JP2003061610A - Sterilization method and sterilization device each using electrolytic water - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a sterilization method and a sterilization device each for sporulation microorganism adhering to the surface of spice using electrolytic water. SOLUTION: This sterilization method using electrolytic water comprises bringing an object of sterilization containing sporulation microorganism into contact with alkaline electrolytic water obtained by electrolysis of a chloride water solution to let the spore of the microorganism sprout and bringing the resultant product into contact with acid electrolytic water obtained by the electrolysis of the chloride water solution, within a given time until a growth curve rises so as to deaden the microorganism. The microorganism is brought into contact with the acid electrolytic water within six hours after contacting with the alkaline electrolytic water. The alkaline electrolytic water is pH 10.5-11.5, and the acid electrolytic water is pH 2.3-3.5 and contains >=30 ppm of available chlorine. The object of sterilization is one kind selected from coriander, turmeric, and black pepper having living microorganism on the surface. The sterilization device has an electrolytic water-producing means 1, a transportation means 25 for transporting an object of sterilization, an alkaline electrolytic water contact means 26, a constant temperature maintenance means 27, and an acid electrolytic water contact means 28.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a sterilizing method and a sterilizing apparatus using electrolyzed water.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an aqueous solution of a chloride such as sodium chloride or potassium chloride is placed in an electrolytic cell which is separated into two electrolytic chambers by an ion-permeable diaphragm provided between a pair of electrodes which are arranged to face each other. It is known that acidic electrolyzed water is obtained from the anode side electrolysis chamber and alkaline electrolyzed water is obtained from the cathode side electrolysis chamber by supplying and electrolyzing.

Since the acidic electrolyzed water contains hypochlorous acid, it is used for general sterilization, disinfection, deodorization, and sterilization and disinfection of soil, agricultural products, flowers and the like. As described above, the main factor of sterilization with acidic electrolyzed water is said to be hypochlorous acid, but normally, the sterilization component contained in electrolyzed water has an effective chlorine concentration (HC
(total amount of 10), Cl ₂ and ClO ⁻ ), and the pH value at that time determines the proportion of each chlorine component. Particularly in the acidic region, hypochlorous acid and chlorine are in an equilibrium state. The acidic electrolyzed water is effective for many sterilization targets, and since there is almost no residual effect when it remains attached to the sterilization target, safety,
It is excellent in environmental resistance, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-107.
As described in Japanese Patent No. 68, it is used in fields such as agriculture and food processing.

By the way, coriander, turmeric,
It is known that many microorganisms including spore fungi live on the surface of spices such as black pepper. The spore fungi can be sterilized by a method such as high temperature sterilization,
When the spice is treated at a high temperature, the active ingredient of the spice decomposes or deteriorates, and the flavor is impaired. Therefore, there are some cases where radiation is used for sterilization in other countries, but the use of radiation for sterilization is prohibited in Japan.
Further, when using radiation for sterilization, it takes a lot of time and labor to handle the radiation and maintain the equipment.

Therefore, in order to sterilize microorganisms such as spore fungi that inhabit the surface of the spice without degrading or degrading the active ingredient of the spice, a method using the acidic electrolyzed water has been studied. Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 8-318279
According to the description of the publication, residual chlorine should be at least 40 pp
It is said that the spore bacterium can be sterilized by the acidic electrolyzed water containing m and having a pH of 6.5 or less.

However, since the spore-forming microorganisms such as the spore-forming bacteria and fungi can endure a bad environment by forming spores, depending on the conditions, the spore-forming microorganisms such as the spore-forming bacteria and the fungi may be resistant to the adverse environment. May not be able to kill spore-forming microorganisms.

[0007]

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION The present invention eliminates such inconveniences and uses electrolyzed water obtained by electrolyzing a chloride aqueous solution to remove sporophytes, fungi, etc. adhering to the surface of spices, etc. It is an object of the present invention to provide a method capable of reliably sterilizing a spore-forming microorganism.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a sterilizing apparatus capable of sterilizing the spore-forming microorganisms such as the spore fungi and fungi using the electrolyzed water.

[0009]

In order to achieve the above object, a method of sterilization with electrolyzed water according to the present invention is an alkaline electrolysis method in which an object to be sterilized containing a spore-forming microorganism is obtained from the cathode side by electrolysis of an aqueous chloride solution. The spore-forming microorganisms are killed by contacting with water and then leaving the spore-forming microorganisms in a state where they easily germinate, and then contacting them with acidic electrolyzed water obtained from the anode side by electrolysis within a predetermined time. And

According to the sterilization method of the present invention, first, the substance to be sterilized containing the spore-forming microorganism is brought into contact with alkaline electrolyzed water obtained from the cathode side by electrolysis of the aqueous chloride solution. In this way, contact with the alkaline electrolyzed water is a stimulus, the spores of the spore-forming microorganisms germinate,
Growth of the spore-forming microorganisms is started. In the state of spores, the spore-forming microorganism has a high resistance to changes in the external environment because the inside is covered with a shell, but once germinated, the resistance becomes extremely low.

Therefore, in the sterilization method of the present invention, next, the spore-forming microorganisms are brought into contact with the alkaline electrolyzed water, and the spore-forming microorganisms are allowed to germinate easily. Contact with acidic electrolyzed water obtained from the side. As a result, it is possible to bring the spore-forming microorganism in a state of germination and low resistance into contact with the acidic electrolyzed water, and to kill the spore-forming microorganism.

On the other hand, when the time exceeds the predetermined time, it becomes impossible to kill all the spore-forming microorganisms even if they are brought into contact with the acidic electrolyzed water. The reason for this is that, when the spore-forming microorganisms are prone to proliferate in an environment where the proliferative progresses to some extent, the number of bacteria increases exponentially, which exceeds the limit of the sterilizing ability of the acidic electrolyzed water. It is thought to be because.

Therefore, the sterilization method of the present invention comprises the step of sterilizing the spores of the spore-forming microorganism by contacting the sterilization target containing the spore-forming microorganism with the alkaline electrolyzed water, It is characterized in that the spore-forming microorganism is killed by bringing it into contact with acidic electrolyzed water. A sterilization target containing the spore-forming microorganism,
The predetermined time after the stimulus is applied by contacting with the alkaline electrolyzed water to cause the spores of the spore-forming microorganism to germinate is set, for example, within 6 hours.

In the sterilization method of the present invention, as the alkaline electrolyzed water and the acidic electrolyzed water, those obtained by electrolysis of a chloride aqueous solution such as sodium chloride or potassium chloride can be used. For example, the alkaline electrolyzed water is pH
Is in the range of 10.5 to 11.5, and the acidic electrolyzed water may be one having a pH in the range of 2.3 to 3.5 and containing available chlorine at a concentration of 30 ppm or more.

The sterilization target to which the sterilization method of the present invention is applied is a spice in which microorganisms live on the surface, and in particular, one of spices of coriander, turmeric, and black pepper.

According to the sterilization method of the present invention, an aqueous chloride solution is supplied to an electrolytic cell separately formed in two electrolytic chambers by an ion-permeable diaphragm provided between a pair of electrodes arranged to face each other for electrolysis. This allows acidic electrolyzed water from the electrolysis chamber on the anode side,
Electrolyzed water generating means for respectively obtaining alkaline electrolyzed water from the cathode side electrolysis chamber, a transport means for transporting a sterilization target containing spore-forming microorganisms, the sterilization target transported by the transport means, the cathode side electrolysis chamber Alkaline electrolyzed water contact means for contacting the alkaline electrolyzed water obtained from, and after contacting the alkaline electrolyzed water, the sterilization target microorganisms conveyed by the conveying means is kept in a state in which the spore-forming microorganisms easily germinate After the holding means and the spore-forming microorganisms are held in a state where they are easy to germinate, the sterilization target conveyed by the conveying means is contacted with the acidic electrolyzed water obtained by contacting the acidic electrolyzed water obtained from the anode side electrolysis chamber. It can be advantageously carried out by an electrolyzed water sterilizer.

The alkaline electrolyzed water contact means sprays the alkaline electrolyzed water on the sterilization object conveyed by the conveying means, or immerses the sterilization object in the alkaline electrolyzed water to sterilize the sterilization object. An object is brought into contact with the alkaline electrolyzed water. On the other hand, the acidic electrolyzed water contact means, by sprinkling the acidic electrolyzed water to the sterilization target conveyed by the conveying means, or by immersing the sterilization target in the acidic electrolyzed water, the sterilization target An object is brought into contact with the acidic electrolyzed water.

The holding means holds the sterilization object conveyed by the conveying means in a state in which the spore-forming microorganisms are easy to germinate for a time within a range of 6 hours after being brought into contact with the alkaline electrolyzed water. To do.

In the sterilizer of the present invention, as the alkaline electrolyzed water and the acidic electrolyzed water, those obtained by electrolyzing an aqueous solution of chloride such as sodium chloride or potassium chloride by the electrolyzed water generating means can be used. , The pH of the alkaline electrolyzed water is 10.5-11.1.
5, the pH of the acidic electrolyzed water is 2.3 to 3.
It is possible to use one having an effective chlorine content of 5 and a concentration of 30 ppm or more.

[0020]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of an electrolyzed water generator used in this embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a Pyth to which the sterilization method of this embodiment is applied.
ium sp. Growth curve of (spore-forming microorganisms),
FIG. 3 shows Pyth when the sterilization method of this embodiment is applied.
iumsp. FIG. 4 is a histogram showing the viable cell count of (spore-forming microorganisms), and FIG. 4 shows Pythium sp. Histogram showing the viable cell count of (spore-forming microorganisms), FIG. 5 is a gas chromatogram of the active ingredient of coriander before and after applying the sterilization method of the present embodiment, FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of a main part of FIG. 5, and FIG. A gas chromatogram of the active ingredient of black pepper before and after applying the sterilization method of the embodiment, and FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of a main part of FIG. 7. In addition, FIG.
Is a system configuration diagram showing one configuration example of the sterilization device of the present embodiment, and FIG. 10 is a system configuration diagram showing another configuration example of the sterilization device of the present embodiment.

The sterilization method of this embodiment is intended for spices having spore-forming microorganisms such as spore-forming fungi and fungi attached to the surface. Examples of the spices include coriander, turmeric, black pepper and the like,
For example, on the surface of coriander, P
ythium sp. Are known to be attached.

In the sterilization method of this embodiment, the spices are brought into contact with alkaline electrolyzed water to germinate the spore-forming microorganisms, and then contacted with acidic electrolyzed water within 6 hours.

The alkaline electrolyte and the acidic electrolyte are
For example, it can be obtained by the electrolyzed water generator 1 shown in FIG. The electrolyzed water generator 1 includes an electrolyzer 2 and an electrolyzer 2
Are electrolytic chambers 4, 5 facing each other with an ion-permeable diaphragm 3 interposed therebetween.
Are provided with a cathode plate 6 and an anode plate 7, respectively, and the cathode plate 6 and the anode plate 7 are connected to a power supply device 8. Raw water supply conduits 9 and 10 are connected to the electrolysis chambers 4 and 5, respectively.
The raw water supply conduits 9 and 10 are connected to a water pipe or the like (not shown) via a conduit 11 and a solenoid valve 12. In conduit 11,
The concentrated sodium chloride aqueous solution is supplied from the concentrated sodium chloride aqueous solution tank 13 by the metering pump 14, and the sodium chloride aqueous solution mixed with the raw water in the conduit 11 to a predetermined concentration is supplied from the raw water supply conduits 9 and 10 to the electrolysis chambers 4, 4.
5 are supplied.

In the electrolyzed water producing apparatus 1, by applying a voltage to the cathode plate 6 and the anode plate 7 by the power supply device 8, the sodium chloride aqueous solution supplied from the raw water supply conduits 9 and 10 is supplied to the electrolyzing chambers 4 and 5, respectively. Electrolyze with. As a result, alkaline electrolyzed water can be taken out from the cathode side electrolysis chamber 4 through the conduit 15, and acidic electrolyzed water can be taken out from the anode side electrolysis chamber 5 through the conduit 16. The alkaline electrolyzed water obtained by the electrolyzed water generator 1 has a pH of 11
.About.11.5, and the acidic electrolyzed water has a pH of 2.3 to 3.
5 and contains 30 ppm or more of available chlorine.

In the sterilization method of this embodiment, first, coriander as the spice is immersed in alkaline electrolyzed water taken out from the electrolysis chamber 4 on the cathode side of the electrolyzed water generator 1,
After holding for 15 minutes, the alkaline electrolyzed water is pulled out.

At this time, the bacteria adhering to the coriander were washed out with physiological saline, and it was confirmed under a microscope that the bacteria were before germination. Next, a physiological saline solution containing the above-mentioned bacteria was applied onto an agar medium, placed under a culture condition of 37 ° C., and the germination state was observed at predetermined time intervals. As a result, it was confirmed that the bacterium germinated and started to grow 2 hours after the start of the culture, and 5 hours later, the colonies of the bacterium spread over the entire visual field under the microscope. In addition, the above-mentioned bacteria are Pythium sp. Was confirmed.

Next, the growth of the bacterium adhering to the surface of the coriander pulled up from the alkaline electrolyzed water was quantitatively measured to prepare a growth curve. To measure the growth of the bacteria, the coriander pulled up from the alkaline electrolyzed water was kept at 37 ° C., a predetermined amount of coriander was sampled at predetermined time intervals, and the bacteria adhering to the coriander were washed out with physiological saline. After diluting and suspending in a general viable cell culture medium and culturing for a predetermined time, the viable cell count in the suspension was counted and calculated by the ATP method. The obtained growth curve is shown in FIG.

For comparison, exactly the same as in the case of the alkaline electrolyzed water, except that the coriander was replaced with the alkaline electrolyzed water and immersed in acidic electrolyzed water and a phosphate buffer solution (pH 7.2). Then, the growth of the bacterium was quantitatively measured to prepare a growth curve. The obtained growth curve is shown in FIG.

From FIG. 2, it is clear that when the coriander is immersed in the alkaline electrolyzed water, the germinated germs grow remarkably, but when immersed in the acidic electrolyzed water, the germs grow. It is clear that it is hardly recognized. Further, when the bacterium is immersed in the phosphate buffer, the bacterium grows, but it is clear that the bacterium grows more slowly than when immersed in the alkaline electrolyzed water.

From the above results, when the coriander is soaked in the alkaline electrolyzed water, germination and growth of the bacterium starts 15 minutes to 2 hours after the immersion, and the bacterium proliferates significantly after 6 hours. Is clear.

In the sterilization method of the present embodiment, next, after the coriander pulled up from the alkaline electrolyzed water is kept at 37 ° C. for 6 hours, the acidic electrolysis taken out from the electrolysis chamber 5 on the cathode side of the electrolyzed water generator 1 is carried out. Immerse in water and hold for 15 minutes. Then, after 15 minutes, the coriander is pulled up from the acidic electrolyzed water, whereby the bacteria attached to the surface of the coriander can be substantially killed.

Next, a sterilization test was conducted by the sterilization method of this embodiment. As a first example of the sterilization test, first, 1 g of coriander was placed in a sterilized sample bottle, and 30 ml of alkaline electrolyzed water (pH 11.54) taken out from the electrolysis chamber 4 on the cathode side of the electrolyzed water generator 1 was added, Coriander was immersed in the alkaline electrolyzed water and held for 15 minutes.
After 15 minutes, the alkaline electrolyzed water was discarded, and the coriander contained in the sterile sample bottle was kept at 37 ° C. for 6 hours. After 6 hours, the acidic electrolyzed water 30 taken out from the electrolysis chamber 5 on the cathode side of the electrolyzed water generator 1 was placed in the sterilized sample bottle.
ml (pH 2.3, containing 28 ppm of available chlorine) was added, and the coriander was immersed in the acidic electrolyzed water and held for 15 minutes. After 15 minutes, the acidic electrolyzed water was discarded, and the bacteria adhering to the coriander were washed out with physiological saline to prepare a stock solution. Next, the stock solution is multiplied by 10 to 100.
Diluted 1 times and 1000 times, and 1 ml of each diluted solution was applied to an agar medium in a petri dish. This is 48 at 37 ° C.
After culturing for a period of time, the number of colonies formed in the petri dish was counted and the number of viable bacteria was calculated by multiplying by the dilution rate. The results are shown in Fig. 3 (a).

As a comparative example, the viable cell count was determined in exactly the same manner as described above, except that 1 g of coriander was placed in a sterile sample bottle, and the bacteria adhering to the coriander were washed out with physiological saline to prepare a stock solution. It was calculated. The results are shown in FIG. 3 as a control. Further, the above-mentioned method except that the coriander is immersed in the alkaline electrolyzed water and held for 15 minutes, the alkaline electrolyzed water is discarded, and then the coriander contained in the sterilized sample bottle is held at 37 ° C. for 12 hours. The viable cell count was calculated in exactly the same manner as. The result is shown in Figure 3.
It shows in (a).

Next, as a second example of the sterilization test, the acidic electrolyzed water used in the first example was replaced with a pH of 3.5.
The viable cell count was calculated in exactly the same manner as in the first example except that 30 ml of acidic electrolyzed water containing about 30 ppm of available chlorine was used.

In the comparative example, the viable cell count was calculated in exactly the same manner as the comparative example of the first example. The results are shown in Fig. 3 (b).

From FIG. 3, 6 hours after the alkaline electrolyzed water was discarded, the coriander was adjusted to pH 2.3 to 6.0.
According to the sterilization method of the present embodiment of immersing in the acidic electrolyte of 3.5, the viable cell count is 30 or less per 1 g of coriander, and the viable cell count is in the order of 100,000 per 1 g of coriander. It is clear that the fungus is substantially killed. In addition, 12 hours after the alkaline electrolyzed water was discarded, the coriander was immersed in the acidic electrolytic solution.
It is clear that the number of viable bacteria per g is on the order of 100,000, which is equivalent to that of the control, and the effect of killing the bacteria cannot be obtained.

Next, for further comparison, the coriander was immersed in the alkaline electrolyzed water, held for 15 minutes, the alkaline electrolyzed water was discarded, and then the acidic electrolyzed water was immediately added. The viable cell count was calculated in exactly the same manner as the method. The amount of acidic electrolyzed water added is 10 m
There were 4 kinds of 1, 50 ml, 100 ml and 200 ml.
The results are shown in Fig. 4.

From FIG. 4, the coriander was immersed in the alkaline electrolyzed water and held for 15 minutes. Immediately after the alkaline electrolyzed water was discarded, the acid electrolyzed water was allowed to act in a state before the germs germinated. It is clear that the effect of killing the above-mentioned bacteria is not obtained. Further, at this time, it is clear that the effect of killing the bacterium cannot be obtained even if the amount of the acidic electrolyzed water is increased or decreased.

Next, the gas chromatogram of the active ingredient of coriander before applying the sterilization method of this embodiment is shown in FIG.
A gas chromatogram of the active ingredient after application is shown in (a) in FIG. 5 (b). In addition, enlarged views of FIGS. 5A and 5B are shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, respectively.

From FIGS. 5 and 6, there is no change in the active ingredient of coriander even when the sterilization method of this embodiment is applied, and there is no risk that the active ingredient of coriander will be decomposed and denatured by the sterilization method of this embodiment. It is clear.

In this embodiment, the case where the spice is coriander has been described, but other spices, for example, turmeric and black pepper, are similarly processed.
It is possible to sterilize spore-forming microorganisms such as spore-forming fungi and fungi attached to the surface without changing the active ingredient.

Next, a gas chromatogram of the active ingredient of black pepper before applying the sterilization method of this embodiment is shown in FIG. 7 (a).
Fig. 7 shows a gas chromatogram of the active ingredient after application.
It shows in (b). Further, enlarged views of FIGS. 7A and 7B are shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, respectively. It is clear from FIGS. 7 and 8 that there is no change in the active ingredient of black pepper even when the sterilization method of the present embodiment is applied, and there is no risk that the active ingredient of black pepper will be decomposed by the sterilization method of the present embodiment. Is.

Next, the sterilizing apparatus of this embodiment will be described.

FIG. 9 shows a first mode of the sterilizing apparatus of this embodiment, in which an endless belt 24 provided between pulleys 22 and 23 has a basket-shaped tray 21 for containing spices or the like to be sterilized. A transport path 25 that is suspended and transported,
Alkaline electrolyzed water tank 2 provided along the transport path 25
6, a constant temperature bath 27, an acidic electrolyzed water bath 28, a washing water bath 29, and a drying bath 30 are provided. The sterilizer shown in FIG.
The electrolyzed water producing apparatus 1 having the same configuration as that shown in FIG. 1 is provided, and the alkaline electrolyzed water taken out from the electrolysis chamber 4 (not shown) on the cathode side of the electrolyzed water producing apparatus 1 is supplied to the alkaline electrolyzed water tank 26 via the conduit 15. , Anode-side electrolysis chamber 5 (not shown)
The acidic electrolyzed water taken out from is supplied to the acidic electrolyzer 28 via the conduit 16. Further, tap water is supplied to the wash water tank 29 through a wash water conduit 31 that branches from the conduit 11 upstream of the concentrated sodium chloride aqueous solution tank 13 (not shown).

On the other hand, the constant temperature bath 27 is provided with a heater 32 at the bottom so that the interior of the bath can be maintained at a predetermined temperature atmosphere. Further, in the drying tank 30, the air blown by the fan 33 provided on the lower portion of the bottom is supplied through the air filter 34 provided on the bottom surface.

According to the apparatus shown in FIG. 9, first, the basket-like tray 21 containing the spices and the like has the endless belt 24.
The alkaline electrolyzed water tank 26 is moved to the alkaline electrolyzed water tank 26 by the
In the alkaline electrolyzed water contained in
Soak for a minute. 15 minutes later, basket tray 21
Is lifted from the alkaline electrolyzed water tank 26 by the elevating device, suspended again by the endless belt 24, and moved to the constant temperature tank 27.

Next, the basket-shaped tray 21 is transferred to an elevator (not shown), lowered into the constant temperature bath 27, and held in an atmosphere of 37 ° C. for, eg, 6 hours. After 6 hours, the basket-shaped tray 21 is pulled up from the constant temperature bath 27 by the elevating device, suspended again by the endless belt 24, and moved to the acidic electrolyzed water bath 28.

Next, the basket-shaped tray 21 is transferred to an elevator (not shown) and immersed in the acidic electrolyzed water stored in the acidic electrolyzed water tank 28, for example, for 15 minutes. 1
After 5 minutes, the basket-shaped tray 21 is pulled up from the acidic electrolyzed water tank 28 by the elevating device, suspended again by the endless belt 24, and moved to the washing water tank 29.

Next, the basket-shaped tray 21 is transferred to an elevator (not shown) and immersed in tap water stored in the cleaning water tank 29 for 10 minutes for cleaning. After that, the basket-shaped tray 21 is pulled up from the washing water tank 29 by the elevating device, suspended again by the endless belt 24, and moved onto the drying tank 30.

Next, the basket-shaped tray 21 is transferred to an elevator (not shown), lowered into the drying tank 30, and dried by the fan 33 in the air flow supplied through the air filter 34. After the drying, the basket-shaped tray 21 is pulled out from the drying tank 30 by the elevating device and discharged.

FIG. 10 shows a second aspect of the sterilizing apparatus of this embodiment, which is provided with the same electrolyzed water producing apparatus 1 as that shown in FIG. 1 at the bottom and is adjacent to the side of the electrolyzed water producing apparatus 1. (Not shown) for transporting the sink 41 provided therein, the constant temperature / drying chamber 42 provided adjacently above the electrolyzed water producing apparatus 1, and the basket-shaped tray 21 containing spices or the like to be sterilized And a device.

The sink 41 is alkaline electrolyzed water taken out from the cathode side electrolysis chamber 4 (not shown) of the electrolyzed water generator 1, acid electrolyzed water taken out from the anode side electrolysis chamber 5 (not shown), and washing. Tap water supplied from the water conduit 31 is accommodated. For this purpose, a conduit 15 for taking out alkaline electrolyzed water from the electrolysis chamber 4 on the cathode side (not shown) of the electrolyzed water generating apparatus 1, a conduit 16 for taking out acidic electrolyzed water from the electrolysis chamber 5 on the anode side (not shown), The wash water conduit 31 branched from the conduit 11 upstream of the concentrated sodium chloride aqueous solution tank 13 (not shown) is connected to the sink conduit 44 via the first switching valve 43, and the sink conduit 44 is connected to the sink 41. Has been done. A drain port 46 having a drain valve 45 is provided at the bottom of the sink 41.
Further, the second conduit provided on the way from the sink conduit 44.
A spraying conduit 48 is branched via a switching valve 47, and the tip of the spraying conduit 48 is connected to a spraying device 49 provided above the sink 41.

In the constant temperature / drying chamber 42, the surface communicating with the upper side of the sink 41 is opened, and the basket-shaped tray 21 can be put in and taken out by the carrying device. Further, the constant temperature / drying chamber 42 is provided with a heater 32 at the bottom portion thereof to maintain the inside of the tank at a predetermined temperature atmosphere, and the side surface is provided with air blown by a fan 33 provided outside the side surface. It is designed to be supplied through the air filter 34.

According to the apparatus shown in FIG. 10, first, the conduit 15 and the sink conduit 44 are connected by the first switching valve 43, and the alkaline electrolyzed water is supplied to the sink 41.
Next, the basket-shaped tray 21 containing the spices and the like is dipped in the alkaline electrolyzed water contained in the sink 41 for 15 minutes, for example, by a carrying device (not shown). 15
After a minute, the basket-shaped tray 21 is pulled up from the sink 41 by the transfer device and moved into the constant temperature / drying chamber 21.

Next, the basket-shaped tray 21 is kept at a constant temperature.
In the drying chamber 21, for example, the atmosphere is kept at 37 ° C. for 6 hours. In the meantime, the sink 41 opens the drain valve 45 to drain the alkaline electrolyzed water from the drain port 46, and after draining, closes the drain valve 45 to close the first switching valve 4
The acidic electrolyzed water is supplied to the sink 41 by connecting the conduit 16 and the sink conduit 44 by 3.

After 6 hours, the basket-shaped tray 21 is moved by the carrying device and immersed in the acidic electrolyzed water stored in the sink 41 for 15 minutes, for example.
After 15 minutes, the basket-shaped tray 21 is pulled up from the sink 41 by the carrying device and is made to stand by above the sink 41. During this time, the sink 41 opens the drain valve 45 to drain the acidic electrolyzed water from the drain port 46, and after draining, closes the drain valve 45 and uses the first switching valve 43 to clean the water conduit 31 and the sink. Tap water is supplied to the sink 41 by connecting to the conduit 44.

Next, the basket-shaped tray 21 is placed in the tap water stored in the sink 41 by the carrying device.
For example, it is immersed for 10 minutes. After that, the basket-shaped tray 21 is pulled up from the sink 41 by the transfer device and moved again into the constant temperature / drying chamber 21.

Next, the basket-shaped tray 21 is kept at a constant temperature.
In the drying chamber 21, it is dried by the fan 33 in the air flow supplied through the air filter 34. After the drying, the basket-shaped tray 21 is discharged by the carrying device.

In the apparatus shown in FIG. 10, instead of immersing the basket-shaped tray 21 in alkaline electrolyzed water, acid electrolyzed water or tap water, the basket-shaped tray 21 is positioned above the sink 41. The second switching valve 47 connects the sink conduit 44 and the sprinkling conduit 48 to spray alkaline electrolyzed water, acidic electrolyzed water or tap water from the spraying device 49 onto the sterilization target contained in the basket-shaped tray 21. You may

According to the sterilizing apparatus shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the sterilizing method of this embodiment can be automatically performed. Also,
According to the sterilizer shown in FIG. 10, the sink 41 can also serve as the alkaline electrolyzed water tank 26, the acidic electrolyzed water tank 28, and the washing water tank 29 in the apparatus shown in FIG. 9, and the constant temperature tank 27 and the drying tank 3 can be used.
Since 0 can be shared with the constant temperature / drying chamber 42, the size of the entire apparatus can be reduced.

In the sterilizing apparatus shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, each of the above-mentioned operations can be controlled by a controller having a timer.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration of an electrolyzed water generator used in the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a Pythium to which the sterilization method of the present invention has been applied.
sp. Growth curve of (spore-forming microorganisms).

FIG. 3 is a Pythi when the sterilization method of the present invention is applied.
um sp. Histogram showing the viable cell count of (spore-forming microorganisms).

FIG. 4 is Pyth when the sterilization method of the present invention is not applied.
ium sp. Histogram showing the viable cell count of (spore-forming microorganisms).

FIG. 5 is a gas chromatogram of the active ingredient of coriander before and after applying the sterilization method of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of a main part of FIG.

FIG. 7 is a gas chromatogram of the active ingredient of black pepper before and after applying the sterilization method of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of a main part of FIG.

FIG. 9 is a system configuration diagram showing a configuration example of a sterilizing apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a system configuration diagram showing another configuration example of the sterilizing apparatus of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Electrolyzed water generating means, 2 ... Electrolyte tank, 3 ... Diaphragm, 4
... Cathode side electrolysis chamber, 5 ... Anode side electrolysis chamber, 6,7 ... Electrode, 25 ... Conveying means, 26 ... Alkaline electrolyzed water contact means, 27 ... Constant temperature holding means, 28 ... Acid electrolyzed water contact means.

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    (72) Inventor Tetsuya Suzuki             102-43 Honmachi, Hakodate City, Hokkaido (72) Inventor Masumi Watanabe             1-23-21 Minatomachi, Hakodate City, Hokkaido Chateau Tsui             205 F-term (reference) 4B021 LA44 LT03 LW07 MC01 MK08                       MP02 MP03 MQ04                 4B047 LB02 LG43 LG44 LP04                 4C058 AA21 AA30 BB02 CC04 DD05                 4D061 DA03 DB07 DB08 EA02 EB13                       EB17 EB19 EB37 ED12 ED13                       GA21 GA22

Claims (11)

[Claims] 1. A sterilization target containing a spore-forming microorganism is brought into contact with alkaline electrolyzed water obtained from the cathode side by electrolysis of an aqueous chloride solution, and the spore-forming microorganism is allowed to germinate for a predetermined period of time. A method for sterilization with electrolyzed water, which comprises killing the spore-forming microorganisms by bringing the electrolyzed water into contact with acidic electrolyzed water obtained from the anode side. 2. A sterilization target containing the spore-forming microorganism,
The spore-forming microorganisms are killed by bringing them into contact with the acidic electrolyzed water within a predetermined time after the spores of the spore-forming microorganisms are germinated by being brought into contact with the alkaline electrolyzed water. 1. A sterilization method using electrolyzed water according to 1. 3. The spore-forming microorganism is killed by contacting the spore-forming microorganism with the acidic electrolyzed water within 6 hours after spores of the spore-forming microorganism are germinated by contact with the alkaline electrolyzed water. The method for sterilization with electrolyzed water according to claim 2, wherein the method is sterilization. 4. The pH of the alkaline electrolyzed water is 10.5 to.
The acidic electrolyzed water has a pH of 2.3.
The method for sterilization with electrolyzed water according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the chlorine content is in the range of 3.5 to 3.5 and contains an effective chlorine concentration of 30 ppm or more. 5. The method for sterilizing with electrolyzed water according to claim 4, wherein the sterilization target is a spice in which microorganisms inhabit the surface. 6. The method for sterilizing with electrolyzed water according to claim 5, wherein the spice is any one of coriander, turmeric, and black pepper. 7. An anode side is provided by supplying a chloride aqueous solution to an electrolysis cell separated into two electrolysis chambers by an ion-permeable diaphragm provided between a pair of electrodes arranged to face each other for electrolysis, Electrolyzed water generating means for obtaining acidic electrolyzed water from the electrolysis chamber and alkaline electrolyzed water from the cathode side electrolysis chamber, a transport means for transporting a sterilization target containing spore-forming microorganisms, and the sterilization target transported by the transport means The alkaline electrolyzed water contacting means for contacting the alkaline electrolyzed water obtained from the cathode-side electrolysis chamber, and after contacting the alkaline electrolyzed water, the sterilization target conveyed by the conveying means for a predetermined time, the spores Holding means for holding the forming microorganisms in a state of easy germination, and the sterilizing pair conveyed by the conveying means after the spore-forming microorganisms are kept in a state of easy germination For elephants,
A sterilizer for electrolyzed water, comprising: acidic electrolyzed water contacting means for contacting the acidic electrolyzed water obtained from the anode side electrolysis chamber. 8. The alkaline electrolyzed water contacting means, by sprinkling the alkaline electrolyzed water on the sterilization object conveyed by the conveying means, or by immersing the sterilization object in the alkaline electrolyzed water, 8. The object to be sterilized is brought into contact with the alkaline electrolyzed water.
A sterilizer using the described electrolyzed water. 9. The acidic electrolyzed water contacting means spreads the acidic electrolyzed water on the object to be sterilized conveyed by the conveying means or immerses the object to be sterilized in the acidic electrolyzed water. 9. The sterilizer with electrolyzed water according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the object to be sterilized is brought into contact with the acidic electrolyzed water. 10. A state in which the spore-forming microorganisms easily germinate the sterilization target carried by the carrying means within a time within a range of 6 hours after the holding means is brought into contact with the alkaline electrolyzed water. 10. The sterilizer with electrolyzed water according to any one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that 11. The alkaline electrolyzed water has a pH of 10.5.
And the acidic electrolyzed water has a pH of
Is in the range of 2.3 to 3.5 and contains available chlorine at a concentration of 30 ppm or more. 11. The electrolyzed water sterilizer according to any one of claims 7 to 10.