Automated process for inhibition of microbial growth in aqueous food transport or process streams
First Claim
1. An automated method of controlling microbial growth in an aqueous stream used for transporting or processing food products and packaged foods comprising treating said aqueous stream with an effective antimicrobial amount of a percarboxylic acid, said amount controlled by maintaining said aqueous stream at an oxidation-reduction-potential (ORP) between about 280 to about 460 mv with respect to an Ag/AgCl reference electrode.
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Abstract
The invention is a process for preventing microbial growth in aqueous streams by applying a C2 -C12 percarboxylic acid or mixture of such acids to the aqueous stream and to an automated dispensing system for the percarboxylic acids based on a correlation between oxidation-reduction-potential and anti-microbial levels of the aqueous stream. Generally, the process of the invention is applicable to aqueous streams used in any number of applications such as the application of streams for the transport of food products, e.g. fruits or vegetables, into the processing environment and through the various steps of processing.
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Citations
19 Claims
- 1. An automated method of controlling microbial growth in an aqueous stream used for transporting or processing food products and packaged foods comprising treating said aqueous stream with an effective antimicrobial amount of a percarboxylic acid, said amount controlled by maintaining said aqueous stream at an oxidation-reduction-potential (ORP) between about 280 to about 460 mv with respect to an Ag/AgCl reference electrode.
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11. An automated method of controlling microbial growth in an aqueous stream used for transporting or processing food products and packaged goods comprising the steps of:
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initially charging a percarboxylic acid to said aqueous stream until an oxidation-reduction-potential (ORP) of at least 280 mv with respect to an Ag/AgCl reference electrode is reached, and allowing a continual addition of percarboxylic acid to the aqueous stream wherein the addition is controlled by an ORP controller set between about 280 and 460 mv with respect to an Ag/AgCl reference electrode. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification