PRODUCT OPPORTUNITIES
COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGES
PERFORMANCE FACTORS
High Pressure Homogenization
Ultrasound
Rotor/Stator
Solvent Displacement
Phase Inversion Temperature
THIS INVENTION
Low Energy
-
+
Droplet radius ≤100nm
Long Term Stability
Increased water-solubility of hydrophobic essential oils
Easy industrial scale-up
TECHNOLOGY DESCRIPTION
This invention provides a food grade, GRAS disinfectant/sanitizer that can be applied to various food systems. Such disinfectant/sanitizer comprises an acidified antimicrobial nanoemulsion assembled spontaneously in the presence of an organic phase and an aqueous phase comprising an organic acid and an essential oil. The essential oil functions to permeabilize and depolarize the cytoplasmic membrane of foodborne pathogens while the organic acid has a direct impact on the intracellular pH of the pathogens. This combination has been proven to be effective with significant log reductions of various pathogens on both food and non-food surfaces. The utilization of spontaneous emulsification allows for minimal equipment, nominal training, and low energy by employing the stored chemical energy of the system.
ABOUT THE LEAD INVENTOR
Dr. D. Julian McClements is a Distinguished Professor in the Department of Food Science at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. His research interests include food biopolymers and colloids, oral delivery systems, gastrointestinal fate of nutrients and nutraceuticals, and food nanotechnolgy. He has published over 850 scientific articles in peer-reviewed journals, and is the co-editor of Annual Reviews in Food Science and Technology and a member of the editorial boards of a number of other journals.
AVAILABILITY:
Available for Licensing and/or Sponsored Research
DOCKET:
UMA 16-001
PATENT STATUS:
U.S. Patent 10,357,049 issued
NON-CONFIDENTIAL INVENTION DISCLOSURE
LEAD INVENTOR:
D. Julian McClements, Ph.D.
CONTACT: