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SANYO’s Electrolyzed Water Technology Found
to Inactivate Norovirus*
Joint research proves effectiveness of unique technology |
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Gunma Prefecture Institute of Public Health and
Environmental Sciences
SANYO Electric Co., Ltd.
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Tokyo, January 17, 2007----- SANYO Electric Co., Ltd. (SANYO) announced
today that the company’s proprietary electrolyzed water technology,
which has been applied to a number of heat, ventilation and air conditioning
products, was confirmed to be more than 99% effective in suppressing
Norovirus (Feline Calicivirus) infectivity*, a virus which has been
running rampant this winter. The findings were the result of joint
research with the Gunma Prefecture Institute for Public Health and
Environmental Sciences.
In May 2006, this same technology was confirmed to inactivate the
highly-pathogenic avian influenza and other airborne human influenza
which have become of particular concern around the world in recent
years, a finding that resulted from joint research with Tottori
University.
SANYO has provided numerous products using its unique electrolyzed
water technology dating back to 1987, when the company started sales
of the cup-type vending machines. Since that time, many products
have utilized this technology such as swimming pool antibacterial
water systems, washing machines with a non-detergent course, commercial-use
air purifier systems fitted with the virus washer function, and
home-use humidifiers and air purifiers.
Mr. Kunihisa Kozawa, head of the Gunma Prefecture Institute for
Public Health and Environmental Sciences commented that: “Norovirus
is a virus that is thought to be transmitted by the fecal-oral route
via contaminated food. However, recent research clearly shows that
cases of infectivity are believed to be caused by the airborne dispersal
of virus in such things as vomit particles. The research also states
that it is necessary to re-examine infection preventative measures
for vulnerable persons such as infants, the elderly, and people
with weakened immune systems. With this in mind, our findings confirmed
that Feline Calicivirus (substitute virus for Norovirus), which
is notoriously resistant to sterilization, was inactivated when
passed through electrolyzed water containing a mere 2-mg/l concentration
of free residual chlorine. Therefore it can be said that electrolyzed
water is an effective preventative measure for suppressing the risk
of infection from the Norovirus.”
Mr. Masahiro Iseki, General Manager of SANYO’s Human Ecology
Research Center, stated that: “Based on the ‘Think GAIA’
vision, SANYO utilized its expertise in water recycling and circulation
to develop and apply technology using hypochlorous acid, created
by electrolyzing tap water, which is effective at removing bacteria.
Hereafter, based on the evidence gained from these collaborative
research findings, SANYO will continue to promote the company’s
proprietary air purification systems fitted with the ‘virus
washer’ function as a preventative measure for suppressing
the Norovirus.”
* Fixed quantity showing virus infectious capacity |
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| Norovirus is a virus that usually presents symptoms similar to stomach
influenza (Infectious Enterocolitis) such as acute-onset vomiting,
diarrhea and abdominal cramps, and is known to cause mass infection
during the winter season. The viral particle is spherical-shaped with
a diameter of about 38nm. When observed under a microscope the virus
is seen as a structure with cup-shaped indentations, and hence is
classified as a Calicivirudae. Etymologically, “Calix”
comes from the Latin for “cup”. As there are a considerable
number of serotypes in Norovirus, it is difficult to build immunity
to re-infection even after having been infected once, and it is possible
to have an onset of stomach influenza through the Norovirus numerous
times during the winter season. |
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| Feline Caliciviridae, which presents as acute-onset of diarrhea
in cats, is very similar in terms of topical characteristics and clinical
symptoms to the Norovirus, causing stomach influenza. In order to
develop sterilization technology or preventative methods for the Norovirus,
which can not be cultivated in vitro, considerable efforts have been
made in researching Feline Caliciviridae. Today Feline Caliciviridae
is widely recognized as a substitute evaluation for the Norovirus
among researchers. |
| About the Gunma Prefecture Institute
for Public Health and Environmental Sciences |
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The Gunma Prefecture Institute for Public Health and Environmental
Sciences is a public research institute that conducts research and
examination related to public health and environmental administration.
The institute provides a considerable amount of research findings
in the broad fields of environmental conservation and public health,
including research into infectious diseases, food poisoning, pollen
allergies, air and water quality pollution and medical science.
The institute is nationally recognized as an advanced research organization
and receives assistance in the form of a Grant-in-Aid for Scientific
Research from Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and
Technology.
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| Aiming for further strengthening
of Environmental Management, Quality Control and Customer
Service. |
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| 1. |
The effectiveness of suppressing Feline Caliciviridae (FCV)
infectivity*1 through electrolyzed water.
The results of the verification test performed to check the
effectiveness in
suppressing infectivity of FCV through electrolyzed water by
passing the air through electrolyzed water with a concentration
of free residual chlorine of 2mg/l for 10 minutes confirmed
that the infectivity of the FCV was inactivated more than 99%.
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Testing Method: Air infected with FCV was forced through
electrolyzed water containing a 2-mg/l concentration of free
residual chlorine to determine the efficacy of the element in
suppressing FCV activities.
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Measurement Assay: Method of measuring (TCID50) using
infective virus from Crandell feline kidney cell line (CRFK-2)*2
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Collaborative Research Organization: Gunma Prefecture
Center of Environmental Sciences
*1: Decreased Infectivity (fixed-quantity showing
virus infectious capacity)
*2: TCID50; amount of viruses needed to be able to infect 50%
of cells
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| 2. |
Inactivating Mechanism of Norovirus through electrolyzed water |
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Due to the effectiveness of the electrolyzed water in reducing
the infectivity of FCV, similar results can be assumed for the
similar Norovirus. The two reactive oxygen species (hypochlorous
acid and sodium hydroxide) that exist in the electrolyzed water
suppress the virus infectivity through reacting with the protein
required for interface with receptors on the cell for viral
infection and dissolving the protein element. By dissolving
the interface on the virus cell, it is unable to interface with
the human cell as depicted in the illustration below. |
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Previous research conducted by SANYO. A list of examinations
of SANYO’s ‘electrolyzed water’ ‘disinfectant
element’ system and ‘disinfectant electrolyzed mist’
system.
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Subject |
Remarks |
Institution |
| Virus elimination |
Avian
Influenza
Viruses |
Disinfectant Element |
*Tottori University |
| Disinfectant Electrolyzed Mist |
*Tottori University |
Influenza
Viruses |
Electrolyzed Water |
Kitasato Research Center of Environmental Sciences. |
| Disinfectant Electrolyzed Mist |
Gunma Prefectural Institute of Public Health and Environmental
Sciences |
| Kitasato Institute Medical Center Hospital. |
| Disinfectant Element |
Gunma Prefectural Institute of Public Health and Environmental
Sciences |
| Kitasato Institute Medical Center Hospital. |
| Disinfectant |
Bacteria |
Electrolyzed Water |
Japan Food Research Laboratories |
| Food and Drug Safety Center |
| Disinfectant Electrolyzed Mist |
Kitasato Research Center of Environmental Sciences. |
| Japan Food Research Laboratories |
| Disinfectant Element |
Gunma Prefectural Institute of Public Health and Environmental
Sciences |
| Fungus Elimination |
Fungus |
Disinfectant Electrolyzed Mist |
Japan Food Research Laboratories |
| Deodorizing |
Tobacco
Smoke/ Pet
Odors |
Disinfectant Electrolyzed Mist |
Internal assessment |
| Allergen Elimination |
Pollen |
Disinfectant Electrolyzed Mist |
Osaka Medical College |
| Ticks |
Electrolyzed Water |
Japan Environmental Sanitation Center |
| Disinfectant Electrolyzed Mist |
Kobe University School of Medicine |
| Dogs |
Electrolyzed Water |
Oriental Yeast Co.,Ltd |
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* Contents
of the latest research |
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SANYO Electric Co., Ltd. is a leading provider of Environment and
Energy-related products and services with consolidated sales of US$20,487
million for Fiscal Year 2005. SANYO's businesses cover a broad range
of both consumer and commercial products such as Commercial Equipment,
Rechargeable Batteries, AV/Information and Communications Equipment,
Home Appliances, Electronic Devices and Others. Based on the vision
“Think
GAIA,” SANYO is committed to providing cutting-edge solutions
for a sustainable world by weaving together its numerous proprietary
technologies. For further information, please visit
SANYO's web site at http://www.global-sanyo.com/ |
| For Press Contact: (English Only): |
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Global PR Team, Public Affairs Unit
Corporate Communications Headquarters
SANYO Electric Co., Ltd.
Tel: +81-3-6414-8615
Fax: +81-3-6414-8720
E-mail: i_press.1014390@sanyo.co.jp
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