Systems and methods for treating large quantities of potatoes, other tubers, vegetables, produce, and/or other crops are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a crop storage facility configured in accordance with the present technology includes a treatment system configured to distribute a treatment agent configured to inhibit spoilage of the crops. The treatment system can include a combination of two or more chemical compositions configured to release different concentrations of the treatment agent to produce a desired level of the treatment agent in the storage facility.

Systems and methods for treating large quantities of potatoes, other tubers, vegetables, produce, and/or other crops are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a crop storage facility configured in accordance with the present technology includes a treatment system configured to distribute a treatment agent configured to inhibit spoilage of the crops. The treatment system can include a combination of two or more chemical compositions configured to release different concentrations of the treatment agent to produce a desired level of the treatment agent in the storage facility.

The invention relates to a method (100) for preserving a foodstuff in a hydrogen atmosphere in a packaging (200) comprising an interior space (220) enclosed by a hydrogen-permeable and airtightly sealable casing (210), the interior space (220) comprising a foodstuff space (221) for receiving the foodstuff and a hydrogen space (222) for receiving hydrogen gas, the foodstuff space (221) and the hydrogen space (222) being at least gas-conductively connected to one another, and the casing (210) or a sleeve (230) surrounding the hydrogen space (222) being dimensionally stable at a negative pressure in the hydrogen space (222) relative to an environment of the packaging (200) of at least 100 mbar. The method comprises at least the following steps: filling (110) the foodstuff at least into the foodstuff space (221), introducing (120) hydrogen gas at least into the hydrogen space (222), airtightly sealing (130) the casing (210) after the filling (110) and introduction (120), and generating (140) a negative pressure at least in the hydrogen space (222) relative to an environment of the packaging (200). The invention further relates to a packaging for use in a method according to the invention and to such use.

The invention relates to a method (100) for preserving a foodstuff in a hydrogen atmosphere in a packaging (200) comprising an interior space (220) enclosed by a hydrogen-permeable and airtightly sealable casing (210), the interior space (220) comprising a foodstuff space (221) for receiving the foodstuff and a hydrogen space (222) for receiving hydrogen gas, the foodstuff space (221) and the hydrogen space (222) being at least gas-conductively connected to one another, and the casing (210) or a sleeve (230) surrounding the hydrogen space (222) being dimensionally stable at a negative pressure in the hydrogen space (222) relative to an environment of the packaging (200) of at least 100 mbar. The method comprises at least the following steps: filling (110) the foodstuff at least into the foodstuff space (221), introducing (120) hydrogen gas at least into the hydrogen space (222), airtightly sealing (130) the casing (210) after the filling (110) and introduction (120), and generating (140) a negative pressure at least in the hydrogen space (222) relative to an environment of the packaging (200). The invention further relates to a packaging for use in a method according to the invention and to such use.

This disclosure relates to a method, system and apparatus for inactivating microorganisms in an aqueous solution. The method comprises passing bubbles of a gas through the aqueous solution, wherein the gas comprises at least 10% CO2 by volume and has a temperature of at least 18° C. The system comprises a gas supply to supply gas comprising at least 10% CO2 and having a temperature above 18° C., a gas-delivery apparatus to receive the gas and deliver it into the aqueous solution in the form of bubbles. The apparatus comprises a gas-permeable material having a flow surface configured to enable the flow of the aqueous solution across the flow surface, a chamber arranged at an opposite side of the gas-permeable material to supply a gas that inactivates microorganisms such that the gas is able to pass through the gas-permeable material and into the aqueous solution as gas bubbles.

Device and method suitable for disinfecting herbs using plasma are disclosed. The device comprises a chamber and two sets of electrodes in an opposed position one relative to the other, inside the chamber. Each electrode in one set has a counterpart electrode in the other set, the two electrodes positioned facing each other and being configured to connect to a RF HV power supply, to produce a plasma-generating EM field in the space between the electrodes. The device further comprises a dielectric carrier positioned inside the chamber in the space between the two sets of electrodes, the carrier being dimensioned and configured to carry herbs in granular form such as powder or particles thereon. A portable sealable container comprising a unidirectional valve is also disclosed, configured to store herbs thereinside during plasma treatment in the device, and to store the disinfected herbs after treatment under vacuum. A device for disinfecting herbs by evaporating a disinfection agent in an evacuated chamber is also disclosed where plasma is used in any of several methods to enhance, improve and expedite the disinfection process.

To provide an apparatus that can gasify a sterilizer containing hydrogen peroxide to produce a gas having a high hydrogen peroxide concentration. The apparatus can stably produce a gas of the sterilizer containing hydrogen peroxide for a long time. A heating surface of a heating body that gasifies the sterilizer is made of chromium. Alternatively, the heating surface of the heating body that gasifies the sterilizer may be made of polytetrafluoroethylene or perfluoroalkoxy fluorocarbon resin, or a chromium plating impregnated with chromium polytetrafluoroethylene or perfluoroalkoxy fluorocarbon resin.

To provide an apparatus that can gasify a sterilizer containing hydrogen peroxide to produce a gas having a high hydrogen peroxide concentration. The apparatus can stably produce a gas of the sterilizer containing hydrogen peroxide for a long time. A heating surface of a heating body that gasifies the sterilizer is made of chromium. Alternatively, the heating surface of the heating body that gasifies the sterilizer may be made of polytetrafluoroethylene or perfluoroalkoxy fluorocarbon resin, or a chromium plating impregnated with chromium polytetrafluoroethylene or perfluoroalkoxy fluorocarbon resin.

The present disclosure relates to methods and devices for controlling arthropods, including insects and arachnids in an environment. The methods generally comprise: generating a near-ideal gas Purified Hydrogen Peroxide Gas (PHPG) that is substantially non-hydrated (e.g., in the form of water in solution or water in solution or water molecules bonded by covalence, van der Waals forces, or London forces) and substantially free of, e.g., ozone, plasma species, and/or organic species; and directing the gas comprising primarily PHPG into the environment such that the PHPG acts to control arachnids in the environment. In certain aspects, the arachnids may be totally or partially killed.

The present disclosure relates to methods and devices for controlling arthropods, including insects and arachnids in an environment. The methods generally comprise: generating a near-ideal gas Purified Hydrogen Peroxide Gas (PHPG) that is substantially non-hydrated (e.g., in the form of water in solution or water in solution or water molecules bonded by covalence, van der Waals forces, or London forces) and substantially free of, e.g., ozone, plasma species, and/or organic species; and directing the gas comprising primarily PHPG into the environment such that the PHPG acts to control arachnids in the environment. In certain aspects, the arachnids may be totally or partially killed.