Methods and apparatuses to activate, modify, and sanitize the surfaces of granular, powdered, or seed material placed in a continuous flow of a low-temperature, reduced-pressure gas plasma. Said plasma may be created with radio-frequency power, using capacitive-inductive, or a combination of both types of discharge. The plasma is generated at pressures in the 0.01 to 10 Torr range. RF frequency ranges from 0.2 to 220 MHz, and correspond to a plasma density between about n.sub.e×10.sup.8-n.sub.e×10.sup.12 or 0.001 to 0.4 W/cm.sup.3. Inserts and electrodes may be temperature controlled to control process conditions. RF discharge may be pulsed or modulated by different frequency in order to stimulate energy exchange between gas plasma and process material. The apparatuses may be grounded, biased and mechanically activated (e.g., vibration, rotation, etc.).

A tempering composition for tempering grain in a tempering step and controlling pathogens susceptible to be present in and/or on said grain during the tempering step of the grain, said tempering step being eventually carried out before subjecting the tempered grain to a milling step; wherein said tempering composition comprises tempering-water and an oxidizing composition comprising at least one oxidizing agent and/or a precursor thereof, and eventually at least one an agriculturally acceptable excipient and/or at least one additive; and wherein the at least one oxidizing agent represents from 0.01 to 50% by weight of the oxidizing composition. A use and a method for tempering grain and controlling pathogens susceptible to be present on grain. An oxidizing composition for preparing the tempering composition. A use of the tempering composition for sanitizing mill systems. A method for sanitizing mill systems.

An agricultural storage system including an agricultural storage bin for storing agricultural products therein. At least a mixed air flow fan is connected to the agricultural storage bin for generating an air flow and air pressure and providing the same to the agricultural storage bin.

An agricultural storage system including an agricultural storage bin for storing agricultural products therein. At least a mixed air flow fan is connected to the agricultural storage bin for generating an air flow and air pressure and providing the same to the agricultural storage bin.

A method and apparatus to decontaminate agricultural products utilizing ozone gas. This invention achieved a 5-log or greater inactivation rate of surrogate organisms through a process of circulating ozone gas uniformly inside a hopper, conveyor assembly, and discharge box. The ozone gas distributes uniformly in the hopper through the operation of an agitator. The ozone gas, created by an ozone generator on-site, bifurcates inside a conveyor tube and distributes uniformly to the agricultural product inside a conveyor tube through the operation of a conveyor and a vibration motor. The conveyor assembly is air tight with safety measures operating to mitigate leakage of ozone gas. These safety measures include an ozone destructor or a perforated tube.

Peanut powder and methods for treating peanut powder to reduce the concentration of aflatoxin B1 in peanuts are provided. Methods include grinding peanuts to produce peanut powder and exposing the peanut powder to an ozone-rich environment. Ozone-treated peanut powder comprises less than 20 ppb aflatoxin B1 and between 2.0 and 3.0 meq/kg peroxide.

Provided are systems and methods for solvent-free delivery of volatile compounds, where an energy source is used to release the volatile compounds. The systems and methods provided herein have at least one advantage of (1) no solvent (for example water) is required; (2) immediate release of volatile compounds (for example 1-MCP can be released from HAIP within milliseconds or seconds instead of minutes or hours of the existing method using water); and/or (3) instantly starting and stopping the delivery of the volatile compound.

Provided are systems and methods for solvent-free delivery of volatile compounds, where an energy source is used to release the volatile compounds. The systems and methods provided herein have at least one advantage of (1) no solvent (for example water) is required; (2) immediate release of volatile compounds (for example 1-MCP can be released from HAIP within milliseconds or seconds instead of minutes or hours of the existing method using water); and/or (3) instantly starting and stopping the delivery of the volatile compound.

The present disclosure relates to a method for protecting stored agricultural dry products during storage, consisting of a controlled release system of essential oils and a shell for allowing oil diffusion in vapour phase towards the outer atmosphere without direct contact of the support material with stored products. This system is characterized by being suitable for use within containers for protecting stored dried agricultural plant products for a long period of time, in particular more than 4 weeks, more preferably more than 8 or 12 weeks.

The present disclosure relates to a method for protecting stored agricultural dry products during storage, consisting of a controlled release system of essential oils and a shell for allowing oil diffusion in vapour phase towards the outer atmosphere without direct contact of the support material with stored products. This system is characterized by being suitable for use within containers for protecting stored dried agricultural plant products for a long period of time, in particular more than 4 weeks, more preferably more than 8 or 12 weeks.