Application system with recycle and related use of antimicrobial quaternary ammonium compound

摘要

An antimicrobial application system is disclosed, comprising an antimicrobial application unit and a recycle unit. An initial, dilute antimicrobial composition is prepared. The composition is provided to the antimicrobial application unit and applied to workpieces, such as raw poultry. After application to the workpieces, the composition is returned to the recycle tank. The concentration of the antimicrobial in the recycle tank is monitored, and additional antimicrobial is automatically added if the concentration of the antimicrobial in the composition falls below a desired amount. The composition is periodically diverted to a capture tank, and the antimicrobial is selectively removed from the composition. The removed antimicrobial and remaining composition are then disposed of in appropriate manners. The antimicrobial is preferably a quaternary ammonium compound, is more preferably an alkylpyridinium chloride, and is most preferably cetylpyridinium chloride.

主权项

1. A method, comprising:
(1) providing a composition, the composition comprising an antimicrobial component and a solubility enhancing agent, wherein the antimicrobial component comprises a quaternary ammonium compound; (2) applying the composition to a first workpiece by spraying, misting, fogging, pouring, dripping, or any combination thereof to form a concentrate composition; (3) after step (2), diverting a portion of concentrate composition to form a diverted portion; (4) diluting the diverted portion to form a diluted composition; (5) determining a concentration of the antimicrobial component in the diluted composition; (6) introducing without stirring or agitation an additional amount of the-antimicrobial component into the diluted composition if the concentration falls below a desired value; (7) after step (5), passing a first portion of the diluted composition to waste disposal; (8) recycling a second portion of the diluted composition in a first stream and a second stream; (9) applying the first stream on to a second workpiece; (10) combining the second stream with the diverted composition, wherein at least the first workpiece or the second workpiece is selected from the group consisting of meat, poultry, fish, fresh and salt water seafood.