An object of the present invention is to provide a simple measure which can suppress freshness deterioration of a myoglobin-containing food. The present invention relates to a myoglobin-containing food freshness deterioration suppressing material for suppressing freshness deterioration of a myoglobin-containing food, comprising: a substrate comprising a polymer; and an antioxidant with which at least a part of the surface of the substrate is covered, and/or an antioxidant supported in a layer forming at least a part of the surface of the substrate; wherein 0.01 g/m.sup.2 or more and 20 g/m.sup.2 or less of the antioxidant is included relative to the area of the part in which the antioxidant is present, of the surface of the substrate.

The present invention provides a composition comprising (a) an antimicrobial material; and (b) an extract obtained from or obtainable from a plant of the Labiatae family, wherein (a) and (b) are different; wherein the composition contains phenolic diterpenes in an amount of greater than 1.0 wt. %, based on the composition, and wherein when the antimicrobial material consists of nisin, the composition comprises carvacrol in an amount of less than 0.075 wt. % based on the composition and carvone in an amount of less than 15 wt. % based on the composition.

The present invention provides a composition comprising (a) an antimicrobial material; and (b) an extract obtained from or obtainable from a plant of the Labiatae family, wherein (a) and (b) are different; wherein the composition contains phenolic diterpenes in an amount of greater than 1.0 wt. %, based on the composition, and wherein when the antimicrobial material consists of nisin, the composition comprises carvacrol in an amount of less than 0.075 wt. % based on the composition and carvone in an amount of less than 15 wt. % based on the composition.

A method of processing is disclosed that provides improved water retention and enhanced coloring and flavor, while preserving the meat and preventing bacterial contamination. In an exemplary embodiment, the method includes: (a) providing a body of meat at a first temperature; (b) contacting the body of meat of step (a), in at least one treating vessel, with a brine solution at a second temperature, wherein the second temperature is greater than the first temperature, and wherein the brine solution comprises a vinegar-derived food additive and/or a reddening agent, wherein the reddening agent comprises nitrite; (c) agitating the body of meat at the second temperature for a time sufficient to distribute the solution throughout the body of meat; (d) cooling the body of meat in at least one cooling vessel to a third temperature, wherein the third temperature is less than the second temperature; (e) agitating the body of meat at the third temperature; (f) contacting the body of meat of step (e) with the brine solution at the third temperature and agitating the body of meat at the third temperature until the brine solution is substantially absorbed by the body of meat; and (g) recovering the body of meat in a dry state at the third temperature. In one embodiment, the aforementioned brine solution comprises a vinegar-variety food additive, such as a vinegar-derived acetate composition. In another embodiment, the reddening agent comprises nitrate derived from plant material comprising nitrate.

A method of processing is disclosed that provides improved water retention and enhanced coloring and flavor, while preserving the meat and preventing bacterial contamination. In an exemplary embodiment, the method includes: (a) providing a body of meat at a first temperature; (b) contacting the body of meat of step (a), in at least one treating vessel, with a brine solution at a second temperature, wherein the second temperature is greater than the first temperature, and wherein the brine solution comprises a vinegar-derived food additive and/or a reddening agent, wherein the reddening agent comprises nitrite; (c) agitating the body of meat at the second temperature for a time sufficient to distribute the solution throughout the body of meat; (d) cooling the body of meat in at least one cooling vessel to a third temperature, wherein the third temperature is less than the second temperature; (e) agitating the body of meat at the third temperature; (f) contacting the body of meat of step (e) with the brine solution at the third temperature and agitating the body of meat at the third temperature until the brine solution is substantially absorbed by the body of meat; and (g) recovering the body of meat in a dry state at the third temperature. In one embodiment, the aforementioned brine solution comprises a vinegar-variety food additive, such as a vinegar-derived acetate composition. In another embodiment, the reddening agent comprises nitrate derived from plant material comprising nitrate.

The present invention is directed to a composition in solution (often, an aqueous solution) which comprises a combination of molecular iodine (I.sub.2) and an acceptable source of iodate (IO.sub.3), and an acid (inorganic or organic), wherein iodide and iodate are present in the composition at a molar ratio of about 0.1 to about 25, the concentration of uncomplexed molecular iodine is a disinfectant, biocidal and/or antimicrobial (depending upon the end use of the composition) effective amount the concentration of acid in the composition is effective to provide a buffering pH in the composition ranging from about 1.5 to about 6.5. Compositions according to the present invention are storage stable for unexpectedly long periods of time (up to about 5 years), and find use as disinfecting solutions, as germicides and/or biocides (e.g. antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal, antispore etc.) for various surfaces and solutions including living and inanimate surfaces and are particularly useful because of their low cost, their reduced use of iodine, their activity (because of the high concentration of free molecular iodine in solution), their reduced environmental impact, their long term storage stability and their reduced toxicity. They also have particular utility in treating food surfaces to retard spoilage, increase useful shelf-life and minimize the human and economic cost of food waste. The compositions inactivate viruses, bacteria (both gram negative and positive), spores and fungi. Compositions according to the present invention may be used and stored in a variety of materials, given the substantial absence of corrosion (non-corrosive) these compositions display. Dental compositions (e.g. preprocedure rinses and other compositions) and methods related thereto are also disclosed.

The present invention is directed to a composition in solution (often, an aqueous solution) which comprises a combination of molecular iodine (I.sub.2) and an acceptable source of iodate (IO.sub.3), and an acid (inorganic or organic), wherein iodide and iodate are present in the composition at a molar ratio of about 0.1 to about 25, the concentration of uncomplexed molecular iodine is a disinfectant, biocidal and/or antimicrobial (depending upon the end use of the composition) effective amount the concentration of acid in the composition is effective to provide a buffering pH in the composition ranging from about 1.5 to about 6.5. Compositions according to the present invention are storage stable for unexpectedly long periods of time (up to about 5 years), and find use as disinfecting solutions, as germicides and/or biocides (e.g. antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal, antispore etc.) for various surfaces and solutions including living and inanimate surfaces and are particularly useful because of their low cost, their reduced use of iodine, their activity (because of the high concentration of free molecular iodine in solution), their reduced environmental impact, their long term storage stability and their reduced toxicity. They also have particular utility in treating food surfaces to retard spoilage, increase useful shelf-life and minimize the human and economic cost of food waste. The compositions inactivate viruses, bacteria (both gram negative and positive), spores and fungi. Compositions according to the present invention may be used and stored in a variety of materials, given the substantial absence of corrosion (non-corrosive) these compositions display. Dental compositions (e.g. preprocedure rinses and other compositions) and methods related thereto are also disclosed.

Provided herein are methods and compositions for the reduction of microbial contamination of animal carcasses, including fowl, and food products with carbonic acid-based compositions.

Provided herein are methods and compositions for the reduction of microbial contamination of animal carcasses, including fowl, and food products with carbonic acid-based compositions.

Methods and related apparatus for providing a chemical intervention processing solution for use within processing tanks. Processing tanks can include side streams or ancillary systems for generating the chemical intervention processing solution that can then be introduced into the processing tanks. The antimicrobial agents will be added and mixed in the side stream to form the chemical intervention processing solution. Additional actions can be conducted on the processing solution within the side stream including any and or all of heating, pumping, sampling, measuring, testing and pH adjustment of the processing solution. The chemical intervention processing solution can also be provided by a venturi injector that combines processing water and an antimicrobial agent and/or an alkaline agent outside of the processing tank. The processing solution can be used for various food processing applications.