JP2022106655A - Low-oxygen-concentration insecticidal method and apparatus for use in the same - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a low-oxygen-concentration insecticidal method and an insecticidal device, which enable insecticidal and ovicidal treatments for a plant or a crude drug in a large amount of 10 kg or more to be provided in a short period of time while maintaining the quality of the plant or the crude drug.SOLUTION: An insecticidal method includes: a low-oxygen-concentration gas substitution step of setting oxygen concentration to be 3% or less by substituting inert gas for atmospheric air in a sealed space in which an object substance, that is, a plant or a crude drug in an amount of 10 kg or more is stored; a gas temperature control step of controlling the temperature of low-oxygen-concentration gas; and a substance temperature control step of setting the temperature of the object substance to be 30°C or more. An apparatus is used for the insecticidal method.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to a hypoxic insecticide method for plants or crude drugs and an apparatus used therein.

The insecticidal technique by low oxygen concentration insecticidal treatment without using chemicals (low oxygen concentration insecticidal method) is known as an alternative insecticidal technique for fumigation of methyl bromide and aluminum phosphide. In the low oxygen concentration insecticidal method, not only adults but also larvae and eggs are killed by applying a low oxygen environmental load to an insecticidal object such as a crude drug for a certain period of time.

Regarding the low oxygen concentration insecticidal method, Non-Patent Document 1 describes that a dry specimen with the pest insects Tobacco beetle and Kokuzo was placed in a space where the oxygen concentration was less than 0.1% and maintained at 30 ° C. for 3 weeks. It is stated that there was no recurrence of pests even after 3 months.

In Non-Patent Document 2, about 3 g of damaged brown rice containing eggs, larvae, and pupae of the pest insect Maize weevil was placed in a small enclosed space deoxidizing environment with an oxygen scavenger at 30 ° C for 3 months, and the number of emergence was zero. It is stated that there was.

In Non-Patent Document 3, 1 g of whole wheat flour is contained in a small container containing 20 eggs each of red flour beetle, red flour beetle, and Indianmeal moth, or maize weevil is spawned for 2 days in advance (500 adults / 100 g brown rice) 1 g of brown rice. After putting the small container containing the weevil in an acrylic cylindrical container and sealing it, replace the inside with nitrogen gas to make the oxygen concentration 0.1% and adjust the relative humidity inside the container to 70% or more. After that, these containers were placed in a room at 30 ° C and opened after exposure for 2, 4, 7, 10 and 14 days in each test plot. When the egg-killing effect was evaluated, the species that showed the strongest hypoxia tolerance among the four species used in the test was the Indianmeal moth, which required 14 days of treatment for 100% egg-killing, and 7 days for the maize weevil. , Maize weevil and Indianmeal moth are described to have been able to kill 100% of their eggs in 2 days.

Non-Patent Document 4 also discloses substantially the same contents as Non-Patent Document 3 by the same group as Non-Patent Document 3.

Patent Document 1 describes a method and an apparatus for suffocating pests parasitizing a material to be treated such as cultural properties by repeating vacuum treatment and nitrogen press-fitting.

As described in Non-Patent Documents 1 and 2, the temperature of the atmosphere was maintained at 30 ° C. during the low oxygen concentration insecticidal treatment, but there is a report focusing on the temperature of the object to be treated. do not have. In addition, a hypoxic insecticide method applied to the treatment of plants of 10 kg or more or crude drugs has not been reported so far.

JP-A-2017-127294

Rika Kikawa et al .; Prototype and treatment example of a cultural property insecticidal treatment device using an inert gas such as nitrogen; Conservation Science, No. 38, pp. 1-8 (1999) Yuko Onodera et al .; [Report] Insecticide with low oxygen concentration-Examination of treatment period at -25 ° C, 27.5 ° C, 30 ° C-; Conservation Science, No. 54, pp. 161-170 (2015) Meiji University Miyanoshita et al .; Egg-killing effect of stored food pests by CA treatment; Abstracts of the 41st Annual Meeting of the Society for Urban Pest Management, p. 9 Hiroaki Kitazawa et al .; Egg-killing treatment of stored crude drug pests using CA treatment; Proceedings of the 29th Annual Meeting of the Packaging Society of Japan, pp. 52-53 (Presentation No. e-06)

An object of the present invention is to provide a low oxygen concentration insecticidal method and an insecticidal apparatus capable of killing insects and eggs in a large amount of plants or crude drugs of 10 kg or more in a short period of time while maintaining the quality of the plants or crude drugs. And.

The gist of the present invention is as follows.
(1) A step of replacing the atmosphere in a closed space where 10 kg or more of a plant or a target substance as a crude drug is stored with an inert gas to reduce the oxygen concentration to 3% or less, and a step of replacing with a low oxygen concentration gas.
A gas temperature adjusting step for adjusting the temperature of the low oxygen concentration gas and
A substance temperature adjustment step of raising the temperature of the target substance to 30 ° C. or higher, and
Insecticidal methods including.
(2) The insecticidal method according to (1) above, wherein in the gas temperature adjusting step, the temperature of the low oxygen concentration gas is adjusted to 35 to 40 ° C.
(3) In the substance temperature adjusting step, the target substance is used by using an air collecting supply mechanism that collects the low oxygen concentration gas around the target substance and uniformly supplies the low oxygen concentration gas to the target substance. The insecticidal method according to (1) or (2) above, wherein the temperature of the above-mentioned is 30 ° C. or higher.
(4) In the substance temperature adjusting step, the temperature of the target substance is adjusted by using an exhaust mechanism that uniformly supplies the low oxygen concentration gas to the target substance by actively exhausting the periphery of the target substance. The insecticidal method according to (1) or (2) above, wherein the temperature is 30 ° C. or higher.
(5) In the above (3) or (4), the air collecting supply mechanism or the exhaust mechanism uses a supply nozzle that is inserted into the target substance and supplies the low oxygen concentration gas to the target substance at a desired pressure. The described insecticidal method.
(6) The supply nozzle has a ventilation portion for supplying the low oxygen concentration gas to the target substance, and the ventilation portion uses a hole or mesh to the extent that the target substance does not enter. ) The insecticidal method described in.
(7) The insecticidal method according to (6), wherein the vent is installed from the tip of the supply nozzle.
(8) The insecticidal method according to any one of (1) to (7) above, wherein the low oxygen concentration gas heated by a blower provided with a heating means is applied to the target substance.
(9) The insecticidal method according to any one of (1) to (8) above, wherein the target substance is heated by an apparatus provided with a heating means.
(10) It has an oxygen concentration measuring step for measuring the oxygen concentration of the target substance or the vicinity of the target substance, and the replacement step is a supply amount of the low oxygen concentration gas based on the oxygen concentration of the target substance or the vicinity of the target substance. The insecticidal method according to any one of (1) to (9) above.
(11) It has a temperature measuring step of measuring the temperature of the target substance or the vicinity of the target substance.
The insecticidal method according to any one of (1) to (10) above, wherein the gas temperature adjusting step adjusts the temperature of the low oxygen concentration gas based on the temperature of the target substance or the vicinity of the target substance.
(12) The insecticidal method according to (10) or (11), wherein the replacement step adjusts the supply time of the inert gas by the oxygen concentration measuring step.
(13) The insecticidal method according to (11) or (12), wherein the gas temperature adjusting step adjusts the temperature of the low oxygen concentration gas by the temperature measuring step.
(14) The insecticidal method according to any one of (11) to (13) above, wherein the substance temperature adjusting step adjusts the step time by the temperature measuring step.
(15) The insecticidal method according to any one of (1) to (14) above, wherein the replacement step is a method of inflowing the inert gas so that the closed space has a positive pressure as compared with the outside of the closed space.
(16) The insecticidal method according to any one of (1) to (15) above, wherein the replacement step positively inflows the inert gas into the closed space and discharges the low oxygen concentration gas.
(17) In the replacement step, a first closed space is provided in the closed space and a second closed space is provided inside the first closed space, and the target substance is stored in the second closed space.
The inert gas flows into the second enclosed space,
The insecticidal method according to any one of (1) to (16), wherein the oxygen concentration of the low oxygen concentration gas in the second closed space is maintained lower than the oxygen concentration in the first closed space.
(18) The insecticidal method according to (17), wherein in the replacement step, the inert gas is introduced so that the pressure in the second closed space becomes a positive pressure as compared with the pressure in the first closed space. ..
(19) The insecticidal method according to any one of (1) to (18) above, wherein the replacement step includes an oxygen adsorption step of adsorbing oxygen in the closed space.
(20) The insecticidal method according to any one of (1) to (19) above, wherein the substance temperature adjusting step is continued for 3 days to 3 weeks.

(21) (a) A processing chamber having a closed space and
(B) An oxygen concentration adjusting means for substituting the atmosphere of the closed space with an inert gas to reduce the oxygen concentration to 3% or less.
(C) Gas temperature adjusting means for adjusting the temperature of gas in a closed space,
(D) A breathable target substance storage container provided in the processing chamber and capable of storing a target substance of 10 kg or more of a plant or a crude drug.
(E) (i) An air collecting supply mechanism that collects the low oxygen concentration gas around the target substance and uniformly supplies the low oxygen concentration gas to the target substance.
(ii) An exhaust mechanism that uniformly supplies the low oxygen concentration gas to the target substance by actively exhausting the vicinity of the target substance.
(iii) A blower equipped with a heating means for heating a low oxygen concentration gas and hitting the target substance, and
(iv) At least one means selected from an apparatus equipped with a heating means for heating the target substance, and
Insecticide device with.
(22) The insecticidal apparatus according to (21), wherein the air collecting supply mechanism has a supply nozzle that is inserted into the target substance and supplies the low oxygen concentration gas to the target substance at a desired pressure.
(23) The supply nozzle has a ventilation portion for supplying the low oxygen concentration gas to the target substance, and the ventilation portion uses a hole or mesh to the extent that the target substance does not enter. ) The insecticidal device described in.
(24) The insecticidal device according to (23), wherein the vent is installed from the tip of the supply nozzle.
(25) The insecticidal apparatus according to any one of (21) to (24) above, which has an oxygen concentration measuring means for measuring the oxygen concentration of the target substance or the vicinity of the target substance.
(26) The insecticidal apparatus according to any one of (21) to (25) above, which has a temperature measuring means for measuring the temperature of the target substance or the vicinity of the target substance.
(27) The insecticidal apparatus according to (25) or (26), wherein the oxygen concentration adjusting means has a means for adjusting the replacement time of the inert gas by the oxygen concentration measuring means.
(28) The insecticidal apparatus according to (26) or (27), wherein the gas temperature adjusting means has a means for adjusting the temperature of the low oxygen concentration gas by the temperature measuring means.
(29) The above-mentioned (21) to (28), wherein the oxygen concentration adjusting means has a means for inflowing the inert gas so that the closed space has a positive pressure as compared with the outside of the closed space. Insecticide.
(30) Any of the above (21) to (29), wherein the oxygen concentration adjusting means has a means for positively inflowing the inert gas into the closed space and discharging the low oxygen concentration gas. The insecticidal device described.
(31) The oxygen concentration adjusting means provides a first closed space and a second closed space inside the first closed space in the closed space, and stores the target substance in the second closed space.
The inert gas flows into the second enclosed space,
The oxygen concentration of the low oxygen concentration gas in the second closed space is described in any one of (21) to (30), which has a means for maintaining the oxygen concentration in the first closed space lower than the oxygen concentration in the first closed space. Insecticide.
(32) The oxygen concentration adjusting means has a means for inflowing the inert gas so that the pressure in the second closed space becomes a positive pressure as compared with the pressure in the first closed space (31). The insecticidal device described in.
(33) The insecticidal apparatus according to any one of (21) to (32), wherein the oxygen concentration adjusting means has a means for adsorbing oxygen in the enclosed space.
(34) The insecticidal apparatus according to any one of (21) to (33) above, which has a means for maintaining the temperature of the target substance at 30 ° C. or higher for 3 days to 3 weeks.

According to the present invention, insecticide and egg killing in a large amount of plants or crude drugs of 10 kg or more can be carried out in a short period of time while maintaining the quality of the plants or crude drugs.

In FIG. 1, the target substance has a ventilation portion of a supply nozzle located at the tip of an air collection supply mechanism that collects low oxygen concentration gas around the target substance and uniformly supplies the low oxygen concentration gas to the target substance. It is a figure which shows the state when the low oxygen concentration gas is supplied to the target substance by being inserted into. In FIG. 2, the ventilation portion of the supply nozzle located at the tip of the exhaust mechanism that uniformly supplies the low oxygen concentration gas to the target substance by actively exhausting the periphery of the target substance is inserted into the target substance. It is a figure which shows the state at the time of supplying the said low oxygen concentration gas to the said target substance. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a specific mechanism of the supply nozzle. In FIG. 4, a heating means for heating the target substance is inserted into the target substance, the target substance is heated to control the temperature, and the low oxygen concentration gas invades through the wall surface or the upper opening of the target substance storage container to obtain oxygen. It is a figure which shows the state at the time of performing concentration adjustment. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the results of the essential oil content measurement test. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the sensory evaluation results of dried daikon radish. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the results of a sensory test of dried green onions. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the test results of Example 6. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the test results of Example 7. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the test results of Example 8.

The target substance of the present invention is not particularly limited as long as it is a plant or a raw medicine that is harmed by pests. , Fruits such as chestnuts, potatoes such as cassava and sweet potatoes, dried foods such as shiitake and corn, flowers such as chrysanthemums, orchids and komatsuna, vegetables, fibers such as silk and cotton, spices such as kosho and choji. , Medicinal plants such as raw medicine, wood such as imported wood, processed products (for example, rice flour, wheat flour, cassaba flour, confectionery, biscuits, macaroni, powdered beverages, paper bags, etc.) and seeds of the grains, beans, etc. Can be mentioned.

The target pests of the present invention vary depending on the type of plant or raw medicine that is the target substance, and are not particularly limited. In addition to these, ticks, flies and bees, ants and termites can be mentioned.

In the insecticidal method of the present invention, a target substance of 10 kg or more, preferably 2000 kg or less, which is a plant or a crude drug in which harmful insects (eggs, larvae, sardines, adults) and pests such as mites are lurking or may be lurking, is more preferable. Put 80 to 1000 kg in a target substance storage container, for example, a flexible container bag, a tray, a polypropylene bag, a polyethylene bag, a veil or a hemp bag, and in a processing chamber having a closed space (for example, a crude drug storage), the atmosphere in the closed space. With an inert gas (for example, nitrogen gas, argon gas) to reduce the oxygen concentration to 3% or less, and a replacement step with a low oxygen concentration gas.
A gas temperature adjusting step for adjusting the temperature of the low oxygen concentration gas and
A substance temperature adjustment step of raising the temperature of the target substance to 30 ° C. or higher, and
including.

The target substance storage container used in the present invention is preferably breathable. The reason is that the humidity of the crude drug is prevented from being trapped and the quality is deteriorated. Further, in the present invention, when the non-low oxygen concentration gas in the target substance storage container is exhausted, the low oxygen concentration gas easily reaches the target substance from outside the target substance storage container through the wall of the target substance storage container. There is. Furthermore, when a low oxygen concentration gas is sent into the target substance storage container, the non-low oxygen concentration gas existing in the target substance storage container passes through the wall of the target substance storage container and is discharged to the outside of the target substance storage container. There is a point that makes it easier. Here, "breathability" means that gas inside and outside the target substance storage container moves back and forth through the wall of the target substance storage container. The material of the target substance storage container is preferably polypropylene, polyethylene, linen, cotton, paper or the like. Further, even if the material of the target substance storage container itself is not breathable, the material is not limited to these as long as the material itself has good breathability by processing such as weaving and holes. On the other hand, when the target substance storage container is not breathable or has low breathability, a low oxygen concentration gas is forcibly sent or exhausted into the substance storage container in the substance temperature adjustment step of the present invention. , The temperature and humidity around the target substance can be adjusted.

FIGS. 1 to 4 show one embodiment of the present invention, respectively, and the present invention will be described with reference to these.
In the step of replacing with a low oxygen concentration gas, the valve existing between the oxygen concentration adjusting unit 6 and the processing chamber 1 is opened, and an inert gas (nitrogen gas or the like) is press-fitted into the processing chamber 1 from the oxygen concentration adjusting unit 6. do.

In order to achieve the insecticidal and egg-killing effects according to the present invention, it is necessary to reduce the oxygen concentration in the processing chamber 1 to 3% or less, usually 2% or less, preferably 1% or less, and more preferably 0. It is 6% or less, more preferably 0.1% or less.
In the gas temperature adjusting step, the gas temperature adjusting unit 7 adjusts the temperature of the atmospheric gas (nitrogen gas or the like). The gas temperature adjusting unit 7 is, for example, a boiler.

The temperature of the low oxygen concentration gas of the atmospheric gas can be appropriately changed according to the temperature of the target substance 8, but is usually 30 ° C. or higher, preferably 35 to 40 ° C.
In the substance temperature adjusting step, the temperature of the target substance 8 is set to 30 ° C. or higher, preferably 30 to 40 ° C.

It is difficult to raise the temperature of the entire target substance of 10 kg or more to 30 ° C or higher simply by maintaining the temperature of the low oxygen concentration gas of the atmospheric gas at 30 ° C, as is conventionally performed, and for a short period of time. It is difficult to obtain sufficient insecticidal and egg-killing effects.

There is no particular limitation as a means for raising the temperature of the target substance to 30 ° C. or higher, for example.
(1) In the gas temperature adjusting step, the temperature of the low oxygen concentration gas is adjusted to 35 to 40 ° C.
(2) In the substance temperature adjusting step, the target substance is used by using an air collecting supply mechanism that collects the low oxygen concentration gas around the target substance and uniformly supplies the low oxygen concentration gas to the target substance. To raise the temperature to 30 ° C or higher,
(3) In the substance temperature adjusting step, the temperature of the target substance is adjusted by using an exhaust mechanism that uniformly supplies the low oxygen concentration gas to the target substance by actively exhausting the periphery of the target substance. Bring to 30 ° C or higher,
(4) The low oxygen concentration gas heated by a blower provided with a heating means is applied to the target substance.
(5) The target substance is heated by an apparatus equipped with a heating means.
Etc., and if necessary, these two or more means can be combined.

The embodiment in the means (2) is shown in FIGS. 1 and 3. The air collecting supply mechanism 3 uses a supply nozzle 4 that is inserted into the target substance 8 and supplies the low oxygen concentration gas to the target substance 8 at a desired pressure. Further, an embodiment of the supply nozzle 4 is shown in FIG. The supply nozzle 4 preferably has a ventilation portion 42 for supplying the low oxygen concentration gas to the target substance 8, and the ventilation portion 42 preferably uses a hole or a mesh to the extent that the target substance 8 does not enter. The ventilation portion is preferably installed from the tip of the supply nozzle, and is preferably installed at the lower part of the target substance storage container 2.

The embodiment in the means (3) is shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. As the exhaust mechanism 9, for example, using an exhaust mechanism, the ventilation portion of the supply nozzle 4 located at the tip of the exhaust mechanism 9 is inserted into the target substance 8, and the low oxygen concentration gas is supplied to the target substance 8. Also in the means (3), it is preferable to use a hole or mesh such that the target substance 8 does not enter the ventilation portion 42, and it is preferable that the ventilation portion 42 is installed from the tip of the supply nozzle 4.

If a blower / exhauster having a blower function and an exhaust function is used, the same device can be used for the air collection supply mechanism 3 of the means (2) and the exhaust mechanism 9 of the (3), and can be switched as appropriate.

In the means (4), examples of the blower provided with the heating means include a dryer (blower), a sirocco fan, and a duct fan. In a blower that can blow air while pressurizing, such as a dryer, the temperature of the blown gas can be adjusted by adjusting the amount of air blown and the size of the air outlet.

The embodiment of the means (5) is shown in FIG. Examples of the device provided with the heating means 10 include a sheath tube heater, a heat pipe, and a Pelche element, which can be used by being inserted into the target substance 8.

By using the device capable of stirring the target substance in the means (1) to (5), it is possible to bring the target substance to a desired temperature in a short time. Further, when a device capable of stirring is used, the target substance storage container 2 is ventilated without having an active gas adjusting mechanism such as the air collecting supply mechanism 3, the exhaust mechanism 9, and the supply nozzle 4 in FIGS. 1 and 2. By utilizing the properties, it is possible to supply a low oxygen concentration gas to the target substance 8.

In the means (1) to (5), the oxygen concentration, the gas temperature, or the target substance temperature in the processing chamber 1 or the target substance storage container 2 is detected, and the oxygen concentration adjusting unit 6, the gas temperature adjusting unit 7, and the air collecting supply are supplied. By having the mechanism 3, the blower provided with the heating means, and the control unit 5 for controlling the heating means 10, it is possible to more efficiently supply the low oxygen concentration gas to the target substance storage container 2. When the temperature of the target substance 8 becomes high, for example, a gas having a low oxygen concentration of 30 ° C. or lower can be supplied to set the target substance to a desired temperature. In the means (3), since the temperature inside the target substance storage container 2 is close to the temperature of the exhaust air, a temperature sensor may be arranged in the supply nozzle 4.

There is no particular limitation as a means for reducing the oxygen concentration in the enclosed space where the target substance is stored to 3% or less, for example.
(1) The inert gas flows in so that the closed space has a positive pressure as compared with the outside of the closed space. (2) The inflow of the inert gas into the closed space and the discharge of the low oxygen concentration gas. Actively do,
(3) A first closed space is provided in the closed space and a second closed space is provided inside the first closed space, the target substance is stored in the second closed space, and the target substance is stored in the second closed space. An inert gas is introduced to keep the oxygen concentration of the low oxygen concentration gas in the second closed space lower than the oxygen concentration in the first closed space.
(4) The inert gas is introduced so that the pressure in the second closed space becomes a positive pressure as compared with the pressure in the first closed space.
(5) An oxygen adsorption step for adsorbing oxygen in the enclosed space is provided.
Etc., and if necessary, these two or more means can be combined.

The embodiment of the means (1) will be described with reference to FIG. The valve existing between the oxygen concentration adjusting unit 6 and the processing chamber 1 is opened, and the inert gas (nitrogen gas or the like) is press-fitted into the processing chamber 1 from the oxygen concentration adjusting unit 6. The control unit 5 adjusts the inflow amount of the inert gas from the oxygen concentration adjusting unit 6 so that the pressure inside the processing chamber 1 becomes a positive pressure as compared with the outside of the processing chamber 1. As a result, it is possible to prevent the inflow of a gas having a high oxygen concentration from the outside of the processing chamber 1 into the processing chamber 1 and keep the oxygen concentration in the processing chamber 1 at a low oxygen concentration.

The embodiment of the means (2) will be described with reference to FIG. The valve existing between the oxygen concentration adjusting unit 6 and the processing chamber 1 is opened, and the inert gas (nitrogen gas or the like) is press-fitted into the processing chamber 1 from the oxygen concentration adjusting unit 6. The control unit 5 positively causes the gas to flow into the processing chamber 1, and a discharge mechanism (not shown) is provided in the processing chamber 1, and the gas in the processing chamber 1 is positively discharged from the discharge mechanism. As a result, when a gas having a high oxygen concentration from the outside of the processing chamber 1 flows into the processing chamber 1, the oxygen concentration in the processing chamber 1 rises, but the gas in the processing chamber 1 is forcibly eliminated. Then, by inflowing the inert gas, the oxygen concentration in the processing chamber 1 can be kept at a low oxygen concentration.

The embodiment of the means (3) will be described with reference to FIG. A second processing chamber (not shown) is provided inside the processing chamber 1. An inert gas (nitrogen gas or the like) is press-fitted into the processing chamber 1 from the oxygen concentration adjusting unit 6. The oxygen concentration inside the processing chamber 1 is kept lower than that outside the processing chamber 1, and the oxygen concentration inside the second processing chamber (the second enclosed space) is between the processing chamber 1 and the second processing chamber (the above). Keep it low compared to the oxygen concentration in the first enclosed space). As a result, thanks to the space between the processing chamber 1 and the second processing chamber (the first sealed space), the second processing chamber is more hindered from the inflow of gas outside the processing chamber 1, and the second The oxygen concentration in the processing chamber (the second closed space) can be kept more constant. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the flow rate of the inert gas flowing into the second processing chamber (the second closed space).

The embodiment of the means (4) will be described with reference to FIG. The basic means are the same as the means (3). Further, the pressure inside the processing chamber 1 is maintained at a positive pressure as compared with the outside of the processing chamber 1, and the pressure inside the second processing chamber (the second enclosed space) is between the processing chamber 1 and the second processing chamber. Keep the pressure positive compared to the pressure in (the first enclosed space). As a result, thanks to the space between the processing chamber 1 and the second processing chamber (the first sealed space), the second processing chamber is more hindered from the inflow of gas outside the processing chamber 1, and the second The oxygen concentration in the processing chamber (the second closed space) can be kept more constant. As a result, the flow rate of the inert gas flowing into the second processing chamber (the second closed space) can be reduced.

The embodiment of the means (5) will be described with reference to FIG. The processing chamber 1 has an oxygen adsorbing portion (not shown). The oxygen adsorbing unit adsorbs oxygen inside the processing chamber 1. The oxygen adsorbing portion may be, for example, an oxygen scavenger such as ageless, activated carbon, or pyrogallol, but is not limited thereto. As a result, the oxygen concentration in the processing chamber 1 can be maintained at a low oxygen concentration. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the flow rate of the inert gas flowing into the second processing chamber (the second closed space).

The substance temperature adjusting step is usually continued for 2 days to 28 days, preferably 3 days to 3 weeks, and more preferably 3 to 17 days.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to Examples, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

(Example 1)
Tests were conducted on the effects of temperature changes, oxygen concentration changes, and treatment periods on the insecticidal effect.
(Processed insects)
The subjects were maize weevil (adult), tobacco beetle (adult), red flour beetle (adult), hiratachatate (adult), and Indianmeal moth (larva). Regarding these pests, the Cultural Property Pest Dictionary (Independent Administrative Institution Cultural Property Research Institute and Handbook of Insect Repellent / Fumigation of Imported Agricultural Products (Science Forum), Pests of Illustrated Stored Foods (National Rural Education Association), Grain Pests / Natural Enemy Picture Book (Agricultural Research Institute) According to the mechanism homepage), the pest insect lays by piercing the grain with a kiss and then inserting an egg. The hatched larva grows in the grain and grows with a pest. The frogs emerge and the brown adult worms break through the seed coat and escape. The tobacco beetle feeds on dried animal and vegetable matter, and the larvae that lay eggs on the surface and hatch become worms. It grows and pierces from food to escape. It is expected that pest insects will be difficult to kill due to the characteristic of deeply piercing the objects of these tobacco beetles and worms. It is often observed on the floor of feed factories and flour mills, and is often mixed with cereal flour and its processed products, but it may also harm herbs, spices, and animal specimens.

Hirata chatate eats a wide range of dried bonito, dried noodles, cheese, biscuits, grain flour, etc., and is commonly found not only in ordinary houses and food factories but also in pharmaceutical factories. It harms not only stored foods such as grain flour but also animal and plant specimens. Eat mold on book glue and food, and prefer a humid environment. Parthenogenesis has been reported in cases of mass proliferation.

Indianmeal moth is a stored food pest that damages many foods such as brown rice, dried fruits and spices, and is known to be a common type of foreign matter in insects (Williams, 1964 Ann. Appl. Biol). , 53, 459-475; Milelis, 1997, Handbook of Pest Control). It has a strong mandible, has excellent piercing force into containers and packaging materials, and can penetrate into the packaging, so it can penetrate into the packaging. In particular, larvae are known to feed on the embryo from the outside, and can harm grains and seed crude drugs. Insecticide was reported by Miyanoshita et al. (51st Annual Meeting of the Japanese Society of Applied Animal Insects, 2007) that the larvae of Indianmeal moth pierce the crude drugs Tounin and Taisou, grow and escape as adults. Is expected to be difficult.

(Processing conditions)
(1) Oxygen concentration 3.0% or less, temperature 30 ° C., (2) Oxygen concentration 0.6% or less, temperature 30 ° C., (3) Oxygen concentration 0.3% or less, temperature 30 ° C., (4) Oxygen concentration The insecticidal rate was determined in each period by placing the product at a temperature of 0.1% or less and a temperature of 30 ° C. Under all conditions, the humidity was set to 70% so that the humidity did not affect the insecticidal rate.
(Test work procedure)
Each insect was bred in a constant temperature chamber, and each insect was divided into feeding cases with 20 animals x 4 repetitions at the same development stage, and placed in a hypoxic chamber. Therefore, the population parameter of insects in each test was set to 80. The breeding case was enclosed with the food preferred by each test insect. A vial containing 10 mL of distilled water was placed in the hypoxic chamber to maintain humidity. The low oxygen chamber was filled with nitrogen gas or a mixed gas of nitrogen gas and oxygen gas, and sealed under the desired oxygen concentration conditions. The sealed hypoxic chamber was allowed to stand in a homeothermic chamber set to the test temperature.
(Death judgment)
Individuals who did not walk one day after treatment under each treatment condition were considered dead.
(Calculation of insecticidal rate)
It was calculated as the number of dead individuals ÷ 80 × 100.

(Test results)
Table 1 shows the results of (1) the insecticidal rate under the conditions of an oxygen concentration of 3.0% or less and a temperature of 30 ° C. The insecticidal rate of Maize weevil and Indianmeal moth was 100% on the 5th day, and that of the red flour beetle was 100% on the 17th day. A sufficient insecticidal effect was observed after 5 to 17 days of treatment.

Table 2 shows the results of (2) the insecticidal rate under the conditions of an oxygen concentration of 0.6% or less and a temperature of 30 ° C. The insecticidal rate was 100% on the 2nd day for the red flour beetle and the flathead beetle, the 4th day for the maize weevil, and the 10th day for the tobacco beetle. Therefore, 100% insecticidal activity was realized within 2 to 10 days, and a sufficient insecticidal effect was confirmed.

Table 3 shows the results of (3) the insecticidal rate under the conditions of an oxygen concentration of 0.3% or less and a temperature of 30 ° C. Table 4 shows the results of (4) the insecticidal rate under the conditions of an oxygen concentration of 0.1% or less and a temperature of 30 ° C. The insecticidal rate of maize weevil and tobacco beetle reached 100% on the third day. Therefore, 100% insecticidal activity was realized in 3 days, and a sufficient insecticidal effect was confirmed.

From the treatment conditions (1) to (4), it was found that under the same temperature condition, the lower the oxygen concentration, the higher the insecticidal effect. The oxygen concentration needs to be 3.0% or less, and is usually 2% or less, preferably 1% or less, more preferably 0.6% or less, still more preferably 0. It should be 1% or less.

(Example 2)
Tests were conducted on the effects of temperature changes, oxygen concentration changes, and treatment periods on the egg-killing effect.
(Processed insects)
The subjects were maize weevil (egg), tobacco beetle (egg), red flour beetle (egg), and Indianmeal moth (egg).
(Processing conditions)
(1) Oxygen concentration 3.0% or less, temperature 30 ° C., (2) Oxygen concentration 0.6% or less, temperature 30 ° C., (3) Oxygen concentration 0.3% or less, temperature 30 ° C., (4) Oxygen concentration The egg killing rate was determined in each period by placing the product at a temperature of 0.1% or less and a temperature of 30 ° C. The egg killing rate was calculated using the number of hatched adults in the untreated plot (oxygen concentration 21.0%, temperature 30 ° C.) as the population parameter. Under all conditions, the humidity was set to 70% so that the humidity did not affect the egg killing rate.

(Test work procedure)
The number of eggs of Tobacco beetle, Red flour beetle, and Indianmeal moth used in each test was 80. Since the maize weevil lays eggs in brown rice, the number of eggs was adjusted as follows. For maize weevil, 500 adult worms per 100 g of brown rice were bred for 3 days and spawned on brown rice, and 8 g of the spawned brown rice was used for each test. It is empirically known that about 80 adult hatches are observed per 8 g of brown rice by this breeding.
The above eggs and spawned brown rice were stored in a hypoxic chamber. A vial containing 10 mL of distilled water was placed in the hypoxic chamber to maintain humidity. The low oxygen chamber was filled with nitrogen gas or a mixed gas of nitrogen gas and oxygen gas, and sealed under the desired oxygen concentration conditions. The sealed hypoxic chamber was allowed to stand in a homeothermic chamber set to the test temperature.
(Survival judgment)
After treatment under each treatment condition, the hatched individuals were allowed to survive at an oxygen concentration of 21.0% at the optimum hatching temperature.
(Calculation of egg killing rate)
It was calculated as (1-the number of larvae hatched in the treated group / the number of larvae hatched in the untreated group) × 100.

(Test results)
Table 5 shows the results of (1) egg killing rate under the conditions of (1) oxygen concentration of 3.0% or less and temperature of 30 ° C. In all of the maize weevil, the tobacco beetle, the red flour beetle, and the Indianmeal moth, the egg killing rate was 100% in 14 days, and a sufficient egg killing effect was confirmed.

Table 6 shows the results of (2) the egg killing rate under the conditions of (2) oxygen concentration of 0.6% or less and temperature of 30 ° C. The egg-killing rate was 100% for the red flour beetle and the Indian-meal moth for 2 days, the maize weevil for 7 days, and the tobacco beetle for 10 days, indicating a sufficient egg-killing effect.

Table 7 shows the results of (3) the egg killing rate under the conditions of an oxygen concentration of 0.3% or less and a temperature of 30 ° C. The egg-killing rate of maize weevil was 100% on the 4th day, and that of tobacco beetle was 100% on the 6th day, indicating a sufficient egg-killing effect.

Table 8 shows the results of (4) the egg killing rate under the conditions of an oxygen concentration of 0.1% or less and a temperature of 30 ° C. It is important to perform "complete insecticide" (insecticide / egg killing rate 100%) in a short period of time in the insecticidal / egg killing process of crude drugs, but the egg killing rate of maize weevil and tobacco beetle is 100% on the 4th day, which is sufficient. A good egg-killing effect was observed.

From the treatment conditions (1) to (4), it was found that under the same temperature condition, the lower the oxygen concentration, the higher the egg-killing effect. The oxygen concentration is usually 3.0% or less, usually 2% or less, preferably 0.6% or less, and more preferably 0.1% or less in consideration of the adjustment accuracy of the oxygen concentration.

(Example 3)
Tests were conducted on the effects of temperature changes and treatment periods on insecticidal and egg-killing effects.
(Processed insects)
The subjects were maize weevil (adult / egg) and tobacco beetle (adult / egg).
(Processing conditions)
The temperature was set to (1) 25 ° C., (2) temperature 28 ° C., and (3) temperature 30 ° C., and the insecticidal rate and egg killing rate were determined in each period. Under all conditions, the oxygen concentration was 0.1% and the humidity was 70% so that the oxygen concentration and humidity did not affect the insecticidal rate and the egg killing rate.
(Test work procedure), (survival determination), (calculation of insecticidal rate), and (calculation of egg killing rate) were the same as in Example 1 and Example 2.
(Test results)
Table 9 shows the results of the insecticidal rate and the egg killing rate at (1) temperature 25 ° C., (2) temperature 28 ° C., and (3) temperature 30 ° C. For both tobacco beetles and maize weevil, adult killing took 4 days at 25 ° C and 3 days at 28 ° C and 30 ° C. Egg killing took 7 days at 25 ° C, 5 days at 28 ° C, and 4 days at 30 ° C.

From the treatment conditions (1) to (3), it was found that the higher the temperature, the higher the insecticidal / egg-killing effect under the same oxygen concentration condition. When the oxygen concentration was 0.1% or less, the egg-killing effect was high at any of the temperatures (1) to (3), but the temperature was 25 ° C. or higher, preferably 28 ° C. or higher, and more preferably 30 ° C. or higher. Is good.

(Example 4)
Tests were conducted on the effects of temperature changes, oxygen concentration changes, and treatment periods on crude drug components.
(Test material)
A dried mint was used. The brand is "Hokuto". Mentha belongs to the genus Mentha of the Labiatae family, and is a typical crude drug that dries the above-ground part and is often used in Chinese medicine prescriptions. It was selected as a test material because it has a leaf-like shape that allows temperature to be easily transmitted, is important for the efficacy of crude drugs, and contains a large amount of essential oil components that are expected to decrease with temperature.
(Processing conditions)
It was stored for 2 weeks and 4 weeks under the conditions of (1) no treatment, (2) temperature 30 ° C., (3) temperature 40 ° C., (4) temperature 50 ° C., and (5) temperature 70 ° C., respectively. In (2) to (5), the oxygen concentration was 0.5% or less. In addition, (1) untreated means that it was stored under the conditions of a temperature of 20 ° C. or lower and no adjustment of oxygen concentration.

(Low oxygen concentration treatment)
In the treatment conditions (2) to (5), a light load was packed in a bag for each treatment condition, and a nitrogen gas tube was installed at the bottom of the bag for nitrogen replacement. A certain amount of nitrogen gas was introduced to keep the oxygen concentration in each bag at 0.5% or less, and the gas was charged into the incubator at each temperature setting. After that, it was placed in an incubator for a conditional period to keep the temperature and humidity constant. Regarding the treatment condition (1), a light load was stored in an aluminum pouch and placed at 20 ° C. or lower. After storage for a condition period, an essential oil content measurement test was carried out.
(Essential oil content measurement test method)
The measurement test was carried out by carving a light load according to the Japanese Pharmacopoeia Crude Drug Testing Method and each article of mint.

(Test results)
FIG. 5 shows the results of the essential oil content measurement test. The vertical axis is the essential oil content (ml) per 50 g of the test material, and the horizontal axis is the temperature set by the treatment conditions. The white bar graph is the result of the storage period of 2 weeks, and the black bar graph is the result of the storage period of 4 weeks. Comparing the storage periods, the longer the storage period, the smaller the essential oil content tended to be, but the lower the treatment temperature, the smaller the difference in the amount of decrease in the essential oil content. Comparing the treatment temperatures, the higher the treatment temperature, the greater the decrease in the essential oil content. Treatment conditions (1) Compared with the untreated essential oil content, at (2) temperature 30 ° C and (3) temperature 40 ° C, the essential oil content for the storage period of 2 weeks and 4 weeks is 90% or more, and the effect of temperature is It turned out to be small. Treatment conditions The essential oil content at (4) temperature 50 ° C and (5) temperature 70 ° C is 90% or less compared to (1) untreated, and the temperature affects the essential oil content. I found out. Therefore, it was confirmed that under the condition of the storage period of 40 ° C. or lower and 4 weeks or less under the low oxygen concentration, the influence on the essential oil content was small. As a standard for the essential oil content of mint, 1.0 ml / 50 g or more is preferable. According to this test, the processing conditions (4) the processing conditions at a temperature of 50 ° C. also exceed this standard. However, in reality, mint does not always have a high essential oil content due to sample variability. In this case, if the treatment is performed at a temperature of 50 ° C. or higher, there is a high possibility that the essential oil content will be lower than the standard. That is, as a condition for stable low oxygen concentration treatment without impairing the essential oil content, it is desirable that the storage period is 40 ° C. or lower and 4 weeks or lower.

(Example 5)
Tests were conducted on the effects of temperature changes, oxygen concentration changes, and treatment periods on crude drug components.
(Test material)
Three lots of rhizomes of Senkyu were used. Senkyu is a typical crude drug often used in Chinese herbal prescriptions, which is obtained by blanching the rhizome of Umbelliferae, excluding the beard root, and then drying it. It was selected as a test material because it contains essential oils that are expected to decrease with temperature and a component (ferulic acid) that should be used as a component change index.
(Processing conditions)
The treatment conditions were (1) no treatment, (2) oxygen concentration of 0.5% or less, temperature of 35 ° C. for 2 weeks, and (3) oxygen hardness of 0.5% or less, temperature of 35 ° C. for 4 weeks. In addition, (1) untreated means that the crude drug was stored under the storage condition that the quality of the crude drug is generally maintained, that is, the temperature is 15 ° C. or lower and the oxygen concentration is not adjusted. (2) And each storage period of (3) was combined.

(Low oxygen concentration treatment)
Crude drugs were packed in a laminated bag with a zipper, nitrogen substitution was performed, and the oxygen concentration in the laminated bag was set to the value of each treatment condition. After sealing and leaving for 1 day, the oxygen concentration was measured again, and it was confirmed that there was no gas leakage from the laminated bag. After that, it was placed in an incubator for a conditional period to keep the temperature and humidity constant. Furthermore, it was confirmed that there was no change in the oxygen concentration and temperature in the laminated bag after storage for a conditional period. The humidity was set to 60% or less under any condition. After storage for a condition period, a quality evaluation test was conducted.
(Quality evaluation items)
TLC, pH, water activity, dry weight loss, dilute ethanol, essential oil content, and component quantification (ferulic acid) were measured. These items are items generally used in the quality evaluation of crude drugs.

(Test results)
Table 10 shows the results of the Senkyu quality test. As described in the "property" item, in all lots and quality evaluation items, (1) no treatment and (2) oxygen concentration of 0.5% or less, temperature of 35 ° C, and storage conditions for 2 weeks are compared. , No difference was found between the two treatment conditions. Similarly, when (1) no treatment was compared with (3) oxygen concentration of 0.5% or less, temperature of 35 ° C., and storage conditions for 4 weeks, no difference was observed between the two treatment conditions. .. Therefore, it was confirmed that there was no effect on the crude drug components under the conditions of low oxygen concentration, temperature of 35 ° C., and storage period of 4 weeks or less.

(Example 6)
Tests were conducted on the effects of temperature changes, oxygen concentration changes, and treatment periods on the taste of food.
(Test material)
Commercially available dried daikon and dried green onions were used. Kiriboshi daikon has a strong sweetness and is characterized by its chewy texture, and dried green onion is a food with a characteristic aroma and spiciness. All of them were selected as test materials because the change in taste was easy to understand in the sensory evaluation.
(Processing conditions)
Kiriboshi daikon and dried green onions were stored for 4 weeks or more under the two conditions of (1) no treatment and (2) hypoxia treatment. In addition, (1) no treatment was a condition of 15 ° C., which is a general crude drug storage state, and (2) low oxygen concentration treatment was a condition of an oxygen concentration of 0.5% or less and a temperature of 35 ° C. ..

(Low oxygen concentration treatment)
A laminated bag with a zipper was filled with dried daikon radish or dried green onions, and nitrogen was substituted to adjust the oxygen concentration in the laminated bag to the value of each treatment condition. After sealing and leaving for 1 day, the oxygen concentration was measured again, and it was confirmed that there was no gas leakage from the laminated bag. After that, it was placed in an incubator for a conditional period to keep the temperature and humidity constant. Furthermore, it was confirmed that there was no change in the oxygen concentration and temperature in the laminated bag after storage for a conditional period. After storage for a condition period, a quality evaluation test was conducted. As samples, four samples of dried daikon radish and dried green onion were prepared, and 300 g of each sample was packed in a hypoxic packaging.
(Processing period monitoring)
For packages containing (1) untreated and (2) hypoxic-treated samples, monitor the changes in oxygen concentration and temperature inside the package for a treatment period of 4 weeks or more, and the oxygen concentration is 0.5%. Below, it was confirmed that the temperature was maintained within the range of plus or minus 2 ° C from the setting.

(Sensory evaluation method)
After the treatment, 4 to 3 samples were used for evaluation (1 sample was a reserve) for the dried daikon radish and the dried green onion under each of the 2 treatment conditions. 80 g of each of the three samples was extracted and collected as 240 g, which was used as a sample for sensory evaluation (n = 1).

The dried daikon was washed with water and soaked for 20 minutes and then subjected to sensory evaluation, and the dried green onions were soaked in boiling water for 2 minutes and then subjected to sensory evaluation.

The sensory evaluation was performed by 10 panelists.
(Sensory evaluation item)
(1) The test material under no treatment was defined as a control sample as a reference product, and (2) the test material under low oxygen concentration treatment was comparatively evaluated (two-point comparison method). The dried radish was evaluated for a total of four items: "good aroma", "strength of texture", "strength of sweetness", and "overall deliciousness". The dried green onions were evaluated for a total of five items: "good aroma", "hardness" of texture, "strength of sweetness", "strength of pungent taste", and "overall deliciousness".

(Sensory evaluation result)
FIG. 6 shows the sensory evaluation results of dried daikon radish. FIG. 7 shows the results of the sensory test of dried green onions. The average value of the evaluation values of 10 panelas is shown. The vertical axis indicates the evaluation value, and the evaluation value "3" indicates that it is the same as no processing. The horizontal axis is an evaluation item.

From Fig. 6, the dried daikon radish has a "good aroma" of 2.5, a "strength of chewyness" of 2.7, a "strength of sweetness" of 2.4, and a "general taste" of 2. It became 5.

From FIG. 7, for dried green onions, "good aroma" is 2.4, "hardness" is 2.9, "intensity of sweetness" is 3.1, "intensity of pungency" is 2.4, and " "Overall taste" was 2.2.

When the sensory evaluation results of the treatment conditions (1) untreated and (2) low oxygen concentration treatment were compared for both the dried daikon and the dried green onion, no significant difference was observed in any of the evaluation items. Therefore, it was confirmed that the conditions of an oxygen concentration of 0.5% or less and a temperature of 35 ° C. for 4 weeks or less do not affect the taste of food. It was suggested that as a method of using low oxygen concentration insects for food products, it is possible to kill insects without spoiling the taste by performing low oxygen concentration insects immediately before packing the products.

(Example 7)
A test was conducted to confirm the time required to heat the target substance to the insecticidal temperature using a blower for blowing the atmospheric gas in the treatment chamber to the target substance.
(Processing conditions)
Foods, crude drugs, or their raw materials, which are the target substances for insecticidal treatment, are usually stored in a processing chamber at 15 ° C. or lower to maintain quality. 15 ° C is called the initial temperature. The lower limit of the insecticidal temperature is 30 ° C. from the insecticidal test, the egg killing test, the quality test, and the food sensory test of Examples 1 to 5. In order to set the target substance to the insecticidal temperature, the temperature is raised by about 15 ° C. from the initial temperature. This is called Δt15 ° C. Further, since it is necessary to raise the temperature of the target substance efficiently, the atmospheric temperature of the treatment chamber is further increased by 5 ° C. from the lower limit of the insecticidal temperature to be around 35 ° C. This is called Δt20 ° C. From Examples 1 to 6, Δt20 ° C. is a temperature that is effective in killing insects while preventing quality deterioration of the target substance.

A dryer was used as the processing chamber for Japonica rice.

The target substance was 80 kg of japonica rice stored at 15 ° C. or lower and having an initial temperature of 15 ° C. or lower, and after raising the treatment chamber to an atmospheric temperature of Δt20 ° C., the following treatment conditions were set. The test was conducted under the treatment conditions of (1) blowing with heating means, (2) blowing without heating means, and (3) heating means and no treatment without blowing for comparison.

(Test work procedure)
80 kg of Japonica rice was divided into four drying trays and stacked and stored. The bottom of each drying tray is stitched and breathable. In addition, the upper part of the uppermost drying tray is open. A temperature measuring instrument was installed inside the central part of the rice cake in each drying tray.

(1) As a method of blowing air with a heating means, a blower that emits hot air is sandwiched between the second and third stages of the drying tray, and the air is blown. (2) As a method of blowing air without heating means, a blower was installed under the drying tray at the bottom to blow air. (3) As a non-treatment method, drying trays were laminated in the treatment chamber.

After the initial temperature of the processing chamber and the rice was set to 15 ° C., the atmospheric temperature in the processing chamber was raised to Δt20 ° C., and the measurement of the temperature of the rice was started. Under each treatment condition, the arrival time at which all the measured values at each temperature measurement point reached the insecticidal temperature of Δ15 ° C. was measured. In addition, under the processing conditions that did not reach Δ15 ° C even after 30 hours from the start of measurement, the measurement was performed for up to 182 hours, and if it still did not reach Δ15 ° C, the simulation by linear approximation was performed to Δ15 ° C. The arrival time of was calculated.

(Test results)
The test results are shown in FIG. The vertical axis shows the temperature Δt (° C.), and the horizontal axis shows the elapsed time (hours). The results of (1) blowing with heating means, (2) blowing without heating means, and (3) without heating means and blowing are shown by circles, triangles, and squares, respectively.

(1) It took about 6 hours for all the temperatures of the rice in each drying tray to reach the insecticidal temperature of Δ15 ° C. by blowing air with a heating means. In addition, (2) the result of blowing air without heating means was about 22 hours. Further, as a result of (3) no treatment without heating means and blowing, the reached temperature after 182 hours was Δ10.8 ° C. By simulation, the arrival time at Δ15 ° C. was estimated to be 20 days later.

Further, in (1) ventilation with heating means and (2) ventilation without heating means, the quality of the target substance was generally maintained at 40 ° C. or lower even after reaching Δ15 ° C.

From the above results, it is suitable to quickly raise and maintain the target substance at the insecticidal temperature of 30 ° C to 40 ° C by setting the atmospheric temperature of the processing chamber to Δ20 ° C and blowing air to the target substance. It was confirmed that this method was used. Furthermore, it was confirmed that blowing air with a heating means is effective in shortening the insecticidal treatment time as opposed to no treatment.

The atmospheric temperature of the processing chamber is not limited to Δ20 ° C. For example, set the atmospheric temperature to Δ20 ° C. or higher, blow air to the target substance, and after the temperature of the target substance reaches the insecticidal temperature, lower the atmospheric temperature, stop the blowing, or both. By doing so, it is expected that the insecticidal treatment time will be further shortened. Further, by setting the atmospheric temperature to Δ20 ° C. or lower and blowing air with heating such as a heater or blowing air with heating using pressure, the atmospheric temperature is raised and supplied to the target substance. You can also do it.

(Example 8)
A temperature rise confirmation test was conducted to confirm the temporal effect of the supply nozzle for supplying the atmospheric gas of the treatment chamber to the target substance to raise the target substance to the insecticidal temperature.
(Processing conditions)
Foods, crude drugs, or their raw materials, which are the target substances for insecticidal treatment, are usually stored in a processing chamber at 15 ° C. or lower to maintain quality. 15 ° C is called the initial temperature. The lower limit of the insecticidal temperature is 30 ° C. from the insecticidal test, the egg killing test, the quality test, and the food sensory test of Examples 1 to 6. In order to set the target substance to the insecticidal temperature, the temperature is raised by about 15 ° C. from the initial temperature. This is called Δt15 ° C. Further, since it is necessary to raise the temperature of the target substance efficiently, the atmospheric temperature of the treatment chamber is further increased by 5 ° C. from the lower limit of the insecticidal temperature to be around 35 ° C. This is called Δt20 ° C. From Examples 1 to 6, Δt20 ° C. is a temperature that is effective in killing insects while preventing quality deterioration of the target substance.

Since the initial temperature of the target substance was around 25 ° C. this time, the insecticidal temperature Δt15 ° C. of the target substance was set to 40 ° C., and the atmospheric temperature Δt20 ° C. of the treatment chamber was set to 45 ° C.

Using 0.8t of wheat (bulk density; 0.76kg / L) as the target substance, (1) blowing air to the target substance, (2) exhausting air from the target substance, for comparison (3) untreated without blowing and exhausting air Was used as a treatment condition, and a test was conducted.
(Device)
(1) The air blown to the target substance is shown in FIG. 1, and (2) the exhaust air from the target substance is shown in FIG. (3) For no treatment that does not blow or exhaust air, there is no air collection supply mechanism and supply nozzle in FIG.

0.8 tons of wheat of the target substance 8 was stored in the flexible container which is the target substance storage container 2. Temperature measuring instruments (not shown) are installed at 1/4 of the bottom surface of the target substance storage container 2, 2 locations at both ends of one side of the bottom surface, 1/2 position from the bottom surface, and 1/4 position above. Two places were placed at both ends of the side facing the side, one place was placed in the center of the previous four places, and one place was placed in the center of the upper surface, for a total of six places.

The ventilation portion 42 provided in the supply nozzle 4 is preferably installed from the tip of the supply nozzle 4. Further, the ventilation portion 42 is arranged so as to be located at the lower part of the target substance storage container 2. The location of the ventilation portion 42 was clarified by a test in which the target substance 8 was efficiently heated. (Test work procedure)
After reaching the atmospheric temperature Δt20 ° C. in the processing chamber 1, air was collected and exhausted at a ventilation speed of about 1.5 times ventilation / minute, and the temperature of the target substance 8 was measured. The measurement was performed for 97 hours, and under each treatment condition, the time when all the measured values of each temperature reached the insecticidal temperature of Δt15 ° C. was measured. Further, under the processing conditions in which Δt15 ° C. was not reached, the arrival time of Δt15 ° C. was calculated by a simulation by linear approximation.

(Test results)
FIG. 9 shows the test results. The vertical axis shows the temperature Δt (° C.), and the horizontal axis shows the elapsed time (hours). The results of (1) blowing air to the target substance, (2) exhausting air from the target substance, and (3) not blowing and exhausting air are shown by circles, triangles, and squares, respectively.

(1) It took about 96 hours for all the temperature measurement points to reach the insecticidal temperature of Δ15 ° C. by blowing air to the target substance. In addition, (2) the result of exhausting air from the target substance was estimated to be about 130 hours by simulation. Furthermore, (3) the result of no treatment without blowing and exhausting was estimated to take 250 hours or more by simulation.

It was confirmed that the treatment time can be significantly shortened by the method of blowing or exhausting the air as compared with the case of no treatment.

The flexible container used this time has 15 threads woven in both length and width per inch, and has good breathability. As a result, (1) when blowing air to the target substance, the low-temperature gas having an initial temperature, which was initially in the flexible container, passes through the flexible container and is discharged into the processing chamber, and is replaced with the low-temperature gas. Further, (2) when the target substance is exhausted, the atmospheric gas at the insecticidal temperature in the processing chamber invades the flexible container through the flexible container, so that the gas is replaced with the low temperature gas at the initial temperature. In this way, since the storage container for storing the target substance is breathable, it is possible to replace the inside of the storage container with the insecticidal temperature gas more quickly.

(Example 9)
A low oxygen concentration replacement confirmation test was conducted to confirm the temporal effect of the supply nozzle for supplying the atmospheric gas of the treatment chamber to the target substance to replace the target substance with the low oxygen concentration gas having an insecticidal concentration. ..
(Processing conditions)
The treatment conditions were (1) blowing air into the target substance, (2) exhausting air from the target substance, and (3) no treatment without blowing and exhausting air. FIG. 1 shows (1) a device configuration for blowing air into the target substance. Further, FIG. 2 shows (2) a device configuration for exhausting air from the target substance. As a comparison of (1) and (2), (3) no treatment without blowing and exhausting was set. The apparatus configuration of (3) does not have the air collecting supply mechanism and the supply nozzle in FIG.
(Device)
(1) The air blown to the target substance is shown in FIG. 1, and (2) the exhaust air from the target substance is shown in FIG. (3) For no treatment that does not blow or exhaust air, there is no air collection supply mechanism and supply nozzle in FIG.

800 kg of wheat of the target substance 8 was stored in the flexible container which is the target substance storage container 2. Oxygen concentration measurement points (not shown) are (1) blowing into the target substance and (2) the bottom of the target substance storage container 2 for exhaust from the target substance, and (3) the case of no treatment without blowing and exhausting. Was the center of the target substance storage container 2. This measurement point is the measurement point where the temperature rise was the slowest under each processing condition in the temperature rise confirmation test of Example 8. Therefore, it was determined that the replacement with a low oxygen concentration gas was the slowest position, and it was set at the oxygen concentration measurement point.
The location of the supply nozzle 4 is the same as that of the temperature rise confirmation test of Example 8.

(Test work procedure)
The processing chamber 1 was replaced with a gas having a low oxygen concentration to obtain 0.2%. As the air collecting supply mechanism of FIG. 1 and the exhaust mechanism of FIG. 2, air was collected and exhausted at a ventilation speed of about 1.5 times ventilation / minute based on the volume of the flexible container. The time required for each oxygen concentration measurement point to reach 3.0% of the upper limit of the insecticidal concentration was measured.

(Test results)
FIG. 10 shows the test results. The vertical axis shows the oxygen concentration (%), and the horizontal axis shows the elapsed time (minutes). The results of (1) blowing into the target substance, (2) exhausting from the target substance, and (3) not blowing and exhausting are shown by circles, triangles, and squares, respectively.

The time required for each oxygen concentration measurement point to reach 3.0% of the upper limit of the insecticidal concentration was (1) 60 minutes for blowing air to the target substance, (2) 77 minutes for exhausting air from the target substance, and (3). No treatment without blowing and exhausting took 190 minutes.

It was confirmed that the treatment time can be significantly shortened by the method of blowing or exhausting the air as compared with the case of no treatment.

The flexible container used this time has 15 threads woven in both length and width per inch, and has good breathability. As a result, (1) when blowing air to the target substance, the initial gas originally in the flexible container is discharged into the processing chamber through the flexible container and replaced with the low oxygen concentration gas. Further, (2) when exhausting air from the target substance, a low oxygen concentration gas having an insecticidal concentration in the processing chamber invades the flexible container through the flexible container, thereby replacing the initial gas. As described above, since the storage container for storing the target substance is breathable, it is possible to quickly replace the inside of the storage container with a gas having a low oxygen concentration.

Comparing the temperature replacement time of Example 8 with the oxygen replacement time of Example 9, the temperature replacement time required 96 hours even if the target substance was blown. On the other hand, even if the oxygen replacement time was untreated, the replacement was completed in 190 minutes. Therefore, it was found that the temperature replacement time takes longer than the oxygen replacement time. Therefore, when the temperature rises, it is necessary to install a heater or the like on the target substance and positively raise the temperature. On the other hand, in the case of low oxygen concentration replacement, when the atmospheric gas is a low oxygen concentration gas, a breathable target substance storage container is provided even if the replacement operation is not actively performed by blowing air or exhausting air into the target substance storage container. By invading the low oxygen concentration gas through the gas, it can be replaced with the low oxygen concentration gas. That is, a mechanism related to temperature rise may be positively provided, and a mechanism related to oxygen concentration substitution may not be provided, or a simple device may be used.

(Example 10)
The following experiments relating to the temperature rise confirmation test and the hypoxia concentration substitution confirmation test were carried out according to Examples 8 and 9.
(Device and conditions)
Treatment cabinet; Daikin Applied Systems low oxygen insecticide treatment cabinet Volume: Approximately 6m ³
Oxygen concentration in the processing chamber; 0.1%
Temperature inside the processing chamber (atmospheric temperature); 35 ° C
Exhaust accelerator; Turbo duct fan T-100 type made by Takasu Sangyo Exhaust displacement; Actual measurement 0.72m ³ / min Initial temperature of target substance; 15 ℃

The target substance is Senkyu 0.2t (bulk density; 0.49kg / L), (1) exhaust air from the target substance (using Takasu Sangyo turbo duct fan T-100 type), and (2) exhaust air for comparison. The test was conducted under the condition of no treatment.
0.2 kg of Senkyu of the target substance 8 was stored in the flexible container which is the target substance storage container 2.
Temperature measuring instruments (not shown) were arranged at a total of 6 locations: the upper left of the front surface of the target substance storage container 2, the upper right of the front surface, the lower left of the front surface, the lower right of the front surface, and the center of the target substance storage container 2.
The oxygen concentration measurement points (not shown) were arranged at a total of one place in the center of the target substance storage container 2.
The arrangement location of the supply nozzle 4 is the same as that of Examples 8 and 9.

(Temperature test work procedure)
After reaching the atmospheric temperature of 35 ° C. in the processing chamber 1, air was collected and exhausted at a ventilation speed of about 1.9 times ventilation / minute, and the temperature of the target substance 8 was measured. The time when all the temperature measurement values reached the insecticidal temperature of 30 ° C. was measured.
(Oxygen concentration test work procedure)
The processing chamber 1 was replaced with a gas having a low oxygen concentration to obtain 0.1%. As the air collecting supply mechanism of FIG. 1 and the exhaust mechanism of FIG. 2, air was collected and exhausted at a ventilation speed of about 0.76 times ventilation / minute based on the volume of the flexible container. The time required for each oxygen concentration measurement point to reach an oxygen concentration of 0.1% was measured.

(Test results)
(1) When the target substance is exhausted, (2) Compared to the untreated product without exhaust air, the cold point comparison of the target substance storage container 2 shows that the storage temperature is 15 ° C to the insecticidal temperature (30 ° C). The effect of reducing the temperature rise time from 58 hours to 17 hours by 40 hours was obtained. The time required to reduce the oxygen concentration in the center of the package to 0.1% was a difference of about 2 hours.

(Example 11)
The following experiments relating to the temperature rise confirmation test and the hypoxia concentration substitution confirmation test were carried out according to Examples 8 and 9.
(Device and conditions)
Treatment cabinet; Daikin Applied Systems low oxygen insecticide treatment cabinet Volume: Approximately 6m ³
Oxygen concentration in the processing chamber; 0.6%
Temperature inside the processing chamber (atmospheric temperature); 35 ° C
Exhaust accelerator; Turbo duct fan T-100 type made by Takasu Sangyo Exhaust displacement; Actual measurement 0.72m ³ / min Initial temperature of target substance; 15 ℃

Half-summer 0.2t (bulk density; 0.76kg / L) is the target substance, (1) exhaust air from the target substance (using Takasu Sangyo turbo duct fan T-100 type), and (2) exhaust air for comparison. The test was conducted under the condition of no treatment to be performed.
0.2t of Senkyu of the target substance 8 was stored in the flexible container which is the target substance storage container 2.
Temperature measuring instruments (not shown) were arranged at a total of 6 locations: the upper left of the front surface of the target substance storage container 2, the upper right of the front surface, the lower left of the front surface, the lower right of the front surface, and the center of the target substance storage container 2.
The oxygen concentration measurement points (not shown) were arranged at a total of one place in the center of the target substance storage container 2.
The arrangement location of the supply nozzle 4 is the same as that of Examples 8 and 9.

(Test work procedure)
The processing chamber 1 was replaced with a gas having a low oxygen concentration to obtain 0.6%. As the air collecting supply mechanism of FIG. 1 and the exhaust mechanism of FIG. 2, air was collected and exhausted at a ventilation speed of about 2.9 times ventilation / minute based on the volume of the flexible container. The time required for each oxygen concentration measurement point to reach an oxygen concentration of 0.6% was measured.

(Test results)
(1) When the target substance is exhausted, (2) Compared to the untreated product without exhaust air, the cold point comparison of the target substance storage container 2 shows that the storage temperature is 15 ° C to the insecticidal temperature (30 ° C). The effect of reducing the temperature rise time from 78 hours to 13.5 hours by 60 hours or more was obtained. There was no difference in the time it took to reduce the oxygen concentration in the center of the package to 0.6%.

1 Processing chamber 2 Target substance storage container 3 Air collection supply mechanism 4 Supply nozzle 5 Control unit 6 Oxygen concentration adjustment unit 7 Gas temperature adjustment unit 8 Target substance 9 Exhaust mechanism 10 Heating means 41 Non-ventilation unit 42 Ventilation unit

Claims (34)

A step of replacing the atmosphere in a closed space where 10 kg or more of a plant or a target substance, which is a crude drug, is stored with an inert gas to reduce the oxygen concentration to 3% or less, and a replacement step with a low oxygen concentration gas.
A gas temperature adjusting step for adjusting the temperature of the low oxygen concentration gas and
A substance temperature adjustment step of raising the temperature of the target substance to 30 ° C. or higher, and
Insecticidal methods including. The insecticidal method according to claim 1, wherein in the gas temperature adjusting step, the temperature of the low oxygen concentration gas is adjusted to 35 to 40 ° C. In the substance temperature adjusting step, the temperature of the target substance is adjusted by using an air collecting supply mechanism that collects the low oxygen concentration gas around the target substance and uniformly supplies the low oxygen concentration gas to the target substance. The insecticidal method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the temperature is 30 ° C. or higher. In the substance temperature adjusting step, the temperature of the target substance is set to 30 ° C. or higher by using an exhaust mechanism that uniformly supplies the low oxygen concentration gas to the target substance by actively exhausting the periphery of the target substance. The insecticidal method according to claim 1 or 2. The insecticidal method according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the air collecting supply mechanism or the exhaust mechanism uses a supply nozzle that is inserted into the target substance and supplies the low oxygen concentration gas to the target substance at a desired pressure. The fifth aspect of claim 5, wherein the supply nozzle has a ventilation portion for supplying the low oxygen concentration gas to the target substance, and the ventilation portion uses a hole or a mesh to the extent that the target substance does not enter. How to kill insects. The insecticidal method according to claim 6, wherein the ventilation portion is installed from the tip of the supply nozzle. The insecticidal method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the low oxygen concentration gas heated by a blower provided with a heating means is applied to the target substance. The insecticidal method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the target substance is heated by an apparatus provided with a heating means. It has an oxygen concentration measuring step for measuring the oxygen concentration of the target substance or the vicinity of the target substance.
The insecticidal method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the replacement step adjusts the supply amount of the low oxygen concentration gas based on the oxygen concentration of the target substance or the vicinity of the target substance. It has a temperature measuring step of measuring the temperature of the target substance or the vicinity of the target substance, and has a temperature measuring step.
The insecticidal method according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the gas temperature adjusting step adjusts the temperature of the low oxygen concentration gas based on the temperature of the target substance or the vicinity of the target substance. The insecticidal method according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the replacement step adjusts the supply time of the inert gas by the oxygen concentration measuring step. The insecticidal method according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the gas temperature adjusting step adjusts the temperature of the low oxygen concentration gas by the temperature measuring step. The insecticidal method according to any one of claims 11 to 13, wherein the substance temperature adjusting step adjusts the step time by the temperature measuring step. The insecticidal method according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the replacement step is performed by inflowing the inert gas so that the closed space has a positive pressure as compared with the outside of the closed space. The insecticidal method according to any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the replacement step positively inflows the inert gas into the closed space and discharges the low oxygen concentration gas. In the replacement step, a first closed space is provided in the closed space and a second closed space is provided inside the first closed space, and the target substance is stored in the second closed space.
The inert gas flows into the second enclosed space,
The insecticidal method according to any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein the oxygen concentration of the low oxygen concentration gas in the second closed space is maintained lower than the oxygen concentration in the first closed space. The insecticidal method according to claim 17, wherein in the replacement step, the inert gas is introduced so that the pressure in the second closed space becomes a positive pressure as compared with the pressure in the first closed space. The insecticidal method according to any one of claims 1 to 18, wherein the replacement step includes an oxygen adsorption step of adsorbing oxygen in the enclosed space. The insecticidal method according to any one of claims 1 to 19, wherein the substance temperature adjusting step is continued for 3 days to 3 weeks. (A) A processing chamber having a closed space and
(B) An oxygen concentration adjusting means for substituting the atmosphere of the closed space with an inert gas to reduce the oxygen concentration to 3% or less.
(C) Gas temperature adjusting means for adjusting the temperature of gas in a closed space,
(D) A breathable target substance storage container provided in the processing chamber and capable of storing a target substance of 10 kg or more of a plant or a crude drug.
(E) (i) An air collecting supply mechanism that collects the low oxygen concentration gas around the target substance and uniformly supplies the low oxygen concentration gas to the target substance.
(ii) An exhaust mechanism that uniformly supplies the low oxygen concentration gas to the target substance by actively exhausting the vicinity of the target substance.
(iii) A blower equipped with a heating means for heating a low oxygen concentration gas and hitting the target substance, and
(iv) At least one means selected from an apparatus equipped with a heating means for heating the target substance, and
Insecticide device with. The insecticidal apparatus according to claim 21, wherein the air collecting supply mechanism has a supply nozzle that is inserted into the target substance and supplies the low oxygen concentration gas to the target substance at a desired pressure. 22. Insecticide. The insecticidal device according to claim 23, wherein the ventilation portion is installed from the tip of the supply nozzle. The insecticidal apparatus according to any one of claims 21 to 24, further comprising an oxygen concentration measuring means for measuring the oxygen concentration of the target substance or the vicinity of the target substance. The insecticidal apparatus according to any one of claims 21 to 25, which has a temperature measuring means for measuring the temperature of the target substance or the vicinity of the target substance. The insecticidal apparatus according to claim 25 or 26, wherein the oxygen concentration adjusting means has a means for adjusting the replacement time of the inert gas by the oxygen concentration measuring means. The insecticidal apparatus according to claim 26 or 27, wherein the gas temperature adjusting means has a means for adjusting the temperature of the low oxygen concentration gas by the temperature measuring means. The insecticidal apparatus according to any one of claims 21 to 28, wherein the oxygen concentration adjusting means has a means for inflowing the inert gas so that the closed space has a positive pressure as compared with the outside of the closed space. The insecticidal apparatus according to any one of claims 21 to 29, wherein the oxygen concentration adjusting means positively comprises inflow of the inert gas into the enclosed space and discharge of the low oxygen concentration gas. .. The oxygen concentration adjusting means provides a first closed space and a second closed space inside the first closed space in the closed space, and stores the target substance in the second closed space.
The inert gas flows into the second enclosed space,
The insecticide according to any one of claims 21 to 30, which has a means for keeping the oxygen concentration of the low oxygen concentration gas in the second closed space lower than the oxygen concentration in the first closed space. Device. 31. The insecticide according to claim 31, wherein the oxygen concentration adjusting means has a means for inflowing the inert gas so that the pressure in the second closed space becomes a positive pressure as compared with the pressure in the first closed space. Device. The insecticidal apparatus according to any one of claims 21 to 32, wherein the oxygen concentration adjusting means has a means for adsorbing oxygen in the enclosed space. The insecticidal apparatus according to any one of claims 21 to 33, which has a means for maintaining the temperature of the target substance at 30 ° C. or higher for 3 days to 3 weeks.

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