A plant storage apparatus for higher retention of phytochemical content of a plant including a storage unit having an inner space for storing the plant, an ultraviolet (UV) unit provided to the storage unit and configured to emit UV light when the inner space is sealed, and a control unit configured to control operation of the UV unit such that the plant stored in the storage unit is irradiated with UV light to retain a higher phytochemical content than a plant not irradiated with UV light.

A system and methodology for rehydrating perishable items (e.g., flowers, fresh food items, such as fruits, vegetables, other produce, and nuts) during storage and transportation thereof. The osmotic rehydration apparatus includes a pressurized chamber, a humidifier, an ozone generator, an electrostatic sprayer, a reservoir containing saline, and an air compressor. The perishable items are placed in the osmotic chamber under positive pressure. A film of saline solution is applied to the surface of the perishable items via an electrostatic sprayer. The saline/chlorine film on the perishable items is dried, and the osmotic chamber is saturated with ozone gas via an ozone generator. The osmotic chamber is then saturated with tiny pure water droplets via a humidifier or an electrostatic sprayer. The pressure within the chamber is raised to a pressure above atmospheric pressure. The osmotic chamber is then placed inside a cooler at a temperature slightly above freezing.

This invention relates to a method, process and apparatus for disinfecting and sterilizing all types of surfaces contaminated with microorganisms and toxic substances to render both inactive. Furthermore, this invention relates to both a method and apparatus for disinfecting and/or sterilizing breathable air and then using this air to protect a confined space from external contamination. The apparatus consists of a new ultra-violet (NUV) source that is more effective than mercury based 254 nm light for destroying DNA of virus, bacteria, spores and cists. It is most effective in breaking chemical bonds in toxic gases and Biotoxins that are useful to terrorists. It is combined with other apparatus that remove particulates and byproducts sometimes produced by the NUV source and maintains positive pressure of the confined space so as to prevent the influx of air from outside the protected zone.

This invention relates to a method, process and apparatus for disinfecting and sterilizing all types of surfaces contaminated with microorganisms and toxic substances to render both inactive. Furthermore, this invention relates to both a method and apparatus for disinfecting and/or sterilizing breathable air and then using this air to protect a confined space from external contamination. The apparatus consists of a new ultra-violet (NUV) source that is more effective than mercury based 254 nm light for destroying DNA of virus, bacteria, spores and cists. It is most effective in breaking chemical bonds in toxic gases and Biotoxins that are useful to terrorists. It is combined with other apparatus that remove particulates and byproducts sometimes produced by the NUV source and maintains positive pressure of the confined space so as to prevent the influx of air from outside the protected zone.

The present invention relates to a method for increasing the shelf life of fruit comprising the steps of: treating a fruit with UV light from a UV light source, packaging the fruit in packaging film that allows the fruit to be stored in a modified atmosphere within the packaging film, and storing the packaged fruit, wherein the fruit has a high dry-matter content.

The present invention relates to a method for increasing the shelf life of fruit comprising the steps of: treating a fruit with UV light from a UV light source, packaging the fruit in packaging film that allows the fruit to be stored in a modified atmosphere within the packaging film, and storing the packaged fruit, wherein the fruit has a high dry-matter content.

A method for preparing a vitamin D.sub.2-rich mushroom powder, including: slicing a mushroom to obtain mushroom slices, irradiating the mushroom slices with an ultraviolet light, drying the mushroom slices in nitrogen to obtain dried mushroom slices, and pulverizing the dried mushroom slices to obtain the vitamin D.sub.2-rich mushroom powder. The ultraviolet light irradiation is performed at an ambient temperature of 20-55° C. and an ambient relative humidity of 50-85%, and a moisture content of the mushroom slices is not less than 20%.

The present invention relates to a new method of producing edible alpha-lactalbumin-enriched protein compositions based on removal of beta-lactoglobulin (BLG) from a whey protein containing feed by selective crystallisation of non-aggregated BLG. The invention furthermore relates to new edible alpha-lactalbumin-enriched protein compositions, uses of these compositions and food products comprising these compositions.

The present invention relates to a new method of producing edible alpha-lactalbumin-enriched protein compositions based on removal of beta-lactoglobulin (BLG) from a whey protein containing feed by selective crystallisation of non-aggregated BLG. The invention furthermore relates to new edible alpha-lactalbumin-enriched protein compositions, uses of these compositions and food products comprising these compositions.

A multi-function appliance and methods and systems for manufacturing, producing, preparing, packaging, displaying, selling and marketing perishable food or items in a container with a container storage technology for use with select consumer goods or household appliances. A method and system for the use of multiple brand logos or names and communicative indicia on a container or product packaging wherein at least one of the brand logos or names, such as a secondary or tertiary brand logo or name can be used to represent different or distinct products, services or benefits from the primary brand logo or name.