Means of Applying Peracetic Acid to Achieve Enhanced Microbial Effect

摘要

The present method relates to a novel means of safely applying peracetic acid (peroxyacetic acid or PAA) to inert solid surfaces and non-inert surfaces such as those found on various agricultural products including citrus fruit, pome fruit, potatoes, and vegetables to achieve an enhanced microbial effect. This is useful as a low cost means of sanitizing agricultural products in situ in the storage facility while simultaneously sanitizing the storage facility itself.

主权项

1. A method of sterilizing a surface, said method comprising the steps of:
a) Heating a diluted aqueous solution of peracetic acid containing at least about 10,000 ppm of peracetic acid to form a superheated peracetic acid vapor; b) Cooling said superheated peracetic acid vapor to a temperature below about 55° C.; c) Contacting this cooled peracetic acid vapor with the surface to be sterilized.