Methods for treating an object with chlorine dioxide

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a method for treating an object with chlorine dioxide gas, comprising contacting the object with chlorine dioxide gas while exposing the object to less than 1000 lux of light. The disclosed method minimizes chlorine containing residue on the surface of the object. The object can be a raw agricultural commodity (RAC) such as a raw fruit or vegetable.

1 . A method for treating an object with chlorine dioxide gas while minimizing chlorine-containing residue on the object, comprising:
 contacting the object with chlorine dioxide gas while exposing the object to less than 1000 lux of light,   wherein:
 the chlorine-containing residue comprises chlorate, perchlorate, or a combination thereof; 
 the total amount of chlorate and perchlorate formed on the surface of the object from said contacting step is 190 μg/kg of the object or less; and 
 the object comprises a raw agricultural product. 
   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said exposing step comprises exposing the object to less than 200 lux of light. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the chlorine dioxide concentration adjacent the object during said treating step is 5 mg/L or less. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the chlorine dioxide concentration adjacent the object during said treating step is 2 mg/L or less. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of generating the chlorine dioxide gas by mixing dry particles of a chlorine dioxide precursor and a proton generating species. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the chlorine dioxide gas is generated by mixing a sodium chlorite solution and hydrochloric acid solution. 
     
     
         7 . (canceled) 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the total amount of chlorate formed on the surface of the object from said contacting step is 160 μg/kg of the object or less. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the total amount of perchlorate formed on the surface of the object from said contacting step is 30 μg/kg of the object or less. 
     
     
         10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the raw agricultural product includes a fruit, a vegetable, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the object is contacted with chlorine dioxide in a substantially dark or dark environment. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the object is contacted with chlorine dioxide for at least 5 minutes 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the treating step comprises treating the object at a humidity of 70% or less 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the treating step comprises treating the object at a temperature of 0-40° C. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the chlorine dioxide gas is generated in situ.