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 including a short-term wash device and a rinse transition component 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 short-term wash treatment is rinsed off, and a rinse solution applied by the rinse transition component that rinses the product after the product leaves the short-term wash device and before the product enters the wash device, and a wash treatment that is applied by the wash device to the product, wherein the wash treatment rinses any remaining short-term wash treatment from the product. 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 including a short-term wash device and a rinse transition component 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 short-term wash treatment is rinsed off, and a rinse solution applied by the rinse transition component that rinses the product after the product leaves the short-term wash device and before the product enters the wash device, and a wash treatment that is applied by the wash device to the product, wherein the wash treatment rinses any remaining short-term wash treatment from the product. 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 method is for using a pickling device. The method includes positioning food to be pickled in a pickling cavity of a housing. The housing has a first open end and a second closed end opposite the first open end, and the pickling cavity extends between the first open end and the second closed end. The method also includes positioning a disc-shaped insert in the pickling cavity and over the food to be pickled, coupling a lid to the first open end of the housing, and coupling a positive pressure source, external to the housing, to the lid. The method further includes operating the positive pressure source to pressurize the pickling cavity to exceed a threshold pressure level during a pickling process without application of heat.

A method is for using a pickling device. The method includes positioning food to be pickled in a pickling cavity of a housing. The housing has a first open end and a second closed end opposite the first open end, and the pickling cavity extends between the first open end and the second closed end. The method also includes positioning a disc-shaped insert in the pickling cavity and over the food to be pickled, coupling a lid to the first open end of the housing, and coupling a positive pressure source, external to the housing, to the lid. The method further includes operating the positive pressure source to pressurize the pickling cavity to exceed a threshold pressure level during a pickling process without application of heat.

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.

An apparatus for applying a dilute antimicrobial solution to workpieces, such as raw poultry, includes a housing and a sprayer positioned to direct a first volume of dilute antimicrobial solution onto workpieces conveyed through a passage of the housing. A portion of the first volume that does not adhere to the workpieces is collected at a lower portion of the housing and passed to a recycle tank. Solution is transported between the recycle tank and sprayer and includes a supply segment to receive solution from the recycle tank, an application segment to receive the first volume from the supply segment for passage to the sprayer, and a bypass segment, separate from the application segment, to receive a second volume of the solution from the supply segment for return passage to the recycle tank without passage through the sprayer.

An apparatus for applying a dilute antimicrobial solution to workpieces, such as raw poultry, includes a housing and a sprayer positioned to direct a first volume of dilute antimicrobial solution onto workpieces conveyed through a passage of the housing. A portion of the first volume that does not adhere to the workpieces is collected at a lower portion of the housing and passed to a recycle tank. Solution is transported between the recycle tank and sprayer and includes a supply segment to receive solution from the recycle tank, an application segment to receive the first volume from the supply segment for passage to the sprayer, and a bypass segment, separate from the application segment, to receive a second volume of the solution from the supply segment for return passage to the recycle tank without passage through the sprayer.

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.