CA2102362C - Method and apparatus of at least partially sterilizing foodstuffs - Google Patents
Method and apparatus of at least partially sterilizing foodstuffsInfo
- Publication number
- CA2102362C CA2102362C CA002102362A CA2102362A CA2102362C CA 2102362 C CA2102362 C CA 2102362C CA 002102362 A CA002102362 A CA 002102362A CA 2102362 A CA2102362 A CA 2102362A CA 2102362 C CA2102362 C CA 2102362C
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- ozone
- amount
- wash water
- foodstuffs
- another substance
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Fee Related
Links
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- Food Preservation Except Freezing, Refrigeration, And Drying (AREA)
- Storage Of Fruits Or Vegetables (AREA)
Abstract
Method and apparatus for at least partially sterilizing foodstuffs wherein the foodstuffs are treated with ozone while in a body of wash water.
Description
A METHOD AND APPARATUS OF
AT LEAST PARTIALLY STERILIZING FOODSTUFFS
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention is generally directed to a method and apparatus of at least partially sterilizing foodstuffs, particularly agricultural produce such as fruits and vegetables which can be consumed in a raw or partially cooked condition by treating the foodstuffs, after harvesting, with ozone.
BACKGROUND OF THE PRIOR ART
A conventional process for cleaning agricultural produce such as fruit and vegetables includes pouring the produce into a vat of water. Channels of wash water are provided between cleaning stations and/or receiving and packing stations. The produce is set into the channels of wash water and floated downstream between the respective stations. This method satisfactorily cleans the produce, but is generally not effective in sterilizing the produce against infestation by microorganisms.
It would, therefore, be a significant advance in the art of washing foodstuffs, such as agricultural produce including fruits and vegetables, if the foodstuffs could be sterilized, particularly against microorganism infestation during the washing process.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is generally directed to a method and apparatus for at least partially sterilizing ~L
foodstuffs using ozone. In particular, the present invention is directed to a method and apparatus of sterilizing foodstuffs such as agricultural produce including fruits and vegetables comprising delivering the foodstuffs to a body of wash water and delivering a sterilizing effective amount of ozone to the same body of water to thereby sterilize the foodstuffs during the washlng process.
In a preferred form of the invention, there is also provided means to detect the concentration of ozone in the wash water and to compare the same to a predetermined amount of ozone that is desirable for sterilization. Means are provided for changing the amount of ozone in the water, if the detected amount differs from the predetermined amount, until the detected amount is at least substantially the same as the predetermined amount of ozone.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The following drawing is illustrative of an embodiment of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention as encompassed by the claims forming part of the application.
Figure 1 is a schematic view of an embodiment of the foodstuff sterilization system of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The method and apparatus of the present invention are particularly directed to sterilizing foodstuffs, hereinafter exemplified by fruits and vegetables, with ozone while the fruits and vegetables pass from one X
station to another in a channel of wash water.
It will be appreciated that the concentration of ozone in the wash water will be maintained within a predetermined range of values depending upon various factors. For example, where the ozone is fed into channels of wash water containing floating fruits and vegetables, the concentration of ozone will be determined, inter alia, by the rate of passage of the fruits and vegetables (mass per unit time), the identity of the particular fruits and vegetables being cleaned; and the expected duration of treatment which may be determined by the length of travel of the fruits and vegetables between stations.
Generally, most fruits and vegetables are satisfactorily treated according to the method of the present invention after a period of from about 0.5 seconds to 5 minutes in a channel of wash water having an ozone concentration of from about 0.5 mg/l to 400 mg/l.
In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, there is provided a system for controlling the concentration of ozone in the wash water. The system includes a device for measuring the concentration of the ozone in the wash water and regulating means connectable to a supply of ozone for regulating the delivery of the ozone to the wash water.
The regulating means may operate by interrupting the supply of the ozone for an appropriate period of time to vary the concentration thereof in the wash water based on the amount of ozone detected in the wash water and the comparison thereof with a predetermined amount of ozone. Instead or in addition, the regulating means may permit the rate at which the ozone is fed to the wash water to be varied.
-X
The regulating means may be manually operated or may be automatically operated according to the particular value of the ozone concentration measurement at any time. Automatic operation may be provided, for example, via a data processor.
In one embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention, the measuring device may include an appropriate instrument positioned in the water supply for detecting the concentration of ozone and for transmitting a signal corresponding to the detected concentration. The signal is transmitted to a control means, such as a data processor, which determines whether or not a variation in the ozone concentration is required and adjusts the ozone regulating means accordingly. The regulating means may comprise a pneumatic or hydraulic actuating valve, controllable by the data processor or the like, and may be located in a feed line from the ozone supply.
Depending on the properties of any other substance or composition that may be required to be added to the wash water, it may be desirable to supply the ozone and such other substance or composition as a mixture thereof in desired relative proportions. Instead, such other substance or composition may be fed to the wash water separately from the ozone, and the method then may include monitoring and optionally controlling the concentration of said other substance or composition in the wash water, and/or the relative proportions therein of the ozone and such other substance or composition.
Referring to Figure 1, the system 10 includes a data processor 12, a measuring device 14 for measuring the amount of ozone in the wash water 16 flowing through a channel 18, and ozone supply 20 connected to the channel 18 via a pneumatic or hydraulic actuating valve 22. The ozone may be supplied from any conventional source such as from an ozone producing system using an electric arc or ultraviolet light.
The data processor 12 is electrically or electronically linked to the measuring device 14 from which it can receive information pertaining to the amount of ozone in the water 16, and further is electrically or electronically linked to the activating valve 22. Operation of the activating valve 22 is preferably under the control of the data processor 12.
In use, ozone is fed into the water 16 from the ozone supply 20 via the activation valve 22. The ozone concentration downstream from the ozone supply 20 is continuously or intermittently monitored via the measuring device 14 and data processor 12.
When the ozone concentration falls below a predetermined minimum value, the activating valve 22 opens in reaction to an appropriate signal received from the data processor 12. An appropriate amount of ozone is then fed into the wash water 16. When the data processor 12, via the measuring device 14, detects an acceptable increase in the ozone concentration in the water 16, the activating valve 22 closes and thereby interrupts the ozone supply to the water 16.
The activating valve 22 may be kept open and adjusted, as a result of signals from the data processor 12, so as to increase or reduce the feeding rate of the ozone.
In certain applications, it may be necessary to take measurements of the ozone concentration at a plurality of measuring stations, and to feed ozone into the wash water at a plurality of feed stations. Such multiple measurement points may be desirable when the length of the channel and/or the time it takes for the fruits and vegetables to travel from one station to .~ ~.
another is excessive.
An embodiment of the invention was tested as follows. A conventional cleaning system was used in which fruits and vegetables were poured into vats of wash water where initial washing of the produce took place and at least the majority of visible dirt was removed. Thereafter, the fruits and vegetables were transported to a packing station by floating along a channel of water 16. The distance travelled along the channel was approximately lOm. The individual pieces of the fruits and vegetables typically spent approximately 20 seconds in the channel of water 16.
The concentration of ozone in the water 16 was maintained in the range 30 to 31 mg/l by employing the system shown in Figure 1.
At the packing station, the fruits and vegetables were removed from the wash water and examined for microorganisms. They were found to have been effectively cleaned and were largely free of microorganism infestation.
The advantages of the present invention include the simplicity of sterilizing edible foodstuffs while cleaning the foodstuffs in a conventional water washing system.
AT LEAST PARTIALLY STERILIZING FOODSTUFFS
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention is generally directed to a method and apparatus of at least partially sterilizing foodstuffs, particularly agricultural produce such as fruits and vegetables which can be consumed in a raw or partially cooked condition by treating the foodstuffs, after harvesting, with ozone.
BACKGROUND OF THE PRIOR ART
A conventional process for cleaning agricultural produce such as fruit and vegetables includes pouring the produce into a vat of water. Channels of wash water are provided between cleaning stations and/or receiving and packing stations. The produce is set into the channels of wash water and floated downstream between the respective stations. This method satisfactorily cleans the produce, but is generally not effective in sterilizing the produce against infestation by microorganisms.
It would, therefore, be a significant advance in the art of washing foodstuffs, such as agricultural produce including fruits and vegetables, if the foodstuffs could be sterilized, particularly against microorganism infestation during the washing process.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is generally directed to a method and apparatus for at least partially sterilizing ~L
foodstuffs using ozone. In particular, the present invention is directed to a method and apparatus of sterilizing foodstuffs such as agricultural produce including fruits and vegetables comprising delivering the foodstuffs to a body of wash water and delivering a sterilizing effective amount of ozone to the same body of water to thereby sterilize the foodstuffs during the washlng process.
In a preferred form of the invention, there is also provided means to detect the concentration of ozone in the wash water and to compare the same to a predetermined amount of ozone that is desirable for sterilization. Means are provided for changing the amount of ozone in the water, if the detected amount differs from the predetermined amount, until the detected amount is at least substantially the same as the predetermined amount of ozone.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The following drawing is illustrative of an embodiment of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention as encompassed by the claims forming part of the application.
Figure 1 is a schematic view of an embodiment of the foodstuff sterilization system of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The method and apparatus of the present invention are particularly directed to sterilizing foodstuffs, hereinafter exemplified by fruits and vegetables, with ozone while the fruits and vegetables pass from one X
station to another in a channel of wash water.
It will be appreciated that the concentration of ozone in the wash water will be maintained within a predetermined range of values depending upon various factors. For example, where the ozone is fed into channels of wash water containing floating fruits and vegetables, the concentration of ozone will be determined, inter alia, by the rate of passage of the fruits and vegetables (mass per unit time), the identity of the particular fruits and vegetables being cleaned; and the expected duration of treatment which may be determined by the length of travel of the fruits and vegetables between stations.
Generally, most fruits and vegetables are satisfactorily treated according to the method of the present invention after a period of from about 0.5 seconds to 5 minutes in a channel of wash water having an ozone concentration of from about 0.5 mg/l to 400 mg/l.
In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, there is provided a system for controlling the concentration of ozone in the wash water. The system includes a device for measuring the concentration of the ozone in the wash water and regulating means connectable to a supply of ozone for regulating the delivery of the ozone to the wash water.
The regulating means may operate by interrupting the supply of the ozone for an appropriate period of time to vary the concentration thereof in the wash water based on the amount of ozone detected in the wash water and the comparison thereof with a predetermined amount of ozone. Instead or in addition, the regulating means may permit the rate at which the ozone is fed to the wash water to be varied.
-X
The regulating means may be manually operated or may be automatically operated according to the particular value of the ozone concentration measurement at any time. Automatic operation may be provided, for example, via a data processor.
In one embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention, the measuring device may include an appropriate instrument positioned in the water supply for detecting the concentration of ozone and for transmitting a signal corresponding to the detected concentration. The signal is transmitted to a control means, such as a data processor, which determines whether or not a variation in the ozone concentration is required and adjusts the ozone regulating means accordingly. The regulating means may comprise a pneumatic or hydraulic actuating valve, controllable by the data processor or the like, and may be located in a feed line from the ozone supply.
Depending on the properties of any other substance or composition that may be required to be added to the wash water, it may be desirable to supply the ozone and such other substance or composition as a mixture thereof in desired relative proportions. Instead, such other substance or composition may be fed to the wash water separately from the ozone, and the method then may include monitoring and optionally controlling the concentration of said other substance or composition in the wash water, and/or the relative proportions therein of the ozone and such other substance or composition.
Referring to Figure 1, the system 10 includes a data processor 12, a measuring device 14 for measuring the amount of ozone in the wash water 16 flowing through a channel 18, and ozone supply 20 connected to the channel 18 via a pneumatic or hydraulic actuating valve 22. The ozone may be supplied from any conventional source such as from an ozone producing system using an electric arc or ultraviolet light.
The data processor 12 is electrically or electronically linked to the measuring device 14 from which it can receive information pertaining to the amount of ozone in the water 16, and further is electrically or electronically linked to the activating valve 22. Operation of the activating valve 22 is preferably under the control of the data processor 12.
In use, ozone is fed into the water 16 from the ozone supply 20 via the activation valve 22. The ozone concentration downstream from the ozone supply 20 is continuously or intermittently monitored via the measuring device 14 and data processor 12.
When the ozone concentration falls below a predetermined minimum value, the activating valve 22 opens in reaction to an appropriate signal received from the data processor 12. An appropriate amount of ozone is then fed into the wash water 16. When the data processor 12, via the measuring device 14, detects an acceptable increase in the ozone concentration in the water 16, the activating valve 22 closes and thereby interrupts the ozone supply to the water 16.
The activating valve 22 may be kept open and adjusted, as a result of signals from the data processor 12, so as to increase or reduce the feeding rate of the ozone.
In certain applications, it may be necessary to take measurements of the ozone concentration at a plurality of measuring stations, and to feed ozone into the wash water at a plurality of feed stations. Such multiple measurement points may be desirable when the length of the channel and/or the time it takes for the fruits and vegetables to travel from one station to .~ ~.
another is excessive.
An embodiment of the invention was tested as follows. A conventional cleaning system was used in which fruits and vegetables were poured into vats of wash water where initial washing of the produce took place and at least the majority of visible dirt was removed. Thereafter, the fruits and vegetables were transported to a packing station by floating along a channel of water 16. The distance travelled along the channel was approximately lOm. The individual pieces of the fruits and vegetables typically spent approximately 20 seconds in the channel of water 16.
The concentration of ozone in the water 16 was maintained in the range 30 to 31 mg/l by employing the system shown in Figure 1.
At the packing station, the fruits and vegetables were removed from the wash water and examined for microorganisms. They were found to have been effectively cleaned and were largely free of microorganism infestation.
The advantages of the present invention include the simplicity of sterilizing edible foodstuffs while cleaning the foodstuffs in a conventional water washing system.
Claims (17)
1. A method of at least partially sterilizing foodstuffs comprising:
(a) delivering the foodstuffs to a body of wash water; and (b) delivering a sterilizing effective amount of ozone to said body of wash water containing said foodstuffs.
(a) delivering the foodstuffs to a body of wash water; and (b) delivering a sterilizing effective amount of ozone to said body of wash water containing said foodstuffs.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein step (a) further comprises delivering the water into a channel positioned between a first and second location, generating a flow of the water within said channel, and delivering the ozone into the water within said channel.
3. The method of claim 1 further comprising measuring the amount of the ozone in the wash water and comparing the measured amount of ozone to a predetermined amount of ozone which is sufficient to sterilize the foodstuffs.
4. The method of claim 3 wherein the measured amount of ozone is different than the predetermined amount of ozone, said method further comprising regulating the amount of ozone in the wash water so that the amount of ozone in the wash water is at least substantially the same as the predetermined amount of ozone.
5. The method of claim 1 comprising delivering the sterilizing effective amount of ozone to the body of wash water and then delivering the foodstuffs to the body of wash water containing the ozone.
6. The method of claim 3 comprising measuring the amount of ozone in the wash water, generating a first signal corresponding to said amount of ozone, regulating the rate at which the ozone is fed to the wash water according to the difference between the measured amount of ozone and the predetermined amount of ozone.
7. The method of claim 3 further comprising adding another substance to the wash water, measuring the amount of said another substance in the wash water and comparing said measured amount of said another substance with a predetermined amount of said another substance and regulating the rate of addition of said another substance to the wash water according to the difference between said measured amount and said predetermined amount of said another substance.
8. The method of claim 3 wherein the step of measuring the amount of ozone in the wash water is conducted continuously.
9. The method of claim 3 wherein the step of measuring the amount of ozone in the wash water is conducted intermittently.
10. The method of claim 1 wherein the sterilizing effective amount of ozone is 0.5 mg/l to 400 mg/l of wash water.
11. An apparatus for at least partially sterilizing foodstuffs comprising:
(a) a first delivery means for delivering foodstuffs to a body of wash water; and (b) a second delivery means for delivering a sterilizing effective amount of ozone to said body of water.
(a) a first delivery means for delivering foodstuffs to a body of wash water; and (b) a second delivery means for delivering a sterilizing effective amount of ozone to said body of water.
12. The apparatus of claim 11 further comprising a channel operatively connected to the first delivery means for receiving the foodstuffs.
13. The apparatus of claim 11 further comprising measuring means for measuring the amount of the ozone in the wash water and comparing the measured amount of ozone to a predetermined amount of ozone.
14. The apparatus of claim 13 further comprising regulating means for regulating the amount of the ozone in the wash water until the amount of ozone in the wash water is at least substantially the same as the predetermined amount.
15. The apparatus of claim 13 comprising means for generating a signal corresponding to the measured amount of ozone, regulating means for regulating the amount of ozone in the wash water according to the difference between the measured amount of ozone and the predetermined amount of ozone.
16. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the measuring means for measuring the amount of ozone is operated continuously or intermittently.
17. The apparatus of claim 13 further comprising means for adding another substance to the wash water, means for measuring the amount of said another substance in the wash water, means for comparing the measured amount of said another substance with a predetermined amount of said another substance, and means for regulating the rate of addition of said another substance to the wash water according to the difference between said measured amount and said predetermined amount of said another substance.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| ZA928505 | 1992-11-04 | ||
| ZA92/8505 | 1992-11-04 |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2102362A1 CA2102362A1 (en) | 1994-05-05 |
| CA2102362C true CA2102362C (en) | 1997-03-25 |
Family
ID=25582292
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002102362A Expired - Fee Related CA2102362C (en) | 1992-11-04 | 1993-11-03 | Method and apparatus of at least partially sterilizing foodstuffs |
Country Status (2)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2102362C (en) |
| ZA (1) | ZA938242B (en) |
Families Citing this family (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FR2782898B1 (en) * | 1998-09-03 | 2000-10-06 | Air Liquide | METHOD AND INSTALLATION FOR REGULATED WASHING OF FOOD PRODUCTS WITH OZONE WATER |
| DE10033901A1 (en) * | 2000-07-12 | 2002-02-07 | Food Freshley Ges Fuer Mineral | Process for the preservation of food |
-
1993
- 1993-11-03 CA CA002102362A patent/CA2102362C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1993-11-04 ZA ZA938242A patent/ZA938242B/en unknown
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| CA2102362A1 (en) | 1994-05-05 |
| ZA938242B (en) | 1994-06-08 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEER | Examination request | ||
| MKLA | Lapsed |