Concentrated, non-foaming solution of quaternary ammonium compounds and methods of use

US7541045B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS · US

Inventors

• Cesar M. Compadre · Little Rock, US
• Philip Breen · Little Rock, US
• Hamid Salari · Little Rock, US
• E. Kim Fifer · Little Rock, US
• Danny L. Lattin · Brookings, US
• Michael Slavik · Springdale, US
• Yanbin Li · Fayetteville, US
• Timothy O'Brien · Little Rock, US
• Amy L. Waldroup · Payson, US
• Thomas F. Berg · Sheboygan, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Sep 17, 2004
• Grant date: Jun 2, 2009
• Expiry date: Sep 17, 2024

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y02A50/30
• WIPO field: Food chemistry
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

A concentrated quaternary ammonium compound (QAC) solution comprising a QAC with a concentration from greater than about 10% by weight and at least one solubility enhancing agent, such as an alcohol, is disclosed. A diluted QAC solution is used to contact food products to prevent microbial growth on the food products from a broad spectrum of foodborne microbial contamination. A method of contacting the food products with the dilute QAC for an application time of at least 0.1 second is disclosed. The foods that can be treated by this method are meat and meat products, seafood, vegetables, fruit, dairy products, pet foods and snacks, and any other food that can be treated and still retain its appearance and texture. One of the treatment methods is spraying and misting the QAC solutions on the food products for an application time of at least 0.1 second to prevent broad spectrum foodborne microbial contamination.