The treatment unit includes an evaporation device including a gas circulation pipe, and a material with a large specific surface filling an evaporation section of the circulation pipe; a device for circulating the gas through the circulation pipe; a liquid impregnating the material with a large specific surface, the liquid containing at least one product or a mixture of volatile biocide and/or phytoprotective products, with a boiling temperature between 130 and 280° C., the material with a large specific surface having a liquid retention capacity greater than 50 L/m.sup.3 of material with a large specific surface at 20° C.; a recharging device, arranged to re-impregnate the material with a large specific surface with liquid or to replace the spent material with a large specific surface with a new material with a large specific surface impregnated with liquid.

A method of preserving an oxygen sensitive item is disclosed. The method involves injecting at least 0.15 gram of an inert gas into a container comprising the oxygen sensitive item and oxygen, without raising a pressure within the container above 10 psig, to form a barrier layer of the inert gas between the oxygen sensitive item and the oxygen in the container without displacing all of the oxygen from the container.

A method of preserving an oxygen sensitive item is disclosed. The method involves injecting at least 0.15 gram of an inert gas into a container comprising the oxygen sensitive item and oxygen, without raising a pressure within the container above 10 psig, to form a barrier layer of the inert gas between the oxygen sensitive item and the oxygen in the container without displacing all of the oxygen from the container.

Systems and methods for providing high humidity ozone gas. Systems and methods for applying high humidity ozone gas to foodstuffs and/or other products as an antimicrobial treatment. Compressed air and dry ozone gas are combined, thereby providing a dry mix. A portion of the dry mix can be humidified in a humidifying chamber, thereby providing a wet mix. The wet mix can be combined with a portion of the dry mix, thereby providing humid ozonated air. The humid ozonated air can be applied to foodstuffs such as produce, as an antimicrobial treatment, as the foodstuffs are conveyed.

Systems and methods for providing high humidity ozone gas. Systems and methods for applying high humidity ozone gas to foodstuffs and/or other products as an antimicrobial treatment. Compressed air and dry ozone gas are combined, thereby providing a dry mix. A portion of the dry mix can be humidified in a humidifying chamber, thereby providing a wet mix. The wet mix can be combined with a portion of the dry mix, thereby providing humid ozonated air. The humid ozonated air can be applied to foodstuffs such as produce, as an antimicrobial treatment, as the foodstuffs are conveyed.

Cyclodextrin compositions including one or more radiation polymerizable monomers and a cyclodextrin inclusion complex, the cyclodextrin inclusion complex including a cyclodextrin compound and an olefinic inhibitor of an ethylene generation in produce, are coated onto packaging materials and cured. Treated containers and treated package inserts having the cured cyclodextrin compositions are useful in packaging of respiring plant materials.

Cyclodextrin compositions including one or more radiation polymerizable monomers and a cyclodextrin inclusion complex, the cyclodextrin inclusion complex including a cyclodextrin compound and an olefinic inhibitor of an ethylene generation in produce, are coated onto packaging materials and cured. Treated containers and treated package inserts having the cured cyclodextrin compositions are useful in packaging of respiring plant materials.

A method for sanitizing pre-measured units of a pre-sanitized flowable food product in a sanitizing device installed into an existing food production system without substantially increasing the head height requirement of the feed production system. A plurality of containers are moved about a path with increased retention time through a plurality of stations: a receiving station, one or more sanitizing stations, and a dispensing station, and a container cleaning station. A pre-measured unit measured for packaging is received at the receiving station into a container. The pre-measured unit is exposed to one or more sanitizing agents at one or more sanitizing stations. The pre-measured unit is immediately packaged after sanitization. The pre-measured unit is dispensed into a packaging device at the dispensing station. The containers are then cleaned at the container cleaning station to prepare each container to receive a subsequent pre-measured unit of the pre-sanitized flowable feed product.

A method for sanitizing pre-measured units of a pre-sanitized flowable food product in a sanitizing device installed into an existing food production system without substantially increasing the head height requirement of the feed production system. A plurality of containers are moved about a path with increased retention time through a plurality of stations: a receiving station, one or more sanitizing stations, and a dispensing station, and a container cleaning station. A pre-measured unit measured for packaging is received at the receiving station into a container. The pre-measured unit is exposed to one or more sanitizing agents at one or more sanitizing stations. The pre-measured unit is immediately packaged after sanitization. The pre-measured unit is dispensed into a packaging device at the dispensing station. The containers are then cleaned at the container cleaning station to prepare each container to receive a subsequent pre-measured unit of the pre-sanitized flowable feed product.

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.