Described herein are methods of preparing cutin-derived monomers, oligomers, or combinations thereof from cutin-containing plant matter. The methods can include heating the cutin-derived plant matter in a solvent at elevated temperature and pressure. In some preferred embodiments, the methods can be carried out without the use of additional acidic or basic species.

Described herein are methods of preparing cutin-derived monomers, oligomers, or combinations thereof from cutin-containing plant matter. The methods can include heating the cutin-derived plant matter in a solvent at elevated temperature and pressure. In some preferred embodiments, the methods can be carried out without the use of additional acidic or basic species.

A produce wash system is provided. The produce wash system includes a produce line with a short-term wash device followed by a wash device, a short-term wash treatment that is applied by the short-term wash device to a product, wherein the short-term wash treatment remains on the product for a pretreatment time that lasts until the product reaches the wash device, and a wash treatment that is applied by the wash device to the product, wherein the wash treatment rinses the short-term wash treatment from the product defining the end of the pretreatment time. The pretreatment time is set at or below a damage threshold time beyond which the short-term wash treatment damages the product beyond a damage threshold.

A produce wash system is provided. The produce wash system includes a produce line with a short-term wash device followed by a wash device, a short-term wash treatment that is applied by the short-term wash device to a product, wherein the short-term wash treatment remains on the product for a pretreatment time that lasts until the product reaches the wash device, and a wash treatment that is applied by the wash device to the product, wherein the wash treatment rinses the short-term wash treatment from the product defining the end of the pretreatment time. The pretreatment time is set at or below a damage threshold time beyond which the short-term wash treatment damages the product beyond a damage threshold.

A dip tank and recycling system for applying antimicrobial solution to food items, including a dip tank having a bottom and sides, and holding a liquid antimicrobial solution. A conveyor to convey food items through the tank passes through the liquid antimicrobial solution held in the tank such that food items conveyed on the conveyor are dipped in the liquid antimicrobial solution. At least two discharge nozzles spray fresh antimicrobial solution into the tank. The discharge nozzles are located in the sides of the tank, and are positioned above the level of the conveyor but below an expected top level of the liquid antimicrobial solution contained within the tank such that food items conveyed on the conveyor are agitated by the force of the spray from the discharge nozzles. The spray from the discharge nozzles causes unstacking of items on the conveyor, producing an even application of the antimicrobial solution.

A dip tank and recycling system for applying antimicrobial solution to food items, including a dip tank having a bottom and sides, and holding a liquid antimicrobial solution. A conveyor to convey food items through the tank passes through the liquid antimicrobial solution held in the tank such that food items conveyed on the conveyor are dipped in the liquid antimicrobial solution. At least two discharge nozzles spray fresh antimicrobial solution into the tank. The discharge nozzles are located in the sides of the tank, and are positioned above the level of the conveyor but below an expected top level of the liquid antimicrobial solution contained within the tank such that food items conveyed on the conveyor are agitated by the force of the spray from the discharge nozzles. The spray from the discharge nozzles causes unstacking of items on the conveyor, producing an even application of the antimicrobial solution.

This invention concerns reduction of moisture loss during the processing of meat. The present invention resides in the finding that pre-treatment of fresh meat with compositions comprising acetic acid salts and certain polysaccharide materials can reduce moisture losswith as much as 15%, as compared to non-treated meat. In some embodiments, the compositions are based on ingredients that can be labeled as natural ingredients. The invention provides compositions comprising such combinations of one or more acetic acid salts with one or more polysaccharide materials; methods and uses involving the treatment of meat with said compositions; as well as the meat products that are accordingly obtained.

The invention relates to a pasteurization plant and a method of operating a pasteurization plant. During operation of the pasteurization plant, a tempered process liquid is applied to containers filled with food products in one or more treatment zone(s). At least a part of the process liquid is fed back to the treatment zone(s) for reuse in at least one recirculation loop. At least a partial quantity of a volumetric flow of the process liquid fed per unit of time via the at least one recirculation loop is diverted to create at least one partial flow, circulated through at least one cleaning device and then returned to a recirculation loop or a treatment zone again. The at least one cleaning device comprises a membrane filtration device and an ion exchange device.

The invention relates to a pasteurization plant and a method of operating a pasteurization plant. During operation of the pasteurization plant, a tempered process liquid is applied to containers filled with food products in one or more treatment zone(s). At least a part of the process liquid is fed back to the treatment zone(s) for reuse in at least one recirculation loop. At least a partial quantity of a volumetric flow of the process liquid fed per unit of time via the at least one recirculation loop is diverted to create at least one partial flow, circulated through at least one cleaning device and then returned to a recirculation loop or a treatment zone again. The at least one cleaning device comprises a membrane filtration device and an ion exchange device.

Described herein are methods of preparing cutin-derived monomers, oligomers, or combinations thereof from cutin-containing plant matter. The methods can include heating the cutin-derived plant matter in a solvent at elevated temperature and pressure. In some preferred embodiments, the methods can be carried out without the use of additional acidic or basic species.