Method for disinfecting and tempering grain
AssigneeGeneral Mills, Inc.
InventorsDavid J Domingues, Steven R Pretzel, Yuewei Hu, Craig A Dowd, James P Michaels
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Abstract
Methods for inoculating a grain suitable for use in testing methods of reducing bacterial load are disclosed. Also disclosed are methods of reducing bacterial load on a grain by using elevated temperature and an organic acid. Also disclosed are methods of tempering a grain at an elevated temperature and reduced time as compared to standard tempering methods.
Claims11
A method of reducing bacterial load on grain, the method comprising incubating a mixture including the grain and an organic acid solution for a time and temperature sufficient to provide at least a 2 log reduction in an inoculated grain of the same type, wherein:
- the organic acid is lactic acid, peracetic acid, acetic acid, citric acid or salicylic acid;
- the time is less than 24 hours;
- and
- the temperature is at least 70° F.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.