A method of packaging a fresh meat product in a low oxygen environment is provided. The method comprises applying a natural plant component to a surface of the fresh meat product and sealing the fresh meat product in a package that contains a low oxygen environment. The natural plant component includes a sufficient amount of nitrites to convert myoglobin in the fresh meat product to nitrosomyoglobin and thereby improve the color of the fresh meat product. A meat color improvement solution and a pre-packaged food product are also provided.

Methods and related apparatus for improving the efficacy of antimicrobial agents within processing tanks. Processing tanks can include side streams for introducing antimicrobial agents into the processing tanks. The antimicrobial agents will be added and mixed in the side stream to form a 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 processing solution is divided into at least two processing solution steams, which can be introduced at two different and distinct locations within the processing tank such as a carcass introduction end and a carcass removal end. By simultaneously introducing at least two processing solution streams at different locations of the processing tank, large concentration gradients of the antimicrobial agent are avoided.

Methods and related apparatus for improving the efficacy of antimicrobial agents within processing tanks. Processing tanks can include side streams for introducing antimicrobial agents into the processing tanks. The antimicrobial agents will be added and mixed in the side stream to form a 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 processing solution is divided into at least two processing solution steams, which can be introduced at two different and distinct locations within the processing tank such as a carcass introduction end and a carcass removal end. By simultaneously introducing at least two processing solution streams at different locations of the processing tank, large concentration gradients of the antimicrobial agent are avoided.

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 provides a powdered vinegar that comprises partly neutralized vinegar, i.e. vinegar derived acid that is partly neutralized with e.g. sodium and/or potassium hydroxide, and free vinegar derived acid. The invention also provides a process for producing such a powdered vinegar and the use of this powdered vinegar in a foodstuff or a beverage, e.g. as a preservative. The present process offers the advantage that it yields a stable, free flowing powdered vinegar that can suitably be used as a preservative in e.g. processed meat products. The powdered vinegar has a high content of free acid, is easy to dissolve and acts as an acidulant.

The present invention provides a powdered vinegar that comprises partly neutralized vinegar, i.e. vinegar derived acid that is partly neutralized with e.g. sodium and/or potassium hydroxide, and free vinegar derived acid. The invention also provides a process for producing such a powdered vinegar and the use of this powdered vinegar in a foodstuff or a beverage, e.g. as a preservative. The present process offers the advantage that it yields a stable, free flowing powdered vinegar that can suitably be used as a preservative in e.g. processed meat products. The powdered vinegar has a high content of free acid, is easy to dissolve and acts as an acidulant.

A method for producing a fermentate including the steps of obtaining a fruit or vegetable extract, treating the extract with a hydrolytic enzyme, mixing the extract with a fermenting microorganism, water, and a growth media to produce a liquid composition; and incubating the liquid composition at a controlled temperature and a controlled pH to produce a fermentate. A method for killing or inhibiting the growth of a contaminating microorganism on or within a food product, and a food product including a fermentate having a cellular mass component from a fermenting microorganism, a fermented fruit or vegetable extract and a hydrolytic enzyme are disclosed. A fermentate produced by any one of the methods described is contemplated. The fermentate may be a concentrated liquid or a dry powder and has the ability to inhibit the growth of a contaminating microorganism by 100% when diluted to less than 5% (w/v).

Disclosed are methods and systems for inhibiting melanosis. The methods comprise the step of placing a melanosis-susceptible object, such as a crustacean or a vegetable, into a closable container or enclosure and exposing the object to aldehyde. In another aspect, disclosed are anti-melanosic articles and polymer compositions that incorporate tea (preferably green tea), matcha or epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) that function as anti-melanosic agents by releasing aldehyde.

Disclosed are methods and systems for inhibiting melanosis. The methods comprise the step of placing a melanosis-susceptible object, such as a crustacean or a vegetable, into a closable container or enclosure and exposing the object to aldehyde. In another aspect, disclosed are anti-melanosic articles and polymer compositions that incorporate tea (preferably green tea), matcha or epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) that function as anti-melanosic agents by releasing aldehyde.

A method for preserving aquatic products at sea includes the following steps: an on-board refrigeration system is used to refrigerate the antifreeze solution, and the antifreeze solution is used as a main cold source, and temperatures at centers of fish bodies drop rapidly to achieve rapid cooling and reduce activity of endogenous enzymes and inhibit proliferation of microorganisms by direct or indirect heat exchange with captured catches. The antifreeze solution contains edible alcohol, propylene glycol, glycerol, calcium chloride, sodium chloride, amino acids, Antarctic krill protein hydrolysate with average molecular weight of 50-100 KDa, surfactant and water, and the mass percentage of each component is as follows: edible alcohol 15%-30%, propylene glycol 10%-30%, glycerol 2%-15%, calcium chloride 1%-10%, sodium chloride 3%-10%, amino acid 0.1%-0.15%, Antarctic krill protein hydrolysate 0.01%-0.3%, surfactant 0.005%-0.5%, and the balance is water.