METHOD OF SANITIZING EDIBLE SEEDS, PARTICULARLY MUCILAGE PRODUCING SEEDS
Edible seeds are sanitized with a composition comprising water, a biocidal agent and a solvent. The composition is applied to the seeds and the seeds are later dried without first rinsing the seeds. The application rate may be 15% by weight of the seeds or less. The solvent may be a water-miscible alcohol such as ethanol or propylene glycol. When sanitizing mucilaginous seeds, the composition comprises one or more alcohols in an amount effective to inhibit the release of mucilage. The composition is initially applied as a mist to mucilaginous seeds. The biocidal agent may be an oxidizer such as peracetic acid. A treatment system includes an atomizing sprayer and a dryer, for example a fixed bed forced-air dryer.
1 . A method for sanitizing edible seeds comprising the steps of,
providing a sanitizing composition comprising water, at least one biocidal agent and at least one alcohol in an amount (a) effective to suppress the release of mucilage from mucilaginous seeds or (b) providing at least 15% by volume of the composition;
applying the sanitizing composition to the seeds; and,
drying the seeds.
2 . The method of claim 1 wherein the sanitizing composition is applied to mucilaginous seeds as a mist.
3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the seeds are dried at least 5 minutes, but not more than 24 hours, after applying the sanitizing composition.
4 . The method of claim 1 wherein the sanitizing composition comprises at least 13% by volume of propylene glycol or at least 15% by volume of ethanol or a mixture of ethanol and propylene glycol comprising at a minimum concentration obtained by linear interpolation of the values for ethanol and propylene glycol.
5 . The method of claim 1 wherein the at least one alcohol is ethanol in a concentration of no more than 20% by volume.
6 . The method of claim 1 wherein the applying step is followed by mixing the seeds.
7 . The method of claim 1 wherein the seeds are not rinsed before drying the seeds.
8 . The method of claim 1 wherein the sanitizing composition is applied at no more than 15% by weight of the seeds.
9 . The method of claim 1 wherein the drying step passing air through a bed of the seeds.
10 . The method of claim 1 wherein in the drying step the seeds are dried to a water content of 10% or less relative to the weight of the seeds or to a water content within 1% by weight of the seeds of the water content of the seeds before applying the sanitizing composition to the seeds.
11 . The method of claim 1 wherein the sanitizing composition comprises peracetic acid and ethanol, propylene glycol, or both.
12 . A sanitizing composition comprising,
water;
at least one biocidal agent; and,
at least one alcohol in an amount effective to suppress the release of mucilage from mucilaginous seeds.
13 . The sanitizing composition of claim 12 comprising at least 15% by volume of the at least one alcohol.
14 . The sanitizing composition of claim 12 wherein the biocidal agent is an oxidizer, preferably peracetic acid.
15 . The sanitizing composition of claim 12 comprising at least 13% by volume of propylene glycol or at least 15% by volume of ethanol or a mixture of ethanol and propylene glycol comprising at a minimum concentration obtained by linear interpolation of the values for ethanol and propylene glycol.