JP2003102496A - Microorganism testing system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a microorganism testing system with which a periodic test can be easily performed on each process for manufacturing a processed article. SOLUTION: The microorganism testing system is applied on a process for manufacturing a processed article such as a food, a medicine, a cosmetic or a quasi-drug. The testing system comprises measuring a microorganism by taking a washing solution with which a machine, a tool or an apparatus used in the manufacturing process has been cleaned, as a test target.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a microorganism inspection system in a process of manufacturing a processed material such as food, medicine, cosmetics or quasi drugs.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a method utilizing a plate counting method has been known for detecting microorganisms (for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. HEI-1).
0-70975). For example, as an instrument for measuring adherent bacteria using this method, the medium surface is brought into direct contact with the sample, the microorganisms are collected on the medium surface, the microorganisms adhering to the medium surface are cultured as they are, and observed by visual observation or a microscope. Depending on the situation, there are those that determine the presence or absence of microorganisms and observe the number.

[0003]

As described above, the instrument for measuring adherent bacteria using the plate counting method is used for inspection work because the presence or absence of microorganisms can be determined and the number of microorganisms can be observed by observing them visually or with a microscope. It requires a long time and skill. However, in the process of manufacturing processed products such as foods, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, or quasi-drugs, because the processed products are continuously produced, it may take several days for the microbe test to detect the microorganisms. There is a problem that the workpieces contaminated by the water are put on the market. Under the present circumstances, the present inventors have developed a microorganism detecting device capable of detecting a microorganism and rapidly measuring it by mixing one or more kinds of color-forming compounds into a sample.

[0004] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a microorganism inspection system capable of easily performing a periodic inspection in each process of manufacturing a workpiece. Another object of the present invention is to provide a microorganism inspection system that can promptly reflect the inspection result on the production. Another object of the present invention is to provide a microorganism inspection system capable of preventing the production of a workpiece in a state where microorganisms are contained in a predetermined amount or more, or in a state where predetermined microorganisms are contained. And

[0005]

A microbiological test system according to the present invention according to claim 1 is a microbiological test system in a process of manufacturing a processed product such as a food, a drug, a cosmetic, or a quasi drug. Machines used during the manufacturing process,
Microorganisms are measured by using a cleaning liquid, which has been used to clean an instrument or a device, as an inspection target. The microorganism testing system of the present invention according to claim 2 is a microorganism testing system in a process of manufacturing a processed material such as food, medicine, cosmetics, or quasi drugs, and is a machine or instrument used during the manufacturing process. , Or a step of extracting a washing solution that has washed the apparatus, a step of collecting a sample from the extracted washing solution, a step of contacting the collected sample with a compound that causes cells to develop color, and coloring by the contact of the compound And a step of measuring a microorganism based on the amount and the wavelength. The present invention according to claim 3 is the microorganism testing system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the operation of the manufacturing line is started,
Alternatively, it is characterized in that a cleaning liquid for cleaning performed after the end of the operation is an inspection target. The microbe inspection system of the present invention according to claim 4 is a microbe inspection system in a process of producing a processed product such as food, medicine, cosmetics, or quasi-drug, wherein the raw material of the processed product during the production process. Microorganisms are measured by using a cleaning liquid that has been washed with or additives as an inspection target. The microbe inspection system of the present invention according to claim 5 is a microbe inspection system in a process of producing a processed product such as a food, a drug, a cosmetic, or a quasi drug, and is a raw material of the processed product during the production process. And a step of extracting a washing solution that has washed the additive, a step of collecting a sample from the extracted washing solution, a step of contacting the collected sample with a compound that causes cells to develop color, and coloring by the contact of the compound And a step of measuring a microorganism based on the amount and the wavelength. The microbe inspection system of the present invention according to claim 6 is a microbe inspection system in a process of producing a processed product such as a food, a drug, a cosmetic, or a quasi drug, and is a raw material of the processed product during the production process. Microorganisms are characterized by inspecting a cleaning liquid that has been used to inspect a package that contains a raw material or an additive, or a package that contains a raw material of a workpiece or an additive in a manufacturing process. The microorganism testing system of the present invention according to claim 7 is a food, a drug, a cosmetic,
Or a microbial inspection system in the process of manufacturing a processed product such as a quasi drug, which is a packaging containing the raw materials and additives of the processed product during the manufacturing process, or the processed product during the manufacturing process. A step of extracting a washing liquid that has washed a package containing raw materials and additives, a step of collecting a sample from the extracted washing liquid, a step of contacting the collected sample with a compound that causes coloration of cells, and And a step of measuring the amount of microorganisms based on the amount of color developed by the contact of the compound and the wavelength. The present invention according to claim 8 provides the microorganism testing system according to any one of claims 4 to 7,
It is characterized in that a cleaning liquid that is regularly cleaned during the operation of the manufacturing line is an inspection target. According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the microorganism inspection system according to the eighth aspect, the operation of the production line is stopped when a predetermined amount or more of a specific microorganism or a specific microorganism is detected from the cleaning liquid. Is characterized by. The present invention according to claim 10 is
The microorganism inspection system according to claim 8, wherein the cleaning liquid is extracted from a plurality of steps in the step of manufacturing the workpiece. The microbe inspection system of the present invention according to claim 11 is a microbe inspection system in a process of producing a processed product such as a food, a drug, a cosmetic, or a quasi drug, and is a machine or instrument used during the production process. Or, a step of collecting a sample from the device, a step of contacting the collected sample with a compound that causes coloration of cells, a step of inspecting a microorganism from a color development amount or a wavelength due to the contact of the compound, and the inspected microorganism Exceeds a predetermined amount, or when a specific microorganism is detected by the inspection, the operation of the production line is stopped. The microbe inspection system of the present invention according to claim 12 is a microbe inspection system in a process for producing a processed product such as food, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, or quasi drugs, and is a raw material of the processed product during the production process. And a step of collecting a sample from an additive, a step of contacting the collected sample with a compound that develops cells, a step of inspecting a microorganism from a coloring amount or a wavelength due to the contact of the compound, and the inspected microorganism Exceeds a predetermined amount, or when a specific microorganism is detected by the inspection, the operation of the production line is stopped. The microorganism testing system of the present invention according to claim 13,
A microorganism inspection system in the process of manufacturing a processed product such as food, medicine, cosmetics, or quasi drugs,
A step of collecting a sample from a package that contains raw materials and additives of a workpiece during the manufacturing process, or a package that contains raw materials and additives of the workpiece during the manufacturing step, and the collected sample To
A step of contacting a compound for coloring cells, a step of inspecting a microorganism based on a color development amount or a wavelength due to the contact of the compound, when the inspected microorganism exceeds a predetermined amount, or a specific microorganism is detected by the inspection And a step of stopping the operation of the manufacturing line. The present invention according to claim 14 relates to claim 2, claim 5, claim 7, claim 11, claim 12, or claim 1.
In the microorganism inspection system according to item 3, the measurement result or the inspection result is displayed on the workpiece after the step of measuring the microorganisms. The present invention according to claim 15 is the microorganism testing system according to claim 2, claim 5, claim 7, claim 11, claim 12, or claim 13, wherein the product is shipped after the manufacturing process. For the processed material, the microorganisms are continuously inspected for a predetermined period after production, and if the generation of microorganisms exceeding the specified value is confirmed after production, the distribution, storage, or sales management terminals are notified from the safety management server. It is characterized by transmitting a stop command. The present invention according to claim 16 is claim 2, claim 5, claim 7, claim 11, claim 12, or claim 1.
In the microorganism testing system according to Item 3, there is provided inventory status management means for managing inventory information of the compound, and inventory shortage information is transmitted to receive the provision of the compound.

[0006]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION In the first embodiment of the present invention, microorganisms are weighed with a cleaning liquid used for cleaning a machine, an instrument, or a device used in a manufacturing process as an inspection target. As described above, by using the cleaning liquid for cleaning the machine, instrument, or device used in the manufacturing process as an inspection target for measuring the microorganisms, periodic inspection of the microorganisms can be easily performed in each process.

The second embodiment according to the present invention comprises a step of extracting a cleaning liquid used for cleaning a machine, an instrument or an apparatus used in a manufacturing process, a step of collecting a sample from the extracted cleaning liquid, and a collection step. The method comprises the steps of contacting the sample with a compound that causes cells to develop color, and measuring the microorganisms from the amount of color developed by the contact of the compound and the wavelength. As described above, the sample can be easily collected by collecting the sample from the cleaning liquid that has cleaned the machine, the instrument, or the device used in the manufacturing process. Further, the collected sample is brought into contact with a compound that develops cells, and the amount of the microorganism is measured based on the amount of color developed and the wavelength. Therefore, the inspection of the microorganism can be performed in a short time. Therefore, in the manufacturing process, regular inspection of microorganisms can be easily performed in each process, and the inspection result can be promptly reflected in the manufacturing.

The third embodiment of the present invention is an inspection target of the cleaning liquid by the cleaning performed before or after the operation of the manufacturing line is started in the first or second embodiment. In this way, by performing the inspection before the operation of the manufacturing line starts or after the operation ends, the operation can be stopped and the sterilization and sterilization can be performed according to the inspection result. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the object to be processed from being produced in a state in which the microorganisms are contained in a predetermined amount or more, or in a state in which the microorganisms are contained.

The fourth embodiment of the present invention is to measure microorganisms by using a cleaning liquid obtained by cleaning raw materials and additives of a workpiece in a manufacturing process as an inspection target. in this way,
By using a cleaning liquid obtained by cleaning raw materials and additives of the workpiece in the manufacturing process as an inspection target for quantifying microorganisms, periodic inspection of microorganisms can be easily performed in main steps.

The fifth embodiment according to the present invention comprises a step of extracting a cleaning liquid obtained by cleaning raw materials and additives of a workpiece in a manufacturing process, a step of collecting a sample from the extracted cleaning liquid, and a collection step. The method comprises the steps of contacting the sample with a compound that causes cells to develop color, and measuring the microorganisms from the amount of color developed by the contact of the compound and the wavelength. in this way,
The sample can be easily collected by collecting the sample from the cleaning liquid obtained by cleaning the raw materials and additives of the workpiece in the manufacturing process. Further, the collected sample is brought into contact with a compound that develops cells, and the amount of the microorganism is measured based on the amount of color developed and the wavelength. Therefore, the inspection of the microorganism can be performed in a short time. Therefore, in the manufacturing process, regular inspection of microorganisms can be easily performed in each process, and the inspection result can be promptly reflected in the manufacturing.

A sixth embodiment according to the present invention is a package that contains raw materials and additives of a workpiece during the manufacturing process, or a package that contains raw materials and additives of the workpiece during the manufacturing process. Microorganisms are weighed with the cleaning liquid that has been washed as the inspection target. In this way, for the measurement of microorganisms, inspect the packaging liquid containing the raw materials and additives of the workpiece during the manufacturing process, or the cleaning liquid that has washed the packaging containing the raw materials and additives of the processing target during the manufacturing process. By using it as a target, periodic inspection of microorganisms can be easily performed in the main steps.

The seventh embodiment according to the present invention is a package that contains raw materials and additives of a workpiece during the manufacturing process, or a package that contains raw materials and additives of the workpiece during the manufacturing process. The step of extracting the washing solution that has washed the sample, the step of collecting a sample from the extracted washing solution, the step of contacting the collected sample with a compound that causes cell color development, And a measuring step. In this way, the sample is collected from the washing liquid that has washed the packaging containing the raw materials and additives of the workpiece during the manufacturing process or the packaging containing the raw materials and additives of the workpiece during the manufacturing process. Thus, the sample can be easily collected. Further, the collected sample is brought into contact with a compound that develops cells, and the amount of the microorganism is measured based on the amount of color developed and the wavelength. Therefore, the inspection of the microorganism can be performed in a short time. Therefore, in the manufacturing process, regular inspection of microorganisms can be easily performed in each process, and the inspection result can be promptly reflected in the manufacturing.

The eighth embodiment according to the present invention is the same as the fourth to seventh embodiments, while the manufacturing line is in operation.
The inspection target is a cleaning liquid by regular cleaning. In this way, by regularly inspecting during the operation of the production line, it is possible to stop the operation and perform sterilization or sterilization in accordance with the inspection result. Therefore, it is possible to prevent production of a workpiece in a state where the microorganisms are contained in a predetermined amount or more or in a state where the microorganisms are contained.

A ninth embodiment according to the present invention is the same as the eighth embodiment, except that a predetermined amount or more of microorganisms are contained in the cleaning liquid.
Alternatively, when a specific microorganism is detected, the operation of the production line is stopped. In this way, the operation can be stopped to sterilize or sterilize according to the inspection result. Therefore, it is possible to prevent production of a workpiece in a state where the microorganisms are contained in a predetermined amount or more or in a state where the microorganisms are contained.

The tenth embodiment of the present invention is an eighth embodiment.
In the embodiment, the cleaning liquid is extracted from a plurality of steps in the step of manufacturing the workpiece. In this way, by extracting the washing liquid from a plurality of steps in the manufacturing process and inspecting it, it is easy to identify the step of detecting microorganisms, and sterilization or sterilization can be performed in an appropriate step depending on the inspection result.

The eleventh embodiment according to the present invention comprises a step of collecting a sample from a machine, an instrument, or a device used in the manufacturing process, and a step of bringing the collected sample into contact with a compound that causes coloration of cells. , Having a step of inspecting microorganisms from the amount of color development or wavelength caused by contact with a compound, and a step of stopping the operation of the production line when the inspected microorganisms exceed a predetermined amount or when a specific microorganism is detected by the inspection Is. In this way, by collecting the specimen from the machine, instrument, or device used during the manufacturing process, the machine,
Microbial contamination of an instrument or device can be identified. Further, the collected sample is brought into contact with a compound that develops cells, and the amount of the microorganism is measured based on the amount of color developed and the wavelength. Therefore, the inspection of the microorganism can be performed in a short time. Therefore, in the manufacturing process, periodical inspection of microorganisms can be easily performed in each process, and the inspection result can be promptly reflected in the manufacturing.

The twelfth embodiment of the present invention comprises a step of collecting a sample from raw materials and additives of a workpiece during the manufacturing process, and a step of bringing the collected sample into contact with a compound that causes cell color development. , Having a step of inspecting microorganisms from the amount of color development or wavelength caused by contact with a compound, and a step of stopping the operation of the production line when the inspected microorganisms exceed a predetermined amount or when a specific microorganism is detected by the inspection Is. In this way, by collecting the sample from the raw materials and additives of the workpiece during the manufacturing process, it is possible to identify the contaminant material due to the microorganism. Further, the collected sample is brought into contact with a compound that develops cells, and the amount of the microorganism is measured based on the amount of color developed and the wavelength. Therefore, the inspection of the microorganism can be performed in a short time. Therefore, in the manufacturing process, periodic inspection of microorganisms can be easily performed in each process, and the inspection result can be promptly reflected in the manufacturing.

A thirteenth embodiment according to the present invention is a package that contains raw materials and additives of a workpiece during a manufacturing process,
In addition, a step of collecting a sample from a package containing raw materials and additives of a workpiece in the manufacturing process, a step of contacting the collected sample with a compound that causes coloration of cells, and a coloring amount due to contact of the compound or It has a step of inspecting microorganisms from the wavelength and a step of stopping the operation of the production line when the inspected microorganisms exceed a predetermined amount or when the inspection detects a specific microorganism. Thus, by collecting the sample from the packaging that contained the raw materials and additives of the workpiece during the manufacturing process, or the packaging that contains the raw materials and additives of the workpiece during the manufacturing process, the microorganism It is possible to identify the polluted raw material by. Further, the collected sample is brought into contact with a compound that develops cells, and the amount of the microorganism is measured based on the amount of color developed and the wavelength. Therefore, the inspection of the microorganism can be performed in a short time.
Therefore, in the manufacturing process, periodic inspection of microorganisms can be easily performed in each process, and the inspection result can be promptly reflected in the manufacturing.

The fourteenth embodiment according to the present invention is the second, fifth, seventh, eleventh, twelfth or thirteenth embodiment, and after the step of measuring microorganisms, the measurement result or The inspection result is displayed. In this way, by displaying the measurement result or the inspection result on the workpiece to be shipped, it is possible to secure safety and improve awareness of microorganisms.

The fifteenth embodiment according to the present invention relates to the workpiece shipped after the manufacturing process in the second, fifth, seventh, 11, 12 or 13th embodiment and relates to the predetermined period after the manufacturing. If the microorganisms are continuously inspected and the occurrence of microorganisms exceeding the specified value is confirmed after manufacturing, the safety management server sends a stop command to the distribution, storage, or sales management terminal. In this way, by performing a microbe test on the processed object after manufacturing as well, safety can be ensured even after manufacturing.

A sixteenth embodiment according to the present invention is different from the second, fifth, seventh, eleventh, twelfth, or thirteenth embodiment in that it has an inventory status managing means for managing the inventory information of compounds, and the inventory shortage. The information is transmitted and the compound is provided. As described above, by constructing a system capable of predicting and supplying a shortage of a compound in advance, the microorganism testing system can be always operated reliably.

[0022]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the microorganism testing system of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a flow chart for explaining the microorganism inspection system according to this embodiment. The manufacturing line 10 shows a process of manufacturing a processed product such as food, medicine, cosmetics, or quasi drugs. The received raw materials are once stored and then processed by the production line 10, and the processed workpieces are
Shipped after being stored. In the figure, the manufacturing line 10
Is composed of a first manufacturing step 11, a second manufacturing step 12, a third manufacturing step 13, a fourth manufacturing step 14, and a fifth manufacturing step 15. Each process of the production line 10 includes a machine, an instrument, or a device used for processing, transporting, and processing a work piece. The microbe inspection system 20 is a system that performs a microbe inspection in each process of the manufacturing line 10. In this microorganism inspection system 20, a cleaning process 2 for cleaning a machine, an instrument, or a device used in each process of the manufacturing line 10.
1. Extraction step 22 for extracting washed washing liquid, specimen collecting step 23 for collecting a specimen from the extracted washing liquid, compound contact step 24 for contacting the collected specimen with a compound for coloring cells, coloring by contact with a compound It has a microorganism inspection step 25 for measuring the amount of microorganisms from the amount and wavelength, and a determination step 26 for determining whether or not the amount of the microorganisms is a predetermined amount or more as a result of the measurement of the microorganisms, and whether or not a specific microorganism exists. . In addition, in the cleaning step 21, in addition to the case of cleaning a machine, an instrument, or an apparatus, when cleaning the raw materials or additives of a workpiece in the manufacturing process, the raw materials or additives of the workpiece in the manufacturing step are cleaned. It may be a case of cleaning the package that has been housed or the package that contains the raw materials and additives of the workpiece during the manufacturing process. The safety management system including the safety management server 30 performs quality control after shipping of processed products such as foods, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and quasi-drugs. That is, with respect to the workpiece after manufacturing, perform a microbe test continuously for a predetermined period after manufacturing,
When the generation of microorganisms exceeding the specified value is confirmed after manufacturing, information is sent to the work piece in the distribution, storage, or sales stage to prompt appropriate measures. The sales management server 40 manages information about distribution, storage, and sales destinations of shipped workpieces. Therefore, the sales management terminal 51 and the sales management server 40 in each store 50 and the like are connected by the communication means 60. The safety management server 30 is also connected to the sales management server 40 and the sales management terminal 51 by the communication means 60. Although only the sales management terminal 51 is shown here, it is preferable that the sales office or warehouse in charge of distribution and storage also has a management terminal and is connected to the sales management server 40 by the communication means 60.

On the other hand, the information regarding the inspection consumables used in the microorganism inspection system 20 is input to the inventory status management means 70. Here, the test consumable item is, for example, a test reagent (compound), a light source, or the like. Inventory status management means 70
Then, information such as the supply amount and supply timing of consumables, the stock amount, the inspection frequency in the microbe inspection system 20 and the inspection record are input. If the result of the determination in the determination step 26 is that there is no abnormality, the operation of the manufacturing line 10 is continued. If it is the inspection result that there is an abnormality in the determination step 26, a stop command is output to the manufacturing line 10 and the manufacturing line 1
0 operation is stopped. In this case, in addition to stopping all the processes, the process in which the abnormality is detected may be stopped, or the subsequent processes including the process in which the abnormality is detected may be stopped. Further, in addition to the case where the production line 10 is stopped, the case where the shipping stage is stopped or the storage state before shipping may be stopped. The stoppage in these steps is determined by the relationship between the processing time of the workpiece flowing between the respective steps and the time required for the microorganism inspection time. If it is determined in the determination step 26 that there is no abnormality, the workpiece is shipped. In conjunction with this shipping, an inspection sample is extracted from the workpiece to be shipped, and shipping information and the inspection sample are managed by the safety management system. The safety management system periodically inspects the workpiece after shipping for microbes to check for abnormalities. If an abnormality is detected, the safety management server 30 that manages the shipping information inquires of the sales management server 40 about the destination to which the workpiece is sold, and sends “stop command” data via the communication means 60. It transmits to the sales management terminal 51. At the store 50 that has received the “stop command” data at the sales management terminal 51, storage, display,
Or, stop the sale of the workpiece being sold or collect it. When the sale is stopped or collected properly, the completion information is transmitted from the sales management terminal 51, and this information is received by the safety management server 30 as “processing completed” data via the communication unit 60.

As described above, quality control after factory shipment is performed by regularly performing microbiological inspection for a predetermined period of time even on post-sales workpieces and accurately transmitting information using a communication line when an abnormality occurs. Can be improved. It is also possible to provide an actual quality assurance period based on the inspection result, instead of the predicted quality assurance period such as the current expiration date. If the inventory status management unit 70 predicts that the inventory is insufficient, the “insufficiency” data is transmitted to the consumables supply company 80 via the communication unit 60. The consumable goods supply company 80, which has received this “deficiency” data, delivers the consumable goods predicted to be insufficient to the microbe inspection system 20. In this way, by constructing a system capable of predicting the shortage of the stock of the expendable supplies in advance and supplying the stock, it is possible to always reliably operate the microorganism testing system.

The inspection of the machine, instrument, or device used in the manufacturing process by the microorganism inspection system 20 is preferably performed before the operation of the production line 10 is started or after the operation thereof is completed. In this way, before starting the operation of the production line 10,
By performing a microbe test on the machine, instrument, or device used in each step, it is possible to more reliably prevent contamination of the line with microbes. Further, after the operation of the production line 10 is completed, it is possible to ensure that the manufactured workpiece is not microbially contaminated by performing a microbial inspection on the machine, instrument, or device used in each step. In the unlikely event of contamination, it can be dealt with before shipping, including the subsequent storage stage. Regarding the raw materials and additives of the workpiece during the manufacturing process, the packaging that contained the raw materials and additives of the processing target during the manufacturing process, or the packaging that contains the raw materials and additives of the workpiece during the manufacturing process It is preferable that the inspection by the microorganism inspection system 20 is periodically performed during the operation of the manufacturing line 10. As described above, during the operation of the production line 10, the raw materials and additives flowing through the respective processes, the packaging containing the raw materials and the additives of the workpiece during the manufacturing process, or the raw materials and the materials of the workpiece during the manufacturing process. By performing a microbe test on the package containing the additive, it is possible to promptly respond to the case where the microbe is contaminated by some cause.
It is preferable that the inspection by the microbe inspection system 20 regarding the machine, instrument, or device used during the manufacturing process is also performed regularly during operation. For example, when cleaning is performed at the stage where a predetermined amount of the workpiece is processed, or when cleaning is performed when the rod is switched due to a change in the workpiece, these cleaning liquids are inspected. In the above embodiment,
The case where the inspection is performed in all of the first manufacturing process 11 to the fifth manufacturing process 15 has been described, but it is not always necessary to perform the inspection in all the processes. Further, in the above embodiment, the case where the sample is collected from the washed cleaning liquid has been described, but it is also possible to carry out by another method of collecting the sample from a machine, an instrument, or a device used in the manufacturing process. Further, similarly, another method of collecting a sample from a raw material or an additive of a workpiece during the manufacturing process may be used. Alternatively, another method may be used in which the sample is collected from the package that contains the raw material or additive of the workpiece during the manufacturing process or the package that contains the raw material or additive of the workpiece during the manufacturing process.

FIG. 2 is a flow chart showing an embodiment of the process and inspection process for processed marine products. For example, when the processed seafood is kamaboko, it is temporarily stored after receiving the raw materials used for them. Then, the raw material is thawed by the thaw machine (S31). The thawed raw material is weighed (S3
2), auxiliary materials such as water and additives are added and kneaded with a silent cutter (S33). The kneaded work is fed by a feed pump (S34), and is molded by a molding machine via a strainer (S35) (S36).
The formed work piece is cut by a cutting blade (S3
7) Then, it is converged by the converging device (S38). After that, the workpiece is colored (S39) and steamed by a continuous steamer (S40). The steamed workpiece is cooled by a cooler (S41), packaged (S42), and then packaged (S).
43) It is stored in a cold place. In such a processing step, for example, a thawing machine used for thawing (S31), kneading (S3
The cleaning target of the silent cutter used in 3), the cutting blade used for cutting (S37), and the cooler used for cooling (S41) are the inspection targets. By making the cleaning liquid of the thawing machine used for thawing (S31) as the inspection target, the thawing machine can be inspected and the received raw materials can be inspected. Also,
By setting the cleaning solution for the silent cutter used for kneading (S33) as the inspection target, the silent cutter can be inspected and the received auxiliary material can be inspected.
Further, the cutting blade can be inspected by using the cleaning liquid for the cutting blade used for cutting (S37) as an inspection target, and the inspection from the kneading step (S33) to the cutting step (S37) can be performed. In addition, by inspecting the cleaning liquid of the cooler used for cooling (S41), it is possible to inspect the workpiece before packaging.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing an embodiment of the process and inspection process for processed meat products. For example, when the processed meat products are frozen hamburgers, they are temporarily stored after receiving the raw materials used for them. Then, after being sorted, the raw material is cut by a chopper (S51). On the other hand, vegetables such as onions are washed with water (S52) and sliced by a slicer (S53). The cut raw material and the sliced vegetables are weighed (S54) and mixed by a mixing mixer (S55). The mixed workpiece is molded by a molding machine (S56). The formed workpiece is heated by an oven (S57) and then frozen by a freezer (S58). The frozen workpiece is weighed and packaged (S59), then packaged (S60) and stored in a refrigerator. In such a processing step, for example, the cleaning liquid of the chopper used for cutting (S51) is an inspection target, and the cleaning liquid obtained by washing vegetables (S52) is an inspection target. In addition, the cleaning liquid for cleaning the package for packaging the workpiece is the inspection target (S59). Cut in this way (S5
By subjecting the chopper cleaning liquid used in 1) to the inspection, the chopper can be inspected and the received raw materials can be inspected. Also, wash the vegetables with water (S5
2) The carried-in vegetables can be inspected by using the cleaning liquid as an inspection target. In addition, it is possible to inspect the package brought in by using the cleaning liquid of the package (S60) as an inspection target. Further, by making the weighing (S60) step an inspection target, it is possible to inspect the workpiece before packaging.

An embodiment of a microorganism inspection apparatus and a microorganism inspection method suitable for the microorganism inspection system of the present invention will be described below. First, the microorganism testing apparatus according to the present embodiment uses at least one compound of compounds that develop live and dead cells, compounds that develop dead cells, compounds that develop live cells, and compounds that develop specific microorganism-derived substances, The number of living cells and dead cells, the presence of coliform bacteria, and the presence or absence of living cells are confirmed by the difference in the fluorescence wavelength and the amount of light emitted from living and dead cells and dead cells by these chromogenic compounds. The microorganism inspection apparatus of this embodiment detects these microorganisms after coloring. Each compound has a maximum excitation wavelength of a different wavelength and emits fluorescence of a different wavelength after being excited, so that multiple staining is possible. Here, for example, 4 ′, 6-diamidino-2-phenylindole dihydrochloride (which may be a derivative) is used as the compound that develops the color of living and dead cells. This compound is
Regardless of whether the microorganism is alive or dead, it penetrates into the cells of the microorganism non-specifically and develops color by binding to the nucleic acid of the microorganism. Further, as the compound that causes the color of dead cells, for example, propidium iodide (which may be a derivative) is used. This compound non-specifically penetrates dead cells and develops a color by binding to nucleic acid of a microorganism. In addition, 6-carboxyfluorescein diacetate (which may be a derivative) is used as a compound that develops color in living cells. This compound stains viable bacteria, depending on the intracellular enzymatic activity. In addition, as a compound that develops a color by reacting with a substance derived from a specific microorganism, 4-methylumbelliferyl-β-
D-galactoside (which may be a derivative) is used.
This compound stains specific microorganisms such as coliforms.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the structure of a microorganism testing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. The microorganism inspection apparatus according to the present embodiment is a light source 204 that emits excitation light and a microorganism determination unit 2 that determines whether or not a microorganism is present and measures the amount of the microorganism.
05 and the excitation light from the light source 204
Light source condensing means (lens) 210 for condensing light on the
A light receiving section 211 for receiving the fluorescence from the sample contact means 201 through 10, and an excitation light spectral filter 21 for extracting a target wavelength from the excitation light emitted from the light source 204.
2 and the excitation light spectrally separated by the excitation light spectral filter 212 are polarized in the direction of the specimen contacting means 201, and the specimen contacting means 20
A prism 213 that transmits the fluorescence from the first direction toward the light receiving unit 204, a fluorescence spectral filter 214 that extracts only the target fluorescence, and a photoelectric conversion element 215 that converts the received fluorescence into an electric signal. In the above configuration, the excitation light emitted from the light source 204 is dispersed by the excitation light spectral filter 212, and only the excitation light of the target wavelength passes through. The optical path of the excitation light dispersed by the excitation light spectral filter 212 is polarized by the prism 213, and the lens 210
Then, the light is focused on the surface of the sample contact means 201. The fluorescence contained in the microorganism excited by the excitation light by the specimen contacting unit 201 passes through the lens 210 and the prism 213 and reaches the light receiving unit 211. Only the desired fluorescence passes through the fluorescence spectral filter 214 and the photoelectric conversion element 215 built in the light receiving section 211 of the fluorescence that has reached the light receiving section 211.
Is reached and is recognized as a signal. Photoelectric conversion element 21
The fluorescence reaching 5 is judged by the microorganism judging means 205 to be a microorganism or a foreign substance, and the fluorescence judged to be a microorganism is integrated and the number thereof is measured. When recognizing the brightness after color development, the position where fluorescence is developed is represented by binarization of "0" and "1". When binarized, adjacent colors are regarded as one color source. Further, when the size of the color-developing source and the brightness thereof are relatively different from the set size, they are recognized as a foreign substance, and are regarded as non-inspected, so that they are not measured as microorganisms.

In the microorganism inspection apparatus of this embodiment, when detecting the color development, if the wavelength width of the light source 204 is wide, the excitation wavelength can be adjusted and dispersed by the excitation light spectral filter 212. Since the excitation light spectral filter 212 can be changed according to the target to be detected, it can correspond to various fluorescent reagents. At the same time, in the case where the wavelength range of the emitted fluorescence is wide, various fluorescent reagents can be dealt with by changing the fluorescence spectral filter 214 in order to detect the intended color. Examples of the light source 204 include various diodes, halogen lamps, xenon lamps, cold cathode tubes, lasers, black lights, and mercury lamps. Of these light sources, a diode, a cold cathode fluorescent lamp, a black light, etc., whose maximum excitation wavelength is relatively limited, may be implemented without using the excitation light spectral filter 212 and the fluorescence spectral filter 214.
For halogen lamps, mercury lamps, etc., the excitation light spectrum filter 212 and the fluorescence spectrum filter 2 are used.
14 may be used. The prism 213 and the lens 210 each have a property of transmitting ultraviolet light as needed. Quartz glass etc. are mentioned as a thing which has the property which permeate | transmits ultraviolet light. This makes it possible to deal with fluorescent reagents that are excited by ultraviolet light. Sample contact means 2
The part on which 01 is installed has a rotating ability, and the sample contact means 201 is installed on the upper part thereof. The excitation light focused by the lens 210 moves a distance of a radius from the outer peripheral portion of the sample contact means 201 to the central portion or from the central portion to the outer peripheral portion. At that time, the excitation light condensed by the lens 210 is changed by changing the rotation speed of the specimen contacting means 201 when the position of the excitation light condensed by the lens 203 exists in the outer peripheral portion and in the central portion. It is possible to prevent the deviation of fluorescence emitted from the excited compound when light is present in the outer peripheral portion and that in the central portion, and the occurrence of afterimage and afterglow.

By providing a means for recognizing the condensed position, the position of the excitation light condensed by the lens 210 is recognized so that the condensed light does not deviate from the orbit, and if it deviates, the orbit again occurs. It is set to return to.
In addition, although the color-developing reagent is a cell-permeable reagent,
The same can be detected in the case of a coloring reagent having cell membrane adhesion, cell wall adhesion, sugar chain binding, functional group binding, amino acid adhesion, ion sensitivity, oxygen reactivity and the like. In addition, although the coloring reagent is one that emits fluorescence when excited by excitation light, a reagent that has the ability to stain and color cells can also be detected in the same manner. In addition, the minute constant area for irradiating the excitation light is not limited to a polygon including a square,
A circular shape, an elliptical shape, or the like is also possible as long as it can irradiate the sample. The compound contained in the sample contact means can be subjected to multiple staining, but it is not always necessary to mix the compounds. For example, it is also possible to divide one specimen contacting means into a number corresponding to the number of staining compounds and detect each. It is also possible to use a diffraction grating or the like as a means for dispersing the excitation light or the fluorescence. Although the afterimage and afterglow of fluorescence are prevented by adjusting the rotation speed of the specimen contact means 201, the afterimage and afterglow can be prevented by adjusting the moving speed of the lens 210 that irradiates the excitation light. Is. It should be noted that the means for recognizing the condensed position does not necessarily have to directly recognize the condensed position of the excitation light, and may be any means for recognizing the trajectory on the sample contact means 201.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the structure of a microorganism testing apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention. The microorganism testing device 408 includes a light source unit 409 including a lamp that emits excitation light.
And a sample reagent containing part 4 made of glass, into which a solution containing a microorganism that has been ingested from a sample and a compound that develops a color of the microorganism is mixed
10, a light receiving unit 411 for receiving light that emits color, a wavelength spectral unit 412 for splitting the light of the light receiving unit 411, a light amount measuring unit 413 for measuring the light amount, and an operation for calculating the number of living cells and dead cells It is composed of a processing unit 414 and a display unit 415 that displays the calculated number of cells. Here, as the compound mixed in the specimen reagent-containing section 410, for example, 4 ', 6-diamidino-2-phenylindole dihydrochloride, which is a detection reagent for coloring living and dead cells of microorganisms, and detection for coloring dead cells of microorganisms are used. A reagent, Propidium iodide, is used. When using this microorganism inspection device 408,
First, a compound such as a detection reagent is mixed in a sample reagent containing section 410 in a sample such as a washing liquid to be tested. After mixing, the sample reagent containing section 410 is automatically agitated to combine the detection reagent with the microbial cells in the sample. Then, by turning on the light source unit 409 and irradiating the specimen with the excitation light,
The nucleic acids of the live and dead cells and the nucleic acids of the dead cells, which are bound to the detection reagent, develop color and are irradiated on the light receiving unit 411. The light radiated to the light receiving unit 411 is separated by the wavelength spectroscopic unit 412 into 450 to 480 nm as the fluorescence wavelength of live and dead cells and 500 to 620 nm as the fluorescence wavelength of dead cells, and the light amount measurement unit 413 converts the light amount into an electric signal. To be done. The converted electrical signal is
The arithmetic processing unit 414 calculates the number of each cell from the calibration curve of the number of each cell and the electric signal, and subtracts the number of dead cells from the number of dead cells to calculate the number of viable cells. Then, the display unit 415 can automatically display the number of living cells and the number of dead cells in 1 ml of the liquid mixed in the sample reagent containing unit 410.

In the above embodiments, foods have been described as examples, but the present invention can also be applied to drugs, cosmetics, quasi drugs, blood for transfusion, soap, shampoo, rinse, and the like. Further, the blood collected from the human body can be used as an inspection target to measure the microorganisms, as in the above-mentioned embodiment. Further, in the above embodiment, the microorganism inspection system in the manufacturing process has been described, but it can be applied as a microorganism inspection system for a nozzle of a vending machine for eating and drinking provided in a cup or a storage tank for drinking water. Such a food and drink vending machine is provided with the microbe inspection means described in the present embodiment, a regular inspection is performed, and the inspection result is periodically transmitted through the communication means, thereby reducing the maintenance frequency. Alternatively, when a microorganism is abnormally detected, it is possible to promptly deal with it. In addition, it is preferable to display a measurement result or an inspection result on the workpiece that is shipped through the manufacturing process including the inspection system as in the present embodiment. In this case, the test result display is not limited to a numerical display, but may be a display indicating that the test result is manufactured in a process including a microorganism inspection system.
It is preferable that the food and drink vending machine equipped with the microorganism inspection system is displayed on the food and drink vending machine, or displayed on the food and drink cup provided by the food and drink vending machine. Further, in the above example, the case where the weighing result at each measurement time point was described was explained, but a future increase in bacteria is predicted based on the result of weighing multiple times at a predetermined timing, and for example, when cleaning various equipment. Alternatively, the system may be a system that determines the disposal time of the workpiece. In this case,
A storage means for storing the result of measurement at each timing together with time data, a prediction means for calculating a future increase in bacteria from a plurality of data stored in this storage means, and an output means for determining the correspondence based on this prediction means. Also,
Utilizing the already accumulated bacterial increase data as comparison information,
It may be a system that predicts future increase of bacteria from the measurement result at the time of measurement.

[0034]

According to the present invention, regular microbiological inspection can be easily performed in each step of manufacturing a workpiece. Further, according to the present invention, the inspection result can be promptly reflected in the manufacturing. Further, according to the present invention, it is possible to prevent production of a workpiece in a state in which a predetermined amount or more of microorganisms are contained or a state in which a predetermined microorganism is contained.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a flowchart for explaining a microorganism inspection system according to this embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a flow chart showing an example of the process and inspection process of processed seafood products.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing an embodiment of the process and inspection process for processed meat products.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a microorganism testing device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a microorganism inspection device according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

21 Washing process 22 Washing liquid extraction process 23 Collection of donations 24 Compound contact process 25 Microbial measurement process

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    (72) Inventor Hirohito Shimakita             6-2 61, Imafuku Nishi, Joto-ku, Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture               Matsushita Seiko Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Yoshikazu Tashiro             6-2 61, Imafuku Nishi, Joto-ku, Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture               Matsushita Seiko Co., Ltd. F term (reference) 2G045 AA28 BB14 BB24 CB21 FB11                       FB12 GC15                 2G054 AA02 CA20 CE02 EA01 EA03                       EA04 EA06 FA12 FA17 FA18                       FA19 FA32 FB02 FB03 GA02                       GA05 GB01 JA01                 4B063 QA01 QA18 QQ06 QQ07 QQ10                       QQ20 QR56 QR58 QR66 QS36                       QS39 QX02

Claims (16)

[Claims] 1. A microorganism inspection system in a process of manufacturing a processed product such as food, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, or quasi drugs, which comprises a cleaning liquid for cleaning a machine, an instrument, or a device used in the manufacturing process. A microorganism inspection system characterized by measuring microorganisms as an inspection object. 2. A microbe inspection system in a process of manufacturing a processed material such as food, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, or quasi-drugs, which comprises a cleaning liquid for cleaning a machine, an instrument, or a device used in the manufacturing process. The step of extracting, the step of collecting a sample from the extracted washing solution, the step of bringing the collected sample into contact with a compound that causes cell coloration, and measuring the amount of microorganisms based on the amount of coloring and the wavelength of the contact of the compound A microorganism inspection system comprising: a process. 3. The microorganism inspection system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a cleaning liquid obtained by cleaning before or after the start of operation of the production line is an inspection target. 4. A microorganism inspection system in a process of manufacturing a processed product such as food, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, or quasi-drugs, which comprises a cleaning liquid obtained by cleaning raw materials and additives of the processed product in the manufacturing process. A microorganism inspection system characterized by measuring microorganisms as an inspection object. 5. A microorganism inspection system in a process of manufacturing a processed product such as food, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, or quasi-drugs, which comprises a cleaning liquid obtained by cleaning raw materials and additives of the processed product in the manufacturing process. The step of extracting, the step of collecting a sample from the extracted washing solution, the step of bringing the collected sample into contact with a compound that causes cell coloration, and measuring the amount of microorganisms based on the amount of coloring and the wavelength of the contact of the compound A microorganism inspection system comprising: a process. 6. A microorganism inspection system in a process of manufacturing a processed product such as food, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, or quasi drugs, which contains raw materials and additives of the processed product during the manufacturing process. A microorganism inspection system characterized by measuring microorganisms by using a cleaning liquid obtained by cleaning a package or a package containing raw materials and additives of a workpiece in a manufacturing process as an inspection target. 7. A microorganism inspection system in the process of manufacturing a processed product such as food, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, or quasi drugs, which contains raw materials and additives of the processed product during the manufacturing process. Packaging, or the step of extracting a cleaning liquid that has washed the packaging containing the raw materials and additives of the workpiece in the manufacturing process, the step of collecting a sample from the extracted cleaning liquid, the collected sample, cells A microorganism inspection system comprising: a step of contacting a compound that develops a color with a colorant; and a step of measuring the amount of a microorganism based on a color development amount or a wavelength caused by the contact of the compound. 8. The microorganism inspection system according to claim 4, wherein a cleaning liquid that is regularly cleaned during the operation of the production line is an inspection target. 9. The microorganism inspection system according to claim 8, wherein the operation of the production line is stopped when a predetermined amount or more of a microorganism or a specific microorganism is detected from the cleaning liquid. 10. The microorganism inspection system according to claim 8, wherein the cleaning liquid is extracted from a plurality of steps in the step of manufacturing the workpiece. 11. A microorganism inspection system in a process of manufacturing a processed product such as food, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, or quasi drugs, which is a machine, an instrument, or the like used in the manufacturing process.
Alternatively, a step of collecting a sample from the device, a step of contacting the collected sample with a compound that develops cells, a step of inspecting a microorganism from a color development amount or a wavelength due to the contact of the compound, and the inspected microorganism is And a step of stopping the operation of the manufacturing line when a specific amount is detected or when a specific microorganism is detected by the inspection. 12. A microorganism inspection system in a process of manufacturing a processed product such as food, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, or quasi drugs, wherein a sample is collected from raw materials and additives of the processed product in the manufacturing process. A step of contacting the collected sample with a compound that causes coloration of cells, a step of inspecting a microorganism from the amount of coloring or a wavelength caused by the contact of the compound, when the inspected microorganism exceeds a predetermined amount, or And a step of stopping the operation of the production line when a specific microorganism is detected by the inspection. 13. A microorganism inspection system in a process of manufacturing a processed product such as food, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, or quasi drugs, which contains raw materials and additives of the processed product during the manufacturing process. Packaging, a step of collecting a sample from a package containing raw materials and additives of a workpiece during the manufacturing process, a step of contacting the collected sample with a compound that develops cells, and a contact of the compound The step of inspecting microorganisms from the color development amount or wavelength by the method, and the step of stopping the operation of the production line when the inspected microorganisms exceed a predetermined amount, or when a specific microorganism is detected by the inspection. Characteristic microorganism inspection system. 14. The measurement result or the inspection result is displayed on the workpiece after the step of measuring the microorganisms, claim 2, claim 5, claim 7, claim 11, The microorganism inspection system according to claim 12 or 13. 15. The product to be shipped after the manufacturing process is subjected to a microbiological test continuously for a predetermined period after manufacturing, and when the generation of microorganisms exceeding a specified value is confirmed after manufacturing, distribution is performed. 14. The safety management server sends a stop command to the storage, storage, or sales management terminal according to claim 2, claim 5, claim 7, claim 11, claim 12, or claim 13. Microbiological testing system. 16. The method according to claim 2, further comprising inventory status management means for managing inventory information of the compound, wherein the inventory shortage information is transmitted to receive the provision of the compound. , Claim 11, claim 12, or claim 1
The microorganism inspection system according to item 3.