Mysore, June 18, 2014 – Schevaran Laboratories Pvt. Ltd, in association with the Dept of Scientific & Industrial Research – Ministry of Science & Technology, Government of India & Central Food Technology Research Institute (CFTRI), and Mysore has developed ‘CRYOGUARD’, a bio-degradable disinfectant for use in commercial cold storage facilities. Developed under the Technological Self Reliance (PATSER) programme, ‘CRYOGUARD’ comprises ingredients of GRAS (Generally Recognised as Safe) status as per US Food and Drug Administration guidelines. Formulated to reduce the microbial load in cold storages , walk-in coolers, refrigerated trucks and refrigerators and eliminate pathogens, ‘CRYOGUARD’ is made of naturals-based ingredients like organic acids which are non toxic, non-polluting, biodegradable, safe to use and relatively inexpensive.
Contrary to general belief that storage under low temperatures is adequate to ensure food safety against microbial food contamination, it is only a means of slowing down food spoilage. Most food spoilage and pathogenic micro-organisms grow optimally at a room temperature of 25 – 350 C (mesophiles,) but at lower temperatures (4-80 C), their growth and activity are slowed down considerably. In deep freezers, their growth may be temporarily stopped, but they are not killed unlike in very high temperatures i.e. sterilization. A number of pathogens such as, Aeromonas, _Clostridium botulium, B. cereus, Listeria monocytogenes, Yersinia enterocolitica _and Salmonella can grow and produce toxins at temperatures of 5 °C or below.
Coolers and cold storages are frequently emptied and reloaded with produce that is already microbe borne and therefore require periodic disinfection. ‘CRYOGUARD’ is as a safer alternative to the existing oxidizing chemicals like Chlorine, Peracetic Acid, Hydrogen Peroxide, Ozone used in disinfectants. Though effective, these oxidizers generate highly reactive free radicals which are known to be carcinogenic to humans and animals.
It is paradoxical that while refrigeration prolongs the shelf life of perishable foods and prevents the growth of some microorganisms, it also promotes the survival of foodborne pathogens unable to grow at low temperatures. For example, the survival of verocytogenic _Escherichia coli_ in acidic environments such as apple juice and mayonnaise is appreciably longer at -5 to -7 °C than at 25 °C.
‘CRYOGUARD’ helps in lowering microbial load in cold storages resulting in increased shelf life of the stored products, but more importantly its usage will facilitate maintenance of microbiological standards of stored commodities. This will be more pertinent for items meant for exports and thus is of economic importance.
COMMENTING ON THE NEW PRODUCT, SAM CHERIAN KUMBUKATTU, MANAGING DIRECTOR, SCHEVARAN LABORATORIES PVT. LTD SAID, “Disinfection of institutional cold storage facilities and coolers that contain perishables and other food produce needs to be handled with extreme care and high levels of safety to avoid loss of essential nutrients, flavour and colour. We are happy to introduce ‘CRYOGUARD’, a pioneering product in India, with naturally occurring chemicals judiciously blended for efficient disinfection and most importantly safe for use. Cost-effective and non-toxic, the efficacy of the composition has been tested and approved by the CFTRI.”
‘CRYOGUARD’ is sold to institutional customers as a concentrate in a 5Ltr pack and has a dilution ratio of 50-200ml per litre of water depending upon the application required. CCI Newswire
