# Patent

## Title
System for microorganism control

## Abstract

A method of infrared heat-processing of nuts (e.g., almonds, Brazil nuts, cashews, hazelnuts, macadamias, pecans, pine nuts, pistachios, walnuts and mixtures thereof in order to reduce the microorganism level thereof is provided wherein the nuts are sequentially moisturized by application of water and then subjected to infrared radiation, preferably through a series of treatment cycles. Nut treatment apparatus (10) includes opposed banks of infrared heaters (38, 40), with plural water application stations (48, 50, 52) along the length of the heater banks (38, 40).

## Background
RELATED APPLICATION
The present application is a divisional of application Ser. No. 11/366,667, filed Mar. 2, 2006 now U.S. Pat. No. 7,238,381, which is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 11/116,710, filed Apr. 28, 2005 now abandoned, both incorporated by reference herein.


BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is broadly concerned with improved method and apparatus for treatment of nuts to control and reduce the level of potentially harmful microorganisms thereon. More particularly, the invention is concerned with such methods and apparatus wherein nuts are treated by application of water to the surface thereof followed by subjecting the nuts to infrared radiation sufficient to effect microorganism reduction; in preferred forms, the nuts are subj ected to plural cycles of moisturization/infrared radiation.
2. Description of the Prior Art
U.S. Pat. No. 6,003,244 (incorporated by reference herein) describes improved tunnel-type infrared drying apparatus wherein a belt carrying a product to be dried is passed through an elongated drying tunnel equipt with a series of infrared heaters. If desired, the belt has associated agitators along the length thereof for agitating the product to ensure even infrared drying.
It is known that nut varieties such as almonds can carry significant quantities of harmful microorganisms such as Salmonella enteritidis. A large proportion of almonds are roasted prior to consumption thereof, and this technique is generally deemed adequate for control of S. enteritidis and other harmful bacteria. However, significant amounts of almonds are not subjected to roasting and are used as food additives and the like. In tle case of these urroasted nuts, the microorganism problem remains largely unresolved and there has been no truly efficient, cost-effective way of almond treatment.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention overcomes the problems outlined above and provides a method of treating particulate material, particularly comestible materials, and specifically nuts, to reduce the level of microorganisms carried thereby, comprising the steps of first wetting the surface of the particulate material and thereafter subjected them to infrared radiation sufficient to reduce the microorganism level. While nuts are the preferred materials to be treated, the present invention, however, may be used to treat any kind of particulate material in order to reduce the level of microorganisms present thereon. That nuts are particularly preferred objects to be treated should not be seen as limiting the scope of the present invention in any manner. The following description generally refers to the treatment of nuts. It is understood that any kind of particulate material or particulate comestible material may be substituted for the term “nuts” in this description.
In preferred forms, the nuts are subjected to successive treatment cycles each involving application of water to the nuts with subsequent infrared heating. Preferably, the water that is applied to the nuts is electrolyzed-oxidizing (EO) water. EO water is created by electrochemical disassociation of salt water into an acidic water stream and an alkaline water stream. Most commonly, the salt water is prepared by admixing sodium chloride into water (softened tap water is preferred). EO water may be produced using an EO water generator, such as an ROX20TA-U water electrolyzer available from Hoshizaki America, Inc., Peachtree City, Ga. In an EO water generator, a voltage is applied across an anode and cathode. Positive ions in the water (Na+ and H+) are attracted to the cathode and negative ions (Cl− and OH−) are attracted to the anode. A stream is drawn offproximate the cathode area, producing alkaline or reducing water. Another stream is drawn off proximate the anode area, producing acidic or oxidizing water. The alkaline stream generally comprises an aqueous sodium hypochlorite solution having a pH of greater than about 8, more preferably between about 9-12, and most preferably between about 10-11.5. The acidic stream generally comprises hypochlorous acid and residual free chlorine. The amount of free chlorine in this stream is preferably at least about 1 ppm, more preferably between about 5-75 ppm, and most preferably about 50 ppm. The acidic stream presents a pH of less than about 5, niore preferably between about 1-4, and most preferably between about 2-3. Preferably, the nuts are treated with the EO water acidic stream.
EO water generally presents a relatively high oxidation-reduction potential (ORP) when compared to otler kinds of water (i.e., distilled water, tap water, deionized water, etc.). ORP is a measurement of the electric potential in the EO water. ORP is generally an indication of the ability of the oxidizers in the water to neutralize contaminants. Preferably, water from the alkaline stream presents an ORP of between about −400 to about −1200 mV, more preferably between about −600 to about −100 mV, even more preferably between about −700 to about −1000 mV, and most preferably about −800 mV. The water from the acidic stream presents an ORP of at least about +650 mV, more preferably between about +700 to about +1500 mV, even more preferably between about +800 to about +1200 mV, and most preferably about +1100 mV.
Advantageously, the method is carried out in an apparatus that comprises at least one elongated tunnel-type heater equipped with upper and lower banks of infrared heaters and at least one water application station axially spaced apart along the length of the apparatus. Preferably, the apparatus comprises a plurality of heaters and intermittent, axially spaced apart water application stations along the length of the apparatus.
In preferred processing, the nuts (e.g., almonds, peanuts, Brazil nuts, cashews, hazelnuts, macadamnias, pecans, pine nuts, pistachios, walnuts and mixtures thereof) are wetted by spraying, fogging or misting of water. This water application step is contrasted with the direct application of steam. In the present invention, the water is preferably applied in the liquid state such as fine droplets formed by fogging, misting or spraying. In a particularly preferred embodiment, EO water is applied to the nuts which are allowed to soak for a predetermined period of time before being subjected to infrared radiation, which then heats the wettd nuts to a maxium temperature of at least 140° F. and more preferably to at least about 170° F. Preferably, the step of subjecting the nuts to infrared radiation begins no earlier than at least 2 minutes after the beginning of the water application step. More preferably, this period oftime is between about 2.5-5 minutes, and most preferably between about 3-4.5 minutes. During the period of time from the beginning of the water application step to the start of the infrared radiation application step water may be continuously applied to the nuts, be applied initially to the nuts and then application of water discontinued for the remainder of the period prior to IR treatment, or be applied intermittently over this time period. It has been discovered that this “soaking period” may increase the effectiveness of the treatment method and lead to the greatest reduction in microorganism levels.
In any case, the processing should reduce the level of at least one microorganism carried by the nuts by a 4 log factor (at least about 99.99%,) and more preferably by a 5 log factor (at least about 99.999%) as compared with the microorganism count of tie nuts prior to processing. Also, in preferred practice the nuts should be treated so as to achieve a nut water activity of from about 0.5-0.62.
In preferred embodiments, the present invention accomplishes a reduction in the level of microorganisms without the use of chemicals (other than those derived from sodium chloride which are produced during EO water generation) such as antimicrobial agents thereby eliminating the possibility that the nuts could become contaminated. The present invention also effects the reduction in microorganism level without the use of ionizing radiation such as X-rays and gamma rays thereby eliminating a radiation exposure concern expressed by a segment of the public. The present invention also accomplishes this stated goal without direct exposure of the nuts to steam. Although relatively benign, the exposure of the nuts to steam can damage the skin of the nut, whereas with the present invention such damage is avoided. Furthennore, the method according to the present invention does not cause the nuts to retain a significant amount of moisture.
Preferred processing operations also provide significant economic advantages over other forms of processing. Infrared radiation may be supplied though flameless, gas-fired catalytic heaters such as those described below or through electric infrared heaters. A supply of steam does not need to be provided thereby significantly reducing the utility costs associated with heater operation. The use of costly antimicrobial chemicals and expensive ionizing radiation equipment can also be avoided with the present invention.
The most preferred processing apparatus is in the form of an elongated tunnel-type heater comprising upper and lower opposed banks of infrared heaters, with a shiftable belt extending between the heater banks and operable to carry nuts to be processed. Additionally, at least one (and preferably a multiciplicity of) stations are provided along the length of the heater for deposition of water onto the nuts during passage through the tunnel-type heater device.



BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an infrared heater having a plurality of alternating heating and water application zones.
FIG. 2 is a schematic view of an infrared heating apparatus having a plurality of alternating heating and water application zones, with the water application zones being supplied by an EO water generator.



DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
FIG. 1 schematically illustrates an infrared heater 10 useful in the invention. The heater 10 includes a continuous, shiftable, perforate belt 12 oriented to present an upper run 12a and a lower run 12b. The belt 12 is supported by nip rollers 14, 16, 18, 20 at respective ends of the upper run 12a, and also by lower idler rollers 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32. The nip roller sets 14, 16, 18, 20 are conventionally powered for moving the belt along the path indicated by arrows 34. As depicted, the upper run 12a of belt 12 is supported and maintained in a generally rectilinear fashion by means of transversely extending, axially spaced apart support rods 36.
The heater 10 includes an upper bank of infrared heaters 38 made up of axially spaced heater sections 38a, 38b, 38c. Also, a lower infrared heater bank 40 is provided, again comprising heater sections 40a, 40b, 40c. The heater banks 38, 40 are in direct opposed relationship so as to define an elongated passageway 42 extending along the length of the heater and defining an entry end 44 and an exit end 46. Infrared heaters 38, 40 can be flameless catalytic heaters such as those available from Catalytic Industrial Group, Independence, Kans. or electric heaters. The heaters preferably emit infrared radiation in a wavelength of about 2-7 microns. As illustrated, the upper run 12a of belt 12 extends along the entire length of passageway 42, approximately midway between the infrared heater banks 38, 40.
The overall heater 10 includes, in the illustrated embodiment, three water application stations 48, 50, 52. The station 48 is located adjacent passageway entry 44; the station 50 is between upper heater sections 38a, 38b and lower heater sections 40a, 40b; and station 52 is located between upper heater sections 38b, 38c and lower heater sections 40b, 40c. Each of tme sections 48-52 is identical and includes a shroud or casing 54 having a central opening 56 therethrough. The upper and lower peaked ends of shroud 54 are equipped with downwardly and upwardly directed nozzles 58, 60 which are designed to provide a spray or mist of water onto the upper and lower surfaces of belt run 12a, respectively. The purpose of shroud 54 is to substantially contain the spray or mist of water applied to product passing through the respective stations 48-52.
Finally, it will be seen that the heater 10 has an inlet device 62 adjacent entry 44, for the purpose of depositing nuts 64 onto the upper surface of belt run 12a. Although not shown, the device 62 may be equipped with a rotary valve or other conventional expedient for depositing a relatively even layer of nuts onto run 12a during movement thereof.
In operation, nuts to be treated are deposited in device 62 and are in turn placed upon the upper surface of belt run 12a. As the belt 12 is moved, the deposited nuts pass in serial order through station 48, a first infrared heating zone defined by upper and lower heater sections 38a, 40a, station 50, a second infrared heating zone defined by upper and lower heater sections 38b, 40b, station 52, and finally through a terminal heating section defined by upper and lower heater sections 38c, 40c. Upper and lower heater sections 38, 40 are employed to ensure that substantially the entire surface of the nut is exposed to the infrared radiation and provide the greatest possible microorganism kill. The treated nuts fall under the influence of gravity from belt run 12a adjacent exit end 46, and are then conventionally collected on a cooling belt or bin (not shown). While it may be possible to utilize overhead heaters only, it will be necessary to turn the nuts over at some point during the process. This would require multiple passes though the heater with agitation of the nuts between passes to ensure that substantially all surfaces of the nut were exposed to the infrared radiation.
FIG. 2 depicts apparatus 10 from FIG. 1 (with some parts removed for ease of illustration) equipped with an EO water application system 100. System 100 includes an EO water generator 102 that is fluidly coupled to an EQ water reservoir 104. Reservoir 104 may be omitted provided that generator 102 is capable of producing a sufficient supply of EO water on demand. Reservoir 104, however, facilitates continuous operation of apparatus 10 by ensuring the availability of sufficient quantities of EO water. The EO water is then delivered from reservoir 104 to nozzles 58, 60. As shown, the EO water is delivered by hydrostatic head pressure, however, it is certainly within the scope of the invention for delivery to be accomplished by a pump mechanism.
As noted above, many variations to apparatus 10 can be envisioned that are within the ability of those skilled in this art. For example, a single water application station may be employed followed by a single IR heating station, provided the residence time in each station was of sufficient duration to achieve the necessary reduction in microorganism levels. The water application station(s) and heating station(s) may be contained within the same housing or could be located in separate housings connected by a means for transporting the nuts therebetween. The embodiments of the present invention depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2 should not be taken as limiting the scope of the invention in any way and are only exemplary of equipment capable of carrying out the inventive process set forth herein.
The goal of nut processing in apparatus 10 is to reduce the level of potentially harmful microorganisms carried by the as-received nuts. It has been found that sequential moisturization of the nuts followed by infrared heating tlrough a series of cycles will very materially reduce the microorganism levels. Moisturization has been found to activate the microorganisms thereby placing them in a state most susceptible to being killed. As nuts generally contain very low amounts of internal moisture, microorganism activation is achieved by wetting the outer surface of the nuts prior to infrared radiation exposure. Generally speaking, it is desirable to process nuts with at least three cycles of moisturization and infrared heating, although such is not essential. In addition, at each moisturization station, water should be added at a level of from about 0.05-0.2 g of water per grain of nuts to be treated, and more preferably at 0.05-0.1 g of water per gram of nuts.
The infrared heaters should be operated so as to elevate the temperature of the nuts sufficiently to kill a substantial fraction of microorganisms on the nuts. In general, the nuts should exit the heater at a temperature of at least about 140° F., and more preferably at at least about 170° F. In terms of upper and lower temperatures, the nuts should exit the heater at a temperature of from about 140-250° F. and more preferably at about 170-230° F. The total residence time of the nuts within heater 10 should be on the order of from about 60-600 seconds and more preferably of from about 200-600 seconds. The total residence time may be equally divided between the individual heating sections, but this is not a critical factor. An advantage to using EO water as a part of the treatment process is that the IR exposure time may be reduced to between about 20-100 seconds, more preferably between about 30-90 seconds, and most preferably between about 40-80 seconds.
The invention may be used for the treatment of virtually any variety of nut, although nuts selected from the group consisting of almonds, peanuts, Brazil nuts, cashews, hazelnuts, macadamias, pecans, pine nuts, pistachios, walnuts and mixtures thereof are preferred. The techniques ofthe invention are suitable for reducing or essentially eliminating potentially harmful microorganisms carried by the nuts, including without limitation Salmonella enteritidis, Escherichia coli, and Staphylococcus aureus. 
EXAMPLES
The following examples set forth illustrative methods in accordance with the invention, describing techniques for control of microorganisms on nuts. It is to be understood, however, that these examples are provided by way of illustration only, and nothing tlherein should be taken as a limitation upon the overall scope of the invention.
Example 1
In this example, almond samples were inoculated with Salmonella enteritidis and treated by sequentially heating and water-misting the inoculated almonds. Thereafter, the degree of microorganism kill was recorded and compared with control samples.
In particular, Salmonella enteritidis PT30 obtained from the National Food Laboratory was used in this study. The microorganism was maintained in phenol red agar media supplemented with sucrose (10.0 g/L) and sodium thiosulfate (0.3 g/L). Ferric ammonium citrate (0.5 g/L) was used as the recovery medium in all experiments. Stomaching was done using peptone water and serial dilutions were also done using peptone water.
Cultures were prepared by inoculation into 35 mL of tryptic soy broth followed by incubation at 35° C. well into the stationary phase (18 hours). The 18-hour culture was then used to inoculate seven TSA plates (100×15 mm) to produce a bacterial lawn after incubation for 24 hours at 35° C. Approximately seven plates were needed for 400 g almond samples. A 4 mL aliquot of 0.1% peptone was used to loosen the bacterial lawn with a sterile spreader. All of the inocula from all plates were pooled and mixed thoroughly.
Three 400 g almond samples were weighed into individual sterile bags. The almonds in each bag were then inoculated with 25 mL of the above-described inoculum by pipetting the inoculum solution over the almonds in the bags. The bags were closed and shaken by hand for 60 seconds. Sterile aluminum foil was placed on trays and filter paper placed on top of the foil. The almonds from the respective bags were then poured onto the trays, and the trays were stored for 24 hours at 24±1° C. in order to dry the almonds. Thereupon, eight 100 g almond test samples and one 25 g almond control sample were transferred into sterile bags and shipped to the processing site under refrigerated conditions. A bacterial count was taken on the control sample as of the day of inoculation, the day of plating, and the day of treatment of the eight test samples.
The eight 100 g inoculated samples (having an initial temperature of from about 68-71° F.) were pulse-heated in a flameless catalytic gas-fired infrared heater from top and bottom which was pre-heated for about 30 minutes before processing of the samples. Each 100 g sample was initially mixed with approximately 5 g of water prior to the first pulse and then again prior to each succeeding pulse. The infrared heater was operated for dwell times as follows: 150 seconds/7 pulses; 135 seconds/6 pulses; 100 seconds/4 pulses; 85 seconds/5 pulses; 105 seconds/5 pulses and 110 seconds/5 pulses. Upon heating through the total residence time, the processed nuts had a temperature of from about 200-250° F. The heated nuts were then cooled to about 100° F. using an industrial fan for approximately 2.5 minutes. The inoculated, heat treated almonds were then placed in sterile bags and chilled immediately in ice. The bags were then placed in a refrigerator for one hour and were shipped under refrigerated conditions for laboratory analysis. All temperatures were measured using a hand-held infrared themiometer prior to entering the heater and after exiting from the heater.
The following tables set forth the parameters of the infrared heating tests using the eight 100 g inoculated samples, as well as results for water activity and moisture, and final reduction in bacterial count.
Test Parameters:







TABLE 1.1







Test #1 Parameters















Time



Temp of almonds
Total residence
Temp of almonds
between


Cycle
entering the
time in oven
exiting the Oven
cycles


Number
Oven (° F.)
(sec)
(° F.)
(sec)














1
69
50
230
32


2
148
20
250
28


3
160
15
230
45


4
140
15
245
45


5
145
15
210
32


6
150
20
240
37


7
140
15
220
n/a
















TABLE 1.2







Test #2 Parameters















Time



Temp of almonds
Total residence
Temp of almonds
between


Cycle
entering the
time in oven
exiting the Oven
cycles


Number
Oven (° F.)
(sec)
(° F.)
(sec)














1
68
50
220
21


2
150
20
250
28


3
168
15
200
33


4
140
15
230
34


5
140
15
200
45


6
145
20
220
n/a
















TABLE 1.3







Test #3 Parameters












Temp of
Total
Temp of




almonds
residence
almonds


Cycle
entering the
time in oven
exiting the
Time between


Number
Oven (° F.)
(sec)
Oven (° F.)
cycles (sec)














1
70
50
250
25


2
140
20
230
32


3
140
15
240
22


4
150
15
220
37


5
150
15
230
24


6
135
20
250
22


7
150
15
240
n/a
















TABLE 1.4







Test #4 Parameters















Time



Temp of almonds
Total residence
Temp of almonds
between


Cycle
entering the
time in oven
exiting the Oven
cycles


Number
Oven (° F.)
(sec)
(° F.)
(sec)














1
69
50
240
13


2
170
20
260
17


3
170
15
230
18


4
170
15
245
n/a
















TABLE 1.5







Test #5 Parameters















Time



Temp of almonds
Total residence
Temp of almonds
between


Cycle
entering the
time in oven
exiting the Oven
cycles


Number
Oven (° F.)
(sec)
(° F.)
(sec)














1
69
50
250
10


2
168
20
230
14


3
170
15
210
20


4
150
15
250
n/a
















TABLE 1.6







Test #6 Parameters















Time



Temp of almonds
Total residence
Temp of almonds
between


Cycle
entering the
time in oven
exiting the Oven
cycles


Number
Oven (° F.)
(sec)
(° F.)
(sec)














1
71
40
190
17


2
140
15
190
18


3
150
10
190
19


4
140
10
220
18


5
135
10
200
n/a
















TABLE 1.7







Test #7 Parameters















Time



Temp of almonds
Total residence
Temp of almonds
between


Cycle
entering the
time in oven
exiting the Oven
cycles


Number
Oven (° F.)
(sec)
(° F.)
(sec)














1
70
45
230
150


2
150
15
220
14


3
140
15
230
19


4
150
15
190
21


5
140
15
220
n/a
















TABLE 1.8







Test #8 Parameters












Temp of


Time



almonds
Total residence
Temp of
between


Cycle
entering the
time in oven
almonds exiting
cycles


Number
Oven (° F.)
(sec)
the Oven (° F.)
(sec)














1
72
45
220
23


2
155
15
220
19


3
170
15
230
20


4
140
20
220
22


5
150
15
210
n/a









The following Tables 2 and 3 set forth the bacterial count reduction in the treated almonds versus the control, and also the water activity and moisture results.







TABLE 2







Salmonella enteritidies PT30 Results













Log Reduction




Log
(compared to


Sample Description
CFU/g
Values*
Control)













Inoculated Control (Day 0)
31310000000
8.5
n/a


Inoculated Control (day of
260000000
8.4
n/a


experiment)


Processed Samples (includes


total exposure time to infrared


heating)


Test #1 (150 seconds)
15
1.2
7.2


Test #2 (135 seconds)
10150
1.0
4.4


Test #3 (150 seconds)
<10
<1.0
>7.4


Test #4 (100 seconds)
13150
4.1
4.3


Test #5 (100 seconds)
60
1.8
6.6


Test #6 (85 seconds)
11600
4.1
4.3


Test #7 (105 seconds)
340000
5.5
2.9


Test #8 (110 seconds)
120
2.1
6.3





*Log average CFU/g. Values were obtained by calculating the average CFU/g for each set and then taking the log of this number.













TABLE 3







Water Activity and Moisture Results










Water
Log Reduction


Sample Description
Activity
(compared to Control)





Uninoculated Control
0.505
5.23


Inoculated Control (Day 0)
0.531
n/a


Inoculated Control (day of
n/a
n/a


experiment)


Processed Samples (includes total


exposure time to infrared heating)


Test #1 (150 seconds)
0.549
n/a


Test #2 (135 seconds)
0.657
n/a


Test #3 (150 seconds)
0.590
n/a


Test #4 (100 seconds)
0.583
n/a


Test #5 (100 seconds)
0.588
n/a


Test #6 (85 seconds)
0.642
n/a


Test #7 (105 seconds)
0.603
n/a


Test #8 (110 seconds)
0.615
n/a









Example 2
In this example, the effectiveness of treating almonds inoculated with Salmonella Enteritidis phage type 30 (SEPT30) with the acid portion of EO water, infrared radiation exposure, and a combination thereof was studied.
Preparation of Inoculum
Fresh cultures of SEPT30 were revived from a frozen stock culture maintained at −80° C. by sub-culturing onto tryptic soy agar (TSA) from Becton BD Diagnostic Systems, Sparks, Md. and incubating for 24 hours at 35° C. A single isolated colony was transferred into tryptic soy broth (TSB) and incubated for 24±2 hours at 35±2° C. A subsequent loop transfer and overnight incubation at 35±2° C. was performed. The overnight culture was used to inoculate 150 mm×15 mm TSA plates to produce a bacterial lawn after incubation for 24±2 hours at 35 ±2° C. Three plates were prepared per 400 g batch of almonds. Following incubation, approximately 8-9 ml of 0.1% peptone was added to each large plate. The bacterial lawn was loosened with a sterile spreader and a sterile pipette was used to collect the loosened cell suspension (approximately 25 ml). Prior to inoculating the almonds, the appropriate number of 25 ml suspensions were pooled and thoroughly mixed for a minimum of one minute.
Inoculation of Raw Almonds
Raw almonds were inoculated by adding 400 g of almonds into a sterile plastic polyethylene bag with 25 ml of the pooled Salmonella inoculum. The bag was then closed and shaken by hand through inversion for 60 seconds. Almonds were poured out of the bag and spread onto two sheets of 46×57 cm filter paper (Fisherbrand Qualitative P8, Fisher Scientific, Pittsburgh, Pa.), and folded in half. The filter paper was placed on a metal drying rack and placed inside a large plastic tub. The almonds were dried for 24±2 hours at 24±2° C. with the lid ajar. bioculated dried almonds were separated into 100 g sub-samples for use in the trials below.
Treatment of Almonds
Inoculated almonds were treated using an electrolyzed oxidized (EQ) water sanitizer and dried for 40 seconds (20 seconds exposure to heat followed by shaking followed by an additional 20 seconds exposure to heat) using a gas catalytic infrared heater supplied by Catalytic Industrial Group. A total of three trials were performed using different lengths of exposure to the EO water (3.5, 4, and 4.5 minutes). Lengths of exposure were randomized to reduce the effect of possible experimental variables, such as oven temperature or ambient almond temperature. After treatment, almonds were cooled using an air dryer. Temperature measurements were taken before treatment, after heating and after cooling using an infrared thermometer. After cooling, the almonds were aseptically transferred to sterile sample bags for transport to the lab. Three replicates ofeach trial wereperformed and are designated T1-T9. The temperature data observed during these trials are shown in Table 4.











TABLE 4






Pre-
Post-
Post-
Post-



Treatment
Treatment
Drying
Cooling


Trial
(° F.)
(° F.)
(° F.)
(° F.)



















3.5 min EO, IR Dry (T1)
69.3
65.6
188.8
88.3


3.5 min EO, IR Dry (T2)
69.6
67
172.4
89.2


3.5 min EO, IR Dry (T3)
72.4
68
155.7
87.5


4 min EO, IR Dry (T4)
69.7
67.2
177.2
86


4 min EO, IR Dry (T5)
71.1
67.8
163.7
88.1


4 min EO, IR Dry (T6)
72.5
67.2
188.4
87.9


4.5 min EO, IR Dry (T7)
69.1
63.5
174
85.3


4.5 min EO, IR Dry (T8)
69.9
66.6
184.4
89.4


4.5 min EO, IR Dry (T9)
71.5
67.5
163.7
89.9









Five supplemental trials were performed to assess the separate performance of each portion of the procedure. In trials ST10-ST12, a 100 g sample of almonds was exposed to EO water for four minutes and then air dried to determine the effects of EO water exposure. Another 100 g sample of almonds was pre-treated with sterile water and then dried using the IR oven as above to determine the effects of IR exposure alone (trials ST13-ST15). A 100 g sample of almonds was pre-treated with alkaline EO water and then dried using the IR oven as above to determine the effects of alkaline EO water exposure as opposed to acid EO water exposure (trials ST16 and ST17). A fourth sample of almonds was exposed to alkaline EO water followed by acid EO water and then air dried to determine if any additive effects of the combination could be observed (trials ST18 and ST19). Finally, a sample of almonds was exposed to EO water and dried in a conventional oven to determine the effects of heating without TR exposure (trials ST20 and ST21). Samples from each trial were cooled and packaged as described above for transport to the lab. The temperature data observed during these supplemental trials is shown in Table 5.











TABLE 5






Pre-
Post-
Post-
Post-



Treatment
Treatment
Drying
Cooling


Trial
(° F.)
(° F.)
(° F.)
(° F.)



















4 min EO, Air Dry (ST10)
71.9
64.1
n/a
71.8


4 min EO, Air Dry (ST11)
72.9
64
 n/a2
73


4 min EO, Air Dry (ST12)
72.9
67
n/a
71.9


4 min DI, IR Dry (ST13)
72.4
65.6
171.3
86.3


4 min DI, IR Dry (ST14)
73.4
68
188
87.5


4 min DI, IR Dry (ST15)
73.3
67.8
187.7
82.2


4 min Alkaline EO,
73.1
67.2
171.7
86.4


IR Dry (ST16)


4 min Alkaline EO,
73
67
165.2
88.5


IR Dry (ST17)


4 min Alkaline +
73.3
65
n/a
73.3


Acid EO, Air Dry (ST18)


4 min Alkaline +
72.2
63.8
n/a
76.1


Acid EO, Air Dry (ST19)


4 min EO, Conventional
74.8
69.1
n/a
90.1


Dry (ST20)


4 min EO, Conventional
74
67.9
n/a
88.7


Dry (ST21)









In addition to the trials above, inoculated, non-treated samples were transported to the lab to detenrnine actual pre-treatment inoculum levels.
Enumeration of Salmonella 
Almonds to be assessed for pathogen were added to an equal volume (100 g to 100 ml) of Butterfield's phosphate buffer (BPB). Samples were shaken vigorously 50 times in a 30 cm arc and after standing for five minutes were shaken and additional five times before serial dilution and plating. Samples were plated at appropriate dilutions in duplicate using a spiral plater (Spiral Biotech Autoplate 4000) onto TSA and XLT4 Agar. Plates were counted after incubation at 35±2° C. for 24±2 hours on an automated counting system (Advanced Instruments 510 using Q Count TM software, version 1.5). Counts obtained from treated samples were compared with counts from non-treated samples to determine the reduction in SEPT30.
Plate count data for the untreated trial is shown in Table 6, including replicate, raw count (in CFU/g) for each media used, average count, and the log10 of the average. Each almond trial is displayed in Table 7. Log reduction of Salmonella is summarized by exposure time in Table 8.















TABLE 6





Sample
XLT4-1
XLT4-2
Average1
Log10
TSA-1
TSA-2
Average1
Log10







Untreated-1
22,400,000
31,500,000
26,950,000
7.43
34,200,000
69,000,000
51,600,000
7.71


Untreated-2
46,800,000
36,800,000
41,800,000
7.62
51,500,000
32,200,000
41,850,000
7.62


Untreated-3
14,600,000
19,200,000
16,900,000
7.23
29,200,000
98,000,000
63,600,000
7.80


Overall Average


28,550,000
7.46


52,350,000
7.72





1Reported as CFU/g
























TABLE 7





Trial
EO Exposure
XLT4-1
XLT4-2
Average1
Log10
Reduction
TSA-1
TSA-2
Average1
Log10
Reduction


























T1
3.5 min  
119
715
417
2.62
4.84
161
663
412
2.61
5.10


T2
3.5 min  
930
1,520
1,225
3.09
4.37
964
238
601
2.78
4.94


T3
3.5 min  
908
411
660
2.82
4.64
628
1,130
879
2.94
4.77


T4
4 min
101
114
108
2.03
5.42
173
709
441
2.64
5.07


T5
4 min
119
115
117
2.07
5.39
141
631
386
2.59
5.13


T6
4 min
122
506
314
2.50
4.96
140
607
374
2.57
5.15


T7
4.5 min  
163
83
123
2.09
5.37
137
79
108
2.03
5.69


T8
4.5 min  
29
136
83
1.92
5.54
72
76
74
1.87
5.85


T9
4.5 min  
120
74
97
1.99
5.47
211
63
137
2.14
5.58


ST10
4 min
4,770,000
818,000
2,794,000
6.45
1.01
5,640,000
6,060,000
5,850,000
6.77
0.95


ST11
4 min
3,070,000
818,000
1,944,000
6.29
1.17
1,160,000
889,000
1,024,500
6.01
1.71


ST12
4 min
2,410,000
3,470,000
2,940,000
6.47
0.99
5,850,000
2,040,000
3,945,000
6.60
1.12


ST13
4 min
157,000
78,800
117,900
5.07
2.38
419,000
92,400
255,700
5.41
2.31


ST14
4 min
241,000
61,400
151,200
5.18
2.28
459,000
70,400
264,700
5.42
2.30


ST15
4 min
336,000
52,300
194,150
5.29
2.17
358,000
89,400
223,700
5.35
2.37


ST16
4 min
79,200
17,900
48,550
4.69
2.77
226,000
38,500
132,250
5.12
2.60


ST17
4 min
25,100
22,500
23,800
4.38
3.08
59,800
66,400
63,100
4.80
2.92


ST18
4 min
580,000
358,000
469,000
5.67
1.78
666,000
511,000
588,500
5.77
1.95


ST19
4 min
1,070,000
204,000
637,000
5.80
1.65
2,880,000
603,000
1,741,500
6.24
1.48


ST20
4 min
217,000
102,000
159,500
5.20
2.25
157,000
828,000
492,500
5.69
2.03


ST21
4 min
149,000
102,000
125,500
5.10
2.36
849,000
343,000
596,000
5.77
1.94





1Reported as CFU/g



















TABLE 8









XLT4 Reduction
XLT4
TSA Reduction
TSA
Overall

















Replicate 1
Replicate 2
Replicate 3
Average
Replicate 1
Replicate 2
Replicate 3
Average
Average




















Standard Tests











Exposure Averages:


3.5 min
4.84
4.37
4.64
4.61
5.10
4.94
4.77
4.94
4.78


  4 min
5.42
5.39
4.96
5.26
5.07
5.13
5.15
5.12
5.19


4.5 min
5.37
5.54
5.47
5.46
5.69
5.85
5.58
5.71
5.58


Supplemental Tests:


EO Water plus Air Dry
1.01
1.17
0.99
1.05
0.95
1.71
1.12
1.26
1.16


Sterile Water plus IR
2.38
2.28
2.17
2.28
2.31
2.30
2.37
2.33
2.30


EO Alkaline plus IR
2.77
3.08

2.92
2.60
2.92

2.76
2.84


EO Alkaline + EO Acid
1.78
1.65

1.72
1.95
1.48

1.71
1.72


EO Water plus Conv. Oven
2.25
2.36

2.30
2.03
1.94

1.99
2.14









The data for the standard test shows a strong correlation between EO water exposure time and log reduction of Salmonella in the almonds. The almonds treated with EO water for the longer exposure times demonstrated the highest overall reduction in Salmonella levels. For the supplemental tests, the greatest average reduction in Salmonella was achieved with the EO alkaline water followed by IR drying. However, this reduction was still more than two orders of magnitude less than that experienced in the standard tests.
There was no noticeable increase in undesirable physical characteristics of the almonds (such as blistering, bleaching, etc.) after the EO water treatment or IR heating. The moisture level of the almonds before treatment was 3.21%. After treatment, the moisture level was measured to be 4.03%, a gain of 0.82%.

## Claims

1. An apparatus for processing of nuts comprising:
at least one conveyor operable to carry nuts to be processed through the apparatus;
a source of electrolyzed-oxidizing (EO) water, said source of EO water comprising at least one EO water generator operable to produce an EO water alkaline stream having a pH of greater than about 8 and an EO water acidic stream having a pH of less than about 5;
at least one water station in fluid communication with said EO water generator and positioned along the length of said apparatus operable to deposit at least a portion of said EO water alkaline stream or at least a portion of said EO water acidic stream onto said nuts during passage thereof through the apparatus; and
at least one heater station located downstream of said at least one water station and comprising upper and lower opposed banks of infrared heaters.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, said source of EO water further comprising an EO water reservoir fluidly coupled with said EO water generator.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, including a plurality of said water stations spaced along the length of said apparatus.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, said at least one conveyor comprising a perforate belt extending between said at least one water station and said at least one heater station.