MX2007011743A - Allergen inactivator. - Google Patents

Abstract

It is intended to provide an allergen inactivator which shows little lowering in performance due to pH changes, can adsorb and remove an allergen and, furthermore, can inactivate and remove the allergen per se. It is also intended to provide a house dust-treating agent, a spray and a sheet which make it possible to effectively remove house dusts without causing problems such as smearing.

Description

ALLERGENS INACTIVATOR TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to an allergen inactivating agent which acts on an allergen in the home-made powder and in addition to an agent for the treatment of the homemade dust which facilitates the aggregation and removal of the home-made dust in which the dust is inactivated. allergen PREVIOUS TECHNIQUE In a room, there are several kinds of household dust such as dead mites, feces, pollens, dust and fluff. In general, the room is cleaned with a vacuum cleaner or similar. However, fine home dust such as that entangled with carpets, sofas or covers for beds can not be removed sufficiently by simply vacuuming or the like. It has been known that the onset of various allergic diseases such as asthma, dermatitis and pollenosis is caused by an allergen contained in the home dust, mainly a mite or pollen allergen. Therefore, it is important to inactivate the allergen and remove the homemade powder. As techniques for effectively removing an allergen, there has been known, for example, a technique of treatment with a swelling clay with water, polyvinyl alcohol or the like (see, for example, Patent Publications 1 and 2); a treatment technique with an inorganic powder such as kaolin or talcum (see Patent Publication 3) and the like. Any of these techniques comprises the removal of an allergen by means of adsorption with each of the components used. In addition, a treatment technique with tannic acid, an alcohol or a benzalkonium chloride and other techniques has been known (see Patent Publications 4 to 7). These techniques include the removal of an allergen by means of denaturation and inactivation. Patent Publication 1: Japanese Patent Open to Public Inspection No. 2000-16941 Patent Publication 2: Japanese Patent Open to Public Inspection No. 2002-128680 Patent Publication 3: Japanese Patent Open to Public Inspection No. 2002- 167332 Patent Publication 4: Examined Japanese Patent Publication No. Hei 2-16731 Patent Publication 5: Japanese Patent Laid Open to Public Inspection No. 2000-63207 Patent Publication 6: Japanese Patent Laid Open to Public Inspection No. 2000- 264837 Patent Publication 7: Japanese Patent Open to the Public Inspection No. 2001-335474 DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION PROBLEMS TO BE SOLVED BY THE INVENTION However, some of the techniques for the removal of an allergen by means of adsorption as mentioned above have a tendency to decrease the adsorption capacity at high pHs. In addition, some components used in the art for the removal of an allergen by means of denaturation and inactivation as mentioned above have a disadvantage in their functionality such as the generation of spots on an object that is treated. In addition, none of the techniques described above still has a satisfactory effect of removal of the home dust. Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an allergen inactivating agent that has a minor decrease in performance due to the fluctuation in pH and that is capable of not only adsorbing and removing an allergen, but also of inactivating and Remove the allergen itself. Another object of the present invention is to provide an agent, spray and sheet for the treatment of home-made dust, capable of effectively removing the home-made powder without any disadvantage in use such as the generation of spots.

MEANS FOR SOLVING THE PROBLEMS Specifically, the present invention relates to: [1] an allergen inactivating agent that contains a titanium oxide having a photocatalytic activity; [2] an agent for the treatment of household dust containing the allergen-inactivating agent of item [1] above and sodium polyacrylate; [3] a spray for treating the home powder comprising a spray container filled with the home dust treatment agent of the above item [2]; [4] a sheet for treating the home-made powder comprising a sheet-shaped material impregnated with the agent for the treatment of the home-made powder of the above-mentioned article [2]; [5] the use of a titanium oxide having a photocatalytic activity to inactivate an allergen; and [6] a method for producing an agent for the treatment of household dust, which includes the step of dispersing a titanium oxide having a photocatalytic activity and sodium polyacrylate in water, a lower alcohol or a mixture thereof .

EFFECTS OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention, an allergen inactivating agent which has a lower decrease in performance due to the fluctuation in pH and which is capable not only of adsorbing and removing an allergen, but also of inactivate and remove the allergen itself. Furthermore, in accordance with the present invention, an agent, spray and sheet for the treatment of the home-made powder capable of effectively removing the home-made powder can be provided, without any disadvantage in use such as the generation of spots.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [Figure 1] A stereomicrograph (magnification: 50 times) of standard powder. [Figure 2] A stereomicrograph (magnification: 50 times) showing the state in which there is no adsorption or aggregation. [Figure 3] A stereomicrograph (magnification: 50 times) that shows the state in which there is adsorption and aggregation.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION A characteristic of the inactivating agent of The allergens of the present invention resides in that the allergen-inactivating agent contains a titanium oxide having a photocatalytic activity. Since the allergen inactivating agent has the characteristic, some effects are exhibited that the allergen can not only be adsorbed and removed by using the allergen adsorption capacity of titanium oxide, but that the allergen can also be inactivated and removed by the photocatalytic activity of titanium oxide. In addition, since the titanium oxide contained in the allergen-inactivating agent of the present invention is a metal oxide, the titanium oxide does not discolor with the passage of time, so that the stain or something is less likely to be generated. similar which has conventionally been a disadvantage. The allergen to be inactivated by the allergen inactivating agent of the present invention includes dead mites, feces, pollens and the like. The term "photocatalytic activity" used herein refers to an ability to degrade an organic substance or something similar by using the oxidation power exhibited by the light energy. Whether or not a titanium oxide has photocatalytic activity can be confirmed, for example, whether the discoloration of methylene blue is caused or not by titanium oxide.

Specifically, the photocatalytic activity can be confirmed by adding a titanium oxide to an aqueous solution of methylene blue and visually observing the degree of discoloration of the methylene blue while subjecting to a photoradiation. The crystalline form of the titanium oxide used in the present invention includes a type of anatase and a type of rutile and the type of anatase is preferable from the viewpoint of the allergen inactivating property. The average particle size of the primary particle of the titanium oxide used in the present invention is not particularly limited. The average particle size is preferably 1 to 200 nm, more preferably 1 to 30 nm and even more preferably 5 to 20 nm, from the viewpoint of the allergen inactivating property. When the average particle size of the titanium oxide is within this range, it is desirably likely that the allergen inactivating agent has improved effects of inactivation and removal of an allergen and that it also has improved dispersion stability of the titanium oxide. When the primary particle of titanium oxide has an average particle size of, for example, approximately several hundred nanometers, the size of Average particle can be determined with an electron microscope. When the primary titanium oxide particle has a higher or smaller average particle size, the average particle size can be determined as a crystallite size by use of the Scherrer formula known in the field from the results of the determination of X-ray analysis. The average particle size of the primary particle of titanium oxide can be easily adjusted, for example, when calcining titanium oxide. The titanium oxide can also be used by mixing one or more classes having different average particle sizes. The content of the titanium oxide in the allergen-inactivating agent of the present invention is not particularly limited, as long as the effects of the present invention are exhibited. The content is preferably 0.005 to 100% by weight and more preferably 0.01 to 20% by weight. The solvent used in the allergen inactivating agent is preferably water, a lower alcohol or a mixture thereof. Like water, for example, purified water or the like can be used. The number of carbon atoms of the lower alcohol is preferably from 1 to 5, more preferably from 1 to 4 and even more preferably 2, from the viewpoint of dispersion stability of titanium oxide. Therefore, among the lower alcohols, ethanol is preferable. When a mixed solution of water and a lower alcohol is used as the solvent, the weight ratio of the water to the lower alcohol is preferably 50:50 to 80:20 and more preferably 60:40 to 70:30, from the point of view of the increase of dryness and functionality of the agent for the treatment of the home dust and from the point of view of the reduction of inflammability and of the relief of the irritability. The allergen inactivating agent of the present invention may contain an appropriate amount of a dispersing agent, from the viewpoint of increasing the dispersibility of the titanium oxide. The amount of the dispersing agent can not be determined unconditionally because the amount differs depending on its classes or the like. Therefore, it is preferable that the amount of the dispersing agent be adjusted according to its classes or the like within the range that would not hinder the object of the present invention. The allergen inactivating agent of the present invention may further contain an appropriate amount of an additive such as a deodorant, insecticide, acaricide, repellent, bactericidal, mold-proof preservative, antistatic agent, clarifier, stabilizer, perfume, pH adjusting agent or texture improver. The amount of the additive can not be determined unconditionally because the quantity differs depending on its classes or similar. Therefore, it is preferable that the amount of the additive be adjusted according to the class or the like within the range that would not hinder the object of the present invention. The allergen inactivating agent of the present invention can be used in the form of a dispersion prepared, for example, by dispersing a titanium oxide in the aforementioned solvent or the titanium oxide per se can be used as an allergen inactivating agent. The allergen inactivating agent of the present invention can exhibit its effects in a wide range of pHs. The pH is preferably from 4 to 9, from the viewpoint of maintaining the allergen inactivating action. The agent, spray and sheet for the treatment of the homemade powder of the present invention containing the allergen-inactivating agent mentioned above will be explained sequentially below. (1) Treatment Agent An object to be treated with the agent for treating the home-made powder of the present invention is not particularly limited, as long as it is generally referred to as home-made powder. The home dust treatment agent exhibits an excellent removal effect on home dust containing an allergen such as dead mites, feces or pollens and exhibits especially an excellent removal effect on home dust containing a mite allergen such as dead mites and feces. The home dust treatment agent of the present invention can be used as is and is preferably used in the preparation of the spray and the sheet described below. The content of the allergen inactivating agent contained in the agent for the treatment of home-made dust is not particularly limited, as long as the effects of the present invention are exhibited. The content of the allergen inactivating agent, in terms of the titanium oxide, is preferably 0.005 to 20% by weight, more preferably 0.01 to 1% by weight and even more preferably 0.01 to 0.2% by weight, from the point of assurance view of the sufficient dispersibility of titanium oxide in the solvent and the display of enough removal effects on home dust. The agent for the treatment of household powder also contains sodium polyacrylate. Since the agent for the treatment of household dust contains the component, the agent for the treatment of the home dust exhibits additional effects consisting, for example, of the aggregation of the home-made powder, facilitating thereby the removal of the home dust with a vacuum cleaner or the like. The sodium polyacrylate used in the present invention has a weight average molecular weight of preferably 200 X 104 to 2000 X 104 and more preferably 500 X 104 to 1000 X 104. The content of the sodium polyacrylate in the agent for the treatment of the Homemade powder of the present invention is not particularly limited. The content is preferably from 0.0001 to 5% by weight, more preferably from 0.0005 to 1% by weight and even more preferably from 0.0005 to 0.1% by weight. As the solvent used in the agent for the treatment of the home-made powder, the water, a lower alcohol or a mixture thereof contained in the allergen-inactivating agent can be used as the solvent for the agent for the treatment of the home-made powder. Alternatively, a quantity of freshly added water, a lower alcohol or a mixture thereof It can be used as the solvent for the agent for the treatment of home dust. Like water, purified water or the like can be used in the same manner as in the allergen inactivating agent. The number of carbon atoms of the lower alcohol is preferably from 1 to 5, more preferably from 1 to 4 and even more preferably 2, from the viewpoint of the dispersion stability of the titanium oxide, in the same manner as in the allergen inactivating agent. Therefore, among the lower alcohols, ethanol is preferable. When a mixed solution of water and a lower alcohol is used as the solvent, the weight ratio of the water to the lower alcohol is preferably 50:50 to 80:20 and more preferably 60:40 to 70:30, from the point of view of the increase of the dryness and functionality of the agent for the treatment of the home dust and from the point of view of the reduction of the flammability and of the relief of the irritability. The total content of water and lower alcohol in the agent for the treatment of the home-made powder is determined in consideration of the dispersion stability of the titanium oxide and the dryness and functionality of the agent for the treatment of the home-made powder. It is preferable that the total content of water and lower alcohol mentioned previously it is usually the balance of the titanium oxide, the sodium polyacrylate, the additive and the deodorant component. The household powder treatment agent of the present invention may contain an appropriate amount of an additive such as a dispersing agent, insecticide, acaricide, repellent, bactericidal, mold-proof preservative, antistatic agent, clarifier, stabilizer, perfume, agent for adjusting the pH or a texture raej speaker. The amount of the additive can not be determined unconditionally because the quantity differs depending on the class or the like. Therefore, it is preferable that the amount of the additive be adjusted according to the class or the like within the range that would not hinder the object of the present invention. It is preferable that the household powder treatment agent of the present invention also contains a deodorant component. Since the agent for the treatment of the household powder contains the component, the agent for the treatment of the home-made powder can also exhibit additional effects, for example, for the removal of odors derived from sebum and human sweat. The deodorant component is not particularly limited and includes, for example, plant extracts such as green tea, persimmon, bamboo, camellia, rose, chrysanthemum, pine, red cedar (Cryptomeria japonica), banana, sugar cane (Saccharum officinarum) and Phyllostachys pubescens; plant essential oils such as rose oil, lavender oil, bergamot oil, bitter almond oil, cananga oil, cassia oil, cedar wood oil, cinnamon oil, citronella oil, lemon oil, oil of lime, nutmeg oil, peppermint oil, fir oil, pine oil, star anise oil, turpentine oil, vetiver oil, eucalyptus oil, rosemary oil and hinoki cypress oil; components derived from essential oils of plants such as anethole, citronellal, citral, limonene, cineole, a-pinene and terpinolene; and deodorant components such as methyl methacrylate, ethyl methacrylate, lauryl methacrylate, stearyl methacrylate, ethyl pyruvate, pyruvic esters, dimethyl maleate and betaine; and similar. Plant extracts such as green tea, persimmon and bamboo are preferable due to the excellent odor removal effect as mentioned above. The content of the deodorant component in the household powder treatment agent of the present invention is not particularly limited, as long as the effect of the present invention is exhibited. The content is preferably 0.01 to 10% by weight and more preferably from 0.05 to 2% by weight, from the point of view of exhibiting sufficient odor removal effects. As the agent for the treatment of home-made dust, for example, an agent for the treatment of household dust containing 0.01 to 0.2% by weight of a titanium oxide, from 0.0005 to 0.01% by weight of sodium polyacrylate, is especially preferred. , from 0.01 to 5% by weight of an additive, from 20 to 50% by weight of ethanol and the rest is water. The agent for the treatment of the home-made powder of the present invention is obtained by appropriately mixing each of the aforementioned components. Since titanium oxide is generally less likely to be dispersed in water, it is usually preferable that a dispersing agent be added to water, a lower alcohol or a mixture thereof, while stirring to prepare a dispersion. The home dust treatment agent of the present invention can exhibit its effect over a wide range of pHs. The pH is preferably from 4 to 9, from the viewpoint of maintaining the allergen inactivating action. (2) Spraying The spraying of the present invention comprises a known spray package which is filled with the above-mentioned home dust treatment agent and a spray container that is filled with an agent for the home dust treatment of a preferred embodiment is more preferable. Spray pack classes are not particularly limited. For example, a spray container with an activation system, a pump spray container, an accumulator spray container or the like is preferable from the point of view of convenience of use. Usually, the capacity of the spray container is preferably from about 10 to about 1000 raL, more preferably from about 30 to about 750 mL, and even more preferably from about 50 to about 500 mL, from the standpoint of functionality or the like. The spray can can be filled with the above-mentioned household powder treatment agent according to a known method. (3) Sheet The sheet of the present invention comprises a known sheet material which is impregnated with the above-mentioned household powder treatment agent and a sheet material which is impregnated with a powder treatment agent is more preferable. home of a preferred modality. The content of ethanol in a particularly preferred embodiment of the agent for the treatment of the home-made powder mentioned above is from 20 to 50% by weight. However, when the above-mentioned household powder treatment agent is used for the preparation of a sheet, the ethanol content in the especially preferred embodiment is from 1 to 50% by weight in consideration of an influence on a floor wax or similar. The shape of the sheet is not particularly limited. Usually, the sheet having a length of about 150 to about 200 mm, a width of about 200 to about 300 mm and a thickness of about 0.05 to about 1 mm is preferable. The sheet can be made from a single layer or can be laminated with layers formed from the same material or from different materials. The above-mentioned sheet material is not particularly limited and includes, for example, nonwoven fabric, woven fabric, paper and the like. The non-woven fabric is preferable from the point of view of its high strength, low cost and ease of adjustment of the basis weight. These sheet materials can be produced according to known methods. In addition, the products commercially available can be used if they are available. For example, the aforementioned nonwoven fabric which is suitably used as a sheet material can be produced by means of a known method such as a chemical bonding method., thermal bonding method, two-point tying method, two-point binding method or biopsy needle method. Furthermore, the material for the same is not particularly limited and includes, for example, polypropylene, polyethylene, polyester, acrylic, rayon, cotton, pulp and the like. As the material for the non-woven fabric, the rayon or pulp is preferable from the viewpoint of facilitating impregnation of the agent for the treatment of the powder and the polyethylene or polyester is preferable from the viewpoint of maintenance of the strength. In addition, from both points of view, a combined fabric is more preferable in which those exemplified as the preferred materials are combined in an appropriate ratio. Preferably, the nonwoven fabric having a basis weight, ie, a weight of the fabric per unit area, usually from about 30 to about 80 g / m2. The sheet material may be impregnated with the above-mentioned household powder treatment agent according to a known method. By example, in a case where a sheet material comprising a non-woven fabric having a basis weight within the preferred range mentioned above is impregnated with the above-mentioned household powder treatment agent, it is preferable that the sheet material it is immersed in the agent for the treatment of the aforementioned home-made powder having a volume two or three times or too large as the base weight of the sheet material to impregnate the sheet material with the above-mentioned household powder treatment agent. Specifically, when the basis weight is 50 g / m 2, it is preferable that the sheet material comprising a non-woven fabric is impregnated with 100 to 150 g of the above-mentioned household powder treatment agent, per 1 m2 of the sheet material . The agent and the spray for the treatment of the home-made powder of the present invention can be used when applying the agent by means of, for example, dusting or the like to the interior carpet, sofa, covers for bed or the like which is the object to be cleaned with a vacuum cleaner. In this case, immediately after the application, or preferably after allowing the object to rest for a period of several minutes to several hours, the object mentioned above is cleaned in the usual way with a vacuum cleaner, so that An allergen can be inactivated effectively and in such a way that the homemade powder is effectively removed. Furthermore, for example, the agent and spray for the treatment of the home-made powder can be applied on the covers for bed or the like before ventilating the covers for bed or the like. In that case, after a given period of ventilation, the household dust can be effectively removed by hitting the bed or similar covers with a shaker or by hand before bringing the bed or similar covers to enclosed spaces. Usually, the adhered home dust is finely sprayed upon striking the ventilated bed covers or the like, whereby it may become even more difficult for the dust to be removed in some cases. However, if the agent for the treatment of home-made powder or the like of the present invention is applied in advance, the home-made powder is added, so that the home-made powder can be removed effectively. Since the household powder treatment agent is not easily dusted or the like, it is preferable that the home dust treatment agent be used in the form of a spray. In addition, the pulverization is preferably used in a state in which the titanium oxide is dispersed homogeneously, from the viewpoint of the display of Sufficient way of the action of inactivation of an allergen and the effects of the removal of home dust. Therefore, it is preferable that the spray is usually stirred well before application to the object. Furthermore, with the application, since the object is moistened in part where the spray is applied, it is preferable that the object is allowed to rest for a given period of time after application to adequately dry the object and the dry object is then clean When the agent for the treatment of home-made powder or the like of the present invention contains a deodorant component containing an extract of plants such as green tea, persimmon or bamboo, the allergen can be inactivated effectively, so that the home-made powder can be removed Effectively and at the same time the scents mentioned above can be removed effectively. On the other hand, the sheet of the present invention is preferably used to clean a part on which the homemade powder accumulates, for example, the surface of bed covers, lampshade of an interior lamp, window frame, floor or the like. Usually, when the part is cleaned with a damp cloth, the homemade powder only gets wet, but it is still difficult to clean the homemade dust. According to the sheet of the present invention, not only the allergen can be inactivated in a manner effective but also home dust can be added and removed effectively. In addition, if the aforementioned deodorant component is contained, the odor mentioned above can also be effectively removed.

EXAMPLES Examples 1 to 5 and Comparative Examples 1 to 3 Preparation of the Allergen Inactivating Agent Each component of the titanium oxide A to F listed in Table 1, silica or talc was mixed according to the amount listed in Table 2, for provide test solutions 1 to 5 (Examples 1 to 5) and comparative test solutions 1 to 3 (Comparative Examples 1 to 3). The titanium oxide and optionally silica or talc were dispersed in water by adding each of the components in a small amount at a time to the water having a normal temperature under stirring. In order to confirm the photocatalytic activity of the titanium oxide used, 0.1 g of a titanium oxide was added to 100 mL of an aqueous solution of methylene blue (0.1% by weight) while stirring and the resulting dispersion was taken with a medicinal dropper. A drop of the dispersion was placed on a glass slide and the degree of Discoloration of methylene blue was observed with the naked eye while subjected to photoirradiation (black light, UV intensity: 1000 μ / cm2). After one hour from the beginning of the photoradiation, the color of the dispersion in which each of the titanium oxides A to E was dispersed was changed from blue to clear colorless, while the color of the dispersion in which the F titanium oxide was dispersed did not show a change of blue color. Therefore, the titanium oxides A to E had a photocatalytic activity, whereas the titanium oxide F did not have a photocatalytic activity.

[Table 1] Particle Size (nm) Shape of the Crystals Titanium Oxide A Anatase Titanium Oxide B 7 Anatase Titanium Oxide C 20 Anatase Titanium Oxide D 30 Anatase Titanium Oxide E 180 Anatase Titanium Oxide F 250 Rutile [Table 2] Example Comparative Example 0. 1 B 0.1 Titanium oxide (g) C - - 0.1 - D - - - 0.1 0.1 0.1 Silica (g) 0.1 Talc (g) 0.1 Water (g) 99.9 99.9 99.9 99.9 99.9 99.9 99.9 99.9 Total (g) 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 Test Example 1 Evaluation of the Allergen Inactivating Action The allergen inactivating action of each of the test solutions 1 to 5 and the comparative test solutions 1 to 3 mentioned above was evaluated using a mite allergen as an allergen according to with the following method. The amount of 0.15 mL of each of the test solutions 1 to 5 and the comparative test solutions 1 to 3 was added to 1 mL of an antigen solution prepared by dissolving a Dfb antigen [crude mite body antigen; obtained by means of the method proposed by Sasa, M. and collaborators (Jpn. J. Exp. Med., 40: 367-382, 1970)] in PBS to have a concentration of 20 μg / mL. As a negative control, the same volume of Water was added instead of the test solution. The mixture was allowed to stand at room temperature for 2 hours under a fluorescent lamp (36 X 8) and after that the degree of allergen inactivating action of each test solution was determined with a MITEY CHECKER (Allergen Detection Equipment). mites: manufactured by Shinto Fine Co., Ltd.). According to the MITEY CHECKER team, the amount of a mite allergen Der2 (one of the main allergens), capable of acting as an allergen, in the solution to be tested, can be determined by means of a horizontal development process using a monoclonal antibody. Therefore, it is thought that the degree of allergen inactivating action of each test solution means an allergen inactivation action in each test solution. Table 3 below shows the criteria for the estimation of the amount of mite allergen of the MITEY CHECKER equipment and Table 4 shows the results of the estimation of the degree of allergen inactivation action of each test solution based on the criteria of the estimate.

[Table 3] Estimate Quantity of Acaro Allergen ++ > 3.5 μg / mL (equivalent to "> 35 mites / mL") + 1.0 μg / mL (equivalent to 10 mites / mL) ± 0.5 μg / mL (equivalent to 5 mites / mL) < 0.1 μg / mL (equivalent to "<1 mite / mL") [Table 4] Test Solution Test Solution Comparative Control Negative 1 2 3 Estimation ++ ++ ++ ++ It can be seen from Tea 4 that the degree of allergen inactivating action of each of the test solutions 1 to 5 is higher than that of each of the test solutions 1 to 3 and the negative control. The components used in the comparative test solutions are those used in the conventional technique for removing allergens. The results of Table 4 show that the degree of inactivating action of mite allergens of titanium oxide used in the present invention is especially excellent, in comparison with those components.

Test Example 2 Influence of Light on Allergen Inactivating Action The degree of allergen inactivating action was evaluated in the same manner as in Test Example 1, except that the light conditions were changed in order to confirm as the action Allergen inactivator of test solution 1 mentioned above was influenced by light. As a control, the comparative test solution 1 was used. The results are shown in Table 5.

[Table 5] Under a Fluorescent Lamp in Spaces in Spaces in Closed Spaces (36 W Open (300 Open (2600 8) (15 μW / cm2) μW / cm2) μW / cm2) Test Solution 1 Test Solution ++ ++ ++ Comparative 1 According to Table 5, the degree of allergen inactivating action of test solution 1 was further improved by exposing test solution 1 to a stronger light , whereas in contrast the degree of allergen inactivating action of comparative test solution 1 remained low regardless of light conditions.

Test Example 3 Influence of pH on the Allergen Inactivating Action The degree of allergen inactivating action was evaluated in the same manner as in Test Example 1, except that the pH of the test solution was adjusted with lactic acid or carbonate of sodium before the test, in order to confirm how the allergen-inactivating action of the test solution 1 mentioned above was influenced by the pH. The results are shown in Table 6. At this point, the test solution 1 before the test had a pH of 6. [Table 6] pH Test solution 1 It can be seen from Table 6 that the degree of allergen inactivating action of test solution 1 was maintained regardless of pH. Example 6 and Comparative Examples 4 to 11 Preparation of the Homemade Powder Treatment Agent Each component was mixed according to the amount listed in Table 7 to provide a test solution 6 (Example 6) and the comparative test solutions 4 to 11 (Comparative Examples 4 to 11). In this point, the unit used in Table 7 is gram.

[Table 7] Example Example D Comparative 5 6 4 5 6 ; Titanium Oxide A 0.18 0.18 0.18 0.18 Sodium Polyacrylate 0.0045 - - - Sodium Alginate - (D.0045 0.09 - Potato Starch - - - 0.0045 .0 Polyvinyl alcohol - - - - Methylcellulose - - - - Water 270 270 270 270 Ethanol 180 180 180 180 - continued¬ L5 -continued- Exemplc > Comparative 7 8 9 lo 11 Titanium Oxide A 0.18 0.18 0.18 0.18 0.18 Sodium Polyacrylate - - - - - 20 Sodium Alginate - - - - - Potato Starch 0.45 - - - - Polyvinyl Alcohol - 0.0045 0.45 - - Methylcellulose - - - 0.0045 0.45 Water 270 270 270 270 270 Ethanol 180 180 180 180 180 Test Example 4 Evaluation of the Allergen Inactivating Action The allergen inactivating action was evaluated for test solution 6 and comparative test solutions 4 to 11 in the same manner as in Test Example 1. The results are shown in Table 8. Test Example 5 Evaluation of the Home Dust Aggregation Effect A powder, 10 mg of standard powder [Cotton swab, manufactured by Japan Air Cleaning Association] was placed in a plastic petri dish that had a diameter of 9 cm and 0.7 mL of each of test solution 6 and the solutions of Comparative tests 4 to 11 loaded in a commercially available manual spray container was sprayed to the standard powder. After drying the sprayed mixture at room temperature, the respective powdered powder was observed with a stereo microscope (manufactured by Nikon Corporation; magnification: 50 times) for the degrees of adsorption and aggregation of the standard powder according to the following evaluation criteria. As controls, one in which only the standard powder is placed on a plastic plate and one in which the water is sprayed in place of the test solution so that the standard powder is placed in a plastic petri dish are prepared and They observed in the same way. The results are shown in Table 8. < Adsorption and Aggregation of Standard Powder > O: There is adsorption and aggregation. X: There is no adsorption or aggregation. At this point, the adsorption and aggregation of the standard powder were evaluated by observing the adsorbed and aggregate states of the respective standard powder while the controls were considered to have no adsorption or aggregation. Figure 1 shows a stereomicrograph of the standard powder and Figures 2 and 3 show stereographs of each evaluation (X or O).

[Table 8] Solution Test Comparative Test Solution 10 11 Inactivating Action of Allergens ± + + Adsorption and Aggregation of Powder O? or? or? or? o Homemade -continued- • continuation- Untreated Control Treated with Water Allergen Inactivating Action Adsorption and Aggregation of Dust X X Home According to the results of Table 8, in the comparative test solution using sodium alginate, potato starch, polyvinyl alcohol or methylcellulose as the aggregation agent, when the mixing ratio of the component was approximately 0.001% by weight (Comparative Examples) 4, 6, 8 and 10), no adsorption or aggregation was found for the standard powder (Figure 2) and when the mixing ratio was increased in order to exhibit the adsorption and aggregation for the standard powder (Comparative Examples 5, 7 , 9 and 11), the inactivating action of allergens of titanium oxide was inhibited. In contrast, in the test solution using sodium polyacrylate (Example 6), even though the component had a low concentration of about 0.001% by weight, adsorption or aggregation was found for the standard powder (Figure 3) and was not inhibited the inactivating action of allergens.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY According to the present invention, an allergen inactivating agent, capable of effectively inactivating an allergen, an agent for the treatment of home dust, pulverization and sheet for the treatment of home dust, capable of removing from effective way home dust.

Claims (7)

1. CLAIMS 1. An allergen inactivating agent, characterized in that it comprises a titanium oxide having photocatalytic activity.
2. 2. The allergen inactivating agent according to claim 1, characterized in that it also comprises water, a lower alcohol or a mixture thereof.
3. 3. An agent for the treatment of home dust, characterized in that it comprises the allergen inactivating agent according to claim 1 or 2 and sodium polyacrylate.
4. 4. A spray for treating the home-made powder, characterized in that it comprises a spray container that is filled with the agent for the treatment of the home-made powder according to claim 3.
5. 5. A sheet for treating the home-made powder, characterized in that it comprises a sheet material impregnated with the home dust treatment agent according to claim 3.
6. 6. The use of a titanium oxide having photocatalytic activity to inactivate an allergen.
7. 7. A method for producing an agent for the treatment of home dust, characterized in that it comprises the step consisting of dispersing a titanium oxide having photocatalytic activity and sodium polyacrylate in water, a lower alcohol or a mixture thereof.