Abstract:
The invention relates to a method for cleaning the surfaces of foods and fodder of plant and animal origin by manual or mechanical washing in water, the surfaces of said foods or fodder having adhering thereto contaminants and/or physiologically and toxicologically noxious substances, such as hydrophobic and hydrophilic pesticides, inorganic noxious elements, oily condensates of noxious substances, as well as other contaminants, and to certain agents and compositions which are added to the wash water; food and fooder refreshing is achieved.

Description:
This is a continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 726,920, filed Sept. 27, 1976, now abandoned. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     The surfaces of food and fodder of both plant and animal origin which are generally available are for the most part more or less seriously contaminated with both physiologically and toxicologically active noxious substances. These substances reach the food in the form of pesticides, fertilizers, preservatives, etc. Further, dirt and other noxious substances unavoidably reach the food and fodder, for example in the form of industrial emissions, fuel residues, oil fumes, and road dust, etc. 
     Although manual or mechanical washing or scrubbing procedure involving flowing or stagnant, cold or hot water can per se remove a portion of some of the noxious substances adhering to the surface, firmly attached contaminants and the noxious substances are either incompletely removed or not at all. 
     The most prominent of these noxious substances which are not removed by conventional cleaning are as follows: 
     1. Polar pesticides 
     2. Nonpolar pesticides 
     3. Substituted and unsubstituted hydrocarbons 
     4. Additives 
     5. Heavy metals in inorganic form (oxides, carbonates, silicates, soluble salts). 
     6. General contamination, including insoluble dusts and fibers. 
     7. Microorganisms. 
     The environmental contamination of foodstuffs depends in a completely uncontrollable manner on the condition of exposure such as weather and location, on the chemical and physical particularities of the conteminating agents and on the surface characteristics of the foodstuffs. 
     Further, there is the sequence of sedimentation on the surfaces of the foodstuffs exposed from the time of vegetation until the processing for kitchen and commercial use. By sequence of sedimentation is to be understood the formation of layers on the surface of foodstuffs during these periods of exposure to different elements. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The method is intended to be simple and low-cost, so that it is suitable for home and commercial food preparation and can even be used when camping and on trips. Another object of the invention is to provide agents and compositions with which thorough cleaning of foods and fodders may be accomplished. 
     The object of the invention is to overcome the difficulty and nuisance in the washing and freshening of the surfaces of foods and fodder, especially cleaning the surfaces of foods and fodder of vegetable and animal origin intended to be eaten raw, for preparation in the kitchen, or for commercial processing, said surfaces having been contaminated with e.g., physiological and toxicological pollutants, especially hydrophobic and hydrophilic biocides, inorganic pollutants, oily condensates of noxious matter and inert contaminants, by providing a method and composition serving to remove even the most stubborn adhering contaminants and pollutants, said compositions or agents being usable in manually or mechanially agitated aqueous washing solutions. The agents are simple to use, so that they are suitable for use in the home, in food processing as well as on camping and other trips. 
     This object can be accomplished in a method according to the invention by adding to the wash water a composition of matter and active ingredients, said composition comprising one or more of the following substances: 
     Anionic surfactants, 
     Nonionic surfactants, 
     Sequestering agents, 
     Buffers, 
     Reductones, 
     Disinfectants, 
     Stabilizers and processing additives. 
     Further the invention also provides agents and compositions for cleaning the surfaces of foods and fodder of plant and animal origin, said agents or compositions being added to the wash water. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     It is generally known that cleaning agents have a stronger effect at higher temperature in the cleaning bath. However, in view of individual types of perishable foods, cleaning at low temperatures, or lukewarm temperature is preferred. 
     The objects described above are achieved with agents of compositions of the type described hereinbelow, wherein at least one substance from each of the groups below is included. 
     a. 1 to 10% by weight anionic tensides, selected from the group consisting of sulfates, ether sulfates, sulfonates, sulfoacetates, sulfosuccinates, sarcosinates, and protein condensation products. Olefin sulfonates and lauryl sulfate are particularly suitable because they are nearly tasteless. In particular, the solubilizing effect of anionic tensides and the wetting effect of nonionic tensides favor the objects of the invention. 
     b. 0.1 to 4% by weight nonionic tensides, such as polyoxyethylene adducts. 
     Additives of nonionic surfactants serve primarily to improve cold wettability and solubilization. When combined with anionic active ingredients, there is a pronounced improvement in the cleaning power when cold. A low critical micelle formation concentration produces a good solubilization with small amounts of additive. Polyoxyethylene-sorbitan-fatty acid esters in the deodorized processing form are particularly valuable. In addition, partial glycerin fatty-acid esters, especially citric acid fatty-acid glyceride are especially suitable; these have the advantage of being completely harmless. 
     c. 1 to 25% by weight sequestering agent. 
     Complexing of noxious elements is of great importance for the method according to the invention. Particularly advantageous is ethylene dinitrilotetraacetic acid as well as salts, since it is physiologically relatively harmless. Its metal compexes retain sufficient stability even in slightly acid solutions to dissolve metal oxides and other compounds, for example of mercury, tin, nickel, cobalt, and zinc, and to keep them in solution. In addition, the stability of ascorbic acid, still to be discussed, is increased by masking of iron and copper. 
     Other suitable sequestering agents include hydroxycarboxylic acids such as tartaric acid, citric acid, and luconic acid, as well as D-sorbitol and mannitol. 
     d. 1 to 4% by weight of substances controlling the redox state; 
     e. 50 to 30% by weight buffers. 
     Buffers: 
     The wash water advantageously should have a pH value between 5 and 8, especially about 6. This may be achieved by adding hydroxycarboxylic acids or their alkali salts. 
     f. 0.1 to 0.5% by weight preservatives; 
     g. balance up to 100% by weight composed of stabilizers, processing additives, extenders and diluents. 
     h. Reductones: 
     It is advantageous to have a reducing aqueous medium in order to protect the food for a short period of time against oxidative effects during cleaning, since it affects subsequent preparation. The color of the food is remarkably freshened thereby, and in the case of slightly damaged vegetables, discoloration by chemical and enzymatic oxidation is retarded. The appearance and aroma are preciptibly improved. Free chlorine in the wash water, which is very harmful to aroma even when present in trace amounts, is reduced to harmless chloride. 
     For example, ascorbic acid and ascorbates as well as sulfurous acids and their salts are suitable as reductones for surface treatment of foods. 
     i. Disinfectants 
     It is not feasible to completely disinfect the surface of food because of the nature thereof. However, it is possible to have a nonspecific scouring of microorganisms under the influence of washing active substances, even in the case of massive contamination. Thus, there is possible to obtain a decrease up to 95% in the total bacterial count on the surface of the food. 
     Depending on the composition employed, the addition of a preservative may be necessary. 
     Tartaric acid and lactic acid, slightly disinfectant compounds, can be added without objection. In addition, small amounts of other known food disinfectants and preservatives may be employed in non-toxic amounts. 
     In addition, the processing agents may contain additional components such as stabilizers, processing additives and inert fillers and diluents. Since the solutions prepared with the agent are hypotonic with respect to cell saps, there is no danger of diffusion into the interior of the food. Owing to the relatively short processing time, mineral and organic valuable components to the food will not be leached out. It should be mentioned in this connection that the agent according to the invention is not intended to accomplish vitaminization or modification of the content of mineral salts or trace elements. By adding cold-water soluble plant and algal gums, celluose derivatives, sugar alcohols, and other water-soluble colloids, this material exchange can be further inhibited. These components also have synergistic effects as dispersion stabilizers, protective colloids, anti-deposition agents, and thickeners, used alone or in combination with other components. 
     The processing agent can be provided in dry form as powder, granules, tablets, or pieces, in a dissolved form as paste or gel, or as an aqueous concentrate. Anhydrous preparations can be stabilized by adding colloidal silicic acid (e.g., Aerosil 200). Potassium chloride and sodium chloride can be included for example as solid diluents. 
     Packaging of the agents according to the invention should receive the necessary care to keep out oxygen and prevent ultraviolet radiation from reaching the agents. Since the surfaces of foods are more or less pitted and frequently have a naturally soft consistency, the selection of the agents and compositions herein described are of particular value. 
     The compositions employed can be in the form of powder, granulated substances, pastes, gels, liquids, tablets, pieces or the like. As a result, multiple applications are possible. 
     Because of their harmless and general applicability these agents and compositions can be used in any form and without any particular instructions. 
     Cleaning according to the invention is particularly advantageous in the preparation of foods for freezing. 
     The agents and compositions according to the invention afford striking improvements in the appearance and consistency of intact, as well as aged and damaged foods in contrast to that achieved in the treatment with water alone. Discoloration during subsequent processing and loss of aroma are minimal. Lettuce, for example which is particularly sensitive, was consistently referred to as tasting better. 
     The agent was used on both ordinary and exotic vegetables, provided they were left in their natural state and not cut up, including leafy and stalk vegetables, root and bulb vegetables, legumes, cucumbers and squash, pomaceous and stone fruits, small fruit, wild fruit, and mushrooms. 
     Foods of animal origin were likewise treated successfully. For example, meats and sausages, whole cheese and fish can be cleaned, where necessary. 
     The agent according to the invention is particularly advantageous for cleaning dried fruits, which undergo a freshening effect hitherto never achieved. Forest mushrooms lose their slime and stickiness; mushroom mycelium, pine needles, insects, and their chitinous remains are removed. 
     Highly sensitive types of fruit and vegetables are cleaned by a mere swishing. Very crinkly types of vegetables (for example lettuce) need no longer be taken apart to be cleaned completely. 
     According to the functions of the components described above for the individual groups within the overall effect of the processing agent, the following general formulation is recommended for the various possible solid, semi-solid and liquid forms. The ranges given in accordance with the invention, while maintaining an overall composition which is correct for the desired function, should not be understood as strict limits: 
     EXAMPLE 1 
     
         ______________________________________Anionic tensides:         1     to 10%Nonionic tensides:        0.1   to 4%Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, disodium salt:                     1     to 5%Ascorbic acid:            0.5   to 4%Sodium disulfite:         0.5   to 2%Citric acid:              1     to 12%Tripotassium citrate:     4     to 20%Potassium carbonate:      0     to 8%Polyalcohols:             2     to 20%Preservatives:            0.    to 0.5%Inert fillers and additives, including water:                     5     to 90%______________________________________ 
    
     In the following, sample recipes will be given for compositions of the agent according to the invention, which have been found to be particularly suitable. It will be understood that the compositions may also be impregnated in woven or non-woven textile media for introduction into the wash water. 
     EXAMPLE 2 
     Powdered agent for manual cleaning in the home: total amount: 1 kg, amount used: 5g/4 liters of washwater. 
     
         ______________________________________I. Ascorbic acid, coated   20     gEthylenediaminetetraacetic acid, disodium salt                      20     gCitric acid (powdered anhydrous)                      15     gSorbit (Merck)             40     gAerosil 200 (Degussa)      3      gII. Lauryl sulfate (100%)  25     gSodium disulfite           9      gCitric acid, trisodium salt dihydrate                      60     gIII. Tween 80 (Atlas-Chemie)                      5      gSorbit                     80     gAerosil 200 (Degussa)      3      gIV. Potassium chloride     720    g______________________________________ Mixtures I, II and III are carefully mixed with IV. 
    
     When using this example, final rinsing with fresh water is recommended; however, this can be omitted. 
     EXAMPLE 3 
     Powdered agent for manual and machine processing. 
     
         ______________________________________I. Ascorbic acid, coated  40     gEthylenediaminetetraacetic acid, disodium salt                     30     gCitric acid               20     gSorbit                    40     gAerosil 200 (Degussa)     3      gII. Lauryl sulfate (calc. 100%)                     50     gSodium disulfite          5      gCitric acid, trisodium salt dihydrate                     100    gIII. Tween 80 (Atlas-Chemie)                     10     gSorbit                    100    gAerosil 200 (Degussa)     4      gIV. Potassium chloride    600    g______________________________________ *Mixed and used as in Example 2 above. 
    
     When using this example, final rinsing with fresh water is recommended. 
     EXAMPLE 4 
     Powdered agent for travel and camping. 
     
         ______________________________________I. Calcium ascorbate      10     gCitric acid               50     gMannitol                  50     gAerosil 200 (Degussa)     3      gII. Olefin sulfonate sodium salt (100%)                     40     gSodium disulfite          15     gCitric acid trisodium salt dihydrate                     200    gIII. Tween 40 (Atlas Chemie)                     20     gSorbit                    100    gAerosil 200 (Degussa)     4      gIV. Sodium chloride       508    g______________________________________ Mixed and used as in Example 2 above. 
    
     When using this example, final rinsing with fresh water is unnecessary. 
     EXAMPLE 5 
     Liquid agent for manual and machine washing. 
     The concentrations given are approximate values, since they depend upon the mechanics, bath ratio, and wash program. The substances listed are dissolved in the sequence given in 1 liter of distilled water which is disinfected or low in germ content. 
     
         ______________________________________Amount used: 20 ml per 4 liters of water______________________________________Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid disodium salt                      15    gCitric acid trisodium salt dihydrate                      40    gSodium hydrogen carbonate  4     gCitric acid (anhydrous crystalline)                      10    gSodium ascorbate           15    gSodium sulfite             5     gTween 80 (Atlas Chemie)    8     gFatty alcohol sulfate (100%)                      20    gPreserving agent           2     g______________________________________ 
    
     The aqueous solution should be stored in plasticizer-free plastic containers, preventing access of atmospheric oxygen or light. 
     Rinsing with fresh water is recommended after use. 
     EXAMPLE 6 
     Approximate values for washing tablets for catering and camping: 
     
         ______________________________________Total amount: 1 kg for approximately 1.5 lots of tablets,corresponding to 300 tablets of 5 g each______________________________________I.   Ascorbic acid (coated)     50     gEthylenediaminetetraacetic acid, disodium salt                           5      gCitric acid (anhydrous)    330    gSorbit                     10     gAerosil 200 (Degussa)      2      gII.  Potassium hydrogen carbonate                           360    gPotassium disulfite        8      gIII. Citric acid fatty acid glyceride (Tego)                           60     gTween 80 (deorodized) (Atlas-Chemie)                           12     gSorbit                     160    gAerosil (Degussa)          3      g______________________________________ Mixtures, I, II and III are each carefully mixed and then combined. 
    
     The tablets are formed, using appropriate additives to avoid moisture. 
     One tablet will suffice for two liters of water; rinsing is not required. 
     Results obtained are tabulated as follows: 
     Table I shows the residue of the toxicologically relevant components of the purifying agent conform with the invention according to composition example 5, on savoy cabbage after termination of the purification process. It was of importance here to demonstrate that no substance -- or substrate-specific absorption has taken place. The recovered residual concentration originate apparently from the dilution of the purification bath during the rinsing processes. 
     Table II shows that &#34;Tensides&#34; remove a large part (up to 95%) of micro-organisms through non-specific action. However, a sequence of sedimentation is indicated by which an appreciable removal of the micro-organisms is possible only through the special composition of the purifying agent conforming with the invention according to composition example 5. 
     Table III shows the purification results obtained for cauliflower. 
     Table IV demonstrates the removal of sequential sedimentation. 
     Table V represents the cleaning results on grapes. 
     The foregoing also is valid for Table VI which gives the results obtained on feed grass. 
     
                       Table I______________________________________Determination of components of the purifying agentaccording to the composition of Example 5 on savoy cabbageafter treatment     Volume determinedComponents     in mg/kg       Remarks______________________________________MBAS        15.0BIAS        0.8EDTA        6.0    appr.     determination sensitivity                        +/ - 1mg______________________________________ Composition of purification bath as above: MBAS = 10 mg/lit fatty alcohol sulfate BIAS = 25 mg/lit polyoxyethylene sorbitan fatty acid waters (Tween 80) EDTA = ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid, disodium salt Purification conditions: 500 g savoy cabbage, 3 lit. purification bath, washing process at 30° C for 5 minutes, 2 rinses at 15° C. 
    
     
                       Table II______________________________________Comparative total germ-number determination on applesby using a &#34;tenside&#34; combination and the agent as in Example 5:                    total                    colonies pertype of                  apple surfaceNo.  soiling      formulation    Before                                  After______________________________________1    E. coli suspension             a)    anionic/left to dry        nonionic                   &#34;tensid&#34;                   combination                              450   30             b)    agent as per2    as in 1, +         invention  420   25Fe(OH).sub.3 layer +             a)    anionic/nonionicmodel soiling      &#34;tensid&#34; combined                              400   130(cf. Tab. III)             b)    agent as per                   invention  430   35______________________________________ Methodology: specially developed contact preparation (Agar/bouillon/peptone nutrient) Purification: as in Tab. I Concentration: as in Tab. 1 
    
     
                       Table III______________________________________Comparative tests on cauliflower, with composition ofExample 5: (soiled as per model soiling below)       mg    kg               Evaluation       iron  subject          after       before             after   sensory  kitchen-likeNo.  Formulation  treatment   color  preparation______________________________________1.   anionic/nonionictensid combined             11.6    2.4   whitish-                                  discolored                           grey2.   anionic/nonionictensid combined+ Sorbit + pul-            almost slightlyverized citrate             11.2    0.6   white  discolored3.   agent as per               pure   pureinvention    11.2    0.2   white  white______________________________________ Purification conditions and concentration date of Tab. Composition of model soiling: 1 lit carbon tetrachloride + 4 g ferrous pigment mixture (&gt;15μ, also soot, fat, iron oxides) 
    
     
                                           TABLE IV__________________________________________________________________________Comparative test on artificially soiled peaches taking into account adifferential sequence of sedimentationE-605 = paranitrophenylthiophosphoric acid esterSedimentation Sequence                mg. residue/kg fruit                                Fluorescence                                         Sensory Evaluation Afterfor Nos. 1-5 and/or 6-10          Cleaning                Before Treating                        After Treating                                (Rhodamine B)                                         Treatmentfrom outside to inside       No.          Agent Lead                    E 605                        Lead                            E 605                                After Treatment                                         Appearance                                                Odor__________________________________________________________________________Crude woolfat + soot       1  water 18  15  17  9   Strong   Grayish                                                unpleasantRhodamine B 2  anionic                17  15  15  9   Weak     Grayish                                                distinctLead Sulfide   tensidp-nitrophenylthiophos-       3  anionic/                17  15  15  8   Negative Turbid,                                                no findingphoric acid ester          non-ionic                      Cloudy(E-605)        combined       4  As in No.                17  14  4   4   Nagative Clean  no finding          3 + EDTA       5  composi-                18  15  3   1   Negative Clear color                                                no finding          tion +                         clean          tartrate          bufferLead sulfide - lead       6  water 18  16  12  15  Strong   Dirty  unpleasantstearateCrude wool fat +  soot       7  anionic                18  16  10  13  Strong   Turbid,                                                distinctRhodamine B    tensid                         Cloudyp-nitrophenylthiophos-       8  anionic                18  15  10  11  Average  Clean  distinctphoric acid ester          nonionic(E 605         combined       9  As in No.          8 + EDTA                18  16  7   3   Weak     Clean  very faint       10 composi-                18  14  2       Not found                                         Clear color                                                very faint          tion +                         Clean          tartrate          buffer__________________________________________________________________________ 
    
     
                       Table V______________________________________Comparative purification tests on the surface of grapesexposed for several days to contamination by lead:    Location I   Appear-  Location IIPuri-    mg lead/kg fruit                 ance,    mg lead/kg fruitfication before   after   after- before afterAgent    treatment    ward     treatment______________________________________                     visiblywater    3.7      1.4     coated 2.4    2.3anionic/nonionic                  cleartensides 3.7      0.5     glossy 2.2    2.0+ EDTAagent as per              clearinvention    3.6      0.2     glossy 2.4    0.8______________________________________ 
    
     
                       Table VI______________________________________Purification test on fresh grass feed:             mg. lead content/kg fruitArtificial     Purification  before     aftersoiling   agent         treatment______________________________________none      water         2.8        0.8     agent as per     invention     2.8        &lt;0.2colloidal leadoxide + model     agent as persoiling   invention     12.0       &lt;0.2______________________________________ 
    
     Although the invention has been described with respect to specific details of certain embodiments thereof, it is not intended that the details act as limitations upon the scope of the invention except insofar as set forth in the accompanying claims.