JP5806716B2 - β-glucuronidase inhibitor - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a β-glucuronidase inhibitor and a composition for suppressing urine odor production.

  In recent years, it has been strongly desired to remove not only the appearance of dirt but also the odor reminiscent of the presence of dirt due to the increase in consumer hygiene. Especially for urine and feces, the existence cannot be separated from the living environment, and furthermore, the odor strongly reminds the excrement itself. In toilets, stool can be easily discharged outdoors by washing with water, but a small amount of urine remains outside the toilet as droplets, and its presence is difficult to visually check, so it remains on the spot for a long time. , Easy to cause odor. In addition, sanitary products such as underwear, diapers, and sanitary products may exist in the living environment for a certain period of time with urine attached, and can be a source of malodor originating from urine.

  Conventionally, as a general deodorizing technique against such a bad odor, a deodorant that physically or chemically adsorbs the bad odor component has been used. As an effect having such an effect, the effect of green tea extract is widely known as a plant extract.

  On the other hand, it is generally considered that the odor of urine immediately after urination is very weak, and most of the malodorous components derived from urine are generated with the passage of time due to the action of metabolic enzymes derived from microorganisms. For this reason, development of the technique which can suppress continuously the production | generation of the malodorous component from urine is desired.

  Such urine-derived malodorous components include ammonia produced from urea by urease, and as its production suppression technology, ammonia generation suppression technology using a urease activity inhibitor has been proposed (for example, Patent Documents 1 to 3). 4).

  However, because ammonia has a high threshold as a bad odor component (it does not feel odor unless it is high in concentration), nowadays the excrement is immediately discharged to the outdoors due to the widespread use of the flushing method. Scenes that feel strong are very rare.

  On the other hand, β-glucuronidase is an enzyme that hydrolyzes glucuronide-conjugated compounds (glucuronides) with various alcohols, phenols, amines, etc., and is present in many organisms such as bacteria, fungi, plants, and animals. To do. For example, it is known that β-glucuronidase of bacteria that inhabit human skin is involved in the production of glandular odor by degrading steroid compounds secreted by glucuronidation in sweat (Patent Literature) 5) The relationship between the enzyme and urine odor is not known.

JP 2006-255290 A JP 2004-91338 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-137774 JP 2006-192127 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-255776

  Therefore, the object of the present invention is to clarify the malodorous component that contributes more to urine odor than ammonia in the living environment, and to inhibit the generation of odor derived from urine by inhibiting the enzymes involved in its generation. It is to provide an agent that can be used.

  The present inventors have found that phenolic compounds and indoles generated from urine are components that have a high contribution to urine odor, and that these components are notable due to the action of β-glucuronidase derived from bacterial cells on urine. Found to increase. In addition, it is rare to feel an ammonia odor strongly in the current living environment, and the urine odor generally felt by consumers is the above-mentioned phenolic compounds and indoles, which are different from ammonia, and have lower odor components. It is thought that.

  The inventors of the present invention have the advantage that a specific plant extract has an excellent β-glucuronidase inhibitory effect, and can further suppress the generation of unpleasant urine odor by these β-glucuronidase inhibitors, Has been found to be able to impart urine odor production inhibiting effects to these products.

  The present invention relates to pimento (Basilaceae), basil (Lamiaceae), peppermint (Lamiaceae), thyme (Lamiaceae), rosemary (Lamiaceae), ginger (Gingidae), sage (Lamiaceae) and celery (celery). A β-glucuronidase inhibitor comprising a solvent extract of a plant selected from the family).

  The present invention also provides a composition for suppressing urine odor production comprising the above novel β-glucuronidase inhibitor as an active ingredient. Furthermore, the present invention provides a method for suppressing the generation of urine odor, wherein the β-glucuronidase inhibitor is applied before urine adheres to an object or before drying after urine has adhered.

  The present invention also provides a discharge-type product comprising the β-glucuronidase inhibitor described above contained in a container equipped with a discharge device.

  The present invention also provides a sanitary product imparted with the effect of suppressing urine odor production by containing the β-glucuronidase inhibitor.

  The β-glucuronidase inhibitor of the present invention can continuously suppress the generation of malodorous components that characterize urine odor. The β-glucuronidase inhibitor of the present invention is a means for solving various problems other than urine odor caused by the action of β-glucuronidase, such as a body odor production inhibitor derived from volatile steroids, bladder cancer or colon cancer. It can also be used as a drug or a food that reduces the occurrence of.

It is a sensory evaluation result which shows the increase in the urine odor intensity | strength by (beta) -glucuronidase. It is a figure which shows the measurement result of (beta) -glucuronidase activity of sterilized urine, rot urine microbial cells, and rot urine supernatant. It is a figure which shows the sensory evaluation result of the urine odor intensity | strength of sanitized urine and rot urine.

[Β-glucuronidase inhibitor]
β-glucuronidase is an enzyme that hydrolyzes a compound (glucuronide) in which various alcohols, phenols, amines and the like are conjugated with glucuronide, and is present in many organisms such as bacteria, fungi, plants, and animals. In the present invention, β-glucuronidase derived from bacteria and fungi is important because microorganisms are greatly involved in the degradation of urine excreted outside the body. Specific examples include β-glucuronidase derived from Escherichia coli, Lactobacillus brevis, Propionibacterium acnes, Clostridium perfringens, Staphylococcus haemolyticus, Streptococcus agalactiae, Streptococcus pyogenes, Haemophilus somunus, Shigela sonnei, Aspergillus niger and the like. Β-glucuronidases derived from these microorganisms are classified into enzyme groups having a common domain. Furthermore, β-glucuronidase derived from human plasma is also classified into a similar protein group.

  The β-glucuronidase inhibitor used in the present invention suppresses the activity of 1.6 units / mL E. coli-derived β-glucuronidase Type VII-A by 80% or more by adding 0.1% by weight to the reaction solution. Yes, all solvent extracts of pimento, basil, peppermint, thyme, rosemary, ginger, sage and celery satisfy this.

  Even when the content of the extract in the reaction solution is 0.01% by weight, it is more preferable to suppress the above activity by 80% or more, such as pimento, basil, peppermint, thyme, rosemary. The solvent extract of these is mentioned. In this specification, the content of the solvent extract of each plant is based on the weight of the solvent extracted after the solvent extraction.

  As a site used for extraction in the above-mentioned plant, the whole plant, leaves, roots, rhizomes, fruits, seeds and flowers of the plant can be used. In the case of basil, peppermint, thyme, rosemary, sage, the whole plant (which may include leaves, stems, and flowers), in the case of ginger, the rhizome, in the case of celery, the seeds and / or leaves, especially the seeds It is preferable to use these, and these portions can be used as they are or after being pulverized. The extract can be obtained by solvent extraction of the above-mentioned site or a pulverized product thereof at normal temperature or under heating. In the extraction, an extraction device such as a Soxhlet extractor can be used.

  Solvents used for extraction include water; alcohols such as methanol, ethanol and propanol; polyhydric alcohols such as propylene glycol, butylene glycol and glycerol; ketones such as acetone and methyl ethyl ketone; esters such as methyl acetate and ethyl acetate. Chain and cyclic ethers such as tetrahydrofuran and dimethyl ether; halogenated hydrocarbons such as dichloromethane, chloroform and carbon tetrachloride; hydrocarbons such as hexane, cyclohexane and petroleum ether; aromatic hydrocarbons such as benzene and toluene; Polyethers such as polyethylene glycol; pyridines and the like can be mentioned, and these can be used alone or as a mixture. A supercritical fluid such as carbon dioxide can also be used.

  Among the above extraction solvents, a solvent selected from water, alcohols such as ethanol, polyhydric alcohols such as butylene glycol and glycerin, or a mixed solvent of two or more of these is preferable, and a mixed solvent of water and ethanol is further used. It is preferable. The volume ratio of the mixed solvent of water and ethanol (water: ethanol) is preferably 10:90 to 90:10, and more preferably 60:40 to 40:60.

  The solvent extract (plant extract) is generally called oleoresin or absolute. The obtained solvent extract can be used as it is without distilling off the solvent, and can also be used as a diluted solution or concentrated solution, or as a powder or paste after being concentrated or dried. In order to increase the effectiveness, it is preferable to use a solvent obtained by distilling off the solvent. Furthermore, it is possible to remove inactive impurities from the above extract by a technique such as liquid-liquid distribution, and it is preferable to use such a material in the present invention. These may be used after performing treatments such as deodorization and decolorization by a known method, if necessary.

[Composition for inhibiting urine odor production, method for inhibiting urine odor production, environmental hygiene products, sanitary products]
In the present invention, any of the above β-glucuronidase inhibitors can be contained alone or in combination of two or more in the composition for suppressing urine odor production. Further, by containing an effective amount of the β-glucuronidase inhibitor or urine odor production-suppressing composition of the present invention in an environmental hygiene product or sanitary product for home use or facility use, the production of malodor derived from urine is prevented. Thus, a product having a high suppression effect and deodorization effect can be obtained. In addition, it is preferable that the β-glucuronidase inhibitor is added to the target object (thing to suppress the generation of urine odor) before urine adheres or after adhering urine and before the urine is dried. By applying within 1 hour, more preferably within 10 minutes after adhering, the generation of urine odor can be effectively suppressed.

  The urine is not limited to those derived from humans, and may be urine derived from animals such as pets such as dogs and cats. The malodor derived from urine is not limited to the malodor generated from urine alone, and may be a malodor generated from a state in which urine and feces are mixed in a diaper, for example.

  Malodorous components that can be controlled by the β-glucuronidase inhibitor of the present invention are phenolic compounds and indoles, specifically phenol, p-cresol, 4-vinyl-2-methoxy-phenol, 4-vinylphenol, Examples include, but are not limited to, 2-methoxy-1,3-benzenediol, 1,4-benzenediol, 1,3-benzenediol, indole, and volatilization caused by the action of β-glucuronidase on urine. What is necessary is just a sex component.

  The content of the β-glucuronidase inhibitor in the composition for suppressing urine odor production of the present invention is such that the content of the β-glucuronidase inhibitor is 0.0001 to 10% by weight in a mixed state of the composition and the urine component. It is preferable that the content be 0.001 to 5% by weight, more preferably 0.005 to 1% by weight.

(Environmental hygiene products)
Examples of environmental hygiene products include products that are directly applied by applying the β-glucuronidase inhibitor or urine odor production-suppressing composition of the present invention to objects such as discharge-type products, coated products, and wiped products. it can.

  The discharge type product is a container having a trigger type sprayer, a button type spray container, an aerosol container, a squeeze container, or the like, or a container having a discharge device for discharging in the form of a mist or foam, or a dripping type product container. -A product that contains a glucuronidase inhibitor or a composition for suppressing urine odor production and is applied to an object by a discharge device. Among these, a product using a trigger type or button type spray discharge device is preferable. The discharge-type product by dripping includes a product installed on a toilet tank or in a toilet bowl and applied by flowing into the toilet toilet bowl.

  A coated product or a wiped product is a product that is applied to an object by impregnating or holding the β-glucuronidase inhibitor or the composition for suppressing urine odor production of the present invention in a holding member such as a porous member or a sheet material. A sheet product impregnated in a sheet material is preferable.

  When the product of the present invention is an environmental hygiene product, it can be applied to places where odors from urine are likely to occur, such as toilet floors, walls, toilet bowls, filth boxes, nursing homes, clothing, underwear, and bedding. Can be controlled.

  When the β-glucuronidase inhibitor or the composition for suppressing urine odor production of the present invention is used in a discharge-type product equipped with a discharge device, the content of the β-glucuronidase inhibitor should be 0.001 to 10% by weight. More preferably, it is 0.005 to 5% by weight, and further preferably 0.01 to 1% by weight.

  The composition for suppressing urine odor production used in the environmental hygiene product of the present invention is a variety of commonly used components such as oils, surfactants, alcohols, chelating agents, pH adjusters, bactericides, antibacterial agents, and antiseptics. In addition to thickeners, pigments, fragrances, etc., the present invention includes components such as deodorant bases, moisturizers, softeners, keratin protective agents, medicinal agents, antioxidants, solvents, metal salts and metal ions. In the range which does not inhibit the effect of, it can mix | blend arbitrarily and can formulate.

(Sanitary products)
Examples of sanitary products include absorbent articles such as light incontinence items, disposable paper diapers, urine-absorbing pads, sanitary items, and animal excrement-related items such as pet excretion sheets for dogs, cats, etc. Can be mentioned. The sanitary product of the present invention can control the generation of urine-derived malodor that occurs over time from the attached urine.

When used for absorbent articles, the β-glucuronidase inhibitor or urine odor production-suppressing composition of the present invention is preferably impregnated into a backing sheet or absorbent layer, particularly a water-absorbing polymer. impregnation amount of the β- glucuronidase inhibitor is preferably a 0.005~20g / m ² with respect to the application surface, more preferably between 0.05-4 g / m ^2.

  In the composition for suppressing urine odor production used in the sanitary product of the present invention, various commonly used components such as oil, surfactant, antistatic agent, antioxidant, pH adjuster, smoothing agent, antibacterial agent, In addition to antifungal agents, preservatives, pigments, fragrances, etc., components such as deodorant bases, medicinal agents, solvents, metal salts and metal ions are arbitrarily added as long as the effects of the present invention are not impaired. be able to.

(Deodorant base)
When the β-glucuronidase inhibitor of the present invention or the composition for suppressing urine odor production containing the same is used for environmental hygiene products or sanitary products, it is generally known as long as the β-glucuronidase inhibitory effect is not lost. A deodorant base can be used in combination or contained.

As an example of the above deodorant base,
Metal compounds such as iron oxide, iron sulfate, iron chloride, zinc oxide, zinc sulfate, zinc chloride, silver oxide, copper oxide;
Acids such as phosphoric acid, citric acid and succinic acid, and triethanolamine, monoethanolamine, sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, 2-amino-2-hydroxymethyl-1,3-propanediol (tris (hydroxymethyl) An acid or a salt thereof having a pH buffering effect comprising a combination with a base such as aminomethane);
Carboxylic acids such as lactic acid, succinic acid, malic acid, citric acid, maleic acid, malonic acid;
Fatty acid metals such as zinc undecylenate, zinc 2-ethylhexanoate, zinc ricinol;
Plant extract-type deodorants such as catechin, polyphenol, green tea extract, mushroom extract, wood vinegar and bamboo vinegar
Metal type chlorophyllin sodium such as iron and copper, metal phthalocyanine such as iron, copper and cobalt, catalyst type such as tetraphthalic acid phthalocyanine such as iron, copper and cobalt, titanium dioxide, visible light responsive titanium dioxide (nitrogen doped type, etc.) Deodorants;
cyclodextrins such as α-, β-, or γ-cyclodextrin, its methyl derivatives, hydroxypropyl derivatives, glucosyl derivatives, maltosyl derivatives;
Alkylene glycols that are said to have a retention of malodor such as ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, diethylene glycol, dipropylene glycol;
Ester oil agent that is said to have an effect of retaining bad odor such as myristic acid esters, palmitic acid esters, phthalic acid esters, adipic acid esters, sebacic acid esters, citrate esters;
Acrylic acid polymer such as porous methacrylic acid polymer and porous acrylic acid polymer, porous divinylbenzene polymer, porous styrene-divinylbenzene-vinylpyridine polymer, aromatic polymer such as porous divinylbenzene-vinylpyridine polymer, and copolymers thereof Synthetic porous polymers such as chitin, chitosan and other natural porous polymers;
Inorganic porous materials such as activated carbon, silica, silicon dioxide (silica gel), calcium silicate, high silica zeolite (hydrophobic zeolite), sepiolite, cancrinite, zeolite, hydrated zirconium oxide;
Examples thereof include metal-supporting porous materials such as silver-supporting zeolite, silver-supporting cancrinite, and silver-supporting porous styrene-divinylbenzene-vinylpyridine polymer. These deodorant bases may be used alone or in combination.

(Organic solvent)
Furthermore, when using the β-glucuronidase inhibitor or urine odor production-suppressing composition of the present invention for environmental hygiene products or sanitary products, it is more preferable to use or contain a water-soluble organic solvent in combination.

Examples of the above water-soluble organic solvents include
Alcohols such as ethanol, 1-propanol, 2-propanol, butyl alcohol;
Ethylene glycol, 1,2-propanediol, 1,3-butanediol, hexylene glycol, 2-ethyl-1,3-hexanediol, glycerin, triethylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, diglycerin, polyethylene glycol, polypropylene glycol Polyhydric alcohols such as
And ethers such as ethylene glycol ethyl ether, ethylene glycol methyl ether, ethylene glycol butyl ether, and diethylene glycol ethyl ether.

  In the following Reference Examples and Examples, a 0.2 μm filter (Mirex GV manufactured by Millipore or Nalgen filter unit) was used as a filter for sterilization. Unless otherwise specified, β-glucuronidase Type VII-A (purchased from Sigma) derived from E. coli was used as β-glucuronidase. Unless otherwise specified, “%” means “% by weight”.

Reference Example 1 Production of volatile compounds from urine by addition of β-glucuronidase
(1) Preparation of measurement sample In a γ-ray sterilized container, immediately after collection, 9.9 mL of a human urine sample (mixture of 5 human urine) that was sterilized with a 0.2 μm filter was placed, followed by 250 units. β-glucuronidase Type VII-A aqueous solution adjusted to 0.1 mL / mL was added and mixed, and the mixture was allowed to stand in a thermostatic bath at 25 ° C. and reacted for 22 hours. What added 0.1 mL of sterilized ion-exchange water instead of the enzyme solution was similarly left as an initial urine sample in a thermostat for 22 hours.
After completion of the reaction, benzyl benzoate ethanol solution was added as an internal standard to 9 mL of the reaction solution, and extracted twice with 10 mL of diethyl ether. The extracts were combined and dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate. After drying, the solid matter was filtered off, and the filtrate was concentrated with a rotary evaporator to obtain a measurement sample.

(2) Measurement of volatile compounds A gas chromatograph mass spectrometer was used for measurement. The production amount of the detected volatile compound was calculated as a peak area ratio with respect to the internal standard. The results are shown in Table 1.

  From these results, it was confirmed that various phenolic compounds and indole were produced from urine by the action of β-glucuronidase.

Reference Example 2 Generation of urine odor by adding β-glucuronidase
(1) Preparation of evaluation sample In a γ-ray sterilized container, 720 μL of a human urine sample (mixture of 5 human urine) that had been sterilized with a 0.2 μm filter immediately after collection was placed, followed by 16 units / 80 μL of β-glucuronidase Type VII-A aqueous solution adjusted to mL was added and mixed, and left in a 37 ° C. constant temperature bath to react for 20 hours. An initial urine sample was prepared by adding 80 μL of sterilized ion-exchanged water instead of the enzyme solution, and left in a constant temperature bath for 20 hours. About each sample, the equivalent amount was dripped at the front-end | tip of odor paper, and this was made into the evaluation sample.

(2) Odor sensory evaluation Odor sensory evaluation was performed by 6 panelists based on a 6-step odor intensity display method based on an odor intensity rating score of 0-5. Evaluation score is “0” odorless, “1” odor that can be finally detected (detection threshold), “2” urine odor, but weak odor (cognitive threshold), “3” odor that can be easily felt as urine odor “4” indicates a strong urine odor and “5” indicates a strong urine odor. Odor intensity is determined in increments of 0.5. Except for the evaluation of the highest and lowest evaluations, the average value of the four evaluations is set to 0.5 when the numerical value after the decimal point is 0.25 or more and less than 0.75, and 0.75 or more. Was rounded up to an integer, and less than 0.25 was rounded down to an integer as the evaluation result. This is shown in FIG.
From this result, it was confirmed that the volatile component produced by the action of β-glucuronidase significantly increases the urine odor intensity.

Reference Example 3 Measurement of β-glucuronidase activity in spoiled urine
(1) Preparation of sample Septic urine was obtained by collecting 20 mL of a urine sample, dispensing it into a γ-ray sterilized container without sterilization, and storing it at room temperature for 7 days. 1 mL of this septic urine was centrifuged at 10,000 rpm for 5 minutes to separate the cells and supernatant. The precipitated cells were suspended in 0.5 mL of physiological saline. The supernatant was sterilized through a 0.2 μm filter.
In addition, 15 mL of urine sterilized using a 0.2 μm filter immediately after collection was also stored at room temperature for 7 days.

(2) Measurement of β-glucuronidase activity In a γ-ray sterilized container, 250 μL of 2 mM p-nitrophenyl-β-D-glucuronide (PNPG) aqueous solution, 100 μL of 0.5 M phosphate buffer (pH 6.8) and ion-exchanged water 100 μL was mixed, and then 50 μL of the urine sample (sterilized urine, rot urine cell suspension or rot urine supernatant) was added and reacted at room temperature.
Immediately after the start of the reaction and after the reaction for 24 hours, the reaction solution was diluted with 0.2 M glycine-sodium hydroxide buffer (pH 10.4), and the absorbance at a wavelength of 400 nm was measured. The value obtained by subtracting the absorbance immediately after the start from the absorbance after the reaction for 24 hours was used as an index of β-glucuronidase activity, and comparison was made for each sample. The results of activity measurement are shown in FIG.
From these results, it can be seen that cells grown in spoiled urine have β-glucuronidase activity, and supernatants that do not contain cells also have β-glucuronidase activity. It was confirmed that it was also secreted.

(3) Odorous sensory evaluation of sterilized urine and septic urine The sterilized urine and septic urine were subjected to odor evaluation at the bottle mouth with the containers used for storage.
Odor sensory evaluation was performed by 6 panelists based on the 6-step odor intensity display method shown in Reference Example 2 (2). FIG. 3 shows an average of panel evaluations obtained in the same manner as in Reference Example 2 (2).
From this result, it was confirmed that the bacterial cells growing in the urine increase the urine odor intensity.

Example 1 Inhibition of β-glucuronidase activity by plant extracts
(1) Evaluation sample As a plant extract, oleoresin (basil, pimento, peppermint, thyme, rosemary, sage, ginger, celery) marketed as flavors listed in Table 2 was used. For comparison, a green tea extract (commercially available product) generally used as a deodorant extract was used.

(2) Measurement of relative activity inhibition rate of β-glucuronidase 10 μL of 2 mM PNPG aqueous solution 100 μL, 0.5 M phosphate buffer (pH 6.8) 40 μL, ion-exchanged water 37.5 μL, and various plant extracts in a γ-ray sterilized container Alternatively, 2.5 μL (2 mg) of a 1 wt% ethanol solution was mixed, followed by addition of 20 μL of β-glucuronidase Type VII-A aqueous solution adjusted to 16 units / mL, and the enzyme reaction was performed in a 37 ° C. constant temperature bath for 2 hours. The content of the provided plant extract in the reaction solution is 0.1 or 0.01% by weight, respectively.
In addition, the reaction was performed in the same manner for 2 hours with each sample and control added with ethanol instead of the plant extract solution as a control and with sterilized ion exchange water added instead of the enzyme solution for each sample and control. It was.
The reaction solution was diluted with 0.2 M glycine-sodium hydroxide buffer (pH 10.4), and the absorbance at a wavelength of 400 nm was measured. From the measured values obtained, the relative activity inhibition rate of β-glucuronidase was determined according to the following formula, and is shown in Table 3.

  From this result, the plant extract used in the present invention showed β-glucuronidase inhibitory activity of 80% or more at an extract content of 0.1%. In addition, the solvent extracts of rosemary, thyme, peppermint, pimento and basil showed β-glucuronidase inhibitory activity of 80% or more even when the extract content was 0.01%. Furthermore, pimento and basil showed high β-glucuronidase inhibitory activity at any content.

Example 2 Suppression of the generation of urine odor by a plant extract against urine supplemented with β-glucuronidase
(1) Preparation of sample 360 μL of human urine sample (mixture of 5 human urine) and 10% by weight of various plants extracted after sterilization with 0.2 μm filter immediately after collection in γ-ray sterilized container 5 μL (4 mg) of a product ethanol solution was added, 40 μL of β-glucuronidase Type VII-A aqueous solution adjusted to 16 units / mL was added and mixed, and the mixture was allowed to stand in a 37 ° C. constant temperature bath and reacted for 20 hours. The content of various plant extracts in the reaction solution is 0.1% by weight.
In addition, ethanol (5 μL) and enzyme solution (40 μL) added to sterilized urine sample (360 μL) and mixed were used as controls (no extract), and sterilized urine sample (360 μL) was mixed with ethanol (5 μL) and sterile ion-exchanged water (40 μL). The resulting product was used as a blank (no extract / no enzyme) and reacted in the same manner for 20 hours. About each sample, the equivalent amount was dripped at the front-end | tip of odor paper, and this was made into the odor evaluation sample.

(2) Confirmation of suppression of urine odor by sensory evaluation The odor sensory evaluation was performed by 6 panelists based on the 6-step odor intensity display method shown in (2) of Reference Example 2. Table 4 shows the average paneler evaluations obtained in the same manner as in Reference Example 2 (2).

  As shown in Table 4, the plant extract used in the present invention showed an excellent urine odor production suppressing effect against urine odor. In Table 3, basil and pimento extracts that showed a high β-glucuronidase inhibition rate at 0.1% and 0.01% contents showed a high urine odor production suppressing effect.

Example 3 Spray-type deodorant A composition for suppressing urine odor production containing the β-glucuronidase inhibitor according to the present invention having the composition (% by weight) shown in Table 5 was prepared, and this was placed in a trigger spray container and sprayed. A mold deodorant was prepared.

Example 4 Disposable Diaper A composition for suppressing urine odor production containing a β-glucuronidase inhibitor according to the present invention having the composition (% by weight) shown in Table 6 was prepared, and a disposable diaper was prepared using the composition. Specifically, the composition for suppressing urine odor production is sprayed on a disposable diaper mount (basis weight 16 g / m ² ) with a basis weight of 16 g / m ² , dried, and then used to mount 100 parts by weight of flap pulp. An absorbent body was obtained by wrapping a uniform mixture of 100 parts by weight of a water-absorbing polymer (polyacrylic acid crosslinked body). The basis weight of the flap pulp / water-absorbing polymer mixture in the absorbent was 300 g / m ² . A disposable diaper was prepared using the obtained absorbent body. At this time, the amount of the β-glucuronidase inhibitor in the composition for suppressing urine odor generation sprayed on the mount becomes 1.6 to 3.2 g / m ² .

Example 5 Urine collection pad A composition for suppressing urine odor production containing a β-glucuronidase inhibitor according to the present invention having the composition (% by weight) shown in Table 6 was prepared, and a urine collection pad was prepared using the composition. Specifically, only the water-absorbing polymer of the commercially available urine removing pad “Relief urine absorbing pad made by Kao” was changed to a water-absorbing polymer dried by adding and mixing the composition for suppressing urine odor production of the present invention. Was prepared. The addition amount of the composition for suppressing urine odor generation to the water-absorbing polymer was 10% by weight (before drying) with respect to the water-absorbing polymer. At this time, the addition amount of the β-glucuronidase inhibitor is 1 to 2% by weight with respect to the water-absorbing polymer, and corresponds to 1.5 to 3 g / m ^{2 with} respect to the urine absorption pad.

Claims (4)

A β-glucuronidase inhibitor consisting of a water / ethanol mixed solvent extract of peppermint.   A composition for suppressing urine odor production, comprising the β-glucuronidase inhibitor according to claim 1.   A method for suppressing the generation of urine odor, wherein the β-glucuronidase inhibitor according to claim 1 is applied before urine adheres to an object or before drying after urine has adhered.   A discharge-type product for β-glucuronidase inhibition, wherein the β-glucuronidase inhibitor according to claim 1 is contained in a container equipped with a discharge device.