[YRS5-1] Antiviral action of persimmon tannin and application to hygiene management products
Norovirus is the most common causative agent of food poisoning in Japan, and its hygiene management is important. We have conducted joint research with a company and have been developing anti-norovirus disinfectants. As a result of screening a large number of plant-derived components and so on, only “Kakishibu” showed a strong anti-norovirus activity. Kakishibu is made by fermenting astringent persimmon juice and has been used in Japanese culture for a long time as a dye, paint, folk medicine, etc. Its main component is persimmon tannin, which is a type of polyphenols. Persimmon tannin binds to various proteins and exhibits agglutinating action. From its nature, it was clarified that it exhibited antiviral activity regardless of the type of viruses such as influenza virus, poliovirus, etc. The above research results have been registered as patents not only in Japan but also in the United States, Canada, China, the EU, and so on. Persimmon tannin is also abundant in unfermented fresh astringent persimmon juice. We developed and have been selling an alcohol-based disinfectant and a hand soap containing astringent persimmon extract. These hygiene products can be used not only for norovirus but also for various antivirus countermeasures.