JP6875669B2 - Manufacturing method of environmental improvement material - Google Patents

Description

The present invention is an environmental improving material capable of improving and improving environmental hygiene by sterilizing, sterilizing or inactivating microorganisms including general viable bacteria such as Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus and non-cellular organisms such as viruses. And its manufacturing method.

Wakauchi diatomaceous earth (geological name: Wakauchi Formation diatomaceous shale), which is also called Wakauchi diatomaceous earth, has been used as a building material for houses such as wall materials because it is a natural material but has an excellent humidity control function. Recently, it has also been used in deodorant products that utilize the deodorant function, and products that utilize that function have been created.

The Wakauchi diatom shale is composed of the remains of diatoms (mainly non-changing silica), which are fine plankton deposited in the deep sea in the late Miocene of the Neogene (about 12 to 7 million years ago). It is a fine and fragile hard shale that is gradually compacted and hardened.

According to a survey conducted by the Hokkaido Institute of Resources (currently the Geological Institute of the Hokkaido Research Organization), Wakkanai diatomaceous shale is widely distributed in the northern Hokkaido region centered on Wakkanai.

As shown in FIG. 1, the pore radius of Wakkanai diatom shale has many fine pores (commonly known as mesopores) of 1 to 10 nm (nanometer: 1 nm is one millionth of a millimeter). On the other hand, in diatomaceous earth produced in other areas such as Akita, Ishikawa, Okayama, and Oita, large pores (commonly known as macropores) with a pore radius of 50 nm or more are the main.

According to general data of Wakkanai diatom shale, Wakkanai diatom shale has a total pore volume of about 0.215 cm ³ / g and a specific surface area of about 128.8 m ² / g. On the other hand, the total pore volume and specific surface area of diatomaceous earth produced in other areas mentioned above are about 1/4 to 1/6 of Wakkanai diatom shale (Hokkaido Prefectural Industrial Research Institute and Hokkaido Resources Research Institute). Created from the Joint Research Results Report (1994)).

By the way, in recent years, in order to improve the safety of livestock products, efforts have been made to improve hygiene management in individual livestock farms. The main purpose of normal hygiene management is to maintain the health of livestock, and to maintain and improve the cleanliness of livestock farms and reduce the number of bacteria harmful to livestock.

While the disinfectants used in the past can be effectively implemented according to the pathogen, there are also disinfectants that are harmful to the human body and livestock, so care must be taken when handling them. Therefore, there is a need for an environment-improving material that is harmless to the human body and livestock and has a sterilizing or sterilizing function for harmful bacteria.

One of them is the commercialization of environmental improvement materials for livestock farms using Wakkanai diatom shale, which is a natural material. Diatomaceous earth is a natural material that is harmless to humans and animals, as it was used as a bulking agent for sweets and foods during the wartime food shortages.

As described in Patent Document 1, this product is used as a microbial growth inhibitor for livestock barns that are liable to become unsanitary due to manure, etc., and as a bedding material for livestock by converting Wakauchi diatom shale into granules and / or powder. It is used.

However, according to claim 3 of the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, the bedding material for livestock, which is a material for suppressing the growth of microorganisms in this livestock barn, has a function as "a material for suppressing the growth while retaining the microorganisms". , Does not have the function of sterilizing or sterilizing the microorganism itself.

In addition, since this product has not been sterilized, bacteria that have already adhered and existed since the mining of Wakkanai diatom shale remain in the product as they are even if they are crushed into granules and / or powder. .. Therefore, spraying this product on livestock bedding also disperses the bacteria remaining in the product.

When sterilized Wakauchi diatom shale was cultivated at the Japan Food Research Laboratories using the standard agar plate culture method, the general bacterial count (viable cell count) of ^{6.1 × 10 2 / g was measured.} did.

Japanese Patent No. 5248703

In view of the above points, the present invention adds a sterilizing, sterilizing or inactivating function to the Wakauchi diatomaceous rock, and microorganisms including bacteria and non-cellular organisms such as viruses that are attached to and present on the Wakauchi diatomaceous rock itself. It is an object of the present invention to provide a method for producing an environment-improving material capable of sterilizing, sterilizing or inactivating a virus, and at the same time, sterilizing, sterilizing or inactivating an externally existing microorganism.

In order to achieve the above-mentioned purpose, we focused on the fact that the micropores with a pore radius of 1 to 10 nm of the Wakauchi diatom shale have an adsorption action of microorganisms, and dry heat sterilize the Wakauchi diatom shale as a means of sterilization or sterilization. Was done.

As a typical example of the adsorbing action, there is zeolite as a silica-alumina-based adsorbent, and activated carbon as a carbon-based adsorbent. In both cases, microorganisms are adsorbed by interfacial phenomena and capillarity of micropores, zeolite adsorbs water molecules by chemical reaction, and activated carbon adsorbs odorous molecules which are organic compounds.

Wakauchi diatom shale is a silica-alumina compound containing _{silicon oxide (SiO 2) as a main component.} Wakkanai diatom shale has innumerable micropores with a pore radius of 1 to 10 nm and a pore radius of 2 to 4 nm, and the total pore volume is about 0.215 cm ³ / g and the specific surface area is about 128. It has a property of 8 m ² / g, which is excellent in adsorption action. Moreover, since Wakkanai diatom shale is weakly acidic, it chemically reacts with alkaline substances and adsorbs them. In particular, it effectively adsorbs basic gases such as ammonia gas. The Wakauchi diatom shale also includes diatom shale that has the same physical and chemical properties as the Wakauchi diatom shale and is produced from areas other than Wakauchi. Therefore, the description in the following specification. "Wakauchi diatom shale" in "Wakauchi diatom shale" includes diatom shale produced from areas other than Wakauchi, which has the same physical and chemical properties as Wakauchi diatom shale.

The above-mentioned sterilization treatment is a sterilization method for completely killing or eradicating microorganisms such as bacteria. Among them, the dry heat sterilization treatment method is a sterilization method for sterilizing microorganisms by heating an object in dry air.

The method for producing an environment-improving material according to claim 1 is to crush Wakauchi diatomaceous shale into granules and / or powder, and the granules and / or powder of Wakauchi diatomaceous shale at 160 to 200 ° C. Dry heat sterilization treatment by heating for 30 minutes to 2 hours is performed to impart sterilization, sterilization or inactivation function of microorganisms to Wakauchi diatomaceous shale, and this dry heat sterilization treatment Wakauchi diatomaceous shale is included in the sheet material to improve the environment. It is characterized by being made of wood.

The method for producing an environment-improving material according to claim 2 is characterized in that, in claim 1, the sheet material is cloth, film or paper.

The method for producing an environment-improving material according to claim 3 is to crush Wakauchi diatomaceous shale into granules and / or powder, and the granules and / or powder of Wakauchi diatomaceous shale at 160 to 200 ° C. for 30 minutes. Dry heat sterilization treatment is performed by heating for ~ 2 hours to impart sterilization, sterilization or inactivation function of microorganisms to Wakauchi diatomaceous granules. It is characterized by the fact that it was done.

The method for producing an environment-improving material according to claim 4 is to crush Wakauchi diatomaceous shale into granules and / or powder, and the granules and / or powder of Wakauchi diatomaceous shale at 160 to 200 ° C. for 30 minutes. A dry heat sterilization process that heats for ~ 2 hours is performed to impart a sterilizing, sterilizing or inactivating function of microorganisms to the Wakauchi diatomaceous shale, and the dry heat sterilized Wakauchi diatomaceous shale is solidified to be an environmental improvement material. It is characterized by.

The method for producing an environment-improving material according to claim 7 is characterized in that the dry heat sterilization treatment is performed by heating Wakkanai diatom shale at 160 to 200 ° C. for 30 minutes to 2 hours.

As described above, the natural state of Wakauchi diatom spores has only the function of retaining bacteria and suppressing their growth, whereas the dry heat sterilization of Wakauchi diatom spores produces Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. In addition to being able to sterilize or sterilize general viable bacteria, it has added an epoch-making new function that can inactivate microorganisms such as non-cellular organisms such as viruses.

As shown in a typical example, the environment-improving material utilizing the function of the dry-heat sterilized Wakauchi diatom shale sterilizes Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus in manure by using it as an environment-improving material for livestock. Can be sterilized.

In addition, this improves the daily hygiene measures of the barn, and at the same time, it is possible to reduce the number of times the conventional barn disinfection work is performed.

This reduction in barn disinfection work improves the working environment of breeding workers and contributes to cost reductions such as disinfectants.

Furthermore, as an environmental improver that has antibacterial and sterilizing functions for food preservatives and food processing facilities, as an antibacterial and sterilizing agent for medical use, housing, and garbage accumulation, antibacterial and sterilizing in other industrial and living environments. It is an environmental improvement material that is useful for improving the environment in all fields that require sterilization.

Graph showing the range of pore radius of Wakkanai diatom shale Graph showing increase / decrease of test bacteria by each sample under different conditions a is a diagram showing changes in Escherichia coli with and without the addition of Wakkanai diatom shale that has been sterilized by dry heat. ag is a diagram showing changes in Staphylococcus aureus with and without addition of Wakkanai diatom shale that has been sterilized by dry heat. ag is a diagram showing changes in Escherichia coli with and without the addition of Wakkanai diatom shale that has not been dry heat sterilized. ag is a diagram showing changes in Staphylococcus aureus with and without addition of Wakkanai diatom shale that has not been dry heat sterilized. a is a diagram showing changes in E. coli with and without the addition of dry heat sterilized Oita diatomaceous earth. ag is a diagram showing changes in Staphylococcus aureus with and without addition of dry heat sterilized Oita diatomaceous earth. ag is a diagram showing changes in Salmonella with or without the addition of dry heat sterilized Wakkanai diatom shale.

To prepare an environment-improving material using Wakauchi diatom shale, first, the Wakauchi diatom shale is mined, and the mined Wakauchi diatom shale is crushed by a known method to form the granules of the Wakauchi diatom shale and / or. Form powder. According to Wikipedia, these granules and powders are aggregates of grains or powders, the powders are smaller than the grains, and the grains are large enough to be visually discernible. If roughly classified grain and ^flour, and 10 -2 M to ^-4 granules m (number ^Mm～0.1Mm), up to several times the size of 10 -4 M to ^-9 m (atomic ) Is a powder in a narrow sense.

Next, the Wakkanai diatom shale thus formed into granules and / or powder is sterilized. As the sterilization process is carried out dry heat sterilization process. The principle of this dry heat sterilization process is to heat the Wakauchi diatomaceous shale in granules and / or powder at 160 to 200 ° C. for 30 minutes to 2 hours to remove microorganisms adhering to the Wakauchi diatomaceous shale. It heat-denatures enzymes and proteins, inactivates them, and sterilizes them.

As an example of the dry heat sterilization apparatus used for this dry heat sterilization process, there is a known drying electric furnace having a door that can be opened and closed on the front surface. The internal volume of this drying electric furnace is frontage 1.2 × depth 1.0 × height 1.0 m, and the allowable drying temperature is 150 to 200 ° C. Further, inside the electric furnace, a plurality of shelves are arranged at intervals in the vertical direction. The space between the upper and lower shelves is set so that the heated air is sufficiently distributed on each square bat even if the square bats are arranged on each shelf.

The dry heat sterilization by the drying electric furnace is a direct heating method. That is, an electric heating coil is attached to the inner wall of the drying electric furnace, and the structure is such that the internal air temperature is raised and maintained at a predetermined temperature by heating the electric heating coil. The Wakkanai diatom shale that can be sterilized in a drying electric furnace weighs 300 to 500 kg at a time.

The method of dry heat sterilization is as follows: First, the Wakauchi diatom shale crushed into granules and / or powder outside the dry electric furnace is placed on the bottom surface of a large commercial square bat with a thickness of 1.0 to 1.5 cm. Spread it out. The reason why the Wakkanai diatom shale is spread over this relatively thin thickness is that the heat from above is evenly transferred into the Wakkanai diatom shale.

Then, the square bats lined with Wakkanai diatom shale are lined up on the shelves inside the drying electric furnace. After confirming the position of the square bats lined up on the shelf, close the door of the drying electric furnace and heat the air inside. After the internal temperature of the drying electric furnace reaches a predetermined temperature (160 to 200 ° C.), the internal temperature is maintained for 30 minutes to 2 hours to dry heat sterilize the Wakauchi diatom shale as granules and / or powder. .. The heating temperature and heating time are adjusted according to the humidity of the Wakkanai diatom shale to be dried.

In addition, in order to dry efficiently, it is conceivable to dry the Wakkanai diatom shale while stirring, but for this purpose, the Wakkanai diatom shale must be dried in a drying electric furnace having a closed structure. A special structure is required, such as the need to provide a heat-resistant agitator.

In addition, the amount of environmental improvement material used for livestock varies depending on the scale of the barn, but it may be necessary to use several hundred kg of Wakkanai diatom shale, and therefore the cost must be low. It is desirable to use an electric furnace.

Granules that have not been sterilized and / or powders have been sterilized using a dry heat sterilizer to sterilize bacteria that are attached to or present inside and outside the juvenile diatomaceous rocks. The body and / or powder of the juvenile diatomaceous shale was sterilized inside and outside.

In order to test the antibacterial effect of this sterile Wakauchi diatom shale, sterile granules and / or powdered Wakauchi diatom shale were subdivided into containers, each of which was a representative bacterium of general viable bacteria, Escherichia coli and A test bacterial solution for growth of Staphylococcus aureus was added and mixed, and changes in the state of each bacterium over time were observed.

The test was conducted at the Japan Food Research Laboratories. The test bacteria were cultured on a normal agar medium at 35 ° C. ± 1 ° C. for 18 to 24 hours, and then suspended in a normal bouillon medium ^{to adjust the number of bacteria to 10 3} to 10 ⁴ / mL for the test. It was a fungus. In the test operation, 4 mL of the test bacterial solution was added to 4 g of the sample, and a mixture was used as the sample. The sample was stored at 25 ° C. ± 1 ° C., and after 6 hours, 24 hours and 48 hours, the sample was immediately diluted 10-fold with SCDLP medium, and the viable cell count in the sample was measured using a bacterial count measuring medium. It was confirmed by a preliminary test that the viable cell count could be measured without being affected by the sample by diluting the sample 10-fold with SCDLP medium.

In addition, the same test was carried out using the test bacterial solution to which no sample was added as a control, and the viable cell count was also measured at the start. The test results are shown in Table 1.

As shown in the test results in Table 1, Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus, which are test bacteria for growth added and mixed with dry heat sterilized diatomaceous shale, continue to be sterilized over time and are almost sterilized after 48 hours. It became a state, that is, a sterile state (FIGS. 3a-g and 4a-g show hourly viable cell count measuring plates).

The number of Escherichia coli added and mixed was 6.6 × 10 ³ at the time of addition (Fig. 3a), but after 6 hours, it was ^{sterilized to 10.3% of 6.8 × 10 2} (Fig. 3b), 24. After ~ 48 hours, 40 to 50 pieces (Fig. 3d, f) are almost sterilized.

The number of Staphylococcus aureus that was also added and mixed was 1.0 × 10 ⁴ at the time of addition (Fig. 4a), but after 6 hours, it was ^{sterilized to 8.5% of 8.5 × 10 2} (Fig. 4b). ), After 24 hours ^{, the staphylococcus was sterilized to 3.6% of 2} staphylococcus aureus (Fig. 4d), and after 48 hours, it was sterilized with <10 (no test bacterium detected: Fig. 4f). ..

For these, Wakkanai diatomaceous shale was not proliferate test bacteria only containers added (no addition), each of the bacteria continue to grow with time, Escherichia coli 4.0 × 10 ⁹ pieces of after 48 hours The number of Staphylococcus aureus increased rapidly to 6.06 × 10 ⁵ times (Fig. 3 g) and 2.1 × 10 ⁹ pieces 2.1 × 10 ⁵ times (Fig. 4 g).

Next, Table 2 shows the results of a similar test on Wakkanai diatom shale in a natural state that has not been subjected to dry heat sterilization treatment (Fig. 5a-g and Fig. 6a-g show the hourly viable cell count measuring plates. Show).

The growth test bacteria added to the natural Wakkanai diatom shale that had not been dry-heat sterilized were slightly sterilized after 6 hours (FIGS. 5b and 6b), but continued to grow thereafter, and after 48 hours, they continued to grow. Escherichia coli increased by 3.7 × 10 ⁶ pieces 6.17 × 10 ² times (Fig. 5f), and Staphylococcus aureus increased by 5.3 × 10 ⁶ pieces 6.02 × 10 ² times (Fig. 6f). doing.

Incidentally, Wakkanai diatomaceous shale was not grown for test bacteria only containers added (no addition) is continued to each grow with time, 48 hours after the E. coli 4.5 × 10 ⁹ pieces of 7.0 × 10 ⁵ The number of Staphylococcus aureus has increased twice (Fig. 5 g) and 1.0 × 10 ⁵ times (Fig. 6 g) of ^{8.8 × 10 8 pieces.}

Since the dates and times of the sterilized Wakkanai diatom shale test and the unsterilized Wakkanai diatom shale test are different, there are slight differences in the values of each bacterium.

Next, the results of the same test performed by dry heat sterilizing the diatomaceous earth produced in Oita with the diatomaceous earth produced in Japan are shown in Table 3 (Fig. 7a-g and Fig. 8a-g). Bacterial count measurement plate is shown).

Proliferation test bacteria added to sterilized Oita produced diatomaceous earth, continued to each grow with time, to 4.59 × 10 ⁵ times E. coli 3.4 × 10 ⁹ pieces of after 48 hours, Staphylococcus aureus Is increased by 1.08 × 10 ⁵ times that of 9.4 × 10 ^{8 pieces.}

Incidentally, the container only proliferation test bacteria (not added) continues to each grow with time, 48 hours after the 6.08 × 10 ⁵ times E. coli 4.5 × 10 ⁹ pieces of (FIG. 7f) , Staphylococcus aureus 2.4 × 10 ⁹ pieces of 2.76 × 10 ⁵ times (Fig. 8f), are increasing rapidly.

The test of sterilized Oita diatomaceous earth has a different date and time from the test of Wakkanai diatom shale in Tables 1 and 2, so that the numerical values of each fungus are slightly different.

The results of these tests are summarized in FIG.

In FIG. 2, the vertical axis shows the number of viable cells (/ g) of the test bacteria for growth in logarithmic units, and the horizontal axis shows the time from the start to the measurement.

As is clear from FIG. 2, the dry heat sterilized Wakkanai diatom shale continues to decrease in viable cell count over time, and after 48 hours, it is analytically sterilized. On the other hand, the Wakkanai diatom shale that has not been dry-heat sterilized continues to grow in viable cell count over time, similar to the dry-heat sterilized Oita diatomaceous earth. The difference is clear.

Next, the test results for other bacteria and viruses will be described. Similar to the above-mentioned test for Escherichia coli and Yellow Drosophila, in order to eradicate bacteria adhering to and existing inside and outside the juvenile diatomaceous shale of unsterilized granules and / or powder. Sterilization was performed using a dry heat sterilizer to sterilize the inside and outside of the juvenile diatomaceous shale granules and / or powder.

In order to test the antibacterial effect of this sterile Wakauchi diatom shale, sterile granules and / or powdered Wakauchi diatom shale were subdivided into containers, each of which was a representative of general viable bacteria, Salmonella. A test bacterial solution for growth was added and mixed, and changes in the state of each bacterial over time were observed.

The test was conducted at the Japan Food Research Laboratories. The test bacteria were cultured on a normal agar medium at 35 ° C. ± 1 ° C. for 18 to 24 hours, and then suspended in a normal bouillon medium ^{to adjust the number of bacteria to 10 3} to 10 ⁴ / mL for the test. It was a fungus. In the test operation, 4 mL of the test bacterial solution was added to 4 g of the sample, and a mixture was used as the sample. The sample was stored at 25 ° C. ± 1 ° C., and after 6 hours, 24 hours and 48 hours, the sample was immediately diluted 10-fold with SCDLP medium, and the viable cell count in the sample was measured using a bacterial count measuring medium. It was confirmed by a preliminary test that the viable cell count could be measured without being affected by the sample by diluting the sample 10-fold with SCDLP medium.

As a control, a test bacterial solution to which no sample was added was used in the same manner, and the viable cell count was measured at the start. The test results are shown in Table 4.

As shown in the test results in Table 4, Salmonella, a growth test bacterium added and mixed with sterilized diatom shale, continued to be sterilized over time and sterilized to 3.4% after 48 hours. (Fig. 9ag shows a plate for measuring the viable cell count per hour).

The number of Salmonella bacteria added and mixed was 3.8 × 10 ³ at the time of addition (Fig. 9a), but it was sterilized to 1.4 × 10 ³ after 6 hours (Fig. 9b), and 6. The bacteria were sterilized to 3.4% of 8 × 10 ² (Fig. 9d) and 1.3 × 10 ^{2 (Fig. 9f) after 48 hours, and the cells were almost sterilized.}

On the other hand, in the container containing only the test bacteria for growth without adding Wakkanai diatom shale (not added), Salmonella continued to grow over time, and there were 3.8 × 10 ³ at the time of addition (Fig. 9a). However, after 6 hours, it became 8.0 × 10 ⁴ pieces (Fig. 9c), after 12 hours it became 1.3 × 10 ⁹ pieces (Fig. 9e), and after 48 hours it became 2.7 × 10 ⁹ pieces (Fig. 9g). It is increasing rapidly.

The numerical values in Table 4 are slightly different from the test results in Table 1-3 under various conditions, so that the numerical values are also different.

Next, the virus inactivation test will be described. Similar to the above-mentioned test for Escherichia coli and Yellow staphylococcus, the bacteria adhering to and existing inside and outside the sterilized granules and / or powder of the juvenile diatomaceous rocks are eradicated and the virus is eradicated. To inactivate, sterilization was performed using a dry heat sterilizer to sterilize the inside and outside of the granules and / or powder of the juvenile diatomaceous shale.

In order to test the virus-inert effect of this sterile Feline calicivirus, the sterile granules and / or powdered Feline calicivirus were subdivided into containers and one of them (0.5 g). A virus solution (0.5 mL) of feline calicivirus, which is widely used as a substitute virus for norovirus that cannot be cultured in cells, was added and mixed to prepare a sample. This virus solution was obtained by diluting the virus culture solution after cell culture 10-fold with purified purified water obtained by centrifugation. In addition, as the cells used, CRFK cells were used.

The test was conducted at the Japan Food Research Laboratories. In the test operation, the sample was stored at room temperature, and after 6 hours and 24 hours, the sample was immediately diluted 10-fold with cell maintenance medium (2% fetal bovine serum-added Eagle MEM medium), and the virus infectivity of the sample was measured. .. It was confirmed by a preliminary test that the virus infectivity titer can be measured without being affected by the sample by diluting the sample 10-fold with the cell maintenance medium. As the cell proliferation medium, Eagle's MEM medium supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum was used.

The same test was carried out using a virus solution of influenza virus to which no sample was added as a control, and the sample was immediately diluted 10-fold with a cell maintenance medium at the start, 6 hours and 24 hours later, and the virus infectivity titer of the sample was measured. The test results are shown in Table 5.

Next, the inactive effect of influenza virus will be described. First, sterilize using a dry heat sterilizer to sterilize the bacteria attached to and present inside and outside the juvenile diatomaceous rocks of granules and / or powder and inactivate the virus. The inside and outside of the juvenile diatomaceous shale of granules and / or powder were sterilized.

In order to test the virus inactivating effect of this sterile Wakauchi diatomaceous shale, sterile granules and / or powdered Wakauchi diatomaceous shale were subdivided into containers and one of them (0.5 g). ), A virus solution of influenza virus (0.5 mL) was added and mixed to prepare a sample. This virus solution was obtained by diluting the virus culture solution after cell culture 10-fold with purified purified water obtained by centrifugation. As the cells used, MDCK (NBL-2) cell ATCC CCL-34 strain was used.

The test was conducted at the Japan Food Research Laboratories. In the test operation, the sample is stored at room temperature, and after 6 hours and 24 hours, the sample is stored in a cell maintenance medium (MEM medium 1000 mL, 10% NaHCO ₃ , L-glutamine (30 g / L) 9.8 mL, 100 × vitamin for MEM). Immediately diluted 10-fold with 30 mL of the solution, 20 mL of 10% albumin, 20 mL of 0.25% trypsin), and the virus infectivity titer of the sample was measured. It was confirmed by a preliminary test that the virus infectivity titer can be measured without being affected by the sample by diluting the sample 10-fold with the cell maintenance medium.

The same test was carried out using a virus solution of influenza virus to which no sample was added as a control, and the sample was immediately diluted 10-fold with a cell maintenance medium at the start, 6 hours and 24 hours later, and the virus infectivity titer of the sample was measured. The test results are shown in Table 5.

In this way, the virus inactivating action of the sterilized Wakauchi diatom shale is a new function added for the first time by sterilizing the Wakauchi diatom shale, and the sterilized Wakauchi diatom shale inactivates the virus. Is clearly a unique function.

An environment-improving material for sterilizing or sterilizing general viable bacteria including Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus by applying the function of this sterilized Wakauchi diatomaceous shale to sterilize or sterilize Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus is shown below.

An example in which the Wakkanai diatom shale of granules and / or powder is sterilized and used as an environment improving material for livestock will be described.

In order to improve the safety of livestock products, individual livestock farms are working on hygiene measures such as disinfection at the entrance of the farm and around the barn and disinfection inside the barn. In particular, hygiene management in the barn is an important factor in maintaining the health of livestock.

Therefore, as a typical example of livestock hygiene management, an example in which sterilized Wakkanai diatom shale is used as an environmental improvement material inside and outside the barn for dairy cows and beef cattle is shown.

In order to improve food safety, it is important to manage the safety and hygiene inside and outside the barn where dairy cows and beef cattle are raised. To maintain the health of cattle, it is necessary to keep the inside and outside of the barn clean and comfortable, but manure, which is a daily excrement, is the biggest factor that deteriorates the environment. That is, ammonia gas is generated from manure, and manure contains food poisoning bacteria such as Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus that cause food poisoning.

In a general structure of a connecting barn, cow beds are lined up in the longitudinal direction of the barn, one side of the cow bed is a feeding tank, and the other side is a manure reservoir.

The cow bed needs a comfortable environment where the foraging cows can lie down slowly and ruminate, and most of them have a bedding such as straw on a concrete floor that is easy to wash.

If this litter is low or replaced infrequently, it becomes muddy due to bovine manure, causing the growth of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. In addition, the feces attached to the cattle will be scattered by the movement of the cattle, which will disperse Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus intervening in the feces. In addition, the dirt on the feces attached to the hind limbs of the cow spreads from the udder to the nipple, which also causes the invasion of the causative bacteria of mastitis from the udder.

Normally, cattle are fed twice in the morning and evening. In addition, the cows continue to eat the food remaining in the feeding tank even outside the feeding time. If you eat food and drink water, cows will excrete manure. Manure, which is excrement, mainly collects in the manure pool, but at the same time, it is also excreted or scattered on the bedding of the cow bed, and the bedding is polluted.

Therefore, in order to maintain hygiene inside and outside the barn, clean the inside and outside of the barn by diligently removing manure from the manure pool, frequently replacing the beef bed litter contaminated with manure, and cleaning the passage and surrounding areas. There must be.

Conventionally, when disinfecting the entire barn, after removing manure and dirty litter, a disinfectant such as inverted soap or slaked lime is sprayed on the entire manure pool, cow bed, and passage. In the spraying work, disinfection work is extensive, such as moving the cow out of the barn before the work and wearing protective equipment such as goggles and masks during the work. In addition, some disinfectants are harmful to humans and cattle, so care must be taken when handling them. In particular, slaked lime may cause inflammation of the cow's udder, so care must be taken such as sweeping out the slaked lime or laying a thick litter before putting the cow in the barn.

In order to keep the cattle breeding environment comfortable, the litter soiled with manure must be changed frequently, and the cow bed, manure pool and passages must be cleaned frequently. Spraying the disinfectant each time can be a daunting task.

Therefore, as an environmental improvement material that maintains and improves daily cleanliness and suppresses bacteria in cow beds, litter, manure pools and passages, it is harmless to humans and cows and can be easily sprayed, and it also has moisture and odor. Wakauchi diatom shale, which is a natural material and has an effect of retaining and suppressing bacteria, is used.

By spraying crushed granules and / or powdered Wakauchi diatom shale on cow beds, bedding, manure reservoirs and passages, moisture and odors are absorbed, and at the same time, Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus contained in manure It is possible to retain and suppress general viable bacteria such as.

However, the Wakkanai diatom shale itself could not sterilize or sterilize the bacteria only by the inhibitory action of inhibiting the growth of the bacteria.

Therefore, from the viewpoint of safety and hygiene management, disinfection work inside and outside the barn had to be performed at the same frequency as before.

On the other hand, the environment-improving material for sterilizing or sterilizing general viable bacteria including Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus added by dry heat sterilization of Wakauchi diatomaceous shale, which is the production method of the present invention, is the Escherichia coli at the place of spraying. It has an epoch-making function of sterilizing or sterilizing general viable bacteria including Staphylococcus aureus.

By spraying Wakauchi diatom shale, which consists of sterilized granules and / or powder, as an environmental improvement material on cow beds, litter, manure pools and passages, general raw materials containing Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus contained in manure Bacteria can be sterilized or sterilized.

Bacteria continue to grow if there is water or nutrients, so they remain after washing and cleaning the cowbed, passages, and manure pools by spraying sterilized Wakauchi diatomaceous shale granules and / or powder environment-improving materials. It can sterilize and sterilize bacteria, and absorb moisture and odor.

Further, if the litter or the passage starts to become dirty before cleaning, the diffusion and proliferation of bacteria proceed, so that the sterilization effect can be enhanced by appropriately spraying.

Even if manure adheres to clothes during cleaning work, the adhered bacteria can be eradicated by wrapping the sterilized Wakauchi diatomaceous shale in granules or powdered environment-improving material. , Can help prevent the spread of bacteria.

Manure and dirty litter collected by cleaning are discharged to the composting site and used as fertilizer. Manure piled up in the composting site proliferates general viable bacteria including Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus in the manure, ferments them, and gives off a foul odor. Therefore, sterilization and sterilization at the composting site is carried out by spraying an environment-improving material consisting of granules and / or powdered Wakauchi diatom shale that has been sterilized at the time of discharge or during pile-up, or by mixing or covering the waste. It is possible to deodorize the bad odor of basic odor represented by ammonia odor.

This improves daily cleanliness, keeps the inside and outside of the barn clean and comfortable, and can greatly contribute to maintaining the health of cows. In addition, this makes it possible to significantly reduce the frequency of disinfection work inside and outside the barn, which can contribute to improving the working environment of workers and reducing costs.

An example will be described in which granules and / or powders of juvenile diatom shale are sterilized and used as a preservative for foods and as an environmental improvement material for food processing facilities.

The basis of preserved foods is that it is important not to spoil the food. Most of the causes of food spoilage are spoilage by microorganisms such as bacteria and mold. In order to remove this microorganism that is the source of putrefaction, it is possible to use an environment-improving material that sterilizes or sterilizes general viable bacteria including Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus added by sterilizing the juvenile diatom shale of the present invention. it can.

By covering the food with an environment-improving material as a preservative consisting of sterilized Wakauchi diatomaceous granules or powder, bacteria adhering to the food are sterilized and sterilized, and bacteria invading from the outside are sterilized. It can be sterilized. This allows the food to be stored for a long time without spoiling.

In addition, by storing the environment-improving material as a preservative in a container and arranging it in the food storage room, bacteria floating in the air in the room adhere to the preservative, and the preservative sterilizes the adhered bacteria. -Can be sterilized and stored longer without spoiling food.

As an antiseptic, an environment-improving material composed of sterilized Wakauchi diatom shale granules and / or powder may be solidified and used without losing the function as sterilized Wakauchi diatom shale. ..

Furthermore, in addition to the single use of the environment-improving material, sterilized Wakkanai diatom shale composed of granules and / or powder is applied to a sheet material such as film or paper, or impregnated into a sheet material such as cloth. By doing so, the range of application can be expanded by packaging the object to be sterilized with this sheet material.

In addition, bacteria do not grow in a low temperature state in a cold storage or a refrigerator, and food spoilage is suppressed. However, the bacteria attached to food and the bacteria in the refrigerator are not killed. Therefore, by arranging an environment-improving material as a preservative (including solidified preservatives) composed of sterilized Wakauchi diatomaceous shale granules and / or powder inside the refrigerator or refrigerator, the interior of the refrigerator is placed. Bacteria floating in the air can sterilize and sterilize the bacteria attached to this preservative, and the refrigerated food can be stored for a long time. At the same time, if the food stored at low temperature and refrigerated is covered with the above-mentioned environmental improving material as a preservative, the sterilizing and sterilizing effect will be further exhibited.

On the other hand, hygiene management of food processing facilities is important to ensure food safety. Filters and inner wall materials that purify the air inside the food processing facility in order to antibacterial and sterilize the bacteria floating in the air and to deodorize the unpleasant odor of basic odors such as ammonia odor. An environment-improving material made of Wakauchi diatomaceous shale or solidified Wakauchi diatomaceous spores, which is composed of granules and / or powders that have been sterilized, can be used. In addition to these single uses, cloths, films, papers, etc. coated with, adhered to, or impregnated with these can also be used.

In addition, when cleaning the facility, sterilized Wakauchi diatomaceous shale granules or powdered environment-improving material is sprayed on the floor to antibacterial and sterilize bacteria adhering to the floor, and ammonia. Basic odors typified by odors can be deodorized.

In addition, by covering the clothes of workers with bacteria and odors with an environment-improving material made of sterilized granules and / or powdered Wakauchi diatomaceous shale, the bacteria attached to the clothes are antibacterial. It can sterilize and deodorize basic odors such as ammonia odor. In addition to these single uses, cloths, films, papers, etc. coated with, adhered to, or impregnated with these can also be used.

Further, the environment-improving material produced by the production method of the present invention has the same effect in a food storage facility. In addition, the environment-improving material produced by the production method of the present invention can be sprayed around the facility, or in places where food is prone to putrefaction due to the generation of microorganisms such as bacteria and mold, such as food disposal sites and garbage storage areas. Is also effective.

Furthermore, the environment-improving material produced by the production method of the present invention can be used as a medical antibacterial / sterilizing material.

Medical facilities such as hospitals and nursing homes for the elderly have been devised to reduce or eliminate bacteria, viruses and unpleasant odors existing in the indoor air.

As an antibacterial / sterilizing material for air conditioning systems in medical facilities, an environment-improving material made of Wakauchi diatomaceous rock consisting of sterilized granules and / or powder is used as a filter to purify the air inside the facility. Can antibacterial and eradicate bacteria and viruses. At the same time, the environment-improving material produced by the production method of the present invention can deodorize a basic odor typified by an ammonia odor.

Bacteria and viruses in the hospital can be antibacterial or eradicated by using an environment-improving material made of sterilized granules and / or powdered Wakauchi diatom shale in interior materials such as hospital rooms, corridors, and lobbies. At the same time, it is possible to deodorize a basic odor typified by an ammonia odor. In this case, in addition to the single use of the environment-improving material consisting of sterilized granules and / or powder or fixing material of Wakauchi diatom shale as the interior material, this Wakauchi diatom shale is applied or adhered or impregnated. The sterilized cloth, film, paper, etc. can be used as an environmental improvement material.

In addition, sterilized granules and / or powdered Wakkanai diatom shale can be attached to a medical mask or clothing to enhance antibacterial and sterilizing properties.

Further, the environment-improving material produced by the production method of the present invention can be used as an antibacterial / sterilizing material for housing. In order to maintain and improve a comfortable living environment, sterilized granules and / or powdered Wakkanai diatom shale can be used.

Furthermore, the air in the room is sterilized and sterilized by using an environment-improving material made of sterilized granules and / or powdered Wakauchi diatom shale on the filter of the air conditioner or air purifier in the room. be able to. At the same time, it is possible to deodorize a basic odor typified by an ammonia odor.

In addition, by placing an environment-improving material consisting of sterilized granules and / or powdered Wakauchi diatom shale in a space where bacteria are likely to grow, such as in the kitchen, garbage storage, and pet breeding area, the growth of bacteria is suppressed. And can be sterilized.

Further, the environment-improving material produced by the production method of the present invention can be used as an antibacterial / sterilizing material for dust accumulation.

Garbage collection is an indispensable task for maintaining the living functions of the town. The kitchen waste is prone to putrefaction, and the accumulated food waste is particularly prone to bacterial growth and has a strong odor.

The environment-improving material of sterilized granules and / or powder as Wakauchi diatomaceous shale is sprayed on the floor in the garbage storage area, in the luggage compartment of the garbage truck, or inside the collection factory. Therefore, the growth of bacteria can be suppressed and the bacteria can be eradicated. If the environment-improving material produced by the production method of the present invention is sprayed so as to cover the dust, a more sterilizing / sterilizing effect can be exhibited. At the same time, it is possible to deodorize a basic odor typified by an ammonia odor.

In addition to the above, antibacterial / sterilizing agents for automobiles, antibacterial / sterilizing agents for educational / nursery facilities and feeding facilities, antibacterial / sterilizing agents for restaurants such as cafeterias and restaurants, antibacterial / sterilizing agents for accommodations, Antibacterial and sterilizing agents in pet shops and animal hospitals, and environmental improving materials manufactured by the manufacturing method of the present invention in all fields that require antibacterial and sterilizing in other industries and living environments can effectively improve the environment. It can be used as an improvement.

As described above, the environment-improving material made of Wakauchi diatom shale that has been dry-heat sterilized by the production method of the present invention can reliably sterilize or sterilize general viable bacteria including Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus, and viruses. It is possible to reliably inactivate microorganisms such as non-cellular organisms such as.

Therefore, the environment-improving material of the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned examples, but can be applied to a wide range of fields and exert effective effects.

Claims (4)

Wakauchi diatomaceous rocks are crushed into granules and / or powders, and the granules and / or powdery Wakauchi diatomaceous pedicles are heat-sterilized by heating at 160 to 200 ° C. for 30 minutes to 2 hours. A method for producing an environment-improving material, which comprises imparting a sterilizing, sterilizing or inactivating function of microorganisms to the shale, and incorporating the dry heat sterilized Wakauchi diatomaceous spores into a sheet material to obtain an environment-improving material. The method for producing an environment-improving material according to claim 1, wherein the sheet material is made of cloth, film, or paper. Wakauchi diatomaceous rocks are crushed into granules and / or powders, and the granules and / or powdery Wakauchi diatomaceous pedicles are heat-sterilized by heating at 160 to 200 ° C. for 30 minutes to 2 hours. A method for producing an environment-improving material, which comprises imparting a sterilizing, sterilizing or inactivating function of microorganisms to the shale, and storing the dry-heat sterilized Wakauchi diatomaceous spores in a container as an environment-improving material. Wakauchi diatomaceous rocks are crushed into granules and / or powders, and the granules and / or powdery Wakauchi diatomaceous pedicles are heat-sterilized by heating at 160 to 200 ° C. for 30 minutes to 2 hours. A method for producing an environment-improving material, which comprises imparting a sterilizing, sterilizing or inactivating function of microorganisms to the shale, and solidifying the dry-heat sterilized Wakauchi diatomaceous spores into an environment-improving material.

Images