Antimicrobial agent

Abstract: A silver-containing antimicrobial agent which is excellent in affinity to fiber, antimicrobial property, anti-fungus property and stability to heat and light. It comprises carboxymethyl cellulose containing silver in the amount of 0.01 to 1% by weight and having the degree of substitution to carboxymethyl group of not less than 0.4. The carboxymethyl cellulose may be a crosslinked compound to make the antimicrobial agent water resistant.

Description: The present invention relates to an antimicrobial agent which is applicable to fibrous products, paper, leather and porous material. As antimicrobial agents applicable to fibrous products, paper, etc., antimicrobial metals such as silver, copper and zinc are known. It is considered that antimicrobial metals exhibit an antimicrobial property because when metal ions are absorbed into microbial cells, they inhibit respiration and basal metabolism of the electron transfer system and the transport of substrate through the cell membrane. Among antimicrobial metals, silver is a safe metal because silver in its metallic state is hardly absorbed by the human body. Thus silver is used as tableware and artificial tooth. In its ionic state (e.g. aqueous solution of silver nitrate), it exhibits an antimicrobial activity as disinfectant. But agents in their liquid state are troublesome to handle and limited in use. Thus some antimicrobial agents support silver on activated carbon. But such agents cannot have a long-term antimicrobial effect because of too rapid elution of the silver ions. Also they are a safety problem. Other solid state antimicrobial agents include those having silver ions supported on zeolite (which is an inorganic ion exchanger) or clay. But such agents cannot have a long-term antimicrobial effect because the silver ions elute. Also, silver ions supported in the inside of a hard three-dimensional structure made of silicate cannot contact microbial cells efficiently and thus are not satisfactory in their function. As antimicrobial agents supporting silver on an organic compound, agents consisting of a copolymer of styrene monomers and monomers (such as acrylic acid or metacrylic acid exchanged by silver ions) containing carboxyl group are known (unexamined Japanese patent publication 53-109941). Also, as antimicrobial agents using cellulosic polymers which have an affinity to fiber, there are known compositions having sulfadiazine silver and carboxymethylcellulose dispersed in an acrylic adhesive (unexamined Japanese patent publication 2-147063) and sheets containing zeolite, ion-exchanged by silver and copper ions, and water-absorptive polymers such as carboxymethylcellulose, which keep the freshness of leaf vegetable (unexamined Japanese patent publication 3-148470). But conventional compositions containing silver or a silver compound and carboxymethylcellulose will not exhibit antimicrobial property safely and effectively if they do not have a predetermined composition. Therefore, such compositions cannot be used as antimicrobial agents, directly mixed or cannot be used to impregnate fiber or other matrices. None of the conventional silver-containing antimicrobial agents have both a long-lasting antimicrobial activity and an affinity to fiber. No antimicrobial agents are available which achieve the required sterilization ratio when mixed in paper or fibrous products. Also, antimicrobial agents containing a silver compound in carboxymethylcellulose are liable to change in properties or color due to heat and light. None of such conventional silver-containing antimicrobial agents achieves a sterilization ratio over 40%, which is the minimum effective value at 12.5ng/ml of silver (at this concentration, even silver nitrate cannot have antibacterial activity), when measured with the Shake Flask Method stipulated by the Association of Antibacterial Treatments for Textiles, Japan (hereinafter referred to as "Shake Flask Method"). An object of the present invention is to provide a silver-containing antimicrobial agent which has good affinity to fiber and such a good antimicrobial property as to meet the antimicrobial requirement and which is stable to heat and light and will not cause the product to change in color or quality. Another object of the present invention is to provide an antimicrobial agent which has water resistance and thus maintains an antimicrobial property in water-contacting environments. In accordance with the present invention, there is provided an antimicrobial agent which comprises carboxymethylcellulose containing silver in the amount of 0.01 to 1% by weight and which has a degree of substitution with carboxymethyl groups of not less than 0.4. The degree of substitution to carboxymethyl groups may be 0.4 to 1. The carboxymethylcellulose in the agent may be a crosslinked compound. The antimicrobial agent according to the present invention is a silver salt of carboxymethylcellulose (hereinafter referred to as CMC). By limiting its degree of substitution to carboxymethyl groups and the silver content to predetermined ranges, the dissociation rate speed of silver ions is suppressed. Since CMC is a cellulose derivative, silver salts of CMC have good affinities for paper and fiber. Because of their flexible structure, it is easy to contact microbial cells. Thus, even if it contains a relatively small amount of silver ions, it will exhibit antibacterial and antifungal properties efficiently. In other words, with the antimicrobial agent of the present invention, the total amount of silver ions necessary to exhibit a sufficient antimicrobial property may be small. Thus, the antimicrobial agent is difficult to be oxidized by visible or ultraviolet light or heat. Such silver salts of CMC suppress the dissociation of silver ions, provided that they have a degree of substitution to carboxymethyl groups in a predetermined range and a relatively small amount of silver. Thus silver salts of CMC have a high safety standard and high, sustained antimicrobial activity and stability to heat and light. They can provide an excellent antimicrobial agent which is applicable to fibers without any problems. Crosslinked CMC are insoluble in water and are usable for applications where they contact water. In case that the raw material sodium carboxymethylcellulose (hereinafter abbreviated as CMC(Na) has a higher degree of substitution than 0.4, it is soluble in water. Thus, it is reacted with a crosslinking agent such as epichlorohydrin into a crosslinked form which is insoluble in water. The CMC used in the present invention is represented by Formula 1 and has a degree of substitution to carboxymethyl groups per anhydroglucose (hereinafter abbreviated DS) and its silver content restricted in predetermined ranges. It may be a crosslinked CMC. The antimicrobial agent of the present invention comprises a silver salt of carboxymethylcellulose represented by the following formula (I): wherein R is replaced with a carboxymethyl group which is one of CH 2 COOH and CH 2 COOM (wherein M is an alkali metal) so that the degree of substitution is not less than 0.4, and further at least one of H in at least part of CH 2 COOH and M in at least part of CH 2 COOM being replaced with silver so that the content of silver will be 0.01 to 1% by weight and wherein n is 100-2000. In case that the silver content in CMC is less than 0.01 wt%, the antimicrobial agent cannot achieve the sterilization ratio of over 40% as measured with the Shake Flask Method at the low silver concentration (12.5ng/ml). In case that the silver content is over 1 wt%, the antimicrobial agent will not exhibit an antimicrobial property sufficiently because the silver ions are liable to dissociate. Also, it would be unfavourable because of economic and safety reasons. If CMC has a DS value of less than 0.4, the number of carboxyl groups which are not substituted with silver would be small so that silver is liable to dissociate from CMC. If CMC has a DS value of over 1.0, CMC would turn from hydrophilic to hydrophobic and would not exhibit the antimicrobial property satisfactorily. Also, the manufacturing process would be complicated particularly in the step of introducing carboxymethyl groups. This would affect economy and utility unfavorably. Provided CMC contains silver as an essential component in the abovementioned content, the antimicrobial agent may contain salts of other metals in such contents as not to inhibit the effect by the present invention. Such metals may be copper or zinc. Alkali metals coexisting with them may be lithium, sodium or potassium. Alkaline earth metals such as calcium may coexist with them. The antimicrobial agent may contain ammonium salts. Silver salts of CMC (hereinafter abbreviated as CMC(Ag)) may be manufactured by use of sodium salts of CMC(Na). CMC(Na) may be manufactured by etherification, that is, mixing alkaline cellulose and sodium monochloroacetate to dissolve and precipitating with methylalcohol. Also, commercially available CMC(Na) may be used such as sodium cellulose glycolate, Carmellose sodium and sodium carboxymethylcellulose. The degree of polymerization for CMC should be 100 to 2000, more preferably 200 to 1200. The degree of substitution (DS) to carboxymethyl groups was determined with the method described below. It was measured by drying CMC(Na), weighing it, and incinerating at 575°C, titrating the sodium carbonate thus obtained with standard sulfuric acid, and calculating the DS value from the titration value. CMC(Ag) may be obtained by substituting sodium in CMC(Na) with silver. In case that the CMC(Na) used is water insoluble, it is suspended in water or in an aqueous organic solvent. In case that it is water soluble, it is suspended in an aqueous organic solvent. A required amount of silver nitrate is added to the suspended CMC(Na) for substitution. As an aqueous organic solvent, aqueous methanol solution (mixing ratio, water: methanol = 2:8) is preferable. The silver content of the CMC(Ag) obtained was determined by drying the specimen, weighing and incinerating it at 900°C, dissolving the metal silver obtained in a nitric acid solution to generate silver nitrate solution, and titrating it with a standard ammonium thiocyanate (Vollhard method). Alternatively atomic absorption spectroscopy was used to determine the silver content. A water-insoluble CMC(Ag) in the form of crosslinked polymer may be obtained by adding one of the following crosslinking agents to CMC(Na) and crosslinking CMC(Na) in a reaction solvent. The crosslinking agents may be aldehydes such as formaldehyde, glutaric aldehyde or glyoxal; N-methylol compounds such as dimethylolurea, dimethylolethyleneurea or dimethylol imidazoline; polyhydric carbonic acids such as oxalic acid, maleic acid, butanedioic acid, malic acid or polyacrylic acid; polyhydric epoxy compounds such as ethyleneglycol diglycidyl ether, polyethyleneglycol diglycidyl ether, or diepoxybutane; divinyl compounds such as divinyl sulfone or methylene-bis-acrylamide; polyhydric halogen compounds such as dichloroacetone, dicholoropropanol or dichloroacetic acid; halohydrin compounds such as epichlorohydrin or epibromohydrin. The molar ratio of crosslinking agent to anhydroglucose should be 0.5 to 3, more preferably 0.7 to 2. As a reaction solvent, a mixture of water and organic solvent may be used with the mixing ratio being about 2:8 (water : organic solvent). As organic solvents, for example, isopropyl alcohol, acetone, ethanol or methanol may be used. CMC(Ag) in the form of a crosslinked compound may also be manufactured by crosslinking (a) cellulose and carboxymethylating the crosslinked cellulose. The degree of polymerization of cellulose before crosslinking should be 100 to 2,000. The cellulose may be crosslinked by use of epichlorohydrin at a reaction molar ratio (to anhydroglucose) of 0.7 to 2, using the above described solvents or water only as a reaction solvent. The Carboxymethylation may be done with an ordinary solvent method. The degree of substitution (DS) of the crosslinked CMC(Na) obtained should be not less than 0.4, more preferably 0.4 to 1.0. The degree of swelling of the crosslinked CMC(Na) in water should be small for a practical use. But if the degree of swelling is too large, crosslinking may be repeated. The antimicrobial agent comprising CMC(Ag) obtained may be used by dissolving or suspending it in a binder, applying the solution obtained to the surface of an equipment to be protected from bacteria or fungus, removing the solvent, thereby forming a coating of CMC (Ag). Alternatively, it may be used by impregnating the material with it and removing the solvent, or mixing it with wood pulp or cellulose fiber in order to produce paper. The binder used in coating the agent may be selected according to the application and according to the solubility of CMC(Ag)in water. Suitable binders include natural polymers or their derivatives such as starch, casein, soybean protein, cellulose acetate, cellulose nitrate, methylcellulose and hydroxyethyl cellulose; synthetic polymers such as polyvinylacetate and its copolymers, polyvinylalcohol, polyvinylacetal, polyacrylate, polyvinylidene chloride, polyethylene and its copolymers, polystyrene-butadiene copolymers, silicone, amino resin, alkyd resin and polyurethane. The antimicrobial agent according to the present invention may be applied or used for impregnating or mixed(for making paper) with boards such as corrugated cardboard, white board and separate sheets; cardboard as construction material; cardboard for core board. Also, it may be used to impregnate fiber, non-woven fabrics, leather, sponge and wood. Further, it may be used with objects which are not cleaned or uncleanable, such as bedding, tatamis (traditional Japanese straw mats), wall paper, wall plates, furniture, porous heat insulating materials, filter documents and shoes. In order to improve or adjust the antimicrobial effect, the antimicrobial agent according to the present invention may be used with an antioxidant, masking agent, ultraviolet absorber, coloring agent, surface-active agent, coupling agent or other additives. EXAMPLE 1 Preparation of crosslinked CMC(Ag) (DS = 0.53, silver content = 0.048 wt%) 5.0527g of crosslinked CMC(Na) (DS = 0.53, water content: 12.6 wt%) was suspended in 100ml of water in a 200ml graduated flask. A silver nitrate solution (AgNO 3 : water = 3.35mg/10ml) was added to the suspension, which was shaken for 71 hours in the dark. The precipitate was filtered with a glass filter, washed with 50% ethanol and then with 100% ethanol and dried with P 2 O 5 + silica gel for three days. 4.996g of white powder crosslinked CMC(Ag) (water content: 10.26 wt%) was obtained. The silver content of the crosslinked CMC(Ag) obtained was measured with the ammonium thiocyanate determination method. (Ammonium thiocyanate determination method (Vollhard method)) The specimen was dried, weighed and incinerated at 900 °C. The metal silver obtained was dissolved in a nitric solution thereby generating a silver nitrate solution. It was heated to remove NO 2 gas and titrated with standard ammonium thiocyanate with ferric ammonium sulfate added as an indicator. As a result, in Example 1, the silver content was 0.048 wt% (for anhydride) and 0.043 wt% (for water-containing specimen), and the degree of substitution to silver was 0.001. EXAMPLE 2 Preparation of crosslinked CMC(Ag) (DS = 0.53, silver content = 0.048 wt%) by using methanol as a solvent for substitution. 3.5g of crosslinked CMC(Na) (DS = 0.53, water content: 14.71 wt%) was suspended in 60ml of 80% methanol in a 200ml graduated flask. A silver nitrate solution (AgNO 3 : water = 2.91mg/5ml) was added to the suspension, which was shaken for 135 hours in the dark. The precipitate was filtered with a glass filter, washed with 50% ethanol and then with 100% ethanol and dried with P 2 O 5 + silica gel for three days. 3.1937g of crosslinked CMC(Ag) (water content: 6.46 wt%) was obtained. The silver content of the crosslinked CMC(Ag) obtained was measured with the ammonium thiocyanate determination method. As a result, the silver content was 0.048 wt% (for anhydride) and 0.045 wt% (for water-containing specimen), and the degree of substitution to silver was 0.0009. EXAMPLE 3 Preparation of crosslinked CMC(Ag) (DS = 0.51, silver content = 0.114 wt%) 5.896g of crosslinked CMC(Na) (DS = 0.51, water content: 15.22 wt%) was suspended in 100ml of 80% methanol in a 200ml graduated flask. A silver nitrate solution (AgNO 3 : water = 11.47mg/5ml) was added to the suspension, which was shaken for 112 hours in the dark. The precipitate was filtered with a glass filter, washed with 50% ethanol and then with 100% ethanol and dried with P 2 O 5 + silica gel for three days. 5.3370g of crosslinked CMC(Ag) (water content: 6.82 wt%) was obtained. The silver content of the crosslinked CMC(Ag) obtained was measured with the ammonium thiocyanate determination method. As a result, the silver content was 0.114 wt% (for anhydride) and 0.106 wt% (for water-containing specimen), and the degree of substitution to silver was 0.0021. EXAMPLE 4 Preparation of crosslinked CMC(Ag) (DS = 0.6, silver content = 0.067 wt%) 1) Synthesis of crosslinked cellulose 21.447g of cellulose (CF-11, Whatman, n≒200, water content: 6.75 wt%) was suspended in 320ml of 3% sodium hydroxide. 22.8g of epichlorohydrin was added to the suspension to react at 50°C for one hour. The reaction product was filtered, washed with water and then methanol, and air-dried. 20.68g of crosslinked cellulose (water content: 15.59 wt%) was obtained. 2) Synthesis of crosslinked CMC(Na) 7.9347g of crosslinked cellulose (water content: 1.68 wt%) was suspended for 30 minutes in a solution containing 4.07g of sodium hydroxide, 18.53g of water and 86ml of isopropyl alcohol (hereinafter abbreviated as IPA). A solution containing 3.94g of monochloro acetic acid and 8.5ml of IPA was added and the mixture was stirred at 70°C for one hour. After reaction, the mixture was filtered while heating and the residue was neutralized with acetic acid in 80% methanol, fully washed with the solvent and dried under reduced pressure. 12.58g (water content:12.49 wt%) of crosslinked CMC(Na) was obtained. The ion-exchange capacity was 3.037 meq/g, DS was 0.65. 3) Synthesis of re-crosslinked CMC(Na) 6.0g of the crosslinked CMC(Na) obtained in step 2) was stirred for one hour in a solution at 83°C containing 6.1ml of 4N NaOH, 23ml of water, 2.27g of epichlorohydrin and 111ml of IPA. Then the mixture was neutralized with acetic acid in the same manner as in step 2) and dried with reduced pressure, so that 6.5183g (water content: 16.39 wt%) of re-crosslinked CMC(Na) was obtained. The ion-exchange capacity was 2.872 meq/g and DS was 0.60. 4) Synthesis of re-crosslinked CMC(Ag) 4.0g of the re-crosslinked CMC(Na) obtained in step 3) (DS = 0.6, water content: 16.39 wt%) was suspended in 70ml of water in a 200ml graduated flask. A silver nitrate aqueous solution (AgNO 3 : water = 3.24mg/10ml) was added to the suspension and the mixture was shaken for 87 hours in the dark. The precipitate was filtered with a glass filter, washed with 50% ethanol and then with 100% ethanol and dried with P 2 O 5 + silica gel for three days. 3.7197g of re-crosslinked CMC(Ag) (water content: 11.55 wt%) was obtained. The silver content of the crosslinked CMC(Ag) was measured with the ammonium thiocyanate determination method. The silver content was 0.067 wt% (for anhydride) and 0.059 wt% (for water-containing specimen), and the degree of substitution to silver was 0.0013. EXAMPLE 5 Preparation of water-soluble CMC(Ag) (DS = 0.56, silver content = 0.479 wt%) 5.3287g of CMC(Na) (Tokyo Kasei Kogyo Co., Ltd., DS = 0.56, water content: 6.17 wt%, n = 1050) was suspended in 50ml of water in a 200ml graduated flask. A silver nitrate solution (AgNO 3 : water = 30.6mg/50ml) was added to the suspension, which was shaken for 2 hours in the dark. The precipitate obtained by adding 3 liters of methanol was filtered with a glass filter, washed with 100% ethanol and dried with P 2 O 5 + silica gel for three days. 2.5681g of water-soluble CMC(Ag) (water content: 5.21 wt%) was obtained. The silver content of the water-soluble CMC(Ag) was measured with the ammonium thiocyanate determination method. As a result, the silver content was 0.479 wt% (for anhydride) and 0.45 wt% (for water-containing specimen), and the degree of substitution to silver was 0.01. EXAMPLE 6 Preparation of water-soluble CMC(Ag) (DS = 0.56, silver content = 0.048 wt%) 53.25g of CMC(Na) (Tokyo Kasei Kogyo Co., Ltd., DS = 0.56, water content: 6.17 wt%) was suspended in 1000ml of 80% methanol. A silver nitrate solution (AgNO 3 : water = 222.5 mg/25ml) was added to the suspension, which was shaken for 153 hours in the dark. The precipitate was filtered with a glass filter, washed with 80% ethanol and then with 100% ethanol and dried with P 2 O 5 + silica gel for three days. 39.116 g of water soluble crosslinked CMC(Ag) (water content: 14.00 wt%) was obtained. The silver content of the water-soluble CMC(Ag) obtained was measured with the ammonium thiocyanate determination method. As a result, the silver content was 0.048 wt% (for anhydride) and 0.041 wt% (for water-containing specimen), and the degree of substitution to silver was 0.009. EXAMPLE 7 Preparation of crosslinked CMC(Ag) (DS = 1.35, silver content = 0.048 wt%) 12.3061 g of crosslinked CMC(Na) (DS = 1.35, water content: 18.74 wt%) was suspended in 200ml of water. A silver nitrate solution (AgNO 3 : water = 10.68 mg/10ml) was added to the suspension, which was shaken for 158 hours in the dark. The precipitate was filtered with a glass filter, washed with 50% ethanol and then with 100% ethanol and dried with P 2 O 5 + silica gel for three days. 11.4479 g of crosslinked CMC(Ag) in form of white powder water content: 21.35 wt%) was obtained. The silver content of the crosslinked CMC(Ag) obtained was measured with the ammonium thiocyanate determination method. As a result, the silver content was 0.048 wt% (for anhydride) and 0.037 wt% (for water-containing specimen), and the degree of substitution to silver was 0.0012. EXAMPLE 8 Preparation of crosslinked CMC(Ag) (DS = 1.35, silver content = 0.040 wt%) 4.102g of crosslinked CMC(Na) (DS = 1.35, water content: 18.74 wt%) was suspended in 100ml of 80% methanol. A silver nitrate solution (AgNO 3 : water = 3.63 mg/1ml) was added to the suspension, which was shaken for 144 hours in the dark. The precipitate was filtered with a glass filter, washed with 50% ethanol and then with 100% ethanol and dried with P 2 O 5 + silica gel for three days. 3.5059 g of crosslinked CMC(Ag) (water content: 6.22 wt%) was obtained. The silver content of the crosslinked CMC(Ag) obtained was measured with the ammonium thiocyanate determination method. As a result, the silver content was 0.040 wt% (for anhydride) and 0.037 wt% (for water-containing specimen), and the degree of substitution to silver was 0.001. EXAMPLE 9 Preparation of crosslinked CMC(Ag) (DS = 1.35, silver content = 0.115 wt%) 4.171g of crosslinked CMC(Na) (DS = 1.35, water content: 18.74 wt%) was suspended in 100ml of 80% methanol. A silver nitrate solution (AgNO 3 : water = 7.23 mg/1ml) was added to the suspension, which was shaken for 95 hours in the dark. The precipitate was filtered with a glass filter, washed with 50% ethanol and then with 100% ethanol and dried with P 2 O 5 + silica gel for three days. 3.6062g of crosslinked CMC(Ag) in form of white powder (water content: 6.97 wt%) was obtained. The silver content of the crosslinked CMC(Ag) obtained was measured with the ammonium thiocyanate determination method. As a result, the silver content was 0.115 wt% (for anhydride) and 0.107 wt% (for water-containing specimen), and the degree of substitution to silver was 0.0028. The specimens obtained in Examples 1-9 were tested for (a) heat stability and (b) light stability. The results are shown in Table 1. (a) Heat stability test A small amount of each specimen was put in a microtube and heated at 105°C for 72 hours in an oven. The specimen after heating was compared with the one before heating for color tone comparison. (b) Light stability test A small amount of each specimen was put in a microtube and exposed to sunlight through a window glass for 20 days. The specimen after heating was compared with the one before heating for color tone comparison. COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE 1 Preparation of crosslinked CMC(Ag) (DS = 0.53, silver content = 18.63 wt%) 3.6367g of crosslinked CMC(Na) (DS = 0.53, water content: 12.6 wt%) was suspended in 250ml of water. A silver nitrate solution (AgNO 3 : water = 1.4167 g/50ml) was added to the suspension, which was shaken for 19 hours in the dark. The precipitate was filtered with a glass filter, washed with 50% ethanol and then with 100% ethanol and dried with P 2 O 5 + silica gel for three days. 4.0202 g of crosslinked CMC(Ag) (water content: 5.028 wt%) was obtained. The silver content of the crosslinked CMC(Ag) obtained was measured with the ammonium thiocyanate determination method. As a result, the silver content was 18.63 wt% (for anhydride) and 17.68 wt% (for water-containing specimen). COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE 2 Preparation of water-insoluble CMC(Ag) (DS = 0.12, silver content = 4.973 wt%) 3.6299g of CMC(Na) (DS = 0.12, water content: 10.73 wt%) was suspended in 200ml of water. A silver nitrate solution (AgNO 3 : water = 0.414 g/10ml) was added to the suspension, which was shaken for 19 hours in the dark. The precipitate was filtered with a glass filter, washed with 50% ethanol and then with 100% ethanol and dried with P 2 O 5 + silica gel for three days. 3.5099 g of water-insoluble crosslinked CMC(Ag) (water content: 3.96 wt%) was obtained. The silver content of the water-insoluble CMC(Ag) obtained was measured with the ammonium thiocyanate determination method. As a result, the silver content was 4.973 wt% (for anhydride) and 4.775 wt% (for water-containing specimen). COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE 3 Preparation of water-insoluble CMC(Ag) (DS = 0.10, silver content = 0.064 wt%) To 23.81g of cellulose (CF-11, Whatman, water content 5.09 wt%), a sodium hydroxide solution (NaOH: water = 38g/86ml) and monochloro-acetic acid (0.12g was dissolved in 20ml of water) were added. The mixture was stirred at 70 C for one hour and then neutralized with 54ml of acetic acid. After adding water, the mixture was subjected to centrifugal separation. The residue was washed with water and acidified with 1N hydrochloric acid. The separate residue was washed with water and then ethanol. The humid substance obtained was adjusted to pH 10 by dropwise adding sodium hydroxide solution (1g/50ml) while stirring. The insoluble portion was centrifugally separated, washed with 50% ethanol and then 100% ethanol, and dried under vacuum to obtain a water-insoluble CMC(Na). 5.7006g of water-insoluble CMC(Na) (DS = 0.10, water content: 12.29 wt%) was suspended in 100ml of water. A silver nitrate solution (AgNO 3 : water = 5.17mg/10ml) was added to the suspension, which was shaken for 68 hours in the dark. The precipitate was filtered with a glass filter, washed with 50% ethanol and then with 100% ethanol and dried with P 2 O 5 + silica gel for three days. 5.5207g of water-insoluble CMC(Ag) (water content: 8.45 wt%) was obtained. The silver content of the water-insoluble CMC(Ag) obtained was measured with the ammonium thiocyanate determination method. As a result, the silver content was 0.064 wt% (for anhydride) and 0.059 wt% (for water-containing specimen). The Comparative Examples 1-3 were tested for (a) heat stability and (b) light stability. The results are shown in Table 1. The Table shows that for Examples 1-9 the specimen that was white before testing turned light yellow or yellow or remained white. In contrast, for Comparative Examples 1-3, in which the silver content or the DS value was not within the desired ranges, the specimens showed remarkable browning. EXAMPLE 10 Preparation of water-soluble CMC(Ag) (DS = 0.56, silver content = 0.010 wt%) 53.25g of CMC(Na) (DS = 0.56, water content: 6.17 wt%) was suspended in 1000ml of 80% methanol. A silver nitrate solution (AgNO 3 : water = 127 mg/25ml) was added to the suspension, which was shaken for 144 hours in the dark. The precipitate was filtered with a glass filter, washed with (a) 80% ethanol and then with (a) 100% ethanol and dried with P 2 O 5 + silica gel for three days. 36.9879g of water-soluble CMC(Ag) (water content: 9.50 wt%) was obtained. The silver content of the water-soluble CMC(Ag) obtained was measured with the ammonium thiocyanate determination method. As a result, the silver content was 0.010 wt% (for anhydride) and 0.009 wt% (for water-containing specimen). EXAMPLE 11 Preparation of crosslinked CMC(Ag) (DS = 0.53, silver content = 1.00 wt%) 3.64g of crosslinked CMC(Na) (DS = 0.53, water content: 12.6 wt%) was suspended in 250ml of water in a 500ml graduated flask. A silver nitrate solution (AgNO 3 : water = 76 mg/50ml) was added to the suspension, which was shaken for 19 hours in the dark. The precipitate was filtered with a glass filter, washed with 50% ethanol and then with 100% ethanol and dried with P 2 O 5 + silica gel for three days. 4.050 g of crosslinked CMC(Ag) (water content: 6 wt%) was obtained. The silver content of the water-soluble CMC(Ag) obtained was measured with the ammonium thiocyanate determination method. As a result, the silver content was 1.00 wt% (for anhydride) and 0.94 wt% (for water-containing specimen). EXAMPLE 12 Preparation of CMC(Ag) (DS = 0.4, silver content = 0.045 wt%) 12.04g of CMC(Na) (DS = 0.4, water content: 8.81 wt%) was suspended in 250ml of 80% methanol. A silver nitrate solution (AgNO 3 : water = 8.34 mg/5ml) was added to the suspension, which was shaken for 137 hours in the dark. The precipitate was filtered with a glass filter, washed with 80% methanol and then with 100% methanol and dried with P 2 O 5 + silica gel for three days. 11.747g of CMC(Ag) (water content: 11.27 wt%) was obtained. The silver content of the CMC(Ag) obtained was measured with the ammonium thiocyanate determination method. As a result, the silver content was 0.045 wt% (for anhydride) and 0.040 wt% (for water-containing specimen). COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE 4 150g of aqueous solution containing 0.75g of ammonium persulfate and 7.5g of emulsifier (NOIGEN EA 160, Daiichi Kogyo Seiyaku Co., Ltd.) was added dropwise to a monomeric compound consisting of 50g of styrene, 40g of ethylacrylate, 9g of acrylic acid and 2g of divinylbenzene (containing 45 wt% ethylvinylbenzene and diethylbenzene). Polymerization was started at 70°C while stirring the mixture in a nitrogen atmosphere and maintained for five hours. A white precipitate was formed when the reaction was complete. It was filtered by centrifugal separation, washed with water and then ethanol, and vacuum dried. This produced 118.24g (water content 6.49 wt%) of polyacrylic acid copolymer. To 10.41g (dry weight: 9.747g) of the polyacrylic acid copolymer obtained, a silver nitrate solution (AgNO 3 : water = 3.098g/60ml) was added and the mixture was shaken for one hour in the dark. The precipitate was filtered with a glass filter, washed with 80% methanol and then with 100% methanol and dried with P 2 O 5 + silica gel for three days. 7.2241g of the compound (water content: 27.165 wt%) was obtained. COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE 5 To 10g (dry weight: 9.36g) of the polyacrylic acid copolymer, 3.6% silver nitrate solution (AgNO 3 : water = 1.49g/40ml was added. The mixture was shaken for 40 minutes in the dark. The precipitate was filtered with a glass filter, washed with 80% methanol and then with 100% methanol and dried with P 2 O 5 + silica gel for three days. 8.2174g of compound (water content: 40.311 wt%) was obtained. COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE 6 To 10g (dry weight: 9.36g) of the polyacrylic acid copolymer used in the Comparative Example 4, 0.4% silver nitrate solution (AgNO 3 : water = 0.144g/40ml) was added. The mixture was shaken for 80 minutes in the dark. The precipitate was filtered with a glass filter, washed with 80% methanol and then with 100% methanol and dried with P 2 O 5 + silica gel for three days. 4.483g of the compound (water content: 4.67 wt%) was obtained. For the specimens obtained in Examples 2, 3, 6, 7, 10-12, Comparative Examples 1, 3, 4-6, antibacterial tests were performed. Table 2 shows the results of the tests. (c) Antibacterial Test Method Tests were carried out at 30°C by use of phosphate buffer under the Shake Flask Method prescribed by Association of Antibacterial Treatments for Textiles, Japan. The test conditions are as follows: Shaking speed: 180± 10rpm, Shaking time : 1 hour, the bacteria used: Stapylococcs aureus (IFO 12732): silver concentration: 12.5 ng/ml. It was confirmed that all the specimens containing silver showed 100% sterilization ratio with the final silver concentration of 100 ng/ml or more. As will be seen from Table 2, in Comparative Examples 1 and 3 in which the DS value or silver content were not within the desired ranges or Comparative Examples 4-6 in which the high polymers were other than CMC, the sterilization ratio was less than 40%. In contrast, all the specimens of the Examples meeting all the requirements showed a sterilization ratio of not less than 40%, which means excellent antibacterial properties. Also, the results of Examples 2 and 6 show that if CMC has the DS value and the silver content in the desired ranges, the antibacterial agent would exhibit a high sterilization ratio irrespective of whether CMC is crosslinked or not. In the antibacterial property test, the sterilization ratio was determined with the silver concentration of 12.5 ng/ml. This was because the antibacterial effect of silver nitrate almost disappears at the silver concentration indicated above. Thus, it is considered that the sterilization ratios shown in Table 2 are not due to the antibacterial effect by free silver ions, but due to fixed silver ions that do not elute. COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE 7 The concentration of silver nitrate was adjusted to give the silver contents (µg/g) indicated in Table 3. COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE 8 The concentration of zeolite ion-exchanged by silver and copper ions (BACTEKILLER, KANEBO) was adjusted to give the silver contents (µg/g) indicated in Table 3. For the specimens of the Example 2 and Comparative Examples 7 and 8, the fungus resistance test was carried out. The results are shown in Table 3. (d) Fungus resistance test Filter paper was disintegrated with distilled water and mixed with the antifungal agent (Example 2 or Comparative Examples 7 and 8) . Paper was made from the mixture. The paper was cut into a size of 50mm square. The specimen thus obtained was tested under TAPPI Standard T-487 pm85 prescribed by Technical Association of the Pulp and Paper Industry, USA. Inorganic salt agar medium mixed with 0.5% dextrose as a nutrient for fungus was used. As the test fungus, Aspergillus niger (TUA 234) was used. Culture was carried out for 14 days. The test results were evaluated in terms of the following three categories: Evaluation mark 2: Area where hypha grows exceeds one third of the total area 1: The area does not exceed one third 0: The growth of hypha is not observed From Table 3, it is apparent that the specimens for Comparative Examples 7 and 8 do not show satisfactory antifungal properties even if the silver content is as much as 10 µg/ml whereas the specimen for Example 2, which contains crosslinked CMC(Ag) and meets the requirements, show remarkable antifungal properties with a silver content of 10 µg/g. In order to examine the safety and stability for Example 1 and Comparative Example 1, they were tested for elution of silver. (e) Silver elution test The specimen was weighed so that the silver concentration in 10ml was 10 µg/ml. It was suspended in 10ml of distilled water or phosphate buffer, the same as the one used in the antibacterial property test. The suspension was shaken at 31°C at 180rpm for one hour. After filtering, the concentration of silver that eluted into the solution was determined with the atomic absorption spectroscopy. The results are shown in Table 4. Table 4 shows that Comparative Example 1, which is a high silver substitution product, shows low elution in distilled water but high elution (40%) in phosphate buffer. This means that its safety and stability are not satisfactory. In contrast, Example 1, which is a low silver substitution product, showed extremely low elution (1% or less) both in distilled water and phosphate buffer. This means that it has excellent safety and stability. The antimicrobial agent of the present invention contains a silver salt of carboxymethylcellulose having the degree of substitution to carboxymethyl groups and the silver content restricted to specific ranges. This improves the affinity to fiber and inhibits the elution of silver ions. It exhibits a good sterilization ratio by contact of silver with microbial cells. Also, it exhibits excellent stability to heat and light and its substrate changes little in color or quality. If crosslinked CMC is used, the antimicrobial agent is insoluble in water and has a good water resistance. Thus, it has long-term antimicrobial properties in applications where it is in contact with water. Silver content (µg/g) Evaluation mark Example 2 Crosslinked CMC(Ag) 0.0 2 2.5 2 5.1 2 10.0 0 20.0 0 39.9 0 Comparative Example 7 Silver nitrate 0.0 2 2.5 2 5.0 2 10.0 2 20.0 0 40.0 0 Comparative Example 8 Zeolite ion-exchanged by silver and copper ions 0.0 2 2.6 2 5.1 2 10.3 2 20.5 0 41.0 0 DS value Silver content (wt %) Test solution Concentration of silver added (µg/ml) Concentration of silver eluted (µg/ml) Elution ratio (%) Example 1 0.53 0.048 Distilled water 10.0 < 0.1 < 1 Phosphate buffer 10.1 0.10 1.0 Comparative Example 1 0.53 18.68 Distilled water 9.6 0.15 1.6 Phosphate buffer 10.0 4.07 40.7

Claims: An antimicrobial agent comprising a silver salt of carboxymethylcellulose represented by the following formula: wherein R is replaced with a carboxymethyl group which is one of CH 2 COOH and CH 2 COOM (wherein M is an alkali metal) so that the degree of substitution is not less than 0.4, and further at least one of H in at least part of CH 2 COOH and M in at least part of CH 2 COOM being replaced with silver so that the content of silver will be 0.01 to 1% by weight and wherein n is 100-2000. The antimicrobial agent as claimed in claim 1 wherein the degree of substitution to carboxymethyl groups is 0.4 to 1. The antimicrobial agent as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein said carboxymethylcellulose is a crosslinked, water-insoluble compound.

Inventors: MINAMI HIROYUKI, YOSHIMURA SHOJI, MINAMI, HIROYUKI, YOSHIMURA, SHOJI, Minami, Hiroyuki, c/o Fukui Research Lab. of Rengo, Yoshimura, Shoji, c/o Fukui Research Lab. of Rengo
Applicants: RENGO CO LTD, RENGO CO., LTD.
Application year: 1995
Main classification: A01N43
IPC codes: A01N25, A01N59, A01N43