Provided is a novel method that makes it possible to easily sterilize spores and the like in a highly safe manner. A method for producing radicals according to the present invention includes a generation step of generating radicals through photoirradiation of a radical generation source, and the peak wavelength of light used in the photoirradiation is greater than UV wavelengths and 600 nm or less. Also, a method for sterilizing spores according to the present invention includes a treatment step of generating radicals through photoirradiation of a radical generation source and treating spores with the radicals, and the peak wavelength of light used in the photoirradiation is greater than UV wavelengths and 600 nm or less. The peak wavelength is, for example, 405 to 470 nm.

Provided are foodstuff treatment systems that are convertible between a processing mode in which foodstuffs are processed (e.g., disinfected) and a clean-in-place mode in which the system operates to clean material (e.g., biological buildup) that has accumulated within the system.

There are provided methods of treating edible matter comprising applying a composition comprising performic acid to the edible matter or a substrate therefor. Other embodiments are also disclosed.

There are provided methods of treating edible matter comprising applying a composition comprising performic acid to the edible matter or a substrate therefor. Other embodiments 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.

Barrier coating compositions, wash compositions, and other compositions for perishables and methods, systems, kits, and coated perishables relating thereto are provided. Fresh fruits and vegetables, in particular, can benefit from the teachings of the present disclosure. Preferred barrier coating compositions include an active hydrogen component that preferably includes one or more of a lipid, a polysaccharide, a polypeptide, or a combination thereof. In addition to providing active hydrogen groups, the active hydrogen component preferably functions as a binder and/or barrier component. The barrier coating compositions may include one or more materials to facilitate crosslinking of the resulting coating.

Disclosed are embodiments of nanoparticle compositions, methods and systems for disinfecting animals and food products along the whole food provision chain. In one embodiment, a composition includes nonionic metal nanoparticles. The composition may be a spray, an oil, a solution or other appropriate composition for ingestion or application to food products. The silver nanoparticles maintain a stead MIC and do not exhibit microbial resistance as do conventional colloidal silver and silver nanoparticles made by chemical synthesis.

A synergistic composition of oxalic acid, citric acid, ascorbic acid, lactic acid, and hydrogen peroxide that has a combination of antimicrobial and antibrowning properties.

A solid composition for the preservation of food includes a source of potassium cations selected from at least one of potassium carbonate and potassium hydrogen carbonate; and at least one of a source of ascorbate ions and a source of isoascorbate ions, wherein the source of ascorbate ions is selected from at least one of ascorbic acid, a salt of ascorbic acid and acerola or from any other suitable ascorbic acid rich source, wherein the source of isoascorbate is selected from at least one of isoascorbic acid and a salt of isoascorbic acid, and wherein a molar ratio of potassium cations to ascorbate anions and/or potassium cations to isoascorbate anions in the solid composition is within the range from 1.00:0.95 to 1.00:0.50, preferably 1.00: ≤0.78 to 1.00:0.50.

A solid composition for the preservation of food includes a source of potassium cations selected from at least one of potassium carbonate and potassium hydrogen carbonate; and at least one of a source of ascorbate ions and a source of isoascorbate ions, wherein the source of ascorbate ions is selected from at least one of ascorbic acid, a salt of ascorbic acid and acerola or from any other suitable ascorbic acid rich source, wherein the source of isoascorbate is selected from at least one of isoascorbic acid and a salt of isoascorbic acid, and wherein a molar ratio of potassium cations to ascorbate anions and/or potassium cations to isoascorbate anions in the solid composition is within the range from 1.00:0.95 to 1.00:0.50, preferably 1.00: ≤0.78 to 1.00:0.50.