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Tokyo, August 18, 2009 – SANYO Electric Co., Ltd. (SANYO) has already demonstrated through joint research with public institutions, the effectiveness of its electrolyzed water technology, developed over many years, to suppress various viruses including seasonal influenza. Now the company has confirmed through joint research with the Gunma Prefectural Institute of Public Health and Environmental Sciences that this technology is also highly effective for suppressing the new H1N1 (swine flu) virus that has been spreading around the world since the spring. SANYO will continue to pursue more research and applications for electrolyzed water technology, based on the verification data obtained through the recent joint research. SANYO makes its Virus Washer technology available in Europe with its domestic and commercial use air purification units. The units are portable and cover air circulation in spaces of up to 100m². The technology operates by creating electrolyzed water, which is done by combining tap water with electricity without the requirement for any additional chemicals.
1. Recently demonstrated effects of electrolyzed water SANYO confirmed that its electrolyzed water technology is at least 99% effective in suppressing infectivity*4 for a clinical strain of the new H1N1 influenza virus
2. Details of the demonstrated effects
(1) Effectiveness of electrolyzed water to reduce new H1N1 viral infectivity The verification testing on the effectiveness of electrolyzed water to reduce the infectivity of the new H1N1 virus confirmed a 99% or greater suppression of infectivity for the new H1N1
influenza virus. The testing was conducted by exposing the virus to electrolyzed water with a free chlorine concentration of 2 mg/L, for ten minutes.
Testing method: A suspension of new H1N1 influenza virus was exposed to electrolyzed water with a free chlorine concentration of 2 mg/L for 10 minutes, and the viral infectivity reduction effect was evaluated.
Measurement method: The viral infectivity (TCID50) measurement method*5 was employed using Madin-Darby canine kidney cells (MDCK cells)
Joint research institution: Gunma Prefectural Institute of Public Health and Environmental Sciences
(2) Mechanism for suppression of the new H1N1 influenza virus using electrolyzed water (presumed)
From the testing results for the infectivity reduction effect of electrolyzed water, the effectiveness of the virus washer technology was confirmed for the new H1N1 influenza virus, just as it had been confirmed for the seasonal influenza virus. It is presumed that viral infectivity is suppressed, due to the denaturing and break down of the viral protein necessary for infection, through a reaction of that protein with two types of active oxygen (electrolyzed hypochlorous
acid and hydroxyl radicals) present in electrolyzed water.
SANYO is providing Warner Mycal Cinemas: the cinema complexes operated by Warner Mycal Corp. throughout Japan, with a packaged rooftop air conditioner unit equipped with an air purification system featuring electrolyzed water-based "virus washer" technology. Through the end of August 2011, this system will be installed at 26 theaters out of 59 domestic theaters with a total of 235 screens. SANYO's electrolyzed water technology, which has primarily been applied in commercial equipment and household products, is now advancing into new areas.
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.
Norovirus
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.
Feline Caliciviridae
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.