M2 Occido Plus

M2 OCCIDO PLUS is based on a new innovative oxidation technology and is a highly  effective industrial disinfectant for the disinfection, sanitation or treatment of fresh produce. 

M2 OCCIDO PLUS, in the disinfection process, does not create any DBP (Disinfection by products) HAA’s (Haloacetic acid) or THM’s (Trihalomethanes). 

During the AOP treatment free radicals are generated in sufficient quantity to remove  organic material, traceable organic contaminants, and certain inorganic pollutants. Free  radical activity also increases the biodegradability of inorganic contaminants by altering the  chemical structure and in the case of pathogen micro-organisms, destroying the cell  membranes. 

Understanding the terms used to describe microbial control is important when selecting the  appropriate action for eliminating disease causing organisms. Three terms commonly used  but often misunderstood are sterilization, disinfection, and sanitation. 

• Sterilization – The destruction of all infective and reproductive forms of all microorganisms (bacteria, fungi, virus, etc.).
• Disinfection – The destruction of all vegetative forms of microorganisms.
• Sanitation – The reduction of pathogenic organism numbers to a level at which they do not pose a disease threat to their host.

Application: M2 OCCIDO PLUS is a free flowing granular, highly soluble in water chemical  compilation containing no chlorine or any halogen-based product. It is much more safer than chlorine in the destruction of spores, total aerobic bacteria enumeration, viruses, fungi and  other pathogen organisms and also destroys phenols commonly encountered in natural underground waters.  

M2 OCCIDO PLUS– OXYGEN BASED SANITATION FOR FRESH PRODUCE TREATMENT FOR DRENCHING AND WETTING APPLICATIONS

FRUIT AND VEGETABLE HANDLING 

More than one third of the perishable food crops produced in the world is lost after  harvesting. Horticultural crops are perishable products that are harvested seasonally  and are subsequently subject to ripening, senescence, microbial and pest infestation,  water loss, anatomical, morphological and compositional changes. Therefore, the  development of adequate post harvest treatments for fresh horticultural food crops,  and their optimum use are of great necessity and economic importance. Adequate  post harvest treatments should reduce losses and preserve perishable foods to meet  consumer demands for constant availability and good quality throughout the year.

CHLORINATION 

Post harvest handling of many vegetables and fruits usually involves the use of  flumes, water dump tanks, spray washers, or hydro coolers. Most post harvest processes recirculate used water (process water) to conserve water and energy. Dirt,  organic matter and disease-causing pathogens can accumulate in process water  during dumping, hydro cooling, and flume recirculation. 

Disinfection is the treatment of process water to inactivate or destroy pathogenic bacteria, fungi, viruses, cysts, and other microorganisms. 

Disinfection is part of an overall sanitation and safety management program. 

Chlorination alone is not a sanitation program- it is best viewed to minimize the transmission of pathogens from infested produce or debris to non-infested surfaces such as harvest or process cuts, wounds, or natural plant surface openings. 

FORMS OF CHLORINE IN WATER 

Chlorine (Cl) is a very potent disinfectant with powerful oxidizing properties. Chlorine  is commercially available in three forms that have been approved for use by the EPA  (U.S Environmental Protection Agency) 

• Chlorine Gas (Cl₂) 
• Calcium Hypochlorite (CaCl₂0₂) 
• Sodium Hypochlorite (Na0Cl) 

KEY POINTS FOR PROPER CHLORINE DISINFECTION 

WATER SOURCE 

Potable water should be used for all post harvest washing, grading and cooling  operations. Contaminated water used during post harvest operations can transmit  diseases that decay the produce or adversely affect human health.  

TEMPERATURE 

Although chlorine activity slightly increases with temperature, low temperature and  improper pH values in hydro cooling, for example, can greatly reduce disinfection  efficiency. 

ORGANIC MATTER 

Chorine is highly reactive with leaves, soil, and any plant or vegetable material.  Each chemical reaction reduces the amount of active chlorine in the water.  Changing chlorinated water frequently or filtering out organic matter and debris is  essential for effective sanitation. Also, prewashing dirty produce can prolong the  useful life of chlorinated cooling water. 

Disinfection is best accomplished by driving contact (exposure) times and  concentrations through direct experience for each type of produce and local  conditions. Microorganisms differ in their sensitivity to chlorine: bacteria are most  sensitive, many fungal spores are less sensitive, and some spore-forming animal  parasites are highly insensitive. The practical duration of contact exposure is  generally 10 to 15 minutes. For example, bell peppers are not affected by 250 ppm  available chlorine, but carrots may lose orange colour intensity, and celery and  asparagus may develop light-brown surface pits when exposed to chlorine  concentrations exceeding 250 ppm. 

Chlorine kills only what it directly contacts. Water films that form on very small  contours on plant surfaces may prevent the chlorinated water from directly  contacting target microorganisms.  

MONITORING 

The chlorine concentration and pH of chlorinated process water should be checked  frequently using test paper strips, colorimetric kits, or electronic sensors. The  optimal frequency of testing is best determined through on-site experience. 

WASTE WATER DISPOSAL 

A disposal plan for chlorinated process water must be in place before any  chlorination system is used. As a concentrate, chlorine gas is extremely dangerous  and should be used only in properly designed containment systems that are isolated  from the processing plant area. 

OTHER DISINFECTANTS 

CHLORINE DIOXIDE (CIO₂) 

A yellow to red gas with 2.5 times the oxidizing potential of chlorine gas, chlorine  dioxide is explosive at concentrations above 10 percent a.i. or at temperatures above  130°C (266°F). 

The disinfecting power of chlorine dioxide is relatively constant with a pH of 6 to10.  It is effective against most microbes at concentrations of 3 to 5 ppm in clean water.  The need for on-site generation, specialized worker safety programs, and closed

injection systems for containment of concentrate leakage and fumes from  volatilization make chloride dioxide relatively expensive for produce applications. 

OZONE (o₃) 

Ozone is another strong oxidizing agent used in disinfection of process water,  drinking water, and swimming pools. In clean, potable water free of organic debris  and soil particulates, ozone is a highly effective sanitizer at concentrations of 0.5 to 2 ppm. Ozone is almost insoluble in water (0.00003g/100ml at 20°C (68°F); its  disinfectant activity is unaffected in at a water pH from 6 to 8. Ozone is highly  corrosive to equipment and lethal to humans with prolonged exposure at  concentrations above 4 ppm. Ozone is detectable by human smell at 0.01 to 0.04  ppm. At 1 ppm ozone has a pungent, disagreeable odour and is irritating to eyes  and throat. 

PEROXYACETIC ACID (CH₃CO₃H) 

Peroxyacetic acid is a colourless liquid with an acid odour; as a concentrate it is  considered a hazardous substance and a severe irritant if breathed. 

SODIUM HYPOPHOSPHITE (NaH₂PO₂) 

Although sodium hypophosphite has been shown to be active against spore-forming  microbes known to be resistant to standard levels of chlorine, it has had few  performance tests in process water. 

SODIUM SULFITE (NA₂SO₃) 

The U.S FDA prohibits the use of sodium sulphite or any sulphite-generating  materials as additives to process or cooling water at any concentration. No food  residue or tolerance level is permitted. 

ULTRAVIOLET ILLUMINATION 

An alternative to chemicals for disinfection of recycled or recirculating process water,  ultraviolet light has germicidal activity in wavelengths from 250 to 275 nm (shortwave  UV-C). The effectiveness of UV-C in disinfection depends on maintaining a clean  water supply by filtration. 

RELATED WEBSITES OF INTEREST

• National Food Safety Database http://ww.foodsafety.org 
• UC Post harvest Outreach Program http://postharvest.ucdavis.edu 
• Water Quality Association http://wqa.org
• Occupation Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) http://www.osha-slc.gov 

M2 OCCIDO PLUS OVERVIEW AND WORKING

M2 OCCIDO PLUS is formulated as a safe efficient alternative to chlorine and  

chlorine-based products in the disinfection of fresh produce where chlorine is used  as a disinfection medium.The scientific working of the disinfection/sanitizing process  of M2 OCCIDO PLUS is based on new innovative oxidation technology 

During the oxidation treatment of water and wastewater, free radicals are generated  in sufficient quantity to remove organic material, traceable organic contaminants, and  certain inorganic pollutants. Free radical activity also increases the biodegradability  of inorganic contaminants by altering the chemical structure and in the case of  pathogen micro-organisms, destroying the cell membranes. 

After a chain reaction in the water, the active components produce a continuous and sustained nascent oxidising agent in excess of 1000mV (ORP value), while at the  same time it oxidizes the chloride ion to yield stable hypochlorous acid, which  oxidizes and kills the pathogen. The initial dose of M2 OCCIDO Plus, as prescribed,  can yield oxidizing agents for up to 24 hours, with the same disinfection capability as  in the first few minutes, without any top up of product in the disinfection bath. 

The active components interfere with the synthesis of a pathogen’s DNA and RNA to  solidify the denaturalisation of the pathogen protein. Furthermore, the active components inhibit the systematic activity of the pathogen’s enzyme and affects its  metabolism, increase the permeability of the epicyte (cell membrane), and as a  result, the pathogen will dissolve (soften) and burst. 

M2 OCCIDO PLUS is formulated for two different applications namely: 

• Dip-tank or drench application  
• Spray-on application. 
  

M2 OCCIDO PLUS for water treatment is a white free flowing granular, highly  soluble in water chemical compilation containing no chlorine or any halogen-based product. It is environmentally friendly and does not form any disinfectant by-products(DBP’s) Trihalomethanes (THM’s), Haloacetic acid (HAA’s),MX-Factor or  DCA’s. All components used are listed on the GRAS (generally recognized as safe)  list of the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) of the USA. 

M2 OCCIDO PLUS is a proprietary blend of various oxidizing salts acting as a  powerful oxidizer, stabilizers, pH regulators and a non-ionic surfactant. The product  has an excellent residual value ensuring continuous killing abilities. One of the  ingredients of M2 OCCIDO PLUS breaks down biofilm that clings to surfaces and 

contains large quantities of bacteria and the additional powerful anti-bacterial  component ofM2 OCCIDO PLUS destroys the bacteria through membrane changes or damage due to penetration of the cell walls.M2 OCCIDO PLUS can be used to  oxidize hydrogen sulfide (H2S) and other reduced sulfur compounds such as  mercaptans, sulfides, disulfides and sulfites, in waste- water. 

M2 OCCIDO PLUS achieved a log 5 reduction (99,999%) at 15 grams per 25 litres of  water and a log 6 reduction (99,9999%) at 15 grams per 10 litres of water on the  following microorganisms: