Abstract:
A process for sanitizing objects is comprised of the steps of: (1) contacting the object with a dry fog in an enclosed sanitization zone wherein the dry fog is comprised of droplets having a diameter of 4-5 microns and wherein the droplets comprise an aqueous solution of a sanitizing agent for a time sufficient to produce a substantially dry sanitized object and a residual amount of dry fog; (2) removing the substantially dry, sanitized product from the enclosed zone while simultaneously removing the residual dry fog and passing the residual dry fog through a treatment zone whereby unreacted sanitizing agent is removed from the dry fog. The disclosed process yields substantially dry sanitized objects that do not require rinsing with water.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of International Application No. PCT/US2011/048587, filed on Aug. 22, 2011, which application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/375,930, filed on Aug. 23, 2010. The entire contents of both applications are incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Field of the Invention 
       [0002]    The present invention pertains to an improved process for sanitizing an object such as produce. Typical processing methods for sanitizing such objects as fruits and vegetables prior to their introduction to the market involve feeding such items on a conveyer belt past a spray nozzle, which emits a fine mist of an aqueous solution of a sanitizing agent. The amount of sanitizing agent that contacts the object is a function of the speed of the conveyer belt and the size of the droplets of the aqueous sanitizing solution. The treated products normally have an unacceptably high amount of residual surface moisture, which can affect their shelf life. 
         [0003]    The conventional process is typically carried out in the open within a treatment area in a building. As a result of the open air treatment, workers operating the treatment equipment are exposed to the sanitizing spray for long periods of time thereby exposing them to potential health and safety risks. In addition, the treatment equipment is also at risk of possible corrosion because of exposure to the sanitizing spray mist, which can contain corrosive substances such as chlorine or peracetic acid. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION. 
       [0004]    The present invention overcomes the above disadvantages by employing a process for sanitizing objects comprising the steps of: (1) contacting the object with a dry fog in an enclosed sanitization zone wherein the dry fog is comprised of droplets having a diameter of 4-5 microns and wherein the droplets comprise an aqueous solution of a sanitizing agent for a time sufficient to produce a substantially dry sanitized object and a residual amount of dry fog; (2) removing the substantially dry, sanitized product from the enclosed zone while simultaneously removing the residual dry fog and passing the residual dry fog through a treatment zone whereby unreacted sanitizing agent is removed from the dry fog. The process according to the invention yields substantially dry, sanitized objects that do not require rinsing with water. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
         [0005]      FIG. 1  shows a block diagram of a preferred embodiment according to the invention. The sanitizing agent solution is fed from the reservoir I into a spray controller D by an injector fan B. Compressed air, C, is also fed into the spray controller, which then feeds the mixture of air and sanitizing agent into one or more spray nozzles, which is/are located inside sanitization zone A. The objects to be sanitized are moved into and out of sanitization zone A by means of a conveyer belt G. Re-circulating fan F pulls air-dry fog mixture from the exit end of sanitization zone A and feeds it through a deactivation zone containing a compound such as solid sodium bicarbonate particles and then into the entrance end of sanitization zone A. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    The present invention pertains to an improved process for sanitizing objects. Such objects can be any objects in need of sanitizing. The term “sanitizing” as it is used herein refers to disinfecting and/or cleansing the surface of an object by removing or killing pathogenic microorganisms. It is well known that pathogenic microorganisms are those that cause disease and include bacteria, mold, and fungus The sanitizing agent can be anything that will remove or kill bacteria, mold and/or fungus that is/are present on the surface of the object(s) to be sanitized, such as chlorine, quaternary ammonium compounds, hydrogen peroxide, and peroxycarboxylic acids. The preferred sanitizing agent is a mixture of peracetic acid and hydrogen peroxide. Preferably, the process according to the invention, also referred to as the Dry Fog process, is utilized for sanitizing produce such as fruits, vegetables, nuts and the like. In this process, the sanitization takes place in a treatment zone, which is a chamber that can be a box-like or tent-like structure that covers the dry fog spray area, thereby preventing exposure of humans and equipment to the dry fog. For example, when the Dry Fog process according to the invention is used to sanitize produce, the enclosure is preferably a stainless steel box-like structure mounted over a moving belt that carries the produce into and out of the enclosure through openings in opposite walls of the enclosure. The enclosure, on its interior surfaces, is provided with one or more spray nozzles from which the dry fog is emitted. The enclosure can also be formed from flexible material such as a plastic film draped over a sanitizing treatment area resulting in a tent-like structure. The enclosure can also be a combination of a box-like structure and a tent-like structure. 
         [0007]    The dry fog spray is continuously removed from the sanitization zone by any means that can move the air/dry fog mixture, such as a fan or equivalent means. The removal of the air/dry fog mixture in this manner also prevents leakage of the air/dry fog mixture from the sanitization zone into the surrounding atmosphere. The air/dry fog mixture that exits the sanitization zone is then passed through a deactivation zone, which removes and/or inactivates the sanitizing agent. For example, when the sanitizing agent is peracetic acid, the air-sanitizing fog mixture is passed through solid sodium bicarbonate particles, for example in the form of tablets, which decomposes the peracetic to acetic acid, oxygen and water. 
         [0008]    The process according to the invention can also be used in conjunction with Ultra Violet (UV) radiation when hydrogen peroxide and/or a peroxycarboxylic acid are used as the sanitizing agent. More specifically, one or more UV light sources can be placed within the sanitization zone in order to enhance the killing effect of the hydrogen peroxide and/or a peroxycarboxylic acid on the pathogenic microorganisms. This enhancement results from the ability of UV radiation alone to function as an effective disinfectant for a variety of microorganisms in addition to activating the peroxide for reaction with organic substances. As a result of the increased microbial kill efficiency, shorter contact times through the Dry Fog unit are possible. One consequence of the shorter contact times is that shorter sanitization zone lengths can be utilized. This, in turn, allows a more compact apparatus for use in instances where space is at a premium. 
         [0009]    Because the droplets which make up the fog are relatively small, 4-5 microns in diameter, the fog spray is substantially dry. The dry fog yields treated objects such as fruits and vegetables that are substantially dry after sanitization. 
         [0010]    The amount of sanitizing agent used in the process according to the invention can be from about 0.5 oz. to about 5 oz. per hour. The preferred amount is from about 0.5 oz. to about 1.0 oz. per hour. The conveyer speed and the amount of dry fog fed into the sanitizing zone are adjusted so that the desired contact time with the objects to be sanitized is achieved. When the process according to the invention is utilized for sanitizing produce the contact time will typically vary from about 10 seconds to about 30 seconds for most fruits and vegetables such as tomatoes, strawberries, blueberries and the like. 
       EXAMPLE 1  
     Evaluation of Dry Spray Treatment of Blueberries 
       [0011]    The effectiveness of the Dry Fog process in removing mold and yeast on blueberries was determined during a 21-day trial. In the Dry Fog process, Blueberries were exposed to 4% and 10% StarOx® Broad Spectrum Bactericide/Fungicide, a trademark product of BioSafe Systems, LLC, which is an aqueous solution of peracetic acid and hydrogen peroxide, at a 10-second and 20-second high density dry fog exposure. The Standard Plate Count (SPC) method was used to determine the presence of non-specific (genus/species) mold and yeast in the samples. Each 2-cup sample was randomly selected and submitted to Bodycote Testing Group for quantitative analysis. Bodycote sample was brothed in 0.1% peptone in a 1:10 dilution. It was then plated as a pour plate in up to 10-3 exponent. The media used was potato dextrose agar; the plate was incubated for 5 days at 24 C. StorOx® Broad Spectrum Bactericide/Fungicide was applied to blueberries at various concentrations and time exposures in a high density “dry fog” environment. Secondary testing method, performed by USDA was completed using a buffer agitation method applied to the surface of exposed blueberries and SPC methods. The results are shown in Table 1, below. 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 1 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                 Effectiveness of the Dry Fog Process 
               
               
                 In Removing Mold and Yeast on Blueberries. 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                   
                 Mold 
                 Yeast 
               
               
                   
                 Sample 
                 (CFU/g) 
                 (CFU/g) 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Control # 1 
                 310 
                 20 
               
               
                   
                 Control # 2 
                 640 
                 80 
               
               
                   
                 Control # 3 
                 380 
                 200 
               
               
                   
                  4% (40 ml per liter) StorOx (20 sec) 
                 40 
                 10 
               
               
                   
                 10% (100 ml per liter) StorOx (10 sec) 
                 110 
                 &lt;10 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0012]    The results show that the Dry Fog process was effective in reducing mold and yeasts on the berries wherein 4% and 10% solutions of StorOx® sanitizing spray were used. The exposure time and the fog density were key factors determining the efficacy of the product. A 4% solution with an exposure time of 20 seconds performed as well as a 10% solution with an exposure time of 10 seconds. 
       EXAMPLE 2  
     Evaluation of Dry Spray Treatment for Tomatoes 
       [0013]    The effectiveness of the Dry Fog process in removing  Botrytis Cinerea  (isolate EDG10-05) from tomatoes was determined. Two products were evaluated for efficacy against  Botrytis Cinerea  (isolate EDG10-05): StorOx® Broad Spectrum Bactericide/Fungicide and KleenGrow™, a trademark product of Pace Chemicals, LTD, which contains a 7.5% aqueous didecyldimethyl ammonium chloride (Table 1). Mature green or red tomatoes on the vine were used that were uniform in size and color, free from wounds and rot and stored at 13° C.155° F. with 70+% RH until treated on Apr. 12, 2010. Tomato clusters were sprayed with B. Cinerea at the rate of 3 mL per cluster using an air-assisted sprayer and allowed to air dry for 4 hours at room temperature.  Anthracnose  ( Colletotrichum coccodes ) and other fungal rots ( Rhizopus  and  Penicillium  spp.) developed naturally in the fruit. Products were diluted in well water (not chlorinated) and solution temperature)(C°), pH and ORP (Oxidation Reduction Potential) (mV) were recorded for the control (water) and all treatments. Treatments were arranged with three replications (one cardboard box with multiple TOV clusters comprised a replication). Treatments were applied 4 hours after inoculation with  B. Cinerea Conidia.  The following dry fog system settings were used: Target relative humidity was set up for 100% using the main settings screen, Fog density was set at 20 seconds on, 1 second off, using the main settings screen, Conveyor speed was set to 10 and 30 seconds for different contact time. 
         [0014]    Following product or control application in the dry fog tunnel (Table 2), five calyx sections were sampled from each replication, and the quantity of  Conidia  was determined by dilution plating for day-0 on PDA (Potato Dextrose Agar) and  Botrytis  selective media. After the treatments on the dry fog, samples were placed in storage at 13° C., 55° F. with 70+% RH for 15 days. Tomatoes were assessed 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 and 15 days after application for incidence of grey mold, anthracnose and other fungal rots. The number of total TOV clusters and total fruit, total number of fruit with Botrytis infection, calyces with  Botrytis  infection, fruit with anthracnose infection and fruit with other fungal ( Rhizopus  and  Penicillium  spp.) infection were recorded. The following scale was used for tomato fruit or calyx infection: 0 (healthy)=0% disease; 1=1-10% disease; 2=11-30% disease; 3=31-70% disease; and 4=71-100% disease. Sporulation of  B. Cinerea  was quantified by sampling five random fruits with attached calyx per replication. The amount of  Bohytis  present on tomato calyces and fruit (CFU/g) was calculated as the (number of colonies×dilution factor×volume of dilution)÷weight of sample tissue. 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 2 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                 Treatments and Rates. 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Treatment 
                 Rate 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 1 
                 StorOx ® 
                 1:10 
               
               
                 2 
                 StorOx ® 
                 1:25 
               
               
                 3 
                 StorOx ® 
                 1:50 
               
               
                 4 
                 StorOx ® 
                 1:100 
               
               
                 5 
                 KleenGrow 
                 1:5 
               
               
                 6 
                 KleenGrow 
                 1:10 
               
               
                 7 
                 KleenGrow 
                 1:25 
               
               
                 8 
                 KleenGrow 
                 1:50 
               
               
                 9 
                 KleenGrow 
                 1:100 
               
               
                 10 
                 Non-treated control + 
                 Water 
               
               
                   
                 
                   B. Cinerea 
                 
                   
               
               
                 11 
                 Non-treated control − 
                 Water 
               
               
                   
                 
                   B. Cinerea 
                 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
       Results. 
       [0015]    The results show that the Dry Fog process was effective in removing the  Botrytis  gray mold was first observed ten days after inoculation and disease incidence increased slightly from day 10 to day 15. All of the StorOx® treatments reduced the incidence and severity of grey mold on calyces and fruit, and populations of  B. Cinerea  compared to the inoculated, water-treated control. However, the higher rates of StorOx® were more effective in reducing grey mold severity than the lower rates. The efficacy of the two products was statistically similar. However, the high rate (1:5) of KleenGrow™ was phytotoxic to TOV calyces was first observed on tomato fruit eight days after initiation of the experiment and disease incidence increased from Day 8 to Day 15 (Table 4). Inoculation with  Botrytis  had no effect on anthracnose incidence. Anthracnose disease incidence was suppressed by treatment with the 1:10 and 1:25 rates of StorOx®, and the 1:5 and 1:10 rates of KleenGrow™. 
         [0016]    Other fungal rots (caused by  Rhizopus  and  Penicillium  spp.) were first observed ten days after experiment initiation and disease incidence increased slightly from Day 10 to Day 15. Other fungal rots (caused by  Rhizopus  and  Penicillium  spp.) were first observed ten days after experiment initiation and disease incidence increased slightly from Day 10 to Day 15. Disease incidence was suppressed by treatment with the 1:10, 1:25 and 1:50 rates of StorOx® and the 1:5 and 1:10 rates of KleenGrow™. On average, a contact time of 30 seconds in the dry fog system was significantly more effective in reducing  Botrytis  disease incidence than 10 seconds contact time. However, there were no differences between contact times in severity of grey mold on calyces or fruit, disease progress or population of  B. Cinerea  after treatment. There were no statistically significant differences between the 10 and 30 second contact times in incidence of anthracnose and other fungal rots. 
         [0017]    Conclusions: Treatment with the 1:10 and 1:25 rates of StorOx® and the 1:5 and 1:10 rates of KleenGrow™ in the dry fog system were consistently effective in reducing incidence of grey mold, anthracnose and other fungal rots on tomatoes. Uniform fog distribution within the dry fog system achieves maximum treatment effectiveness with minimal cost and minimal pathogen contamination. 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 3 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                 Effect of Selected Disinfectants Used in the Dry Fog System 
               
               
                 and Contact Times on Incidence and Severity of  Botrytis  Disease on Tomato. 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                   
                   
                   Botrytis  severity  
                   Botrytis  severity 
                 
                   Botrytis 
                 
               
               
                 Source 
                 df 
                 Levels 
                 on calyceszy 
                 on fruit 
                 incidence (%) 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 Treatment 
                 10 
                   
                 P &lt; 0.0001 
                 F = 15.5 
                 P &lt; 0.0001 
                 F = 29.7 
                 P &lt; .0001 
                 F = 85.4 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                   
                 StorOx ® (1:10) 
                 0.2dex 
                 0.2e 
                 6.3fg 
               
               
                   
                   
                 StorOx ® (1:25) 
                 0.4b-e 
                 0.3de 
                 13.1d 
               
               
                   
                   
                 StorOx ® (1:50) 
                 0.8 bc 
                 0.9cd 
                 19.5c 
               
               
                   
                   
                 StorOx ® (1:100) 
                 0.9 b 
                 2.7b 
                 26.9b 
               
               
                   
                   
                 KleenGrow ™ (1:5) 
                 0.1de 
                 0.2e 
                 4.6g 
               
               
                   
                   
                 KleenGrow ™ (1:10) 
                 0.1de 
                 0.1e 
                 3.5g 
               
               
                   
                   
                 KleenGrow ™ (1:25) 
                 0.2cde 
                 0.3de 
                 8.6ef 
               
               
                   
                   
                 KleenGrow ™ (1:50) 
                 0.6bcd 
                 0.7de 
                 1.5de 
               
               
                   
                   
                 KleenGrow ™ (1:100) 
                 0.4b-e 
                 1.5c 
                 17.2c 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Non-treated control + 
                 2.6a 
                 3.8a 
                 34.2a 
               
               
                   
                   
                 
                   B. Cinerea 
                 
                   
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 Non-treated control − 
                 0.0e 
                 0.0e 
                 0.0h 
               
               
                   
                   
                 
                   B. Cinerea 
                 
                   
                   
                   
               
               
                 Contact 
                 1 
                   
                 P = 0.1155 
                 P = 0.1557 
                 P = 0.009 
               
               
                 Time 
                   
                   
                 F = 7.2 
                 F = 4.9 
                 F = 99. 
               
               
                   
                   
                 10 sec 
                 0.7a 
                 1.1a 
                 14.7a 
               
               
                   
                   
                 30 sec 
                 0.4a 
                 0.8a 
                 11.7b 
               
               
                 Treatment X 
                 10 
                   
                 P = 0.0111 
                 P = 0.2210 
                 P = 0.101 
               
               
                 Contact Time 
                   
                   
                 F = 3.3 
                 F = 1.5 
                 F = 1.97 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 z Disease ratings and area under the disease progress curves (AUDPC) were based on the severity scale of 0-4, where 0 (healthy) = 0% disease; 1 = 1-10% disease; 2 = 11-30% disease; 3 = 31-70% disease; and 4 = 71-100% disease. 
               
               
                 y Severity was calculated according to the formula: Severity = [(category midpoint * number of fruit in category)]/n, where n = total number of fruit/cardboard box. 
               
               
                 x Values are the means of three replicate cardboard boxes; treatments followed by the same letter within a column are not significantly different at P0.05. 
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0000]    
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 4 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                 Effect of selected disinfectants used in dry fog system and contact times 
               
               
                 on AUDPC and population of  Botrytis Cinerea  (CFU/g) on tomato fruit. 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 Log CFU g −1 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 
                   Botrytis 
                 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 Log CFU g −1 
                 populations on 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 
                   Botrytis on calyces 
                 
                 calyces + fruit after 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 after treatment 
                 application 
               
               
                 Source 
                 df 
                 Levels 
                   Botrytis  AUDPCZ y 
                 (Day 0) x 
                 (Day 15) 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 Treatment 
                 10 
                   
                 P = 0.0002 
                 F = 6.5 
                 P &lt; 0.0001 
                 F = 857.5 
                 P &lt; .0001 
                 F = 42.4 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                   
                 StorOx ® (1:10) 
                 10.1cde w   
                 0.9f 
                 2.4de 
               
               
                   
                   
                 StorOx ® (1:25) 
                 15.6bcd 
                 2.6d 
                 3.1cd 
               
               
                   
                   
                 StorOx ® (1:50) 
                 24.0b 
                 3.5b 
                 4.6b 
               
               
                   
                   
                 StorOx ® (1:100) 
                 22.8bc 
                 4.6a 
                 4.9b 
               
               
                   
                   
                 KleenGrow ™ (1:5) 
                 5.1de 
                 0.0g 
                 1.9e 
               
               
                   
                   
                 KleenGrow ™ (1:10) 
                 4.6de 
                 0.0g 
                 1.9e 
               
               
                   
                   
                 KleenGrow ™ (1:25) 
                 13.8bcd 
                 1.1e 
                 3.3c 
               
               
                   
                   
                 KleenGrow ™ (1:50) 
                 20.5bc 
                 3.4bc 
                 4.2b 
               
               
                   
                   
                 KleenGrow ™ (1:100) 
                 14.7bcd 
                 3.2c 
                 4.5b 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Non-treated control + 
                 42.8a 
                 4.8a 
                 5.8a 
               
               
                   
                   
                 
                   B. Cinerea 
                 
                   
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 Non-treated control − 
                 0.0e 
                 0.0g 
                 0.0f 
               
               
                   
                   
                 
                   B. Cinerea 
                 
                   
                   
                   
               
               
                 Contact 
                 1 
                   
                 P = 0.0951 
                 P = 0.8309 
                 P = 0.0605 
               
               
                 Time 
                   
                   
                 F = 9.0 
                 F = 0.1 
                 F = 15.4 
               
               
                   
                   
                 10 sec 
                 18.6a 
                 2.2a 
                 3.5a 
               
               
                   
                   
                 30 sec 
                 13.0a 
                 2.2a 
                 3.2a 
               
               
                 Treatment X 
                 10 
                   
                 P = 0.1913 
                 P = 0.9992 
                 P = 0.013 
               
               
                 Contact time 
                   
                   
                 F = 1.6 
                 F = 0.1 
                 F = 3.27 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 z Disease ratings and area under the disease progress curves (AUDPC) were based on the values of the severity scale of 0-4, where 0 (healthy) = 0% disease; 1 = 1-10% disease; 2 = 11-30% disease; 3 = 31-70% disease; and 4 = 71-100% disease. 
               
               
                 y Area under the disease progress curve was calculated according to the formula: (M(xi + xi − 1)!2N(ti − ti − 1)) where xi is the severity at each evaluation time and (ti − ti − 1) is the time between evaluations. 
               
               
                 x The population of  Botrytis  present on tomato calyx and fruit (CFU/g) was calculated as number of colonies * dilution factor * volume of dilution * weight of sample tissue. 
               
               
                   w Values are the means of three replicate units (XX clusters per box); treatments followed by the same letter within a column are not significantly different at P0.05. 
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0000]    
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 5 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                 Effect of Selected Disinfectants Used in Dry Fog System 
               
               
                 and Contact Times on Anthracnose Incidence in Tomato. 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                   
                   
                 Anthracnose 
                 Anthracnose 
               
               
                 Source 
                 df 
                 Levels 
                 incidence (%) z   
                 AUDPC y   
               
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 Treatments1 
                 10 
                   
                 P0.0031 
                 F = 4.2 
                 P = 0.0002 
                 F = 6.5 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                   
                 StorOx ® (1:10) 
                 33.8ef x   
                 38.4cd 
               
               
                   
                   
                 StorOx ® (1:25) 
                 32.5f 
                 35.6cd 
               
               
                   
                   
                 StorOx ® (1:50) 
                 39.6c-f 
                 45.1bc 
               
               
                   
                   
                 StorOx ® (1:100) 
                 43.3a-e 
                 46.3bc 
               
               
                   
                   
                 KleenGrow ™ (1:5) 
                 28.4f 
                 28.8d 
               
               
                   
                   
                 KleenGrow ™ (1:10) 
                 38.1def 
                 41.0cd 
               
               
                   
                   
                 KleenGrow ™ (1:25) 
                 41.2b-f 
                 44.4bc 
               
               
                   
                   
                 KleenGrow ™ (1:50) 
                 52.2abc 
                 55.4ab 
               
               
                   
                   
                 KleenGrow ™ (1:100) 
                 54.5ab 
                 57.0ab 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Non-treated control + 
                 56.7a 
                 66.5a 
               
               
                   
                   
                 
                   B. Cinerea 
                 
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 Non-treated control − 
                 49.2a-d 
                 60.0a 
               
               
                   
                   
                 
                   B. Cinerea 
                 
                   
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 Contact Time 
                 1 
                   
                 P = 0.1032 
                 F = 8.2 
                 P = 0.1058 
                 F = 7.9 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 10 sec 
                 46.7a 
                 50.4a 
               
               
                   
                 30 sec 
                 38.7a 
                 43.9a 
               
             
          
           
               
                 Treatments X 
                 10 
                   
                 P = 0.9488 
                 F = 0.4 
                 P = 0.8571 
                 F = 0.5 
               
               
                 Contact Time 
               
               
                   
               
               
                   z Disease ratings and area under the disease progress curves (AUDPC) were based on the values of the scale severity of 0-4, where 0 (healthy) = 0% disease; 1 = 1-10% disease; 2 = 11-30% disease; 3 = 31-70% disease; and 4 = 71-100% disease. 
               
               
                   y Area under the disease progress curve calculated according to the formula: (M(xi + xi − 1)82N(ti − ti − 1)) where xi is the rating at each evaluation time and (ti − ti − 1) is the time between evaluations. 
               
               
                   x Other fungal rots were  Rhizopus  spp. and  Penicillium  spp. 
               
               
                 w Values are the means of three replicate units (XX clusters per box); treatments followed by the same letter within a column are not significantly different at P0.05. 
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0000]    
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 6 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                 Effect of Selected Disinfectants Used in the Dry Fog System and 
               
               
                 Contact Times on  Rhizopus  and  Penicillium  Rots (Combined) of Tomato. 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                   
                   
                 Other fungal rots 
                 Other fungal rots 
               
               
                 Source 
                 df 
                 Levels 
                 incidence (%) zx   
                 AUDPC y   
               
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 Treatments 1   
                 10 
                   
                 P~0.0015 
                 F = 4.8 
                 P = 0.0008 
                 F = 5.3 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                   
                 StorOx ® (1:10) 
                 15.8cde w   
                 16.17c-f 
               
               
                   
                   
                 StorOx ® (1:25) 
                 7.5e 
                 7.58f 
               
               
                   
                   
                 StorOx ® (1:50) 
                 13.4de 
                 12.00def 
               
               
                   
                   
                 StorOx ® (1:100) 
                 21.1 bcd 
                 20.17b-e 
               
               
                   
                   
                 KleenGrow ™ (1:5) 
                 10.3de 
                 10.67def 
               
               
                   
                   
                 KleenGrow ™ (1:10) 
                 8.0e 
                 8.33ef 
               
               
                   
                   
                 KleenGrow ™ (1:25) 
                 17.7cde 
                 17.83c-f 
               
               
                   
                   
                 KleenGrow ™ (1:50) 
                 21.4bcd 
                 21.58bcd 
               
               
                   
                   
                 KleenGrow ™ (1:100) 
                 32.2ab 
                 31.58ab 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Non-treated control + 
                 26.5abc 
                 26.67abc 
               
               
                   
                   
                 
                   B. Cinerea 
                 
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 Non-treated control − 
                 36.10a 
                 37.25a 
               
               
                   
                   
                 
                   B. Cinerea 
                 
                   
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 Contact Time 
                 1 
                   
                 P = 0.3815 
                 F = 1.2 
                 P = 0.3725 
                 F = 1.3 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 10 sec 
                 21.2a 
                 21.1a 
               
               
                   
                 30 sec 
                 16.9a 
                 17.0a 
               
             
          
           
               
                 Treatments X contact 
                 10 
                   
                 P = 0.8289 
                 F = 0.6 
                 P = 0.8038 
                 F = 0.6 
               
               
                 time 
               
               
                   
               
               
                   z Disease ratings and area under the disease progress curves (AUDPC) were based on the values of the scale severity of 0-4, where 0 (healthy) = 0% disease; 1 = 1-10% disease; 2 = 11-30% disease; 3 = 31-70% disease; and 4 = 71-100% disease. 
               
               
                   y Area under the disease progress curve calculated according to the formula: (M(xi + xi − 1)82N(ti − ti − 1)) where xi is the rating at each evaluation time and (ti − ti − 1) is the time between evaluations. 
               
               
                   x Other fungal rots were  Rhizopus  spp. and  Penicillium  spp. 
               
               
                   w Values are the means of three replicate units (one box of tomatoes per unit); treatments followed by the same letter within a column are not significantly different at P0.05.Example 3. 
               
             
          
         
       
     
       Evaluation of Dry Spray Treatment of Hazelnuts. 
       [0018]    The effectiveness of the Dry Fog process in removing  E. coli, Salmonella,  mold and yeast on hazelnuts and the appearance of treated hazelnuts was evaluated. The dry fog treatment comprised 85, 200 and 500 PPM of SaniDate® 5.0 Broad Spectrum Bactericide/Fungicide, a trademark product of BioSafe Systems, LLC, which is an aqueous solution of peracetic acid and hydrogen peroxide. Standard methods of microbial analysis were followed to enumerate total aerobic plate count. The test results show that SaniDate® 5.0 when applied in a dry fog process @ 200 PPM of PAA or higher with at least a 30-second contact time significantly improved the microbial quality of hazelnuts. Bleaching and shine of outer skin was also improved significantly at or above 500 PPM treatment level. The data are set forth in Tables 7 and 8 below. 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
             
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 7 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                 Microbial Quality of Hazelnuts. 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Microbial Quality 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 APC 
                   
                   Salmonella / 
                 Mold 
                 Yeasts 
               
               
                 Treatment 
                 Log CFU/g 
                   E. coli /g 
                 25 g 
                 CFU/g 
                 CFU/g 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 Untreated 
                 6.11 
                 ND 
                 ND 
                 3200 
                 4500 
               
               
                 SD 5.0-85 
                 5.38 
                 ND 
                 ND 
                 500 
                 900 
               
               
                 PPM PAA 
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
               
               
                 SD 5.0-200 
                 5.05 
                 ND 
                 ND 
                 &lt;100 
                 &lt;100 
               
               
                 PPM PAA 
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
               
               
                 SD 5.0-500 
                 4.36 
                 ND 
                 ND 
                 &lt;100 
                 &lt;100 
               
               
                 PPM PAA 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 ND—Not Detected 
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0000]    
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 8 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                 Visual/Sensor Analysis. 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                   
                 Bleaching &amp; 
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 Treatment 
                 Shine 
                 Smell 
                 Texture 
               
               
                   
               
               
                   
                 Untreated 
                 No 
                 Clear 
                 Solid 
               
               
                   
                 SaniDate 5.0-85 PPM PAA 
                 Slight 
                 Clear 
                 Solid 
               
               
                   
                 SaniDate 5.0-200 PPM PAA 
                 Slight 
                 Clear 
                 Solid 
               
               
                   
                 SaniDate 5.0-500 PPM PAA 
                 Good 
                 Clear 
                 Solid 
               
               
                   
                 SaniDate 5.0-1000 PPM PAA 
                 Good 
                 Clear 
                 Solid 
               
               
                   
                 SaniDate 5.0-2000 PPM PAA 
                 Good 
                 Clear 
                 Solid 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
       EXAMPLE 4  
     Evaluation of Dry Spray Treatment of Tomatoes 
       [0019]    The effectiveness of the Dry Fog process in removing and/or controlling the human health pathogen  Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium  on tomatoes was evaluated. Fresh ripe tomatoes were inoculated with  S. enterica serovar Typhimurium  strain 1A14 (Containing Lux marker gene operon) by adding 10 ml of inoculum to a 1 gal zip-seal bag containing one tomato and gently rotating the bag so that the tomato was completely covered with the inoculum. For non-inoculated tomato samples 10 ml of sterile 1× PBS was added to each bag as described for the inoculated tomato samples. Four replicates, consisting of one fruit per treatment were treated and the experiment was repeated once. StorOx® Broad Spectrum Bactericide/Fungicide was applied to the tomatoes using the Dry Fog system. The Dry Fog parameters (exposure and fog density time) and target microorganisms for each sample type are listed in Table 9. 
         [0000]                                                                TABLE 9                   Application rates of StorOx and Smart Fog ® System Parameters       (Exposure and Fog Density Time).                Application   Exposure   Fog Density               rate   Time   Time   Target       Treatment   % (Dilution)   (Sec)   (Sec)   Microorganism                    StorOx   0.4 (1:250)   20   20     Salmonella             1.0 (1:100)   20   20     enterica  Serovar           4.0 (1:25)   20   20     Typhimurium         Water       20   20                   0   0                    
Tables 10 and 11. Efficacy of StorOx in Reducing  Salmonella enterica Serovar Typhimurium  on Fresh Tomatoes.
 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 10 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                   
                 Mean CFU 
               
             
          
           
               
                 Treatment 
                 Pathogen 
                 per ml 
                 per g tissue 
                 per area (cm 2 ) 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 Non-treated 
                 
                   S. enterica 
                 
                 6369 
                 91 
                 77 
               
               
                 with fogging 
                   
                   
                   
                   
               
               
                 Non-treated 
                 
                   S. enterica 
                 
                 11250 
                 184 
                 153 
               
               
                 without fogging 
                   
                   
                   
                   
               
               
                 1:250 StorOx 
                 
                   S. enterica 
                 
                 6 
                 0.1 
                 0.1 
               
               
                 1:100 StorOx 
                 
                   S. enterica 
                 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
               
               
                 1:25 StorOx 
                 
                   S. enterica 
                 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
               
               
                 Non-treated 
                 none 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
               
               
                 with fogging 
                   
                   
                   
                   
               
               
                 Non-treated 
                 none 
                 1 
                 0 
                 0 
               
               
                 without fogging 
                   
                   
                   
                   
               
               
                 1:250 StorOx 
                 none 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
               
               
                 1:100 StorOx 
                 none 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
               
               
                 1:25 StorOx 
                 none 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
               
               
                   
                   
                 p = 0.036 
                 p = 0.036 
                 p = 0.036 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 11 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                   
                 Mean CFU 
               
             
          
           
               
                 Treatment 
                 Pathogen 
                 per ml 
                 per g tissue 
                 per area (cm 2 ) 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 Non-treated 
                 
                   S. enterica 
                 
                 5762 
                 91 
                 75 
               
               
                 with fogging 
                   
                   
                   
                   
               
               
                 Non-treated 
                 
                   S. enterica 
                 
                 11875 
                 198 
                 158 
               
               
                 without fogging 
                   
                   
                   
                   
               
               
                 1:250 StorOx 
                 
                   S. enterica 
                 
                 6 
                 0.3 
                 0.2 
               
               
                 1:100StorOx 
                 
                   S. enterica 
                 
                 0.3 
                 0.1 
                 0.1 
               
               
                 1:25 StorOx 
                 
                   S. enterica 
                 
                 0.3 
                 0 
                 0 
               
               
                 Non-treated 
                 none 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
               
               
                 with fogging 
                   
                   
                   
                   
               
               
                 Non-treated 
                 none 
                 0.5 
                 0 
                 0 
               
               
                 without fogging 
                   
                   
                   
                   
               
               
                 1:250 StorOx 
                 none 
                 0.5 
                 0 
                 0 
               
               
                 1:100 StorOx 
                 none 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
               
               
                 1:25 StorOx 
                 none 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
               
               
                   
                   
                 p = 0.001 
                 p = 0.001 
                 p = 0.002 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0020]    In both experiments, the amount of  S. enterica Serovar Typhimurium  populations was significantly reduced on the surface of fresh processing tomatoes compared to the untreated controls. 
       EXAMPLE 5  
     Dry Fog Treatment of Radish Mini-Sticks. 
       [0021]    The objective of this experiment was the evaluation of the microbial shelf life and sensory characteristics of radish mini-sticks treated by the Dry Fog Process. Radish mini-sticks were spread on a sterile aluminum sheet and passed through the Dry Fog apparatus. The contact time was 20 seconds with 50 and 200 PPM SaniDate® 5.0 as the sanitizing agent. Standard methods of microbial analysis were followed to enumerate total aerobic plate count, mold and yeasts. Appearance, color, odor, texture, flavor and moisture were rated on 1-5 scale and total score for each treatment for each evaluation was calculated. The results are set forth in Tables 12-15. 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
             
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 12 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                 Aerobic Plate Count. 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Aerobic Plate Count Log CFU/g 
               
             
          
           
               
                 Desig- 
                   
                 Repli- 
                 DAY- 
                 DAY- 
                 DAY- 
                 DAY- 
               
               
                 nation 
                 Treatment 
                 cate 
                 7 
                 11 
                 13 
                 20 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 1-1 
                 Untreated 
                 1 
                 9.01 
                 9.47 
                 10.04 
                 10.04 
               
               
                 1-2 
                 Untreated 
                 2 
                 8.91 
                 9.05 
                 9.91 
                 10.12 
               
               
                 1-3 
                 Untreated 
                 3 
                 8.96 
                 9.57 
                 9.87 
                 9.92 
               
               
                 Average 
                   
                   
                 8.96 
                 9.36 
                 9.94 
                 10.02 
               
               
                 2-1 
                  80 PPM PAA 
                 1 
                 8.37 
                 9.33 
                 9.75 
                 10.06 
               
               
                 2-2 
                  80 PPM PAA 
                 2 
                 8.46 
                 9.47 
                 9.47 
                 10.08 
               
               
                 2-3 
                  80 PPM PAA 
                 3 
                 8.45 
                 9.00 
                 8.45 
                 10.12 
               
               
                 Average 
                   
                   
                 8.42 
                 9.27 
                 9.22 
                 10.09 
               
               
                 3-1 
                 200 PPM PAA 
                 1 
                 7.47 
                 8.64 
                 9.04 
                 9.39 
               
               
                 3-2 
                 200 PPM PAA 
                 2 
                 7.78 
                 8.92 
                 8.88 
                 9.71 
               
               
                 3-3 
                 200 PPM PAA 
                 3 
                 7.91 
                 8.75 
                 9.05 
                 9.73 
               
               
                 Average 
                   
                   
                 7.72 
                 8.77 
                 8.99 
                 9.61 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0000]    
       
         
               
             
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 13 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                 Molds. 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Molds 
               
               
                   
                 Log CFU/g 
               
             
          
           
               
                 Designation 
                 Treatment 
                 Replicate 
                 DAY-7 
                 DAY-11 
                 DAY-13 
                 DAY-20 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 1-1 
                 Untreated 
                 1 
                 3.13 
                 3.56 
                 3.86 
                 3.56 
               
               
                 1-2 
                 Untreated 
                 2 
                 3.26 
                 3.73 
                 3.50 
                 3.73 
               
               
                 1-3 
                 Untreated 
                 3 
                 2.95 
                 3.61 
                 3.65 
                 3.83 
               
               
                 Average 
                   
                   
                 3.11 
                 3.63 
                 3.67 
                 3.71 
               
               
                 2-1 
                  80 PPM PAA 
                 1 
                 2.65 
                 3.43 
                 3.50 
                 3.61 
               
               
                 2-2 
                  80 PPM PAA 
                 2 
                 2.95 
                 3.13 
                 3.73 
                 3.77 
               
               
                 2-3 
                  80 PPM PAA 
                 3 
                 2.65 
                 3.35 
                 3.50 
                 3.56 
               
               
                 Average 
                   
                   
                 2.75 
                 3.30 
                 3.58 
                 3.64 
               
               
                 3-1 
                 200 PPM PAA 
                 1 
                 2.65 
                 3.13 
                 3.43 
                 3.65 
               
               
                 3-2 
                 200 PPM PAA 
                 2 
                 2.65 
                 2.65 
                 2.95 
                 3.43 
               
               
                 3-3 
                 200 PPM PAA 
                 3 
                 2.65 
                 3.13 
                 3.26 
                 3.35 
               
             
          
           
               
                 Average 
                 2.65 
                 2.97 
                 3.21 
                 3.48 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0000]    
       
         
               
             
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 14 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                 Yeasts. 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Yeasts Log CFU/g 
               
             
          
           
               
                 Desig- 
                   
                 Repli- 
                 DAY- 
                 DAY- 
                 DAY- 
                 DAY- 
               
               
                 nation 
                 Treatment 
                 cate 
                 7 
                 11 
                 13 
                 20 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 1-1 
                 Untreated 
                 1 
                 5.49 
                 5.74 
                 6.03 
                 6.42 
               
               
                 1-2 
                 Untreated 
                 2 
                 5.54 
                 5.71 
                 6.47 
                 6.32 
               
               
                 1-3 
                 Untreated 
                 3 
                 5.61 
                 5.47 
                 6.14 
                 6.64 
               
               
                 Average 
                   
                   
                 5.55 
                 5.64 
                 6.21 
                 6.46 
               
               
                 2-1 
                  80 PPM PAA 
                 1 
                 4.07 
                 4.61 
                 4.74 
                 5.80 
               
               
                 2-2 
                  80 PPM PAA 
                 2 
                 4.20 
                 4.70 
                 5.16 
                 5.74 
               
               
                 2-3 
                  80 PPM PAA 
                 3 
                 4.49 
                 4.75 
                 4.75 
                 5.58 
               
               
                 Average 
                   
                   
                 4.25 
                 4.69 
                 4.88 
                 5.70 
               
               
                 3-1 
                 200 PPM PAA 
                 1 
                 3.73 
                 4.58 
                 4.75 
                 5.08 
               
               
                 3-2 
                 200 PPM PAA 
                 2 
                 4.10 
                 4.73 
                 4.70 
                 5.45 
               
               
                 3-3 
                 200 PPM PAA 
                 3 
                 3.80 
                 4.01 
                 4.74 
                 5.40 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 4.49 
                 4.73 
                 5.31 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0000]    
       
         
               
             
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 15 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                 Sensory Analysis. 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Total Score a /30 
               
             
          
           
               
                 Desig- 
                   
                 Repli- 
                 DAY- 
                 DAY- 
                 DAY- 
                 DAY- 
               
               
                 nation 
                 Treatment 
                 cate 
                 7 
                 11 
                 13 
                 20 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 1-1 
                 Untreated 
                 1 
                 24.5 
                 23.5 
                 25.0 
                 21.0 
               
               
                 1-2 
                 Untreated 
                 2 
                 24.5 
                 21.0 
                 23.0 
                 21.0 
               
               
                 1-3 
                 Untreated 
                 3 
                 28.0 
                 24.5 
                 24.0 
                 19.0 
               
               
                 Average 
                   
                   
                 25.7 
                 23.0 
                 24.0 
                 20.3 
               
               
                 2-1 
                  80 PPM PAA 
                 1 
                 29.5 
                 25.5 
                 25.5 
                 23.0 
               
               
                 2-2 
                  80 PPM PAA 
                 2 
                 29.5 
                 24.5 
                 23.0 
                 23.0 
               
               
                 2-3 
                  80 PPM PAA 
                 3 
                 27.5 
                 25.0 
                 25.0 
                 23.0 
               
               
                 Average 
                   
                   
                 28.8 
                 25.0 
                 24.5 
                 23.0 
               
               
                 3-1 
                 200 PPM PAA 
                 1 
                 28 
                 23.0 
                 23.0 
                 20.0 
               
               
                 3-2 
                 200 PPM PAA 
                 2 
                 28.5 
                 25.5 
                 25.5 
                 20.0 
               
               
                 3-3 
                 200 PPM PAA 
                 3 
                 26.5 
                 22.5 
                 21.5 
                 20.0 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 23.7 
                 23.3 
                 20.0 
               
               
                   
               
               
                   a Average of Two Independent Scorers (Treatments Undisclosed for Scorers)