Hypothermic storage technology for biological material

Abstract

The present invention relates to the optimum bio-storage temperature of biological materials. The temperature is between the melting point depression of the biological material and zero degrees C. The melting point depression temperature is determined by thermography, differential scanning calorimetry and cryomicroscopy.

We claim:  
     
       1. A method for determining an optimum bio-storage temperature of a biological material, comprising the steps of: 
       selecting a biological material from the group consisting of food and non-food materials; and  
       determining a melting point depression temperature of the biological material, wherein the optimum bio-storage temperature is greater than the melting point depression temperature and equal to or  less than 0° C.  
     
     
       2. A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the biological material is selected from the group consisting of meat, fish and produce. 
     
     
       3. A method according to  claim 2 , wherein the biological material is meat. 
     
     
       4. A method according to  claim 2 , wherein the biological material is fish. 
     
     
       5. A method according to  claim 2 , wherein the biological material is produce. 
     
     
       6. A method for storing biological material, comprising the steps of: 
       selecting a biological material from the group consisting of food and non-food material;  
       determining a melting point depression temperature of the biological material; and  
       maintaining the biological material at an optimum bio-storage temperature, wherein said optimum bio-storage temperature is a temperature greater than the melting point depression temperature of said biological material and equal to or  less than 0° C.  
     
     
       7. A method according to  claim 6 , wherein the biological material is a food. 
     
     
       8. A method according to  claim 7 , wherein the biological material is selected from the group consisting of meat, fish, shellfish and produce. 
     
     
       9. A method according to claim herein   8 , wherein the biological material is meat. 
     
     
       10. A method according to  claim 9 , wherein the biological material is chicken breast and the chicken breast is maintained at a temperature greater than −1.2° C. and less than 0° C. 
     
     
       11. A method according to  claim 9 , wherein the biological material is beef steak and the beef steak is maintained at a temperature greater than −1.8° C. and less than 0° C. 
     
     
       12. A method according to  claim 8 , wherein the biological material is fish. 
     
     
       13. A method according to  claim 12 , wherein the biological material is blue fin tuna and the blue fin tuna is maintained at a temperature greater than −3.3° C. and less than 0° C. 
     
     
       14. A method according to  claim 12 , wherein the biological material is Atlantic salmon and the Atlantic salmon is stored at a temperature greater than −4.2° C. and less than 0° C. 
     
     
       15. A method according to  claim 8 , wherein the biological material is American lobster and the American lobster is stored at a temperature greater than −5.2° C. and less than 0° C. 
     
     
       16. A method according to  claim 8 , wherein the biological material is sea scallop meat and the sea scallop meat is stored at a temperature greater than −3.4° C. and less than 0° C. 
     
     
       17. A method according to  claim 8 , wherein the biological material is produce. 
     
     
       18. A method according to  claim 17 , wherein the biological material is kiwi and the kiwi is stored at a temperature greater than −2.9° C. and less than 0° C. 
     
     
       19. A method according to  claim 17 , wherein the biological material is an apple and the apple is stored at a temperature greater than −2.1° C. and less than 0° C. 
     
     
       20. A method according to  claim 6 , further comprising the step of: 
         storing the biological material in a refrigerated space, wherein the optimum bio - storage temperature is a temperature maintained in said refrigerated space that is as close to, but greater than, the melting point depression temperature as can be maintained by a temperature control system for said refrigerated space.   
     
     
       21. A method according to  claim 6 , wherein said optimum bio- storage temperature is  0 . 1 ° C. greater than the melting point depression temperature.