# US 9,516,878 B2 · Aqueous chlorous acid solution for use as disinfectant

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- Number: US 9,516,878 B2
- Document ID: US9516878B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 14/563,564
- Filed: 2014-12-08
- Published: 2015-04-02
- Granted: 2016-12-13
- Earliest claimed: 2006-08-28
- Assignees: Honbu Sankei Co., Ltd.
- Applicants: Honbu Sankei Co., Ltd.
- Inventors: Hisataka Goda
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9516878B2

## CPC

- A01N 25/22: containing ingredients stabilising the active ingredients
- A01N 59/00: Biocides, pest repellants or attractants, or plant growth regulators containing elements or inorganic compounds
- A01N 59/14: Boron; Compounds thereof
- A01N 59/26: Phosphorus; Compounds thereof
- A23B 2/754: containing carboxyl groups
- A23B 2/788: Inorganic compounds
- C01B 11/08: Chlorous acid
- A23V 2002/00: Food compositions, function of food ingredients or processes for food or foodstuffs
- A01N: PRESERVATION OF BODIES OF HUMANS OR ANIMALS OR PLANTS OR PARTS THEREOF (preservation of food or foodstuff A23); BIOCIDES, e.g. AS DISINFECTANTS, AS PESTICIDES OR AS HERBICIDES (preparations for medical, dental or toiletry purposes which kill or prevent the growth or proliferation of unwanted organisms A61K); PEST REPELLANTS OR ATTRACTANTS; PLANT GROWTH REGULATORS
- A23B: PRESERVATION OF FOODS, FOODSTUFFS OR NON-ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES; CHEMICAL RIPENING OF FRUIT OR VEGETABLES
- C01B: NON-METALLIC ELEMENTS; COMPOUNDS THEREOF; {METALLOIDS OR COMPOUNDS THEREOF NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASS C01C}
- A23V: INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO FOODS, FOODSTUFFS OR NON-ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES AND LACTIC OR PROPIONIC ACID BACTERIA USED IN FOODSTUFFS OR FOOD PREPARATION

## Abstract

A process for producing aqueous chlorous acid solution in which chlorous acid, which is safe for the human body, is easy to handle, and less generates chlorine dioxide, is yielded and used as a disinfectant for a pretreatment in food processing. To an aqueous sodium chlorate solution is added sulfuric acid or an aqueous solution thereof in such an amount and concentration that the pH of the aqueous solution can be kept at 2.3-3.4 to thereby react them and generate chloric acid. Subsequently, hydrogen peroxide is added to the chloric acid in an amount which is equal to or larger than the amount necessary for a reduction reaction to thereby yield chlorous acid. Any one of inorganic acids, inorganic acid salts, organic acids, and organic acid salts, or two or more thereof, or a combination or these is added to the aqueous solution containing chlorous acid yielded, whereby the chlorous and acid can be present for long and the pH of the aqueous solution is regulated to regulated to 3.2-7.0. Thus, high bactericidal power is imparted thereto.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A process for pretreating food in food-processing operations, comprising the steps of:
forming a chlorous acid-containing solution using aqueous sodium chlorate solution as a starting material;
adding to the chlorous acid-containing solution at least one compound selected from the group consisting of inorganic and organic acids and salts or a combination thereof to provide long-term stabilization of said chlorous acid for delaying the conversion of chlorous acid to chlorine dioxide and produce an aqueous solution in a form that is capable of sustaining chlorous acid for an extended time of 30 days, wherein the pH of said aqueous solution is in the range of 3.2 to 7.0; and
applying the aqueous solution to food as disinfectant for pretreatment of food-processing operations.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The process of claim 1, wherein the aqueous solution is formed by adding to the chlorous acid-containing solution at least one compound selected from the group consisting of organic acids and salts or a combination thereof.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The process of claim 1, wherein the aqueous solution is formed by adding to the chlorous acid-containing solution at least one compound selected from the group consisting of inorganic acids and salts or a combination thereof.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The process of claim 1, wherein said organic acids include succinic acid, citric acid, malic acid, acetic acid, or lactic acid.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The process of claim 1, wherein said organic salts include sodium succinate, potassium succinate, sodium citrate, potassium citrate, sodium malate, potassium malate, sodium acetate, potassium acetate, sodium lactate, potassium lactate, or calcium lactate.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The process of claim 1, wherein said inorganic acids include carbonic acid, phosphoric acid, boric acid, or sulfuric acid.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The process of claim 1, wherein said inorganic salts include carbonates, hydroxides, phosphates, or borates.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The process of claim 7, wherein said carbonates include sodium carbonate, potassium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate, or potassium bicarbonate.

### Claim 9 (depends on 7)

The process of claim 7, wherein said hydroxides include sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide.

### Claim 10 (depends on 7)

The process of claim 7, wherein said phosphates include disodium hydrogenphosphate, sodium dihydrogenphosphate, trisodium phosphate, tripotassium phosphate, dipotassium hydrogenphosphate, or potassium dihydrogenphosphate.

### Claim 11 (depends on 7)

The process of claim 7, wherein said borates include sodium borate or potassium borate.

### Claim 12 (depends on 1)

The process of claim 1, wherein in the aqueous solution, a chain of reaction represented by:
is ongoing.

### Claim 13 (depends on 1)

The process of claim 1, wherein the process further comprises providing the chlorous acid-containing solution as a first solution, and the adding comprises adding a second solution comprising the at least one compound selected from the group consisting of inorganic and organic acids and salts or a combination thereof to the first solution.