JP2003125796A - Method for estimating growth of organism, and method for utilizing the same for evaluation of environment - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method for estimating the growth of organisms by which it is precisely judged whether the examined environment is the one for promoting or stopping the growth of microorganisms or not, or whether the examined environment is the one for the microorganisms dying out or not, and further to provide a method for utilizing the method for evaluation of the environment. SOLUTION: A test specimen is formed out of a covering material having a filter through which water vapor permeates but the microorganisms, natural enemies thereof and liquid water do not permeate, and contains the microorganisms, or a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, and a recorder or a sender of the data measured by them instead of the microorganisms inside the specimen. The test specimen is exposed to the environment to be examined, and the influence of the environment to be tested on the growth of the microorganisms is displayed by using the growth of the microorganisms in the test specimen, or the growth estimated from the measured data.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to whether or not the environment to be investigated is an environment for advancing or stopping the growth of microbes.
Alternatively, the present invention relates to a method for estimating biological growth that can estimate whether or not the environment to be investigated is an environment in which microbes are killed, and a method for using this for environmental evaluation.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art For example, fungal infections, fungal allergies, food poisoning and the like are known as human diseases caused by mold, and bites, asthma, allergies and atopic eczema are known as human diseases caused by mites. As described above, there are quite a few micro-organisms that cause various damages to the environment and humans and have an adverse effect. However, previous measures to prevent the growth and reproduction of such harmful micro-organisms have relied on vague experience, resulting in visible pollution, allergic disease, and food and feed I noticed it only after the complaints from the consumer that it was contaminated by microscopic organisms, so the countermeasures against such damage tended to be delayed. For this reason, it is necessary to accurately determine in advance whether or not the environment under investigation is an environment in which the growth of microbes progresses or stops, or whether the environment under investigation is an environment in which microbes die. It was hoped that such areas would be dealt with before they were damaged by pollution.

[0003]

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION The present invention is formed by a covering material provided with a filter that does not allow microbes and their natural enemies to pass through the environment to be investigated in which microbes may grow, and the microbes are sealed inside. By exposing a complicated test piece and displaying quantitatively or qualitatively the influence of the environment to be examined on the growth of the microbe from the growth rate or growth state of the microbe in the test piece, Estimate method of biological growth that can accurately determine in advance whether or not is an environment that progresses or stops the growth of small organisms, or whether the environment under investigation is an environment that kills small organisms and an environmental evaluation The purpose is to provide a method to be used for. Further, the present invention uses the test piece according to claim 1 to investigate the correlation between the growth of a micro-organism placed in an environment or the temperature and relative humidity of the environment to determine the temperature and relative humidity. Data indicating the humidity and the growth of micro-organisms is created in advance, and then this data is compared with the temperature and relative humidity measured in the environment under study, and the estimated growth rate or estimated growth state of micro-organisms derived from the temperature and relative humidity is used. It is an object of the present invention to provide a method for estimating biological growth that quantitatively or qualitatively displays the influence of the environment under investigation on the growth of micro-organisms, and a method for using the method for environmental evaluation. Further, the present invention uses the test piece according to claim 3 (the test piece having the same configuration as the test piece according to claim 1) to grow a micro-organism placed in an environment and the temperature of the environment. By investigating the correlation with the relative humidity, to create in advance the data showing the temperature and relative humidity and the growth of microbes,
After that, by comparing this data with the temperature and relative humidity measured in the surveyed environment, it is shown that the surveyed environment is a non-polluting environment because it is an environment in which microdevelopment cannot be developed. Its purpose is to provide a method used for evaluation. The present invention, the environment to be investigated to kill the micro-organism, formed by a coating material comprising a filter that does not pass the micro-organisms and their natural enemies, exposing a test piece containing the micro-organisms inside, after which, Transfer the test piece to a growth-friendly environment and incubate for a sufficient period of time so that growth can be confirmed.Because there is no growth of micro-organisms in this environment, it is possible to demonstrate that the environment to be examined was a micro-organism-killing environment. It is an object of the present invention to provide an estimation method and a method of using it for environmental evaluation. Further, the present invention is formed by a coating material provided with a filter that does not allow microbes and their natural enemies to pass through, and exposes a test piece that encloses the microbe inside, and the growth rate and growth of the specific microbe in the test piece. It is an object of the present invention to provide a method for estimating biological growth, which is characterized by estimating and presenting the effect of the environment under investigation on the growth or survival of other organisms from the state or survival status, and a method of using this for environmental assessment. It is intended. The present invention preliminarily prepares data indicating the temperature and relative humidity and the growth of the micro-organism by investigating the correlation between the growth of the specific micro-organism and the temperature and the relative humidity in an environment. After that, these data are compared with the temperature and relative humidity of the environment under investigation, and the environment under investigation shows the growth or survival of other organisms based on the estimated growth rate or estimated growth state of a specific micro-organism derived from the temperature and relative humidity. It is an object of the present invention to provide a method for estimating biological growth, which is characterized by estimating and presenting the effect on the environment, and a method for utilizing the method for environmental evaluation. The micro-organisms used in claims 1 to 7 can be selected from dust mites, hygrophilic fungi, psychrophilic fungi, spore-forming bacteria and other micro-organisms. According to the present invention, a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, and a recording device for recording data measured by the temperature sensor and the humidity sensor are enclosed inside a coating material having at least a part of a filter that allows water vapor to pass but not water in a liquid state. By doing so, an object thereof is to provide a test piece for environmental evaluation in which liquid water does not enter and water vapor passes through. Further, the present invention provides a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, and a device for transmitting data measured by the humidity sensor, which is formed by a covering material having a filter that allows water vapor to pass therethrough, at least a portion of which does not pass liquid water. It is an object of the present invention to provide an environment-evaluating test piece which is sealed so that water in a liquid state does not enter and water vapor passes through. In the test pieces of claims 12 and 13, the coating material may be composed of a heat-soluble component. The present invention preliminarily prepares data indicating the growth of a micro-organism placed in an environment and the temperature and relative humidity of the environment to investigate the correlation between the temperature and the relative humidity. Then, these data are collated with the temperature and the relative humidity measured by using the test piece according to claim 13 to 15 in the environment to be investigated, and the estimated growth rate or estimated growth state of the micro-organism derived from the temperature and the relative humidity. It is an object of the present invention to provide a method for estimating the growth of a living organism, which displays the influence of the environment under investigation on the growth of a small organism, and a method for using it for environmental evaluation.

[0004]

[MEANS FOR SOLVING THE PROBLEMS] The method of estimating the growth of a living organism according to the present invention and the method of using the same for environmental evaluation pass through a living creature and its natural enemies into a research environment where the living creature may grow. The test piece formed by the covering material with a filter that does not allow the microscopic organisms to be contained inside is exposed, and the influence of the environment under investigation on the growth of the microscopic organisms depends on the growth rate or the growth state of the microscopic organisms in the test piece. The force is displayed quantitatively or qualitatively. Further, by investigating the correlation between the growth rate of a micro organism placed in an environment using the test piece according to claim 1 and the temperature and relative humidity of the environment, the temperature and relative humidity Data indicating the growth rate of living organisms is created in advance, and then this data is compared with the temperature and relative humidity measured in the environment under investigation, and the estimated growth rate or estimated growth state of micro-organisms derived from the temperature and relative humidity is investigated. The influence of the environment on the growth of micro-organisms is displayed quantitatively. The method for estimating biological growth according to the present invention and the method for utilizing the same for environmental evaluation are formed by a covering material provided with a filter that does not allow microbes and their natural enemies to pass through in an environment to be investigated where contamination by microbes should be avoided. The test piece containing the micro-organisms is exposed to, and the micro-organisms in the test piece do not grow in the environment to be inspected, which indicates that the environment to be inspected is a non-polluting environment. Further, by using the test piece according to claim 3 to investigate the correlation between the growth of a microbe placed in an environment or the temperature and relative humidity of the environment, the temperature and the relative humidity and the microbe. The data indicating the growth rate of the plant is created in advance, and then this data is compared with the temperature and relative humidity measured in the surveyed environment. It is presented. The method for estimating biological growth according to the present invention and the method for utilizing the same in an environmental assessment include an environment to be investigated in which microbes are to be killed, formed by a covering material having a filter that does not allow microbes and their natural enemies to pass through, and Expose the test piece containing the micro-organisms, and then move the test piece to a growth-friendly environment and incubate for a sufficient period of time to confirm the growth. It is an indication that the environment was a micro-organism dead environment. In addition, a test piece formed of a covering material equipped with a filter that does not allow microbes and its natural enemies to pass through is exposed to the test piece, and the growth rate, growth state, or survival status of the specific microbe in the test piece is exposed. Therefore, the influence of the environment under investigation on the growth or survival of other heterogeneous organisms is estimated and presented. Also, by investigating the correlation between the growth rate of a specific microbe and the temperature and relative humidity in an environment, data indicating the temperature and relative humidity and the growth rate of the microbe are previously obtained. After making these data, these data are compared with the temperature and relative humidity of the environment under investigation, and the estimated growth rate or the estimated growth state of a specific micro-organism derived from the temperature and relative humidity indicates that the environment under investigation is related to the growth of other micro-organisms. Alternatively, the effect on survival is estimated and presented. The test piece for environmental evaluation according to the present invention does not allow water in a liquid state to pass therethrough, but is formed by a coating material having a filter that allows water vapor to pass therethrough at least in part, and is measured by a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor and these. The data recording device is enclosed. Further, the environmental evaluation test piece according to the present invention,
A structure in which a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, and a device for transmitting data measured by the temperature sensor and the humidity sensor are enclosed inside a coating material having at least a part of a filter that allows water vapor not to pass but water vapor to pass therethrough. Is. The method for estimating biological growth according to the present invention and the method for utilizing the same for environmental evaluation are carried out by investigating the correlation between the growth of a micro-organism placed in an environment and the temperature and relative humidity of the environment. Data indicating the temperature and the relative humidity and the growth of micro-organisms are prepared in advance, and then these data are collated with the temperature and the relative humidity measured by using the test piece according to claim 13 to 15 in the environment to be examined, and the temperature Also, the influence of the environment under investigation on the growth of microbes is displayed based on the estimated growth rate of microbes or the estimated growth state derived from relative humidity.

[0005]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION The method for estimating biological growth of the present invention, the method for using the same for environmental evaluation, and the structure of a test piece for containing microbes will be described based on Examples.

(Regarding Indicator Microorganisms) In the present invention, a living organism is contained as a marker microorganism in a test piece for environmental evaluation. The types of indicator microbes can be dust mites, hygrophilic fungi, psychrophilic fungi, bacteria having the property of forming spores, and other microbes, and the survival state of the indicator microbes can be dormant. However, both are possible in the state of development, and it is possible that the nutrient sources of the indicator microbes are given with or without the platform. For example, as an indicator microbe used to investigate how much the living environment promotes the growth of microbes such as molds and mites, the spores and mite eggs of molds are in a dormant state, or the state of developing mites such as adults. Micro-organisms can be placed inside the test piece. As described above, the micro-organism used in the present invention can be any micro-organism in principle, but fungal spores and mites are preferably used. When using fungal spores as indicator microbes, any of psychrophilic bacteria, mesophilic bacteria, and humorous bacteria can be used, but in soil, hot springs,
In environments with high water content such as food manufacturing sites and aquariums, humophilous bacteria are preferred. Examples of the thermophilic bacterium include Cladosporium herbarum and Alternaria alternata. Phytophilic bacteria are preferred for evaluation of dry places such as houses, warehouses, and storages. Examples of the psychrophilic bacteria include Aspergillus penicilloides, Eurotium herbariorum, and the like. In the dry environment of the house, dust mites are preferred, as the dust mites, Drtmatophag
oides pteronys sinus) and Dermatophag (Drtmatophag)
oides farinae).

(Regarding the Growth of Indicator Microorganisms) In the present invention, it is determined whether or not the environment under investigation is an environment for advancing or stopping the growth of the microorganisms based on the growth rate and the state of growth of the indicator microorganisms associated with environmental exposure. Alternatively, it can be estimated whether or not the environment to be investigated is an environment in which microbes are killed. The test piece of the present invention was recovered after being exposed to the investigation environment for a fixed period of time, and the growth state of the organisms generated inside the test piece during the exposure period was observed and measured, and the extent to which the exposed place is the growth of micro organisms Can be quantitatively expressed as to whether to promote or suppress.

(Regarding Structure of Test Piece Containing Indicator Microorganisms) In the present invention, in order to prevent the indicator microorganisms or the indicator microbes attached to the support from leaking out and shifting to the surrounding environment, The indicator microbes are covered with a covering material that consists of a heat-soluble filter that does not allow the indicator micro-organisms to pass through, or a covering material that partially contains the heat-soluble filter, and the test pieces that are heat-sealed around these covering materials Contained inside. In addition, the periphery of the support to which the indicator microbes are attached and the periphery of the filter that does not allow the indicator microbes and their natural enemies to pass through are sealed using a frame-shaped double-sided adhesive sheet so as to surround the indicator microbes. The indicator micro-organism was enclosed inside by the test piece. In order to make the environment in which the indicator microbes inside the test piece are placed the same as the environment to which the test piece was exposed, as a result of research on various members, the material of the filter when fungi or mites are used as the indicator microbes It was found that a non-woven fabric (Tyvek 1073B Asahi DuPont Flashspun Products) is preferable, and a filter paper and a transparent vinyl chloride plate (Lion Pass Case Co., Ltd. Lion) are preferable as the support. It was found that a polyethylene film is suitable as a sheet when covering the indicator microbes using a filter and a sheet. Furthermore, the test piece is a material that does not allow water in a liquid state to pass therethrough, but allows water vapor to pass, for example, as described above, a coating material composed of a heat-soluble filter, or a coating material partially containing a heat-soluble filter. If it is covered and heat-sealed around these coating materials, a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor and a recording device for the data measured by these instead of indicator microbes are enclosed inside the test piece, or Temperature sensor inside,
A humidity sensor and a device for transmitting data measured by these can be enclosed, and it can be used without trouble even in a research environment where there is a risk of splashing with water.

(Regarding the Use of the Test Piece of the Present Invention) The test piece of the present invention is a test piece according to the present invention. The influence of the environment under investigation on the growth of micro-organisms is quantitatively displayed from the growth rate or development state of ticks. Further, in the environment to be inspected in which contamination by microbes is to be avoided, the microbes in the test piece do not grow in the environment to be inspected, so it can be shown that the environment to be inspected is a non-polluting environment. In addition, exposing the test piece to the environment under investigation where the micro-organisms should be killed,
The test piece was transferred to a growth-prone environment and cultured for a sufficient period of time so that growth could be confirmed. Since there is no growth of micro-organisms in this growth-prone environment, it can be shown that the environment to be investigated was a micro-organism-killing environment. Furthermore, instead of indicator microbes, a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, and these were measured inside, formed by a coating material that has a filter that does not allow water in a liquid state to pass therethrough and that allows water vapor to pass therethrough. By using an environmental evaluation test piece with a data recording device enclosed, it can be used even in an environment where water is to be investigated. Also, instead of indicator microbes, a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, and data measured by these are formed inside the coating material that has a filter that allows water vapor to pass therethrough, at least a portion of which does not pass liquid water. If the environment-evaluating test piece in which the transmitter of (1) is enclosed is used, it can be used even in an environment where water is to be investigated. When the present invention is applied to a house, a food manufacturing factory, or the like, it is possible to detect a portion having a high possibility of being contaminated by these microscopic organisms. Furthermore, it is possible to verify the effect of applying physical measures such as drying to places where there is a high possibility of contamination. In addition, a label for transportation of grains, feeds, etc. is produced from the test piece of the present invention, or the test piece of the present invention is put in a bag, so that the period from the start of distribution to the step of receipt by the consumer It can be estimated to what extent mold contamination was possible. what if,
Even if the environment becomes poor at the import stage, or even if the storage condition is bad at the time of import, it cannot be detected if it is returned to the normal storage condition, but inside the test piece or the label. The history of the distribution process can be estimated by knowing the degree of growth of the indicator microbes attached to, or by knowing the growth potential of the microbes estimated from the temperature and humidity obtained using the sensor inside the test piece, Accurate judgment of possible contamination. It can also be used as a basis for determining whether or not a target product requires analysis of mycotoxin, and the efficiency of mycotoxin analysis can be improved. And also clothing, leather, wooden and cloth toys,
The same applies to the distribution process and storage process of items such as furniture.In the case of a temporarily bad environment, it cannot be detected if it is kept in a normal storage state, but it is an index inside the test piece. The history of distribution process can be estimated by knowing the degree of growth of micro-organisms, or by knowing the growth potential of micro-organisms estimated from the temperature and humidity obtained by using the sensor inside the test piece. Judgment becomes possible.
This test piece is also effective in the field of agriculture, and in a greenhouse cultivation environment such as mushrooms and vegetables, it causes harmful pathogens to grow even when the environment has too much or too little water. To evaluate the cultivated environment, both dry and humid molds are used as indicator microbes, and the growth environment of each indicator microbe is quantitatively measured to know the optimal environment of the target cultivated plant. It is conceivable that the growth of indicator microbes of either dryness or humidity is enhanced when the optimal environment is not met. By using a specific pathogen as an indicator microbe, it is possible to detect an environment in which the pathogen is likely to reproduce and to prevent the pathogen from spreading before it spreads throughout the cultivation environment. Furthermore, how to estimate the growth from the bid response of the indicator microbes? It can be applied not only in the case of pollution, but also in the detection of water condition in the ground. When a soil conditioner is added to increase the moisturizing capacity of the soil, using fungal spores as the indicator microorganisms makes it possible to detect the soil environment more quickly than using plants with a slow growth rate. It can also be applied to the development of soil conditioners. Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to examples, but the present invention is not limited to these examples.

(Example 1) Investigation of the internal space of a closed container in which the humidity was adjusted using a saturated salt solution The space inside the closed container containing the saturated salt solution was in an equilibrium state, and at a specific temperature, a specific equilibrium relative humidity was obtained. It is known to become (ASTM E 104-85). The equilibrium relative humidity varies depending on the type of salt. The mold index (Abe, Indoor air 3: 344-348 1993) is an index that quantitatively indicates the environment by using the psychrophilic bacterium Eurotium herbariorum J-183 as a sensor for the environment. twenty five
Create a constant climate in a closed container with various salts at ℃,
The mold index estimated from the temperature and the relative humidity was compared with the measured mold index and the Dermatophagoides farinae test piece measured by putting the test piece in a closed container. A test piece for environmental investigation was prepared in which bacteria used as an environmental sensor were contained so that they did not leak into the exposed environment. The test piece manufacturing method is as follows. Aspergillus penicilloides K-712
Was cultured in a plate medium, spores were separated, washed three times, and then a spore suspension (dispersed in a liquid medium containing 0.5% each of glucose and gelatin) was prepared. Clear plastic plate (13 x 33m
m) was inoculated with 3.5 μl of the spore suspension in the central part, air-dried,
The spore dispersion spot (spot diameter is about 3 mm) is covered with a gas permeable sheet, and a frame-shaped double-sided adhesive sheet (thickness 0.3 m
A transparent plate and a gas permeable sheet were bonded together by cutting out an inner 7 x 17 mm with an outer dimension of 13 x 23 mm. The spore dispersion spots on the plastic plate are confined inside the gas-permeable sheet and double-sided adhesive sheet, and even if bacteria grow inside and new spores settle in, the spores will not enter the surrounding environment. It didn't scatter. In this example, a non-woven fabric (Tyvek 1073B, Asahi DuPont Flash Span Products Co., Ltd.) was used as the gas permeable sheet. The Dermatophagoides farinae test piece is a small bag made of the above non-woven fabric (inner size
5 cm x 4 cm), 10 female and 10 female Dermatophagoides farinae and 50 mg of food
, And the mouth of the bag was heat-sealed. In Table 1
The estimated and measured fungal indices and the total number of mites in climates with different relative humidity at 25 ° C are shown.

[0011]

[Table 1]

Estimates of mold index are available in the paper (Abe, Indoor air
3: 344-348 1993). The method described in the paper (Antibacterial and Antifungal, Volume 21, p.557-563) was used for the measurement of the mold index. The actual value of the mold index is the average value of three experiments, and the standard deviation is shown in parentheses. The total number of mites is the number of mites after culturing the test piece of Dermatophagoides farinae for 4 weeks in the same climate, excluding eggs. The measured values of mold index were slightly higher overall, but the estimated values and measured values were almost the same. The number of mites increased 10 times or more in the environment in which the mold index was detected, but did not increase at all in the environment in which the mold index was not detected, or was less than 2 times even if it increased. It can be seen that mites quickly reproduce in the mold growing environment.

(Example 2) Verification of sterilization effect by formaldehyde gas Cladosporium s was applied to a filter paper (15 mm x 15 mm) containing nutrients.
After being inoculated with pp. and dried on silica gel, it was placed in a bag made of a non-woven fabric and a transparent film, and the mouth of the bag was heat-sealed to produce a test piece for environmental investigation. The filter paper placed inside the bag had the side inoculated with Cladosporium spp. Facing the transparent film. The non-woven fabric side of the environmental test piece was attached to the back side of the lid of a petri dish containing 1 ml of formalin solution (formaldehyde content of 37% or more) facing the formalin solution, and exposed to formaldehyde gas that vaporizes at room temperature. The exposure time was 2 minutes and 5 minutes. After exposing the test piece after exposure to formaldehyde gas in room air for 24 hours to dissipate the formaldehyde gas adsorbed on the test piece, 25
The cells were placed in a humid chamber at ℃ and 100% relative humidity and cultured for 48 hours. The growth of the sensor bacterium Cladosporium spp. After culturing was as follows (Table 2).

[0014]

[Table 2]

In Table 2, the upper photograph shows a test piece exposed to formaldehyde gas for 2 minutes and 5 minutes, and the lower photograph shows a test piece not exposed to formaldehyde gas. If the fungus inside is alive, after culturing for 48 hours in an environment of 100% relative humidity, a large amount of spores settle and spots (color due to spore settling) appear. If the bacteria inside are dead, the spot will not appear. It can be seen that when exposed to the environment in the presence of formaldehyde gas for 2 minutes, spores that survived remained in the test piece and all Cladosporium spp. Were killed by the exposure for 5 minutes.

(Example 3) Method for estimating mite breeding environment due to mold growth It is known that the mold growth environment and mite breeding environment overlap with each other (translated by Kiyoki Moriya House Biology of House Dust Nishimura Shoten). Therefore, for the purpose of investigating whether mite reproduction could be estimated from mold growth, we investigated mold growth and changes in mite fecal allergen concentration in summer storage futons. The survey period is the summer of 2000. For mold development environment survey A
A test piece for environmental research using spergillus penicillodes K-712 as an environmental sensor was prepared in the same manner as in Example 1, and the test piece was stored in a comforter of 16 houses (a comforter for winter stored in a closet). Sandwiched for 8 weeks. The mite fecal allergen (Der1) survey was performed with a futon sandwiching a test piece for a mold development study. Immediately before sandwiching the test piece for mold growth investigation into a futon and immediately after collecting the test piece 8 weeks later, dust was collected on the surface of the futon, and the mite allergen concentration derived from dust mite feces in the collected dust was measured by the ELISA method. It was converted to the amount of mite allergen per 1 g of dust (μg), and the mite breeding condition on the futon surface was judged from the change. Table 3 shows the hyphae of Aspergillus penicillodes K-712 in the test pieces after 8 weeks of exposure,
The change in the mite allergen concentration on the futon surface is shown. The areas where mold had sprouted and the areas where the mite allergen concentration increased were painted gray. The mite allergen concentration increased in all the storage futons that had germinated, and the mite allergen concentration decreased in the storage futons that had not germinated. It is considered that mite allergen naturally diminished in the environment where mites could not reproduce. No correlation was observed between mycelial length and the amount of mite allergen change, but it is considered possible to estimate the possibility of mold and mite contamination from the mold growth survey.

[0017]

[Table 3]

(Example 4) Evaluation of indoor environment in summer Although the room is dry during cooling in summer, a test piece is used to clarify whether the mold continues to survive or die in such an environment. I investigated. Aspergilluspenicillo
des K-712, Eurotium herbariorum J-183, Cladospor
ium herbarum IFO 8155 and Alternaria alternata S-7
A test piece similar to that of Example 1 was prepared from each of the four types of molds of No. 8. The experiment started on July 1, 1999. Eight pieces of each of the four types of test pieces were attached to the wall of the Institute for Environmental Biology during the cooling period, and one piece was removed every two weeks. If the spores germinate during the period of being attached to the wall, it means that the survey environment is a mold-growing environment, and if it does not germinate, it does not grow. I don't know if the spores survived or died.
Immediately after removing it from the wall, microscopic observation revealed that if no germination was observed, relative humidity was measured at 25 ° C for survival studies.
The cells were placed in a closed container adjusted to 93.6% and cultured for 1 week.
If the spores are still alive during the period of being attached to the wall surface, they will germinate and grow inside the test piece after culturing, and if they are dead, they will not germinate. Immediately after removal from the wall surface, no test piece was found to germinate, so all the test pieces removed from the wall surface were cultured for 1 week at 25 ° C. and 93.6% relative humidity. Table 4 shows the period of application on the wall surface and the presence or absence of growth after culturing each sensor bacterium for 1 week at 25 ° C and 93.6% relative humidity.

[0019]

[Table 4]

In Table 4, the investigation room was air-conditioned for 24 hours, and the room temperature during the investigation period was about 25 ° C. and the relative humidity was kept around 55%. Although the survival time varied depending on the type of bacteria, all the bacteria died after 12 weeks. The next year, when the exposure was re-examined for 12 weeks, all bacteria were killed as well. If the room is air-conditioned during the summer, the mold spores that enter the room will not grow and gradually die.

In the above examples, a filter paper or vinyl chloride was used as a support for the indicator microbes, a non-woven fabric was used as a filter that did not allow the microbes and their natural enemies to pass, and a polyethylene film was used as the film covering the back surface. However, it goes without saying that it is not limited to these. In addition, if the correlation between temperature and humidity and the growth of the indicator microbes is investigated in advance, as in the “mold index” described in Example 1, the temperature of the temperature will not be increased by encapsulating the living indicator microbes inside the test piece. It is also possible to use a test piece containing a humidity sensor and its recording or transmitting device.

[0022]

As can be seen from the above description, according to the present invention, the influence of various ambiguous environments on micro-organisms, which has been ambiguous in the past, can be evaluated without releasing the indicator micro-organisms to the location. Whether or not is an environment that progresses or stops the growth of micro-organisms, or whether the environment under investigation is an environment that kills micro-organisms, etc.
In addition, it can be quantitatively or qualitatively measured, and a remarkable effect that biological growth can be estimated and used for environmental evaluation can be obtained.

Claims (16)

[Claims] 1. A test piece, which is formed by a covering material having a filter that does not allow microbes and their natural enemies to pass through, is exposed to the environment to be examined in which the microbes may grow. , A method for estimating biological growth characterized by quantitatively or qualitatively displaying the influence of the environment under investigation on the growth of microbes from the growth rate or growth state of the microbes in the test piece Method used for evaluation. 2. The temperature and relative humidity are investigated by investigating the correlation between the growth of a micro-organism placed in an environment using the test piece according to claim 1 and the temperature and the relative humidity of the environment. And the data indicating the growth of micro-organisms are created in advance, and then this data is compared with the temperature and relative humidity measured in the environment under study, and the estimated growth rate of micro-organisms or the estimated growth state of micro-organisms derived from the temperature and relative humidity is used. A method for estimating biological growth, characterized by quantitatively or qualitatively displaying the influence of the research environment on the growth of micro-organisms, and a method for using this in environmental assessment. 3. A test piece, which is formed by a covering material having a filter that does not allow microbes and their natural enemies to pass through, is exposed to an environment to be examined in which microbes are to be contaminated, A method for estimating biological growth, characterized by indicating that the environment under investigation is a non-polluting environment because the micro-organisms in the test piece do not grow in the environment under investigation, and a method of using the method for environmental evaluation. 4. The temperature and relative humidity are investigated by investigating the correlation between the growth of a micro-organism placed in an environment using the test piece according to claim 3 and the temperature and relative humidity of the environment. And the data indicating the growth of micro-organisms are created in advance, and then this data is collated with the temperature and relative humidity measured in the environment under investigation, and the environment under investigation is a non-polluting environment because micro-growth cannot develop. A method for estimating biological growth, which is characterized by presenting the following, and a method for using the method for environmental evaluation. 5. A test piece, which is formed by a covering material having a filter that does not allow microbes and their natural enemies to pass through, is exposed to an environment to be inspected in which the microbes are to be killed, and then exposed. , The test piece is transferred to a growth-friendly environment and cultured for a sufficient period of time so that growth can be confirmed. Since there is no growth of micro-organisms in this growth-friendly environment, it is shown that the environment under investigation was a micro-organism-killing environment. A method of estimating the characteristic biological growth and a method of using it for environmental evaluation. 6. A test piece formed of a covering material provided with a filter that does not allow microbes and their natural enemies to pass through, and exposing a test piece containing the microbe inside, exposing the growth rate and growth state of the specific microbe in the test piece. Or from the survival situation,
A method for estimating biological growth, characterized by estimating and presenting the effect of the environment under investigation on the growth or survival of other micro-organisms, and a method of using this for environmental assessment. 7. The data indicating the growth of the temperature and relative humidity and the growth of the micro-organism is previously investigated by investigating the correlation between the growth of the specific micro-organism and the temperature and the relative humidity in a certain environment. After making these data, these data are compared with the temperature and relative humidity of the environment under investigation, and the environment under investigation is evaluated for the growth of other organisms based on the estimated growth rate or estimated growth state of a specific microbe derived from the temperature and relative humidity. A method for estimating biological growth, which comprises estimating and presenting an effect on survival, and a method of using the method for environmental assessment. 8. The method for estimating biological development according to claim 7, wherein the specific microorganism according to claim 7 is a psychrophilic fungus, and the other organism according to claim 7 is a dust mite. Method used for environmental assessment. 9. A method for estimating biological development in which the microbe used in claims 1 to 7 is dust mites, and a method of using the same for environmental assessment. 10. A method for estimating the growth of a living organism, wherein the microorganism used in any one of claims 1 to 7 is a hygrophilic fungus, and a method of using the same for environmental evaluation. 11. A method for estimating biological growth, wherein the microorganism used in any one of claims 1 to 7 is a psychrophilic fungus, and a method of using the same for environmental evaluation. 12. A method for estimating biological growth, wherein the microorganism used in any one of claims 1 to 7 is a bacterium having a property of forming spores, and a method of using the same for environmental evaluation. 13. A temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, and a recording device for recording data measured by the temperature sensor, the humidity sensor, and the interior thereof, which is formed by a coating material having a filter that allows water vapor to pass therethrough but does not allow liquid water to pass therethrough. An environmental evaluation test piece characterized by being enclosed. 14. A temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, and a device for transmitting data measured by these sensors are formed inside a coating material having at least a part of a filter that allows water vapor to pass therethrough but does not allow liquid water to pass therethrough. An environmental evaluation test piece characterized by being enclosed. 15. The test piece according to claim 13, wherein the coating material is composed of a heat-soluble component. 16. Preliminary data is prepared which shows the growth of a micro-organism placed in an environment and the temperature and relative humidity of the environment, by investigating the correlation between the temperature and the relative humidity of the environment. After that, these data are collated with the temperature and the relative humidity measured by using the test piece according to claim 13 to 15 in the environment to be investigated, and the estimated growth rate or estimated growth of the micro-organism derived from the temperature and the relative humidity is estimated. A method for estimating biological growth, which is characterized by displaying the influence of the environment under investigation on the growth of microscopic organisms from the state, and a method for using the same for environmental assessment.