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 loss with 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.

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 loss with 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 present application relates to a method for producing a meat broth composition, and a meat broth composition produced by the method, the method comprising the steps of: primary heating of one or more base materials selected from the group consisting of meat, seafood, and condiment herbs in water at 90-100 C. for 3-35 minutes; secondary heating of the base material, which has undergone primary heating, in water at 80-140 C. for 20-190 minutes; and heating and sterilizing the meat broth extracted in the secondary heating step at 90-130 C. for 10-60 minutes.

The present application relates to a method for producing a meat broth composition, and a meat broth composition produced by the method, the method comprising the steps of: primary heating of one or more base materials selected from the group consisting of meat, seafood, and condiment herbs in water at 90-100 C. for 3-35 minutes; secondary heating of the base material, which has undergone primary heating, in water at 80-140 C. for 20-190 minutes; and heating and sterilizing the meat broth extracted in the secondary heating step at 90-130 C. for 10-60 minutes.

The invention relates to compositions for inhibiting or agonizing quorum sensing (QS) pathways to repress biofilm formation, biofilm streamer formation, virulence factor production, and/or infections (including bacterial infections and bacterial infections with resistance to antibiotics) by: (a) a monotherapy using novel compounds, such as small molecule inhibitors or agonists, to inhibit or activate QS activation pathways and/or (b) a combination therapy including novel compounds to inhibit or activate QS and/or to sensitize bacteria to phage along with phage therapy. These compositions can be used to treat patients having infections. Additionally, these compositions can be used to treat surfaces/areas known to contain human pathogens notorious for causing hospital-acquired infections (such as intravenous catheters, implants, medical devices) as well as fatal infections that occur outside of health care settings. Preferred microorganisms that can be treated with the compositions of the invention include, but are not limited to bacterial strains resistant to one or more antibiotics.

The invention relates to compositions for inhibiting or agonizing quorum sensing (QS) pathways to repress biofilm formation, biofilm streamer formation, virulence factor production, and/or infections (including bacterial infections and bacterial infections with resistance to antibiotics) by: (a) a monotherapy using novel compounds, such as small molecule inhibitors or agonists, to inhibit or activate QS activation pathways and/or (b) a combination therapy including novel compounds to inhibit or activate QS and/or to sensitize bacteria to phage along with phage therapy. These compositions can be used to treat patients having infections. Additionally, these compositions can be used to treat surfaces/areas known to contain human pathogens notorious for causing hospital-acquired infections (such as intravenous catheters, implants, medical devices) as well as fatal infections that occur outside of health care settings. Preferred microorganisms that can be treated with the compositions of the invention include, but are not limited to bacterial strains resistant to one or more antibiotics.

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.

The subject invention provides devices and methods for regulating the composition and pressure of one or more gaseous species and/or volatile chemicals present in a volume enclosed by a flexible, semi-rigid, or rigid packaging material. In one aspect, the subject invention provides a device designed to be inserted into an enclosed volume, the device comprising a predetermined concentration of one or more gaseous species and/or volatile chemicals contained in a capsule comprising packaging materials selected according to the desired composition, pressure or concentration, and rate of permeation of the content of the device. In another aspect, the subject invention provides a method for regulating the atmospheric condition within an enclosed volume, the method comprising inserting the device provided herein into the enclosed volume and allowing the content of the device to permeate into the enclosed volume over a desired period of time.

The subject invention provides devices and methods for regulating the composition and pressure of one or more gaseous species and/or volatile chemicals present in a volume enclosed by a flexible, semi-rigid, or rigid packaging material. In one aspect, the subject invention provides a device designed to be inserted into an enclosed volume, the device comprising a predetermined concentration of one or more gaseous species and/or volatile chemicals contained in a capsule comprising packaging materials selected according to the desired composition, pressure or concentration, and rate of permeation of the content of the device. In another aspect, the subject invention provides a method for regulating the atmospheric condition within an enclosed volume, the method comprising inserting the device provided herein into the enclosed volume and allowing the content of the device to permeate into the enclosed volume over a desired period of time.