle or silicon fine particle containing

a silicon suboxide to hydrophilic silicon microscopic particle or silicon fine particle

when macroscopically viewed. Specifically, the bonding of many hydroxyl groups

(OH groups) on the surface of the silicon oxide membrane has been realized by

removing the hydrogen atoms bonded to the surface of the silicon oxide membrane

having a silicon suboxide contained in the silicon microscopic particle or silicon fine particle, and derived from the reaction with silicon atoms. In other words, the realization of many SiOH groups has allowed the silicon microscopic particle or silicon fine particle containing the silicon oxide membrane containing a silicon suboxide to be hydrophilic when macroscopically viewed. As a result, the silicon microscopic particle or the silicon fine particle whose the contact or reaction with moisture is promoted can have a stronger hydrogen generating capability, that is, can continuously generate a large volume of hydrogen gas for a long time, or more accurately exhibit the hydrogen generating capability.

[0029]

As described above, the present inventor has found that, by at least partially

devising the surface of the silicon microscopic particle or silicon fine particle containing

a silicon suboxide, the silicon oxide membrane covering each of the surfaces, and the

interface between each of the surfaces and the silicon oxide membrane, the formation of

microscopic physical properties leads to a stronger hydrogen generating capability of

the silicon microscopic particle or silicon fine particle, that is, the continuous generation

for a long time or more accurate drawing of a large volume of hydrogen gas. In

addition, as a result of further research and development, the present inventor has found

that such a silicon microscopic particle or silicon fine particle containing a silicon

suboxide, at least partially including a silicon oxide membrane, can be used to generate

hydrogen in the body, the skin and/or the mucous membrane of the animal (including

mammalian hair) via an oral route or a transanal route or via percutaneous ingestion or

transmucosal absorption, or to cause the body, the skin and/or the mucous membrane to

be partially exposed to hydrogen. The present invention has been created based on

various findings described above.

[0030]

A method for producing animal hair (including mammalian hair) according to

the present invention includes an introducing step of introducing, into a body of a

mammal or a body of at least one selected from the group consisting of sheep, goats,

raccoon dogs, minks, sables, raccoons, foxes, horses, chinchillas, dogs, and cats, at least

one selected from the group consisting of the following materials (1) to (4):

(1) a silicon microscopic particle or silicon fine particle having a hydrogen

generating capability;

(2) an aggregate of silicon microscopic particles or silicon fine particles having

a hydrogen generating capability;

(3) a compound containing a silicon microscopic particle or silicon fine particle

having a hydrogen generating capability; and

(4) a compound containing an aggregate of silicon microscopic particles or

silicon fine particles having a hydrogen generating capability.

[0031]

According to this method for producing animal hair (which includes

mammalian hair, and the same applies hereinafter in this paragraph), at least one

selected from the group consisting of the materials (1) to (4) is introduced into the body

of the animal (including a mammal), and thus the water-containing liquid (particularly,

a water-containing liquid having a pH value of 6 or more) in the body is brought into

contact with at least one selected from the group consisting of the materials (1) to (4).

This contact generates hydrogen in the body, so that it is possible to appropriately

eliminate, remove, or reduce excess active oxygen (particularly, hydroxyl radicals) in

the body. As a result, the hair obtained from the animal (also referred to as "animal

hair" hereinafter) can exhibit excellent physical properties (e.g., excellent in indices: average fiber diameter, average fiber length, whiteness measurement, the number of colored fibers, single fiber tenacity and elongation, cuticle quality, and/or the amount of animal hair of the whole body per animal). Further, according to the method for producing animal hair, it is possible to produce animal hair excellent in length, diameter, softness, and/or gloss.

[0032]

Another method for producing animal hair (including mammalian hair)

according to the present invention includes:

a hydrogen generating step of generating hydrogen in a water-containing liquid

by allowing at least one selected from the group consisting of the following materials

(5) to (8) to be present in the water-containing liquid; and

a contact step of bringing a mammal or at least one selected from the group

consisting of sheep, goats, rabbits, camels, llamas, alpacas, vicunas, guanacos, yaks,

cows, musk oxen, chiru, raccoon dogs, minks, sables, raccoons, foxes, horses,

chinchillas, dogs, and cats, into contact with the water-containing liquid,

(5) a silicon microscopic particle or silicon fine particle having a hydrogen

generating capability;

(6) an aggregate of silicon microscopic particles or silicon fine particles having

a hydrogen generating capability;

(7) a compound containing a silicon microscopic particle or silicon fine particle

having a hydrogen generating capability; and

(8) a compound containing an aggregate of silicon microscopic particles or

silicon fine particles having a hydrogen generating capability.

[0033]

According to this method for producing animal hair (which includes mammalian hair, and the same applies hereinafter in this paragraph), the hydrogen generating step allows at least one selected from the group consisting of the materials

(5) to (8) to be present in a water-containing liquid, whereby hydrogen is generated in

the water-containing liquid, and thus the skin or mucous membrane of the animal is

contacted with or exposed to hydrogen. This contact or exposure can appropriately

the body through the skin or mucous membrane of the animal. As a result, the hair of

the animal can exhibit excellent physical properties (e.g., excellent in indices: average

fiber diameter, average fiber length, whiteness measurement, the number of colored

fibers, single fiber tenacity and elongation, cuticle quality, and/or the amount of animal

hair of the whole body per animal). Further, according to the method for producing

animal hair, it is possible to produce animal hair excellent in length, diameter, softness,

and/or gloss.

[0034]

Further, a method for raising an animal (including a mammal excluding a

human) according to the present invention includes an introducing step of introducing,

into a body of a mammal excluding a human, or a body of at least one selected from the

group consisting of sheep, goats, rabbits, camels, llamas, alpacas, vicunas, guanacos,

yaks, cows, musk oxen, chiru, raccoon dogs, minks, sables, raccoons, foxes, horses,

chinchillas, dogs, and cats, at least one selected from the group consisting of the

following materials (1) to (4):

(1) a silicon microscopic particle or silicon fine particle having a hydrogen

generating capability;

a hydrogen generating capability;

having a hydrogen generating capability; and

(4) a compound containing an aggregate of silicon microscopic particles or

silicon fine particles having a hydrogen generating capability.

[0035]

According to this method for raising an animal (which includes a mammal

excluding a human, and the same applies hereinafter in this paragraph), at least one

of the animal, and thus the water-containing liquid (particularly, a water-containing

liquid having a pH value of 6 or more) in the body is brought into contact with at least

one selected from the group consisting of the materials (1) to (4). This contact

generates hydrogen in the body, so that it is possible to appropriately eliminate, remove,

or reduce excess active oxygen (particularly, hydroxyl radicals) in the body. As a

result, it is possible to raise an animal having hair which can exhibit excellent physical

properties (e.g., excellent in indices: average fiber diameter, average fiber length,

whiteness measurement, the number of colored fibers, single fiber tenacity and

hair) of the whole body per animal). Further, according to the method for raising an

animal, it is possible to raise an animal having hair excellent in length, diameter,

softness, and/or gloss.

[0036]

A method for raising an animal (including a mammal excluding a human)

according to the present invention includes:

a hydrogen generating step of generating hydrogen in a water-containing liquid

(5) to (8) to be present in the water-containing liquid; and

a contact step of bringing a mammal excluding a human, or a mammal or at

least one selected from the group consisting of sheep, goats, rabbits, camels, llamas,

alpacas, vicunas, guanacos, yaks, cows, musk oxen, chiru, raccoon dogs, minks, sables,

raccoons, foxes, horses, chinchillas, dogs, and cats, into contact with the

water-containing liquid,

(5) a silicon microscopic particle or silicon fine particle having a hydrogen

generating capability;

a hydrogen generating capability;

having a hydrogen generating capability; and

(8) a compound containing an aggregate of silicon microscopic particles or

silicon fine particles having a hydrogen generating capability.

[0037]

According to this method for raising an animal (which includes a mammal

excluding a human, and the same applies hereinafter in this paragraph), the hydrogen

generating step allows at least one selected from the group consisting of the materials

the body through the skin or mucous membrane of the animal. As a result, it is

possible to raise an animal having hair which can exhibit excellent physical properties

(e.g., excellent in indices: average fiber diameter, average fiber length, whiteness measurement, the number of colored fibers, single fiber tenacity and elongation, cuticle quality, and/or the amount of animal hair (including mammalian hair) of the whole body per animal). Further, according to the method for raising an animal, it is possible to raise an animal having hair excellent in length, diameter, softness, and/or gloss.

[0038]

One feed or food product of the present invention contains: at least one

selected from the group consisting of meats, fish and shellfish, cereals, bean, vegetable,

milk, bran, fats and oils, nuts and seeds, fruits, starch, algae, and mushrooms; and

at least one selected from the group consisting of the following materials (1) to

(4):

(1) a silicon microscopic particle or silicon fine particle having a hydrogen

generating capability;

a hydrogen generating capability;

having a hydrogen generating capability; and

(4) a compound containing an aggregate of silicon microscopic particles or

silicon fine particles having a hydrogen generating capability.

Further, the above-described feed or food product can be a feed or food product

for a mammal, or a feed product for at least one selected from the group consisting of

dogs and cats.

[0039]

Another feed product of the present invention contains: a concentrated feed

product and/or coarse feed product; and at least one selected from the group consisting

of the following materials (1) to (4):

(1) a silicon microscopic particle or silicon fine particle having a hydrogen

generating capability;

a hydrogen generating capability;

having a hydrogen generating capability; and

(4) a compound containing an aggregate of silicon microscopic particles or

silicon fine particles having a hydrogen generating capability.

Further, the feed product can also be a feed product for at least one selected

from the group consisting of sheep, goats, rabbits, camels, llamas, alpacas, vicunas,

guanacos, yaks, cows, musk oxen, chiru, raccoon dogs, minks, sables, raccoons, foxes,

horses, and chinchillas.

[0040]

According to the above-described feed or food product, when the feed or food

product is ingested by or administered to an animal, including the above-described

mammals, at least one selected from the group consisting of the materials (1) to (4) is

introduced into the body of the animal. Thus, the water-containing liquid (particularly,

the body. As a result, it is possible to produce animal hair which can exhibit excellent

physical properties (e.g., excellent in indices: average fiber diameter, average fiber

elongation, cuticle quality, and/or the amount of animal hair (including mammalian hair) of the whole body per animal), or it is possible to raise an animal having the hair.

Further, according to the feed or food product, it is possible to contribute to the

producing of animal hair excellent in length, diameter, softness, and/or gloss, or to the

raising of an animal having the animal hair.

[0041]

A method for producing a feed or food product of the present invention

includes a mixing step of mixing at least one selected from the group consisting of

meats, fish and shellfish, vegetables, cereals, milk, beans, bran, fats and oils, nuts and

seeds, fruits, starch, algae, and mushrooms with

(4):

(1) a silicon microscopic particle or silicon fine particle having a hydrogen

generating capability;

a hydrogen generating capability;

having a hydrogen generating capability; and

(4) a compound containing an aggregate of silicon microscopic particles or

silicon fine particles having a hydrogen generating capability.

Further, the above-described feed or food product can be applied to a method

for producing a feed or food product for a mammal, or a method for producing a feed

product for at least one selected from the group consisting of dogs and cats.

[0042]

Another method for producing a feed product of the present invention includes

a mixing step of mixing at least one main material selected from the group consisting of a concentrated feed product and a coarse feed product with at least one selected from the group consisting of the following materials (1) to (4):

(1) a silicon microscopic particle or silicon fine particle having a hydrogen

generating capability;

a hydrogen generating capability;

having a hydrogen generating capability; and

(4) a compound containing an aggregate of silicon microscopic particles or

silicon fine particles having a hydrogen generating capability.

Further, the method for producing a feed product is a method for producing a

feed product for at least one selected from the group consisting of sheep, goats, rabbits,

camels, llamas, alpacas, vicunas, guanacos, yaks, cows, musk oxen, chiru, raccoon dogs,

minks, sables, raccoons, foxes, horses, and chinchillas.

[0043]

According to the above-described method for producing each feed or food

product, the feed or food product produced by the producing method is ingested by or

administered to an animal, including the above-described mammals, whereby at least

one selected from the group consisting of the materials (1) to (4) is introduced into the

body of the animal. Thus, the water-containing liquid (particularly, a water-containing

result, in the producing method, it is possible to produce animal hair which can exhibit excellent physical properties (e.g., excellent in indices: average fiber diameter, average fiber length, whiteness measurement, the number of colored fibers, single fiber tenacity and elongation, cuticle quality, and/or the amount of animal hair (including mammalian hair) of the whole body per animal), or it is possible to raise an animal having the hair, based on the feed or food product. Further, according to the feed or food product, it is possible to contribute to the producing of animal hair excellent in length, diameter, softness, and/or gloss, or to the raising of an animal having the animal hair.

[0044]

In the meantime, since the above-described silicon microscopic particle or

silicon fine particle or an aggregate of silicon fine particles has a hydrogen generating

capability, for example, hydrogen can be generated in the body of an animal, including

the above-described mammals by introducing any one of the materials (1) to (4) into the

animal. The term "introducing" described above includes, for example, oral ingestion,

oral administration, and insertion into the body through the anus. Further, when

hydrogen is generated outside the animal body, hydrogen can be taken into the body of

the animal via percutaneous ingestion or transmucosal absorption. As a result, the hair

obtained from the animal (i.e., animal hair) can exhibit excellent physical properties

(e.g., excellent in indices: average fiber diameter, average fiber length, whiteness

measurement, the number of colored fibers, single fiber tenacity and elongation, cuticle

quality, and/or the amount of animal hair (including mammalian hair) of the whole body

per animal), in order to appropriately eliminate, remove, or reduce excess active oxygen

(particularly, hydroxyl radicals) in the body. In addition to the above-described

indices, physical properties regarding the alkali solubility, the absolute value of the

shrinkage ratio, the strength retention, the elongation retention, the water droplet

diffusion time, and/or the amount of animal hair of the whole body per animal can be evaluated in the embodiments to be described later can also be improved as compared with the related art. It is also possible to produce animal hair excellent in length, diameter, softness and/or gloss, or to raise an animal having such excellent animal hair.

[0045]

Taking hydrogen through the skin or mucous membrane of an animal,

including the above-described mammals, in the body can be employed. For example,

when the animal bathes using a puddle (water-containing liquid) or the like, hydrogen

(H 2)or hydrogen atoms are generated in the puddle by allowing at least one selected

from the group consisting of the materials (5) to (8) to be present in the puddle. This

makes it possible to bring the skin or mucous membrane of the animal into contact with

the hydrogen. As a result, the hair obtained from the animal (i.e., animal hair) can

exhibit excellent physical properties (e.g., excellent in indices: average fiber diameter,

average fiber length, whiteness measurement, the number of colored fibers, single fiber

tenacity and elongation, cuticle quality, and/or the amount of animal hair (including

mammalian hair) of the whole body per animal). In addition to the above-described

diffusion time, and/or the amount of animal hair of the whole body per animal can be

evaluated in the embodiments to be described later can also be improved as compared

with the related art. It is also possible to produce animal hair excellent in length,

diameter, softness and/or gloss, or to raise an animal having such excellent animal hair.

[0046]

In the meantime, in each of the above-described inventions, for example, one

suitable aspect is to provide an impermeable membrane covering the above-described

compound, the above-described silicon microscopic particle or an aggregate of silicon microscopic particles, or the silicon fine particle or an aggregate of silicon fine particles.

For example, the compound, the silicon microscopic particle or an aggregate of silicon

microscopic particles, or the silicon fine particle or an aggregate of silicon fine particles

is brought into contact with a water-containing liquid having a pH value of 6 or more or

a medium containing the water-containing liquid when the membrane is at least

partially removed or dissolved. This makes it possible to select the scene where

generation of hydrogen is necessary with a high degree of freedom.

[0047]

In the present application, when the size of the diameter of the crystal is in "nm

order", the expression "crystallite" is employed instead of the expression "crystal grain

(or crystal particle)". Meanwhile, when the size of the diameter of the crystal is in

"pm order", the expression "crystal grain (or crystal particle)" is employed.

[0048]

Here, the "silicon fine particle" in the present application may include "silicon

nanopowder" having an average crystallite diameter of nm order, specifically, a

crystallite diameter of 1 nm or more and 100 rn or less. Here, main silicon

nanopowder having a crystallite diameter of 1nm or more and less than 10 nm is a

''silicon fine particle" that is refined considerably as one aspect which can be employed.

In the present application, the silicon fine particle includes not only one in which each

silicon nanopowder is dispersed, but also one in which a plurality of silicon nanopowder

naturally gathers to form aggregates having a size close to pm (generally, 0.1 pm or

more and 1Ipm or less). The "silicon microscopic particle" in the present application

is a silicon particle having an average particle diameter of 0.1 Pm or more and 500 Pm

or less (1I pm ormore and 100pm or less in anarrower sense). Note that the "silicon

microscopic particle" in the present application may also include "silicon nanopowder" having a crystallite diameter of 1 nm or more and 100 nm or less.

[0049]

As described above, the "silicon fine particles" in the present application can

aggregate in a natural state to form aggregates having a diameter size at Pm level (e.g.,

about 1Ipm). In the present application, in order to distinguish from this "aggregates",

a lump solid preparation which is obtained by the aggregate or artificially assembling

the silicon fine particles through addition of a binding agent, compression, or the like

and has such a size to be picked up by human fingers may be referred to as a "solid

formulation". Typical examples of the "solid formulation" include a tablet, and a

granule or powder that does not exhibit a lump but exhibits a powdery form. Further,

the "silicon fine particle" or the "aggregate of silicon fine particles" of the present

application can be in a layer form or a membrane form (hereinafter, generally referred

to as "layer form").

EFFECTS OF THE INVENTION

[0050]

According to one method for producing animal hair of the present invention, it

is possible to produce animal hair which can exhibit excellent physical properties (e.g.,

excellent in indices: average fiber diameter, average fiber length, whiteness

per animal). Further, according to the method for producing animal hair, it is possible

to produce animal hair excellent in length, diameter, softness, and/or gloss.

[0051]

According to one method for raising an animal of the present invention, it is

per animal). Further, according to the method for raising an animal, it is possible to

raise an animal having hair excellent in length, diameter, softness, and/or gloss.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0052]

Fig. 1A is a front perspective photograph of a solid formulation (pellet) of a

first embodiment.

Fig. lB is a side perspective photograph of the solid formulation (pellet) of the

first embodiment.

Fig. 2 is a conceptual diagram showing structural models regarding a surface of

a silicon fine particle having a silicon suboxide of the first embodiment, a silicon oxide

membrane containing a silicon suboxide covering the surface, and/or an interface

between the surface and the silicon oxide membrane.

Fig. 3A is an SEM photograph of a part of animal hair (hair on the back) of an

example.

Fig. 3B is an SEM photograph of a part of animal hair (hair on the back) of an

example.

Fig. 3C is an SEM photograph of a part of animal hair (hair on the back) of an

example.

Fig. 3D is an SEM photograph of a part of animal hair (hair on the back) of an

example.

Fig. 3E is an SEM photograph of a part of animal hair (hair on the back) of an

example.

EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0053]

A silicon fine particle (or an aggregate of silicon fine particles) of the present

embodiment and a compound of the present embodiment have a hydrogen generating

capability. Further, the compound of the present embodiment contains the aggregate

or the silicon fine particle (typically, the crystallite diameter is 1 nm or more and less

than 10 pm, and more typically, the crystallite diameter is 1 nm or more and 1 Pm or

less) having a hydrogen generating capability. Hereinafter, as an example of a solid

formulation of the present embodiment, a silicon fine particle (or an aggregate of silicon

fine particles) and a pellet containing the silicon fine particle (or the aggregate) will be

described in detail. Then, a method for producing hair (animal hair) of an animal

including a mammal (hereinafter, collectively referred to as "animal" in the present

embodiment and other embodiments), a method for raising an animal, and a feed or

food product for an animal in the present embodiment will also be described in detail.

[0054]

[Silicon Fine Particle (or Aggregate of Silicon Fine Particles), and Solid Formulation

(Pellet), and Method for Producing Solid Formulation]

The solid formulation of the present embodiment is produced using, as silicon

particles, for example, silicon nanopowder-containing silicon fine particles which are

obtained by refining a commercially available high-purity silicon particle powder

(manufactured by Kojundo Chemical Lab. Co., Ltd., particle size distribution < < 5 Pm

(provided that silicon microscopic particles or silicon particles having a crystal grain

size of more than 1I pm, purity: 99.9%, i-type silicon)) by a bead mill method. In the

present embodiment, a pulverizing step of pulverizing a silicon particle in an ethanol solution to form the silicon fine particle or an aggregate of silicon fine particles is employed. The present embodiment is not limited to the size, purity, pulverizing method, or dispersion solvent of the silicon particle powder. The example employed in an embodiment or modified example other than the present embodiment is just exemplary, and is not limited to the aspect of the embodiment or modified example.

[0055]

Specifically, a pulverizing step is performed. A bead mill device

(manufactured by Imex Co., Ltd., model: RHM-08, horizontal continuous ready mill) is

used, and 200 g of high-purity silicon powder (manufactured by Kojundo Chemical Lab.

Co., Ltd., particle size distribution < # 5 pm, purity: 99.9% or more) is dispersed in a

mixed solution of 4000 ml of ethanol of 99% or more and a small amount of water (e.g.,

0.1% by weight or more and 10% by weight or less, more preferably more than 1% by

weight and 2% by weight or less). Zirconia beads of # 0.5 pm (volume: 2900 ml) are

added thereto, followed by pulverizing in the air at room temperature for several tens of

minutes to 4 hours at a rotation speed of 2500 rpm in the air. As one suitable aspect,

the ethanol (e.g., 99.5% by weight) is employed as the alcohols contained in the mixed

solution from the viewpoint of improving the accuracy of the safety of the silicon fine

particle (or an aggregate of silicon fine particles) to be finally produced and the

compound of the present embodiment (e.g., safety to the animal).

[0056]

In the present embodiment, the mixed solution is separated into beads and an

ethanol solution containing the silicon fine particle by a separation slit provided inside a

pulverizing chamber of a bead mill device. The ethanol solution containing the silicon

fine particle separated from the beads is heated to 30°C to 35°C using a reduced

pressure evaporator. As a result, the ethanol solution is evaporated to obtain a silicon fine particle and/or an aggregate of silicon fine particles.

[0057]

The silicon fine particle obtained by the above method mainly includes silicon

nanopowder having a crystallite diameter of 1 nm or more and less than 10 Pm (in a

more typical example, the crystallite diameter is 1 nm or more and 1 Pm or less). As a

result of measuring the silicon fine particle by an X-ray diffractometer (Smart Lab

manufactured by Rigaku Corporation), the following values are obtained as an example.

In the volume distribution, the mode diameter, median diameter, and average crystallite

diameter were 6.6 nm, 14.0 nm, and 20.3 nm, respectively.

[0058]

When the silicon fine particle was observed using a scanning electron

microscope (SEM), some of the silicon fine particles aggregated to form a slightly large

and irregular shape of about 0.5 pm or less. Further, when each silicon nanopowder

was observed using a transmission electron microscope (TEM), main silicon

nanopowder had a crystallite diameter of about 2 nm or more and 20 nm or less.

[0059]

In the silicon fine particle produced through the above-described pulverizing

step, the silicon oxide membrane at least partially covering the surface of the silicon

fine particle is enriched in a silicon suboxide, which makes it possible to more strongly

or more accurately draw the hydrogen generating capability of the silicon fine particle.

More specifically, by employing the silicon fine particle, for example, a high hydrogen

generation rate can be realized over a long time of 24 hours or more from the start of

hydrogen generation.

[0060]

Further, it has been found that the silicon fine particle of the present embodiment has a silicon dioxide (SiOx, where x is 1/2, 1, and 3/2) and/or a mixed composition of the silicon suboxide and silicon dioxide, at least partially covering surface of the silicon fine particle. Therefore, as described above, according to the silicon fine particle and an aggregate of silicon fine particles of the present embodiment as well as the compound of the present embodiment, since the silicon oxide membrane at least partially covering the surface of the silicon fine particle includes the above-described silicon suboxide, the hydrogen generating capability of the silicon fine particle is stronger, that is, a large volume of hydrogen gas can be continuously generated for a long time, or can be more accurately drawn.

[0061]

In the present embodiment, one suitable aspect of the present embodiment is to

perform a reforming step of further bringing the surface of the silicon fine particle

produced by the above-described step into contact with, for example, hydrogen peroxide

water to reform the surface. By the reforming step, the silicon fine particle including

silicon nanopowder can be changed to hydrophilic silicon fine particle when

macroscopically viewed.

[0062]

Specifically, a hydrogen peroxide water treatment step of mixing the silicon

fine particle produced by the above-described step with hydrogen peroxide water in a

glass container is then performed. In the present embodiment, the temperature of the

hydrogen peroxide water (3.5% by weight in the present embodiment) in the hydrogen

peroxide water treatment step is 25°C. The mixing time is 30 minutes. Sufficient

stirring treatment in the hydrogen peroxide water treatment step is preferable in order to

increase the opportunity of the silicon fine particle brought into contact with the

hydrogen peroxide water. Even when the temperature of the hydrogen peroxide water in the hydrogen peroxide water treatment step is, for example, about room temperature, at least some of the effects of the present embodiment can be exhibited.

[0063]

By performing the above-described reforming step, the hydrogen atoms

adsorbed on the surface of the silicon oxide membrane containing a silicon suboxide

contained in the silicon fine particle can be removed, and many hydroxyl groups (OH

groups) (that is, SiOH groups) can be caused to be present on the surface of the silicon

oxide membrane. This makes it possible to make the silicon fine particle having a

silicon suboxide hydrophilic when macroscopically viewed, whereby the hydrogen

generating capability of the silicon fine particle having a silicon suboxide in which the

contact or reaction with moisture is more accurately promoted can be more strongly

exhibited, or the hydrogen generating capability can be more accurately exhibited. As

described above, it is also suitable that the reforming step is performed using the

hydrogen peroxide water having about room temperature from the viewpoint of

realizing a low cost and a safe treatment. In addition, as one suitable aspect, the

hydrogen peroxide water is employed in the reforming step of the present embodiment

from the viewpoint that hydrogen can be generated by using a safer and more reliable

material (e.g., having less influence on the animal) like ethanol.

[0064]

Means for bringing the surface of the silicon fine particle into contact with the

hydrogen peroxide water is not limited. For example, the reforming step can be

performed by immersing the silicon fine particle in 3% by weight of hydrogen peroxide

water (e.g., about 10°C to about 80°C, and about 20°C to about 50°C from the

viewpoint of realizing a lower cost) accommodated in a known container. Further, the

same reforming can also be realized by immersing the silicon fine particle in ozone water and/or sodium percarbonate in place of the hydrogen peroxide water.

Alternatively, the same reforming can also be realized by bringing the silicon fine

particle into contact with at least one selected from the group consisting of hydrogen

peroxide water, ozone water, and sodium percarbonate.

[0065]

Here, the present inventor has considered that each of the states of the surfaces

of the silicon fine particles, the silicon oxide membrane covering the surfaces, and/or

the interface between the surfaces and the silicon oxide membrane changes according to

the following structural model in each of the already described chemical reactions.

[0066]

Fig. 2 is a conceptual diagram showing structural models regarding the surface

of the silicon fine particle having a silicon suboxide at least partially forming the

composite composition of the present embodiment, the silicon oxide membrane

containing a silicon suboxide covering the surface, and/or the interface between the

surface and the silicon oxide membrane. Note that (a) to (d) show the following states:

(a) after the pulverizing step;

(b) after the reforming step;

(c) when the hydrogen generation reaction proceeds by contacting with water

having a pH of 7 (reaction time is about 6 hours or more); and

(d) when the hydrogen generation reaction is completed.

[0067]

As shown in Fig. 2, first, after the pulverizing step, the silicon fine particle is

covered with the silicon oxide membrane having a thickness of about 2.5 nm. Further,

H-SiO3 , H-SiO2, and H-SiO are present on the surface of the silicon oxide membrane

(Fig. 2 (a)). As described above, since H-SiO 3 , H-SiO2 , and H-SiO are present, as it were, the surface of the silicon oxide membrane macroscopically exhibits hydrophobicity, so that the reactivity with water is not so great. Many suboxides are contained in the silicon oxide membrane and/or at the interface between the silicon fine particle and the silicon oxide membrane, as shown in Fig. 2(a).

[0068]

Thereafter, the surface of the silicon oxide membrane is dramatically changed

by performing a reforming step. Since many H-SiO 3 , H-SiO2, and H-SiO are removed

by the reforming step, the surface of the silicon oxide membrane is hydrophilic, which

provides significantly improved reactivity with water (Fig. 2(b)). As shown in Fig.

2(b), many hydroxyl groups (OH groups) are present on the surface of the silicon oxide

membrane. Also at this stage, many suboxides are contained in the silicon oxide

and/or at the interface between the silicon fine particle and the silicon oxide.

[0069]

Furthermore, when the contact with water causes the hydrogen generation

reaction to proceed (Fig. 2(c)), the reaction rate of the silicon suboxide produced from

the silicon fine particle and the reaction rate of the silicon dioxide produced from the

silicon suboxide are substantially equal to each other. As a result, the amount of the

silicon dioxide (membrane thickness) increases while the silicon suboxide is

substantially constant. For example, when the membrane thickness of the silicon

dioxide membrane is about 15 nm, the hydrogen generation reaction stops (Fig. 2 (d)).

The thickness of 15 nm described in Fig. 2 is merely an example, and the present

embodiment is not limited to the numerical value. According to the analysis by the

present inventor, it is found that the membrane thickness of the silicon oxide membrane

(including the silicon dioxide and the silicon suboxide) is 3 nm or more and 20 nm or

less (typically 15 nm or less) after the elapse of 168 hours (7 days) from the time of hydrogen generation when the silicon fine particle having a silicon suboxide subjected to the pulverizing step and the reforming step of the present embodiment are brought into contact with water. Therefore, in the case where the membrane thickness of the silicon oxide membrane after the elapse of 168 hours (7 days) from the time of hydrogen generation is within the above-described numerical range, the silicon fine particle of the present embodiment can be accurately recognized. The reaction between the silicon fine particle and water is not limited to this condition.

[0070]

As described above, by performing the pulverizing step and reforming step of

the present embodiment, the hydrogen atoms adsorbed on the surface of the silicon

oxide membrane included in the silicon fine particle having a silicon suboxide can be

removed, and many hydroxyl groups (OH groups) can be caused to be present on the

surface of the silicon oxide membrane containing a silicon suboxide. This makes it

possible to make the silicon fine particle hydrophilic when macroscopically viewed,

whereby the hydrogen generating capability of the silicon fine particle in which the

exhibited, that is, a large volume of hydrogen can be generated in the body for a long

time, or the hydrogen generating capability can be more accurately exhibited. As

hydrogen peroxide water having about room temperature from the viewpoint of

realizing a low cost and a safe treatment.

[0071]

In the present embodiment, an ethanol treatment step of mixing the silicon fine

particle with an ethanol solution is further performed thereafter. Sufficient stirring

treatment in the ethanol treatment step is preferable in order to increase the opportunity of the silicon fine particle brought into contact with the ethanol solution (99.5% by weight in the present embodiment). The silicon fine particle mixed with the ethanol solution is sufficiently dried after removing the highly volatile ethanol solution by a solid-liquid separation treatment using a known centrifugal separation device, whereby one final silicon fine particle of the present embodiment is produced.

[0072]

In the present embodiment, one aspect which can be employed is a silicon fine

particle, as another final silicon fine particle, in which the mixing time of the hydrogen

peroxide water and the silicon fine particle in the hydrogen peroxide water treatment

step among the above-described steps is 60 minutes.

[0073]

In another aspect of the present embodiment, a suitable example of the

physically pulverizing method explained using the above-described bead mill

pulverizing method as an example is a bead mill pulverizing method, a planetary ball

mill pulverizing method, a jet mill pulverizing method, or a pulverizing method in

which two or more kinds of these methods are combined.

[0074]

Subsequently, the pellet of the present embodiment can be produced by the

following steps.

[0075]

In one aspect of the present embodiment, a mixing step A of mixing at least

one selected from the group consisting of meats, fish and shellfish, vegetables, cereals,

milk, beans, bran, fats and oils, nuts and seeds, fruits, starch, algae, and mushrooms

with the above-described silicon fine particle and/or an aggregate of silicon fine

particles is performed. The feed or food product produced by the producing step including the mixing step A can be a feed or food product for a mammal, or a feed product for at least one selected from the group consisting of dogs and cats.

[0076]

Specifically, the above-described "meats" include raw meat, skin, internal

organs, and the like of poultry such as chickens and mammals. The above-described

"fish and shellfish" includes marine products and processed products thereof. The

above-described "vegetables" include vegetables and processed products thereof. The

above-described "cereals" include rice, wheat, com, barley, oat, and flour thereof. The

above-described "milk" includes raw milk and processed products thereof. The

above-described "beans" include beans and processed products thereof. The

above-described "bran" includes rice bran, a wheat skin portion (wheat bran), a barley

skin portion (barley bran), and processed products thereof. The above-described "fats

and oils" include vegetable oils, animal oils, and processed products thereof. The

above-described "nuts and seeds" includes a nut covered with a hard shell of a plant and

a seed thereof. The above-described "fruits" include fruits and processed products

thereof. The above-described "starch" is a polysaccharide in which 9 or more

monosaccharides are combined. The above-described "algae" include seaweeds and

processed products thereof. The above-described "mushrooms" are fungi with a

fruiting body.

[0077]

In another aspect of the present embodiment, a mixing step B of mixing one

main material selected from the group consisting of a concentrated feed product and a

coarse feed product with the above-described silicon fine particle and/or an aggregate of

silicon fine particles is performed.

[0078]

Specifically, an example of the concentrated feed product is at least one

selected from the group consisting of cereals (e.g., flour or corn), bran (e.g., a wheat

skin portion (wheat bran) or a barley skin portion (barley bran)), fats and oils (e.g.,

soybean oil cake or rapeseed oil cake), potatoes (e.g., a potato or a sweet potato),

vegetables (e.g., a carrot or a squash), milk (skimmed milk powder), and a fish meal.

The material overlapping with the material employed in the above-described mixing

step A can also be employed in the mixing step B. Further, an example of the coarse

feed product is at least one selected from the group consisting of gramineous plants (e.g.,

Italian ryegrass, orchard grass, guinea grass, timothy, hybrid ryegrass, meadow fescue,

Bahia grass, rose grass, turf grass), leguminous plants (e.g., white clover, red clover,

alfalfa), and wild grasses (e.g., Japanese silver grass or bamboo grass). Note that the

feed product produced by the producing step including the mixing step B is a feed

product for at least one selected from the group consisting of sheep, goats, rabbits,

minks, sables, raccoons, foxes, horses, chinchillas, dogs, and cats.

[0079]

Further, as one suitable aspect which can be employed, the pellet of the present

embodiment contains rice bran, a known animal feed product, vitamins, and/or minerals

together with the above-described main material.

[0080]

Thereafter, a pellet forming step of tableting the mixture obtained in the mixing

step A or the mixing step B using a commercially available pellet producing device or a

known tableting device to prepare pellets is performed. Consequently, a pellet as an

example of the solid formulation shown in Fig. 1 can be produced, as an example. Fig.

1A is a front perspective photograph of a pellet 100 as an example, and Fig. 1B is a side perspective photograph of the pellet 100 as an example. One aspect which can be employed is an aspect in which a powdery silicon fine particle or an aggregate of powdery silicon fine particles in a state of not being formed into a solid formulation are contained in a "base material" such as a pharmaceutical product for an animal, a livestock or pet food product, a food product for a mammal or various supplements, or a feed product for an animal.

[0081]

Therefore, in the method for raising an animal of the present embodiment,

there is performed an introducing step of introducing, into a body of an animal as a

target in the present embodiment, at least one selected from the group consisting of the

materials (1) to (4):

(1) a silicon fine particle (or silicon nanopowder) of the present embodiment

having a hydrogen generating capability;

(2) an aggregate of silicon fine particles (or silicon nanopowder) of the present

embodiment having a hydrogen generating capability;

(3) a solid formulation (pellet) containing a silicon fine particle (or silicon

nanopowder) of the present embodiment having a hydrogen generating capability; and

(4) a solid formulation (pellet) containing an aggregate of silicon fine particles

(or silicon nanopowder) of the present embodiment having a hydrogen generating

capability.

[0082]

For example, a typical aspect of the method for raising an animal of the present

embodiment is causing the silicon fine particle to be taken via an oral route or a

transanal route in the above-described introducing step.

[0083]

Further, in the method for producing animal hair of the present embodiment,

following materials (1) to (4):

(1) a silicon fine particle (or silicon nanopowder) of the present embodiment

having a hydrogen generating capability;

embodiment having a hydrogen generating capability;

(3) a solid formulation (pellet) containing a silicon fine particle (or silicon

(or silicon nanopowder) of the present embodiment having a hydrogen generating

capability.

[0084]

The animal hair of the present embodiment can be produced by feeding the

animal with the pellet of the present embodiment for 1 month to 1 year to grow the hair

of the animal. As a result, for example, in the case of a pet such as a dog or a cat, the

hair is increased and the quality of hair is improved. Further, when the hair of the

animal has economic value, a cutting step of cutting the hair of the animal can be

performed. After the cutting step, a known washing method can be employed.

[0085]

As the time when the animal orally ingests the pellet of the present

embodiment or the time when the pellet is orally administered to the animal, for

example, "regular ingestion or administration" in which the pellet is given at a

predetermined time zone: once to three times a day, or "irregular ingestion or administration" in which the animal is allowed to freely ingest the pellet can be employed.

[0086]

Further, the size of the pellet of the present embodiment can also be

appropriately selected in accordance with the size of an animal as a target or the ecology

of the animal. A typical example of the pellet is a substantially cylindrical mass

having a diameter of about 2 mm to about 15 mm and a height of about 5 cm. Another

aspect of the present embodiment is appropriately controlling the shape or structure of

the pellet of the present embodiment.

[0087]

Thereafter, the animal hair of the present embodiment can be produced by

feeding the animal with the pellet of the present embodiment for 1 month to 1 year to

grow the hair of the animal. As a result, for example, in the case of a pet such as a dog

or a cat, the hair is increased and the quality of hair is improved. Further, when the

hair of the animal has economic value, a cutting step of cutting the hair of the animal

can be performed. After the cutting step, a known washing method can be employed.

[0088]

In the method for producing an animal as a modified example of the present

embodiment, it is possible to produce animal hair which can exhibit excellent physical

properties (e.g., average fiber diameter, average fiber length, whiteness measurement,

the number of colored fibers, single fiber tenacity and elongation, cuticle quality, and/or

the amount of animal hair of the whole body per animal), in order to appropriately

the body of the animal through the above-described introducing step. Further, it is

possible to produce animal hair excellent in length, diameter, softness, and/or gloss through the above-described steps.

[0089]

Further, in the producing method as a modified example of the present

embodiment, it is possible to raise an animal having animal hair which can exhibit

excellent physical properties (e.g., average fiber diameter, average fiber length,

whiteness measurement, the number of colored fibers, single fiber tenacity and

elongation, cuticle quality, and/or the amount of animal hair of the whole body per

animal), in order to appropriately eliminate, remove, or reduce excess active oxygen

(particularly, hydroxyl radicals) in the body of the animal. Further, it is possible to

raise an animal having hair excellent in length, diameter, softness, and/or gloss through

the above-described steps.

[0090]

Particularly, in wool, the hair of merino type as a representative variety has a

length of 5 cm to 10 cm and a diameter of 18 pm to 23 pm. The wool is a protein

having a multilayer structure composed of about 20 kinds of amino acids. Here, since

the wool grows from hair follicles of the skin, active oxygen that can give oxidative

stress to the hair follicles or the surroundings thereof can be reduced, or generation of

the active oxygen can be suppressed by performing the introducing step of the present

embodiment or the hydrogen generating step and the contact step to be described later.

[0091]

In the meantime, the mass ratio of the above-described silicon fine particle

and/or an aggregate of silicon fine particles contained in the pellet of the present

embodiment relative to the whole pellet is not particularly limited. However, when the

pellet is orally ingested by or orally administered to a target animal of the present

embodiment (at least one selected from the group consisting of sheep, goats, rabbits, camels, llamas, alpacas, vicunas, guanacos, yaks, cows, musk oxen, chiru, raccoon dogs, minks, sables, raccoons, foxes, horses, chinchillas, dogs, and cats), the mass ratio of the above-described silicon fine particle or an aggregate of silicon fine particles in the whole pellet as an example of the solid formulation can be set from the viewpoint of ease of ingestion by the animal. As a typical example, the mass ratio of the silicon fine particles or an aggregates of silicon fine particles is 0.0001 or more and 0.7 or less

(more preferably 0.0005 or more or 0.6 or less, still more preferably 0.001 or more or

0.5 or less, and most preferably 0.005 or more or 0.2 or less) when the whole pellet is

assumed to be 1, and this is one suitable aspect from the above-described viewpoint.

[0092]

Meanwhile, in the case of employing the means other than the oral route of

performing oral ingestion or administration (e.g., using a transanal route, a percutaneous

ingestion method, or a transmucosal absorption method), the upper and lower limit

values of the mass ratio are not limited.

[0093]

Even when the pellet is given to the animal via oral ingestion or oral

administration, or the animal ingests the pellet, it is possible to feed the animal with the

pellet having a mass ratio exceeding the range of the above-described suitable mass

ratio, or to allow the animal to ingest the pellet. In a typical example, the main

material not containing the above-described silicon fine particle and/or an aggregate of

silicon fine particles is used as a main feed or food product, and the pellet having a mass

ratio exceeding the range of the above-described suitable mass ratio is used as a mixed

feed product for a sub-feed or food product, whereby the mixed feed or food product is

orally ingested by or orally administered to the animal.

[0094]

As a specific example of the above-described oral ingestion or oral

administration employing the pellet having a mass ratio exceeding the range of the

above-described suitable mass ratio, a suitable mass of the silicon fine particle or an

aggregate of silicon fine particles given to the animal per day is about 0.1 to about 4 g

(more preferably, about 0.2 to about 3 g) relative to 10 kg of the body weight of the

animal. When the mass ratio of the silicon fine particle and/or an aggregate of silicon

fine particles in the whole pellet of the present embodiment is more than 30% by weight

(more than 20% by weight in a narrower sense, more than 10% by weight in a much

narrower sense, and more than 2% by weight in the narrowest sense), a mixed feed or

food product in which the mass ratio of the pellet of the present embodiment is 0.1 or

less (more preferably, 0.01 or less) when the main feed or food product is assumed to be

1 is employed as one suitable aspect.

[0095]

Meanwhile, when the mass ratio of the silicon fine particle and/or an aggregate

of silicon fine particles in the whole pellet, which is an example of the solid formulation

of the present embodiment, is 2% by weight or less (in a narrower sense, 1% by weight

or less), it is also possible to replacing all the known feed products or food products

which do not contain the above-described silicon fine particle and/or an aggregate of

silicon fine particles with the pellet of the present embodiment. In other words, an

aspect in which the mixed feed or food product is not employed can also be employed.

[0096]

In the meantime, the ethanol solution and hydrogen peroxide water are used in

the process of producing the above-described silicon fine particle and/or an aggregate of

silicon fine particles, in the present embodiment. Thus, it is particularly worth

mentioning that it is possible to provide a pellet that can serve as a safer and more reliable hydrogen supply material for a living body and a method for producing the pellet. As another suitable aspect, a physiologically acceptable liquid for the animal is used in place of the ethanol solution or the hydrogen peroxide water.

[0097]

Instead of the above-described mixing step, a step of mixing the main material,

the silicon fine particles and/or an aggregate of silicon fine particles, and a sodium

hydrogen carbonate powder (manufactured by Wako Pure Chemical Industries, Ltd.,

purity: 99.5%) having an action of further increasing the pH value to 7 or more (more

preferably, 8 or more) is one of the modified examples of the present embodiment

which can be employed. Further, another suitable aspect which can be employed is

applying enteric coating to the silicon microscopic particle, the silicon fine particle

and/or an aggregate of silicon microscopic particles or silicon fine particles.

[0098]

[Regarding Medium]

Next, one modified example of the present embodiment is to prepare a

"medium" for the hydrogen generating step of generating hydrogen in the

water-containing liquid by using the above-described silicon fine particle (or an

aggregate of silicon fine particles) or the pellet 100 as an example of the solid

formulation, and the contact step of bringing the water-containing liquid into contact

with the target animal of the first embodiment. Note that the above-described animal

is at least one selected from the group consisting of sheep, goats, rabbits, camels, llamas,

raccoons, foxes, horses, chinchillas, dogs, and cats.

[0099]

The medium of this modified example (1) does not particularly limit the

material or the product. One example of a medium is a water-containing liquid

(containing only water) present in the body of the animal. Another example of a

medium is a medium in which the animal can take hydrogen in the body via

percutaneous ingestion or transmucosal absorption and which is physiologically

acceptable. With such a medium, the effects of this modified example (1) can be at

least partially obtained. An example of the site for taking hydrogen in the body of the

animal is the skin itself or the mucous membrane itself.

[0100]

A suitable example of the medium is at least one selected from the group

consisting of a liquid form, a gel form, a cream form, a paste form, an emulsion form,

and a mousse form, from the viewpoint of increasing the opportunity of the site of the

animal brought into contact with a water-containing liquid or a medium containing the

water-containing liquid (hereinafter, also referred to collectively as a "medium".

Further, another suitable example of the medium is soil containing rainwater or artificial

water, an artificial shower that sprays water, an artificial pond, an artificial pool, or a

puddle (including a naturally formed puddle). Therefore, in an example of this

modified example (1), the producing of the medium using known means, artificially

utilizing the soil, the shower, the pond, the pool, or the puddle, or utilizing the nature is

a method for producing a medium. In any of the examples, the medium is preferably

alkaline from the viewpoint of promoting the generation of hydrogen.

[0101]

As one example, another aspect of this modified example (1) which can be

employed is introducing or charging the pellet 100 of the first embodiment, the pellet of

each modified example to be described later, or the silicon fine particle and/or an aggregate of silicon fine particles of this modified example (1) into a naturally occurring or artificial paddle (medium), thereby bringing the pellet, the silicon fine particle, or the aggregate of silicon fine particles into contact with the water-containing liquid. The solid formulation (pellet) 100 is brought into contact with the water-containing liquid to generate hydrogen (H 2 ) or hydrogen atoms. In this aspect, the animal is brought into contact with or immersed in the above-described puddle, so that it is possible to cause the animal to take hydrogen in the body through the water-containing liquid. As a result, regarding the hydrogen taken into the body directly, or via percutaneous ingestion or transmucosal absorption, in the method for producing animal hair as this modified example (1), it is possible to produce animal hair which can exhibit excellent physical properties (e.g., average fiber diameter, average fiber length, whiteness measurement, the number of colored fibers, single fiber tenacity and elongation, cuticle quality, and/or the amount of animal hair of the whole body per animal), in order to appropriately eliminate, remove, or reduce excess active oxygen (particularly, hydroxyl radicals) in the body of the animal. Further, according to the method for producing animal hair of the modified example, it is possible to produce animal hair excellent in length, diameter, softness, and/or gloss.

[0102]

Further, in the method for raising an animal as this modified example, it is

possible to raise an animal having animal hair which can exhibit excellent physical

the body of the animal or in the vicinity of the skin or mucous membrane. Further, according to the method for raising an animal of the modified example, it is possible to raise an animal having hair excellent in length, diameter, softness, and/or gloss.

[0103]

Further, in the case where the above-described puddle has a pH value (e.g., a

pH value of less than 5) lower than weak acidity (typically, a pH value of 5 to 6), it is

possible to employ the pellet of this modified example containing sodium hydrogen

carbonate, sodium carbonate, or the like. Specifically, the pellet of this modified

example is brought into contact with the water-containing liquid, whereby the puddle

has a pH value of 6 or more (more preferably 7 or more, still more preferably 8 or more).

This can satisfy the condition as the medium allowing easy generation of hydrogen (H 2

) or hydrogen atoms. In other words, another aspect which can be employed is

introducing the pellet of this modified example containing an alkali agent such as

sodium hydrogen carbonate or sodium carbonate into the water-containing liquid such

as a puddle in order to realize the medium allowing easy generation of hydrogen (H 2 ) or

hydrogen atoms, when the water-containing liquid such as a puddle is acidic.

[0104]

As described above, the method for raising an animal as this modified example

(1) includes: a hydrogen generating step of generating hydrogen in a water-containing

liquid by allowing at least one selected from the group consisting of the following

materials (5) to (8) to be present in the water-containing liquid; and a contact step of

bringing an animal as a target in the first embodiment, into contact with the

water-containing liquid,

(5) a silicon fine particle (or silicon nanopowder) of the first embodiment

having a hydrogen generating capability;

(6) an aggregate of silicon fine particles (or silicon nanopowder) of the first embodiment having a hydrogen generating capability;

(7) a solid formulation (pellet) containing a silicon fine particle (or silicon

nanopowder) of the first embodiment having a hydrogen generating capability; and

(8) a solid formulation (pellet) containing an aggregate of silicon fine particles

(or silicon nanopowder) of the first embodiment having a hydrogen generating

capability.

[0105]

A typical aspect of the method for raising an animal as this modified example

(1) is, for example, taking hydrogen into the body of a specific animal of the

above-described animals via percutaneous ingestion or transmucosal absorption.

Further, one suitable aspect is increasing the duration and frequency per day in which

the skin of the animal is directly brought into contact with the water-containing liquid

after cutting animal hair in order to prevent the contact between the skin of the animal

and the water-containing liquid.

[0106]

Further, in the method for raising an animal of this modified example (1), it is

possible to produce animal hair which can exhibit excellent physical properties (e.g.,

average fiber diameter, average fiber length, whiteness measurement, the number of

colored fibers, single fiber tenacity and elongation, cuticle quality, and/or the amount of

animal hair of the whole body per animal) through the above-described contact step.

Further, according to the method for raising an animal of this modified example (1), it is

possible to raise an animal having hair excellent in length, diameter, softness, and/or

gloss.

[0107]

Further, the method for producing an animal as this modified example (1) includes: a hydrogen generating step of generating hydrogen in a water-containing liquid by allowing at least one selected from the group consisting of the following materials (5) to (8) to be present in the water-containing liquid; and a contact step of bringing an animal as a target in the first embodiment, into contact with the water-containing liquid,

(5) a silicon fine particle (or silicon nanopowder) of the first embodiment

having a hydrogen generating capability;

(6) an aggregate of silicon fine particles (or silicon nanopowder) of the first

embodiment having a hydrogen generating capability;

(7) a solid formulation (pellet) containing a silicon fine particle (or silicon

(or silicon nanopowder) of the first embodiment having a hydrogen generating

capability.

[0108]

As the contact step in this modified example (1), the animal hair in this

modified example (1) can be produced by regularly or irregularly bringing the animal

into contact with the water-containing liquid for 1 month to 1 year to grow the hair of

the animal. As a result, for example, in the case of a pet such as a dog or a cat, the hair

is increased and the quality of hair is improved. Further, when the hair of the animal

has economic value, a cutting step of cutting the hair of the animal can be performed.

After the cutting step, a known washing method can be employed.

[0109]

In the method for raising and producing an animal as this modified example (1),

it is possible to produce animal hair which can exhibit excellent physical properties (e.g., average fiber diameter, average fiber length, whiteness measurement, the number of colored fibers, single fiber tenacity and elongation, cuticle quality, and/or the amount of animal hair of the whole body per animal), in order to appropriately eliminate, remove, or reduce excess active oxygen (particularly, hydroxyl radicals) in the body of the animal through the above-described steps. Further, it is possible to produce animal hair excellent in length, diameter, softness, and/or gloss through the above-described steps.

[0110]

The pellet of the modified example (2) of the present embodiment contains an

alkali agent such as sodium hydrogen carbonate or sodium carbonate. Therefore, even

when the water-containing liquid such as a puddle as the medium is neutral, weakly

acidic, or acidic, the pellet of the modified example is introduced or charged into the

water-containing liquid as the medium to undergo a contact step of bringing the silicon

fine particle or an aggregate of silicon fine particles of the first embodiment into contact

with the medium. As a result, since the water-containing liquid can be changed to a

weakly acidic medium having a pH value of 6 or more, more preferably a medium

having a basicity of more than 7, the generation of hydrogen (H 2)or hydrogen atoms

can be promoted.

[0111]

Therefore, it is possible to bring hydrogen (H 2)or hydrogen atoms generated

by the above-described contact step into contact with the skin and/or mucous membrane

of an animal through the water-containing liquid such as the puddle as the medium.

As a result, since it is possible to take hydrogen (H 2)or hydrogen atoms in the body of

an animal, in the method for raising an animal as this modified example (2), it is possible to raise an animal having hair which can exhibit excellent physical properties

(e.g., average fiber diameter, average fiber length, whiteness measurement, the number

of colored fibers, single fiber tenacity and elongation, cuticle quality, and/or the amount

of animal hair of the whole body per animal). Further, according to the method for

producing animal hair of the modified example (2), it is possible to produce animal hair

excellent in length, diameter, softness, and/or gloss.

[0112]

In addition, in the producing method as this modified example (2), it is possible

to produce animal hair which can exhibit excellent physical properties (e.g., average

hair of the whole body per animal). Further, according to the method for raising an

animal of the modified example (2), it is possible to raise an animal having hair

excellent in length, diameter, softness, and/or gloss.

[0113]

Further, this modified example (3) is not limited to the case where the pellet

100, the pellet of the modified example, or the silicon fine particle and/or an aggregate

of silicon fine particles of the present embodiment are used as they are. An aspect in

which the pellet 100, the pellet of the modified example (3), or the silicon fine particle

and/or an aggregate of the silicon fine particles are contained in, for example, a "base

material" such as a pharmaceutical product for an animal, a livestock or pet food

product, a food product for a mammal or various supplements, or a feed product, food

product or beverage for an animal is also one suitable aspect which can be employed.

[0114]

For example, a typical example is that, for example, 0.0001% by weight to

% by weight of the pellet 100, the pellet of the modified example, or the silicon fine

particle and/or an aggregate of the silicon fine particles is mixed or kneaded as an

additive in the base material. Therefore, the above-described "base material" including

the pellet 100, the pellet of the modified example, or the silicon fine particle and/or an

aggregate of the silicon fine particles is also a "solid formulation" in a broad sense in

this modified example (3). Accordingly, one suitable means for the animal to take

hydrogen in the body via, for example, percutaneous ingestion or transmucosal

absorption can employ the contact of such a base material with the medium.

[0115]

In addition, even when the pellet of this modified example (3) does not contain

an alkali agent such as sodium hydrogen carbonate or sodium carbonate of the

above-described modified example (2), for example, when the pH value of the

water-containing liquid such as the paddle is 5 or more, it is possible to satisfy the

condition as the medium allowing easy generation of hydrogen (H 2 ) or hydrogen atoms.

From the viewpoint of more accurately realizing the medium allowing easy generation

of hydrogen (H 2 ) or hydrogen atoms, the pH value is more preferably 6 or more (or

more than 6), and still more preferably 7 or more (or more than 7). The pH value is

yet still more preferably more than 7.4 and very preferably more than 8.

[0116]

In each of the modified examples (1) and (2) of the first embodiment, one

suitable aspect is to further include an introducing step of introducing a "pH adjusting

agent" for adjusting the pH value of the water-containing liquid such as the paddle in

the first embodiment so as to satisfy the condition allowing easy generation of hydrogen, in other words, so as to fall within the numerical range of the pH value allowing easy generation of hydrogen, into a medium or a "base material" such as a pharmaceutical product for an animal, a livestock or pet food product, a food product for a mammal or various supplements, or a feed product, food product or beverage for an animal.

[0117]

Sodium hydrogen carbonate and sodium carbonate described in the modified

example (2) of the first embodiment are examples of the "pH adjusting agent", but the

"pH adjusting agent" is not limited to sodium hydrogen carbonate and sodium carbonate.

Therefore, the material of the "pH adjusting agent" is not limited as long as the material

can be adjusted to a weak acidity with a pH value of 5 or more or 6 or more (or more

than 6) (hereinafter, also referred to as "weakly acidic agent"), or more preferably, the

material can be adjusted to an alkalinity with a pH value of 7 or more (or more than 7)

(more preferably more than 7.4, still more preferably more than 8) (hereinafter, also

referred to as an "alkali agent").

[0118]

A typical example of the weakly acidic agent is at least one selected from the

group consisting of citric acid, gluconic acid, phthalic acid, fumaric acid, and lactic acid,

or their salts. Further, a typical example of the alkali agent is at least one selected

from the group consisting of potassium carbonate, sodium carbonate, sodium hydrogen

carbonate, sodium hydroxide, and potassium hydroxide. From the physiological

viewpoint, the most suitable alkali agent is sodium hydrogen carbonate. This is

because sodium hydrogen carbonate is widely used as a food additive, and has a

plurality of advantages such as an excellent pH value adjusting function, safety, and

versatility required by the present embodiment.

[0119]

In the meantime, an example of the solid formulation of the first embodiment

or each of the above-described modified examples (1) to (4) is a pellet, but the example

of the solid formulation is not limited to the pellet. For example, in addition to the

pellet, a solid formulation in a mash form, a crumble form, a flake form, a bulky form,

or a fine powder form in place of the pellet may also be an example of the solid

formulation of the present embodiment.

[0120]

The present embodiment is the same as the first embodiment or the modified

examples (1) to (5) thereof except that a silicon microscopic particle and an aggregate of

silicon microscopic particles are obtained by a pulverizing step only by a jet mill

pulverizing method, instead of obtaining a silicon fine particle or an aggregate of silicon

fine particles by the pulverizing step of the first embodiment, and a silicon microscopic

particle and an aggregate of silicon microscopic particles are employed, instead of a

silicon fine particle and an aggregate of silicon fine particles in each step of the first

embodiment. Therefore, the description overlapping with that of the first embodiment

or those of the modified examples (1) to (5) thereof may be omitted.

[0121]

In the present embodiment, for example, a commercially available

polycrystalline silicon powder (6 N to 7 N) for producing a silicon wafer for a solar cell

or a commercially available polycrystalline silicon powder (11 N) for producing a

silicon wafer for a semiconductor can be used as a starting material. In this regard,

other crystalline silicon (e.g., monocrystalline silicon or polycrystalline silicon) may be

employed.

[0122]

The pulverizing step of pulverizing the above-described starting material using

a pulverizer in accordance with a known jet mill pulverizing method is performed.

[0123]

Thereafter, a classifying step of classifying only a silicon microscopic particle

having an average particle diameter of 40 pm or less using a jet stream method is

performed. This results in formation of a silicon microscopic particle and/or an

aggregate of silicon microscopic particles having an average particle diameter of 40 Pm

or less (typically, 20 pm or less). In the classifying step of the present embodiment,

the silicon fine particle and/or an aggregate of silicon fine particles of the first

embodiment can coexist with the silicon microscopic particle and/or an aggregate of

silicon microscopic particles of the present embodiment.

[0124]

Thereafter, as one modified example of the present embodiment, another aspect

which can be employed is performing a reforming step of further bringing the surface of

the silicon microscopic particle produced in the present embodiment into contact with

hydrogen peroxide water to reform the surface. By the reforming step, the silicon

microscopic particle can be changed to a hydrophilic silicon microscopic particle when

macroscopically viewed, similarly to the first embodiment. In the present embodiment,

the same reforming can also be realized by immersing the silicon microscopic particle

in ozone water and/or sodium percarbonate in place of the hydrogen peroxide water.

Alternatively, the same reforming can also be realized by bringing the silicon

microscopic particle into contact with at least one selected from the group consisting of

hydrogen peroxide water, ozone water, and sodium percarbonate.

[0125]

As a result, the silicon microscopic particle of the modified example can

contain a silicon dioxide (SiOx, where x is 1/2, 1, and 3/2) and/or a mixed composition

of the silicon suboxide and silicon dioxide, at least partially covering the surface of the

silicon microscopic particle.

[0126]

The silicon microscopic particle or an aggregate of silicon microscopic

particles of the present embodiment or the modified example, or the compound similar

to that of the first embodiment, containing the silicon microscopic particle or the

aggregate, can also be applied to the "method for producing animal hair", the "method

for raising an animal", the "feed product", the "food product", the "method for

producing a feed product", or the "method for producing a food product" described in

the first embodiment.

[0127]

As a result, the use of the silicon microscopic particle or an aggregate of silicon

microscopic particles or the compound, of the present embodiment or the modified

example, causes at least one selected from the group consisting of sheep, goats, rabbits,

minks, sables, raccoons, foxes, horses, chinchillas, dogs, and cats to take hydrogen (H2 )

or hydrogen atoms in the body. Therefore, in the method for producing an animal of

the present embodiment or the modified example, it is possible to produce animal hair

which can exhibit excellent physical properties (e.g., average fiber diameter, average

fiber length, whiteness measurement, the number of colored fibers, single fiber tenacity

and elongation, cuticle quality, and/or the amount of animal hair of the whole body per

animal). Further, according to the method for producing animal hair as the present

embodiment or the modified example, it is possible to produce animal hair excellent in length, diameter, softness, and/or gloss.

[0128]

In addition, in the method for raising an animal of the present embodiment or

the modified example, it is possible to raise an animal having hair which can exhibit

whiteness measurement, the number of colored fibers, single fiber tenacity and

animal). Further, according to the method for raising an animal of the present

embodiment or the modified example, it is possible to raise an animal having hair

excellent in length, diameter, softness, and/or gloss.

[0129]

Like the present embodiment or the modified example, even in the case of

employing a silicon microscopic particle and/or an aggregate of silicon microscopic

particles with a crystal particle diameter (outer diameter) of 500 Pm or less, the

above-described effects are obtained, and it is not necessary to perform the pulverizing

step as in the first embodiment for producing a silicon fine particle. This is one

suitable aspect from the viewpoint of reducing the producing cost or simplifying the

producing process.

[0130]

For example, a "dog" (dog species: chihuahua, 13 years old, male) as an

example of a pet as a test animal was orally ingested with the silicon microscopic

particle or the silicon fine particle of each of the above-described embodiments or

modified examples thereof under the following conditions (a).

(a) A total amount of 1g (0.5 g in the morning and 0.5 g in the evening) per day is given by forced ingestion for 1 month.

[0131]

After 1 month from the start of feeding the silicon microscopic particle or the

silicon fine particle under the conditions (a) described above, the hair on the back of the

test animal was observed using an electron microscope (SEM). Fig. 3A is an SEM

photograph of a part of animal hair (hair on the back) of this example. Fig. 3B is an

SEM photograph of a part of animal hair (hair on the back) of this example. Fig. 3C is

an SEM photograph of a part of animal hair (hair on the back) of this example. Fig.

3D is an SEM photograph of a part of animal hair (hair on the back) of this example.

Fig. 3E is an SEM photograph of a part of animal hair (hair on the back) of this

example.

[0132]

As a result, as shown in Figs. 3A to 3E, a beautiful cuticle was observed, and

no damage, peeling, or dropping off was confirmed at any site.

[0133]

For example, a "dog" (dog species: toy poodle, male) as an example of a pet as

a test animal was orally ingested with the silicon microscopic particle or the silicon fine

particle of each of the above-described embodiments or modified examples thereof for

days under the following conditions (a).

(a) A total amount of 1g (0.5 g in the morning and 0.5 g in the evening) per

day is given by forced ingestion for 30 days.

[0134]

Table 1 is a table in which the average strength (mN) of hair collected from the

back before ingestion (initial) was compared with the average strength (mN) of hair collected from the back after 30 days of oral ingestion, based on the test method of "JIS

L 1081" (Testing Methods For Wool Fibres And Hairs) in Japanese Industrial Standards.

In Table 1, the age of a "test animal A" is 16 years old, and the age of a "test animal B"

is 14 years old.

[0135]

[Table 1]

.g .a Average strength Test animal svergeinitialafter 30 days of strength(inN) ingestion (mN)

A 164.2 187.9 B 137.3 231.5

[0136]

As shown in Table 1, in both the "test animal A" and the "test animal B", it was

confirmed that the strength of hair after 30 days of oral ingestion was higher than the

strength of initial hair by at least 14% or more (65% or more in the test animal B).

[0137]

As described above, the disclosure of each of the above-described

embodiments and modified examples is described to explain the embodiments and

modified examples, and is not intended to limit the present invention. In addition,

other modified examples within the scope of the present invention, including other

combinations of the embodiments and the modified examples, are also to be included in

the scope of claims.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

[0138]

The method for raising an animal including a mammal, the method for

producing animal hair of an animal including a mammal, the feed product, the food

product, the method for producing a feed product, and the method for producing a food

product according to the present invention can be widely utilized in various industries

for handling animal hair of animals including mammals, for example.

Claims

1. A method for producing animal hair of a mammal, comprising an introducing

step of introducing, into a body of a mammal, at least one selected from the group

consisting of the following materials (1) to (4):

(1) a silicon microscopic particle or silicon fine particle having a hydrogen

generating capability;

a hydrogen generating capability;

having a hydrogen generating capability; and

(4) a compound containing an aggregate of silicon microscopic particles or

silicon fine particles having a hydrogen generating capability.

2. A method for producing animal hair, comprising an introducing step of

introducing, into a body of at least one selected from the group consisting of sheep,

goats, rabbits, camels, llamas, alpacas, vicunas, guanacos, yaks, cows, musk oxen, chiru,

one selected from the group consisting of the following materials (1) to (4):

(1) a silicon microscopic particle or silicon fine particle having a hydrogen

generating capability;

a hydrogen generating capability;

having a hydrogen generating capability; and

(4) a compound containing an aggregate of silicon microscopic particles or

silicon fine particles having a hydrogen generating capability.

3. A method for producing animal hair comprising:

a hydrogen generating step of generating hydrogen in a water-containing liquid

(5) to (8) to be present in the water-containing liquid; and

a contact step of bringing at least one selected from the group consisting of

sheep, goats, rabbits, camels, llamas, alpacas, vicunas, guanacos, yaks, cows, musk

oxen, chiru, raccoon dogs, minks, sables, raccoons, foxes, horses, chinchillas, dogs, and

cats, into contact with the water-containing liquid,

(5) a silicon microscopic particle or silicon fine particle having a hydrogen

generating capability;

a hydrogen generating capability;

having a hydrogen generating capability; and

(8) a compound containing an aggregate of silicon microscopic particles or

silicon fine particles having a hydrogen generating capability.

4. The method for producing animal hair according to claim 1 or 2, wherein at

least one selected from the group consisting of the materials (1) to (4) is introduced into

the body of the animal via an oral route in the introducing step.

5. The method for producing animal hair according to claim 1 or 2, wherein at

the body of the animal via a transanal route in the introducing step.

6. A method for raising a mammal excluding a human, comprising an introducing

step of introducing, into a body of a mammal excluding a human, at least one selected

from the group consisting of the following materials (1) to (4):

(1) a silicon microscopic particle or silicon fine particle having a hydrogen

generating capability;

a hydrogen generating capability;

having a hydrogen generating capability; and

(4) a compound containing an aggregate of silicon microscopic particles or

silicon fine particles having a hydrogen generating capability.

7. A method for raising an animal, comprising an introducing step of introducing,

into a body of at least one selected from the group consisting of sheep, goats, rabbits,

minks, sables, raccoons, foxes, horses, chinchillas, dogs, and cats, at least one selected

from the group consisting of the following materials (1) to (4):

(1) a silicon microscopic particle or silicon fine particle having a hydrogen

generating capability;

a hydrogen generating capability;

having a hydrogen generating capability; and

(4) a compound containing an aggregate of silicon microscopic particles or

silicon fine particles having a hydrogen generating capability.

8. A method for raising an animal, comprising:

a hydrogen generating step of generating hydrogen in a water-containing liquid

(5) to (8) to be present in the water-containing liquid; and a contact step of bringing at least one selected from the group consisting of sheep, goats, rabbits, camels, llamas, alpacas, vicunas, guanacos, yaks, cows, musk oxen, chiru, raccoon dogs, minks, sables, raccoons, foxes, horses, chinchillas, dogs, and cats, into contact with the water-containing liquid,

(5) a silicon microscopic particle or silicon fine particle having a hydrogen

generating capability;

a hydrogen generating capability;

having a hydrogen generating capability; and

(8) a compound containing an aggregate of silicon microscopic particles or

silicon fine particles having a hydrogen generating capability.

9. The method for raising an animal according to claim 6 or 7, wherein at least

body of the animal via an oral route in the introducing step.

10. The method for raising an animal according to claim 6 or 7, wherein at least

body of the animal via a transanal route in the introducing step.

11. A food or feed product for a mammal comprising: at least one selected from

the group consisting of meats, fish and shellfish, vegetables, cereals, milk, beans, bran,

fats and oils, nuts and seeds, fruits, starch, algae, and mushrooms; and

(4):

(1) a silicon microscopic particle or silicon fine particle having a hydrogen

generating capability;

a hydrogen generating capability;

having a hydrogen generating capability; and

(4) a compound containing an aggregate of silicon microscopic particles or

silicon fine particles having a hydrogen generating capability.

12. A feed product for at least one selected from the group consisting of dogs and

cats, comprising:

at least one selected from the group consisting of meats, fish and shellfish,

vegetables, cereals, milk, beans, bran, fats and oils, nuts and seeds, fruits, starch, algae,

and mushrooms; and

(4):

(1) a silicon microscopic particle or silicon fine particle having a hydrogen

generating capability;

a hydrogen generating capability;

having a hydrogen generating capability; and

(4) a compound containing an aggregate of silicon microscopic particles or

silicon fine particles having a hydrogen generating capability.

13. A feed product for at least one selected from the group consisting of sheep,

raccoon dogs, minks, sables, raccoons, foxes, horses, and chinchillas,

the feed product comprising: a concentrated feed product and/or coarse feed product; and at least one selected from the group consisting of the following materials

(1) to (4):

(1) a silicon microscopic particle or silicon fine particle having a hydrogen

generating capability;

a hydrogen generating capability;

having a hydrogen generating capability; and

(4) a compound containing an aggregate of silicon microscopic particles or

silicon fine particles having a hydrogen generating capability.

14. The feed product according to claim 12 or 13, wherein a mass ratio of the

silicon fine particle or the aggregate is 0.0001 or more and 0.7 or less when the

compound is assumed to be 1.

15. The feed product according to any one of claims 12 to 14, wherein the silicon

microscopic particle or the silicon fine particle includes a silicon suboxide (SiOx, where

x is 1/2, 1, and 3/2) and/or a mixed composition of the silicon suboxide and silicon

dioxide, at least partially covering a surface of the silicon microscopic particle or a

surface of the silicon fine particle.

16. A method for producing a feed product for at least one selected from the group

consisting of dogs and cats,

the method comprising a mixing step of mixing at least one selected from the

group consisting of meats, fish and shellfish, vegetables, cereals, milk, beans, bran, fats

and oils, nuts and seeds, fruits, starch, algae, and mushrooms with at least one selected

from the group consisting of the following materials (1) to (4):

(1) a silicon microscopic particle or silicon fine particle having a hydrogen generating capability;

a hydrogen generating capability;

having a hydrogen generating capability; and

(4) a compound containing an aggregate of silicon microscopic particles or

silicon fine particles having a hydrogen generating capability.

17. A method for producing a feed or food product for a mammal, comprising a

mixing step of mixing at least one selected from the group consisting of meats, fish and

shellfish, vegetables, cereals, milk, beans, bran, fats and oils, nuts and seeds, fruits,

starch, algae, and mushrooms with

(4):

(1) a silicon microscopic particle or silicon fine particle having a hydrogen

generating capability;

a hydrogen generating capability;

having a hydrogen generating capability; and

(4) a compound containing an aggregate of silicon microscopic particles or

silicon fine particles having a hydrogen generating capability.

18. A method for producing a feed product for at least one selected from the group

cows, musk oxen, chiru, raccoon dogs, minks, sables, raccoons, foxes, horses, and

chinchillas, the method comprising a mixing step of mixing one main material selected from the group consisting of a concentrated feed product and a coarse feed product with at least one selected from the group consisting of the following materials (1) to (4):

(1) a silicon microscopic particle or silicon fine particle having a hydrogen

generating capability;

a hydrogen generating capability;

having a hydrogen generating capability; and

(4) a compound containing an aggregate of silicon microscopic particles or

silicon fine particles having a hydrogen generating capability.