Patent ID: 6436345
Filing Date: 2002-08-20
Classification: A23L,A61L,C01B

Abstract:
A method for treating agricultural produce to inhibit fungal or bacterial growth comprising the steps of:injecting carbon dioxide into an aqueous solution of sodium chlorite; forming carbonic acid in the aqueous solution, the volume of carbonic acid being sufficient to lower the pH of the aqueous solution below about 5.5; forming chlorine dioxide in the aqueous solution; passing a carrier gas through the aqueous solution, a portion of the chlorine dioxide from the aqueous solution becoming mixed with the carrier gas to form a gas mixture; passing the gas mixture through a solvent, a portion of the chlorine dioxide in the gas mixture dissolving in the solvent to form a treatment solution characterized by a concentration of chlorine dioxide; and applying the treatment solution to the agricultural produce, the concentration of chlorine dioxide in the treatment solution being sufficient to provide an microbicidal effect.