The disclosure provides methods of preparing aflatoxin-contaminated nuts.

The invention relates to devices for disinfecting bulk materials, in particular grain and grain products, with the help of ultraviolet radiation. The technical solution can be used in the food, microbiological, pharmaceutical, pharmacological, cosmetic, agricultural, livestock, poultry, and in production of ecologically clean food products.

The modular installation for processing bulk grain products with ultraviolet radiation consists of successively arranged modules. The module consists of a rectangular housing, wherein inside the housing at an equal distance from each other, horizontally, with the possibility of adjusting the mutual position, lamps of ultraviolet radiation are installed, equipped with a protective, transparent for ultraviolet radiation, Teflon coating adjacent to the lamp glass and equipped on the top with a protective shield to protect from the product being poured, the module has an lamps ultraviolet intensity sensor aimed at one of the lamps, as well as a device for cleaning the lamps from contamination, the modules are mounted on racks, with the possibility of adjusting the distance between modules, racks are fixed on a frame equipped with a vibrating mechanism.

The technical result consists in providing passage of bulk material between ultraviolet lamps and in cleaning it from harmful microorganisms with the possibility of regulating the flow velocity of particles and controlling the intensity of irradiation.

The technical result consists in providing a passage of grain material between the ultraviolet lamps and cleaning it from harmful micro-organisms with the possibility of adjusting the particle flow velocity and controlling the intensity of irradiation.

The invention relates to devices for disinfecting bulk materials, in particular grain and grain products, with the help of ultraviolet radiation. The technical solution can be used in the food, microbiological, pharmaceutical, pharmacological, cosmetic, agricultural, livestock, poultry, and in production of ecologically clean food products.

The modular installation for processing bulk grain products with ultraviolet radiation consists of successively arranged modules. The module consists of a rectangular housing, wherein inside the housing at an equal distance from each other, horizontally, with the possibility of adjusting the mutual position, lamps of ultraviolet radiation are installed, equipped with a protective, transparent for ultraviolet radiation, Teflon coating adjacent to the lamp glass and equipped on the top with a protective shield to protect from the product being poured, the module has an lamps ultraviolet intensity sensor aimed at one of the lamps, as well as a device for cleaning the lamps from contamination, the modules are mounted on racks, with the possibility of adjusting the distance between modules, racks are fixed on a frame equipped with a vibrating mechanism.

The technical result consists in providing passage of bulk material between ultraviolet lamps and in cleaning it from harmful microorganisms with the possibility of regulating the flow velocity of particles and controlling the intensity of irradiation.

The technical result consists in providing a passage of grain material between the ultraviolet lamps and cleaning it from harmful micro-organisms with the possibility of adjusting the particle flow velocity and controlling the intensity of irradiation.

The present invention relates to a method for reducing pathogens in and/or on a subject, comprising exposing the subject to infrared radiation. The source of the infrared radiation comprises in particular a carbon crystal heating element, which can be applied to and/or positioned in the vicinity of a subject. In particular, the method includes treating infections in a tree, such as bleeding canker in horse chestnut trees and/or canker in kiwifruit trees. The method may further include disinfecting articles, for example for pasteurising or sterilising foodstuff.

The present invention relates to a method for reducing pathogens in and/or on a subject, comprising exposing the subject to infrared radiation. The source of the infrared radiation comprises in particular a carbon crystal heating element, which can be applied to and/or positioned in the vicinity of a subject. In particular, the method includes treating infections in a tree, such as bleeding canker in horse chestnut trees and/or canker in kiwifruit trees. The method may further include disinfecting articles, for example for pasteurising or sterilising foodstuff.

An acoustic apparatus and method for using a combination of low-frequency and high-frequency vibration of dried food, grain being an example, such that there are a large number of collisions among the individual grain particles for destroying microorganisms that reside on the surface or just below the surface of the grain, are described. Embodiments of the invention permit bulk and continuous processing of the food. It is expected that such collisions do not produce any chemical changes in the food, nor should it have any adverse effects on the taste thereof. Embodiments of the apparatus are applicable to destruction of airborne microorganisms.

An acoustic apparatus and method for using a combination of low-frequency and high-frequency vibration of dried food, grain being an example, such that there are a large number of collisions among the individual grain particles for destroying microorganisms that reside on the surface or just below the surface of the grain, are described. Embodiments of the invention permit bulk and continuous processing of the food. It is expected that such collisions do not produce any chemical changes in the food, nor should it have any adverse effects on the taste thereof. Embodiments of the apparatus are applicable to destruction of airborne microorganisms.

In examples, a material, such as raw or processed grain, may be dispensed (e.g., by a vibratory feeder) and charge associated therewith may be neutralized (e.g., by an ion generator). The material may then be suspended within a fluid flow. The fluid flow may pass through a treatment chamber, where material suspended therein is exposed to one or more light sources. The light sources may emit UVB, UVC, and/or VUV light, which may have germicidal and/or photocatalytic effects. In some examples, the flow is carried through the treatment chamber by a quartz tube, which may be doped or the interior of which may be coated by titanium dioxide. As an example, when the titanium dioxide is exposed to the UVB light, an oxidation reaction may occur, which may have germicidal, cleaning, and/or odor-reducing effect,. among other examples. The treated material may ultimately settle out of the flow and be collected.

In examples, a material, such as raw or processed grain, may be dispensed (e.g., by a vibratory feeder) and charge associated therewith may be neutralized (e.g., by an ion generator). The material may then be suspended within a fluid flow. The fluid flow may pass through a treatment chamber, where material suspended therein is exposed to one or more light sources. The light sources may emit UVB, UVC, and/or VUV light, which may have germicidal and/or photocatalytic effects. In some examples, the flow is carried through the treatment chamber by a quartz tube, which may be doped or the interior of which may be coated by titanium dioxide. As an example, when the titanium dioxide is exposed to the UVB light, an oxidation reaction may occur, which may have germicidal, cleaning, and/or odor-reducing effect,. among other examples. The treated material may ultimately settle out of the flow and be collected.

The present invention relates to improvements in irradiation of grain or seeds, including (but not necessarily solely) grains or seeds for ingestion by animals. More particularly, the invention relates to an apparatus for, methods of irradiating grain or seeds, and the modified grain or seeds which have been produced by the methods and apparatus described herein.