Gaseous antimicrobial treatments of storage grain with sulfur dioxide and ammonia
First Claim
1. A method of treating moist grain to produce a preserved grain product which resists spoilage, comprising the steps of:
- (a) perfusing an effective amount of SO2 gas through said grain for a period of time sufficient to assure adequate contact between the SO2 and the grain;
(b) permitting said grain to react with said SO2 for a preselected period of time and under conditions suitable to produce an intermediate grain product by the SO2 penetrating the grain thereby effecting antimicrobial actions in the grain;
(c) perfusing said intermediate grain product with an effective amount of ammonia gas to produce a preserved grain product which resists spoilage.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Novel sequential gas treatments for preserving grain are disclosed. Sulfur dioxide gas which has been bubbled through an organic acid, such as propionic acid, is perfused through grain to be treated and permitted to react with that grain for a preselected period of time, to produce a preserved grain product. This grain product is then preferably perfused with ammonia gas. Alternatively, residual sulfur dioxide may be dispersed within the treated grain mass through the introducton of a carrier gas prior to ammonia gas perfusion. Other preservative methods and substances are also disclosed which provide preserved grain products.
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Citations
4 Claims
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1. A method of treating moist grain to produce a preserved grain product which resists spoilage, comprising the steps of:
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(a) perfusing an effective amount of SO2 gas through said grain for a period of time sufficient to assure adequate contact between the SO2 and the grain; (b) permitting said grain to react with said SO2 for a preselected period of time and under conditions suitable to produce an intermediate grain product by the SO2 penetrating the grain thereby effecting antimicrobial actions in the grain; (c) perfusing said intermediate grain product with an effective amount of ammonia gas to produce a preserved grain product which resists spoilage. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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Specification