METHOD FOR THE PROPHYLACTIC TREATMENT OF A FOOD PRODUCT

Abstract

Method for the prophylactic treatment of the development of parasites in a food product with a powder comprising more than 40% by weight of an alkali metal bicarbonate, wherein the powder is in the form of particles having a medium particle size of at most 300 μm, and said treatment comprising mixing the powder with the food product, characterized in that at most 1000 ppm by weight of the powder is mixed with the food product.

Claims

1. A method for the prophylactic treatment of development of parasites in a food product with a powder, said treatment method comprising mixing at most 1000 ppm by weight of the powder with the food product, said powder comprising more than 40% by weight of an alkali metal bicarbonate, said powder being in the form of particles having a medium particle size of at most 300 μm, wherein ‘at most 1000 ppm’ means ‘at most 1000 mg of the powder reported to one kg of food product’.

2. The method according to claim 1 wherein at most 500 ppm by weight of the powder is mixed with the food product.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein at least 10 ppm of the powder is mixed with the food product.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the powder comprises at least 50% by weight of the alkali metal bicarbonate.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the alkali metal bicarbonate is selected from the group consisting of: sodium bicarbonate, potassium bicarbonate, sodium sesquicarbonate, trona, and mixtures thereof.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the powder comprises at least 1 wt. % of a co-formulant selected from the group consisting of a silica, a diatomaceous earth, an alkaline-earth metal silicate, a clay, a montmorillonite, a zeolite, and mixtures thereof.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein the powder comprises at most 50% by weight of the co-formulant.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein the medium particle size of the powder is at most 100 μm.

9. The method according to claim 1, wherein the food product is grain seeds selected from the group consisting of Cereals, “pseudocereals”, oil plants, legume seeds, beans, and nuts.

10. The method according to claim 1 for preventing an increase in population of parasite in the food product during storage, wherein the powder in the food product is added at a dose so that the mortality rate of parasite in contact with food product at a temperature of at 23.5° C.+/−1.5° C. and at 61.5%+/−1.5% relative humidity, is at most 15+/−4% after 7 days.

11. The method according to claim 10 wherein the powder in the food product is added at a dose so that the mortality rate of parasite in contact with food product at a temperature of at 23.5° C.+/−1.5° C. and at 61.5%+/−1.5% relative humidity is at most the mortality of the parasite compared to their mortality in the absence of food.

12. The method according to claim 1 wherein the parasite is at least one selected from the group consisting of: Tribolium confusum, Sitophilus granarius (grain weevil), Sitophilus oryza (rice weevil), Rhizopertha dominica (lesser grain borer), Sitotroga cereallela, Acanthoscelides obtectu, Bruchus pisorum, Cryptolestes turcicus, Trogoderma granarium, and Ephestia kuehniella (flour moth).

13. A food product, having a shape of a grain or of a bean or of a nut, said shape defining a surface, and having on said surface at least 10 ppm and at most 1000 ppm in weight, reported to the total weight of the food product, of a powder comprising more than 40% by weight of an alkali metal bicarbonate, wherein the powder is in the form of particles having a medium particle size of at most 300 μm.

14. The food product according to claim 13 wherein a mortality rate of Sitophilus Oryza (Rice weevil), in contact with said food product, and measured at a temperature of 23.5° C.+/−1.5° C. and at 61.5%+/−1.5% relative humidity, measured with 50 parasite individuals in contact with 2 kg of food product, is at least 34% of individuals after 7 days, and at most after 15 days the one in same conditions but deprived of food.

15. A method for treating a food product for: a combined prophylactic effect against the development in the food product of insects, acarids, fungi, and mycotoxins; and/or improving dust separation when the food product comprises dust and is in the form of grains, beans or nuts; and/or decreasing fire and explosion hazards in silo when handling and storing said food product, said method comprising mixing at least 10 ppm and at most 1000 ppm by weight of a powder with the food product, wherein the powder comprises more than 40% by weight of an alkali metal bicarbonate, wherein the powder is in the form of particles having a medium particle size of at most 300 μm.

16. The method according to claim 15 wherein the food product is selected from the group consisting of grains, beans and nuts and wherein the food product comprises dust, said method for treating the food product being performed to improve dedusting of the food product during mechanical or gas-flow separation.

17. A method for treating a food product to reduce explosion hazards in a storage silo and in dedusting lines, said food product being selected from the group consisting of grains, seeds, beans and nuts, said method comprising: mixing the food product with at least 10 ppm and at most 2000 ppm by weight of a powder before or when storing the food product in the storage silo, or before mechanical or gas-flow separation, said powder comprising more than 40% by weight of an alkali metal bicarbonate, said powder being in the form of particles having a medium particle size of at most 300 μm.

18. The method according to claim 17, wherein at least 50 ppm by weight of the powder is mixed with the food product.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0085] The present invention thus relates to: [0086] a method for the prophylactic treatment of the development of parasites in a food, and [0087] a use of a powder comprising more than 40% by weight of an alkali metal bicarbonate for its prophylactic effect against the development in the food product of parasites, by using a dosage of the powder in the food product so that the mortality of the parasite is close or at most the mortality of the parasite without food,
as described with more particular embodiments hereinafter.

[0088] Item 1. Method for the prophylactic treatment of the development of parasites in a food product with a powder comprising more than 40% by weight of an alkali metal bicarbonate, wherein the powder is in the form of particles having a medium particle size of at most 300 μm, preferably at most 200 μm,

[0089] and said treatment comprising mixing the powder with the food product,

[0090] characterized in that

[0091] at most 1000 ppm by weight of the powder is mixed with the food product, wherein ‘at most 1000 ppm’ means ‘at most 1000 mg of the powder reported to one kg of food product.

[0092] Item 2. The method according to item 1 wherein at most 900 ppm, or at most 800 ppm, or at most 700 ppm, or at most 600 ppm, or at most 500 ppm, or preferably at most 300 ppm, more preferably at most 200 ppm, even more preferably at most 100 ppm by weight of the powder is mixed with the food product.

[0093] Item 2a. The method according to item 1 wherein at most 900 ppm, or at most 800 ppm by weight of the powder is mixed with the food product.

[0094] Item 2b. The method according to item 1 wherein at most 700 ppm, or at most 600 ppm by weight of the powder is mixed with the food product.

[0095] Item 2c. The method according to item 1 wherein at most 500 ppm, or preferably at most 300 ppm by weight of the powder is mixed with the food product.

[0096] Item 2d. The method according to item 1 wherein at most 250 ppm, or at most 200 ppm by weight of the powder is mixed with the food product.

[0097] Item 2e. The method according to item 1 wherein at most 190 ppm, or at most 150 ppm by weight of the powder is mixed with the food product.

[0098] Item 3. The method according to anyone of items 1 to 2e, wherein at least 10 ppm, preferably at least 20 ppm, more preferably at least 30 ppm, even more preferably at least 50 ppm by weight of the powder is mixed with the food product.

[0099] Item 3a. The method according to anyone of the preceding items, wherein at least 10 ppm, or at least 20 ppm by weight of the powder is mixed with the food product.

[0100] Item 3b. The method according to anyone of the preceding items, wherein at least 30 ppm, even more preferably at least 50 ppm by weight of the powder is mixed with the food product.

[0101] Item 4. The method according to anyone of the preceding items, wherein the powder comprises at least 50% by weight, preferably at least 60% by weight of the alkali metal bicarbonate.

[0102] Item 4a. The method according to anyone of the preceding items, wherein the powder comprises at least 70% by weight, more preferably at least 75% by weight of the alkali metal bicarbonate.

[0103] Item 4b. The method according to anyone of the preceding items, wherein the powder comprises at least 80% by weight, most preferably at least 85% by weight of the alkali metal bicarbonate.

[0104] Item 5. The method according to anyone of the preceding items, wherein the powder comprises at most 100% by weight or comprises 100% by weight of the alkali metal bicarbonate.

[0105] Item 5a. The method according to anyone of the preceding items, wherein the powder comprises at most 99% by weight, or at most 98% by weight of the alkali metal bicarbonate.

[0106] Item 5b. The method according to anyone of the preceding items, wherein the powder comprises at most 95% by weight, or at most 90% by weight of the alkali metal bicarbonate.

[0107] Item 5c. The method according to anyone of the preceding items, wherein the powder comprises at most 85% by weight, or at most 80% by weight of the alkali metal bicarbonate.

[0108] Item 6. The method according to anyone of the preceding items, wherein the alkali metal bicarbonate is chosen from: sodium bicarbonate, potassium bicarbonate, sodium sesquicarbonate, trona, and mixtures thereof.

[0109] Item 6a. The method according to anyone of the preceding items, wherein the alkali metal bicarbonate is sodium bicarbonate.

[0110] Item 6b. The method according to anyone of the preceding items, wherein the alkali metal bicarbonate is potassium bicarbonate.

[0111] Item 6c. The method according to anyone of the preceding items, wherein the alkali metal bicarbonate is sodium sesquicarbonate or trona.

[0112] Item 7. The method according to anyone of the preceding items, wherein the powder comprises at least 1% by weight (wt. %) of a co-formulant chosen from: a silica, a diatomaceous earth, an alkaline-earth metal silicate, a clay, a montmorillonite, a zeolite, or mixtures of two or more thereof.

[0113] Item 7a. The method according to the preceding item, wherein the co-formulant is a silica or a diatomaceous earth.

[0114] Item 7b. The method according to anyone of the items 1 to 7, wherein the co-formulant is an alkaline-earth metal silicate or a clay.

[0115] Item 7c. The method according to anyone of the items 1 to 7, wherein the co-formulant is a montmorillonite or a zeolite.

[0116] Item 8. The method according to any items 7 to 7c wherein the powder comprises at least 2% by weight, or at least 3% by weight of the co-formulant.

[0117] Item 8a. The method according to any items 7 to 8 wherein the powder comprises at least 5% by weight, or at least 7% by weight of the co-formulant.

[0118] Item 8b. The method according to any items 7 to 8a wherein the powder comprises at least 10% by weight, or at least 15% by weight of the co-formulant.

[0119] Item 9. The method according to item 7 or 8, wherein the powder comprises at most 50% by weight, or at most 40% by weight of the co-formulant.

[0120] Item 9a. The method according to any items 7 to 9, wherein the powder comprises at most 30% by weight, or at most 25% by weight of the co-formulant.

[0121] Item 9b. The method according to any items 7 to 9a, wherein the powder comprises at most 20% by weight or at most 15% by weight of the co-formulant.

[0122] Item 9c. The method according to any items 7 to 9b, wherein the powder comprises at most 10% by weight or at most 6% by weight of the co-formulant.

[0123] Item 10. The method according to anyone of the preceding items, wherein the medium particle size of the powder is at most 100 μm, or at most 70 μm. Item 10a. The method according to anyone of the preceding items, wherein the medium particle size of the powder is at most 60 μm, or at most 50 μm.

[0124] Item 10b. The method according to anyone of the preceding items, wherein the medium particle size of the powder is at most 40 μm, or at most 30 μm.

[0125] Item 10c. The method according to anyone of the preceding items, wherein the medium particle size of the powder is at most 20 μm, or at most 10 μm.

[0126] Item 11. Method according to anyone of the preceding items, according to which the alkali metal bicarbonate comprises sodium bicarbonate and the co-formulant of the mineral comprises silica.

[0127] Item 12. Method according to the preceding item, according to which the alkali metal bicarbonate is sodium bicarbonate and the co-formulant of the mineral is silica.

[0128] Item 13. Method according to anyone of the items 7 to 12, according to which at most 600 ppm, preferably at most 300 ppm, more preferably at most 50 ppm, or at most 45 ppm, or at most 30 ppm, or at most 15 ppm, or at most 10 ppm, or at most 5 ppm by weight of the co-formulant reported to the food-product is mixed with the food-product.

[0129] Item 13a. Method according to anyone of the preceding items, according to which at most 150 ppm, more preferably at most 50 ppm of the co-formulant reported to the food-product is mixed with the food-product.

[0130] Item 13b. Method according to anyone of the preceding items, according to which at most 30 ppm, or at most 15 ppm by weight of the co-formulant reported to the food-product is mixed with the food-product.

[0131] Item 13c. Method according to anyone of the preceding items, according to which at most 10 ppm, or at most 5 ppm by weight of the co-formulant reported to the food-product is mixed with the food-product.

[0132] Item 14. Method according to anyone of the items 7 to 13c, according to which at least 0.5 ppm, preferably at least 1 ppm, more preferably at least 2 ppm, even more preferably at least 3 ppm, or at least 5 ppm of the co-formulant is mixed with the food product.

[0133] Item 14a. Method according to the preceding item, according to which at least 0.5 ppm, or at least 1 ppm by weight of the co-formulant reported to the food-product is mixed with the food product.

[0134] Item 14b. Method according to item 14a, according to which at least 2 ppm, or at least 3 ppm of the co-formulant reported to the food-product, is mixed with the food product.

[0135] Item 14c. Method according to item 14b according to which at least 5 ppm of the co-formulant is mixed with the food product.

[0136] Item 15. Method according to anyone of the preceding items, according to which the powder is free of neurotoxic pesticide.

[0137] Item 16. Method according to anyone of the preceding items, according to which the powder is free of (added) pyrethrum or of (added) synthetic pyrethroids, such as permethrin.

[0138] Item 17. Method according to anyone of the preceding items, according to which the powder is free of (added) organohalogenated pesticides (such as organofluorinated, organochlorinated or organobrominated pesticides), organophosphorus pesticides, and carbamates, or by means of cytotoxic pesticides such as aluminium phosphides or zinc phosphides.

[0139] Item 18. Method according to anyone of the preceding items, according to which the powder is inorganic.

[0140] Item 19. Method according to any of the preceding items which is non-parasiticidal.

[0141] Item 20. Method according to any of the preceding items which is without being parasite-repellent, in particular insect or acarid repellent.

[0142] Item 21. Method according to any one of preceding items, according to which the co-formulant if present, is in the form of particles, such that at least 50% by weight of the particles have a particle size of less than 100 μm, preferably less than 70 μm.

[0143] Item 21a. Method according to any one of preceding items, according to which the co-formulant if present, is in the form of particles, such that at least 50% by weight of the particles have a particle size of less than 40 μm, even more preferably less than 30 μm.

[0144] Item 22. Method according to any one of preceding items, according to which the alkali metal bicarbonate, and the co-formulant if present, is (are) in the form of particles, such that at least 90% by weight of the particles have a particle size of less than 100 μm.

[0145] Item 22a. Method according to any one of preceding items, according to which the alkali metal bicarbonate, and the co-formulant if present, is (are) in the form of particles, such that at least 90% by weight of the particles have a particle size of less than 70 μm.

[0146] Item 22b. Method according to any one of preceding items, according to which the alkali metal bicarbonate, and the co-formulant if present, is (are) in the form of particles, such that at least 90% by weight of the particles have a particle size of less than 40 μm.

[0147] Item 22c. Method according to any one of preceding items, according to which the alkali metal bicarbonate, and the co-formulant if present, is (are) in the form of particles, such that at least 90% by weight of the particles have a particle size of less than 30 μm.

[0148] Item 23. Method according to anyone of the preceding items, according to which the mixing of the powder to the food product is carried out by dry spraying such as on a conveyor belt or on the top of a silo when filling said silo with the food product.

[0149] Item 23a. Method according to anyone of the preceding items, according to which the mixing of the powder to the food product is carried out by a mechanical mean for mixing said food-product and the powder.

[0150] Item 23b. Method according to anyone of the preceding items, according to which the mixing of the powder to food product is carried out by sprinkling or spraying the powder in the form of an aqueous suspension of the powder, and then drying.

[0151] Item 24. Method for storing food product in a silo or in a receptacle, using the method according to any one of the preceding items, according to which the mixing of the powder to the food product enables to obtain a treated food product, the silo or the receptacle is filled with the treated food product, and the treated food product is subject to one or more cooling steps to lower its temperature to at most 10° C.

[0152] Item 25. Method for storing food product according to the preceding item, according to which the cooling of the food product to at most 10° C. is carried out by ventilation with cool air, in particular with cool air having a temperature at most 8 to 10° C. lower than the temperature of the food products.

[0153] Item 26. Use of a powder comprising more than 40% by weight of an alkali metal bicarbonate, wherein the powder is in the form of particles having a medium particle size of at most 300 μm, preferably at most 200 μm, according to the method of anyone of the preceding items, for its prophylactic effect against the development in the food product of parasite, by using a dosage of the powder in the food product so that the development of parasite in food product is limited, and that the mortality rate of parasite in contact with food product at a temperature of at 23.5° C.+/−1.5° C. and at 61.5%+/−1.5% relative humidity, is at most 15+/−4% after 7 days.

[0154] Item 26a. Use according the preceding item, wherein the dosage of the powder used in the food product is such that it limits the development of parasite and that the mortality of the parasite is at most the mortality of the parasite without food.

[0155] Item 26b. Use according to items 26 or 26a, wherein the parasite is a primary insect pest such as: Sitophilus granarius, Sitophylus oryzae, Rhyzopertha dominica, Sitotroga cereallela, Acanthoscelides obtectu, Bruchus pisorum, Cryptolestes turcicus, Trogoderma granarium.

[0156] Item 26c. Use according to items 26 or 26a, wherein the parasite is a secondary insect pest such as: Tribollium confusum, Tribollium castaneoum, Cryptolestes ferrugineus, Cryptophagus spp, Endrosis sarcitrella, Oryzaephilus surinamensis, Lasioderma serricorne, Tenebroides mauritanicus, Typhaea stercorea, Stegobium paniceum, Plodia interpunctelle, Ephestia kuehniella, Trogoderma variabile.

[0157] Item 26d. Use according to items 26 or 26a, wherein the parasite is a mycophagus insect pest such as: Ptinus tectus, Ahasverus advena, Xylocoris flavipes, Typhea stercorea, Tenebroides mauritanicus, Niptus hololeucus, Lariophagus distinguendus.

[0158] Item 27. The use according to items 26 to 26d, in the method according to any one of items 1 to 25.

[0159] Item 28. The use according to items 26 or 27, for its combined prophylactic effect against the development in the food product of insects, acarids, fungi, and mycotoxins.

[0160] Item 29. Food product, having a shape of a grain or of a bean, wherein said shape defining a surface, and having on said surface at least 10 ppm and at most 1000 ppm of a powder comprising more than 40% by weight of an alkali metal bicarbonate, and wherein the powder is in the form of particles having a medium particle size of at most 300 μm.

[0161] Item 29a. Food product, according to the preceding claim wherein mortality rate of Sitophilus Oryza (or anyone of the parasites cited in items 26b to 26d), in contact with said food product, and measured at a temperature of 23.5° C.+/−1.5° C. and at 61.5%+/−1.5% relative humidity, measured with 50 individuals in contact with a batch of 2 kg of the food product, is at least 34% of individuals after 7 days, and at most the mortality after 15 days of said parasite in same conditions but deprived of food.

[0162] Item 30. Food product according to Item 29 or 29a, obtainable by the method of Items 1 to 25, or the use of items 26 to 28.

[0163] Item 31. Use of a powder on a food product selected from grains, seeds, beans or nuts to improve dedusting of the food product during mechanical or gas-flow separation wherein the food product is first mixed with a powder comprising more than 40% by weight of an alkali metal bicarbonate, and wherein the powder is in the form of particles having a medium particle size of at most 300 μm,

[0164] characterized in that

[0165] at least 10 ppm and at most 2000 ppm by weight of the powder is mixed with the food product before the mechanical or gas-flow separation.

[0166] Item 31a. Use according to item 31, wherein at least 50 ppm or at least 100 ppm of the powder reported to the food product is mixed with the food product.

[0167] Item 31b. Use according to item 31 or 31 a, wherein at most 1000 ppm or at most 300 ppm of the powder reported to the food product is mixed with the food product.

[0168] Item 31c. Use according to item 31, wherein at least 50 ppm and at most 300 ppm of the powder reported to the food product is mixed with the food product.

[0169] Item 32. Use of a powder on a food product selected from grains, seeds, beans or nuts to reduce explosion hazards in storage silo and in dedusting lines, wherein the food product is first mixed with a powder comprising more than 40% by weight of an alkali metal bicarbonate, and wherein the powder is in the form of particles having a medium particle size of at most 300 μm, preferably at most 70 μm, characterized in that at least 10 ppm and at most 2000 ppm by weight of the powder is mixed with the food product before or when storing the food product in the storage silo, or before the mechanical or gas-flow separation.

[0170] Item 32a. Use according to item 32, wherein at least 50 ppm or at least 100 ppm of the powder reported to the food product is mixed with the food product.

[0171] Item 32b. Use according to item 32 or 31 a, wherein at most 1000 ppm or at most 300 ppm of the powder reported to the food product is mixed with the food product.

[0172] Item 32c. Use according to item 32, wherein at least 50 ppm and at most 300 ppm of the powder reported to the food product is mixed with the food product.

[0173] Item 33. Method according to anyone of items 1 to 25 wherein the powder comprising more than 40% by weight of an alkali metal bicarbonate is used for a combined prophylactic effect and a dedusting improvement effect.

[0174] Item 34. Method according to anyone of items 1 to 25 wherein the powder comprising more than 40% by weight of an alkali metal bicarbonate is used for a combined prophylactic effect and a reduced explosion hazards during silo storage and/or food product dedusting.

[0175] In any of the embodiments of the present invention, the minerals, in particular the alkaline metal bicarbonate, are either natural, or produced synthetically.

[0176] In one preferred mode of the present invention, the alkaline metal bicarbonate and/or the co-formulant are food additives. The term “food additive” is intended to mean the compounds listed in and corresponding to the Codex Alimentarius of the FAO/WHO—version 2013.

[0177] Furthermore, the minerals, the alkaline metal bicarbonate, or the co-formulants listed in the present specification, in particular those listed in items 1 to 26, are usable in organic agriculture according to EC regulation 834/2007.

[0178] Among the minerals listed in items 1 to 26, sodium bicarbonate is particularly advantageous since, in addition to being authorized by various organizations (such as the FDA in the United States) in human or animal food, it is has very favourable toxicological and eco-toxicological profiles and is well tolerated by all living organisms such as humans and mammals. For example, the plasma and blood of human beings naturally contains it at a concentration of about 1200 mg/1, and it holds an important pH-regulating role for these fluids.

[0179] Any of the co-formulants of items 7 to 26 may be in amorphous or crystalline form. However, it is preferred for the co-formulant or formulants to be in amorphous form, that is to say, in non-crystalline form. This is particularly the case for a co-formulant comprising silica. In this respect, non-crystalline precipitated silicas or non-crystalline fumed silicas are particularly recommended in any of the embodiments of the present invention.

[0180] It should be understood that any description, even though described in relation to a specific embodiment or mode, is applicable to and interchangeable with other embodiments or modes of the present invention.

[0181] Should the disclosure of any of the patents, patent applications, and publications that are incorporated herein by reference conflict with the present specification to the extent that it might render a term unclear, the present specification shall take precedence.

[0182] The examples that follow are intended for illustrating the invention. They should not be interpreted as limiting the scope of the claimed invention.

EXAMPLES

Example 1 (in Accordance with the Invention)

[0183] Testing with Contact of Two Insects Species on Powder/Grain Mixes

[0184] Two series of tests were conducted with contact of a powder mixed with wheat grains for two insects: Sitophilus granarius (also known as wheat weevil or grain weevil or «charancon du blé») and Rhizopertha dominica. These two insects are main insects degrading cereal stocks; they are particularly unsafe because they lay their eggs inside the cereals. Rhizopertha dominica is a beetle found nearly worldwide as a pest of stored cereal grains (wheat, rice, maize, . . . ) and also a major pest of nuts such as peanuts.

[0185] For the tests in Example 1, a powder containing 85 wt % sodium bicarbonate and 15 wt % of a silica gel was formed and then applied to wheat grains (obtained from organic farms, and untreated chemically before and after crop) prior to contacting the grains with a tested insect species. The sodium bicarbonate was sodium bicarbonate EF (‘extra-fin’) for which 90% of particles by weight is between 0 and 130 μm, and the silica gel was a milled silica gel with a D90 of about 70 μm.

[0186] Each test of each species was conducted as follows: [0187] incorporating the powder (85 wt % sodium bicarbonate and 15 wt % of a silica gel) into a batch of 2 Kg of wheat grains in an amount sufficient to achieve 100 ppm, 300 ppm, 500 ppm and 1000 ppm of powder per weight of wheat grains in 4 separate batches of powder/wheat grains mixes; and for each repetition of test a new batch with new insects are repeated; [0188] 50 individuals of each insect species were deposited into a 2 Kg batch of wheat grains/powder mix; [0189] the mortality was recorded after 3, 7, 10. 14, 21, 30, 42 days of contact with the powder/grain mix.

[0190] This test for each powder/grains mix was repeated three times for each insect species.

[0191] A control (with contact of untreated individuals) was also conducted in parallel for each species.

[0192] The results of the tests for Sitophilus granarius are shown in TABLE 1.

[0193] The results of the tests for Rhizopertha dominica are shown in TABLE 2.

TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Test on Sitophilus granarius (wheat weevil or « charançon du blé ») (in % death rate - mean values) Numbers of days of contact 3 d 7 d 10 d 14 d 21 d 30 d 42 d with 100 ppm 0% 0% 2% 0%  7% 10% 10% BICAR + 15% silica gel with 300 ppm 0% 0% 0% 2% 10% 15% 16% BICAR + 15% silica gel with 500 ppm 0% 0% 0% 6% 11% 17% 19% BICAR + 15% silica gel with 1000 ppm 0% 0% 1% 8% 14% 19% 21% BICAR + 15% silica gel Control 0% 0% 1% 2%  4%  6%  7%

TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 Test on Rhizopertha dominica (lesser grain borer or « capucin des grains ») (in % death rate - mean values) Numbers of days of contact 3 d 7 d 10 d 14 d 21 d 30 d 42 d with 100 ppm 0% 0% 0% 3%  5%  9%  9% BICAR + 15% silica gel with 300 ppm 0% 0% 0% 2% 10% 12% 15% BICAR + 15% silica gel with 500 ppm 0% 0% 1% 4% 15% 17% 17% BICAR + 15% silica gel with 1000 ppm 0% 0% 2% 7% 16% 18% 19% BICAR + 15% silica gel control 0% 0% 1% 1%  3%  5%  7%

Example 2 (in Accordance with the Invention)

[0194] Testing with Contact of 3 Types of Insects Species with a Powder Mixed with Wheat Grain

[0195] Tests were conducted on three different species which are major parasites found in grain/food storage units: two coleoptera and one lepidoptera: [0196] Tribolium confusum (also known as flour bettle); [0197] Sitophilus oryzae (also known as rice weevil, which is now the main pest found on wheat); [0198] Ephestia kuehniella (also known as mill moth).

[0199] For the tests in Example 2, a powder containing 95 wt % sodium bicarbonate and 5 wt % silica was applied to wheat grains (obtained from organic farms) prior to contacting the grains with a tested species. The sodium bicarbonate was a sodium bicarbonate (Solvay Bicar®Food grade 0/4), with an average laser particle size of 25 μm. The co-formulant of the mineral was amorphous silica (Solvay Tixosil® 38 AB Food grade), with an average laser particle size of 25 μm (weight-average diameter).

[0200] A pre-mix of the sodim bicarbonate (85 wt %) and silica (15 wt %) was first made and then was milled into a 100 UPZ fine impact mill to form a powder with a D90 of about 60-70 μm.

[0201] The tests were carried out as follows: [0202] incorporating the powder into a 2-kg batch of wheat grains in an amount sufficient to achieve 100 ppm, 200 ppm, and 300 ppm of powder per weight of wheat grains; for each dosage of powder and each parasite species test, a different 2 kg batch is used. [0203] depositing 50 insects of each species on in batches of 2 kg of mixed powder+wheat grains to initiate contact; [0204] maintaining contact at 22-25° C. with 60-63% relative humidity; and [0205] recording the rate of mortality as a function of time: 7, 8, 9, and up to 20 days of contact (or more if necessary) after initial contact.

[0206] The test for each batch of powder+grain was repeated three times for each insect species.

[0207] The results of the tests are shown for the 3 species of insects in TABLE 3 (100 ppm dosing or mg powder/kg of wheat), TABLE 4 (200 ppm dosing or mg powder/kg of wheat), and TABLE 5 (300 ppm dosing or mg powder/kg of wheat).

[0208] A control (with untreated individuals) in which the insects undergo the same manipulations to check the safety of the seeds and the viability of the insects on the food material without the powder) was also conducted in parallel for each species—see TABLE 6 (Control—no dosing of powder).

TABLE-US-00003 TABLE 3 Dosing: 100 ppm (mg powder/kg of wheat) Insect population mortality (% M) vs. Number of days Rep 1 Rep 2 Rep 3 % M % M Days D A % M D A % M D A % M avg. std dev Tribolium 7 0 50 0 0 50 0 0 50 0 0 0 confusum 8 8 42 16 4 46 8 5 45 10 11 4 9 9 41 18 10 40 20 7 43 14 17 3 10 12 38 24 15 35 30 13 37 26 27 3 15 35 15 70 38 12 76 31 19 62 69 7 16 37 13 74 42 8 84 43 7 86 81 6 17 40 10 80 46 4 92 48 2 96 89 8 18 44 6 88 49 1 98 50 0 100 95 6 20 50 0 100 50 0 100 50 0 100 100 0 Sitophilus 7 0 50 0 0 50 0 0 50 0 0 0 oryzae 8 1 49 2 2 48 4 1 49 2 3 1 9 2 48 4 3 47 6 2 48 4 5 1 10 7 43 14 8 42 16 5 45 10 13 3 15 39 11 78 42 8 84 39 11 78 80 3 16 40 10 80 46 4 92 43 7 86 86 6 17 45 5 90 50 0 100 47 3 94 95 5 18 48 2 96 50 0 100 50 0 100 99 2 20 50 0 100 50 0 100 50 0 100 100 0 Ephestia 7 8 42 16 5 45 10 3 47 6 11 5 Kuehniella 8 13 37 26 6 44 12 9 41 18 19 7 (larve) 9 16 34 32 12 38 24 13 37 26 27 4 10 20 30 40 22 28 44 24 26 48 44 4 15 50 0 100 50 0 100 50 0 100 100 0 16 50 0 100 50 0 100 50 0 100 100 0 17 50 0 100 50 0 100 50 0 100 100 0 18 50 0 100 50 0 100 50 0 100 100 0 20 50 0 100 50 0 100 50 0 100 100 0 D = Dead A = Alive % M = % mortality rep = repeat

TABLE-US-00004 TABLE 4 Dosing: 200 ppm (mg powder/kg of wheat) Insect population mortality (% M) vs. Number of days' rep 1 rep 2 rep 3 % M % M Days D A % M D A % M D A % M avg. std dev Tribolium 7 3 47 6 2 48 4 4 46 8 6 2 confusum 8 9 41 18 5 45 10 11 39 22 17 6 9 13 37 26 12 38 24 18 32 36 29 6 10 22 28 44 20 30 40 24 26 48 44 4 11 30 20 60 29 21 58 35 15 70 63 6 12 41 9 82 37 13 74 43 7 86 81 6 13 46 4 92 48 2 96 48 2 96 95 2 14 50 0 100 50 0 100 50 0 100 100 0 15 50 0 100 50 0 100 50 0 100 100 0 Sitophilus 7 5 45 10 2 48 4 6 44 12 9 4 oryzae 8 8 42 16 4 46 8 9 41 18 14 5 9 12 38 24 10 40 20 13 37 26 23 3 10 19 31 38 16 34 32 20 30 40 37 4 11 27 23 54 24 26 48 29 21 58 53 5 12 34 16 68 38 12 76 44 6 88 77 10 13 41 9 82 43 7 86 49 1 98 89 8 14 45 5 90 50 0 100 50 0 100 97 6 15 50 0 100 50 0 100 50 0 100 100 0 Ephestia 7 32 18 64 29 21 58 36 14 72 65 7 Kuehniella 8 45 5 90 41 9 82 43 7 86 86 4 (larve) 9 50 0 100 50 0 100 47 3 94 98 3 10 50 0 100 50 0 100 50 0 100 100 0 11 50 0 100 50 0 100 50 0 100 100 0 12 50 0 100 50 0 100 50 0 100 100 0 13 50 0 100 50 0 100 50 0 100 100 0 14 50 0 100 50 0 100 50 0 100 100 0 15 50 0 100 50 0 100 50 0 100 100 0 D = Dead A = Alive % M = % mortality rep = repeat

TABLE-US-00005 TABLE 5 Dosing: 300 ppm (mg powder/kg of wheat) Insect population mortality (% M) vs. Number of days rep 1 rep 2 rep 3 % M % M Days D A % M D A % M D A % M avg. std dev Tribolium 7 4 46 8 8 42 16 5 45 10 11 4 confusum 8 6 44 12 12 38 24 8 42 16 17 6 9 11 39 22 17 33 34 16 34 32 29 6 10 19 31 38 24 26 48 22 28 44 43 5 11 28 22 56 39 11 78 40 10 80 71 13 12 47 3 94 50 0 100 45 5 90 95 5 13 50 0 100 50 0 100 50 0 100 100 0 14 50 0 100 50 0 100 50 0 100 100 0 15 50 0 100 50 0 100 50 0 100 100 0 Sitophilus 7 9 41 18 11 39 22 13 37 26 22 4 oryzae 8 12 38 24 17 33 34 15 35 30 29 5 9 15 35 30 19 31 38 20 30 40 36 5 10 21 29 42 29 21 58 26 24 52 51 8 11 30 20 60 38 12 76 35 15 70 69 8 12 38 12 76 42 8 84 40 10 80 80 4 13 46 4 92 49 1 98 44 6 88 93 5 14 50 0 100 50 0 100 49 1 98 99 1 15 50 0 100 50 0 100 50 0 100 100 0 Ephestia 7 38 12 76 33 17 66 42 8 84 75 9 Kuehniella 8 44 6 88 40 10 80 46 4 92 87 6 (larve) 9 49 1 98 47 3 94 50 0 100 97 3 10 50 0 100 50 0 100 50 0 100 100 0 11 50 0 100 50 0 100 50 0 100 100 0 12 50 0 100 50 0 100 50 0 100 100 0 13 50 0 100 50 0 100 50 0 100 100 0 14 50 0 100 50 0 100 50 0 100 100 0 15 50 0 100 50 0 100 50 0 100 100 0 D = Dead A = Alive % M = % mortality rep = repeat

TABLE-US-00006 TABLE 6 Control (no powder used) Insect population mortality (% M) vs. Number of days rep 1 rep 2 rep 3 % M % M Days D A % M D A % M D A % M avg. std dev Tribolium 7 0 50 0.0 0 50 0.0 0 50 0.0 0 0 confusum 8 0 50 0.0 0 50 0.0 0 50 0.0 0 0 9 0 50 0.0 0 50 0.0 0 50 0.0 0 0 10 0 50 0.0 0 50 0.0 0 50 0.0 0 0 11 0 50 0.0 0 50 0.0 0 50 0.0 0 0 12 0 50 0.0 0 50 0.0 0 50 0.0 0 0 13 1 49 2.0 2 48 4.0 0 50 0.0 2 2 14 2 48 4.0 2 48 4.0 1 49 2.0 3 1 15 2 48 4.0 3 47 6.0 1 49 2.0 4 2 Sitophilus 7 0 50 0.0 0 50 0.0 0 50 0.0 0 0 oryzae 8 0 50 0.0 0 50 0.0 0 50 0.0 0 0. 9 0 50 0.0 0 50 0.0 0 50 0.0 0 0 10 0 50 0.0 0 50 0.0 0 50 0.0 0 0 11 0 50 0.0 0 50 0.0 1 49 2.0 1 1 12 0 50 0.0 0 50 0.0 1 49 2.0 1 1 13 0 50 0.0 0 50 0.0 1 49 2.0 1 1 14 0 50 0.0 0 50 0.0 1 49 2.0 1 1 15 0 50 0.0 0 50 0.0 2 48 4.0 1 2 Ephestia 7 0 50 0.0 0 50 0.0 0 50 0.0 0 0 Kuehniella 8 0 50 0.0 0 50 0.0 0 50 0.0 0 0 (larve) 9 0 50 0.0 0 50 0.0 0 50 0.0 0 0 10 0 50 0.0 1 49 2.0 0 50 0.0 0.7 1.2 11 0 50 0.0 1 49 2.0 0 50 0.0 0.7 1.2 12 0 50 0.0 2 48 4.0 1 49 2.0 2 2 13 2 48 4.0 2 48 4.0 2 48 4.0 4 0 14 2 48 4.0 2 48 4.0 3 47 6.0 5 1 15 4 46 8.0 3 47 6.0 5 45 10.0 8 2 D = Dead A = Alive % M = % mortality rep = repeat

[0209] From the data above it is noticeable that the mortality rate of the insects into the mix wheat/mineral powder (conditions 1 and 2) is quite similar to their natural mortality rate in the absence of any food and mineral powder (Blank test or control). Thus, the mineral powder acts as barrier between the insects and their food (wheat gains). This confirms that the mineral powder is not harmful to the insects and in particular is non-parasiticidal when doses are adapted, in particular to be at a mortality rate of at most 15+/−4% after 7 days.

[0210] One may see also that mortality rate is also higher with larve. This enables to reduce doses if only a prophylactic treatment is desired against larve without acting on individual insect adults.

Example 3 (in Accordance with the Invention)

[0211] Testing with Contact with Primary Insect Pest and Secondary Insect Pest with a Powder Mixed with Wheat Grain

[0212] Tests were conducted on similar conditions as Example 2 on organic untreated wheat (depositing 50 insects of each species on batches of 2 kg of mixed powder+wheat grains to initiate contact; maintaining contact at 22-25° C. with 60-63% relative humidity) but with a powder comprising 95% sodium bicarbonate and 5% silica, and a mean particle size less than 63 μm.

[0213] Sitophylus Oryzae (Rice weevil) was used as representative specy of Primary insect pest.

[0214] Tribolium Confusum (Flour beetle) was used as representative specy of Secondary insect pest.

[0215] The insects were not starved initially (ie normally fed before test), and each test performed three times to calculate a mean value and a standard deviation regarding repeatability.

[0216] Results are listed in tables 7 and 8 (Legend: D: dead, A: alive, M: mortality They show that an amount of 100 to 200 ppm, of an alkali bicarbonate powder of such particle size, the prophylactic effect is remarquable on typical primary and secondary insects pest of grains. Access to food of the insects is limited when doses increases and gives a mortality rate of insects that can be close or superior or equal to the mortality rate of insect deprived of wheat grains.

TABLE-US-00007 TABLE 7 TEST ON SITOPHILUS ORYZA Insect population mortality (%) vs. Number of days % M % M Dose added rep 1 rep 2 rep 3 Mean Std to wheat Days D A % M D A % M D A % M value Dev  50 ppm 5 0 50 0 0 50 0 0 50 0 0 0 7 0 50 0 0 50 0 0 50 0 0 0 10 2 48 4 1 49 2 1 49 2 3 1 15 8 42 16 7 43 14 4 46 8 13 4 20 9 41 18 12 38 24 11 39 22 21 3 30 13 37 26 20 30 40 18 32 36 34 7 100 ppm 5 0 50 0 0 50 0 0 50 0 0 0 7 0 50 0 1 49 2 0 50 0 1 1 10 0 50 0 1 49 2 1 49 2 1 1 15 3 47 6 4 46 8 2 48 4 6 2 20 22 28 44 25 25 50 21 29 42 45 4 30 36 14 72 38 12 76 31 19 62 70 7 150 ppm 5 0 50 0 0 50 0 0 50 0 0 0 7 2 48 4 1 49 2 0 50 0 2 2 10 5 45 10 7 43 14 1 49 2 9 6 15 33 17 66 38 12 76 26 24 52 65 12 20 45 5 90 41 9 82 40 10 80 84 5 30 50 0 100 50 0 100 50 0 100 100 0 200 ppm 5 0 50 0 0 50 0 0 50 0 0 0 7 1 49 2 1 49 2 0 50 0 1 1 10 8 42 16 9 41 18 5 45 10 15 4 15 40 10 80 36 14 72 38 12 76 76 4 20 48 2 96 50 0 100 50 0 100 99 2 30 50 0 100 50 0 100 50 0 100 100 0 Untreated 5 0 50 0 0 50 0 0 50 0 0 0 (with 7 0 50 0 0 50 0 0 50 0 0 0 grains) 10 0 50 0 0 50 0 0 50 0 0 0 15 0 50 0 0 50 0 0 50 0 0 0 20 0 50 0 0 50 0 1 49 2 1 1 30 1 49 2 1 49 2 3 47 6 3 2 Untreated 5 0 50 0 0 50 0 0 50 0 0 0 (without 7 3 47 6 1 49 2 0 50 0 3 3 grains) 10 6 44 12 4 46 8 3 47 6 9 3 15 37 13 74 30 20 60 33 17 66 67 7 20 47 3 94 48 2 96 50 0 100 97 3 30 50 0 100 50 0 100 50 0 100 100 0

TABLE-US-00008 TABLE 8 TEST ON TRIBOLIUM CONFUSUM Insect population mortality (%) vs. Number of days % M % M Dose added rep 1 rep 2 rep 3 Mean Std to wheat Days D A % M D A % M D A % M value Dev  50 ppm 5 0 50 0 0 50 0 0 50 0 0 0 7 0 50 0 0 50 0 0 50 0 0 0 10 2 48 4 1 49 2 0 50 0 2 2 15 4 46 8 1 49 2 2 48 4 5 3 20 9 41 18 7 43 14 6 44 12 15 3 30 11 39 22 14 36 28 15 35 30 27 4 100 ppm 5 0 50 0 0 50 0 0 50 0 0 0 7 0 50 0 0 50 0 0 50 0 0 0 10 6 44 12 0 50 0 1 49 2 5 6 15 8 42 16 4 46 8 2 48 4 9 6 20 11 39 22 13 37 26 15 35 30 26 4 30 37 13 74 40 10 80 34 16 68 74 6 150 ppm 5 0 50 0 0 50 0 0 50 0 0 0 7 1 49 2 0 50 0 0 50 0 1 1 10 4 46 8 2 48 4 3 47 6 6 2 15 26 24 52 29 21 58 22 28 44 51 7 20 41 9 82 50 0 100 44 6 88 90 9 30 50 0 100 50 0 100 50 0 100 100 0 200 ppm 5 0 50 0 0 50 0 1 49 2 1 1 7 2 48 4 1 49 2 1 49 2 3 1 10 10 40 20 5 45 10 6 44 12 14 5 15 42 8 84 40 10 80 39 11 78 81 3 20 50 0 100 50 0 100 47 3 94 98 3 30 50 0 100 50 0 100 50 0 100 100 0 Untreated 5 0 50 0 0 50 0 0 50 0 0 0 (with 7 0 50 0 0 50 0 0 50 0 0 0 grains) 10 0 50 0 1 49 2 0 50 0 1 1 15 0 50 0 1 49 2 1 49 2 1 1 20 1 49 2 1 49 2 1 49 2 2 0 30 3 47 6 2 48 4 3 47 6 5 1 Untreated 5 2 48 4 1 49 2 1 49 2 3 1 (without 7 2 48 4 2 48 4 1 49 2 3 1 grains) 10 4 46 8 4 46 8 4 46 8 8 0 15 26 24 52 22 28 44 20 30 40 45 6 20 47 3 94 50 0 100 50 0 100 98 3 30 50 0 100 50 0 100 50 0 100 100 0

Example 4 (in Accordance with the Invention)

[0217] Testing of Different Alkaline Metal Bicarbonate with Contact with Insect Pest with a Powder Mixed with Wheat Grain

[0218] Tests are conducted on similar conditions as Example 3 on organic untreated wheat with three different powders of different alkaline metal bicarbonate: sodium bicarbonate, potassium bicarbonate, and trona (comprising 93% sodium sesquicarbonate) and test influence of particle size of the powders according present invention.

[0219] Said three alkaline metal bicarbonates of coarse particle size (mean particle size between 220 and 280 μm) are mixed with 2% silica (Solvay Tixosil® 38 AB Food grade) to obtain three different composition comprising 98 wt % alkaline metal bicarbonates and 2 wt % silica.

[0220] Tests are performed on Sitophylus Oryzae (Rice weevil) at different doses from 200 to 2000 ppm plus a blank test without grains (insects deprived of grains). To achieve same efficacy as example 3 results in mortality rate the dosing of the three powders (98/2) has to reach values of about 1430 to 1880 ppm due to less effective mechanical bariier with coarser bicarbonates particle size.

Example 5 (in Accordance with the Invention)

[0221] Test on Alkaline Metal Bicarbonate Powder on Removing Dust of Grains

[0222] In this test, impact of the use of fine alkaline metal bicarbonate on the separation of dust of coarse food product (wheat grains) is evaluated. Clean wheat (provider: VERSELE-LAGA) is mixed with 0 (blank test), 0.7% and 1.5% of integral wheat flour (PRIMEAL type 150) simulating dust of grains.

[0223] Said three mixtures at 0, 0.7 and 1.5% of flour was mixed with the sodium bicarbonate powder used at example 3, with an amount of 0.1 and 0.2 wt % (1000 and 2000 ppm) of bicarbonate powder reported to the weight of wheat grain and wheat flour mixtures.

[0224] The following equipments were used to simulate an dust air separator: [0225] Vibrating sieve apparatus RETSCH AS 200 Digit [0226] Precision laboratory balances: METTLER PG5002-S and SARTORIUS BP 121 S. [0227] Sieve of 2 mm (n° 1). [0228] RETSCH standard sieve lid equipped with an air extractor to achieve an air velocity of 0.3 m/s above sieve.

[0229] For this test the following operating conditions were used [0230] Preparation of wheat, dust and sodium bicarbonate powder mixtures: [0231] Wheat division and weighing about 85 to 95 g of clean wheat. [0232] For tests with added dust, the calculated quantity of dust to be added is done (the quantity of dust is calculated according to the quantity of clean wheat weighed). [0233] For tests with addition of sodium bicarbonate powder, the calculated quantity of powder to be added (the quantity of powder is calculated according to the quantity of clean wheat weighed). [0234] Homogenization of mixtures with WAB Turbula mixer. [0235] Sieving clean or dirty wheat on the RETSCH sieve for 10 min with a 90% set vibration level. The air extraction is started before starting the sieving and stopped after stopping the sieving when tested. [0236] The intermediate bottom of sieve is weighed and also the 2 mm sieve with cleaned wheat, to make a precise weight loss balance on the dust removed. [0237] SEM pictures of wheat kernels after testing were performed.

[0238] Results are given on Table 9.

[0239] One can see that when sodium bicarbonate powder is added before separating fines of food product, the dedusting is sensitively improved: [0240] at least all the equivalent weight of the integrale flour added to simulate dust, plus the sodium bicarbonate mixture weight are removed when air suction is performed (with results from 108 to 111% weight of fines removed by sieving and air succion) [0241] comparatively, without sodium bicarbonate powder, only 84% (with 0.7% flour added) or 94% (with 1.5% flour added). This shows that fine dust (comprising mainly carbohydrates and wheat bran cellulose from the integral wheat flour) are usefully.

[0242] SEM pictures of corresponding samples show a decreased amout of impurities and dust fixed on the grains, though with numerous fine particles of sodum bicarbonate mixture still on the surface of the grains.

TABLE-US-00009 TABLE 9 DUST REMOVAL TESTS FROM GRAINS Loss of Flour 150 + weight of bicarbonate wheet (dust Flour 150 powder sieved and/ before before or succed by Efficacy of Operating conditions on 2 mm sieved) dedusting dedusting air sliev dust removed Sieved product Venting % % % % Clean without No — 0 0 0.02 — wheat bicarbonate Yes 0.3 m/s 0 0 0.22 — powder Clean +0.1% No — 0 0.1 0.05 46 wheat bicarbonate Yes 0.3 m/s 0 0.1 0.18 181 +0.2% No — 0 0.2 0.15 73 bicarbonate Yes 0.3 m/s 0 0.2 0.29 144 Clean without No — 0.7 0.7 0.56 81 wheat + bicarbonate Yes 0.3 m/s 0.7 0.7 0.56 81 0.7% powder Flour +0.1% No — 0.69 0.79 0.71 89 150 bicarbonate Yes 0.3 m/s 0.7 0.79 0.88 111 +0.2% No — 0.69 0.89 0.75 84 bicarbonate Yes 0.3 m/s 0.69 0.89 0.97 109 Clean without No — 1.48 1.48 1.15 78 wheat + bicarbonate Yes 0.3 m/s 1.48 1.48 1.39 94 1.5% powder Flour +0.1% No — 1.48 1.58 1.38 88 150 bicarbonate Yes 0.3 m/s 1.48 1.57 1.71 108 powder +0.2% No — 1.48 1.67 1.49 89 bicarbonate Yes 0.3 m/s 1.47 1.67 1.77 106 powder

Example 6 (in Accordance with the Invention)

[0243] Testing on Alkali Bicarbonate Powders Impact on Explosivity Limit of Fines from Cereal Grains:

[0244] To test the influence of alkali bicarbonate powders on the inflammation and on explosivity limit of dust from cereals grains, a measure was done of the explosive limit of flour with and without alkaline bicarbonate powder.

[0245] Typical dust and broken grains after crop collection and handling in trucks, before dedusting, is generally in the range 0.7% to 1.5% in weight of fines on total stock. And a clean grain after mechanical and/or gas or air separators dedusting operation, ready to be stored, is comprises generally between 0.3 to 0.5% of dust.

[0246] This dust, when separated from grains, is generally very fine and requires attention to avoid inflammation or explosion, in particular during dry and hot summers The Lower Explosive Limit (LEL) of a dust is the minimum concentration of dust in the air above which the mixture can be ignited. The measurement is made in a stainless steel sphere of 20 liters with an ignition energy of 2 kJ (pyrotechnic primer).

[0247] Median value of particle size of powders used were <63 μm.

[0248] The concentration of dust is varied to a mixture with air for which no ignition occurs in three consecutive tests. This mixture is at the concentration of LEL.

[0249] To do this, the Lower Explosive Limit is done according to NF EN 14034-3 norm, with: [0250] Flour alone (integral flour 150) [0251] Mixture of flour (85 wt %) and alkali metal bicarbonate powder (15 wt %).

[0252] The results were the following and show a favourable impact to increase explosive limit (ie quantity of dust/m3) and so reducing risks of explosion hazards: [0253] Lower Explosive Limit of sample 1 (flour alone): 90 g/m3. [0254] Lower Explosive Limit of sample 2 (mixture of flour and bicarbonate powder): 200 g/m3.

Example 7 (in Accordance with the Invention)

[0255] Testing on a Silo Alkaline Metal Bicarbonate Powder Addition

[0256] The sodium bicarbonate and silica mixture from example 3 was used in an application trial for incorporation into 50 tons of common wheat when filling a cell and samples taken when emptying said cell, with the following conditions: [0257] Treatment at the top of an elevator (about 25m high) during the filling of the industrial cell [0258] Treatment for 30 min of 50 T at 200 g/T so at 200 ppm dosage [0259] Grain flow: 100 T/h loaded in the cell [0260] Sodium bicarbonate mixture flow: 20 Kg/h added with a venture dosing system and air sprayed on the wheat at top of the elevator feeding the cell. [0261] Samples during emptying: [0262] At the exit of the grains (3 samples) [0263] After passage to the separator cleaner (3 samples) [0264] Sample taking at the exit of the cell: [0265] Sample No. 1 cell bottom (sampling at the beginning of emptying) [0266] Sample No 2 middle of cell (sampling in half of emptying) [0267] Sample No. 8 cell top (sampling at the end of emptying) [0268] Sample taking after passage into the separator cleaner: [0269] Sample No 3 cell bottom (sampling at the beginning of emptying) [0270] Sample No 4 middle of cell (sampling in half of emptying) [0271] Sample No. 9 top of cell (sampling at the end of emptying)

[0272] The measured quantity of sodium bicarbonate in corresponding wheat grains were as follows: [0273] At the exit of cell before passage to separator cleaner [0274] Samples 1, 2, 8 respectively: 202, 199, 202 ppm [0275] After the passage in the separator cleaner [0276] Samples 3, 4, 9 respectively: 134, 142, 149 ppm

[0277] Those results show that about 65% to 75% of the sodium bicarbonate mixture remain fixed in the food product (on grains) after (typical) air separator cleaner. This is useful for the prophylactic effect during grain (or beans or nuts) storage.

[0278] Therefore the alkaline metal bicarbonate in the food product should be increased typically from 25 to 50% above the targeted dose if added as auxiliary agent to help impurities and dust removal before mechanical or air separator if long-term storage is to be addressed.