University of California

Manuel C Lagunas-Solar

Timothy K Essert

James S Cullor

Neal F Peck

Nolan X Zeng

Alvan W Pyne

John A Jungerman

Bennie I Osburn

Horace H Hines

A method and system for disinfecting and disinfesting a commodity, such as a perishable agricultural commodity, by treatment with an environment of low oxygen/high ballast gas with cycled pressure changes that overwhelm and damage the respiratory system of the insect without damaging the host commodity. The system and method may also include the introduction of disinfectants, antiseptics and other toxic chemicals or the exposure to radio frequencies with intense electric fields that may increase the metabolic activity of the pest or decrease the fitness of the pest within the low oxygen environment. Treatments according to the methods can also increase the shelf life of agricultural commodities by eradicating or delaying the growth of bacteria, fungi, protozoa and other microbial pests.

Disinfestation and disinfection of food, perishables and other commodities

A method and a system for the application of radio frequency energy to a host material in order to inhibit the presence of pathogenic or spoilage organisms, and the host material thereby treated. In general terms, a radio frequency field is introduced to a host material, where the radio frequency field is configured to resonantly introduce thermal energy to the host material at a frequency, where the thermal energy is sufficient to cause irreversible changes in infective organisms, and where the radio frequency field is configured at a power level such that the thermal energy causes only reversible changes in the host material.

Method for inhibiting pathogenic and spoilage activity in products

Methods of inactivating pathogens in biological materials, and biological materials that have been so treated, are provided. The inactivation methodology employs UV radiation, by devices such as lasers, to cause inactivation of pathogens, such as viruses.

Method for laser inactivation of infectious agents

A non-chemical, non-residue method of controlling pests, pathogens and other undesirable organisms found in food supplies. The organisms are exposed to ultra-short pulses of ultraviolet light emitted at a wavelength which is absorbed by surface coloring chemicals in the insect, such as entegumen. The coloring chemicals act as a heat sink to the ultraviolet photons, and the undesired organisms are selectively heated without harming adjacent food objects. The heat thus induced in the insects causes irreparable or irreversible lethal damage.

Method of controlling insects and mites with pulsed ultraviolet light

Microorganisms, including not only bacteria related to hygiene, food spoilage and human pathogenesis but also fungi which are commonly found in fresh fruits and vegetables, can be reduced or eliminated for surface microbial disinfection of foods and for other purposes by exposing an area containing such microorganisms to a monochromatic beam of pulsed ultraviolet laser radiation of wavelength about 240-280 nm, or in particular about 240-260 nm, with pulse duration in the range of picoseconds to microseconds at 1-1900 mJ/cm.sup.2 for most situations. Laser energy irradiance should be controlled in the case of some foods because of the limited tolerance to such exposure.

Method of controlling microorganisms by pulsed ultraviolet laser

A method is provided for preparing medicinally acceptable .sup.123 I by bombarding an XI (X is alkali metal or I) target in the liquid phase with a proton beam of a predetermined amperage and energy, while continuously passing a helium stream, optionally having a small amount of xenon, through the target area. The radioactive xenon collected by the helium stream is trapped in a cold trap, purified and then isolated in a deacy vessel, where the xenon decays to .sup.123 I. An iodine scavenger is provided for the helium effluent from the target, to remove any iodine from the helium stream, which would decrease the purity of the desired isotope.

Growing community of inventors

Davis, CA, United States of America

Manuel C Lagunas-Solar